bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fifty shades of The Virtual Brain: Converging optimal working points yield biologically plausible electrophysiological and imaging features
Authors: Triebkorn Paul , Meier Jil , Zimmermann Joelle , Stefanovski Leon , Roy Dipanjan , Solodkin Ana , Jirsa Viktor , Deco Gustavo , Breakspear Michael , Schirner Michael , McIntosh Anthony Randal , Ritter Petra
Published: March 2020

Brain network modeling studies are often limited with respect to the number of data features fitted, although capturing multiple empirical features is important to validate the models’ overall biological plausibility. Here we construct personalized models from multimodal data of 50 healthy individuals (18-80 years) with The Virtual Brain and demonstrate that an individual’s brain has its own converging optimal working point in the parameter space that predicts multiple empirical features in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG). We further show that bimodality in the alpha band power - as an explored novel feature - arises as a function of global coupling and exhibits inter-regional differences depending on the degree. Reliable inter-individual differences with respect to these optimal working points were found that seem to be driven by the individual structural rather than by the functional connectivity. Our results provide the groundwork for future multimodal brain modeling studies.
Impact of a candidate vaccine on the dynamics of salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infestation and immune response in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.)
Authors: Swain Jaya Kumari , Carpio Yamila , Johansen Lill-Heidi , Velazquez Janet , Hernandez Liz , Leal Yeny , Kumar Ajey , Estrada Mario Pablo
Published: March 2020

Infection with parasitic copepod salmon louseLepeophtheirus salmonis, represents one of the most important limitations to sustainable Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.) farming today in the North Atlantic region. The parasite exerts negative impact on health, growth and welfare of farmed fish as well as impact on wild salmonid populations. It is therefore central to ensure continuous low level of salmon lice with the least possible handling of the salmon and drug use. To address this, vaccination is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly control approach. In this study, efficacy of a vaccine candidate, containing a peptide derived from ribosomal protein P0, was validated post infestation withL. salmonis, at the lab-scale. The sampling results showed good potential of the vaccine candidate when administered intraperitoneally in the host, in reducing the ectoparasite load, through reduction of adult female lice counts and fecundity and with greater presumptive effect in F1 lice generation. The sampling results correlated well with the differential modulation of pro-inflammatory, Th1, Th2 and T regulatory mediators at the transcript level at different lice stages. Overall, the results supports the effectiveness of the vaccine candidate in controlling salmon lice infestation load. However, further validation is necessary under field conditions.
The technique of articular rabbit cartilage roughness measurement and analysis of the effect of PRP in knee osteoarthritis therapy using atomic force microscopy
Authors: Mikhail Ihnatouski M. , Pauk Jolanta , Karev Dmitrij , Karev Borys
Published: March 2020

Hyaline cartilage undergoes degenerative-dystrophic changes with subsequent involvement of the subchondral bone. The purpose of this study was developing a new AFM-based method to articular rabbit cartilage roughness measurement, followed by an investigation of whether platelet-rich plasma therapy of knee osteoarthritis has a positive impact on mechanical properties of rabbit cartilage. The rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (N=6) and the patients (N=12). Saline (0.5 ml) and 10% surgical talc solution were injected into the right knee of 12 rabbits to induce osteoarthritis. Six rabbits underwent PRP therapy, while the other six did not receive treatment. The mechanical properties and the submicron surface morphology rabbit hyaline cartilage were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). In the group of specimens worn out by induced osteoarthritis, the maximum arithmetic average of absolute values (Ra) change was a 23% increase; the maximum peak height (Rp) increased by over 100%, while the mean spacing between local peaks (S) increased by 26%, compared to healthy rabbit cartilage (p<0.05). In the group of specimens worn out by induced osteoarthritis and cured with PRP therapy,Raincreased by 13%;Rpincreased by 33%, whileSdecreased by 77%, compared to healthy rabbit cartilage (p<0.05). It was found that the mechanical properties of hyaline cartilage deteriorate under the influence of simulated osteoarthritis. The results of PRP treatment in rabbits may constitute a step forward to further relevant studies involving OA patients.
Crystal structure of β-L-arabinobiosidase belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 121
Authors: Saito Keita , Viborg Alexander Holm , Sakamoto Shiho , Arakawa Takatoshi , Yamada Chihaya , Fujita Kiyotaka , Fushinobu Shinya
Published: March 2020

Enzymes acting on α-L-arabinofuranosides have been extensively studied; however, the structures and functions of β-L-arabinofuranosidases are not fully understood. Three enzymes and an ABC transporter in a gene cluster of Bifidobacterium longum JCM 1217 constitute a degradation and import system of β-L-arabinooligosaccharides on plant hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins. An extracellular β-L-arabinobiosidase (HypBA2) belonging to the glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 121 plays a key role in the degradation pathway by releasing β-1,2-linked arabinofuranose disaccharide (β-Ara2) for the specific sugar importer. Here, we present the crystal structure of the catalytic region of HypBA2 as the first three-dimensional structure of GH121 at 1.85 Å resolution. The HypBA2 structure consists of a central catalytic (α/α)6 barrel domain and two flanking (N- and C-terminal) β-sandwich domains. A pocket in the catalytic domain appears to be suitable for accommodating the β-Ara2 disaccharide; this pocket is highly conserved among GH121 proteins. The three acidic residues Glu383, Asp515, and Glu713, located in this pocket, are completely conserved among all ~270 members of GH121; site-directed mutagenesis analysis showed that they are essential for catalytic activity. The active site of HypBA2 was compared with those of GH63 α-glycosidase, GH94 chitobiose phosphorylase, GH142 β-L-arabinofuranosidase, GH78 α-L-rhamnosidase, and GH37 α,α-trehalase. Based on these analyses, we concluded that the three conserved residues are essential for catalysis and substrate binding. β-L-Arabinobiosidase genes in GH121 are mainly found in the genomes of bifidobacteria and Xanthomonas species, suggesting that the cleavage and specific import system for the β-Ara2 disaccharide on plant hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins are shared in animal gut symbionts and plant pathogens.
Capsid lattice destabilization leads to premature loss of the viral genome and integrase enzyme during HIV-1 infection
Authors: Eschbach Jenna E. , Elliott Jennifer L. , Li Wen , Zadrozny Kaneil K. , Davis Keanu , Mohammed Shawn , Lawson Dana Q. , Pornillos Owen , Engelman Alan N. , Kutluay Sebla B.
Published: March 2020

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid (CA) protein forms a conical lattice around the viral ribonucleoprotein complex (vRNP) consisting of a dimeric viral genome and associated proteins, together constituting the viral core. Upon entry into target cells, the viral core undergoes a process termed uncoating, during which CA molecules are shed from the lattice. Although the timing and degree of uncoating are important for reverse transcription and integration, the molecular basis of this phenomenon remains unclear. Using complementary approaches, we assessed the impact of core destabilization on the intrinsic stability of the CA lattice in vitro and fates of viral core components in infected cells. We found that substitutions in CA can impact the intrinsic stability of the CA lattice in vitro in the absence of vRNPs, which mirrored findings from assessment of CA stability in virions. Altering CA stability tended to increase the propensity to form morphologically aberrant particles, in which the vRNPs were mislocalized between the CA lattice and the viral lipid envelope. Importantly, destabilization of the CA lattice led to premature dissociation of CA from vRNPs in target cells, which was accompanied by proteasomal-independent losses of the viral genome and integrase enzyme. Overall, our studies show that the CA lattice protects the vRNP from untimely degradation in target cells and provide the mechanistic basis of how CA stability influences reverse transcription.

AUTHOR SUMMARY

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid (CA) protein forms a conical lattice around the viral RNA genome and the associated viral enzymes and proteins, together constituting the viral core. Upon infection of a new cell, viral cores are released into the cytoplasm where they undergo a process termed “uncoating”, i.e. shedding of CA molecules from the conical lattice. Although proper and timely uncoating has been shown to be important for reverse transcription, the molecular mechanisms that link these two events remain poorly understood. In this study, we show that destabilization of the CA lattice leads to premature dissociation of CA from viral cores, which exposes the viral genome and the integrase enzyme for degradation in target cells. Thus, our studies demonstrate that the CA lattice protects the viral ribonucleoprotein complexes from untimely degradation in target cells and provide the first causal link between how CA stability affects reverse transcription.
Nephron progenitor maintenance is controlled through FGFs and Sprouty1 Interaction
Authors: Huh Sung-Ho , Ha Ligyeom , Jang Hee-Seong
Published: March 2020

The nephron progenitor cells (NPCs) give rise to all segments of functional nephrons and are of great interest due to their potential as a source for novel treatment strategies for kidney disease. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signal plays pivotal roles in generating and maintaining NPCs during kidney development. However, molecule(s) regulating FGF signal during nephron development is not known. Sprouty (SPRY) is an antagonist of receptor tyrosine kinases. During kidney development, SPRY1 is expressed in the ureteric buds (UBs) and regulates UB branching by antagonizing Ret-GDNF signal. Here, we provide evidence that SPRY1 expressed in NPCs modulates activity of FGF signal in NPCs and regulates NPC stemness. Haploinsufficiency ofSpry1rescues bilateral renal agenesis and premature NPC differentiation caused by loss ofFgf9andFgf20. In addition, haploinsufficiency ofSpry1rescues NPC proliferation and cell death defects induced by loss ofFgf9andFgf20. In the absence of SPRY1, FGF9 and FGF20, another FGF ligand, FGF8 promotes nephrogenesis. Deleting bothFgf8andFgf20results in kidney agenesis and defects in NPC proliferation and cell death. Rescue of loss of Fgf9 and Fgf20 induced renal agenesis bySpry1haploinsufficiency was reversed when one copy ofFgf8was deleted. These findings indicate the importance of the balance between positive and negative signal during NPC maintenance. Failure of the balance may underlie some human congenital kidney malformation.

Significance Statement

Nephrons are functional units of kidney to filter blood to excrete wastes and regulate osmolarity and ion concentrations. Nephrons are derived from nephron progenitors. Nephron progenitors are depleted during kidney development which makes it unable to regenerate nephrons. Therefore, understanding signaling molecules regulating nephron progenitor generation and maintenance is of great interest for the future kidney regenerative medicine. Here, we show that Sprouty1 regulates nephron progenitor maintenance by inhibiting FGF signal. Deletion of Sprouty1 rescues renal agenesis and nephron progenitor depletion in the Fgf9/20 loss-of-function kidneys. Further decrease of FGF signal by deleting one copy of Fgf8 makes kidneys irresponsive to Sprouty1 resulting in failure of nephron progenitor maintenance. This study thus identifies the reciprocal function of FGF-Sprouty1 signal during nephron progenitor development.
CDeep3M-Preview: Online segmentation using the deep neural network model zoo
Authors: Haberl Matthias G , Wong Willy , Penticoff Sean , Je Jihyeon , Madany Matthew , Borchardt Adrian , Boassa Daniela , Peltier Steven T , Ellisman Mark H
Published: March 2020

Sharing deep neural networks and testing the performance of trained networks typically involves a major initial commitment towards one algorithm, before knowing how the network will perform on a different dataset. Here we release a free online tool, CDeep3M-Preview, that allows end-users to rapidly test the performance of any of the pre-trained neural network models hosted on the CIL-CDeep3M modelzoo. This feature makes part of a set of complementary strategies we employ to facilitate sharing, increase reproducibility and enable quicker insights into biology. Namely we: (1) provide CDeep3M deep learning image segmentation software through cloud applications (Colab and AWS) and containerized installations (Docker and Singularity) (2) co-hosting trained deep neural networks with the relevant microscopy images and (3) providing a CDeep3M-Preview feature, enabling quick tests of trained networks on user provided test data or any of the publicly hosted large datasets. The CDeep3M-modelzoo and the cellimagelibrary.org are open for contributions of both, trained models as well as image datasets by the community and all services are free of charge.
Serological diagnostic kit of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using CHO-expressed full-length SARS-CoV-2 S1 proteins
Authors: Zhao Rongqing , Li Maohua , Song Hao , Chen Jianxin , Ren Wenlin , Feng Yingmei , Song Jinwen , Peng Ya , Su Bin , Guo Xianghua , Wang Yanjun , Chen Jingong , Li Jianli , Sun Hunter , Bai Zhonghu , Cao WenJing , Zhu Jin , Zhang Qinlu , Sun Yufei , Sun Sean , Mao Xinkun , Su Junchi , Chen Hui , He Ailiang , Jin Ronghua , Sun Le
Published: March 2020

WHO has declared COVID-19 a pandemic with more than 300,000 confirmed cases and more than 14,000 deaths. There is urgent need for accurate and rapid diagnostic kits. Here we report the development and validation of a COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 S1 serology ELISA kit for the detection of total anti-virus antibody (IgG+IgM) titers in sera from either the general population or patients suspected to be infected. For indirect ELISA, CHO-expressed recombinant full length SARS-CoV-2-S1 protein with 6* His tag was used as the coating antigen to capture the SARS-CoV-2-S1 antibodies specifically. The specificity of the ELISA kit was determined to be 97.5%, as examined against total 412 normal human sera including 257 samples collected prior to the outbreak and 155 collected during the outbreak. The sensitivity of the ELISA kit was determined to be 97.5% by testing against 69 samples from hospitalized and/or recovered COVID-19 patients. The overall accuracy rate reached 97.3%. Most importantly, in one case study, the ELISA test kit was able to identify an infected person who had previously been quarantined for 14 days after coming into contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient, and discharged after testing negative twice by nucleic acid test. With the assays developed here, we can screen millions of medical staffs in the hospitals and people in residential complex, schools, public transportations, and business parks in the epidemic centers of the outbreaks to fish out the “innocent viral spreaders”, and help to stop the further spreading of the virus.
Severe airport sanitarian control could slow down the spreading of COVID-19 pandemics in Brazil
Authors: Ribeiro Sérvio Pontes , Dáttilo Wesley , e Silva Alcides Castro , Reis Alexandre Barbosa , Góes-Neto Aristóteles , Junior Alcantara Luiz Carlos , Giovanetti Marta , Coura-Vital Wendel , Fernandes Geraldo Wilson , Azevedo Vasco Ariston C.
Published: March 2020

Background

We investigated a likely scenario of COVID-19 spreading in Brazil through the complex airport network of the country, for the 90 days after the first national occurrence of the disease. After the confirmation of the first imported cases, the lack of a proper airport entrance control resulted in the infection spreading in a manner directly proportional to the amount of flights reaching each city, following first occurrence of the virus coming from abroad.

Methodology

We developed a SIR (Susceptible-Infected-Recovered) model divided in a metapopulation structure, where cities with airports were demes connected by the number of flights. Subsequently, we further explored the role of Manaus airport for a rapid entrance of the pandemic into indigenous territories situated in remote places of the Amazon region.

Results

The expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 virus between cities was fast, directly proportional to the airport closeness centrality within the Brazilian air transportation network. There was a clear pattern in the expansion of the pandemic, with a stiff exponential expansion of cases for all cities. The more an airport showed closeness centrality, the greater was its vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions

We discussed the weak pandemic control performance of Brazil in comparison with other tropical, developing countries, namely India and Nigeria. Finally, we proposed measures for containing virus spreading taking into consideration the scenario of high poverty.
Spatiotemporal patterns of high-frequency activity (80-170 Hz) in long-term intracranial EEG
Authors: Chen Zhuying , Grayden David B. , Burkitt Anthony N. , Seneviratne Udaya , D’Souza Wendyl J. , French Chris , Karoly Philippa J. , Dell Katrina , Cook Mark J. , Maturana Matias I.
Published: March 2020

Objective

To assess the variability in the rates and locations of high-frequency activity (HFA) and epileptiform spikes after electrode implantation, and to examine the long-term patterns of HFA using ambulatory intracranial EEG (iEEG) recordings.

Methods

Continuous iEEG recordings obtained over an average of 1.4 years from 15 patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy were used in this study. HFA was defined as high-frequency events with amplitudes clearly larger than the background, which was automatically detected using a custom algorithm. High-frequency oscillations (HFOs) were also visually annotated by three neurologists in randomly sampled segments of the total data. The automatically detected HFA was compared with the visually marked HFOs. The variations of HFA rates were compared with spikes and seizures on patient-specific and electrode-specific bases.

Results

HFA was a more general event that encompassed HFOs manually annotated by different reviewers. HFA and spike rates had high amounts of intra- and inter-patient variability. The rates and locations of HFA and spikes took up to weeks to stabilize after electrode implantation in some patients. Both HFA and spike rates showed strong circadian rhythms in all patients and some also showed multiday cycles. Furthermore, the circadian patterns of HFA and spike rates had patient-specific correlations with seizures, which tended to vary across electrodes.

Conclusions

Analysis of HFA and epileptiform spikes should account for post-implantation variability. Like seizures, HFA and epileptiform spikes show circadian rhythms. However, the circadian profiles can vary spatially within patients and their correlations to seizures are patient-specific.
Complimentary action of structured and unstructured domains of epsin supports clathrin-mediated endocytosis at high tension
Authors: Joseph Jophin G. , Osorio Carlos , Yee Vivian , Agrawal Ashutosh , Liu Allen P.
Published: March 2020

Membrane tension plays an inhibitory role in clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) by impeding the transition of flat plasma membrane to hemispherical clathrin-coated structures (CCSs). Membrane tension also impedes the transition of hemispherical domes to omegashaped CCSs, a necessary step before their internalizationviadynamin-mediated membrane scission. However, CME is not completely halted in cells under high tension conditions. Here we find that epsin, a membrane bending protein which inserts its N-terminus H0helix into lipid bilayer, supports flat-to-dome transition and increases the stability of CCSs at high tension. This discovery is supported by molecular dynamic simulation of the epsin N-terminal homology (ENTH) domain that becomes more structured when embedded in a lipid bilayer. In addition, epsin has an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) C-terminus domain which induces membrane curvatureviasteric repulsion. Insertion of H0helix into lipid bilayer is not sufficient for stable epsin recruitment as deleting the IDP domain in epsin renders it cytosolic. Epsin’s binding to adaptor protein 2 and clathrin is critical for epsin’s association with CCSs under high tension conditions, supporting the importance of multivalent interactions in CCSs. Together, our results support a model where the ENTH and IDP domains of epsin have complementary roles to ensure CME initiation and CCS maturation are unimpeded under high tension environments.
Norpsilocin: freebase and fumarate salt
Authors: Chadeayne Andrew R. , Pham Duyen N. K. , Golen James A. , Manke David R.
Published: March 2020

The solid-state structures of the naturally occurring psychoactive tryptamine norpsilocin {4-hydroxy-N-methyltryptamine (4-HO-NMT); systematic name: 3-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-1H-indol-4-ol}, C11H14N2O, and its fumarate salt (4-hydroxy-N-methyltryptammonium fumarate; systematic name: bis{[2-(4-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]methylazanium} but-2-enedioate), C11H15N2O+·0.5C4H2O4
2−, are reported. The freebase of 4-HO-NMT has a single molecule in the asymmetric unit joined together by N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds in a two-dimensional network parallel to the (100) plane. The ethylamine arm of the tryptamine is modeled as a two-component disorder with a 0.895 (3) to 0.105 (3) occupancy ratio. The fumarate salt of 4-HO-NMT crystallizes with a tryptammonium cation and one half of a fumarate dianion in the asymmetric unit. The ions are joined together by N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional framework, as well as π–π stacking between the six-membered rings of inversion-related indoles (symmetry operation: 2 − x, 1 − y, 2 – z).
Is healthy food convenient for health and pockets?
Authors: Graziano Elvira Anna , Fiano Fabio , Usai Antonio , Cipullo Nadia
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to analyse the stock market response to a spin-off announcement concerning a food and beverage (F&B) business unit.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a sample of approximately 107 spin-offs, 84 of which are operating in the F&B sector surveyed by the Zephyr–Bureau Van Dijk database. The event study approach is applied to the identified sample. The results demonstrate that the effect of an event on the stock price of a firm allows identification of the abnormal return as the difference between the current and expected returns.

Findings

The study finds that investors adjust positively to the closing of the spin-off deal. The peak of performance is reached on the day of the announcement.

Research limitations/implications

Empirical evidence could be distorted by the mono-industry database, analysed in a “favourable time span.” The role of information transfer on spin-offs, in terms of diffusion and reduction of information asymmetries, could be developed.

Originality/value

The study represents a pioneering investigation of a category of mono-industry spin-offs. Previous doctrinal contributions underline the fact that abnormal returns corresponding to announcement effects are amplified in the case of information asymmetries but underestimate the effects deriving from the strategic business unit's nature as a spin-off.
Letting go: – the art of arts
Authors: Marques Joan
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an alternative way of perceiving the constant state of flux in today’s workplaces, and help encourage managers as well as non-managerial employees, who find themselves in transitional situations, to perceive these as a natural progression of life.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a reflective paper based on observations and experiences with Buddhist psychological techniques leading to enhanced personal awareness and how these can enhance the quality of life at work.

Findings

Workforce shifts could be perceived as abhorrent, and require mourning and psychological guidance, but they can also be seen as elements of the natural process of arising and passing, thus the impermanence, of everything. When considered that way, letting go gets elevated from a challenge into a well-mastered art.

Practical implications

This paper aims to provide food for thought to those who are members of the workforce, and regularly struggle with the shifts in personnel compilations based on changing needs.

Social implications

The paper strives to instill deeper awareness within those who are part of the work environment, to achieve greater wakefulness, resulting in better understanding, acceptance, and inner-calm.

Originality/value

The invitation for a paradigm shift in this paper is not a traditional one in Western thinking, but may be a very helpful one, as we continue to experience accelerated paces of change in work circumstances.
Dynamic characteristics analysis of locomotive traction gear pair system under internal and external excitations
Authors: Xia Yan , Wan Yi , Wang Hongwei , Liu Zhanqiang
Published: March 2020

Purpose

As the transmission component of a locomotive, the traction gear pair system has a direct effect on the stability and reliability of the whole machine. This paper aims to provide a detailed dynamic analysis for the traction system under internal and external excitations by numerical simulation.

Design/methodology/approach

A non-linear dynamic model of locomotive traction gear pair system is proposed, where the comprehensive time-varying meshing stiffness is obtained through the Ishikawa formula method and verified by the energy method, and then the sliding friction excitation is analyzed based on the location of the contact line. Meantime, the adhesion torque is constructed as a function of the adhesion-slip feature between wheelset and rail. Through Runge–Kutta numerical method, the system responses are studied with varying bifurcation parameters consisting of exciting frequency, load fluctuation, gear backlash, error fluctuation and friction coefficient. The dynamic behaviors of the system are analyzed and discussed from bifurcation diagram, time history, spectrum plot, phase portrait, Poincaré map and three-dimensional frequency spectrum.

Findings

The analysis results reveal that as control parameters vary the system experiences complex transition among a diverse range of motion states such as one-periodic, multi-periodic and chaotic motions. Specifically, the significant difference in system bifurcation characteristics can be observed under different adhesion conditions. The suitable gear backlash and error fluctuation can avoid the chaotic motion, and thus, reduce the vibration amplitude of the system. Similarly, the increasing friction coefficient can also suppress the unstable state and improve the stability of the system.

Originality/value

The numerical results may provide a systemic understanding of dynamic characteristics and present some available information to design and optimize the transmission performance of the locomotive traction system.
Witnessing entrepreneurial perceptions and proclivity in university students
Authors: Murray Alan , Crammond Robert James
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper analyses the transition of university students from initial perceptions of enterprise to potentially heightened levels of proclivity towards creative behaviours and future entrepreneurial activity.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a positivist approach, an intention-based scorecard survey targeted to two cohorts totalling 75 undergraduate students leading to 150 responses at a Scottish university. These were circulated at start and end sessions of four relevant courses, to establish a measure for self-evaluation with respect to perception and proclivity.

Findings

The data gathered from the Entrepreneurial Scorecard emphasised differences in perception and proclivity between the two cohorts, namely creativity, risk-taking, leadership and business aspiration. This re-emphasised the three identified themes: awareness through trait identification; autonomy through developing enterprising skills; and achievement through practicing entrepreneurial activities. This formed the basis for our novel model in supporting the entrepreneurial development of students: The Perception to Proclivity Process Model.

Research limitations/implications

This study focusses on a single case and further research within other institutions and domains is encouraged to contextually test the transferability of the two key outputs: the Entrepreneurial Scorecard and the Perception to Proclivity Process Model.

Practical implications

The practical output of this research is a novel tool for evaluating entrepreneurial perceptions and proclivity through the scorecard. This study adds to the existing research base around entrepreneurial intention and action whilst providing a new model for a guiding framework for the entrepreneurial student and educator journey.

Originality/value

This paper's approach outlines many themes and inherent questions of concern to enterprise educators and university management towards the creation, maintenance, or development of an enterprise course or programme. This research introduces the concepts of entrepreneurial perception and entrepreneurial proclivity, explaining the important role they play in developing students. Additionally, the scorecard has potential for application in a longitudinal context as a means of establishing potential shifts in entrepreneurial perception and proclivity. However, the application is not limited to the scope of higher education, with clear potential to apply this tool and approach within other domains.
Entrepreneurship education – paradoxes in school–company interaction
Authors: Sommarström Kaarina , Oikkonen Elena , Pihkala Timo
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper studies the role of paradoxes in the adoption of entrepreneurship education (EE) in schools.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research methods were used, and the data were collected via semi-structured interviews with Finnish teachers and principals.

Findings

Paradoxes are an important factor slowing the adoption of EE. Paradoxes appear to arise from teachers' misunderstandings, high personal standards of pedagogy and an unwillingness to change their routines. In schools, principals still regard EE as a newcomer that is easily abandoned should any difficulties emerge. The principals show unwillingness to take responsibility for managing EE or to establish relationships with companies.

Research limitations/implications

The study represents Finnish practice in basic education. Due to the qualitative methodology applied, the generalizability of the results is limited. Quantitative research on the teachers' and principals' behaviour related to paradoxes in EE is needed. Furthermore, the pedagogical prioritization related to the introduction of EE warrants more research.

Practical implications

The results suggest good opportunities exist in training to prepare teachers and principals to anticipate the difficulties of EE.

Originality/value

The study introduces a new understanding of the difficulties in the adoption of EE. Paradoxes are important factors to take into account in the promotion of EE. Paradoxes stem from teachers' misunderstandings, misconceptions and their unwillingness to change. Principals seem unwilling to assume their responsibilities in managing EE. The study highlights opportunities for managing the emergence of these paradoxes by preparing teachers and principals better on the difficulties and unexpected outcomes of EE.
ESG disclosure and firm performance before and after IR
Authors: Albitar Khaldoon , Hussainey Khaled , Kolade Nasir , Gerged Ali Meftah
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of environmental, social and governance disclosure (ESGD) on firm performance (FP) before and after the introduction of integrated reporting (IR) further to exploring a potential moderation effect of corporate governance mechanisms on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Ordinary least squares and firm-fixed effects models were estimated based on data related to FTSE 350 between 2009 and 2018. The data has been mainly collected from Bloomberg and Capital IQ. This analysis was supplemented with applying a two-stage least squares (2 SLS) model to address any concerns regarding the expected occurrence of endogeneity problems.

Findings

The results show a positive and significant relationship between ESGD score and FP before and after 2013, among a sample of FTSE 350. Furthermore, the study is suggestive of a moderation effect of corporate governance mechanisms (i.e. ownership concentration, gender diversity and board size) on the ESGD-FP nexus. Additionally, this paper finds that firms voluntarily associated with IR have a tendency to achieve better firm financial performance.

Practical implications

The findings of the present study have several policy and practitioner implications. For example, managers may engage in ESGD to enhance their firms’ financial performance by the voluntary involvement in IR, which believed to help investors to rationalise their investment decisions. Likewise, the results reiterate the crucial need to integrate more social, environmental and economic regulations to promote sustainability in the UK. The paper also offers a systematic picture for policymakers in the UK as well as future researchers.

Social implications

The findings of this paper indicate that IR plays a significant role in the relationship between ESGD and FP, where IR firms seemed to be achieving better FP as compared with their non-IR counterparts. This implies that stakeholders may have played a magnificent effort to encourage firms’ voluntary engagement in IR in the UK.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore the potential moderating effect of ownership concentration, gender diversity and board size on the relationship between ESGD and FP and to examine whether firms’ voluntary involvement in IR can lead to better FP after the introduction of IR in 2013 in the UK.
Determinants of bank branch density: a case study of Slovakia
Authors: Boďa Martin , Čunderlíková Katarína
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper studies the density of bank branches in districts of Slovakia and aims to identify determinants that explain or justify districtural differences in the density of bank branches.

Design/methodology/approach

Bank branch density is measured by the number of branches in a district, and banks are further differentiated by size and profile. Potential determinants of bank branch density are sought through univariate and bivariate Poisson regressions amongst economic factors, socioeconomic factors, technological factors, urbanization factors, and branch market concentration.

Findings

Using data from 2016, it has been found that branch numbers in districts are determined chiefly by five factors that describe their economic development, population size with its characteristics, and existent branch concentration. The spatial distribution of bank branches in the territory of Slovakia is not random, but is found to be affected by environmental factors measurable at the districtural level. Only 22 Slovak districts representing administrative or economic centers are expected to be over-branched.

Practical implications

The study helps to identify factors that need be accounted for in planning and redesigning of branch networks or in implementing mergers and acquisitions on a bank level. The results are also useful in regional policy and regulatory oversight.

Originality/value

The present study is unique since the decision-making processes of Slovak commercial banks in planning the location and density of their branch networks have not been rationalized and researched as of yet.
Entrepreneur’s political involvement and inter-organizational conflict resolution in China’s transition economy
Authors: Wu Aiqi , Zhong Xiaotong , Song Di
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the influence of entrepreneur’s political involvement on private-own enterprises’ (POEs’) selection of two inter-organizational conflict resolutions approaches (private approach and public approach), in the context of China’s transition economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a sample of POEs operating in China’s transition economy in the year 2000, this study investigates the possible association between the entrepreneur’s political involvement and the approach chosen to resolve inter-organizational conflicts. A further step is taken to look into the implications of such a choice.

Findings

The empirical study reveals that those POEs with greater entrepreneurial political involvement have the propensity to rely on public approach. In general, POEs are more satisfied with the private approach than the public approach when managing conflicts. Besides, the study shows that the positive effects derived from the entrepreneur’s satisfaction on private approach will be weakened in more established institutions.

Originality/value

This paper has its unique contribution in highlighting the significance of how entrepreneurs’ political involvement interferes with inter-organizational conflict resolution.
Market orientation, strategic flexibility and business model innovation
Authors: Yang Dong , Wei Zelong , Shi Huibin , Zhao Jie
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how market orientation (MO) motivates firms to develop business model innovation and how such effects are moderated by strategic flexibility.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a questionnaire-based survey was undertaken to test the proposed hypotheses. The empirical study was conducted on a sample of 204 firms using two key informants (408 respondents) in China. The regression model is used to test the proposed model.

Findings

This research finds that both responsive market orientation (RMO) and proactive market orientation (PMO) have a positive effect on business model innovation. The effects of RMO and PMO on business model innovation are contingent on resource (coordination) flexibility in different ways. More importantly, this study finds that resource flexibility enhances the positive effect of RMO and weakens the positive effect of PMO. The study also finds that coordination flexibility enhances the positive effect of PMO.

Research limitations/implications

Future research can explore the internal mechanisms through which RMO and PMO promote business model innovations. Although the study finds that both the MOs promote business model innovation, they may promote business model innovation through different mediating effects. Future research can explore the role of external dynamic capabilities. This research mainly focuses on the internal dynamic capability of focal firms. However, as a focal firm-centered boundary spanning activity system, to transform into a new business model, firms not only need to reconfigure internal resource base, but also need to realign external collaboration network.

Practical implications

This research also bears important managerial implications. First, firms should be aware of the positive effect of MO on business model innovation. Firms with higher level of RMO or PMO can promote business model innovation. Second, when firms implement RMO for business model innovation, managers should focus on resource flexibility. Where MO is responsive, marketing managers need to be concerned with ensuring various applications of existing resource so as to understand effectively the current customers and market domain. Third, to leverage PMO for business model innovation, firms should adopt coordination flexibility. For firms with higher level PMO, firms should try to find the new internal coordination process for customer latent needs.

Originality/value

The conclusion extends the business model innovation research from the view of dynamic capabilities. As one of types of dynamic capabilities, MO is also the important antecedent of business model innovation. Further, this research also discusses the role strategic flexibility plays in business model innovation.
The dynamic influence of culture on variation in consumers’ attachment of value to a product
Authors: Choi Byung Joon
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Cross-cultural research based on the means-end chain (MEC) theory tends to overestimate the stability of the dominant chains of a cultural group; at the same time, it pays insufficient attention to the influence of the context on an individual’s cultural anchorage. This study aims to adopt the dynamic constructivist approach to culture to show that, for the same product, differences in MEC for consumers from different cultures can be voluntarily reduced under certain conditions and to a certain extent.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted an inter-subject experimental design: two cultures (French vs Korean) × three self-construal primings (independent vs interdependent vs control). Participants in the experimental group were randomly assigned to one of the three priming conditions. The no-priming control group made it possible to verify the effect of priming by measuring the difference in responses with respect to the two experimental groups.

Findings

The results highlight the effect of self-construal priming that contradicts the culture of origin. Cross-cultural independence and interdependence priming foster convergence between dominant chains of French and Korean participants by considerably reducing the cultural differences that are observed when there is no priming. It appears that a consumer’s cultural anchoring can be shaped by priming a specific dimension of self-construal, which, in turn, illustrates that cultural influence is a discontinuous process.

Originality/value

It is the first attempt to study variation in the dominant chains of a cultural group, rather than adopting the preconceived notion of their permanence or stability in different contexts. The methodological contribution is characterized by the combination of a method to record chains and a priming method applied in different cultural environments.
The impact of religiosity on luxury brand consumption: the case of Saudi consumers
Authors: Abalkhail Tagreed Saleh
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of religiosity on luxury brand consumption among Muslim women.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 322 women were surveyed. Data was collected in the capital city of Saudi Arabia and assessed using SEM.

Findings

The findings revealed that religion impacts consumers’ attitudes towards luxury brand consumption. A positive relationship was found between attitude towards luxury and luxury consumption. Also, attitude towards luxury mediated the relation between religiosity and luxury consumption.

Originality/value

The study’s findings serve to remind the retailers in Islamic countries to keep in mind the importance of religion in consumers’ preferences and selections.
Financial crimes in the real estate sector in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland
Authors: Teichmann Fabian Maximilian Johannes
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how criminals commit financial crimes in the real estate business in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative content analysis of 100 semi-standardized expert interviews with both criminals and prevention experts and a quantitative survey of 200 compliance officers led to the identification of specific money laundering techniques in the real estate sector.

Findings

Real estate companies in German-speaking countries in Europe continue to be extraordinarily suitable for money laundering and other financial crimes. In particular, they can be used for placement, layering and integration, as well as for violations of the tax code. Most importantly, however, they are vehicles for one of the very few profitable methods of laundering money.

Research limitations/implications

As the qualitative findings are based on semi-standardized interviews, they are limited to the perspectives of 100 interviewees.

Practical implications

The identification of gaps in existing anti-money laundering mechanisms is intended to provide compliance officers, law enforcement agencies and legislators with valuable insights into how criminals operate.

Originality/value

While the existing literature focuses on organizations combating money laundering and on improving anti-money laundering measures, this paper describes how money launderers operate to avoid getting caught. Both prevention and criminal perspectives are taken into account.
The Integrated Plan in Italian public universities: new patterns in intellectual capital disclosure
Authors: Aversano Natalia , Nicolò Giuseppe , Sannino Giuseppe , Tartaglia Polcini Paolo
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The present research aims to analyse the extent to which Italian public universities disclose intellectual capital (IC) information through the Integrated Plan and the main features of IC disclosure (ICD) in terms of form and location in the document.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a qualitative methodology, a content analysis is conducted to examine the level, form and location of ICD provided by a sample of 60 Italian public universities through the 2018-2020 integrated plans.

Findings

The results show a medium level of ICD in the Integrated Plan, with human capital being the category most disclosed. Information is principally provided in a quantitative form and is mainly found in the first two sections of the document (i.e. relating to the strategic framework and organisational performance).

Research limitations/implications

The analysis is necessarily limited to a single period (2018-2020), because of the recent introduction of the guidelines of the Integrated Plan. However, the results may be beneficial to policymakers in determining the usefulness of this new tool in detecting information about intangible resources and can help universities’ governors and managers in defining adequate IC strategies to create value for the whole ecosystem.

Originality/value

The study makes an innovative contribution to the international debate about IC in universities in light of the fourth stage of IC research, exploring an emerging tool to detect whether it is able to convey IC information to the wide range of university stakeholders and to communicate the value universities contribute to society.