bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diversification of the Ruminant Skull Along an Evolutionary Line of Least Resistance
Authors: Rhoda Daniel , Haber Annat , Angielczyk Kenneth D.
Published: September 2022

Morphological integration is relevant to evolutionary biology and paleontology because the structure of variation within populations determines the ways in which a population can respond to selective pressures. However, understanding the macroevolutionary consequences of morphological integration is elusive because the adaptive landscape is dynamic and population-level constraints themselves evolve. By analyzing a previously published dataset of 2859 ruminant crania with 3D geometric morphometrics and phylogenetic comparative methods, we find that variation within and between ruminant species is biased by a highly conserved mammalian-wide allometric pattern, CREA, where larger species have proportionally longer faces. More tightly integrated species and species more biased towards CREA have diverged farther from their ancestors, and Ruminantia as a clade diversified farther than expected in the direction anticipated by CREA. Our analyses indicate that CREA acts as an evolutionary ‘line of least resistance’ and facilitates morphological diversification due to its alignment with the browser-grazer continuum. These results demonstrate that biological processes constraining variation at the microevolutionary level can produce highly directional phenotypic evolution over macroevolutionary timescales.
A bioinformatics pipeline for the assessment of the evolutionary relationship of some Drosophila species based on class II transposons mapping
Authors: Constantin Nicoleta-Denisa , Bologa Alexandru Marian , Ratiu Attila Cristian , Ecovoiu Alexandru Al.
Published: September 2022

Transposons are mobile DNA sequences, known for their ability to insert into other locations in the genome. Genome sequencing allowed the identification of the high content of transposons in various model organisms. Here, we present a bioinformatics pipeline developed to estimate the evolutionary relationship between Drosophila melanogaster and other Drosophilidae based on the comparative analysis of the presence and distribution of class II transposons. Our study reveals that the presence and distribution of transposons hobo, HB, Tc1, Tc1-2, hopper and Bari1 points to close evolutionary relationship among D. melanogaster, D. simulans, D. sechellia and D. yakuba, which is in accordance with other data available in literature.
Droplet microfluidics forward for tracing target cells at single-cell transcriptome resolution
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Shiyu , Lyu Menghua , Xie Run , Guo Weijin , He Ying , Shi Xuyang , Wang Yang , Qi Jingyu , Zhu Qianqian , Zhang Hui , Luo Tao , Chen Huaying , Zhu Yonggang , Dong Xuan , Li Zida , Gu Ying , Mu Feng , Liu Longqi , Xu Xun , Liu Ya
Published: September 2022

The rapid promotion of single-cell omics in various fields has begun to help solve many problems encountered in research including precision medicine, prenatal diagnosis, and embryo development. Meanwhile, single-cell techniques are also constantly updated with increasing demand. For some specific target cells, the workflow from droplet screening to single-cell sequencing is a preferred option, which also should reduce the impact of operation steps such as demulsification and cell recovery. We developed an all-in-droplet method integrating cell encapsulation, target sorting, droplet picoinjection, and single-cell transcriptome profiling on chips to achieve a labor-saving monitor of TCR-T cells. As a proof of concept, in this research, TCR-T cells were encapsulated, sorted, and performed single-cell transcriptome sequencing (scRNA-seq) by injecting reagents into droplet. It avoided the tedious operation of droplet breakage and re-encapsulation between droplet sorting and scRNA-seq. Moreover, convenient device operation will accelerate the progress of chip marketization. The strategy achieved an excellent recovery performance of single cell transcriptome with a median gene number over 4000 and a cross-contamination rate of 8.2 ± 2%. Furthermore, this strategy allows us to develop a device with high integrability to monitor infused TCR-T cells, which will promote the development of adoptive T cell immunotherapy and their clinical application.
Kangaroo mother care for preterm or low birth weight infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sivanandan Sindhu , Sankar Mari Jeeva
Published: September 2022

Importance

The Cochrane review (2016) on kangaroo mother care (KMC) demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of mortality in low birth weight (LBW) infants. New evidence from large multi-center randomized trials has been available since its publication.

Objective

The objective of the systematic review was to compare the effects of KMC vs. conventional care and early (i.e., within 24 hours of birth) vs. late initiation of KMC on critical outcomes such as neonatal mortality.

Methods

Eight electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL, until March 2022, were searched. All randomized trials comparing KMC versus conventional care or early vs. late initiation of KMC in LBW or preterm infants were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO.

Main outcomes and measures

The primary outcome was mortality by 28 days of life. Other outcomes included severe infection, hypothermia, exclusive breastfeeding rates, and neurodevelopmental impairment. Results were pooled using fixed-effect and random-effects meta-analyses in RevMan 5.4 or Stata 15.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX).

Results

In total, 31 trials with 15,559 infants were included in the review; 27 studies compared KMC with conventional care, while 4 compared early vs. late initiation of KMC. Compared to conventional care, KMC significantly reduced the risks of mortality (relative risk [RR] 0.68; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.86; 11 trials, 10505 infants; high certainty evidence) at discharge or 28 days of age and severe infection till the latest follow-up (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.92; 9 trials; moderate certainty evidence). On subgroup analysis, KMC provided for a duration of at least 8 hours per day had more significant benefits compared to lesser duration KMC. Studies comparing early vs. late-initiated KMC demonstrated a significant reduction in neonatal mortality (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.91; 3 trials, 3693 infants; high certainty evidence) and clinical sepsis till 28-days (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.96; 2 trials; low certainty evidence) favoring early initiation of KMC.

Conclusions and Relevance

The review provides updated evidence on the effects of KMC on mortality and other critical outcomes in low birth weight infants. The findings suggest that KMC should preferably be initiated within 24 hours of birth and provided for at least 8 hours daily.
Rationale, Design, and Baseline Characteristics of the VALIANT (COVID-19 in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Assessment) Cohort
Authors: Cohen Andrew B. , McAvay Gail J. , Geda Mary , Chattopadhyay Sumon , Lee Seohyuk , Acampora Denise , Araujo Katy , Charpentier Peter , Gill Thomas M. , Hajduk Alexandra M. , Ferrante Lauren E.
Published: September 2022

Background

Most older adults hospitalized with COVID-19 survive their acute illness. The impact of COVID-19 hospitalization on patient-centered outcomes, such as physical function, cognitive function, and symptoms, is not well understood. We sought to address this knowledge gap by collecting longitudinal data about these issues from a cohort of older adult survivors of COVID-19 hospitalization.

Methods

We undertook a prospective study of community-living persons age ≥60 years who were hospitalized with COVID-19 from June 2020 to June 2021. A baseline interview was conducted during or up to two weeks after hospitalization. Follow-up interviews occurred at one, three, and six months post-discharge. In interviews, participants completed comprehensive assessments of physical and cognitive function, symptoms, and psychosocial factors. If a participant was too impaired to complete an interview, an abbreviated assessment was performed with a proxy. Additional information was collected from the electronic health record. Baseline characteristics of the cohort are reported here.

Results

Among 341 participants, the mean age was 71.4 (SD 8.4) years, 51% were women, and 37% were of Black race or Hispanic ethnicity. Median length of hospitalization was 8 (IQR 6-12) days. All but 4% of participants required supplemental oxygen and 21% required a higher level of care in an intensive care unit or stepdown unit. Nearly half (47%) reported at least one disability in physical function, 45% demonstrated cognitive impairment, and 67% were pre-frail or frail. Participants reported a mean of 9 of 14 (SD 3) COVID-19-related symptoms.

Conclusions

Older adults hospitalized with COVID-19 demonstrated high rates of baseline physical and cognitive impairment as well as high symptom burden. Longitudinal findings from this cohort will advance our understanding of outcome trajectories of great importance to older survivors of COVID-19.
Mind The Gap: Data availability, accessibility, transparency, and credibility during the COVID-19 pandemic, an international comparative appraisal
Authors: Rotulo Arianna , Kondilis Elias , Thwe Thaint , Gautam Sanju , Torcu Özgün , Vera-Montoya Maira , Marjan Sharika , Gazi Md Ismail , Putri Alifa Syamantha , Hasan Rubyath Binte , Mone Fabia Hannan , Rodríguez-Castillo Kenya , Tabassum Arifa , Parcharidi Zoi , Sharma Beverly , Islam Fahmida , Amoo Babatunde , Lemke Lea , Gallo Valentina
Published: September 2022

Background

Data transparency has played a key role in this pandemic. The aim of this paper is to map COVID-19 data availability and accessibility, and to rate their transparency and credibility in selected countries, by the source of information. This is used to identify knowledge gaps, and to analyse policy implications.

Methods

The availability of a number of COVID-19 metrics (incidence, mortality, number of people tested, test positive rate, number of patients hospitalised, number of patients discharged, the proportion of population who received at least one vaccine, the proportion of population fully vaccinated) was ascertained from selected countries for the full population, and for few of stratification variables (age, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status) and subgroups (residents in nursing homes, inmates, students, healthcare and social workers, and residents in refugee camps).

Results

Nine countries were included: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Nigeria, Turkey, Panama, Greece, the UK, and the Netherlands. All countries reported periodically most of COVID-19 metrics on the total population. Data were more frequently broken down by age, sex, and region than by ethnic group or socio-economic status. Data on COVID-19 is partially available for special groups.

Conclusions

This exercise highlighted the importance of a transparent and detailed reporting of COVID-19 related variables. The more data is publicly available the more transparency, accountability, and democratisation of the research process is enabled, allowing a sound evidence-based analysis of the consequences of health policies.

Funding

This study was conducted as part of the Summer School “Sustainable Health: designing a new, better normal after COVID-19”. It is a researchers/student collaboration.
Pathology of African Swine Fever in wild boar naturally infected with German virus variants
Authors: Sehl-Ewert Julia , Deutschmann Paul , Breithaupt Angele , Blome Sandra
Published: September 2022

In 2020, African swine fever (ASF) was first notified in German wild boar, reaching a case number of about 4200 to date. Upon experimental infection, pathology is well-documented, however, data on field infections are very scarce in domestic pigs and not available from wild boar, respectively. Although ASF viral genome is considered exceptionally stable, a total of five lineages with 10 distinct virus variants of genotype II have emerged in Eastern Germany. To investigate the pathology in naturally infected wild boar and to evaluate virus variants II, III and IV for their virulence, wild boar carcasses were obtained from three different outbreak areas. The cadavers underwent virological and pathomorphological investigation. Regardless of the virus variant all wild boar revealed characteristic lesions of highest severity indicative for ASF. However, wild boar infected with variant IV from Spree-Neiße (SN) district showed lower viral genome loads and a lower total viral antigen score, but simultaneously revealed more chronic lesions. Our findings indicate a protracted course of the disease at least after infection with variant IV, but need confirmation under standardized experimental conditions. There is a strong need to monitor differences in the virulence among variants to identify potential attenuation that might complicate diagnosis.
Chromoplast plastoglobules recruit the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway and contribute to carotenoid accumulation during tomato fruit maturation
Authors: Zita Wayne , Bressoud Ségolène , Glauser Gaetan , Kessler Felix , Shanmugabalaji Venkatasalam
Published: September 2022

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit maturation is associated with a developmental transition from chloroplasts (in mature green fruit) to chromoplasts (in red fruit). The hallmark red color of ripe tomatoes is due to carotenogenesis and accumulation of the red carotenoid lycopene inside chromoplasts. Plastoglobules (PG) are lipid droplets in plastids that are involved in diverse lipid metabolic pathways. In tomato, information on the possible role of PG in carotogenesis and the PG proteome is largely lacking. Here, we outline the role of PG in carotenogenesis giving particular attention to tomato fruit PG proteomes and metabolomes. The proteome analysis revealed the presence of PG-typical FBNs, ABC1K-like kinases, and metabolic enzymes, and those were decreased in the PG of tomato chromoplasts compared to chloroplasts. Notably, the complete β-carotene biosynthesis pathway was recruited to chromoplast PG, and the enzymes PHYTOENE SYNTHASE 1 (PSY-1), PHYTOENE DESATURASE (PDS), ZETA-CAROTENE DESATURASE (ZDS), and CAROTENOID ISOMERASE (CRTISO) were enriched up to twelvefold compared to chloroplast PG. We profiled the carotenoid and prenyl lipid changes in PG during the chloroplast to chromoplast transition and demonstrated large increases of lycopene and β-carotene in chromoplast PG. The PG proteome and metabolome are subject to extensive remodeling resulting in high accumulation of lycopene during the chloroplast-to-chromoplast transition. Overall, the results indicate that PGs contribute to carotenoid accumulation during tomato fruit maturation and suggest that they do so by functioning as a biosynthetic platform for carotenogenesis.
Biphasic release propensity of mucin granules is supervised by TSPAN8
Authors: José Wojnacki , Agustín Lujan , Ombretta Foresti , Carla Aranda , Gonzalo Bigliani , Pena Rodriguez Maria , Nathalie Brouwers , Vivek Malhotra
Published: September 2022

Agonist-mediated stimulated pathway of mucin and insulin release is biphasic in which a rapid fusion of pre-docked granules is followed by slow docking and fusion of granules from the reserve pool. The sustained neurotransmitter release also necessitates docking of vesicles from a reserve pool. We present here a surprising finding that plasma membrane-located tetraspanin-8 (Tspan-8) sequesters syntaxin-2 (Stx2) to control external agonist-dependent mucin release. Tspan-8 specifically affects fusion of granules in reserve during the second phase of stimulated mucin release. The Tspan-8 and Stx2 complex does not contain VAMP-8 and Munc18, which are required for fusion of mucin granules. We suggest that by sequestering Stx2, Tspan-8 prevents docking granules in the reserve pool. In the absence of Tspan-8, granules in reserve pool are free to dock to Stx2 and their fusion doubles the quantities of mucins secreted. Tspan-8 thus emerges as the long-sought component that controls biphasic mucin release. We suggest a similar mechanism likely controls biphasic insulin and sustained neurotransmitter release.
Assessment of Variability in the Plasma 7k SomaScan Proteomics Assay
Authors: Candia Julián , Daya Gulzar N. , Tanaka Toshiko , Ferrucci Luigi , Walker Keenan A.
Published: September 2022

SomaScan is a high-throughput, aptamer-based proteomics assay designed for the simultaneous measurement of thousands of proteins with a broad range of endogenous concentrations. In its most current version, the 7k SomaScan assay v4.1 is capable of measuring 7,288 human proteins. In this work, we present an extensive technical assessment of this platform based on a study of 2,050 samples across 22 plates. Included in the study design were inter-plate technical duplicates from 102 human subjects, which allowed us to characterize different normalization procedures, evaluate assay variability by multiple analytical approaches, present signal-over-background metrics, and discuss potential specificity issues. By providing detailed performance assessments on this wide range of technical aspects, we aim for this work to serve as a valuable resource for the growing community of SomaScan users.
Imprinted SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity induces convergent Omicron RBD evolution
Authors: Cao Yunlong , Jian Fanchong , Wang Jing , Yu Yuanling , Song Weiliang , Yisimayi Ayijiang , Wang Jing , An Ran , Chen Xiaosu , Zhang Na , Wang Yao , Wang Peng , Zhao Lijuan , Sun Haiyan , Yu Lingling , Yang Sijie , Niu Xiao , Xiao Tianhe , Gu Qingqing , Shao Fei , Hao Xiaohua , Xu Yanli , Jin Ronghua , Shen Zhongyang , Wang Youchun , Xie Xiaoliang Sunney
Published: September 2022

Continuous evolution of Omicron has led to a rapid and simultaneous emergence of numerous variants that display growth advantages over BA. 5. Despite their divergent evolutionary courses, mutations on their receptor-binding domain (RBD) converge on several hotspots. The driving force and destination of such convergent evolution and its impact on humoral immunity remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that these convergent mutations can cause striking evasion of neutralizing antibody (NAb) drugs and convalescent plasma, including those from BA.5 breakthrough infection, while maintaining sufficient ACE2 binding capability. BQ.1.1.10, BA.4.6.3, XBB, and CH. 1.1 are the most antibody-evasive strain tested, even exceeding SARS-CoV-1 level. To delineate the origin of the convergent evolution, we determined the escape mutation profiles and neutralization activity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) isolated from BA.2 and BA.5 breakthrough-infection convalescents. Importantly, due to humoral immune imprinting, BA.2 and especially BA.5 breakthrough infection caused significant reductions in the epitope diversity of NAbs and increased proportion of non-neutralizing mAbs, which in turn concentrated humoral immune pressure and promoted convergent evolution. Moreover, we showed that the convergent RBD mutations could be accurately inferred by integrated deep mutational scanning (DMS) profiles, and the evolution trends of BA.2.75/BA.5 subvariants could be well-simulated through constructed convergent pseudovirus mutants. Together, our results suggest current herd immunity and BA.5 vaccine boosters may not provide good protection against infection. Broad-spectrum SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and NAb drugs development should be highly prioritized, and the constructed mutants could help to examine their effectiveness in advance.
Diverse branching forms regulated by a core auxin transport mechanism in plants
Authors: Spencer Victoria , Bentall Lucy , Harrison C. Jill
Published: September 2022

Diverse branching forms have evolved multiple times across the tree of life to facilitate resource acquisition and exchange with the environment. In land plants, sporophyte branching enabled the diversification of the dominant vascular plant clade and arose in their last shared common ancestor; the bryophyte sisters to vascular plants are unbranched. Mechanisms for sporophyte branching are well known in Arabidopsis, where branch initiation and plastic branch outgrowth require directional auxin transport by PIN proteins. However, no broadly applicable genetic mechanisms for branching in vascular plants are known. We have used a combination of surgical and pharmacological treatments and PIN expression analyses in the lycophyte Selaginella kraussiana to identify PIN-mediated auxin transport as the ancestral mechanism for branching within vascular plants. We show that shortrange auxin transport out of the shoot tips promotes branching, and that branch dominance is coordinated by long-range auxin transport throughout the shoot system. Moreover, the plastic outgrowth of a branch from a unique organ system innovated in lycophytes (the rhizophore) is regulated by long-range auxin transport and associated with a transitory drop in PIN expression. We conclude that an ancestral mechanism for branching was independently recruited into plastic branch outgrowth in lycophytes and seed plants. Considered in conjunction with data from other species, our results highlight a pivotal role for the co-option of PINs into the evolution of branching in diverse plant forms.
Misexpression of the Homologues of Bryophyte Gametophyte-to-Sporophyte Control Genes in Arabidopsis Results in Germline Reprogramming and Phenotypes that Mirror Apomictic Development
Authors: Bezodis William , Prescott Helen , Dickinson Hugh
Published: September 2022

Evidence from the model bryophytes Physcomitrium and Marchantia suggests that a BELL-KNOX genetic module acts as a master regulator controlling sporophyte identity. Investigating any conservation of this system in flowering plants has proved challenging, but studies of the Arabidopsis eostre mutant and naturally apomictic angiosperms point to ectopic activation of KNOX and BELL transcription factors mediating the switch from sexual to apomictic development. We show here that in Arabidopsis, ectopic expression, under a germline-specific promoter, of KNOX and BELL genes not normally expressed in the gametophytes both disrupts germ cell specification and causes defects in cell identity throughout gametophyte development – some mirroring events seen in naturally apomictic plants. A better understanding of this TALE-HD genetic module in flowering plants may thus help to unravel the molecular control of higher plant life cycles, while providing a route to engineering synthetic apomixis in crops. This study also highlights the utility of applying data from bryophytes, where the ontogeny transitions are spatio-temporally distinct, to apomixis research in angiosperms.
MTCH2 is a mitochondrial outer membrane protein insertase
Authors: Guna Alina , Stevens Taylor A. , Inglis Alison J. , Replogle Joseph M. , Esantsi Theodore K. , Muthukumar Gayathri , Shaffer Kelly C.L. , Wang Maxine L. , Pogson Angela N. , Jones Jeff J. , Lomenick Brett , Chou Tsui-Fen , Weissman Jonathan S. , Voorhees Rebecca M.
Published: September 2022

In the mitochondrial outer membrane, tail-anchored (TA) proteins play critical roles in cytoplasmic-mitochondrial communication. Using genome-wide CRISPRi screens, we identify factors involved in mitochondrial TA biogenesis in human cells. We show that MTCH2, and its paralog MTCH1, are required for insertion of biophysically diverse mitochondrial TAs, but not outer membrane β-barrel proteins. In a reconstituted system, purified MTCH2 is sufficient to mediate insertion into proteoliposomes. Functional and mutational studies reveal that MTCH2 uses membrane-embedded hydrophilic residues to function as a gatekeeper for outer membrane protein biogenesis, controlling mislocalization of TAs into the endoplasmic reticulum and the sensitivity of leukemia cells to apoptosis. Our identification of MTCH2 as an insertase provides a mechanistic explanation for the diverse phenotypes and disease states associated with MTCH2 dysfunction.

One-Sentence Summary

MTCH2 is both necessary and sufficient for insertion of diverse α-helical proteins into the mitochondrial outer membrane, and is the defining member of a family of insertases that have co-opted the SLC25 transporter fold.
A novel gyrovirus associated with a fatal respiratory disease in yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) chicks
Authors: Wierenga Janelle R. , Morgan Kerri J. , Hunter Stuart , Taylor Harry S. , Argilla Lisa S. , Webster Trudi , Dubrulle Jeremy , Jorge Fátima , Bostina Mihnea , Burga Laura , Holmes Edward C. , McInnes Kate , Geoghegan Jemma L.
Published: September 2022

Yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes), or hoiho in te reo Māori, are predicted to become extinct on mainland Aotearoa New Zealand in the next few decades, with infectious disease a significant contributor to their decline. A recent disease phenomenon termed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) causing lung pathology has been identified in very young chicks. To date, no causative pathogens for RDS have been identified. In 2020 and 2021, the number of chick deaths from suspected RDS increased four- and five-fold, respectively, with a mortality rate of >90%. Here, we aimed to identify possible pathogens responsible for RDS disease impacting yelloweyed penguins. Total RNA was extracted from tissue samples collected during post-mortem of 43 chicks and subject to metatranscriptomic sequencing. From these data we identified a novel and highly abundant gyrovirus in 80% of tissue samples. This virus exhibited only 41% amino acid identity within VP1 to its closest relative, Gyrovirus 8, discovered in a diseased seabird. No other exogenous viral transcripts, nor pathogenic bacterial, protozoal and fungal organisms, were identified in these tissues. Due to the high relative abundance of viral reads, it is likely that this novel gyrovirus is associated with RDS in yellow-eyed penguin chicks.

Author Summary

New Zealand’s population of yellow-eyed penguins, also called hoiho, are predicted to become extinct in the next 20-30 years, with disease a major factor contributing to their decline. A new disease, causing fluid and bleeding into the lungs, was initially identified in 2019 in very young chicks. It was characterised as causing respiratory distress with a mortality of >90% usually within the first week of life. To date, no causative pathogens of the disease have been identified. We aimed to identify possible pathogens responsible for respiratory disease in these penguin chicks. A metatranscriptomic survey of dead chicks identified a novel and highly abundant gyrovirus present in diseased tissue, with closely related viruses causing disease in other avian hosts. It is, therefore, highly likely that this novel gyrovirus is associated with respiratory disease in these chicks. This finding offers the potential to increase the success of disease management in the critically endangered yellow-eyed penguin and possibly other at-risk penguin species. The potential to lessen mortality and slow the decline of the species is essential in protecting the biodiversity of New Zealand’s fauna and flora.
Alpha-T-catenin is expressed in peripheral nerves as a constituent of Schwann cell adherens junctions
Authors: Weng Anthea , Rabin Erik E. , Flozak Annette S. , Chiarella Sergio E. , Aillon Raul Piseaux , Gottardi Cara J.
Published: September 2022

The adherens junction component, alpha-T-catenin (αTcat) is an established contributor to cardiomyocyte junction structure and function, but recent genomic studies linkCTNNA3 polymorphismsto diseases with no clear cardiac underpinning, including asthma, autism and multiple sclerosis, suggesting causal contributions from a different cell-type. We showCtnna3mRNA is highly expressed in peripheral nerves (e.g., vagus and sciatic), where αTcat protein enriches at paranodes and myelin incisure adherens junctions of Schwann cells. We validate αTcat immunodetection specificity using a newCtnna3-knockout fluorescence reporter mouse line yet find no obvious Schwann cell loss-of-function morphology at the light microscopic level.CTNNA3/Ctnna3mRNA is also abundantly detected in oligodendrocytes of the central nervous system via public databases, supporting a general role for αTcat in these unique cell-cell junctions. These data suggest that the wide range of diseases linked toCTNNA3may be through its role in maintaining neuroglial functions of central and peripheral nervous systems.
Do accounting disclosures help or hinder individual donors’ trust repair after negative events?
Authors: Guo Zhengqi , Hall Matthew , Wiegmann Leona
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether and how voluntary accounting disclosures can repair individual donors’ trust in a charity after negative events.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a qualitative research approach and conduct 32 semi-structured interviews with active Australian individual donors, with a hypothetical vignette design. Hypothetical negative events and corresponding accounting disclosures are presented to participants during interviews.

Findings

Three types of individual donors are identified based on their decision-making patterns after negative events and primary trust relations with a charity-reasoned donor (giving-decision based on their analysis of the situation, competence-based trust), generalist donors (giving-decision based on trust in the charitable sector, institution-based trust) and emotional donors (giving-decision based on feelings and emotions about the charity, integrity-based trust). The research suggests that accounting disclosures can repair trust damage for reasoned donors and support institution-based trust for generalist donors, but do not seem able to repair trust damage for emotional donors and can potentially damage trust further.

Practical implications

Overall, the findings suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach to communicating with individual donors after negative events is not likely to be very effective in repairing trust. Instead, charities may need to adapt disclosures to their different types of individual donors.

Originality/value

While prior accounting studies have largely focussed on how charity managers themselves grapple with accountability or how negative events impact charitable donations, the authors demonstrate how accounting disclosures can play different roles in the trust-repairing process for different types of individual donors.
Artificial intelligence in retail – a systematic literature review
Authors: Heins Caroline
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a systematic literature review of academic peer-reviewed articles in English published between 2005 and 2021. The articles were reviewed based on the following features: research topic, conceptual and theoretical characterization, artificial intelligence (AI) methods and techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the extent to which AI features within academic research in retail industry and aims to consolidate existing knowledge, analyse the development on this topic, clarify key trends and highlight gaps in the scientific literature concerning the role of AI in retail.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate an increase in AI literature within the field of retailing in the past five years. However, this research field is fairly fragmented in scope and limited in methodologies, and it has several gaps. On the basis of a structured topic allocation, a total of eight priority topics were identified and highlighted that (1) optimizing the retail value chain and (2) improving customer expectations with the help of AI are key topics in published research in this field.

Research limitations/implications

This study is based on academic peer-reviewed articles published before July 2021; hence, scientific outputs published after the moment of writing have not been included.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the in-depth and systematic exploration of the extent to which retail scholars are aware of and working on AI. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first systematic literature review within retailing research dealing with AI technology.
Is eco-label hotel engagement the pathway to sustainability practices via entrepreneurial resilience and orientation in Oman? Findings from PLS-SEM and fsQCA
Authors: Salem Islam Elbayoumi , Elbaz Ahmed Mohamed , Al-alawi Alamir , Alkathiri Nasser Alhamar , Elkhwesky Zakaria
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of eco-label hotel engagement as a pathway to sustainable practices via scouting entrepreneurial resilience and orientation at highly ranked hotels in Oman. The authors developed and tested a novel model built on resilience theory, the theory of entrepreneurial orientation and the theory of reasoned action (TRA).

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 167 human resources directors, hotel managers and other employees were analyzed by partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA).

Findings

Results indicate a strong positive relationship between entrepreneurial resilience and entrepreneurial orientation. Entrepreneurial orientation significantly increased all eco-label strategies, but not all strategies enhanced sustainable tourism practices. High adoption of sustainability practices depended on core strategies related to awareness, benefits, reputation and necessity, but the cost was also an issue. Managers adopted sustainability practices if they were not perceived as costly, or when perceived as costly if they believed they would help them reduce operating costs.

Practical implications

Policymakers should assist hotel managers when the sector is hit by political events, natural disasters or health crises such as the current pandemic can bounce back and develop their resilience. Likewise, training and workshops can be organized to improve managers’ entrepreneurial mindset, which was found to be a precursor to favorable attitudes toward sustainability.

Originality/value

This study tests a novel model built on three theories: resilience theory, the theory of entrepreneurial orientation and the TRA by using PLS-SEM and fsQCA.
Effects of customers’ perceived risks of sharing economy on self-protective behavior toward COVID-19
Authors: Hailey Shin Hyejo , Jeong Miyoung , Zapata-Cuervo Natalia , Montes Guerra Maricela Isabel , Cho Mi-Hea , Kim Yensoon
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how customers’ perceived risks of sharing economy (SE) affect their self-protective behaviors when using SE, leading to their future behavioral intention. Additionally, this study looks into whether there are any differences between accommodation-sharing and ride-sharing customers in the aforementioned relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey targeting two groups of SE customers (i.e. accommodation sharing and ride sharing) was used. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling, the mechanism of how SE customers’ perceived risks of SE affect their self-protective behaviors, which in turn influence their future behavior intention. A multigroup analysis was performed to assess the difference between the two groups of SE customers. Finally, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted to see the potential differences between the five classifications of self-protective behaviors in their perceived risks.

Findings

SE customers’ psychological risks positively affected their hygiene protective behaviors and social protective behaviors, influencing their behavior intention and relative intention (compared with traditional services). Social risk had a negative impact on SE customers’ hygiene protective behaviors. There was a significant difference between accommodation sharing and ride sharing customers in their psychological mechanism of how perceived risks influence their self-protective behaviors.

Practical implications

The findings of this study help SE platforms and service providers better understand their customers’ perceived risks of their services and suggest them to promote their customers’ self-protective behaviors so that perceived risks can be mitigated, thereby generating strong behavior intentions. As the results indicated that there is a significant difference between the two major forms of SE (i.e. accommodation sharing and ride sharing) in their customers’ perceived risks and self-protective behavior, SE platforms can further refine their operational and marketing efforts based on the findings.

Originality/value

This study offers a comprehensive understanding of SE customers’ self-protective behaviors by examining the effects of SE customers’ different perceived risks on their self-protective behaviors during the unprecedented pandemic. Furthermore, the comparison of the two most popular forms of SE (i.e. accommodation sharing and ride sharing) provides new perspectives to understand customers’ behavior in the SE context.
Real-time vehicle detection for traffic monitoring by applying a deep learning algorithm over images acquired from satellite and drone
Authors: Vohra D.S. , Garg Pradeep Kumar , Ghosh Sanjay
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose is to design a system in which drones can control traffic most effectively using a deep learning algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

Drones have now started entry into each facet of life. The entry of drones has made them a subject of great relevance in the present technological era. The span of drones is, however, very broad due to various kinds of usages leading to different types of drones. Out of the many usages, one usage which is presently being widely researched is traffic monitoring as traffic monitoring can hover over a particular area. This paper specifically brings out the basic algorithm You Look Only Once (YOLO) which may be used for identifying the vehicles. Consequently, using deep learning YOLO algorithm, identification of vehicles will, therefore, help in easy regulation of traffic in streetlights, avoiding accidents, finding out the culprit drivers due to which traffic jam would have taken place and recognition of a pattern of traffic at various timings of the day, thereby announcing the same through radio (namely, Frequency Modulation (FM)) channels, so that people can take the route which is the least jammed.

Findings

The study found that the object(s) detected by the deep learning algorithm is almost the same as if seen from a naked eye from the top view. This led to the conclusion that the drones may be used for traffic monitoring, in the days to come, which was not the case earlier.

Originality/value

The main research content and key algorithm have been introduced. The research is original. None of the parts of this research paper has been published anywhere.
Green banking adoption practices: improving environmental, financial, and operational performance
Authors: Aslam Wajeeha , Jawaid Syed Tehseen
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The increased concerns for the environment have led organizations, businesses and nations to act environmentally friendly. This has also pressurized the banking sector to adopt green practices. However, there is a dearth of studies related to green banking (G-banking) adoption practices (GBAP) on banking performance. Hence, by considering the resource-based view theory, this study aims to examine the impact of GBAP on banking performance, i.e. financial, operational and environmental performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was acquired from banking personnel in Pakistan using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire and a non-probability purposive selection technique. In total, 400 responses were gathered, on which data screening was performed to detect and delete outliers. On a useful sample of 360, partial least square-structural equation modeling was used to validate the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings revealed that GBAP positively affects the environmental, operational and financial performance of the banks. The findings further revealed that GBAP largely affects environmental performance followed by operational performance and financial performance, respectively.

Practical implications

The study findings offer various insights to the policymakers and the banking sector to better implement G-banking practices in improving banking performance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to look at the effect of GBAP on key performance outcomes, i.e. financial and operational performance. This study also verifies the use of resource-based perspective theory in the context of G-banking.
Young retail shift workers (not) planning their future: working with customers in the 24/7 service society in the transition to adulthood
Authors: Dordoni Annalisa
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The retail sector is not largely studied in Italy. The study offers a comparison between youth retail shift work in Milan and London. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the debate on the one hand on youth work and on the other hand to the debate on agency and structural factors in life planning, representation of the future and the transition to adulthood, observed in the United Kingdom's and Italian labour market. Even if the second one is a Southern European Country, these contexts are both characterised by a service-oriented economy and the widespread of precarious and flexible jobs.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative methods were used: one year of ethnographic observation, 50 interviews and two focus groups were carried out between 2015 and 2018 with retail workers and trade unionists. The contexts are Corso Buenos Aires in Milan, Italy, and Oxford Street in London, United Kingdom. Analysing young workers' discourses, the author identifies narratives that allow to grasp their present agency and imagined future.

Findings

Observing the crisis of the narrative (Sennett, 2020) allows to highlight the social consequences of working times on young workers' everyday life and future. The author argues that young workers struggle with the narrative of their present everyday life and the representation of the future. This relates to the condition of time alienation due to the flexible schedules and the fast pace of work in retail, both affecting the work-life balance.

Originality/value

The social consequences of flexible schedules in retail and fast fashion sector, which are new issues not yet sufficiently explored, are here investigated from the perspective of young workers. The study is focussed on the representations of young people working with customers in social and economic contexts characterised by flexible schedules and the deregulation of shop openings, the so-called 24/7 service society, not largely investigated in the sociological scientific literature, above all in the Italian context.
Corporate governance and financing risk in Islamic banks in Indonesia
Authors: Mutamimah Mutamimah , Saputri Pungky Lela
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the role of corporate governance in moderating the effects of murabahah, mudharabah and musyarakah financing on the financing risk and financial performance of Islamic banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The population for this study covered Islamic banks in Indonesia. Purposive sampling was performed, and statistical analysis was conducted using moderating regression analysis by selecting among the common, fixed and random effects models.

Findings

The results showed that murabahah financing has a positive effect on financing risk; conversely, mudharabah financing has a negative effect on financing risk. By contrast, musyarakah financing has no effect on financing risk. However, corporate governance weakens the influence of murabahah financing on financing risk and increases that of mudharabah financing on financing risk. Further, corporate governance cannot weaken the effect of musyarakah financing on financing risk. Additionally, financing risk reduces financial performance.

Research limitations/implications

This research focusses only on Indonesian Islamic banks; future research should be extended to Islamic insurance and Islamic micro finance.

Practical implications

The results serve as input for government regulations on corporate governance in Islamic bank financing and encourage Islamic banks to diversify their financing proportionally.

Social implications

This research can be used for optimising Islamic bank financing to empower the realty sector and reduce poverty.

Originality/value

Research on the role of corporate governance as a moderating variable in reducing financing risk in Islamic banks remains limited.
Workplace engagement interventions: empirically based alternatives for manager consideration
Authors: Lyons Paul
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The primary purpose of this paper is to identify for practitioners and readers of this journal several interventions represented in empirical research that have shown promise with regard to the stimulation and/or reinforcement of employee work engagement. The aim is to identify a range of interventions that managers, supervisors or coaches may consider for a given setting as they go about enabling employee learning and performance improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

Examination of the research literature on work engagement provided initial guidance for study of interventions that link to enhancement and/or reinforcement of employee work engagement. Information was found that aids in developing an understanding of the dynamics of work engagement as well as identifying a variety of interventions successfully applied in many organizations in several countries. The fundamental approach used in the study is a scoping review. Overall, the paper is generally discursive and details are offered based on review of empirical study and meta-analyses.

Findings

Findings are represented by a detailed explanation of the construct of work engagement, its theoretical grounding and its relationship with performance and achievement. A summary of interventions identified across many empirical studies provides guidance for managers and leaders, primarily, and organizations with regard to interventions to aid with employee learning, growth and performance improvement.

Research limitations/implications

Research implications deal mainly with issues linked to the concept of work engagement and the primary tool used for its measurement.

Practical implications

Substantial information is presented to give a manager, coach or supervisor a detailed view of the construct of work engagement and how one may influence employee growth with regard to the concept. Several interventions are identified, all of which have been shown to be effective. The manager can examine these interventions and make choices about how to influence the employees in her/his unit.

Originality/value

While hundreds of studies of work engagement have identified and highlighted a variety of interventions used to stimulate or reinforce work engagement with employees, there have been few efforts made to provide practitioners/managers with an array of interventions that have been shown, repeatedly, to be effective. The present study provides such an array.