bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-fructose feeding suppresses cold-stimulated brown adipose tissue glucose uptake in young men independently of changes in thermogenesis and the gut microbiome
Authors: Richard Gabriel , Blondin Denis P. , Syed Saad A. , Rossi Laura , Fontes Michelle E. , Fortin Mélanie , Phoenix Serge , Frisch Frédérique , Dubreuil Stéphanie , Guérin Brigitte , Turcotte Éric E. , Lepage Martin , Surette Michael G. , Schertzer Jonathan D. , Steinberg Gregory R. , Morrison Katherine M. , Carpentier André C.
Published: January 2022

Diets rich in added sugars, especially high in fructose, are associated with metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Studies have shown a link between these pathologies and changes in the microbiome and its metabolites. Given the reported associations in animal models between the microbiome and brown or beige adipose tissue (BAT) function, and the alterations in the microbiome induced by high glucose or high fructose diets, we investigated the potential causal link between high glucose or fructose diets and BAT dysfunction in humans. We show that BAT glucose uptake, but not thermogenesis, is impaired by a high fructose but not high glucose diet, in the absence of changes in body mass, the gastrointestinal microbiome, and faecal short-chain fatty acids. We conclude that BAT metabolic dysfunction occurs independently from changes in gut microbiome composition, and earlier than other pathophysiological abnormalities associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia during fructose overconsumption in humans.
Identification of Mfn2-S249 as a Phosphoregulatory Switch of Mitochondrial Fusion Dynamics
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Ramonett Aaron , Ahmed Tasmia , Kwak Eun-A , Flores Paola Cruz , Ortiz Hannah R. , Langlais Paul R. , Mythreye Karthikeyan , Lee Nam Y.
Published: January 2022

Mitochondrial remodeling is a fundamental process underlying cellular respiration and metabolism. Here we report TAK1 as a direct regulator of mitochondrial fusion. TAK1 is activated by a variety of mitogenic factors, cytokines and environmental stimuli, which we find induces rapid fragmentation through Mfn2 inactivation. TAK1 phosphorylates Mfn2 at Ser249, which inhibits the binding of GTP required for Mfn trans-dimerization and mitochondrial membrane fusion. Accordingly, expression of Mfn2-S249 phosphomimetics (Mfn2-E/D) constitutively promote fission whereas alanine mutant (Mfn2-A) yields hyperfused mitochondria and increased bioenergetics in cells. In mice, Mfn2-E knock-in yields embryonic lethality in homozygotes whereas heterozygotes are viable but exhibit increased visceral fat accumulation despite normal body weight and cognitive/motor functions compared to wildtype and Mfn2-A mice. Mature white adipocytes isolated from mutant mice reveal cell-autonomous TAK1-related effects on mitochondrial remodeling and lipid metabolism. These results identify Mfn2-S249 as a dynamic phosphoregulatory switch of mitochondrial fusion during development and energy homeostasis.
Favipiravir, umifenovir and camostat mesylate: a comparative study against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Unal Mehnmet Altay , Besbinar Omur , Nazir Hasan , Summak Gokce Yagmur , Bayrakdar Fatma , Delogu Lucia Gemma , Taskin Tambay , Ozkan Sibel Aysil , Akcali Kamil Can , Yilmazer Acelya
Published: January 2022

Since the first cases the coronavirus disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) reported in December 2019, worldwide continuous efforts have been placed both for the prevention and treatment of this infectious disease. As new variants of the virus emerge, the need for an effective antiviral treatment continues. The concept of preventing SARS-CoV-2 on both pre-entry and post-entry stages has not been much studied. Therefore, we compared the antiviral activities of three antiviral drugs which have been currently used in the clinic. In silico docking analyses and in vitro viral infection in Vero E6 cells were performed to delineate their antiviral effectivity when used alone or in combination. Both in silico and in vitro results suggest that the combinatorial treatment by favipiravir and umifenovir or camostat mesylate has more antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 rather than single drug treatment. These results suggest that inhibiting both viral entry and viral replication at the same time is much more effective for the antiviral treatment of SARS-CoV-2.
Background selection from unlinked sites causes non-independent evolution of deleterious mutations
Authors: Matheson Joseph , Masel Joanna
Published: January 2022

Background selection describes the reduction in neutral diversity caused by selection against deleterious alleles at other loci. It is typically assumed that the purging of deleterious alleles affects linked neutral variants, and indeed simulations typically only treat a genomic window. However, background selection at unlinked loci also depresses neutral diversity. In agreement with previous analytical approximations, in our simulations of a human-like genome with a realistically high genome-wide deleterious mutation rate, the effects of unlinked background selection exceed those of linked background selection. Background selection reduces neutral genetic diversity by a factor that is independent of census population size. Outside of genic regions, the strength of background selection increases with the mean selection coefficient, contradicting the linked theory but in agreement with the unlinked theory. Neutral diversity within genic regions is fairly independent of the strength of selection. Deleterious genetic load among haploid individuals is underdispersed, indicating non-independent evolution of deleterious mutations. Empirical evidence for underdispersion was previously interpreted as evidence for global epistasis, but we recover it from a non-epistatic model.

SIGNIFICANCE

As individuals bearing deleterious alleles are removed from a population, other alleles are removed with them, some that are tightly linked near the deleterious allele on a chromosome and some that aren’t linked at all. When the deleterious mutation rate is realistically high, unlinked pairs of loci are a more important influence on the removal of genetic variation. Simulations that assume independent evolution cannot capture removal just by using a lower “effective population size”, because the probabilities of having deleterious alleles on different chromosomes are negatively correlated rather than independent.
A framework for the quantification of soundscape diversity using Hill numbers
Authors: Luypaert Thomas , Bueno Anderson S. , Masseli Gabriel S. , Kaefer Igor L. , Campos-Cerqueira Marconi , Peres Carlos A. , Haugaasen Torbjørn
Published: January 2022

Soundscape studies are increasingly common to capture landscape-scale ecological patterns. Yet, several aspects of soundscape diversity quantification remain unexplored. Although some processes influencing acoustic niche usage may operate in the 24h domain, most acoustic indices only capture the diversity of sounds co-occurring in sound files at a specific time of day. Moreover, many indices do not consider the relationship between the spectral and temporal traits of sounds simultaneously. To provide novel insights into landscape-scale patterns of acoustic niche usage at broader temporal scales, we present a workflow to quantify soundscape diversity through the lens of functional ecology.

Our workflow quantifies the functional diversity of sound in the 24-hour acoustic trait space. We put forward an entity, the Operational Sound Unit (OSU), which groups sounds by their shared functional properties. Using OSUs as our unit of diversity measurement, and building on the framework of Hill numbers, we propose three metrics that capture different aspects of acoustic trait space usage: (i) soundscape richness; (ii) soundscape diversity; (iii) soundscape evenness. We demonstrate the use of these metrics by (a) simulating soundscapes to assess if the indices possess a set of desirable behaviours; and (b) quantifying the soundscape richness and evenness along a gradient in species richness to illustrate how these metrics can be used to shed unique insights into patterns of acoustic niche usage.

We demonstrate that: (a) the indices outlined herein have desirable behaviours; and (b) the soundscape richness and evenness are positively correlated with the richness of soniferous species. This suggests that the acoustic niche space is more filled where taxonomic richness is higher. Moreover, species-poor acoustic communities have a higher proportion of rare sounds and use the acoustic space less effectively. As the correlation between the soundscape and taxonomic richness is strong (>0.8) and holds at low sampling intensities, soundscape richness could serve as a proxy for taxonomic richness.

Quantifying the soundscape diversity through the lens of functional ecology using the analytical framework of Hill numbers generates novel insights into acoustic niche usage at a landscape scale and provides a useful proxy for taxonomic richness measurement.
A host–gut microbial co-metabolite of aromatic amino acids, p-cresol glucuronide, promotes blood–brain barrier integrity in vivo
Authors: Stachulski Andrew V. , Knausenberger Tobias B-A , Shah Sita N. , Hoyles Lesley , McArthur Simon
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The sequential activity of gut microbial and host processes can exert a powerful modulatory influence on dietary components, as exemplified by the metabolism of the amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine to p-cresol by gut microbes, and then to p-cresol glucuronide (pCG) by host enzymes. Although such glucuronide conjugates are classically thought to be biologically inert, there is accumulating evidence that this may not always be the case. We investigated the activity of pCG, studying its interactions with the cerebral vasculature and the brain in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Male C57Bl/6J mice were used to assess blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and whole brain transcriptomic changes in response to pCG treatment. Effects were then further explored using the human cerebromicrovascular endothelial cell line hCMEC/D3, assessing paracellular permeability, transendothelial electrical resistance and barrier protein expression.

Results

Mice exposed to pCG showed reduced BBB permeability and significant changes in whole brain transcriptome expression. Surprisingly, treatment of hCMEC/D3 cells with pCG had no notable effects until co-administered with bacterial lipopolysaccharide, at which point it was able to prevent the permeabilising effects of endotoxin. Further analysis suggested that pCG acts as an antagonist at the principal lipopolysaccharide receptor TLR4.

Conclusion

The amino acid phase II metabolic product pCG is biologically active at the BBB, highlighting the complexity of gut microbe to host communication and the gut–brain axis.
Vitamin C functions as double-edge sword on cancer progression depending on ERK activation or inhibition mediated by its receptor SVCT2
Authors: Guan Yian , Chen Bingxue , Wu Yongyan , Han Zhuo , Xu Hongyu , Zhang Caixia , Hao Weijie , Gao Wei , Guo Zekun
Published: January 2022

The effect of Vitamin C (Vc) in oncotherapy was controversial for decades. And hyperactivation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) drove tumorigenesis. Herein, we demonstrated that Vc activated ERK through sodium-dependent Vc transporter 2 (SVCT2), while high-dose Vc resulted in persistent ERK feedback inhibition following activation. Extracellular Vc binding to SVCT2 initiated ERK activation, then transmembrane transport of Vc induced dimerization of SVCT2. Activated ERK phosphorylated protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 12 (PTPN12) at Ser434and inhibited PTPN12 activity, thus enhancing phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), which phosphorylated growth factor receptor bound protein 2 (GRB2) at Tyr160to promote GRB2 dimers dissociation and recruitment of GRB2 to SVCT2, leading to further ERK activation. Different cancers have different sensitivities to Vc, the dose effects of Vc on cancer phenotypes depended on that ERK was activated or inhibited. These findings suggest SVCT2 is a Vc receptor mediating the ERK-PTPN12-JAK2-GRB2-ERK positive feedback loop and a potential target for oncotherapy.

Abstract graphic
Genetic diversity and population structure of sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] germplasm of India revealed by SSR and InDel markers
Authors: Kumar J.Prasanth Tej , Thirugnanavel A. , Upadhyay Devendra Y. , Kamde Snehal A. , Jalamkar Prafulla R. , Murkute Ashutosh A.
Published: January 2022

Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) is an important commercial citrus fruit crop, cultivated in India and across the world. In India most of the cultivated sweet orange species were introduced varieties. In this study, we used two molecular markers,SSR and InDels, to understand the genetic diversity and population structure of seventy-two sweet orange genotypes. Genetic parameters consisted of total number of alleles, number of polymorphic alleles (effective alleles); genetic diversity (G.D.), expected heterozygosity (He) and polymorphic information content (PIC) were calculated based on molecular data. Two dendrograms were constructed based on the InDels and SSR. In the both the cases they formed three major clusters showing various degrees of variations with respect to members of the clusters. Population structure analysis revealed presence of two distinct sub populations. Therefore, in order to address various challenges and develop sweet orange varieties with desirable traits, there is a need to broaden the genetic base of sweet orange through intensive collection in the northeastern region. These results of intra-specific genetic variability of the collections will dictate the path for the sweet orange breeding and conservation programs in India.
Emergence of Heartbeat Frailty in Advanced Age: Perspectives from Life-Long EKG Recordings in Mice
Authors: Moen Jack M , Morrell Christopher H. , Ahmet Ismayil , Matt Michael G. , Davoodi Moran , Petr Michael , Charles Shaquille , deCabo Raphael , Yaniv Yael , Lakatta Edward G
Published: January 2022

SAN failure, aka sick-sinus syndrome, which features sinus bradycardia, SAN impulse pauses, and irregularity of RR interval rhythms are manifestations of SAN cell dysfunction that increases exponentially with advanced age, i.e., SAN frailty. Abnormalities in intrinsic RR interval variability may be the earliest signatures of SAN cell dysfunction leading to SAN frailty in late life. We measured RR interval variability within EKG timeseries prior to and during double autonomic blockade in long-lived C57/BL6 mice at 3 month intervals from 6 months of age until the end of life.

Long-lived mice (those that achieved the median cohort lifespan of 24 months and beyond) displayed relatively minor changes in intrinsic RR interval variability prior to 21 months of age. Between 21 and 30 months of age, marked changes in intrinsic RR interval variability signatures in time, frequency, non-linear, and fragmentation domains result in a marked increase in the mean intrinsic RR interval. The effects of autonomic input partially compensated for the prolongation of the mean RR interval by impacting the age-associated deterioration in the RR interval variability signatures toward a youthful pattern. Cross-sectional analyses of other subsets of mice at ages at or beyond the median life span of our longitudinal cohort demonstrated increased non-cardiac, constitutional, whole body frailty, a decrease in energetic efficiency, and an increase in respiratory exchange ratio. In this context, we interpret the progressive increase in intrinsic RR interval variability beyond 21 months of age to be an indication of heartbeat frailty.
Nonmodular oscillator and switch based on RNA decay drive regeneration of multimodal gene expression
Authors: Nordick Benjamin , Yu Polly Y. , Liao Guangyuan , Hong Tian
Published: January 2022

Periodic gene expression dynamics are key to cell and organism physiology. Studies of oscillatory expression have focused on networks with intuitive regulatory negative feedback loops, leaving unknown whether other common biochemical reactions can produce oscillations. Oscillation and noise have been proposed to support mammalian progenitor cells’ capacity to restore heterogenous, multimodal expression from extreme subpopulations, but underlying networks and specific roles of noise remained elusive. We use mass-action-based models to show that regulated RNA degradation involving as few as two RNA species—applicable to nearly half of human protein-coding genes—can generate sustained oscillations without imposed feedback. Diverging oscillation periods synergize with noise to robustly restore cell populations’ bimodal expression. The global bifurcation organizing this divergence relies on an oscillator and bistable switch which cannot be decomposed into two structural modules. Our work reveals surprisingly rich dynamics of post-transcriptional reactions and a potentially widespread mechanism useful for development and regeneration.
Computational Prediction of Heteromeric Protein Complex Disassembly Order with Hybrid Monte Carlo/Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Kurisaki Ikuo , Tanaka Shigenori
Published: January 2022

The physicochemical entity of biological phenomenon in the cell is a network of biochemical reactions and the activity of such a network is regulated by multimeric protein complexes. Mass spectroscopy (MS) experiments and multimeric protein docking simulations based on structural bioinformatics techniques have revealed the molecular-level stoichiometry and static configuration of subcomplexes in their bound forms, then revealing the subcomplex populations and formation orders. Meanwhile, these methodologies are not designed to straightforwardly examine temporal dynamics of multimeric protein assembly and disassembly, essential physicochemical properties to understand functional expression mechanisms of proteins in the biological environment. To address the problem, we had developed an atomistic simulation in the framework of the hybrid Monte Carlo/Molecular Dynamics (hMC/MD) method and succeeded in observing disassembly of homomeric pentamer of the serum amyloid P component protein in experimentally consistent order. In this study, we improved the hMC/MD method to examine disassembly processes of the tryptophan synthase tetramer, a paradigmatic heteromeric protein complex in MS studies. We employed the likelihood-based selection scheme to determine a dissociation-prone subunit pair at each hMC/MD simulation cycle and achieved highly reliable predictions of the disassembly orders with the success rate over 0.9 withouta prioriknowledge of the MS experiments and structural bioinformatics simulations. We similarly succeeded in reliable predictions for the other three tetrameric protein complexes. These achievements indicate the potential availability of our hMC/MD approach as the general purpose methodology to obtain microscopic and physicochemical insights into multimeric protein complex formation.
EZ Clear for simple, rapid, and robust mouse whole organ clearing
Authors: Hsu Chih-Wei , Cerda Juan , Kirk Jason M. , Turner Williamson D. , Rasmussen Tara L. , Suarez Carlos P. Flores , Dickinson Mary E. , Wythe Joshua D.
Published: January 2022

Tissue clearing for whole organ cell profiling has revolutionized biology and imaging for exploration of organs in three-dimensional space without compromising tissue architecture. But complicated, laborious procedures, or expensive equipment, as well as the use of hazardous, organic solvents prevents the widespread adoption of these methods. Here we report a simple and rapid tissue clearing method, EZ Clear, that can clear whole adult mouse organs in 48 hours in just three simple steps. Samples stay at room temperature and remain hydrated throughout the clearing process, preserving endogenous and synthetic fluorescence, without altering sample size. After wholemount clearing and imaging, EZ Cleared samples can be further processed for downstream embedding and cryosectioning followed by standard histology or immunostaining, without loss of endogenous or synthetic fluorescence signal. Overall, the simplicity, speed, and flexibility of EZ Clear make it easy to adopt and apply to diverse approaches in biomedical research.
Understanding Barriers to Diagnosis in a Rare, Genetic Disease: Delays and Errors in Diagnosing Schwannomatosis
Authors: Merker Vanessa L. , Slobogean Bronwyn , Jordan Justin T. , Langmead Shannon , Meterko Mark , Charns Martin P. , Elwy A. Rani , Blakeley Jaishri O. , Plotkin Scott R.
Published: January 2022

Diagnosis of rare, genetic diseases is challenging, but conceptual frameworks of the diagnostic process can be used to guide benchmarking and process improvement initiatives. Using the National Academy of Medicine diagnostic framework, we assessed the extent of, and reasons for diagnostic delays and diagnostic errors in schwannomatosis, a neurogenetic syndrome characterized by nerve sheath tumors and chronic pain. We reviewed the medical records of 97 people with confirmed or probable schwannomatosis seen in two U.S. tertiary care clinics. Time-to-event analysis revealed a median time from first symptom to diagnosis of 16.7 years (95% CI, 7.5-26.0 years) and median time from first medical consultation to diagnosis of 9.8 years (95% CI, 3.5-16.2 years). Factors associated with longer times to diagnosis included initial signs/symptoms that were intermittent, non-specific, or occurred at younger ages (p<0.05). Thirty-six percent of patients experienced a misdiagnosis of their underlying genetic condition (18.6%), pain etiology (16.5%) and/or tumor classification (11.3%). One-fifth (19.6%) of patients had a clear missed opportunity for genetics workup that could have led to an earlier schwannomatosis diagnosis. These results suggest that interventions in clinician education, genetic testing availability, expert review of pathology findings, and automatic triggers for genetics referrals may improve diagnosis of schwannomatosis.
Seasonal Prediction of Omicron Pandemic
Authors: Huang Jianping , Zhao Yingjie , Zhang Li , Li Xu , Gao Shuoyuan , Song Xiaodong
Published: January 2022

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has pushed the world in the face of another huge outbreak. In order to have a better understanding on the fast transmission of Omicron variant, we made seasonal predictions on the development of Omicron pandemic globally, as well as 11 key countries. The results demonstrated that the pandemic has an exponential-like growth rate at the initial stage of the outbreak, and will have small resurgences around April and June in north hemisphere countries and south hemisphere countries, respectively.
Impact of the length of stay at hotels on online reviews
Authors: Kim Jong Min , Han Jeongsoo
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The length of stay (LoS) is of major importance from the perspective of the management of tourist destinations. As tourists heavily rely on the online reviews of other travelers as a primary information source, this study aims to empirically examine how the LoS can influence the online reviews for hotels, with special emphasis on the textual review content.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes online review data collected from Booking.com by using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count program to operationalize review depth, analytical thinking and the authenticity reflected in customer reviews. Based on the analyzed data, this study used a series of regression analyses to understand the impacts of the LoS on online reviews.

Findings

The author’s analysis found that a longer stay at a hotel causes consumers to be more likely to post online reviews that not only include a numerical rating as well as written content but also lengthier and more detailed descriptions of their hotel experiences. Further analysis found that the LoS at hotels causes systematic differences in the linguistic attributes of the review content. Specifically, consumers who stay longer tend to write reviews with more analytical information, resulting in consumers perceiving the online reviews as more authentic.

Research limitations/implications

Although the LoS has been considered a significant issue in tourism, studies examining the impact of different lengths of stay on consumers’ post-purchase behaviors are limited. In this light, the author’s findings demonstrate how the LoS can change the linguistic attributes of online reviews. It expands the body of knowledge of the LoS in tourism.

Originality/value

This study represents the first attempt to empirically examine and reveal how the different length of stay at a hotel systemically influences consumer review-posting behaviors.
Quality analysis for reliable complex multiclass neuroscience signal classification via electroencephalography
Authors: Shankhdhar Ashutosh , Verma Pawan Kumar , Agrawal Prateek , Madaan Vishu , Gupta Charu
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the brain–computer interface (BCI) as a methodology for generating awareness and increasing reliable use cases of the same so that an individual's quality of life can be enhanced via neuroscience and neural networks, and risk evaluation of certain experiments of BCI can be conducted in a proactive manner.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper puts forward an efficient approach for an existing BCI device, which can enhance the performance of an electroencephalography (EEG) signal classifier in a composite multiclass problem and investigates the effects of sampling rate on feature extraction and multiple channels on the accuracy of a complex multiclass EEG signal. A one-dimensional convolutional neural network architecture is used to further classify and improve the quality of the EEG signals, and other algorithms are applied to test their variability. The paper further also dwells upon the combination of internet of things multimedia technology to be integrated with a customized design BCI network based on a conventionally used system known as the message query telemetry transport.

Findings

At the end of our implementation stage, 98% accuracy was achieved in a binary classification problem of classifying digit and non-digit stimuli, and 36% accuracy was observed in the classification of signals resulting from stimuli of digits 0 to 9.

Originality/value

BCI, also known as the neural-control interface, is a device that helps a user reliably interact with a computer using only his/her brain activity, which is measured usually via EEG. An EEG machine is a quality device used for observing the neural activity and electric signals generated in certain parts of the human brain, which in turn can help us in studying the different core components of the human brain and how it functions to improve the quality of human life in general.
Acceptance of in-store apps: factors that influence the intention to adopt location-based retail apps – insights from Germany
Authors: Schrage Rabea , Meißner Lasse , Schütte Reinhard , Kenning Peter
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Due to recent developments of indoor location-tracking technologies, brick-and-mortar retailers are now able to add location-based marketing capabilities to their existing retail apps, providing retailers with new opportunities to interact with customers inside of their stores. The aim of this study is to identify factors influencing the customers' adoption intention of location-based retail apps for stationary retailing.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the technology acceptance model, a conceptual model was developed. A Web-based survey was conducted in Germany with a final sample of 501 cases. Structural equation modelling was performed to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results confirmed the positive relationship between attitude and the customers' intention to use location-based retail apps. Perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment promote a positive attitude toward location-based retail apps, while privacy concerns and fear of spam hinder the formation of a favorable attitude. Subjective norms have a positive effect on customers' usage intention.

Practical implications

The results help retailers who want to establish location-based retail apps at the point of sale (e.g. in the context of omni-channel strategies).

Originality/value

As previous research about location-based apps has mainly used empirical data from either Chinese or American samples, less is known about the perception of European customers. Research indicates that existing findings might not be transferable to European countries due to differences in values, social norms or regulations. Also, the failure of Shopkick in Germany illustrates the need for more research. Based on this, using a German sample to answer the research question, this study aims to provide a European perspective on location-based retail apps, and thereby extend existing research.
How can leaders alleviate employees' workplace anxiety caused by information overload on enterprise social media? Evidence from Chinese employees
Authors: Wang Changyu , Yuan Tianyu , Feng Jiaojiao , Peng Xinya
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between information overload and employees' workplace anxiety in the context of enterprise social media (ESM).

Design/methodology/approach

This study built a theoretical model to analyze the relationships among employees' perceptions of information overload on ESM, supervisor-subordinate instrumental and expressive ties on ESM and workplace anxiety. PLS-SEM was used to test the model through 219 questionnaires collected online.

Findings

The results revealed that information overload on ESM plays a positive role in employees' workplace anxiety. Supervisor-subordinate instrumental ties based on ESM can weaken the relationship between information overload and employees' workplace anxiety, but expressive ties can strengthen the positive relationship between information overload and workplace anxiety.

Originality/value

Little is known about whether information overload on ESM will affect employees' workplace anxiety and how leaders can mitigate this effect through ESM. Hence, this study developed a theoretical model and conducted an empirical study to open up a research opportunity to examine the relationships among information overload on ESM, supervisor-subordinate instrumental and expressive ties on ESM and employees' workplace anxiety. The study also has the potential to guide organizations in fine-tuning their social media usage strategies.
Heritage futures: A conversation
Authors: Holtorf Cornelius , Bolin Annalisa
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This article explores the concept of “heritage futures”, the role of heritage in managing relations between present and future societies. It assesses how thinking strategically about the future changes, complicates and contextualises practices of heritage. What might an attention to the future bring to work in heritage, and simultaneously, what challenges—both practical and ethical—arise?

Design/methodology/approach

This article takes the form of a conversation about the nature of heritage futures and how such a project may be implemented in both heritage practice and field research in heritage studies. The two authors are heritage scholars who integrate heritage futures questions into their research in different ways, and their conversation uncovers potentialities and difficulties in the heritage futures project.

Findings

The discussion covers the particular ethical issues that arise when the dimension of time is added to heritage research and practice, including questions of continuism, presentism and specificity. The conversation argues for the importance of considering the future in heritage studies and heritage practice and that this forms a key part of understanding how heritage may be part of building a sustainable present and future.

Originality/value

The future is an under-examined concept within heritage studies, even as heritage is often framed as something to be preserved “for future generations”. But what impact might it have on heritage practice to really consider what this means, beyond the platitude? This article suggests that heritage scholars and practitioners direct their attention to this often-neglected facet of heritage.
Promoting organizational diversity and preserving socioemotional wealth: can family businesses balance the two?
Authors: Das Arindam
Published: January 2022

Purpose

A key characteristic for a family firm, preservation of socioemotional wealth, may appear to be at conflict with the concept of organizational diversity. The authors investigate how organizational diversity, captured through heterogeneity in ownership structure, diversity in the senior management team, interfaces with the concept of the socioemotional wealth of family businesses in an emerging economy, when these firms pursue inorganic growth strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the concepts of socioemotional wealth, behavioral agency theory and bifurcation bias, the authors develop perspectives on how ownership structure, family influence in executive management and institutional shareholding influence a family firm's internationalization strategies captured through propensity to pursue cross-border M&A – an activity that may threaten the preservation of socioemotional wealth. The authors also explore the role of business group affiliation, another organizational diversity construct, and contingent parameters like past financial performance and export intensity in this study. The authors take pooled data over 15 years, involving 346 large firms from India, which are family-controlled, to carry out the study.

Findings

The authors’ empirical analysis shows that family stake in the company and family members' presence in the executive team negatively influence the propensity to pursue cross-border M&A activities. A firm's affiliation to a business group moderates these negative relationships. On the other hand, the presence of institutional shareholders, positive past financial performance and export intensity positively influence cross-border M&A propensity.

Originality/value

The results establish that family businesses' attempts to preserve socioemotional wealth may come at the cost of promoting organizational diversity.
An exploration of female underrepresentation on executive boards in the Dutch hotel industry through an ethical lens
Authors: Lereculey-Péran Diane , Lombarts Angelique , Brannon David William
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper elucidates female underrepresentation on executive boards in the Dutch hotel industry through a “feminist” stakeholder perspective, which persists despite public opinion and government initiatives to resolve this enigma. It contributes to this discussion by examining Rhenish governance structures through a “feminist” stakeholder-focused rationale, complementing prevailing Anglo-Saxon shareholder-focused governance research.

Design/methodology/approach

Eleven in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with hotel executive board representatives and five with sublevel management representatives. Saturation was achieved by interviewing all females on Dutch hotel corporate boards regarding their career experiences compared with those of female general managers and male counterparts.

Findings

This paper finds a prevailing “masculinist” perspective of an idealized shareholder-orientated executive and a “feminist” perspective of a humanized stakeholder-orientated executive expressed within the interviews. While the former sacrifices family for their career, the latter balances their family with their career. The former fosters presupposed gender norms, with females commonly sacrificing their careers while males sacrifice their families. Notably, most executives predominantly supported the humanized stakeholder-orientated executive, while recognizing that micro-, meso- and macro-structural barriers remain.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a lacuna in the ethical literature in exploring female executive representation in Rhenish stakeholder-focused governance structures, as opposed to Anglo-Saxon shareholder-focused ones. It found a “masculinist” perspective of an idealized shareholder-focused executive archetype and a “feminist” perspective of a humanized stakeholder-focused executive archetype. Notably, contrary to perceived business norms, several interviewees rejected the former as it is incompatible with family and work, instead seeking the latter which balances between family and work.
How coaching services help early stage entrepreneurs: an exploration of gender differences
Authors: Nicholls-Nixon Charlene L. , Maxheimer Mariah M.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Entrepreneurial support organizations, such as business incubators and accelerators (BIAs), provide coaching as a core element of their service offering for startups. Yet little is known about how coaching creates value from the entrepreneur's perspective. This is an important issue given that entrepreneurship is recognized as a gendered phenomenon. The purpose of this article is to explore how the coaching services provided during incubation create value for men and women entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

Focusing on university business incubators, our comparative qualitative study of 18 men and women entrepreneurs takes a grounded theorizing approach, and draws abductively on entrepreneurial learning theory, to explore the dimensions of coaching services that support venture development and explain gender differences.

Findings

The emergent explanatory model suggests that venture development is supported by coaching service design (at the incubator level) and by coaching content and rapport (at the entrepreneur-coach dyad level). Gender differences were observed in the emphasis placed on accessibility of coaching services provided by the incubator and the guidance provided by the coaches. We theorize that these findings reflect differences in entrepreneurial learning.

Practical implications

To better support entrepreneurial learning, gender differences should be considered in both the design and delivery of coaching services.

Originality/value

Our findings provide deeper insight about how coaching services create value for entrepreneurs by revealing explanatory dimensions at two levels of analysis and theorizing the interrelationship between entrepreneurial learning, gender and venture development.
Machine learning models for predicting international tourist arrivals in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multisource Internet data approach
Authors: Andariesta Dinda Thalia , Wasesa Meditya
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This research presents machine learning models for predicting international tourist arrivals in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic using multisource Internet data.

Design/methodology/approach

To develop the prediction models, this research utilizes multisource Internet data from TripAdvisor travel forum and Google Trends. Temporal factors, posts and comments, search queries index and previous tourist arrivals records are set as predictors. Four sets of predictors and three distinct data compositions were utilized for training the machine learning models, namely artificial neural networks (ANNs), support vector regression (SVR) and random forest (RF). To evaluate the models, this research uses three accuracy metrics, namely root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE).

Findings

Prediction models trained using multisource Internet data predictors have better accuracy than those trained using single-source Internet data or other predictors. In addition, using more training sets that cover the phenomenon of interest, such as COVID-19, will enhance the prediction model's learning process and accuracy. The experiments show that the RF models have better prediction accuracy than the ANN and SVR models.

Originality/value

First, this study pioneers the practice of a multisource Internet data approach in predicting tourist arrivals amid the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Second, the use of multisource Internet data to improve prediction performance is validated with real empirical data. Finally, this is one of the few papers to provide perspectives on the current dynamics of Indonesia's tourism demand.
Perception of the Malaysian Federal Government accountants of the usefulness of financial information under an accrual accounting system: a preliminary assessment
Authors: Ismail Suhaiza
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The objective of this study is to examine the perceived usefulness of accrual accounting-based financial information for accountability and for supporting decision-making in public sector organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey adapted from Kober et al. (2010) was used to survey Malaysian Federal Government accountants to ascertain their views on the usefulness of accrual accounting information across 12 situations regarding accountability and decision-making. Mean scores and mean score ranking were computed on a total of 165 usable responses received. The independent t-test was conducted to investigate the differences in the perception between “accountants with” and the “accountants without” prior work experience in the private sector.

Findings

The study provides evidence that Malaysian Federal Government accountants consider accrual accounting information as very useful for decision-making. The three most important decision-usefulness indicators in the survey are “To assist in managing the department’s assets and liabilities”, “To assess cash flow needs of a department” and “For departmental resource allocation decisions”. The least useful accrual accounting information as perceived by the Malaysian public sector accountants is “To assist in discharging the department’s accountability obligations”.

Originality/value

The study provides valuable insights into the extent to which accrual accounting information is considered useful for accountability and decision-making, lending support to the Malaysian Government’s reform agenda of moving towards using accrual accounting in public sector organisations at the federal level.
The evolution of data analytics through the lens of business cases
Authors: Sharafuddin Sepanta , Belik Ivan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The present study provides a comprehensive review of the evolution of data analytics using real-world cases. The purpose is to provide a distinct overview of where the phenomenon was derived from, where it currently stands and where it is heading.

Design/methodology/approach

Three case studies were selected to represent three different eras of data analytics: Yesterday (1950s–1990s), Today (2000s–2020s) and Tomorrow (2030s–2050s).

Findings

Rapid changes in information technologies more likely moving us towards a more cyber-physical society, where an increasing number of devices, people and corporations are connected. We can expect the development of a more connected cyber society, open for data exchange than ever before.

Social implications

The analysis of technological trends through the lens of representative real-world cases helps to clarify where data analytics was derived from, where it currently stands and where it is heading towards. The presented case studies accentuate that data analytics is constantly evolving with no signs of stagnation.

Originality/value

As the field of data analytics is constantly evolving, the study of its evolution based on particular studies aims to better understand the paradigm shift in data analytics and the resulting technological advances in the IT business through the representative real-life cases.
A bibliometric analysis of research in design for additive manufacturing
Authors: Obi Martins Ugonna , Pradel Patrick , Sinclair Matt , Bibb Richard
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how Design for Additive manufacturing Knowledge has been developing and its significance to both academia and industry.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors use a bibliometric approach to analyse publications from January 2010 to December 2020 to explore the subject areas, publication outlets, most active authors, geographical distribution of scholarly outputs, collaboration and co-citations at both institutional and geographical levels and outcomes from keywords analysis.

Findings

The findings reveal that most knowledge has been developed in DfAM methods, rules and guidelines. This may suggest that designers are trying to learn new ways of harnessing the freedom offered by AM. Furthermore, more knowledge is needed to understand how to tackle the inherent limitations of AM processes. Moreover, DfAM knowledge has thus far been developed mostly by authors in a small number of institutional and geographical clusters, potentially limiting diverse perspectives and synergies from international collaboration which are essential for global knowledge development, for improvement of the quality of DfAM research and for its wider dissemination.

Originality/value

A concise structure of DfAM knowledge areas upon which the bibliometric analysis was conducted has been developed. Furthermore, areas where research is concentrated and those that require further knowledge development are revealed.
Plantar pressure measurement system based on piezoelectric sensor: a review
Authors: Li Xiang , Wang Keyi , Wang Yan Lin , Wang Kui Cheng
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Plantar force is the interface pressure existing between the foot plantar surface and the shoe sole during static or dynamic gait. Plantar force derived from gait and posture plays a critical role for rehabilitation, footwear design, clinical diagnostics and sports activities, and so on. This paper aims to review plantar force measurement technologies based on piezoelectric materials, which can make the reader understand preliminary works systematically and provide convenience for researchers to further study.

Design/methodology/approach

The review introduces working principle of piezoelectric sensor, structures and hardware design of plantar force measurement systems based on piezoelectric materials. The structures of sensors in plantar force measurement systems can be divided into four kinds, including monolayered sensor, multilayered sensor, tri-axial sensor and other sensor. The previous studies about plantar force measurement system based on piezoelectric technology are reviewed in detail, and their characteristics and performances are compared.

Findings

A good deal of measurement technologies have been studied by researchers to detect and analyze the plantar force. Among these measurement technologies, taking advantage of easy fabrication and high sensitivity, piezoelectric sensor is an ideal candidate sensing element. However, the number and arrangement of the sensors will influence the characteristics and performances of plantar force measurement systems. Therefore, it is necessary to further study plantar force measurement system for better performances.

Originality/value

So far, many plantar force measurement systems have been proposed, and several reviews already introduced plantar force measurement systems in the aspect of types of pressure sensors, experimental setups for foot pressure measurement analysis and the technologies used in plantar shear stress measurements. However, this paper reviews plantar force measurement systems based on piezoelectric materials. The structures of piezoelectric sensors in the measurement systems are discussed. Hardware design applied to measurement system is summarized. Moreover, the main point of further study is presented in this paper.