bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in patients of novel coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Zhao Juanjuan , Yuan Quan , Wang Haiyan , Liu Wei , Liao Xuejiao , Su Yingying , Wang Xin , Yuan Jing , Li Tingdong , Li Jinxiu , Qian Shen , Hong Congming , Wang Fuxiang , Liu Yingxia , Wang Zhaoqin , He Qing , Li Zhiyong , He Bin , Zhang Tianying , Ge Shengxiang , Liu Lei , Zhang Jun , Xia Ningshao , Zhang Zheng
Published: March 2020

Background

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is a newly emerging virus. The antibody response in infected patient remains largely unknown, and the clinical values of antibody testing have not been fully demonstrated.

Methods

A total of 173 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled. Their serial plasma samples (n = 535) collected during the hospitalization period were tested for total antibodies (Ab), IgM and IgG against SARS-CoV-2 using immunoassays. The dynamics of antibodies with the progress and severity of disease was analyzed.

Results

Among 173 patients, the seroconversion rate for Ab, IgM and IgG was 93.1% (161/173), 82.7% (143/173) and 64.7% (112/173), respectively. Twelve patients who had not seroconverted were those only blood samples at the early stage of illness were collected. The seroconversion sequentially appeared for Ab, IgM and then IgG, with a median time of 11, 12 and 14 days, respectively. The presence of antibodies was < 40% among patients in the first 7 days of illness, and then rapidly increased to 100.0%, 94.3% and 79.8% for Ab, IgM and IgG respectively since day 15 after onset. In contrast, the positive rate of RNA decreased from 66.7% (58/87) in samples collected before day 7 to 45.5% (25/55) during days 15 to 39. Combining RNA and antibody detections significantly improved the sensitivity of pathogenic diagnosis for COVID-19 patients (p < 0.001), even in early phase of 1-week since onset (p = 0.007). Moreover, a higher titer of Ab was independently associated with a worse clinical classification (p = 0.006).

Conclusions

The antibody detection offers vital clinical information during the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The findings provide strong empirical support for the routine application of serological testing in the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 patients.
Crystal structure of Nsp15 endoribonuclease NendoU from SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Kim Youngchang , Jedrzejczak Robert , Maltseva Natalia I. , Endres Michael , Godzik Adam , Michalska Karolina , Joachimiak Andrzej
Published: March 2020

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 is rapidly spreading around the world. There is no existing vaccine or proven drug to prevent infections and stop virus proliferation. Although this virus is similar to human and animal SARS- and MERS-CoVs the detailed information about SARS-CoV-2 proteins structures and functions is urgently needed to rapidly develop effective vaccines, antibodies and antivirals. We applied high-throughput protein production and structure determination pipeline at the Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases to produce SARS-CoV-2 proteins and structures. Here we report the high-resolution crystal structure of endoribonuclease Nsp15/NendoU from SARS-CoV-2 – a virus causing current world-wide epidemics. We compare this structure with previously reported models of Nsp15 from SARS and MERS coronaviruses.
Investigation of Codon Alternation Patterns in Genetic Diseases through Numerical Representation and Codon Classification
Authors: Sengupta Antara , Chakraborty Subhadip , Choudhury Pabitra Pal , Roy Swarup , Das Jayanta Kumar , Mallick Ditipriya , Jana Siddhartha S
Published: March 2020

Alteration of amino acids is possible due to mutation in codons that could have potential reasons to occur disease. Single nucleotide substitutions (SNS) in genetic codon thus have prime importance for their ability to occur mutations that may be deleterious indeed. Effective mutation analysis can help to predict the fate of the diseased individual which can be validated later by in-vitro experiments. Hence in this present study, we try to investigate the codon alteration patterns and their impact during mutation for the genes known to be responsible for a particular disease. We use a numerical representation of four nucleotides based on the number of hydrogen bonds in their chemical structures and make a classification of 64 codons as well as corresponding 20 amino acids into three different classes (Strong, Weak and Transitional). The entire analysis has been carried out based on these classifications. For our current study, we consider two neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson’s disease, and Glaucoma. Several evidences claim similarities between both the diseases but proper pathogenetic factors are still unknown. The analysis reveals that the strong class of codons is highly mutated followed by the weak and transitional class. We observe that most of the mutations occur in the first or second positions in the codon rather than the third and mutations that occurred at the second place of codons are majorly deleterious. In most cases, the change in the determinative degree of codon due to mutation is directly proportional to the physical density property. Furthermore, we derive a determinative degree of five wild-type amino acid sequences, which can help biologists to understand the evolutionary relationship among them based on amino acid occurrence frequencies in proteins. In this regard we proposed an alignment-free methodSSADDA(SequenceSimilarityAnalysis usingDeterminativeDegree ofAmino acid). Thus, our scheme gives a more microscopic and alternative representation of the existing codon table that helps in deciphering interesting codon alteration patterns during mutations in disease pathogenesis.
Deficiency in Translesion DNA Polymerase ζ Induces an Innate Immune Response
Authors: Martin Sara K. , Tomida Junya , Wood Richard D.
Published: March 2020

DNA polymerase pol ζ is regarded as a specialized DNA polymerase for bypass of DNA lesions. In mammalian cells, pol ζ also contributes to genomic stability during normal DNA replication. Disruption ofRev3l(the catalytic subunit of pol ζ) is toxic to cells and mice, with increased constitutive chromosome damage, including micronuclei. As the cellular manifestations of this genomic stress have remained unexplored, we measured genome-wide transcriptional changes by RNA-seq in pol ζ-defective cells. Expression of 1117 transcripts was altered by 4-fold or more inRev3lknockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), with a pattern showing an induction of an innate immune response. We validated the increased expression of known interferon-stimulated genes (ISG) at the mRNA and protein levels. We found that the cGAS-STING axis, which senses cytosolic DNA, drives ISG expression inRev3lknockout MEFs. These results reveal a new genome protective function of pol ζ and indicate that inhibition of pol ζ may be therapeutically useful by simultaneously increasing sensitivity to genotoxins and inducing a cytotoxic innate immune response.
Development and evaluation of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection ofTomato brown rugose fruit virus(ToBRFV)
Authors: Sarkes Alian , Fu Heting , Feindel David , Harding Michael W. , Feng Jie
Published: March 2020

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus(ToBRFV) is a member ofTobamovirusinfecting tomato and pepper. Within North America, both the United States and Mexico consider ToBRFV to be a regulated pest. In Canada, the presence of ToBRFV has been reported, but an efficient diagnostic system has not yet been established. Here, we describe the development and assessment of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based assay to detect ToBRFV. The LAMP test was efficient and robust, and results could be obtained within 35 min with an available RNA sample. Amplification was possible when either water bath or oven were used to maintain the temperature at isothermal conditions (65°C), and results could be read by visual observation of colour change. Detection limit of the LAMP was eight target RNA molecules. Under the experimental conditions tested, LAMP was as sensitive as qPCR and 100 times more sensitive than the currently used rt-PCR. We recommend this sensitive, efficient LAMP protocol to be used for routine lab testing of ToBRFV.
Stress-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of RtcB modulates IRE1 activity and signaling outputs
Authors: Papaioannou Alexandra , Centonze Federica , Metais Alice , Maurel Marion , Negroni Luc , González-Quiroz Matías , Mahdizadeh Sayyed Jalil , Svensson Gabriella , Golchesmeh Ensieh Zare , Blondel Alice , Koong Albert C , Hetz Claudio , Pedeux Rémy , Tremblay Michel L. , Eriksson Leif A. , Chevet Eric
Published: March 2020

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress is a hallmark of various diseases, which is dealt with through the activation of an adaptive signaling pathway named the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). This response is mediated by three ER-resident sensors and the most evolutionary conserved, IRE1α signals through its cytosolic kinase and endoribonuclease (RNase) activities. IRE1α RNase activity can either catalyze the initial step of XBP1 mRNA unconventional splicing or degrade a number of RNAs through Regulated IRE1- Dependent Decay (RIDD). The balance between these two activities plays an instrumental role in cells’ life and death decisions upon ER stress. Until now, the biochemical and biological outputs of IRE1α RNase activity have been well documented, however, the precise mechanisms controlling whether IRE1 signaling is adaptive or pro-death (terminal) remain unclear. This prompted us to further investigate those mechanisms and we hypothesized that XBP1 mRNA splicing and RIDD activity could be co-regulated by the IRE1α RNase regulatory network. We showed that a key nexus in this pathway is the tRNA ligase RtcB which, together with IRE1α, is responsible for XBP1 mRNA splicing. We demonstrated that RtcB is tyrosine phosphorylated by c-Abl and dephosphorylated by PTP1B. Moreover, we identified RtcB Y306 as a key residue which, when phosphorylated, perturbs RtcB interaction with IRE1α, thereby attenuating XBP1 mRNA splicing and favoring RIDD. Our results demonstrate that the IRE1α RNase regulatory network is dynamically fine-tuned by tyrosine kinases and phosphatases upon various stresses and that the nature of the stress determines cell adaptive or death outputs.
Structural and functional characterization of the Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus L protein
Authors: Vogel Dominik , Thorkelsson Sigurdur Rafn , Quemin Emmanuelle R. J. , Meier Kristina , Kouba Tomas , Gogrefe Nadja , Busch Carola , Reindl Sophia , Günther Stephan , Cusack Stephen , Grünewald Kay , Rosenthal Maria
Published: March 2020

TheBunyaviralesorder contains several emerging viruses with high epidemic potential, including Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV). The lack of medical countermeasures, such as vaccines and antivirals, is a limiting factor for the containment of any virus outbreak. To develop such antivirals a profound understanding of the viral replication process is essential. The L protein of bunyaviruses is a multi-functional and multi-domain protein performing both virus transcription and genome replication and, therefore, would be an ideal drug target. We established expression and purification procedures for the full-length L protein of SFTSV. By combining single-particle electron-cryo microscopy and X-ray crystallography, we obtained 3D models covering ∼70% of the SFTSV L protein in the apo-conformation including the polymerase core region, the endonuclease and the cap-binding domain. We compared this first L structure of thePhenuiviridaefamily to the structures of La Crosse peribunyavirus L protein and influenza orthomyxovirus polymerase. Together with a comprehensive biochemical characterization of the distinct functions of SFTSV L protein, this work provides a solid framework for future structural and functional studies of L protein-RNA interactions and the development of antiviral strategies against this group of emerging human pathogens.
Exifone is a Potent HDAC1 Activator with Neuroprotective Activity in Human Neuronal Models of Neurodegeneration
Authors: Patnaik Debasis , Pao Ping-Chieh , Zhao Wen-Ning , Silva M. Catarina , Hylton Norma K. , Chindavong Peter S. , Pan Ling , Tsai Li-Huei , Haggarty Stephen J.
Published: March 2020

Genomic instability caused by a deficiency in the DNA damage response and repair has been linked to age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Preventing genomic instability that ultimately leads to neuronal death may provide a broadly effective strategy to protect against multiple potential genotoxic stressors. Recently, the zinc-dependent, class I histone deacetylase HDAC1 has been identified as a critical factor for protecting neurons from deleterious effects of DNA damage in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Translating these observations to a novel neuroprotective therapy for AD, ALS, and FTD may be advanced by the identification of small molecules capable of increasing the deacetylase activity of HDAC1 selectively over other structurally similar HDACs. Here, we demonstrate that exifone, a drug previously shown to be effective in treating cognitive deficits associated with AD and Parkinson’s disease, the molecular mechanism of which has remained poorly understood, potently activates the deacetylase activity of HDAC1 and provides protection against genotoxic stress. We show that exifone acts as a mixed, non-essential activator of HDAC1 that is capable of binding to both free and substrate-bound enzyme resulting in an increased relative maximal rate of HDAC1-catalyzed deacetylation. Exifone can directly bind to HDAC1 based upon biolayer interferometry assays with kinetic and selectivity profiling suggesting HDAC1 is preferentially targeted compared to other class I HDACs and the kinase CDK5 that have also been implicated in neurodegeneration. Consistent with a mechanism of deacetylase activation intracellularly, treatment of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neuronal cells resulted in globally decreased histone acetylation. Moreover, exifone treatment was neuroprotective in a tauopathy patient iPSC-derived neuronal model subject to oxidative stress. Taken together, these findings reveal exifone as a potent activator of HDAC1-mediated deacetylation, thereby offering a lead for novel therapeutic development aiming to protect genomic integrity in the context of neurodegeneration and aging.

Graphical Abstract
Internal state configures olfactory behavior and early sensory processing inDrosophilalarvae
Authors: Vogt Katrin , Zimmerman David M. , Schlichting Matthias , Hernandez-Nunez Luis , Qin Shanshan , Malacon Karen , Rosbash Michael , Pehlevan Cengiz , Cardona Albert , Samuel Aravinthan D.T.
Published: March 2020

Animals exhibit different behavioral responses to the same sensory cue depending on their state at a given moment in time. How and where in the brain are sensory inputs combined with internal state information to select an appropriate behavior? Here we investigate how food deprivation affects olfactory behavior inDrosophilalarvae. We find that certain odors reliably repel well-fed animals but attract food-deprived animals. We show that feeding state flexibly alters neural processing in the first olfactory center, the antennal lobe. Food deprivation differentially modulates two separate output pathways that are required for opposing behavioral responses. Uniglomerular projection neurons mediate odor attraction and show elevated odor-evoked activity in the food-deprived state. A multiglomerular projection neuron mediates odor aversion and receives odor-evoked inhibition in the food-deprived state. The switch between these two pathways is regulated by the lone serotonergic neuron in the antennal lobe, CSD. Our findings demonstrate how flexible behaviors can arise from state-dependent circuit dynamics in an early sensory processing center.
Characterization of interstitial heterogeneity in the developing kidney
Authors: England Alicia R. , Chaney Christopher P. , Das Amrita , Patel Mohita , Malewsak Alicia , Armendariz Daniel , Hon Gary , Strand Douglas , Drake Keri , Carroll Thomas J.
Published: March 2020

Kidney formation requires the coordinated growth of multiple cell types including the collecting ducts, nephrons, vasculature and interstitium. There has been a long-held belief that interactions between the progenitors of the collecting ducts and nephrons are primarily responsible for development of this organ. However, over the last several years, it has become increasingly clear that multiple aspects of kidney development require signaling from the interstitium. How the interstitium orchestrates these various roles is still poorly understood. We show that during development, the interstitium is a highly heterogeneous, patterned population of cells that occupies distinct positions correlated to the adjacent parenchyma. Our analysis indicates that the heterogeneity is not a mere reflection of different stages in a linear developmental trajectory but instead represents several novel differentiated cell states. Further, we find that beta-catenin has a cell autonomous role in the development of a medullary subset of the interstitium and that this non-autonomously affects the development of the adjacent epithelia. These findings suggest the intriguing possibility that the different interstitial subtypes may create microenvironments that play unique roles in development of the adjacent epithelia and endothelia.

Graphical Abstract

The developing interstitium is a highly heterogeneous, patterned population of cells that occupies distinct positions correlated to the adjacent parenchyma.
Multi-epitope vaccine design using an immunoinformatics approach for 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
Authors: Feng Ye , Qiu Min , Liu Liang , Zou Shengmei , Li Yun , Luo Kai , Guo Qianpeng , Han Ning , Sun Yingqiang , Wang Kui , Zhuang Xinlei , Zhang Shanshan , Chen Shuqing , Mo Fan
Published: March 2020

A new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused over 9.2 million infection cases and 475758 deaths worldwide. Due to the rapid dissemination and the unavailability of specific therapy, there is a desperate need for vaccines to combat the epidemic of SARS-CoV-2. An in silico approach based on the available virus genome was applied to identify 19 high immunogenic B-cell epitopes and 499 human-leukocyte-antigen (HLA) restricted T-cell epitopes. Thirty multi-epitope peptide vaccines were designed by iNeo Suite, and manufactured by solid-phase synthesis. Docking analysis showed stable hydrogen bonds of epitopes with their corresponding HLA alleles. When four vaccine peptide candidates from the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 were selected to immunize mice, a significantly larger amount of IgG in serum as well as an increase of CD19+ cells in ILNs was observed in peptide-immunized mice compared to the control mice. The ratio of IFN-γ-secreting lymphocytes in CD4+ or CD8+ cells in the peptides-immunized mice were higher than that in the control mice. There were also a larger number of IFN-γ-secreting T cells in spleen in the peptides-immunized mice. This study screened antigenic B-cell and T-cell epitopes in all encoded proteins of SARS-CoV-2, and further designed multi-epitope based peptide vaccine against viral structural proteins. The obtained vaccine peptides successfully elicited specific humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. Primate experiments and clinical trial are urgently required to validate the efficacy and safety of these vaccine peptides.

Importance

So far, a new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused over 9.2 million infection cases and 475758 deaths worldwide. Due to the rapid dissemination and the unavailability of specific therapy, there is a desperate need for vaccines to combat the epidemic of SARS-CoV-2. Different from the development approaches for traditional vaccines, the development of our peptide vaccine is faster and simpler. In this study, we performed an in silico approach to identify the antigenic B-cell epitopes and human-leukocyte-antigen (HLA) restricted T-cell epitopes, and designed a panel of multi-epitope peptide vaccines. The resulting SARS-CoV-2 multi-epitope peptide vaccine could elicit specific humoral and cellular immune responses in mice efficiently, displaying its great potential in our fight of COVID-19.
Endothelial cell response to Hedgehog ligands depends on their processing
Authors: Hollier Pierre-Louis , Chapouly Candice , Diop Aissata , Guimbal Sarah , Cornuault Lauriane , Gadeau Alain-Pierre , Renault Marie-Ange
Published: March 2020

Rationale

The therapeutic potential of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling agonists for vascular diseases is of growing interest. However, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the role of the Hh signaling in vascular biology remain poorly understood.

Objective

The purpose of the present paper is to clarify some conflicting literature data.

Findings

With this goal we have demonstrated that, unexpectedly, ectopically administered N-terminal Sonic Hedgehog (N-Shh) and endogenous endothelial-derived Desert Hedgehog (Dhh) induce opposite effects in endothelial cells. (ECs). Notably, endothelial Dhh acts under its full-length soluble form (FL-Dhh) and activates Smoothened in ECs, while N-Shh inhibits it. At molecular level, N-Shh prevents FL-Dhh binding to Patched-1 demonstrating that N-Shh acts as competitive antagonist to FL-Dhh. Besides, we found that even though FL-Hh ligands and N-Hh ligands all bind Patched-1, they induce specific Patched-1 localization. Finally, we confirmed that in a pathophysiological setting i.e. brain inflammation, astrocyte-derived N-Shh act as a FL-Dhh antagonist.

Conclusion

The present study highlights for the first time that FL-Dhh and N-Hh ligands have antagonistic properties especially in ECs, and demonstrates that Hh ligands or forms of Hh ligands cannot be used instead of another for therapeutic purposes.
Mechanical properties of near alpha titanium alloys for high-temperature applications - a review
Authors: Tabie Vitus Mwinteribo , Li Chong , Saifu Wang , Li Jianwei , Xu Xiaojing
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present a broad review of near-a titanium alloys for high-temperature applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a brief introduction of titanium (Ti) alloys, this paper considers the near-α group of Ti alloys, which are the most popular high-temperature Ti alloys developed for a high-temperature application, particularly in compressor disc and blades in aero-engines. The paper is relied on literature within the past decade to discuss phase stability and microstructural effect of alloying elements, plastic deformation and reinforcements used in the development of these alloys.

Findings

The near-a Ti alloys show high potential for high-temperature applications, and many researchers have explored the incorporation of TiC, TiB SiC, Y2O3, La2O3and Al2O3reinforcements for improved mechanical properties. Rolling, extrusion, forging and some severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques, as well as heat treatment methods, have also been explored extensively. There is, however, a paucity of information on SiC, Y2O3and carbon nanotube reinforcements and their combinations for improved mechanical properties. Information on some SPD techniques such as cyclic extrusion compression, multiaxial compression/forging and repeated corrugation and straightening for this class of alloys is also limited.

Originality/value

This paper provides a topical, technical insight into developments in near-a Ti alloys using literature from within the past decade. It also outlines the future developments of this class of Ti alloys.
A cooperative crowdsourcing framework for knowledge extraction in digital humanities – cases on Tang poetry
Authors: Hong Liang , Hou Wenjun , Wu Zonghui , Han Huijie
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a knowledge extraction framework to extract knowledge, including entities and relationships between them, from unstructured texts in digital humanities (DH).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed cooperative crowdsourcing framework (CCF) uses both human–computer cooperation and crowdsourcing to achieve high-quality and scalable knowledge extraction. CCF integrates active learning with a novel category-based crowdsourcing mechanism to facilitate domain experts labeling and verifying extracted knowledge.

Findings

The case study shows that CCF can effectively and efficiently extract knowledge from multi-sourced heterogeneous data in the field of Tang poetry. Specifically, CCF achieves higher accuracy of knowledge extraction than the state-of-the-art methods, the contribution of feedbacks to the training model can be maximized by the active learning mechanism and the proposed category-based crowdsourcing mechanism can scale up the effective human–computer collaboration by considering the specialization of workers in different categories of tasks.

Research limitations/implications

This research proposes CCF to enable high-quality and scalable knowledge extraction in the field of Tang poetry. CCF can be generalized to other fields of DH by introducing domain knowledge and experts.

Practical implications

The extracted knowledge is machine-understandable and can support the research of Tang poetry and knowledge-driven intelligent applications in DH.

Originality/value

CCF is the first human-in-the-loop knowledge extraction framework that integrates active learning and crowdsourcing mechanisms; he human–computer cooperation method uses the feedback of domain experts through the active learning mechanism; the category-based crowdsourcing mechanism considers the matching of categories of DH data and especially of domain experts.
Blood flow of MHD non-Newtonian nanofluid with heat transfer and slip effects
Authors: Elelamy Asmaa F. , Elgazery Nasser S. , Ellahi R.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate a mathematical model with numerical simulation for bacterial growth in the heart valve.

Design/methodology/approach

For antibacterial activities and antibodies properties, nanoparticles have been used. As antibiotics are commonly thought to be homogeneously dispersed through the blood, therefore, non-Newtonian fluid of Casson micropolar blood flow in the heart valve for two dimensional with variable properties is used. The heat transfer with induced magnetic field translational attraction under the influence of slip is considered for the resemblance of the heart valve prosthesis. The numeral results have been obtained by using the Chebyshev pseudospectral method.

Findings

It is proven that vascular resistance decreases for increasing blood velocity. It is noted that when the magnetic field will be induced from the heart valve prosthesis then it may cause a decrease in vascular resistance. The unbounded molecules and antibiotic concentration that are able to penetrate the bacteria are increased by increasing values of vascular resistance. The bacterial growth density cultivates for upswing values of magnetic permeability and magnetic parameters.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate a mathematical model with numerical simulation for bacterial growth in the heart valve.
The association of analysts’ cash flow forecasts with stock recommendation profitability
Authors: Pan Shanshan , Xu Zhaohui Randall
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether analysts’ cash flow forecasts improve the profitability of their stock recommendations and whether the positive effect of cash flow forecasts on analysts’ stock recommendation performance varies with firms’ earnings quality.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the authors’ predictions, they identify a sample of 161,673 stock recommendations with contemporaneous earnings forecasts and/or cash flow forecasts and regress market-adjusted stock returns on a binary variable that proxies for the issuance of cash flow forecasts while controlling for contemporaneous earnings forecast accuracy, earnings quality, analysts’ forecast experience and capability and certain firm characteristics. The authors’ test results are robust to alternative measures of recommendation profitability, earnings quality and the use of recommendation revisions instead of recommendation levels.

Findings

The authors find that when analysts issue cash flow forecasts concurrently with earnings forecasts, their stock recommendations lead to higher profitability than when they only issue earnings forecasts, after controlling for analysts’ forecast capability. Moreover, the authors document that the contemporaneous positive relationship between cash flow forecasts and recommendations profitability is stronger for firms with low earnings quality than for firms with high earnings quality. The findings suggest that cash flow forecasts issued by analysts in response to market demand likely play a more important role in firm valuation than cash flow forecasts issued by analysts mainly because of supply-side considerations.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could build on these findings to conduct further investigation on the alternative incentives for analysts’ forecasts of sales growth and long-term growth rates.

Practical implications

These findings may also help investors to better assess the quality of analysts’ research outputs and to identify superior stock recommendations.

Originality/value

This study provides insight into the role of cash flow forecasts in firm valuation and adds fresh evidence to the debate on the usefulness of cash flow forecasts. It extends the stream of research on the characteristics of analyst forecasts and increases our knowledge about the role of analysts in the financial market.
Evaluation of gaps in early warning mechanisms and evacuation procedures for coastal communities in Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera Chamal , Jayasooriya Darshana , Jayasiri Gimhan , Randil Chameera , Bandara Chaminda , Siriwardana Chandana , Dissanayake Ranjith , Hippola Sameera , Sylva Kamani , Kamalrathne Thushara , Kulatunga Asela
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Even though Sri Lanka has established Early Warning (EW) mechanisms and Evacuation Procedures (EP) for the communities affected by the coastal disasters, there are several gaps, which hinder effective mechanisms in operation of disaster management practices. These gaps affect both the vulnerable communities and relevant authorities involved in the Disaster Management sector. This paper aims to identify and evaluate those gaps while providing adequate solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

For that, questionnaire surveys were carried out with a sample size of 217 via an online survey (117) among the urban level and interviews and telephone interviews (100) with the village level coastal communities. Data analysis was carried out using statistical analysis of questionnaire surveys and grounded theory was used for in-depth qualitative study.

Findings

Primary and secondary data obtained from the surveys were categorized under five themes, namely, response to early warning systems, evacuation routes, shelters, drills and training, effect of having a family vehicle, relatives and domestic animals, evacuation of people with special needs and cooperation with local government units. This paper analyses these themes in detail.

Originality/value

While critically evaluating the gaps in existing early warning mechanisms and evacuation procedures, this paper identifies correlations between some of the gaps and recommendations as well. Input from the international academics were also obtained at different forums and have strengthen the findings to overcome the barriers, which hinder successful mechanisms.
The “Interacted” actor in platformed networks: theorizing practices of managerial experience value co-creation
Authors: Ramaswamy Venkat , Ozcan Kerimcan
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the “interacted” actor and connect it with practices of managerial value creation in an interactive business world. In doing so, it accounts for the interactive agency of actors via dynamics of the creational process across increasing technological “platformization” of interactions of heterogeneous (human and non-human) sociomaterial entities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study discusses a foundational theoretical framework of a co-creation paradigm (CCP) while connecting it with recent industrial marketing and purchasing (IMP) literature on mixed network and system ontology. It then elaborates on conceptual research contributions and key business management implications in advancing IMP studies through CCP.

Findings

The framing of interactional flows across interactive system environments in business networks is related to both stability and developmental change in the enactment of creation via interactive agencies-structures in the ongoing pursuits of both business efficiency and innovation of value creational opportunities.

Practical implications

By effectively configuring platformed networked interactions of experience value creation in their business contexts, managers (and stakeholding individuals in general) can better cope with the complexity of interactivity and interdependencies.

Originality/value

Managerial experience value co-creation through CCP builds on the IMP tradition by explicitly recognizing actors, in addition to activities and resources as being interactively defined. Because the relational logics are applicable at varying levels of scale across system-environment boundaries, it can be applied at both the individual and company levels or more generally at any level of agglomeration.
Optimization by mixture design approach
Authors: Abadou Yacine , Ghrieb Abderrahmane , Bustamante Rosa , Faid Hayette
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to fit an appropriate mathematical model to express response variables as functions of the proportions of the mixture components. One purpose of statistical modeling in a mixture experiment is to model the blending surface such that predictions of the response for any mixture component, singly or in combination, can be made empirically. Testing of the model adequacy will also be an important part of the statistical procedure.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of mortar using air lime, marble and ceramic sanitary waste aggregates were prepared for statistically designed combinations. The combinations were designed based on the mixture-design concept of design of experiments; this mortar is often used as a filler material in restoration projects. The aim of this work is to find an optimal composition of a paste for the manufacture of air lime mortar with ceramic and marble waste. This investigation aims to recommend mix design for air lime-based mortar, by optimizing the input combination for different properties, and to predict properties such as mechanical strength, thermogravimetric and x-ray diffraction analysis with a high degree of accuracy, based on a statistical analysis of experimental data.

Findings

This paper discusses those mortar properties that architects, contractors and owners consider important. For each of these properties, the influence of ceramic and marble waste in the air lime mortar is explored. The flexibility of lime-based mortars with waste materials to meet a wide range of needs in both new construction and restoration of masonry projects is demonstrated.

Originality/value

The objective of the present investigation is to recommend mixture design for air lime mortar with waste, by optimizing the input combination for different properties, and to predict properties such as compressive strength, flexural strength with a high degree of accuracy, based on the statistical analysis of experimental data. The authors conducted a mixture design study that takes into account dependent parameters such as the constituents of our air lime-based mortar where we have determined an experiment matrix to which we have connected the two responses, namely, compressive and flexural strength. By introducing the desirability criteria of these two responses, using JMP software, we were able to obtain a mixture optimal for air lime mortar with ceramic and marble waste.
Assessing the economic and social impacts of fiscal policies
Authors: Solaymani Saeed
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study is the first attempt to analyze the effectiveness of recent two major tax policies, the reductions in personal and corporate income taxes and a rise in indirect tax and their combine, under both balanced and unbalanced budget conditions, on the economy and social aspects of Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a computable general equilibrium model to investigate the impacts of all simulation scenarios on the key macro and micro indicators. Further, based on the 2012 Malaysia Household Income and Expenditure Survey, it uses a micro-data with a significant number of households (over 56,000 individuals) to analyze the impacts of tax policies on poverty and income inequality of Malaysian.

Findings

Simulation results show that, under the balanced budget condition, personal and corporate income tax reductions increase economic growth, household consumption, and investment, while the rise in indirect tax has adverse impacts on these variables. However, in the unbalanced budget condition, all tax policies, except indirect tax policy, reduce real GDP and investment in the economy and the indirect tax policy has insignificant impacts on all indicators. All policy reforms reallocate resources, especially labor, in the economy. In both budget conditions, the reductions in corporate and personal income taxes, particularly the corporate income tax, decrease poverty level of Malaysian households. Results also indicate that both tax policies are unable to influence income inequality in Malaysia.

Social implications

This study recommends that the government can increase its revenue by increasing indirect taxes as it does not have any impact on household welfare. In order to increase government revenues, initial increases in personal and corporate income taxes are suggested as they may have small negative impacts on the economy and welfare of households.

Originality/value

One of the significant features of this paper is that it examines both expansionary and contractionary fiscal policies in a country that government budget depends on oil exports. Since the literature on this subject is limited, particularly in the Malaysian context, the authors used Malaysia as a case to show how tax reform policies affect the economy and poverty level of such countries. Distinguishing the Malaysian households into 10 deciles and analyzing the distributional impacts of tax policies on these categories are the most significant contributions of this study.
No more Mr. Nice Guy: social value orientation and abusive supervision
Authors: Karagonlar Gökhan , Neves Pedro
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The present research examined the interactive effect of subordinates' and their supervisors' social value orientations (SVO) on abusive supervision and its consequence for in-role performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In study 1, we provided a survey to 420 subordinates and 115 supervisors from 42 organizations. HLM was used to test the hypothesized cross-level moderated mediation model. In study 2, 78 participants were asked to imagine they were a supervisor and responded to a potential scenario where supervisor and subordinate prosocial and proself orientations toward the organization were manipulated (2 × 2 design).

Findings

Study 1 showed that when supervisors have a higher prosocial motivation, subordinates who are more self-interested (proself) report more abuse than those with a higher prosocial motivation, with negative consequences for in-role performance. Study 2 replicated the pattern: participants (in the role as supervisor) with induced prosocial goals rated abusive supervision behaviors as more justified and acceptable toward a proself employee than they did toward a prosocial employee.

Originality/value

This research is innovative by bridging SVO and organizational literatures and demonstrating that a dyadic interaction between a proself subordinate and a prosocial supervisor may produce a reactive perpetrator – provocative victim relationship characterized by higher abusive supervision.
Improving evidence quality for organisational change management through open science
Authors: Evans Thomas Rhys
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Popular contingency approaches to organisational change management imply that it is known what and when practices are most appropriate and effective to manage change. The current work aims to question this assumption.

Design/methodology/approach

The current work critically reviews the quality of current evidence supporting organisational change management and considers the role of open science practices for the field.

Findings

First, evidence informing organisational change management is poor, heavily reliant upon unquestioned theoretical models and low-quality cross-sectional or case-study designs. Greater adoption of an evidence-based approach to practice could facilitate organisational change management, but only once a higher quality of evidence is available to inform more robust practical guidance. Second, open science practices look well placed to drive a higher quality of evidence suitable for informing future change management.

Originality/value

The current work highlights the problematic nature of the quality and application of current evidence to inform organisational change and raises a number of recommendations to support future evidence development using an open science approach.
Development of a framework to improve supply chain performance through e-business and sustainability enablers
Authors: Chandak Sumit , Kumar Neeraj
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The main aim of the study is to develop a structural framework that includes e-business processes and sustainability-oriented enablers to improve supply chain performance.

Design/methodology/approach

To improve supply chain performance, the present study conducts a detailed literature review to explore the key enablers based on e-business processes and sustainability aspects of various recognized databases. An automotive case organization is chosen to conduct a case study for developing the structural framework. The structural framework is developed by adopting an interpretive structural modeling approach. Furthermore, the fuzzy-MICMAC approach is applied to compute the driving and the dependence power of each selected enabler.

Findings

This study develops a structural framework that indicates the improved supply chain performance is achieved by “development of supply chain web system,” “strong customer relationship management,” and “enhancement in control over cost quality and sustainability” as the most critical enablers.

Research limitations/implications

The enablers for the development of framework are obtained through the inputs of an expert panel. However, the researchers may conduct large scale surveys to strengthen the input components of the framework.

Originality/value

This is one of the unique studies that list down a set of 27 most critical e-business processes and sustainability based enablers to improve supply chain performance.
Women, Bodily Transformation and Rebirth in the Pure Land in the Writings of Chinese Buddhists in the Eighteenth Century
Authors: Wu Hongyu
Published: March 2020

This article discusses the multiple expressions of women's agency through the case study of Tao Shan (1756–1780), a Chinese Buddhist laywoman in the eighteenth century. By focusing on the poems of Tao Shan and her life and afterlife accounts composed by Peng Shaosheng (1740–1796), a Buddhist layman and Tao Shan's religious mentor, this study aims to reveal how Tao Shan diverged from Peng Shaosheng with respect to androcentric discourses in Buddhism and approaches to promoting Pure Land belief and practice. This article argues that Tao Shan's agency was constituted and demonstrated not through confrontational challenges to the patriarchal structure, but through dismissing and benignly ignoring the Buddhist and Confucian concepts that degraded women in order to embrace and uphold the concepts that justify gender equality.
The influence of different strains of Oenococcus oeni malolactic bacteria on profile of organic acids and phenolic compounds of red wine cultivars Rondo and Regent growing in a cold region
Authors: Wojdyło Aneta , Samoticha Justyna , Chmielewska Joanna
Published: March 2020

Wines produced from grapes cultivated in cool climate areas are characterized by high levels of organic acids. One method to correct this is malolactic fermentation (MLF). The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of different strains of Oenococcus oeni bacteria (Viniflora CH11, Viniflora CH16, Viniflora CH35, Viniflora Oenos, SIHA LACT Oeno) during the biological acidity reduction process. Red wine from Rondo and Regent cultivars was obtained by ethanol fermentation of the pulp, at 20 °C for 14 days. The profile of organic acids was examined with a particular focus on changes in the content of l‐malic and l‐lactic acids. Additionally, the impact on profile and quantity of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity was measured. The results showed that MLF had a positive influence on content of organic acids through the reduction of l‐malic acid content with a simultaneous increase of the amount of l‐lactic acid. The best effect was obtained with the CH11 and CH35 bacterial strains. The biological acidity reduction process had no significant (P > 0.05) impact on phenolic content or antioxidant capacity. However, the wine making process (ethanol fermentation, maturation) contributed to the reduction of polyphenols and in consequence lower antioxidant capacity of the final tested wines.

Practical Application

The present study provides useful information on the impact of different Oenococcus oeni bacterial strains on MLF in red wines, reduction of l‐malic to l‐lactic acid, and stability of phenolic compounds during MLF and the maturation period. Also, this article provides information about phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity during malolactic fermentation and maturity of red wines made from hybrids of Vitis vinifera such as Rondo and Regent cultivars.
Leveraging technology for the treatment of type 1 diabetes in pregnancy: A review of past, current, and future therapeutic tools
Authors: Nosova Emily V. , O'Malley Grenye , Dassau Eyal , Levy Carol J.
Published: March 2020

The significant risks associated with pregnancies complicated by type 1 diabetes (T1D) were first recognized in the medical literature in the mid‐twentieth century. Stringent glycemic control with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values ideally less than 6% has been shown to improve maternal and fetal outcomes. The management options for pregnant women with T1D in the modern era include a variety of technologies to support self‐care. Although self‐monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and multiple daily injections (MDI) are often the recommended management options during pregnancy, many people with T1D utilize a variety of different technologies, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), and CSII including automated delivery or suspension algorithms. These systems have yielded invaluable diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities and have the potential to benefit this understudied higher‐risk group. A recent prospective, multicenter study evaluating pregnant patients with T1D revealed that CGM significantly improves maternal glycemic parameters, is associated with fewer adverse neonatal outcomes, and minimizes burden. Outcome data for CSII, which is approved for use in pregnancy and has been utilized for several decades, remain mixed. Current evidence, although limited, for commercially available and emerging technologies for the management of T1D in pregnancy holds promise for improving patient and fetal outcomes.