bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peptide-antibody Fusions Engineered by Phage Display Exhibit Ultrapotent and Broad Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Authors: Labriola Jonathan M. , Miersch Shane , Chen Gang , Chen Chao , Pavlenco Alevtina , Pisanu Francesca , Caccuri Francesca , Zani Alberto , Sharma Nitin , Feng Annie , Leung Daisy W. , Caruso Arnaldo , Amarasinghe Gaya K. , Sidhu Sachdev S.
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has been exacerbated by the emergence of variants of concern (VoCs). Many VoC mutations are found in the viral spike protein (S-protein), and are thus implicated in host infection and response to therapeutics. Bivalent neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) targeting the S-protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) are promising therapeutics for COVID-19, but are limited due to low potency and vulnerability to RBD mutations found in VoCs. To address these issues, we used naïve phage-displayed peptide libraries to isolate and optimize 16-residue peptides that bind to the RBD or the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the S-protein. We fused these peptides to the N-terminus of a moderate affinity nAb to generate tetravalent peptide-IgG fusions, and showed that both classes of peptides were able to improve affinities for the S-protein trimer by >100-fold (apparent KD < 1 pM). Critically, cell-based infection assays with a panel of six SARS-CoV-2 variants demonstrate that an RBD-binding peptide was able to enhance the neutralization potency of a high-affinity nAb >100-fold. Moreover, this peptide-IgG was able to neutralize variants that were resistant to the same nAb in the bivalent IgG format. To show that this approach is general, we fused the same peptide to a clinically approved nAb drug, and showed that it rescued neutralization against a resistant variant. Taken together, these results establish minimal peptide fusions as a modular means to greatly enhance affinities, potencies, and breadth of coverage of nAbs as therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2.
GraphPrompt: Biomedical Entity Normalization Using Graph-based Prompt Templates
Authors: Zhang Jiayou , Wang Zhirui , Zhang Shizhuo , Bhalerao Megh Manoj , Liu Yucong , Zhu Dawei , Wang Sheng
Published: December 2021

Biomedical entity normalization unifies the language across biomedical experiments and studies, and further enables us to obtain a holistic view of life sciences. Current approaches mainly study the normalization of more standardized entities such as diseases and drugs, while disregarding the more ambiguous but crucial entities such as pathways, functions and cell types, hindering their real-world applications. To achieve biomedical entity normalization on these under-explored entities, we first introduce an expert-curated dataset OBO-syn encompassing 70 different types of entities and 2 million curated entity-synonym pairs. To utilize the unique graph structure in this dataset, we propose GraphPrompt, a promptbased learning approach that creates prompt templates according to the graphs. Graph-Prompt obtained 41.0% and 29.9% improvement on zero-shot and few-shot settings respectively, indicating the effectiveness of these graph-based prompt templates. We envision that our method GraphPrompt and OBO-syn dataset can be broadly applied to graph-based NLP tasks, and serve as the basis for analyzing diverse and accumulating biomedical data.
A minimal model demonstrates the control of mouse sperm capacitation by a positive feedback loop between sNHE and SLO3
Authors: de Prelle Bertrand , Lybaert Pascale , Gall David
Published: December 2021

When mammalian spermatozoa are released in the female reproductive tract, they are incapable of fertilizing the oocyte. They need a prolonged exposure to the alkaline medium of the female genital tract before their flagellum gets hyperactivated and the acrosome reaction can take place, allowing the sperm to interact with the oocyte. Ionic fluxes across the sperm membrane are involved in two essential aspects of capacitation: the increase in intracellular pH and the membrane hyperpolarization. In particular, it has been shown that the SLO3 potassium channel and the sNHE sodium-proton transporter, two sperm-specific transmembrane proteins, are necessary for the capacitation process to occur. As the SLO3 channel is activated by an increase in intracellular pH and sNHE is activated by hyperpolarization, they act together as a positive feedback system. Mathematical modeling provides a unique tool to capture the essence of a molecular mechanism and can be used to derive insight from the existing data. We have therefore developed a theoretical model formalizing the positive feedback loop between SLO3 and sHNE in mouse epididymal sperm to see if this non-linear interaction can provide the core mechanism explaining the existence of uncapacited and capacitated states. We show that the proposed model can fully explain the switch between the uncapacitated and capacited states and also predicts the existence of a bistable behaviour. Furthermore, our model indicates that SLO3 inhibition, above a certain threshold, is effective to completely abolish capacitation.
RNA-guided cell targeting with CRISPR/RfxCas13d collateral activity in human cells
Authors: Shi Peiguo , Murphy Michael R. , Aparicio Alexis O. , Kesner Jordan S. , Fang Zhou , Chen Ziheng , Trehan Aditi , Wu Xuebing
Published: December 2021

While single-cell sequencing has allowed rapid identification of novel cell types or states and associated RNA markers, functional studies remain challenging due to the lack of tools that are able to target specific cells based on these markers. Here we show that targeting a single marker RNA with CRISPR/RfxCas13d led to collateral transcriptome destruction in human cells, which can be harnessed to inhibit cell proliferation or to suppress cell state transition.
Monitoring Protein Import into the Endoplasmic Reticulum in Living Cells with Proximity Labeling
Authors: Lyu Ziqi , Sycks Melody M. , Espinoza Mateo F. , Nguyen Khanh K. , Montoya Maureen R. , Galapate Cheska M. , Mei Liangyong , Genereux Joseph C.
Published: December 2021

The proper trafficking of eukaryotic proteins is essential to cellular function. Genetic, environmental, and other stresses can induce protein mistargeting, and in turn threaten cellular protein homeostasis. Current methods for measuring protein mistargeting are difficult to translate to living cells, and thus the role of cellular signaling networks in stress-dependent protein mistargeting processes, such as ER pre-emptive quality control (ER pQC), are difficult to parse. Herein, we use genetically encoded peroxidases to characterize protein import into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We show that the ERHRP/cytAPEX pair provides good selectivity and sensitivity for identifying protein mistargeting, using the known ER pQC substrate transthyretin (TTR). Although ERHRP labeling induces formation of detergent-resistant TTR aggregates, this is minimized by using low ERHRP expression, without loss of labeling efficiency. cytAPEX labeling recovers TTR that is mistargeted as a consequence of Sec61 inhibition or ER stress-induced ER pQC. Furthermore, we demonstrate that stress-free activation of the ER stress-associated transcription factor ATF6 recapitulates the TTR import deficiency of ER pQC. Hence, proximity labeling is an effective strategy for characterizing factors that influence ER protein import in living cells.
Comparative genomics of Nocardia seriolae reveals recent importation and subsequent widespread dissemination in mariculture farms in South Central Coast, Vietnam
Authors: Le Cuong T. , Price Erin P. , Sarovich Derek S. , Nguyen Thu T.A , Powell Daniel , Vu-Khac Hung , Kurtböke Ipek , Knibb Wayne , Chen Shih-Chu , Katouli Mohammad
Published: December 2021

Between 2010 and 2015, nocardiosis outbreaks caused by Nocardia seriolae affected many permit farms throughout Vietnam, causing mass fish mortalities. To understand the biology, origin, and epidemiology of these outbreaks, 20 N. seriolae strains collected from farms in four provinces in the South-Central Coast of Vietnam, along with two Taiwanese strains, were analysed using genetics and genomics. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis identified a single cluster amongst all Vietnamese strains that was distinct from the Taiwanese strains. Like the PFGE findings, phylogenomic and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping analyses revealed that all Vietnamese N. seriolae strains belonged to a single, unique clade. Strains fell into two subclades that differed by 103 SNPs, with almost no diversity within clades (0-2 SNPs). There was no association between geographic origin and subclade placement, suggesting frequent N. seriolae transmission between Vietnamese mariculture facilities during the outbreaks. Vietnamese strains shared a common ancestor with strains from Japan and China, with the closest strain, UTF1 from Japan, differing by just 217 SNPs from the Vietnamese ancestral node. Draft Vietnamese genomes range from 7.55-7.96 Mbp in size, have an average G+C content of 68.2%, and encode 7,602-7,958 predicted genes. Several putative virulence factors were identified, including genes associated with host cell adhesion, invasion, intracellular survival, antibiotic and toxic compound resistance, and haemolysin biosynthesis. Our findings provide important new insights into N. seriolae epidemiology and pathogenicity and will aid future vaccine development and disease management strategies, with the ultimate goal of nocardiosis-free aquaculture.
R code and downstream analysis objects for the scRNA-seq atlas of human breast spanning normal, preneoplastic and tumorigenic states
Authors: Chen Yunshun , Pal Bhupinder , Lindeman Geoffrey J , Visvader Jane E , Smyth Gordon K
Published: December 2021

Breast cancer is a common and highly heterogeneous disease. Understanding the cellular diversity in the mammary gland and its surrounding micro-environment across different states can provide insight into the cancer development in human breast. Recently, a large-scale single-cell RNA expression atlas was constructed of the human breast spanning normal, preneoplastic and tumorigenic states. Single-cell expression profiles of nearly 430,000 cells were obtained from 69 distinct surgical tissue specimens from 55 patients. This article extends the study by providing downstream processed R data objects, complete cell annotation and R code to reproduce all the analyses. Details of all the bioinformatic analyses that produced the results described in the study are provided.
A single-cell transcriptome atlas of human early embryogenesis
Authors: Xu Yichi , Zhang Tengjiao , Zhou Qin , Hu Mengzhu , Qi Yao , Xue Yifang , Wang Lihui , Nie Yuxiao , Bao Zhirong , Shi Weiyang
Published: December 2021

The early window of human embryogenesis is largely a black box for developmental biologists. Here we probed the cellular diversity of 4- to 6-week human embryos when essentially all organs are just laid out. Based on over 180,000 single-cell transcriptomes, we generated a comprehensive atlas of 313 cell types in 18 developmental systems, which were annotated with a collection of ontology and markers from 157 publications. Together with spatial transcriptome on embryonic sections, we characterized the molecule and spatial architecture of previously unappreciated cell types. Combined with data from other vertebrates, the rich information shed light on spatial patterning of axes, systemic temporal regulation of developmental progression and potential human-specific regulation. Our study provides a compendium of early progenitor cells of human organs, which can serve as the root of lineage analysis in organogenesis.
ChiMera: An easy to use pipeline for Bacterial Genome Based Metabolic Network Reconstruction, Evaluation and Visualization
Authors: Tamasco Gustavo , da Silva Ricardo R. , Silva-Rocha Rafael
Published: December 2021

Several genome scale metabolic reconstruction tools have been developed in the last decades. They have helped to construct many metabolic models, which have contributed to a variety of fields, e.g., genetic engineering, drug discovery, prediction of phenotypes, and other model-driven discoveries. However, the use of these programs requires a higher level of bioinformatic skills, and most of them are not scalable for multiple genomes. Moreover, the functionalities required to build models are generally scattered through multiple tools, requiring knowledge of their utilization.

Here, we present ChiMera, which combines the most efficient tools in model reconstruction, prediction, and visualization. ChiMera uses CarveMe top-down approach based on genomic evidence to prune a global model with a high level of curation, generating a draft genome able to produce growth predictions using flux balance analysis for gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. ChiMera also contains two modules of visualization implemented, predefined and universal. The first generates maps for the most important pathways, e.g., core-metabolism, fatty acid oxidation and biosynthesis, nucleotides and amino acids biosynthesis, glycolysis, and others. The second module produces a genome-wide metabolic map, which can be used to harvest KEGG pathway information for each compound in the model. A module of gene essentiality and knockout is also present. Overall, ChiMera combines model creation, gap-filling, FBA and metabolic visualization to create a simulation ready genome-scale model, helping genetic engineering projects, prediction of phenotypes, and other model-driven discoveries in a friendly manner.
MuDCoD: Multi-Subject Community Detection in Personalized Dynamic Gene Networks from Single Cell RNA Sequencing
Authors: Şapcı Ali Osman Berk , Lu Shan , Yan Shuchen , Ay Ferhat , Tastan Oznur , Keleş Sündüz
Published: December 2021

Motivation

With the wide availability of single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) technology, population-scale scRNA-seq datasets across multiple individuals and time points are emerging. While the initial investigations of these datasets tend to focus on standard analysis of clustering and differential expression, leveraging the power of scRNA-seq data at the personalized dynamic gene co-expression network level has the potential to unlock subject and/or time-specific network-level variation, which is critical for understanding phenotypic differences. Community detection from co-expression networks of multiple time points or conditions has been well-studied; however, none of the existing settings included networks from multiple subjects and multiple time points simultaneously. To address this, we develop MuDCoD for multi-subject community detection in personalized dynamic gene networks from scRNA-seq. MuDCoD builds on the spectral clustering framework and promotes information sharing among the networks of the subjects as well as networks at different time points. It clusters genes in the personalized dynamic gene networks and reveals gene communities that are variable or shared not only across time but also among subjects.

Results

Evaluation and benchmarking of MuDCoD against existing approaches reveal that MuDCoD effectively leverages apparent shared signals among networks of the subjects at individual time points, and performs robustly when there is no or little information sharing among the networks. Applications to population-scale scRNA-seq datasets of human-induced pluripotent stem cells during dopaminergic neuron differentiation and CD4+ T cell activation indicate that MuDCoD enables robust inference for identifying time-varying personalized gene modules. Our results illustrate how personalized dynamic community detection can aid in the exploration of subject-specific biological processes that vary across time.

Availability

MuDCoD is publicly available athttps://github.com/bo1929/MuDCoDas a Python package. Implementation includes simulation and real-data experiments together with extensive documentation.

Contact

keles@stat.wisc.edu,otastan@sabanciuniv.edu

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available atBioinformaticsonline.
The three-dimensional chromatin structure of the major human pancreatic cell types reveals lineage-specific regulatory architecture of T2D risk
Authors: Su Chun , Gao Long , May Catherine L. , Pippin James A. , Boehm Keith , Lee Michelle , Liu Chengyang , Pahl Matthew C. , Golson Maria L. , Naji Ali ,   the HPAP Consortium, Grant Struan F.A. , Wells Andrew D. , Kaestner Klaus H.
Published: December 2021

Three-dimensional (3D) chromatin organization maps help to dissect cell type-specific gene regulatory programs. Furthermore, 3D chromatin maps have contributed to elucidating the pathogenesis of complex genetic diseases by connecting distal regulatory regions and genetic risk variants to their respective target genes. To understand the cell type-specific regulatory architecture of diabetes risk, we generated transcriptomic and 3D epigenomic profiles of human pancreatic acinar, alpha, and beta cells using single-cell RNA-seq, single-cell ATAC-seq, and high-resolution Hi-C of sorted cells. Comparisons of these profiles revealed differential A/B (open/closed) chromatin compartmentalization, chromatin looping, and transcriptional factor mediated control of cell type-specific gene regulatory programs. We identified a total of 4,750 putative causal-variant-target-gene pairs at 194 type 2 diabetes GWAS signals using pancreatic 3D chromatin maps. We found that the connections between candidate causal variants and their putative target effector genes are cell-type stratified and emphasize previously underappreciated roles for alpha and acinar cells in diabetes pathogenesis.
Copper nanoparticles as modulator of active bacterial population and their physiology in ecosphere
Authors: Alboloushi Ali , Alum Absar , Abbaszadegan Morteza
Published: December 2021

The widespread use of nanoparticles (NPs) in industrial and consumer products has resulted in their emergence as significant environmental contaminants that can potentially modulate the role of bacteria in environment. This study examines the impact of different sizes of Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) on the population and physiology of environmentally relevant gram positive (Bacillus) and gam negative (Alcaligenes, and Pseudomonas) bacteria. In general, exposure to CuNPs resulted in 4 to >6 log inactivation in bacterial population. More specifically, after 2hr exposure of Alcaligenes and Pseudomonas to 50 CuNPs, 5.75 and 6.64 log reduction noted, respectively; and their exposure to 100 CuNPs resulted in 5.97 and 6.58 log reduction, respectively. A similar exposure of laboratory and environmental isolates of Bacillus to 50 and 100 CuNPs resulted in 4.84, 4.16 and 4.35, 3.61 log reduction, correspondingly. The exposure induced elicitation of different toxicity pathways in the test bacteria. Bacterial exposure to 50 CuNPs resulted in elevated levels of LDH in Pseudomonas, in contrast these levels decreased in Alcaligenes and Bacillus. Our toxicity studies showed that exposure to CuNP can have various levels of metabolic and cellular modulation in bacterial species, suggesting that the presence of CuNPs in environment can potentially impact the pollutants-attenuation-role of bacteria in environments such as wastewater biological treatment processes.
Mitochondrial DNA metabolism is coupled with 20S proteasome function via regulation of deoxyribonucleotide homeostasis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Wang Xiaowen , Rana Arnav , Coyne Liam P. , Loh Daniel M. , La Thuy , Chen Xin Jie
Published: December 2021

The synthesis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is not coupled with cell cycle. Previous studies have shown that the size of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pools plays an important role in regulating mtDNA replication and amplification. In yeast, dNTPs are synthesized by the cytosolic ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). It is currently poorly understood as to how RNR activity is regulated in non-dividing or quiescent cells to finely tune mtDNA metabolism to cope with different metabolic states. Here, we show that defect in the 20S proteasome drastically destabilizes mtDNA. The mtDNA instability phenotype in 20S proteasome mutants is suppressed by overexpression of RNR3 or by the deletion of SML1, encoding a minor catalytic subunit and an intrinsic inhibitor of RNR respectively. We found that Sml1 is stabilized in the 20S proteasomal mutants, suggesting that 20S affects mtDNA stability by stabilizing Sml1. Interestingly, defect in the regulatory 19S proteasomal function has only subtle effect on mtDNA stability, supporting a role of the 20S proteasome in dNTP homeostasis independent of 19S. Finally, we found that when cells are transitioned from glycolytic to oxidative growth, Sml1 level is reduced in a 20S-dependent manner. In summary, our study establishes a link between cellular proteostasis and mtDNA metabolism through the regulation of dNTP homeostasis. We propose that increased degradation of Sml1 by the 20S proteasome under respiratory conditions provides a mechanism to stimulate dNTP synthesis and promote mtDNA amplification.
Homeostatic active zone remodeling consolidates memories in the Drosophila mushroom body
Authors: Turrel Oriane , Ramesh Niraja , Escher Marc J.F. , Sigrist Stephan J.
Published: December 2021

Establishing a detailed understanding of how the distinct forms of synaptic plasticity spatio-temporally engage into the initial storage and subsequent consolidation of memories remains a fundamental challenge of neuroscience. In addition to the better understood postsynaptic plasticity, different forms of presynaptic plasticity are widely expressed in mammalian brains and apparently operate along Hebbian or homeostatic rules. Their behavioral relevance remains enigmatic, however. Lately, acute upregulation of active zone (AZ) scaffold protein BRP and release factor Unc13A via specific axonal transport factors were shown to mediate stable expression of presynaptic homeostatic plasticity (PHP) at Drosophila neuromuscular junctions (NMJs).

We here demonstrate that AZ scaling processes are specifically needed for stable expression of both, NMJ PHP as well as aversive olfactory mid-term memory within intrinsic neurons of the Drosophila mushroom body (MB). We first demonstrate that AZ upscaling via BRP is specifically needed for expression but not induction of NMJ homeostatic plasticity, thus establishing a direct temporal plasticity sequence of molecularly distinct AZ remodeling steps. Notably, when we reduced BRP and associated transport factors in MB intrinsic neurons, short-term memory persisted but robust deficits in stable memory expression for a few hours after conditioning were observed. In contrast, AZ release site protein RIM-BP affecting PHP induction was additionally needed for successful formation of short-term memory.

Taken together, our data establish a specific role of homeostatic presynaptic long-term plasticity for memory consolidation. Such homeostatic refinement processes might well be needed to successfully integrate and display synaptic engrams constituting intermediary term memories.
Tandem WW/PPxY motif interactions in WWOX: the multifaceted role of the second WW domain
Authors: Rotem-Bamberger Shahar , Fahoum Jamal , Keinan-Adamsky Keren , Tsaban Tomer , Avraham Orly , Shalev Deborah E. , Chill Jordan H. , Schueler-Furman Ora
Published: December 2021

Class I WW domains mediate protein interactions by binding short linear PPxY motifs. They occur predominantly as tandem repeats, and their target proteins often contain multiple PPxY motifs, but the interplay of WW/peptide interactions is not always intuitive. WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) protein harbors two WW domains: unstable WW1 capable of PPxY binding, and well-folded but mutated WW2 that cannot bind such motifs. WW2 is considered to act as a WW1 chaperone, but the underlying mechanism remains to be revealed. Here we combine NMR, ITC and structural modeling to elucidate the role of both WW domains in WWOX binding to single and double motif peptides derived from its substrate ErbB4. Using NMR we identified an interaction surface between the two domains that supports a WWOX conformation that is compatible with peptide substrate binding. ITC and NMR measurements reveal that while binding affinity to a single motif is marginally increased in the presence of WW2, affinity to a dual motif peptide increases tenfold, and that WW2 can directly bind double motif-peptides using its canonical binding site. Finally, differential binding of peptides in a mutagenesis study is consistent with a parallel orientation binding to the WW1-WW2 tandem domain, agreeing with structural models of the interaction. Our results reveal the complex nature of tandem WW domain organization and substrate binding, highlighting the contribution of WWOX WW2 to both stability and binding. This opens the way to assess how evolution can utilize the multivariate nature of binding to fine-tune interactions for specific biological functions.
Adoptive Transfer Immunization of Mice
Authors: Greenfield Edward A.
Published: December 2021

This procedure is designed to enrich and expand antibody-forming cells for use in generating monoclonal antibodies. Gamma-irradiation is used to wipe out the immune system in a recipient animal, after which spleen cells that have reverted to memory cells are obtained from syngeneic donor animals and transferred to the irradiated animal, allowing the implanted immune cells to take over. This method can produce an 80-fold enrichment of antibody-producing cells over that obtained in the original immunized animal.
Total RNA Extraction from Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using Hot Acid Phenol
Authors: Green Michael R. , Sambrook Joseph
Published: December 2021

Isolation of RNA from yeast is complicated by the need to first break the thick, rigid cell wall. The protocol provided here uses a cycle of heating and freezing of cells in the presence of phenol and the detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The extraction is performed in the presence of low salt so that, following separation of the aqueous and phenol phases by centrifugation, DNA can be collected from the interface while RNA remains in the aqueous phase. This protocol should yield ∼50–250 µg of RNA from 10 mL of culture. The RNA isolated using this approach is suitable for most follow-up applications such as northern blot hybridization, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and cDNA construction.
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate–Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis of Proteins
Authors: Kielkopf Clara L. , Bauer William , Urbatsch Ina L.
Published: December 2021

Most analytical electrophoreses of proteins are achieved by separation in polyacrylamide gels under conditions that ensure dissociation of proteins into individual polypeptide subunits and minimize aggregation. Most commonly, the anionic detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is used in combination with a reducing agent (β-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol) and with heating to dissociate proteins before loading onto the gel. SDS binding denatures the polypeptides and imparts a negative charge that masks their intrinsic charge. The amount of SDS bound is generally sequence-independent and proportional to molecular weight; at saturation, approximately one SDS molecule is bound per two amino acids, or ∼1.4 g of SDS per gram of polypeptide. Therefore, the migration of SDS–polypeptide complexes in an electric field is proportional to the relative size of the polypeptide chain, and its molecular weight can be estimated by comparison to protein markers of known molecular weight. However, hydrophobicity, highly charged sequences, and certain posttranslational modifications such as glycosylation or phosphorylation may also influence migration. Thus, the apparent molecular weight of modified proteins does not always accurately reflect the mass of the polypeptide chain. This protocol describes preparation and running of SDS-PAGE gels, followed by staining to detect proteins using Coomassie Brilliant Blue. Finally, the stained SDS-PAGE gel may be scanned to an image or preserved by drying.
A national framework for promoting business excellence (NFPBE)
Authors: Lobo Stanislaus , Samaranayake Premaratne , Matawie Kenan M.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a national framework for promoting business excellence (NFPBE) using a quality management assessment framework (QMAF) with information knowledge communication (IKC) as an enabler.

Design/methodology/approach

The NFPBE using the plan–do–check–act (PDCA) cycle is developed, re-enforcing key quality management aspects/areas including national quality awards, QMAF summary and national innovation programmes using a meta-analysis.

Findings

The operationalising of the NFPBE is enabled and supported by an auditing tool to assess the degree of mentoring provided by universities/research institutions/consulting firms to participating firms whose progress will be assessed by the QMAF. It was emphasised that the success of the framework requires the buy-in of national governments to support the programme through stimulus incentives such as government assistance with the costs of research and development, and cooperative research ventures between universities and companies.

Research limitations/implications

The framework is conceptualised into a process flowchart, which is a blueprint to advancing business excellence in organisations at a national scale. The study is limited to only the conceptualisation of the framework. Therefore, an extended study of the framework implementation/application is required for revealing implementation guidelines.

Practical implications

The national framework has a propensity to enhancing the business excellence of organisations at a national level. Therefore, quality managers and policy makers could use the framework to understand the quality management shortfalls and consider strategies to achieving business excellence.

Originality/value

This research study proposed a blueprint to advancing quality excellence in organisations at a national level, guided by several quality frameworks.
A state-of-the-art overview of job-crafting research: current trends and future research directions
Authors: Tims Maria , Twemlow Melissa , Fong Christine Yin Man
Published: December 2021

Purpose

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the founding of Career Development International, a state-of-the-art overview of recent trends in job-crafting research was conducted. Since job crafting was introduced twenty years ago as a type of proactive work behavior that employees engage in to adjust their jobs to their needs, skills, and preferences, research has evolved tremendously.

Design/methodology/approach

To take stock of recent developments and to unravel the latest trends in the field, this overview encompasses job-crafting research published in the years 2016–2021. The overview portrays that recent contributions have matured the theoretical and empirical advancement of job-crafting research from three perspectives (i.e. individual, team and social).

Findings

When looking at the job-crafting literature through these three perspectives, a total of six trends were uncovered that show that job-crafting research has moved to a more in-depth theory-testing approach; broadened its scope; examined team-level job crafting and social relationships; and focused on the impact of job crafting on others in the work environment and their evaluations and reactions to it.

Originality/value

The overview of recent trends within the job-crafting literature ends with a set of recommendations for how future research on job crafting could progress and create scientific impact for the coming years.
How does corporate social responsibility influence firm financial performance?
Authors: Ben Saad Sourour , Belkacem Lotfi
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper has three main purposes. First, this paper aims to study the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on firm financial performance. Second, this study aims to examine how mandatory CSR disclosure impacts financial performance. Further, this paper aims to investigate the intervening role of capital structure decisions on the relationship between CSR and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample of French non-financial listed companies over the period 2006–2017, this study uses structural equations modeling and a difference-in-differences approach to highlight these effects.

Findings

This paper finds that CSR has a significant positive association with financial performance. In addition, although the mandate does not require firms to spend on CSR, the socially responsible firms experience an increase in profitability subsequent to the mandate. Finally, this study argues and finds evidence that the relationship between CSR and financial performance is mediated through the capital structure channel.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature in several ways. First, the study provides a new research stream by examining the effect of mandatory CSR disclosure on firm financial performance. Second, is to knowledge the first to examine whether and how CSR affects financial performance through the capital structure channel.
Odds & Edge: on the edge
Authors: Jethwani Kinjal , Ramchandani Kumar
Published: December 2021

Case overview

Odds & Edge, a micro venture based in Ahmedabad, India, has created a niche for itself in the affordable designer wear segment. Covid-19 induced lockdown pushed Odds & Edge to the brink of collapse. And because of the severe cash crunch partners need to take a call regarding the continuation or closure of the venture. The case is intended to be discussed in an entrepreneurship class for post-graduate level participants. The case setting is inside Odds & Edge and it was May 01, 2020, when Ms Jheel Jain - a partner & the protagonist, needed to decide the future of the venture. Participants will have a brief understanding of entrepreneurial traits and will also learn about the Ansoff Model of expansion in case of continuation and the different exit choices for an entrepreneur. As Odds & Edge operates in the fashion industry, students will be able to understand the concepts such as Ecopreneurship, Circular Economy, and Trashion. The case follows through the background of Ms Jain, the ideation stage, and the players in the Trashion Industry. It then moves on to the operation of Odds & Edge narrating the process, products, and partners of the venture. The case ends with the decision dilemma for Ms Jain i.e. should she continue? If yes then how could Odds and Edge expand & grow? Or Should Jheel surrender and exit? If yes then what are the probable exit choices for her?

Learning objectives

1. to understand the concept of Ecopreneurship, Circular Economy and Trashion; 2. to identify and discuss common entrepreneurial traits; 3. to analyze the Ansoff Matrix for exploration of various expansion/growth strategies; and 4. to understand different exit strategies available to an entrepreneur.

Complexity academic level

The case is intended to be discussed in an entrepreneurship class for post-graduate level participants.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CCS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Investigating the motivational antecedents of training transfer at the post-implementation phase of enterprise systems
Authors: Arasanmi Chris Niyi , Ojo Adedapo Oluwaseyi
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Despite recognising the importance of training on the successful implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, there is a shortage of research on mechanisms that facilitate the effective use of ERP implementation training in business environments. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing post-implementation transfer behaviours as a measure of training effectiveness among ERP users.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model based on related theories was developed to explain the effectiveness of post-implementation ERP training. The study analysed collected data from ERP users drawn from finance, customer relationship management, marketing, sales and logistics units in some organisations in New Zealand.

Findings

Findings reveal that 42.7% of the variance in ERP training transfer (TT) can be explained by mastery goal orientation (MGO), computer self-efficacy (CSE) and transfer motivation (TMO). Furthermore, CSE and TMO acted as vital mechanisms by which MGO affects the TT.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies are implored to address the limitation of cross-sectional research design by using more objective measures and multiple data sources.

Practical implications

Understanding the underlying mechanisms of training effectiveness at the post-implementation phase can facilitate the development of strategic interventions to sustain effective transfer behaviours in ERP task environments.

Originality/value

Building on the self-determination theory, this study demonstrates the interrelationship among MGO, CSE, TMO and TT at the post-implementation phase of ERP.
Herding and loss aversion in stock markets: mediating role of fear of missing out (FOMO) in retail investors
Authors: Gupta Shilpi , Shrivastava Monica
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The study aims to understand the impact of loss aversion and herding on investment decision of retail investors. The study further evaluates the mediating role of fear of missing out (FOMO) in retail investors on these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed questionnaire survey to collect data from retail investors of Indian stock market. Total 323 data were collected. The collected data were examined using SmartPLS. Factor analysis and partial least square structural equation modeling were employed for fulfilling the objectives of the study.

Findings

The results of the study revealed that investment decisions of retail investors are significantly influenced by loss aversion, herd behavior as well as FOMO. Assessing the impact of herd behavior and loss aversion on investment decision in presence and absence of FOMO exposed that FOMO partially mediates these relations. The mediation was complementary in nature as the presence of FOMO increased the influence of loss aversion and herd behavior on retail investor's investment decisions.

Practical implications

Behavioral predispositions are accountable for numerous irregularities in stock markets. Thus, it is quite substantial to realize the stimulus of these partialities on investment decisions. The outcomes of this study would help financial planners and investors to keep in mind the different ways their decision outcomes could be biased and try to ignore them.

Originality/value

Though there have been many studies conducted on behavioral biases and their impact on investment decisions, there are very few studies that have taken into account the FOMO factor in investment, in context of the behavioral biases. Theoretically, FOMO has been linked with herd behavior and greed of earning more, but there are very few empirical supports to this fact. Thus, this study is an attempt to fill this gap by examining the role of FOMO on investment decisions and the different biases associated with it.
Sport and physical activity participation in the workplace: the role of employees' self-perception
Authors: Baup Yann , Vignal Benedicte , Bodet Guillaume
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Despite preventive efforts from some companies to offer some sport and physical activity (SPA) to their employees, French participation rates remain very low, which limit impacts in terms of health and economic benefits. The aim of this study was to better understand the factors influencing SPA participation in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was conducted based on an electronic questionnaire survey disseminated to 24 companies based in France that offered SPA to their employees. An independent sample t-test was conducted to explore the differences between the most common facilitating and constraining factors, in relation to “being a sporty person” self-perception, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) level and demographic information. Predictors of SPA in the workplace were determined using a binomial logistic regression.

Findings

A total of 1,318 employees completed the survey, of which 60% were women, mostly highly educated and white collar. “Being a sporty person,” self-perception has been a predictor of SPA participation in the workplace.

Practical implications

More multicomponent work-based interventions, including incidental physical activity, might be necessary to increase participation and overcome time constraint.

Originality/value

Although SPA participation in the workplace is considered to promote numerous positive organizational and individual consequences, this is the first study to assess the associations between facilitating and constraining factors of SPA participation in the workplace setting and physical self-perception.
Developing a Shari’ah based FinTech Money Creation Free [SFMCF] model for Islamic banking
Authors: Altwijry Othman Ibrahim , Mohammed Mustafa Omar , Hassan M. Kabir , Selim Mohammad
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop and thereafter validate a Sharīʿah-based FinTech Money Creation Free [SFMCF] model for Islamic banking.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has adopted a qualitative research methodology, using three approaches, namely, a survey of the literature to identify the research gap and the variables needed for developing the model, content analysis to construct the variables into a model and semi-structured interview with 10 experts in banking, Sharīʿah and Financial Technology (FinTech) to validate the SFMCF model.

Findings

The major findings of the study lie in developing the SFMCF model for Islamic banking, empirical validation of the model’s viability and acceptability and the implications for the main stakeholders of Islamic banks.

Research limitations/implications

The SFMCF model is specific to Islamic banking and its validation is based on the views of 10 experts.

Practical implications

The SFMCF would necessitate changes to the central bank regulatory framework, convince Islamic banks to forego their powers and advantages of creating money and enhance their abilities to fully adopt Sharīʿah-compliant FinTech.

Social implications

The proposed model if implemented would change positively the perception of the society particularly the stakeholders of Islamic banks and restore their trust and confidence about the direction of the institution toward achieving the Sharīʿah objectives.

Originality/value

The novelty of this work lies in developing and validating the viability and acceptability of the SFMCF model for Islamic banking.
Factors impacting digital transformations of the food industry by adoption of blockchain technology
Authors: Dehghani Milad , Popova Anna , Gheitanchi Shahin
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to blockchain facilitate information sharing among different players in the food industry, such as farmers, food suppliers and investors, enabling an effective decision-making process where the information about goods is traceable without any inherent risk. Although blockchain technology is emerging, its use in the food industry needs to be explored from different angles, such as organizations’ policy, adoption strategies and potential technology innovations which could positively impact business processes.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the authors survey 84 organizations in the food industry. Further, the authors conducted in-depth- interviews with three organizations that applied blockchain technology in the production phase to address the pros and cons of this adaption and discuss how the technology could be improved based on the challenges they faced. Moreover, an overview of current and potential digital transformation uses cases of blockchain technology in the food industry has been provided.

Findings

The results suggested that perceived efficiency, transparency, standardization and platform development and traceability factors positively influenced intention to use (ITU).

Practical implications

The adoption of the blockchain cloud solution is neither time-consuming nor expensive; organizations may attempt to predict how regulations or standards will be developed to create a blockchain solution compatible with them.

Originality/value

This study is among the primary studies investigating the role of blockchain technology in the food sector from the organizations’ viewpoint, highlighting the factors influencing the ITU.
Integrated safety, health and environmental management in the construction industry: key organisational capability attributes
Authors: Asah-Kissiedu Millicent , Manu Patrick , Booth Colin Anthony , Mahamadu Abdul-Majeed , Agyekum Kofi
Published: December 2021

Purpose

For construction organisations to be effective at implementing an integrated safety, health and environmental (SHE) management system, they require the right level of organisational capability. This capability includes the policies, systems and resources of the organisation. However, within the academic literature, it is unclear which organisational attributes of construction companies are important for implementing integrated SHE management. This study aims to explore the organisational attributes that determine integrated SHE management capability and their relative priorities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a literature review supported by expert verification and a subsequent three-round expert Delphi technique accompanied by applying the voting analytical hierarchy process.

Findings

The study identified 20 attributes grouped under five main thematic categories. These are strategy (the organisation’s vision and top management commitment); process (the organisation’s procedures and processes for SHE management); people (organisation’s human resources, their competence, roles, responsibilities and involvement in SHE management); resources (organisation’s physical and financial resources for SHE management) and information (SHE related documents, data, records and their communication across an organisation). While these thematic categories and the attributes within carry different weights of importance, the strategy-related attributes are the most important, followed by the people-related attributes.

Originality/value

The results of this study should enable construction companies and key industry stakeholders to understand construction companies’ capability to successfully implement an integrated SHE management system. Furthermore, construction companies should be able to prioritise efforts or investments to enhance their SHE management capability.
Evaluate the sustainable reuse strategy of the corporate financial management based on the big data model
Authors: Yang Weige , Zhou Yuqin , Xu Wenhai , Tang Kunzhi
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purposes are to explore corporate financial management optimization in the context of big data and provide a sustainable financial strategy for corporate development.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the shortcomings of the traditional financial management model are analyzed under the background of big data analysis. The big data analytic technology is employed to extract financial big data information and establish an efficient corporate financial management model. Second, the deep learning (DL) algorithm is applied to implement a corporate financial early-warning model to predict the potential risks in corporate finance, considering the predictability of corporate financial risks. Finally, a corporate value-centered development strategy based on sustainable growth is proposed for long-term development.

Findings

The experimental results demonstrate that the financial early-warning model based on DL has an accuracy of 90.7 and 88.9% for the two-year financial alert, which is far superior to the prediction effect of the traditional financial risk prediction models.

Originality/value

The obtained results can provide a reference for establishing a sustainable development pattern of corporate financial management under the background of big data.