bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a widespread third system for bacterial polysaccharide export across the outer membrane comprising a composite OPX/β-barrel translocon
Authors: Schwabe Johannes , Pérez-Burgos María , Herfurth Marco , Glatter Timo , Søgaard-Andersen Lotte
Published: April 2022

In Gram-negative bacteria, secreted polysaccharides have multiple critical functions. In Wzx/Wzy- and ABC transporter-dependent pathways, an outer membrane (OM) polysaccharide export (OPX) type translocon exports the polysaccharide across the OM. The paradigm OPX protein WzaE. coli is an octamer, in which the eight C-terminal domains form an α-helical OM pore, and the eight copies of the three N-terminal domains (D1-D3) a periplasmic cavity. In synthase-dependent pathways, the OM translocon is a 16- to 18- stranded β-barrel protein. In Myxococcus xanthus, the secreted polysaccharide EPS is synthesized in a Wzx/Wzy-dependent pathway. Here, using experiments and computational structural biology, we characterize EpsX as an OM 18-stranded β-barrel protein important for EPS synthesis and identify AlgE, a β-barrel translocon of a synthase-dependent pathway, as its closest structural homolog. We also find that EpsY, the OPX protein of the EPS pathway, only consists of the periplasmic D1 and D2 domains and lacks the domain for spanning the OM (henceforth D1D2OPX protein). In vivo, EpsX and EpsY mutually stabilize each other, supporting their direct interaction. Based on these observations, we propose a model whereby EpsY and EpsX make up a novel type of translocon for polysaccharide export across the OM. Specifically, in this composite translocon, EpsX functions as the OM-spanning translocon together with the periplasmic D1D2OPX protein EpsY. Based on computational genomics, similar composite systems are present widespread in Gram-negative bacteria. This model provides a framework for these proteins’ future experimental characterization.
Biological responses to terahertz radiation with different power density in primary hippocampal neurons
Authors: Zhao Li , Yi Ruhan , Liu Sun , Chi Yunliang , Tan Shengzhi , Dong Ji , Wang Hui , Zhang Jing , Wang Haoyu , Xu Xinping , Yao Binwei , Wang Bo , Peng Ruiyun
Published: April 2022

Background

Terahertz (THz) radiation is a valuable imaging and sensing tool which is widely used in industry and medicine. However, it biological effects including genotoxicity and cytotoxicity are not clear, particularly on the nervous system. In this study, we investigated how THz radiation with different frequency and intensity would affect the morphology, cell growth and function of rat hippocampal neurons in vitro.

Methods

Primary hippocampal neuronal cells were isolated from newborn Wistar rat pups and were exposed to THz radiation with the frequencies of 0.12 THz and 0.141 THz, at an power intensities of 10 mW/cm2 and 30 mW/cm2 respectively. The cellular activities were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 after exposure for 10 min and 30 min. The cellular apoptosis was examined by Annexin V staining using flow cytometry and the ultrastructure was detected by electron microscopy. Moreover, the amount of amino acid in the cultured neurons was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results

No obvious morphological changes, such as axon length and axon number, could be detected in primary neurons after exposure to 10mW/cm2 or 50 mW/cm2 THz for 30 min. However, the overall cellular activities were differentially affected by 10mW/cm2 and 50 mW/cm2 THz. Obvious cellular apoptosis was induced by both 10mW/cm2 and 50 mW/cm2 exposure. We also found that the amounts of most amino acids did not change significantly after exposure to these two types of THz radiation.

Conclusions

The effects of THz radiation on hippocampal neurons depend on frequency, power, exposure time as well as the measurement time after the exposure. These results will provide important information for further investigation of the effect of THz radiation on the nervous system.
Transcriptional profiling from whole embryos to single neuroblast lineages inDrosophila
Authors: Seroka Austin , Lai Sen-Lin , Doe Chris Q
Published: April 2022

Embryonic development results in the production of distinct tissue types, and different cell types within each tissue. A major goal of developmental biology is to uncover the “parts list” of cell types that comprise each organ. Here we perform single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of theDrosophilaembryo to identify the genes that characterize different cell and tissue types during development. We assay three different timepoints, revealing a coordinated change in gene expression within each tissue. Interestingly, we find that theelavandmhcgenes, whose protein products are widely used as markers for neurons and muscles, respectively, show broad pan-embryonic expression, indicating the importance of post-transcriptional regulation. We next focus on the central nervous system (CNS), where we identify genes characterizing each stage of neuronal differentiation: from neural progenitors, called neuroblasts, to their immediate progeny ganglion mother cells (GMCs), followed by new-born neurons, young neurons, and the most mature neurons. Finally, we ask whether the clonal progeny of a single neuroblast (NB7-1) share a similar transcriptional identity. Surprisingly, we find that clonal identity does not lead to transcriptional clustering, showing that neurons within a lineage are diverse, and that neurons with a similar transcriptional profile (e.g. motor neurons, glia) are distributed among multiple neuroblast lineages. Although each lineage consists of diverse progeny, we were able to identify a previously uncharacterized gene,Fer3, as an excellent marker for the NB7-1 lineage. Within the NB7-1 lineage, transcriptional clusters are identifiable in neuroblasts and neurons, and each cluster is composed of current temporal transcription factor (e.g. Hunchback, Kruppel, Pdm, and Castor), novel temporal factors, and/or targets of the temporal transcription factors. In conclusion, we have characterized the embryonic transcriptome for all major tissue types and for three stages of development, as well as the first transcriptomic analysis of a single, identified neuroblast lineage, finding a lineage-enriched transcription factor.
MAECI: A Pipeline For Generating Consensus Sequence With Nanopore Sequencing Long-read Assembly and Error Correction
Authors: Lang Jidong
Published: April 2022

Nanopore sequencing produces long reads and offers unique advantages over next-generation sequencing, especially for the assembly of draft bacterial genomes with improved completeness. However, assembly errors can occur due to data characteristics and assembly algorithms. To address these issues, we developed MAECI, a pipeline for generating consensus sequences from multiple assemblies of the same nanopore sequencing data and error correction. Systematic evaluation showed that MAECI is an efficient and effective pipeline to improve the accuracy and completeness of bacterial genome assemblies. The available codes and implementation are at https://github.com/langjidong/MAECI.
Engineering functional membrane-membrane interface by InterSpy
Authors: Moghimianavval Hossein , Patel Chintan , Mohapatra Sonisilpa , Hwang Sung-Won , Kayikcioglu Tunc , Bashirzadeh Yashar , Liu Allen P. , Ha Taekjip
Published: April 2022

Engineering synthetic interfaces between membranes has potential applications in designing non-native cellular communication pathways and creating synthetic tissues. Here, InterSpy is introduced as a synthetic biology tool consisting of a heterodimeric protein engineered to form and maintain membrane-membrane interfaces between apposing synthetic as well as cell membranes through SpyTag/SpyCatcher interaction. Inclusion of split fluorescent protein fragments in the designed InterSpy toolkit allows tracking the formation of membrane-membrane interface and reconstitution of functional fluorescent protein in the space between apposing membranes. We first demonstrate InterSpy by testing split protein designs using a mammalian cell-free expression system. By utilizing co-translational helix insertion, cell-free synthesized InterSpy fragments are incorporated into the membrane of liposomes and supported lipid bilayers with a desired topology. Functional reconstitution of split fluorescent protein between the membranes is strictly dependent on SpyTag/SpyCatcher. Finally, since InterSpy is fully genetically encoded, the engineered system is adapted to cells and showcased. InterSpy demonstrates the power of cell-free expression systems in functional reconstitution of synthetic membrane interfaces via proximity-inducing proteins. This technology may also prove useful for synthetic biology where cell-cell contacts and communication are recreated in a controlled manner using minimal components.
Ischemic stroke and dietary vitamin B12 deficiency in old-aged females impaired motor function, increased ischemic damage size, and changed metabolite profiles in brain and cecum tissue
Authors: Poole Joshua , Jasbi Paniz , Pascual Agnes S. , North Sean , Kwatra Neha , Weissig Volkmar , Gu Haiwei , Bottiglieri Teodoro , Jadavji Nafisa M.
Published: April 2022

The global population is aging and the prevalence of age-related diseases, such as stroke, is predicted to increase. A vitamin B12 deficiency (vit. B12 def.) is common in the elderly, because of changes in metabolism. Clinical studies have reported that a vit. B12 def results in worse outcome after stroke, the mechanisms through which a vit. B12 def. changes the brain requires further investigation. This study investigated the role of vit. B12 def. on stroke outcome and mechanisms using aged female mice. Eighteen month old females were put on a control or vit. B12 def. diet for four weeks, after which an ischemic stroke was induced in the sensorimotor cortex. After damage, motor function was measured and animals were euthanized and tissues were collected for analysis. Vit. B12 def. animals had increased levels of total homocysteine in plasma and liver, choline levels were also increased in the liver. Vit. B12 def. animals had larger damage volume in brain tissue and more apoptosis. In the cecum, changes in creatinine and methylmalonic acid were observed in vit. B12 def. animals, pathway analysis showed dysfunction in B12 transport. Analysis of mitochondrial metabolomics in brain tissue showed reduced levels of metabolites involved in the TCA cycle in vit. B12 def animals. Meanwhile, pathway analysis showed significant, widespread dysfunction in phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis. Motor function after stroke was impaired in vit. B12 def. animals. A dietary vitamin B12 deficiency impairs motor function through increased apoptosis and changes in mitochondrial metabolism in brain tissue.
Mice expressing P301S mutant human tau have deficits in interval timing
Authors: Larson Travis , Khadelwal Vaibhav , Weber Matthew A. , Leidinger Mariah R. , Meyerholz David K. , Narayanan Nandakumar S. , Zhang Qiang
Published: April 2022

Interval timing is a key executive process that involves estimating the duration of an interval over several seconds or minutes. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have deficits in interval timing. Since temporal control of action is highly conserved across mammalian species, studying interval timing tasks in animal AD models may be relevant to human disease. Amyloid plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles are hallmark features of AD. While rodent models of amyloid pathology are known to have interval timing impairments, to our knowledge, interval timing has not been studied in models of tauopathy. Here, we evaluate interval timing performance of P301S transgenic mice, a widely studied model of tauopathy that overexpresses human tau with the P301S mutation. We employed the switch interval timing task, and found that P301S mice consistently underestimated temporal intervals compared to wild-type controls, responding early in anticipation of the target interval. Our study indicating timing deficits in a mouse tauopathy model could have relevance to human tauopathies such as AD.

HIGHLIGHTS

We examined interval timing behavior in mice expressing P301S mutant tau

P301S mice responded earler than littermate controls

These data provide insight into animal models of tauopathy
Ralstonia solanacearum effector RipAF1 ADP-ribosylates host FBN1 to induce resistance against bacterial wilt
Authors: Wu Wei , Luo Xuming , Chen Xinyu , Wang Leyi , Wang Kang , Tian Siyao , Tong Ziqunfang , Zhao Tongxin , Fan Xiaojing , Zhuo Tao , Hu Xun , Zou Huasong
Published: April 2022

Ralstonia solanacearum (Rso) causes destructive bacterial wilt across a broad range of host plants by inducing jasmonic acid (JA) signaling while suppressing salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathways during disease development. In the present study, we show that Rso type III effector RipAF1 exerts a negative effect on bacterial virulence by subverting disease signaling in association with bacterial wilt. The ADP-ribosylation activity of RipAF1 was verified both in vivo and in vitro. Host fibrillin FBN1 was identified as a RipAF1-interacting protein that acted as a susceptible factor for bacterial wilt. In particular, RipAF1 directly ADP-ribosylates FBN1 at the E175/K207 residues, thus interfering with the mediation of disease signaling by FBN1. Together, these results suggest that RipAF1 exerts a role in defense induction by ADP-ribosylation of the susceptible factor FBN1 in the host plant.
Molecular basis of proteolytic cleavage regulation by the extracellular matrix receptor dystroglycan
Authors: Anderson MJM , Hayward AN , Smiley AT , Shi K , Pawlak MR , Aird EJ , Grant E , Greenberg L , Aihara H , Evans RL , Ulens C , Gordon WR
Published: April 2022

The dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC), anchored by the transmembrane protein dystroglycan, functions to mechanically link the extracellular matrix to the actin cytoskeleton to drive critical aspects of development and adult homeostasis. Breaking this connection via mutation of the actin adaptor protein dystrophin or impaired glycosylation of dystroglycan are strongly associated with diseases such as Muscular Dystrophy, yet cleavage of the dystroglycan protein by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) remains an understudied mechanism to disrupt the DGC. We solved X-ray structures of the membrane-adjacent domain of dystroglycan to understand the molecular underpinnings of dystroglycan MMP cleavage regulation. Dystroglycan proteolysis occurs within the versatile SEAL domain, which supports proteolysis in diverse receptors to facilitate mechanotransduction, protection of cell membranes, and even viral entry. The structure reveals a c-terminal extension of the SEAL domain that buries the MMP cleavage site by packing into a hydrophobic pocket, a unique mechanism of MMP cleavage regulation. We further demonstrate that structure-guided and disease-associated mutations disrupt proteolytic regulation using a new cell-surface proteolysis assay. Finally, we find that disruption of proteolysis leads to altered cellular mechanics and migration using high-throughput DNA tension probe and wound healing assays. These findings highlight that disrupted proteolysis is a relevant mechanism for “breaking” the DGC link to contribute to disease pathogenesis and may offer new therapeutic avenues for dystroglycanopathies.
Surface detection of SARS-CoV-2 by lateral flow LAMP
Authors: Acker Isabelle Dahl , Ware Mark Joseph , Bracht John Russell
Published: April 2022

Slowing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 requires rapid and accurate diagnostic testing. Toward this end, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), an isothermal genomic detection method, offers great promise but the readout tends to be difficult because it does not generate linear DNA products. Rapid antigen tests are coupled to lateral flow strips, with one (negative) or two (positive) bands providing simple rapid readout, but are less sensitive than genomic amplification methods. To address the need for a genomic amplification method that can be visualized on a lateral flow strip, we developed a novel strand-displacement probe. In this work we validate this pipeline for purified RNA, intact virus, and even virus deposited onto a surface. We demonstrate robust sensitivity (100 genomic copies) and and we demonstrate the utility of our assay as a surveillance system, with the capability to detect viral particles from surfaces, even after a week of complete dry-down. Our innovation couples the diagnostic advantages of a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) with the simplicity of lateral-flow readouts.
Shear displacement gradient in X-ray Bragg coherent diffractive imaging
Authors: Gorobtsov Oleg , Singer Andrej
Published: April 2022

Bragg coherent X-ray diffractive imaging is a cutting-edge method for recovering three-dimensional crystal structure with nanoscale resolution. Phase retrieval provides an atomic displacement parallel to the Bragg peak reciprocal lattice vector. The derivative of the displacement along the same vector provides the normal strain field, which typically serves as a proxy for any structural changes. In this communication it is found that the other component of the displacement gradient, perpendicular to the reciprocal lattice vector, provides additional information from the experimental data collected from nanocrystals with mobile dislocations. Demonstration on published experimental data show how the perpendicular component of the displacement gradient adds to existing analysis, enabling an estimate for the external stresses, pinpointing the location of surface dislocations, and predicting the dislocation motion in in situ experiments.
Mamba: a systematic software solution for beamline experiments at HEPS
Authors: Liu Yu , Geng Yan-Da , Bi Xiao-Xue , Li Xiang , Tao Ye , Cao Jian-She , Dong Yu-Hui , Zhang Yi
Published: April 2022

To cater for the diverse experiment requirements at the High Energy Photon Source (HEPS) with often limited human resources, Bluesky was chosen as the basis for our software framework, Mamba. In our attempt to address Bluesky's lack of integrated graphical user interfaces (GUIs), command injection with feedback was chosen as the main way for the GUIs to cooperate with the command line interface; a remote-procedure-call service is also provided, which covers functionalities unsuitable for command injection, as well as pushing of status updates. In order to fully support high-frequency applications like fly scans, Bluesky's support for asynchronous control is being improved; furthermore, to support high-throughput experiments, Mamba Data Worker is being developed to cover the complexity in asynchronous online data processing for these experiments. To systematically simplify the specification of metadata, scan parameters and data-processing graphs for each type of experiment, an experiment parameter generator will be developed; experiment-specific modules to automate preparation steps will also be made. The integration of off-the-shelf code in Mamba for domain-specific needs is under investigation, and Mamba GUI Studio is being developed to simplify the implementation and integration of GUIs.
Investigating pair distribution function use in analysis of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite
Authors: Arnold Emily L. , Keeble Dean S. , Evans J. P. O. , Greenwood Charlene , Rogers Keith D.
Published: April 2022

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a complex material, which is often nanocrystalline when found within a biological setting. This work has directly compared the structural characteristics derived from data collected using a conventional laboratory-based X-ray diffractometer with those collected from a dedicated pair distribution function (PDF) beamline at Diamond Light Source. In particular, the application of PDF analysis methods to carbonated HA is evaluated. 20 synthetic samples were measured using both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and PDFs. Both Rietveld refinement (of laboratory XRD data) and real-space refinement (of PDF data) were used to analyse all samples. The results of Rietveld and real-space refinements were compared to evaluate their application to crystalline and nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite. Significant relationships were observed between real-space refinement parameters and increasing carbonate substitution. Understanding the local order of synthetic hydroxyapatite can benefit several fields, including both biomedical and clinical settings.
Synthesis, crystal structure and bioactivities of α-asaronol
Authors: Zhang Qun-Zheng , Zhong Zhen-Hua , Hao Ding , Feng Ming-Nan , Wang Si-Chang , Han Qi-Long , Bai Yajun , Xu Danni , Liao Sha , Xiao Chaoni , Zhang Xun-Li , Zheng Xiaohui
Published: April 2022

α-Asaronol [or (E)-3′-hydroxyasarone; systematic name: (E)-3-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-ol; C12H16O4] was synthesized towards the development of a potential antiepileptic drug. Following purification by recrystallization, single crystals of α-asaronol were obtained by a liquid interface diffusion method at room temperature. The product was characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, and FT–IR spectroscopic analysis. X-ray crystallography revealed the title crystal to belong to the orthorhombic space group P212121. Preliminary bioassays with mouse neuroblastoma N2a cells demonstrated the neuroprotective activities of the synthesized α-asaronol.
Ab initio reconstruction from one-dimensional crystal diffraction data
Authors: Arnal Romain D. , Millane Rick P.
Published: April 2022

Filamentary and rod-like assemblies are ubiquitous in biological systems, and single such assemblies can form one-dimensional (1D) crystals. New, intense X-ray sources, such as X-ray free-electron lasers, make it feasible to measure diffraction data from single 1D crystals. Such experiments would present some advantages, since cylindrical averaging of the diffraction data in conventional fiber diffraction analysis is avoided, there is coherent signal amplification relative to single-particle imaging, and the diffraction data are oversampled compared with those from a 3D crystal so that the phase problem is better determined than for a 3D crystal [Millane (2017). Acta Cryst. A73, 140–150]. Phasing of 1D crystal diffraction data is examined, by simulation, using an iterative projection algorithm. Ab initio phasing is feasible with realistic noise levels and little envelope information is required if a shrink-wrap algorithm is also incorporated. Some practical aspects of the proposed experiments are explored.
nmfMapping: a cloud-based web application for non-negative matrix factorization of powder diffraction and pair distribution function datasets
Authors: Thatcher Zachary , Liu Chia-Hao , Yang Long , McBride Brennan C. , Thinh Tran Gia , Wustrow Allison , Karlsen Martin A. , Neilson James R. , Ravnsbæk Dorthe B. , Billinge Simon J. L.
Published: April 2022

A cloud-hosted web-based software application, nmfMapping, for carrying out a non-negative matrix factorization of a set of powder diffraction or atomic pair distribution function datasets is described. This application allows structure scientists to find trends rapidly in sets of related data such as from in situ and operando diffraction experiments. The application is easy to use and does not require any programming expertise. It is available at https://pdfitc.org/.
A new pseudopolymorph of berberine chloride: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Kornilova Tatiana , Glebov Viktor , Castañeda Raúl , Timofeeva Tatiana V.
Published: April 2022

A new pseudopolymorph of berberine, 9,10-dimethoxy-5,6-dihydro-2H-7λ5-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinolino[3,2-a]isoquinolin-7-ylium chloride methanol monosolvate, C20H18NO4
+·Cl−·CH3OH, was obtained during co-crystallization of berberine chloride with malonic acid from methanol. The berberine cations form dimers, which are further packed in stacks. The title structure was compared with other reported solvates of berberine chloride: its dihydrate, tetrahydrate, and ethanol solvate hemihydrate. Hirshfeld analysis was performed to show the intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure of the title compound, and its fingerprint plots were compared with those of the already studied solvates.
Corporate governance and business performance of hotels in Western Australia: analysis of market orientation as a mediator
Authors: Kazemian Soheil , Djajadikerta Hadrian Geri , Trireksani Terri , Mohd-Sanusi Zuraidah , Alam Md. Mahmudul
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study examines whether corporate governance enhances the financial and social business performance of three-to five-star hotels in Western Australia (WA) through the three dimensions of market orientation (i.e. customer orientation, competitor orientation and inter-function coordination) as mediators.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from managers of hotels in the WA capital city of Perth and its surrounding areas using a questionnaire. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The overall result shows interesting findings of market orientation’s mediating role. It is found that corporate governance may lead to better financial business performance through competitor orientation but not through customer orientation and inter-function coordination. Complementary, corporate governance may lead to better social business performance through customer orientation and inter-function coordination but not through competitor orientation.

Originality/value

This paper offers contributions to both literature and practice on what dimensions of market orientation are important to enhance the performance of hotels when corporate governance is applied.
Understanding the ethical legitimacy of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship in Indonesia in the context of increased government regulation: a legitimacy-as-perception perspective
Authors: Tjandra Nathalia Christiani , Garavan Thomas N. , Aroean Lukman , Prabandari Yayi Suryo
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The authors explore the metaphors people from Indonesia use to describe their propriety beliefs about the ethical legitimacy of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS). This paper aims to understand why there is a consensus of propriety beliefs about the ethical legitimacy of TAPS in the face of increased government regulations and international criticism of such marketing practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 71 study participants using both focus groups and in-depth photo-elicitation interviews.

Findings

The participants use three sets of metaphors to describe propriety beliefs. First, participants used metaphors that described the centrality of TAPS and smoking in Indonesian society. Second, they used metaphors that described TAPS regulations and regulators and third, they used metaphors that described the activities of tobacco firms. Participants’ photographs revealed strong collective validity of TAPS within Indonesia and strong propriety beliefs consensus.

Research limitations/implications

This study is one of the first to integrate legitimacy-as-perception theory and the ecological systems framework to gain a multilevel insight into the TAPS activities are perceived as legitimate and, therefore, not unethical.

Practical implications

The findings have important implications for tobacco control regulators who wish to curtail TAPS in a country where all levels of the ecological system reinforce their collective validity. Policy and regulative initiatives must, therefore, be used in a systemic way to change this collective validity.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to use a legitimacy perspective to understand the ethical legitimacy of TAPS in marketing literature. It is also the first, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to use the three legitimacy-as-perception constructs: propriety beliefs, collective validity and consensus of propriety beliefs. The authors show that despite increased government regulations and international disapproval, TAPS continues to be considered ethically legitimate in Indonesia.
Determinants of wine firms’ performance: the Iberian case using panel data
Authors: Neves Elisabete , Dias António , Ferreira Miguel , Henriques Carla
Published: April 2022

Purpose

In the macroeconomic environment of the Iberian Peninsula, this paper aims to understand which factors, intrinsic to management, affect the performance of wine companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises 3,113 wine Iberian companies between 2011 and 2018. This study has used the panel data methodology, specifically the generalized method of moments system estimation method of Arellano and Bond (1991); Arellano and Bover (1995); and Blundell and Bond (1998) to test the hypotheses proposed.

Findings

Using return on assets (ROA) and sales growth as measures of corporate performance, this study’s results suggest that sales growth is the variable that has the most significant determining factors, both specific to the company and given the macroeconomic environment. Investors and civil society well understand the meaning of sales growth, namely, in a sector close to the final consumer. When using ROA as a dependent variable, the results suggest that because it is a pure management variable, the manager tends to be more concerned with maintaining adequate levels of economic profitability to ensure sustainability and future solvency, without giving prominence to the macroeconomic environment.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that a study has been carried out in the Iberian Peninsula on the wine industry using ROA and sales growth as measures of corporate performance. This study shows that sales growth is a measure traditionally known to external stakeholders, and to that extent, its determining factors are the variables that these players most value in the market.
Are business friends social too? Understanding information sharing in an Indian dairy cooperative through a relational sociology lens
Authors: Singh Shyam , Christie Neha
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Extant literature indicates that people use existing social networks for various collective activities as there is a cost involved to create and maintain separate networks for different activities. The authors build on the relational sociology framework and test this assertion in by examining a dairy cooperative society, which is a community organization. We hypothesize that the cooperative members are likely to use existing social networks to operationalize their cooperative (dairy-related matters) and other social and personal relations. This study tests the hypothesis by studying information sharing relations among the dairy cooperative members in two different social networks: the dairy information network and social information network.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses social network analysis to analyze relational data.

Findings

The study finds that the members of the dairy cooperative maintain both information sharing networks separately and that each network has different control and efficiency mechanisms.

Originality/value

The findings contradict the assertions of existing literature and establish that people ensure their business relations remain separated from their social relations to avoid the possibility of social conflicts affecting their business activities.
Does perceived corporate citizenship affect on purchasing intention during the COVID-19 pandemic? Across the mediation impact of brand trust and consumer–brand relationship
Authors: Arachchi H.A. Dimuthu Maduranga
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper is to examine the direct relationship between perceived corporate citizenship (CC) and purchase intention (PI). This study also tests the mediating role of brand trust (BT), consumer–brand identification (CBI) and the moderating effect of personal norms by a contribution of social exchange theory, brand relationship theory and social cognitive theory (SCT).

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research was carried out by means of a survey with a sample of 411 regular consumers who work for national retail brands, where the unit of analysis was an individual. The study analysed the data to test the research hypotheses using SPSS and Smart PLS.

Findings

This study found a significant positive impact of perceived CC on purchase intention (direct path), and furthermore, a partial mediation was shown for the indirect path. In addition, personal norms have a significant impact on the relationships between perceived CC on purchase intention, brand trust on purchase intention and CBI on purchase intention.

Practical implications

This study provides useful insights for managers to implement CC strategies to enhance consumer purchase intention and brand relationship in the retail sector within the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Originality/value

The current study is perhaps the first to investigate the impact of perceived CC on purchase intention across the BT, CBI and personal norms in the retail industry, period of COVID-19 pandemic. The study also makes some important theoretical contributions and previously not shed light on customer behaviour in this context.
BMI and race and ethnicity as predictors of victimization and perpetration in emerging adulthood
Authors: Scott Shannon , Rosen Lisa , Paulman Briana
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Race and ethnicity, BMI and other factors can affect ratings of one’s experiences in school, work and other settings. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of BMI, race and ethnicity and body satisfaction on the experiences of victimization in a work or academic setting. Additionally, experiences of weight/appearance-based perpetration were explored within the context of prior victimization, perpetration, BMI, race and ethnicity and body satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A diverse sample of 1,161 female undergraduates completed a series of questionnaires online. A series of hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between body satisfaction, BMI and race and ethnicity and weight/appearance-based teasing perpetration and victimization.

Findings

Results indicated that lower body satisfaction was significantly related to an increase in weight/appearance-based victimization. Additional analyses examining the perpetration of weight/appearance-based teasing were conducted. Participants who reported experiencing victimization were also more likely to perpetrate weight/appearance-based teasing, although BMI was not associated with perpetration.

Research limitations/implications

Implications of these findings and future research directions are discussed. In particular, academic settings provide a landscape for reducing and preventing victimization because of the resources available for students in addition to policies and procedures that can be implemented.

Originality/value

The findings of this study provide evidence that various identities and beliefs, such as race and ethnicity, BMI and body satisfaction, play a role in victimization and perpetration. This study used a novel, emerging adulthood population.
Unlocking the relationships between strategic planning, leadership and technology transfer competence: the mediating role of strategic quality management
Authors: Bolatan Gulin Idil Sonmezturk , Golgeci Ismail , Arslan Ahmad , Tatoglu Ekrem , Zaim Selim , Gozlu Sitki
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationships between firms’ strategic planning (SP), leadership and technology transfer competence (TTC) by specifically incorporating the mediating role of strategic quality management (SQM).

Design/methodology/approach

This study performs structural equation modeling using AMOS on survey data collected from 200 Turkish firms operating in multiple industries and sectors.

Findings

This study finds that leadership in Turkish firms operating in multiple sectors is positively associated with SQM. This study further finds that SQM positively influences Turkish firms’ TTC and mediates the roles of SP and leadership in TTC.

Research limitations/implications

A key research implication from this study relates to the mediating role of SQM in TTC in an emerging economy context. This study highlights that SP and leadership can play an essential role in TTC through the mediating mechanism of SQM. Consequently, SQM emerges as a crucial linking pin in conveying the impact of quality management practices on technology transfer in emerging markets.

Practical implications

An essential managerial implication of this study relates to the critical roles of leadership, SP and SQM in TTC. For the managers of firms operating in a relatively uncertain emerging context such as Turkey, it is essential to adopt a supportive and empowering leadership style, where open communication and innovative activities are viewed positively and SQM is adopted holistically. Also, SP should be streamlined throughout the firm and followed by SQM to support TTC.

Originality/value

This paper links the technology (and knowledge) management and the strategy and leadership literature streams by focusing on the mechanisms of technology transfer and delving into the linkages between SQM, leadership, SP and TTC. It specifically presents SP and leadership as precursors to SQM in their joint influence on TTC. Accordingly, this research bridges technology, strategy and leadership research and provides a broader picture of technology transfer that encompasses the joint role of different processes in firms’ TTC.
A joint economic lot-size model with collaboration of supply chain members
Authors: Asgari Sooran Mahnaz , Tayebi Hamed , Ebrahimnejad Sadoullah
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate a joint economic lot-size model with the possibility of cofinancing between members of a three-echelon supply chain (SC) including one supplier, one manufacture and one retailer. Given the differences in credit as well as differences in access to capital markets, SC members will be able to create a financial alliance to maximize the profits of each member. This study proposed a model to maximize the annuity stream of the SC by considering the financial interaction between SC members.

Design/methodology/approach

This joint economic lot-sizing problem was described and modeled mathematically. To evaluate the mathematical model, different scenarios were considered with (and without) the possibility of financial interaction.

Findings

It is suggested that, in addition to the goods and information flow among SC members, proper financial flow can also have an impact on the improvement of SC performance.

Originality/value

While previous studies consider cofinancing between members of a two-echelon SC, this paper considers a three-echelon SC including one supplier, one manufacturer and one retailer where financial cooperation between different levels of the SC in both upstream and reverse directions will be possible.
Do economic crises cause trading in Bitcoin?
Authors: Zhao Jinsha
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The paper provides new evidence for Bitcoin’s safe-haven property by examining the relationship between currency price, return and Bitcoin trading volume.

Design/methodology/approach

A unique dataset from a person-to-person (p2p) exchange is used to investigate association between Bitcoin trading volume and currency prices. Currency returns are used to identify local economic crises, the 8 crisis affected currencies are Venezuela Bolivar (VES), Iranian Rial (IRR), Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH), Argentine Peso (ARS), Egyptian Pound (EGP), Nigerian Naira (NGN), Turkish Lira (TRY) and Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT).

Findings

The paper demonstrates that local economic crises are positively associated with increased Bitcoin trading. There is a negative association between trading volume and currency value (and return), suggesting low currency price and currency depreciation are accompanied with increased Bitcoin trading. The results not only hold for the crisis affected currencies but also currencies of advanced economies. Granger causality test also reinforces the negative association results.

Originality/value

The finding indicates some forms of flight-to-safety have occurred during local market crises when capital flight from domestic markets to Bitcoin, strengthening Bitcoin’s hedging asset status. However, total global trading volume declines after the start of the COVID pandemic, suggesting that Bitcoin is still regarded as a speculative asset. Overall, the findings show that Bitcoin is a hedging asset to protect against local currency depreciation, but not a safe-haven asset for the global crisis.
Comparison of the analytical performance of the Oncomine dx target test focusing on bronchoscopic biopsy forceps size in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Sakaguchi Tadashi , Nishii Yoichi , Iketani Akemi , Esumi Seiya , Esumi Maki , Furuhashi Kazuki , Nakamura Yuki , Suzuki Yuta , Ito Kentaro , Fujiwara Kentaro , Katsuta Koji , Taguchi Osamu , Hataji Osamu
Published: April 2022

Background

Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) has been implemented in clinical oncology to analyze multiple genes and to guide targeted therapy. Although the pathological diagnosis and biomarker tests for patients with advanced lung cancer have mostly been obtained with small biopsy samples, especially with bronchoscopic approaches, the performance for NGS with respect to the different sizes of biopsy forceps remains little known.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with non‐small cell lung cancer, whose FFPE samples were obtained by endobronchial biopsy/transbronchial biopsy and were submitted for the Oncomine Dx Target Test (ODxTT). We compared the analytical performance for ODxTT with respect to the size of biopsy forceps.

Results

A total of 103 samples were identified. The success rate of the ODxTT for the group with all samples obtained with small forceps biopsies (70%) was lower than that of the group with some or all samples obtained with standard forceps biopsies (83%), although without a statistically significant difference (p = 0.20). With regard to the reason for unsuccessful analysis, the proportion of the samples which did not pass the nucleic acid concentration threshold in the former group (15%) was higher compared with that of the latter group (4%) (p = 0.08). The proportion of tissue size 4 mm2 or larger in the former group (70%) was lower than that in the latter group (93%) (p = 0.01).

Conclusion

The analysis of ODxTT for specimens biopsied using only small forceps is prone to be unsuccessful due to an insufficient amount of nucleic acid.
Genome‐wide association mapping of ethanol sensitivity in the Diversity Outbred mouse population
Authors: Parker Clarissa C. , Philip Vivek M. , Gatti Daniel M. , Kasparek Steven , Kreuzman Andrew M. , Kuffler Lauren , Mansky Benjamin , Masneuf Sophie , Sharif Kayvon , Sluys Erica , Taterra Dominik , Taylor Walter M. , Thomas Mary , Polesskaya Oksana , Palmer Abraham A. , Holmes Andrew , Chesler Elissa J.
Published: April 2022

Background

A strong predictor for the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD) is altered sensitivity to the intoxicating effects of alcohol. Individual differences in the initial sensitivity to alcohol are controlled in part by genetic factors. Mice offer a powerful tool to elucidate the genetic basis of behavioral and physiological traits relevant to AUD, but conventional experimental crosses have only been able to identify large chromosomal regions rather than specific genes. Genetically diverse, highly recombinant mouse populations make it possible to observe a wider range of phenotypic variation, offer greater mapping precision, and thus increase the potential for efficient gene identification.

Methods

We have taken advantage of the Diversity Outbred (DO) mouse population to identify and precisely map quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with ethanol sensitivity. We phenotyped 798 male J:DO mice for three measures of ethanol sensitivity: ataxia, hypothermia, and loss of the righting response. We used high‐density MegaMUGA and GigaMUGA to obtain genotypes ranging from 77,808 to 143,259 SNPs. We also performed RNA sequencing in striatum to map expression QTLs and identify gene expression–trait correlations. We then applied a systems genetic strategy to identify narrow QTLs and construct the network of correlations that exists between DNA sequence, gene expression values, and ethanol‐related phenotypes to prioritize our list of positional candidate genes.

Results

We observed large amounts of phenotypic variation with the DO population and identified suggestive and significant QTLs associated with ethanol sensitivity on chromosomes 1, 2, and 16. The implicated regions were narrow (4.5–6.9 Mb in size) and each QTL explained ~4–5% of the variance.

Conclusions

Our results can be used to identify alleles that contribute to AUD in humans, elucidate causative biological mechanisms, or assist in the development of novel therapeutic interventions.
Travel patterns and advice‐seeking behaviour of pregnant women in the Australian context: A multicentre cross‐sectional analysis
Authors: Chu Sandy H.S. , Krishnaswamy Sushena , Cole Stephen , Giles Michelle L.
Published: April 2022

Background

Travel poses risks to pregnant women, but little data exist describing the travel habits of women during pregnancy or pre‐travel recommendations given.

Aims

To examine travel patterns of pregnant women including frequency of pre‐travel consultation, and advice recalled.

Materials and Methods

Cross‐sectional analysis of post‐partum women admitted to five Victorian maternity hospitals between 21 May 2019 and 22 April 2020 in Australia.

Results

Forty‐four percent (182/410) of women travelled during pregnancy, 32.9% (135/410) interstate and 19.5% (80/410) internationally. Fifty‐five percent travelled for leisure (118/215) and 27% to visit friends/relatives (58/215). Overall, 68.1% (124/182) sought pre‐travel advice, primarily from an obstetrician (60.5%, 75/124) or general practitioner (29.8%, 37/124). Only one woman attended a travel clinic. The most common reason for not seeking pre‐travel advice was the belief that travel posed no risk (63.4%, 45/71). Pre‐travel advice was sought least by those visiting friends/relatives (61.4%, 35/57). Women recalled recommendations regarding travel restrictions by gestational age and venous thromboembolism precautions, but not infectious disease prevention for those to whom it was relevant. Of international travellers, 48.8% (39/80) sought advice from the internet, one‐third (13/39) as an alternative to seeing a healthcare provider.

Conclusions

Travel is common during pregnancy and women seek pre‐travel advice from the healthcare provider they see most often during pregnancy. All pregnant women should be provided with consistent, evidence‐based pre‐travel advice regardless of whom they consult. Further work is needed to educate and provide resources to maternity care providers to optimise pre‐travel counselling.

Keywords

travelpregnancycounsellingcommunicable diseasespublic health