bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Points-Based Models for Predicting Severe Disease related to Covid-19 with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant
Authors: Ben Shlomo Yatir , Waxman Jacob G. , Shaham Galit , Netzer Doron , Reis Ben , Balicer Ran , Dagan Noa
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Throughout the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, resources for various aspects of patient care have been limited, necessitating risk-stratification. The need for good risk-stratification tools has been enhanced by the availability of new Covid-19 therapeutics that are effective at preventing severe disease among high-risk patients if given promptly following SARS-CoV-2 infection. We describe the development of two points-based models for predicting the risk of deterioration to severe disease from an Omicron-variant SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

We developed two logistic regression-based models for predicting the risk of severe Covid-19 within a 21-days follow-up period among Clalit Health Services members aged 18 and older, with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from December 25, 2021 to March 16, 2022. In the first model, aimed for the use of healthcare providers, the model coefficients were linearly transformed into integer risk points. In the second model, a simplified version designed for self-assessment by the general public, the risk points were further scaled down to smaller numbers with less variability across risk factors.

Results

613,513 individuals met the inclusion criteria, of which 1,763 (0.287%) developed the outcome. The AUROC estimates for both models were 0.95, although the ‘full’ model demonstrated more granular risk-stratification capabilities (77 vs. 27 potential thresholds on the test set). Both models proved effective in identifying small subsets of the population enriched with individuals who ended up deteriorating. For example, prioritizing the top 1%, 5% or 10% individuals in the population for interventions with the full model results in coverage of 36%, 68% or 83% (respectively) of the individuals that actually end up deteriorating. Risk point count increased with age, number of chronic conditions and previous hospitalizations, and decreased with recent vaccination and infection.

Discussion

The models presented, one more expressive and one more accessible, are transparent and explainable models applicable to the general population that can be used in the prioritization of Covid-19-related resources, including therapeutics.
Causal effects from tobacco smoking on obesity-related traits: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Park Sehoon , Kim Seong Geun , Lee Soojin , Kim Yaerim , Cho Semin , Kim Kwangsoo , Kim Yong Chul , Han Seung Seok , Lee Hajeong , Lee Jung Pyo , Joo Kwon Wook , Lim Chun Soo , Kim Yon Su , Kim Dong Ki
Published: June 2022

Background

There is a notion that tobacco smoking would have weight control effect based on the appetite suppressive effect of nicotine. However, a causal effect from being an ever smoker on obesity-related traits in the general population has yet been determined.

Methods

This Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis instrumented 378 genetic variants associated with being an ever smoker which mostly initiated in adolescents or young adulthood, identified from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of 1.2 million individuals. The outcome data for body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio was collected in 337,318 white British ancestry UK Biobank participants with 40-69 ages. Replication analysis was performed for GWAS meta-analysis for body mass index including the GERA/GIANT data including 364,487 mostly European samples. Summary-level MR by inverse variance weighted method and pleiotropy-robust MR methods, including median-based and MR–Egger regression, was performed.

Results

Summary-level MR analysis indicated that genetically predicted being an ever smoker is causally linked to higher body mass index [+0.28 (0.18, 0.38) kg/m2], waist circumference [+0.88 (0.66, 1.10) cm], hip circumference [+0.40 (0.23, 0.57) cm], and waist-to-hip ratio [+0.006 (0.005, 0.007)]. The results were consistently supported by pleiotropy-robust MR analysis. In the replication analysis, genetically predicted being an ever smoker was again significantly associated with higher body mass index [+0.03 (0.01, 0.05) kg/m2].

Conclusion

Initiation of tobacco use may consequently lead to worse obesity-related traits of the general population in middle-to-old ages.
Teenage pregnancy and timing of first marriage in Cameroon - What has changed over the last three decades, and what are the implications?
Authors: Fotso Jean Christophe , Cleland John G , Muki Berienis , Olaïtan Elihou Adje , Mayack Josiane Ngo
Published: June 2022

Background

The consequences of teenage childbearing on the health of mothers and children, and on girls’ schooling have been documented in many studies. The objectives of this study are to: 1) examine trends and differentials in teenage motherhood in Cameroon, with a distinction between premarital and marital teenage pregnancy; and 2) investigate trends and differentials in the length of time to marriage following a premarital teenage pregnancy.

Methods

We use data from five demographic and health surveys (DHS) conducted in Cameroon between 1991 and 2018. Teenage pregnancy, defined as first pregnancy occurring before the age of 20 years, is recode as a trichotomous variable (0 = No teenage pregnancy; 1 = marital teenage pregnancy; 2 = premarital teenage pregnancy). Time from first premarital teenage pregnancy to first marriage is analyzed as a continuous variable.

Results

The percentage of women who experienced a marital teenage pregnancy declined from 39.6% to 26.4% between 1991 and 2018. After an initial drop between 1991 and 2004, premarital teenage pregnancy stabilized at about 25%. Women with intermediate levels of schooling were more likely to experience a premarital pregnancy than those with no schooling or higher secondary/tertiary education. The median length of time to first marriage following a premarital teenage pregnancy rose from 16 months in 1991 to 45 months in 2018. Further analysis suggests that marriage may be a more severe barrier to continued schooling than motherhood and that the desire to continue schooling is an important reason for postponing marriage for women who have given birth.

Conclusion and recommendations

Besides strengthening interventions to curb adolescent pregnancy, efforts should be made to support families, communities and schools to help adolescent mothers return to school, prevent future unintended pregnancies, and delay further family formation. Accessibility to youth-friendly FP/RH services should be addressed.
Accounting for small variations in the tracrRNA sequence improves sgRNA activity predictions for CRISPR screening
Authors: DeWeirdt Peter C , McGee Abby V , Zheng Fengyi , Nwolah Ifunanya , Hegde Mudra , Doench John G
Published: June 2022

CRISPR technology is a powerful tool for studying genome function. To aid in picking sgRNAs that have maximal efficacy against a target of interest from many possible options, several groups have developed models that predict sgRNA on-target activity. Although multiple tracrRNA variants are commonly used for screening, no existing models account for this feature when nominating sgRNAs. Here we develop an on-target model, Rule Set 3, that makes optimal predictions for multiple tracrRNA variants. We validate Rule Set 3 on a new dataset of sgRNAs tiling essential and non-essential genes, demonstrating substantial improvement over prior prediction models. By analyzing the differences in sgRNA activity between tracrRNA variants, we show that Pol III transcription termination is a strong determinant of sgRNA activity. We expect these results to improve the performance of CRISPR screening and inform future research on tracrRNA engineering and sgRNA modeling.
Protein k-mers enable assembly-free microbial metapangenomics
Authors: Reiter Taylor E. , Pierce-Ward N. Tessa , Irber Luiz , Botvinnik Olga Borisovna , Brown C. Titus
Published: June 2022

An estimated 2 billion species of microbes exist on Earth with orders of magnitude more strains. Microbial pangenomes are created by aggregating all genomes of a single clade and reflect the metabolic diversity of groups of organisms. As de novo metagenome analysis techniques have matured and reference genome databases have expanded, metapangenome analysis has risen in popularity as a tool to organize the functional potential of organisms in relation to the environment from which those organisms were sampled. However, the reliance on assembly and binning or on reference databases often leaves substantial portions of metagenomes unanalyzed, thereby underestimating the functional potential of a community. To address this challenge, we present a method for metapangenomics that relies on amino acid k-mers (kaa-mers) and metagenome assembly graph queries. To enable this method, we first show that kaa-mers estimate pangenome characteristics and that open reading frames can be accurately predicted from short shotgun sequencing reads using the previously developed tool orpheum. These techniques enable pangenomics to be performed directly on short sequencing reads. To enable metapangenome analysis, we combine these approaches with compact de Bruijn assembly graph queries to directly generate sets of sequencing reads for a specific species from a metagenome. When applied to stool metagenomes from an individual receiving antibiotics over time, we show that these approaches identify strain fluctuations that coincide with antibiotic exposure.
Activity-driven extracellular volume expansion drives vertebrate axis elongation
Authors: Michaut Arthur , Mongera Alessandro , Gupta Anupam , Serra Mattia , Rigoni Pietro , Lee Jong Gwan , Duarte Felipe , Hall Adam R. , Mahadevan L. , Guevorkian Karine , Pourquié Olivier
Published: June 2022

The vertebrate bauplan is primarily established via the formation of embryonic tissues in a head-to-tail progression. The biomechanics of this elongation, which requires the presomitic mesoderm (PSM), remains poorly understood. Here, we find that avian PSM explants can elongate autonomously when physically confined in vitro, producing a pushing force that can largely account for the posterior elongation of the embryo. Tissue elongation results from volumetric expansion that is driven by cellular activity and accompanied by inhomogeneous increase of the extracellular fraction along the AP axis. We show that FGF signaling promotes glycolysis-dependent production of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), which is required for expansion of the posterior PSM. Our findings link body axis elongation to tissue expansion through the metabolic control of extracellular matrix production downstream of FGF signaling.

One-Sentence Summary

Active tissue expansion propels body elongation independent of cell proliferation-driven growth
Iterative computational design and crystallographic screening identifies potent inhibitors targeting the Nsp3 Macrodomain of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Gahbauer Stefan , Correy Galen J. , Schuller Marion , Ferla Matteo P. , Doruk Yagmur Umay , Rachman Moira , Wu Taiasean , Diolaiti Morgan , Wang Siyi , Neitz R. Jeffrey , Fearon Daren , Radchenko Dmytro , Moroz Yurii , Irwin John J. , Renslo Adam R. , Taylor Jenny C. , Gestwicki Jason E. , von Delft Frank , Ashworth Alan , Ahel Ivan , Shoichet Brian K. , Fraser James S.
Published: June 2022

The nonstructural protein 3 (NSP3) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contains a conserved macrodomain enzyme (Mac1) that is critical for pathogenesis and lethality. While small molecule inhibitors of Mac1 have great therapeutic potential, at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic there were no well-validated inhibitors for this protein nor, indeed, the macrodomain enzyme family, making this target a pharmacological orphan. Here, we report the structure-based discovery and development of several different chemical scaffolds exhibiting low- to sub-micromolar affinity for Mac1 through iterations of computer-aided design, structural characterization by ultra-high resolution protein crystallography, and binding evaluation. Potent scaffolds were designed with in silico fragment linkage and by ultra-large library docking of over 450 million molecules. Both techniques leverage the computational exploration of tangible chemical space and are applicable to other pharmacological orphans. Overall, 160 ligands in 119 different scaffolds were discovered, and 152 Mac1-ligand complex crystal structures were determined, typically to 1 Å resolution or better. Our analyses discovered selective and cell-permeable molecules, unexpected ligand-mediated protein dynamics within the active site, and key inhibitor motifs that will template future drug development against Mac1.

Significance Statement

SARS-CoV-2 encodes a viral macrodomain protein (Mac1) that hydrolyzes ribo-adenylate marks on viral proteins, disrupting the innate immune response to the virus. Catalytic mutations in the enzyme make the related SARS-1 virus less pathogenic and non-lethal in animals, suggesting that Mac1 will be a good antiviral target. However, no potent inhibitors of this protein class have been described, and pharmacologically the enzyme remains an orphan. Here, we computationally designed potent inhibitors of Mac1, determining 150 inhibitor-enzyme structures to ultra-high resolution by crystallography. In silico fragment linking and molecular docking of > 450 million virtual compounds led to inhibitors with submicromolar activity. These molecules may template future drug discovery efforts against this crucial but understudied viral target.
Hepatocytes deficient in nuclear envelope protein lamina-associated polypeptide 1 are an ideal mammalian system to study intranuclear lipid droplets
Authors: Östlund Cecilia , Hernandez-Ono Antonio , Turk Samantha J. , Dauer William T. , Ginsberg Henry N. , Worman Howard J. , Shin Ji-Yeon
Published: June 2022

Lipid droplets (LDs) are generally considered to be synthesized in the ER and utilized in the cytoplasm. However, LDs have been observed inside nuclei in some cells, although recent research on nuclear LDs has focused on cultured cell lines. To better understand nuclear LDs that occur in vivo, here we examined LDs in primary hepatocytes from mice following depletion of the nuclear envelope protein lamina-associated polypeptide 1 (LAP1). Microscopic image analysis showed that LAP1-depleted hepatocytes contain frequent nuclear LDs, which differ from cytoplasmic LDs in their associated proteins. We found type 1 nucleoplasmic reticula, which are invaginations of the inner nuclear membrane, are often associated with nuclear LDs in these hepatocytes. Furthermore, in vivo depletion of the nuclear envelope proteins lamin A and C from mouse hepatocytes led to severely abnormal nuclear morphology, but significantly fewer nuclear LDs than were observed upon depletion of LAP1. In addition, we show both high fat diet feeding and fasting of mice increased cytoplasmic lipids in LAP1-depleted hepatocytes, but reduced nuclear LDs, demonstrating a relationship of LD formation with nutritional state. Finally, depletion of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein did not change the frequency of nuclear LDs in LAP1-depleted hepatocytes, suggesting that it is not necessary for the biogenesis of nuclear LDs in these cells. Together, these data show that LAP1-depleted hepatocytes represent an ideal mammalian system to investigate the biogenesis of nuclear LDs and their partitioning between the nucleus and cytoplasm in response to changes in nutritional state and cellular metabolism in vivo.
The COVID-19 pandemic sparked off a large-scale outbreak of carbapenem-resistantAcinetobacter baumanniifrom the endemic strains of an Italian hospital
Authors: Petazzoni Greta , Bellinzona Greta , Merla Cristina , Corbella Marta , Samuelsen Ørjan , Corander Jukka , Sassera Davide , Gaiarsa Stefano , Cambieri Patrizia
Published: June 2022

Acinetobacter baumanniiis a nosocomial pathogen that poses a serious threat due to the rise of incidence of multidrug resistant (MDR) strains. During the COVID-19 pandemic, MDRA.baumanniiclones have caused several outbreaks worldwide. Here we describe a detailed investigation of an MDRA. baumanniioutbreak that occurred at Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo (Pavia, Italy). A total of 96A. baumanniistrains, isolated between January and July 2020 from 41 inpatients (both SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative) in different wards, were characterized by phenotypic and genomic analyses combining Illumina and Nanopore sequencing. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that all isolates were resistant to carbapenems and the sequence analysis attributed this to the carbapenemase geneblaOXA-23. Screening of virulence factors unveiled that all strains carried determinants for biofilm formation, while plasmid analysis revealed the presence of two plasmids, one of which was a ⍰100kbp long and encoded a phage sequence.

A core genome-based phylogeny was inferred to integrate outbreak strain genomes with background genomes from public databases and from the local surveillance program. All strains belonged to the globally disseminated ST2 clone and were mainly divided into two clades. Isolates from the outbreak clustered with surveillance isolates from 2019, suggesting that the outbreak was caused by two strains that were already circulating in the hospital before the start of the pandemic. The intensive spread ofA. baumanniiin the hospital was enhanced by the extreme emergency situation of the first COVID-19 pandemic wave that resulted in minor attention to infection prevention and control practices.

Importance

The COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the first wave, posed a great challenge to the hospital management and generally promoted nosocomial pathogen dissemination. Multidrug resistant (MDR)A. baumanniican easily spread and persist for a long time on surfaces, causing outbreaks in healthcare settings. Infection prevention and control practices, epidemiological surveillance and microbiological screening are fundamental in order to control such outbreaks.

Here, we sequenced the genomes of 96 isolates from an outbreak of MDRA. baumanniistrains using both short- and long-read technology in order to reconstruct the outbreak events in fine detail. The sequence data demonstrated that two endemic clones of MDRA. baumanniiwere the source of this large hospital outbreak during the first COVID-19 pandemic wave, confirming the effect of COVID-19 emergency disrupting the protection provided by the use of the standard prevention procedures.
The ribosome inhibitor chloramphenicol induces motility deficits in human spermatozoa: a proteomic approach identifies potentially involved proteins
Authors: Bisconti Marie , Leroy Baptiste , Gallagher Meurig , Senet Coralie , Martinet Baptiste , Arcolia Vanessa , Wattiez Ruddy , Kirkman-Brown Jackson , Simon Jean-François , Hennebert Elise
Published: June 2022

Mature spermatozoa are almost completely devoid of cytoplasm; as such it has long been believed that they do not contain ribosomes and are therefore not capable of synthesising proteins. However, since the 1950s, various studies have shown translational activity within spermatozoa, particularly during their in vitro capacitation. Most of them demonstrated that mitochondrial (and not cytoplasmic) ribosomes would be involved in the translation of mitochondrial and nuclear-encoded cytoplasmic mRNAs. However, some evidence suggests that cytoplasmic ribosomes could also be active. Here, we investigate the presence and activity of the two types of ribosomes in mature human spermatozoa. By targeting ribosomal RNAs and proteins, we show that both types of ribosomes are localized in the midpiece as well as in the neck and the base of the head of the spermatozoa. We assessed the impact of cycloheximide (CHX) and chloramphenicol (CP), inhibitors of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial ribosomes, respectively, on different sperm parameters. Neither CHX, nor CP impacted sperm vitality, mitochondrial activity (measured through the ATP content), or capacitation (measured through the content in phosphotyrosines). However, increasing CP concentrations induced a decrease in total and progressive motilities as well as on some kinematic parameters while no effect was observed with CHX. A quantitative proteomic analysis was performed by mass spectrometry in SWATH mode to compare the proteomes of spermatozoa capacitated in the absence or presence of the two ribosome inhibitors. Among the ∼ 700 proteins identified in the different tested conditions, 3, 3 and 25 proteins presented a modified abundance in the presence of 1 and 2 mg/ml of CHX, and 1 mg/ml of CP, respectively. The observed abundance variations of some CP-down regulated proteins were validated using Multiple-Reaction Monitoring (MRM). Taken together, our results show that the sperm motility deficits induced in the presence of CP could be linked to the observed decrease of the abundance of several proteins, at least FUNDC2 and QRICH2.
Labor shortage solution: redefining hospitality through digitization
Authors: Morosan Cristian , Bowen John T.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to provide a critical discussion illustrating how novel business models can be developed using advanced information technology (IT) to overcome the effects of the labor shortage crisis and bring the industry back to the pre-pandemic performance benchmarks.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this research is based on a thorough literature review of academic and trade publications, guided by an analytic approach that comprehensively discusses the multiple facets of digitizing the human-intensive legacy hospitality business models.

Findings

While broad in terms of multiple metrics, the hospitality industry has demonstrated an ability to incorporate IT-based business models within its legacy processes. The current hospitality context, corroborated with the lingering effects of the pandemic, requires the hospitality industry to address two important issues: chronic shortage of staff and unpredictable levels of performance of existing staff.

Originality/value

This research discusses a human–resource crisis from an IT point of view and articulates several IT-based strategic solutions that should help hospitality organizations mitigate the effects of this crisis.
Temporal team switching after the elimination of the supported team at a knockout tournament
Authors: Latypova Endzhe , Matsuoka Hirotaka
Published: June 2022

Purpose

While the tournament format is common within organized sports, little is known about the supporting behavior of tournament event fans. The defeat of the supported team and its' subsequent elimination could influence how fans associate themselves with the event. Hence, the present study aims to investigate the fans' responses to the favorite team's elimination at a knockout tournament focusing on whether they are willing to continue following the event and choose another team to support.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper fans' temporal switching behavior was explored in relationships with fans' identification with geographic area, sport itself and teams. The audience watching the Japanese National High School Baseball Championship was targeted for the online survey in March 2020, resulting in the final sample of 502 (287 observations used for reliability and validity tests).

Findings

Independent sample t-tests and logistic regression were employed in the study. 80% of respondents intended to continue following the tournament, which was associated with a higher attachment to sports. Place attachment by itself was not associated with the intention to continue. Most of the respondents who chose a certain team to support after the favorite team's elimination have retained their pattern of choosing the team (63.9%). Interestingly, fans with higher place attachment not only choose to continue following the tournament after their prefectural team's elimination but were willing to support another team from the same region.

Originality/value

This is one of the first papers providing evidence of tournament fan behavior and temporal switching.
The vulnerability of technology-based business during COVID-19: an indicator-based conceptual framework
Authors: Kamalipoor Mahsa , Akbari Morteza , Hejazi Seyed Reza , Nazarian Alireza
Published: June 2022

Purpose

COVID-19 has affected most business activities, including technology-based business. The higher the business vulnerability rating, the greater the impacts. After identifying three dimensions of vulnerability (exposure, business sensitivity and response capacity), this study aims to determine the potential components and indicators of the vulnerability of technology-based businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the indicator approach, a comprehensive vulnerability model was developed for assessing the vulnerability of the technology-based business against COVID-19.

Findings

In this study, COVID-19, as a biological threat and an exogenous shock, was considered the exposure dimension. Business characteristics, job characteristics, business owner-manager demographics, product and supplier characteristics were identified as the sensitivity dimension, while resources, human capital, technological capitals, social capitals, institutional capitals, infrastructures, management capacity and supply chain capabilities were defined as the adaptive business capability or response capacity. To determine vulnerability and response capacity against exogenous shocks and a pandemic crisis, the framework can act as a useful checklist for managers and owners of technology-based businesses.

Originality/value

Research on the COVID-19, especially in the technology-based business, is still at the emergent stage. This study is a pioneering effort to review the literature on business vulnerability and provide a framework to reduce business vulnerability using the indicator-based approach.
Existential dependence relations of documents in the context of preservation
Authors: Shiozaki Ryo
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper re-examines the ontology of documents, especially digital ones, in the context of preservation, which presumes the actual existence of things. It also explores which aspects of documents are retained or lost over the course of time.

Design/methodology/approach

This study detangles the complexities of existential dependence relations of documents, by selectively reviewing literature on digital preservation, document theory, John Searle's social ontology, Maurizio Ferraris' documentality, and Amie Thomasson's categorial ontology.

Findings

The author argues that (1) existing objects can be documents, insofar as perceivers regard them as such; (2) documents are social objects as they depend on other objects, including creators, perceivers, and other documents; and (3) preserving digital documents entails the curation of dependence relations since they inherently have technologically dependent relations.

Practical implications

A clarification of the existential dependence relations of documents can aid documentary heritage institutions in determining preservation goals and strategies. Future research must address how, and to what extent, such dependence relations can be curated.

Originality/value

This paper clarifies that the preservation of documents entails the curation of dependence relations, and the critical issue in preservation is how to best preserve the dependence relations of documents, especially since digital documents available on the Internet inherently have technological and dynamic dependence relations.
The double-edged sword of social media usage during the COVID-19 pandemic: demographical and cultural analyses
Authors: Alshare Khaled A. , Moqbel Murad , Merhi Mohammad I.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This exploratory research aims to (1) investigate the bright and dark sides of social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) explore the impact of demographic factors on social media usage; and (3) assess the effects of cultural dimensions on social media usage.

Design/methodology/approach

The data are collected through an online survey. Factors derived from grounded theories and models such as affordance theory and Hofstede's cultural framework were considered. Spearman correlation and nonparametric analysis were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results revealed that social media usage was positively associated with healing and affiliation, and negatively associated with self-control. There are also positive associations between social media usage and sharing information related to COVID-19 without verification, perceived reliability of COVID-19 information on social media and relapse. The impact of demographic and cultural factors indicated significant effects of gender, age, marital status, educational level, power distance and collectivism on social media usage, sharing information, perceived information reliability, healing and affiliation.

Originality/value

This study contributes to technology affordances by examining social media's positive and negative affordances in a new context (COVID-19 pandemic). From the positive side, this study explores the use of social media for healing and affiliation. As for the negative impact of social media during the pandemic, this study assesses the user's addiction to social media use (relapse) and perception of the social media information reliability and information sharing without verification. It is among few research endeavors conducted in a non-Western country. This study also examines the influence of demographic and cultural factors on social media users. The results provide insights for both researchers and policymakers regarding social media usage.
GEO and sustainable performance: the moderating role of GTD and environmental consciousness
Authors: Tze San Ong , Latif Badar , Di Vaio Assunta
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Congruent with the world-wide call to combat global warming concerns and advance intellectual capital (IC), organisations are being pressured to ensure that IC is managed effectively to encourage green initiatives. In this regard, green entrepreneurial orientation (GEO) is emerged as a relevant IC. GEO is recognised as a mitigating factor of environmental degradation in the literature. Although prior literature has observed the nexus between GEO and firm performance, the role of GEO in leveraging sustainable performance has been limitedly explored. This study explored the relationship between IC as a GEO and enterprises' sustainable performance through the moderating roles of environmental consciousness and green technology dynamism (GTD) in the context of two developing countries (Pakistan and Malaysia).

Design/methodology/approach

Data provided by 296 respondents from 264 manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan and Malaysia were analysed through a three-wave research design. AMOS 23 software was used to perform covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM), while hierarchical regression analysis was applied using the SPSS 25 software to examine the causal relationships in the model.

Findings

IC as a GEO significantly influences sustainable performance, akin to environmental consciousness and GTD. Besides, GTD has a significant moderating effect between GEO and financial and environmental performance in Pakistan and Malaysia but not between GEO and social performance. Environmental consciousness has a significant moderating role in the impact of GEO on financial performance in Pakistan and Malaysia, but not on social and environmental performance.

Practical implications

The study's findings are useful for managers of Pakistani and Malaysian manufacturing SMEs to identify ways to encourage GEO to improve sustainable performance in their firms. The findings suggest that managers should effectively implement GTD and environmental consciousness to strengthen the GEO and sustainable performance relationship. Managers can use GEO concretely as a reference for the companies that intend to support the United Nation SDG-2030 agenda and to find new business opportunities for the implementation of sustainable development.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to examine the link between GEO and sustainable performance in developing countries such as Pakistan and Malaysia. Although the influence of various intangible assets or IC on sustainable performance has been widely examined in the literature, the role of GEO as IC has been limitedly explored. This study extends the literature by adding to the knowledge of GEO as a form of firms' IC that enhances boundary conditions in developing countries.
A transformative service research perspective on caste-based discrimination in microcredit lending in India
Authors: Meshram Kanika , Venkatraman Rohan
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This research aims to address the transformative service research (TSR) agenda by examining the issue of caste-based financial exclusion in microcredit lending services in India. To do so, it draws on statistical discrimination theory from labour economics to develop and test a multi-level prosocial service orientation framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data come from 238 loan officers and 250 lower caste loan applicants across 43 microfinance institutions (MFIs) in India. The data are analysed using hierarchical linear modelling, a method appropriate for investigating micro- and macro-level organisational variables.

Findings

At the micro level, the service orientation factors of social dominance orientation and algorithmic-driven lending decisions affect financial exclusion of lower caste bottom-of-the-pyramid (BoP) vendors. At the macro level, the service orientation mechanism of inclusive service climate reduces caste-based financial exclusion, while the level of lending risk to reduce discrimination receives no support.

Research limitations/implications

Research in other contexts is warranted to confirm the prosocial service orientation model. Methodological challenges at the BoP also present avenues for insightful work.

Social implications

The study shows the importance of an inclusive service climate and reassessment of algorithmic-driven lending decisions to eliminate caste-based indicators in lending decisions. It also recommends policy reform of caste-based affirmative action at the macro- and micro-levels of lending decisions.

Originality/value

This research extends the TSR agenda to include caste-based discrimination in prosocial services. It takes a multidisciplinary perspective on services research by incorporating statistical discrimination theory from labour economics to extend understanding of service orientation.
Guest editorial: Historical perspectives on corporate governance debate and introduction to the special issue on corporate governance and sustainability
Authors: Dandapani Krishnan , Shahrokhi Manuchehr
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is the development of an integrated framework between corporate governance and sustainability, based on the advancements within the field of contemporary governance leading to a renewed focus on sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors provide succinct summary of the evolution of corporate governance over the past century from an historical perspective: starting with the early work of Berle and Means – which focuses on the legal separation of ownership and control – and the subsequent challenges within this framework – all the way to analyzing the major impact of Nobel Laureate Milton Freidman’s work on corporate goals and governance. The authors' approach identifies the key transformation of corporate goals and corporate goals' paradigm shift in progression and focus within corporate houses over time, including how these are approached in the present day by integrating the concept of primacy of all stakeholders. The authors relate this to contemporary developments in the Business Round table and the United Nations’ adoption of the2030 Agenda for Sustainable DevelopmentGoals.The authors also identify specific corporate governance themes within global economic forums, as well as the critical interlinkages needed by all global corporations to achieve sustainable growth.

Findings

The primary objectives of the corporate governance themes adopted by global economic forums this decade are in the best interest of all stakeholders – including customers, employees, regulators, local communities, and shareholders. This applies both during periods of relative stability and during crises. A review of the good corporate governance relies on internal mechanisms such as the structure of a board and incentives for management, and on external mechanisms such as institutions that demand accountability. All these mechanisms are important as the mechanisms form the core of how (and for whom) corporations generate value. Ultimately, optimal corporate governance can help deliver both economic gains and societies that value all.

Practical implications

With globalization, the public has higher expectations from corporate CEOs than in the past. Corporate leaders have the ultimate responsibility for creating an organizational culture that supports trust and ensures that corporate leaders' management and employees embody and act on the stated values and mission of their organization. Areas of increased social expectations that require the attention of boards of directors include diversity, transparency, equal opportunity, and eliminating all forms of harassment.

Originality/value

This study identifies a viable agenda for global corporations based on concurrent developments to achieve sustainable development and growth. The recent related research work is also presented.
Leveraging joint distribution in urban express delivery to lessen environmental impacts: a case study
Authors: Hong Jiangtao , Zhan Chenlin , Lau Kwok Hung
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the use of joint distribution to reduce environmental cost of express delivery in urban logistics.

Design/methodology/approach

An optimization model was developed to help design the joint distribution network. A real case in Songjiang University Town of Shanghai, China, was used to explore empirically the potential benefit of the design. Performance of the proposed joint distribution was compared with that of the current distribution design using separate deliveries.

Findings

The findings show that, using joint distribution in express delivery, a significant saving in economic cost (up to a reduction of 25%) and environmental cost (up to a reduction of 87%) can be achieved.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a reference for joint distribution network design for last-mile delivery in urban logistics.

Practical implications

Express delivery companies can explore the use of joint distribution to reduce operating cost and increase distribution efficiency of the industry.

Social implications

Joint distribution can facilitate maximization of vehicle utilization and reduction of delivery trips. This will help reduce fuel consumption, carbon emission, as well as other externalities, such as noise and traffic congestion.

Originality/value

Research in joint distribution to date focuses mainly on reduction in operating cost only. Consideration of environmental impact is relatively limited. This paper fills the gap in the literature by using a real case to illustrate the significant benefit of joint distribution in reducing the negative impact of urban logistics on the environment.
Instrumental and normative pathways to police legitimacy: why do people cooperate with the police?
Authors: Lee Sung Uook , Hamm Joseph , Lee Yoon Ho
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The majority of legitimacy research has been conducted in low-power distance societies such as America, England, Australia, etc. We test the relative impact of normative and instrumental judgments on police legitimacy in a high-power distance society. It is hypothesized that in this context, individuals in high-power distance societies, such as South Korea, will put a larger emphasis on the instrumental model of legitimacy and less on the relational model of legitimacy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the pathways to police legitimacy and cooperation. Using a convenience sample of Korean college students, the impact of instrumental and normative pathways on the perception of police legitimacy is examined. Based on Hofstede's (2001) power-distance theory, we hypothesize that South Koreans, with relatively high-power distance, should emphasize the instrumental pathway of police legitimacy more compared to the normative pathway of police legitimacy.

Findings

The results indicated that opposite to what we have hypothesized, South Korean college students still emphasized the normative pathways to police legitimacy more importantly. While procedural justice significantly predicted both trustworthiness and obligation to obey the police, police effectiveness only significantly predicted trustworthiness and failed to predict obligation to obey.

Originality/value

The majority of police legitimacy research has been conducted in the Western context. A small amount of research focusing on non-Western settings has been conducted, but still requires more attention. The current research adds to the body of police legitimacy literature in the Korean context. Implications for future research and policy are discussed.
New missense mutation p.Trp387Ser affecting the functionally important TrpXXTrp motif in the TSR1 repeat of ADAMTS13 metalloproteinase: Case report
Authors: Poznyakova Julia , Pshenichnikova Olesya , Surin Vadim , Klebanova Elizaveta , Galstyan Genady
Published: June 2022

Upshaw‐Schulman syndrome (USS)—rare autosomal recessive disease that affects <1/1 000 000 individuals. It is characterized by the massive formation of platelet thrombi in the microcirculation accompanied by haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and clinical and laboratory signs of renal and neurological failure. USS is caused by mutations in the ADAMTS13 gene. Mutations in the ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 13  (ADAMTS13) gene can lead to disruption of secretion of this enzyme, or to decrease of enzyme proteinase activity without effect on ADAMTS13 secretion. The aim of this work is to describe a clinical case of USS caused by a new missense mutation in the ADAMTS13 gene. The diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura was based on clinical signs and confirmed if plasma ADAMTS13 activity was <10%. ADAMTS13 gene sequencing was performed by the Sanger method using oligonucleotide primers of our own design. We found a new, undescribed mutation p.Trp387Ser in a TrpXXTrp motif. Previously, a pathogenic variation disrupting the 387TrpSerSerTrp390 motif of the ADAMTS13 protein was detected only once. Clinical picture of a patient with the combination of the p.Trp387Ser and p.Arg1060Trp variations is quite similar to that of the homozygous state of p.Arg1060Trp variant.
Effects of enzymolysis and fermentation on the antioxidant activity and functional components of a coarse cereal compound powder based on principal component analysis and microstructure study
Authors: Chen Yue , Chen Lan , Xiao Zhigang , Gao Lu
Published: June 2022

In this study, a coarse cereal compound powder (CCCP) was prepared through enzymolysis, fermentation, and joint treatment with 10 coarse cereal types as raw materials. Using 10 evaluation indices, namely the scavenging capacity of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), 2,2′‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS+), hydroxyl (OH•) and superoxide anion (O2–), the Fe2+ chelating capacity, the content of anthocyanin, flavone, soluble dietary fiber, reducing sugar and protein, antioxidant activity, and functional components of CCCP prepared by different methods were compared. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to establish a quality evaluation model of CCCP. Then, the effects of different treatments on the microstructure of CCCP were investigated. Two principal components (PCs) were extracted from PCA, with a cumulative contribution rate of 97.014%. In addition, the analysis of thermodynamic properties indicated that the initial gelatinization temperature of CCCP decreased after enzymolysis and fermentation and that it was easier to gelatinize. Particle size analyses revealed that different treatments could reduce the sample particles to different degrees. The average particle size in the three study groups decreased. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that after different treatments, the samples were destroyed to different extents, which facilitated easy dissolution of active substances. Fourier‐transformed‐infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that the changes of CCCP functional groups after fermentation and joint treatment were more significant than those after enzymolysis.

Practical Application

In this study, enzymolysis and fermentation techniques were used to improve the antioxidant activity and functional components of CCCP, and the effects of different treatments on the microstructure of CCCP were investigated. The bioavailability and nutrient composition of CCCP could be significantly improved by pretreatment, provide useful reference for the development of beneficial ingredients in cereal meal products and the application of different pretreatment methods.
Transcript‐ and annotation‐guided genome assembly of the European starling
Authors: Stuart Katarina C. , Edwards Richard J. , Cheng Yuanyuan , Warren Wesley C. , Burt David W. , Sherwin William B. , Hofmeister Natalie R. , Werner Scott J. , Ball Gregory F. , Bateson Melissa , Brandley Matthew C. , Buchanan Katherine L. , Cassey Phillip , Clayton David F. , De Meyer Tim , Meddle Simone L. , Rollins Lee A.
Published: June 2022

The European starling, Sturnus vulgaris, is an ecologically significant, globally invasive avian species that is also suffering from a major decline in its native range. Here, we present the genome assembly and long‐read transcriptome of an Australian‐sourced European starling (S. vulgaris vAU), and a second, North American, short‐read genome assembly (S. vulgaris vNA), as complementary reference genomes for population genetic and evolutionary characterization. S. vulgaris vAU combined 10× genomics linked‐reads, low‐coverage Nanopore sequencing, and PacBio Iso‐Seq full‐length transcript scaffolding to generate a 1050 Mb assembly on 6222 scaffolds (7.6 Mb scaffold N50, 94.6% busco completeness). Further scaffolding against the high‐quality zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) genome assigned 98.6% of the assembly to 32 putative nuclear chromosome scaffolds. Species‐specific transcript mapping and gene annotation revealed good gene‐level assembly and high functional completeness. Using S. vulgaris vAU, we demonstrate how the multifunctional use of PacBio Iso‐Seq transcript data and complementary homology‐based annotation of sequential assembly steps (assessed using a new tool, saaga) can be used to assess, inform, and validate assembly workflow decisions. We also highlight some counterintuitive behaviour in traditional busco metrics, and present buscomp, a complementary tool for assembly comparison designed to be robust to differences in assembly size and base‐calling quality. This work expands our knowledge of avian genomes and the available toolkit for assessing and improving genome quality. The new genomic resources presented will facilitate further global genomic and transcriptomic analysis on this ecologically important species.