bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visualizing multi-protein patterns at the synapse of neuronal tissue with DNA-assisted single-molecule localization microscopy
Authors: Narayanasamy Kaarjel K. , Stojic Aleksandar , Li Yunqing , Sass Steffen , Hesse Marina , Deussner-Helfmann Nina S. , Dietz Marina S. , Klevanski Maja , Kuner Thomas , Heilemann Mike
Published: February 2021

The development of super-resolution microscopy (SRM) has widened our understanding of biomolecular structure and function in biological materials. Imaging multiple targets within a single area would elucidate their spatial localization relative to the cell matrix and neighboring biomolecules, revealing multi-protein macromolecular structures and their functional co-dependencies. SRM methods are, however, limited to the number of suitable fluorophores that can be imaged during a single acquisition as well as the loss of antigens during antibody washing and restaining for organic dye multiplexing. We report the visualization of multiple protein targets within the pre- and postsynapse in 350-400 nm thick neuronal tissue sections using DNA-assisted single-molecule localization microscopy. Using antibodies labeled with short DNA oligonucleotides, multiple targets are visualized successively by sequential exchange of fluorophore-labeled complementary oligonucleotides present in the imaging buffer. The structural integrity of the tissue is maintained owing to only a single labelling step during sample preparation. Multiple targets are imaged using a single laser wavelength, minimizing chromatic aberration. This method proved robust for multi-target imaging in semi-thin tissue sections, paving the way towards structural cell biology with single-molecule super-resolution microscopy.
Targeted V1 comodulation supports task-adaptive sensory decisions
Authors: Haimerl Caroline , Ruff Douglas A. , Cohen Marlene R. , Savin Cristina , Simoncelli Eero P.
Published: February 2021

Sensory-guided behavior requires reliable encoding of stimulus information in neural populations, and task-specific readout through a selective combination of these responses. The former has been the topic of extensive study, but the means by which the brain achieves the latter remain poorly understood, especially when adapting to changing task demands. Here we introduce a novel theory for adaptive sensory processing based on functionally-targeted stochastic modulation. We find that responses of neurons in area V1 of monkeys performing a visual orientation discrimination task exhibit low-dimensional, rapidly fluctuating gain modulation, which is stronger in neurons that are most informative for the current behavioral task. We propose that this modulation serves as a label that supports adaptive downstream readout. Our theoretical and experimental results show that V1 modulation can be used to decode from neural activity after only a small number of training trials, consistent with observed behavior. In a hierarchical visual neural network model, the modulator-induced labels are learned quickly and accompany task information across several processing stages to finally guide decisions. Consistent with this model, we find that the V1 modulatory signal is also present in the activity of simultaneously recorded MT units, and that its label of task information is preserved. Our findings provide evidence for a novel mechanism for task-adaptive information routing in the brain, through targeted co-modulation.
Single-cell sequencing characterizes intratumoral profile of immune cells in old mice
Authors: Zhang Cangang , Lei Lei , Yang Xiaofeng , Zheng Huiqiang , Su Yanhong , Jiao Anjun , Wang Xin , Liu Haiyan , Zou Yujing , Shi Lin , Zhou Xiaobo , Sun Chenming , Zhang Lianjun , Hou Yuzhu , Xiao Zhengtao , Zhang Baojun
Published: February 2021

It has long been thought that aging is a major risk factor for cancer incidence. However, accumulating evidence indicates increased resistance of old animals to tumor growth. A systematic understanding of how old individuals defend against tumor invasion is currently lacking. Here we investigated the differences of age-associated alterations in tumor-infiltrating immune cells between young and old mice using single-cell RNA analysis. Our results showed that a higher proportion of cytotoxic CD8+T cells, nTregs, cDC, and M1-type macrophages, while a higher percentage of exhausted CD8+T cells, iTregs, pDC, and M2-type macrophages were found in young mice. Importantly, TCR diversity analysis showed top 10 TCR clones consisted primarily of exhausted CD8+T cells in young mice whereas tip clones were predominantly cytotoxic CD8+T cells in old mice. Consistently, trajectory inference demonstrated that CD8+T cells preferentially differentiated into cytotoxic cells in old mice in contrast to exhausted cells in young mice. Meanwhile, we confirmed the main distinctions between young and old mice by flow cytometry. Collectively, our data revealed that a significantly higher proportion of effector immune cells in old mice defend against tumor progression, providing a framework for the immunotherapy of elderly patients with tumors.
Clinical Phage Microbiology: A suggestedin-vitroframework for phage therapy
Authors: Gelman Daniel , Yerushalmy Ortal , Ben-Porat Shira , Rakov Chani , Alkalay-Oren Sivan , Adler Karen , Khalifa Leron , Abdalrhman Mohanad , Coppenhagen-Glazer Shunit , Aslam Saima , Schooley Robert T , Nir-Paz Ran , Hazan Ronen
Published: February 2021

Personalized-phage-therapy is a promising solution for the emerging crisis of bacterial infections that fail to be eradicated by conventional antibiotics.

One of the most crucial elements of personalized-phage-therapy is the proper matching of phages and antibiotics to the target bacteria in a given clinical setting. However, to date, there is no consensus guideline for laboratory procedures that enablein vitroevaluation of phages intended for treatment.

In this work, we suggest a framework and strategies identify appropriate phages and combine them with antibiotics in clinical microbiology laboratories. This framework, which we term here “Clinical Phage Microbiology” is based on our experience and other previously reported cases of both, successful and failed phage treatments.

Additionally, we discuss troubleshooting methodologies for possible pitfalls and special cases that may need to be assessed before treatment including interactions with the host immune system, biofilms, and polymicrobial infections.

We believe that the “Clinical Phage Microbiology” pipeline presented here should serve as the basis for standardization of laboratory protocols to match phages for personalized therapy.
p16-3MR: a novel model to study cellular senescence in cigarette smoke-induced lung injuries during aging
Authors: Kaur Gagandeep , Sundar Isaac K. , Rahman Irfan
Published: February 2021

Cellular senescence and lung aging are associated with the pathogenesis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD progresses with aging, and chronic smoking is the key susceptibility factor in lung pathological changes concurrent with biological aging. However, these processes involving cigarette smoke (CS)-mediated lung cellular senescence are difficult to distinguish. One of the impediments to study cellular senescence in relation to age-related lung pathologies is the lack of a suitablein vivomodel. In view of this, we provide evidence that supports the suitability of p16-3MR mice to study cellular senescence in CS-mediated and age-related lung pathologies. p16-3MR mice has a trimodal reporter fused to the promoter of p16INK4agene that enables detection, isolation and selective elimination of senescent cells, thus making it a suitable model to study cellular senescence. To determine its suitability in CS-mediated lung pathologies, we exposed young (12-14 months) and old (17-20 months) p16-3MR mice to 30-day CS exposure and studied the expression of senescent genes (p16, p21 and p53) and SASP-associated markers (MMP9, MMP12, PAI-1, and FN-1) in air- and CS-exposed mouse lungs. Our results showed that this model could detect cellular senescence using luminescence and isolate cells undergoing senescence with the help of tissue fluorescence in CS-challenged young and old mice. Our results from the expression of senescence markers and SASP-associated genes in CS-challenged young and old p16-3MR mice were comparable with increased lung cellular senescence and SASP in COPD. We further showed age-dependent alteration in the (i) tissue luminescence and fluorescence, (ii) mRNA and protein expressions of senescent markers and SASP genes, and (iii) SA-β-gal activity in CS-challenged young and old p16-3MR mice as compared to their air controls. Overall, we showed that p16-3MR is a competent model to study cellular senescence in age-related pathologies and could help understand the pathobiology of cellular senescence in lung conditions like COPD and fibrosis.
Chaperones Skp and SurA dynamically expand unfolded outer membrane protein X and synergistically disassemble oligomeric aggregates
Authors: Chamachi Neharika , Hartmann Andreas , Ma Mai Quynh , Krainer Georg , Schlierf Michael
Published: February 2021

Periplasmic chaperones Skp and SurA are essential players in outer membrane protein (OMP) biogenesis. They prevent unfolded OMPs from misfolding during their passage through the periplasmic space and aid in the disassembly of OMP aggregates under cellular stress conditions. However, functionally important links between interaction mechanisms, structural dynamics, and energetics that underpin both Skp and SurA association with OMPs have remained largely unresolved. Here, using single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy, we dissect the conformational dynamics and thermodynamics of Skp and SurA binding to unfolded OmpX, and explore their disaggregase activities. We show that both chaperones expand unfolded OmpX distinctly and induce microsecond chain reconfigurations in the client OMP structure. We further reveal that Skp and SurA bind their substrate in a fine-tuned thermodynamic process via enthalpy–entropy compensation. Finally, we observed synergistic activity of both chaperones in the disaggregation of oligomeric OmpX aggregates. Our findings provide an intimate view into the multi-faceted functionalities of Skp and SurA and the fine-tuned balance between conformational flexibility and underlying energetics in aiding chaperone action during OMP biogenesis.
A more accurate method for colocalisation analysis allowing for multiple causal variants
Authors: Wallace Chris
Published: February 2021

In genome-wide association studies (GWAS) it is now common to search for, and find, multiple causal variants located in close proximity. It has also become standard to ask whether different traits share the same causal variants, but one of the popular methods to answer this question, coloc, makes the simplifying assumption that only a single causal variant exists for any given trait in any genomic region. Here, we examine the potential of the recently proposed Sum of Single Effects (SuSiE) regression framework, which can be used for fine-mapping genetic signals, for use with coloc. SuSiE is a novel approach that allows evidence for association at multiple causal variants to be evaluated simultaneously, whilst separating the statistical support for each variant conditional on the causal signal being considered. We show this results in more accurate coloc inference than other proposals to adapt coloc for multiple causal variants based on conditioning. We therefore recommend that coloc be used in combination with SuSiE to optimise accuracy of colocalisation analyses when multiple causal variants exist.
Adult zebrafish anaesthesia: a study of efficacy and behavioural recovery of different anaesthetics
Authors: Jorge Sara , Ferreira Jorge M , Olsson I Anna S , Valentim Ana M
Published: February 2021

The use of proper anaesthesia in zebrafish research is essential to ensure fish welfare and data reliability. However, anaesthesia long-term side effects remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to assess anaesthesia quality and recovery in adult zebrafish using different anaesthetic protocols and to determine possible long-term effects on the fish activity and anxiety-like behaviours after anaesthesia.

Mixed sex adult AB zebrafish were randomly assigned to 5 different groups (control, 175mg/L MS222, 45 mg/L clove oil, 2 mg/L etomidate and 5mg/L propofol combined with 150mg/L lidocaine) and placed in the respective anaesthetic bath. Time to lose the equilibrium, response to touch and to tail pinch stimuli, and recovery after anaesthesia administration were evaluated. In addition, after stopping anaesthesia, respiratory rate, activity and anxiety-like behaviours in the novel tank test were studied.

Overall, all protocols proved to be adequate for zebrafish anaesthesia research as they showed full recovery at 1h, and only etomidate had minor effects on fish behaviour in the novel tank, a validated test for anxiety.
The periodic axon membrane skeleton leads to high-density sodium nanodomains but does not impact action potentials
Authors: Chai Zhaojie , Tzingonunis Anastasios V. , Lykotrafitis George
Published: February 2021

Recent work has established that axons have a periodic skeleton structure comprising of azimuthal actin rings connected via longitudinal spectrin tetramer filaments. This structure endows the axon with structural integrity and mechanical stability. Additionally, voltage-gated sodium channels follow the periodicity of the active-spectrin arrangement, spaced ∼190 nm segments apart. The impact of this periodic sodium channel arrangement on the generation and propagation of action potentials is unknown. To address this question, we simulated an action potential using the Hodgkin-Huxley formalism in a cylindrical compartment but instead of using a homogeneous distribution of voltage-gated sodium channels in the membrane, we applied the experimentally determined periodic arrangement. We found that the periodic distribution of voltage-gated sodium channels does not significantly affect the generation or propagation of action potentials, but instead leads to high-density sodium channel nanodomains. This work provides a foundation for future studies investigating the role of the voltage-gated sodium channel periodic arrangement in the axon.
Protocol for mapping the spatial variability in cell wall mechanical bending behavior in living leaf pavement cells
Authors: Li Wenlong , Keynia Sedighe , Belteton Samuel A. , Afshar-Hatam Faezeh , Szymanski Daniel B. , Turner Joseph A.
Published: February 2021

An integrated, experimental-computational approach is presented to analyze the variation of elastic bending behavior in the primary cell wall of livingArabidopsis thalianapavement cells and to measure turgor pressure in the cells quantitatively under different osmotic conditions. Mechanical properties, size and geometry of cells and internal turgor pressure greatly influence their morphogenesis. Computational models of plant morphogenesis require values for wall elastic modulus and turgor pressure but very few experiments were designed to validate the results using measurements that deform the entire thickness of the cell wall. Because new wall material is deposited from inside the cell, full-thickness deformations are needed to quantify relevant changes associated with cell development. The approach here uses laser scanning confocal microscopy to measure the three-dimensional geometry of a single pavement cell, and indentation experiments equipped with high magnification objective lens to probe the local mechanical responses across the same cell wall. These experimental results are matched iteratively using a finite element model of the experiment to determine the local mechanical properties, turgor pressure, and cell height. The resulting modulus distribution along the periclinal wall is shown to be nonuniform. These results are consistent with the characteristics of plant cell walls which have a heterogeneous organization. This research and the resulting model will provide a reference for future work associated with the heterogeneity and anisotropy of mechanical properties of plant cell walls in order to understand morphogenesis of the primary cell walls during growth and to predict quantitatively the magnitudes/directions of cell wall forces.

One sentence summary

The distribution of elastic modulus of the periclinal cell walls of living

Arabidopsisepidermis is nonuniform as measured by bending the entire thickness of the wall.

Highlights

Experimental characterization of the spatial distribution of elastic bending behavior across the periclinal wall

Quantification of the turgor pressure of the living plant epidermal cells validated with osmotic treatments

Quantification of the effect of cell geometry on the measured mechanical response

Graphical abstract
A monocyte/dendritic cell molecular signature of SARS-CoV2-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) with severe myocarditis
Authors: de Cevins Camille , Luka Marine , Smith Nikaïa , Meynier Sonia , Magérus Aude , Carbone Francesco , García-Paredes Víctor , Barnabei Laura , Batignes Maxime , Boullé Alexandre , Stolzenberg Marie-Claude , Pérot Brieuc P. , Charbit Bruno , Fali Tinhinane , Pirabarakan Vithura , Sorin Boris , Riller Quentin , Abdessalem Ghaith , Beretta Maxime , Grzelak Ludivine , Goncalves Pedro , Di Santo James P. , Mouquet Hugo , Schwartz Olivier , Zarhrate Mohammed , Parisot Mélanie , Bole-Feysot Christine , Masson Cécile , Cagnard Nicolas , Corneau Aurélien , Bruneau Camille , Zhang Shen-Ying , Casanova Jean-Laurent , Meunier Brigitte Bader , Haroche Julien , Melki Isabelle , Lorrot Mathie , Oualha Mehdi , Moulin Florence , Bonnet Damien , Belhadjer Zahra , Leruez Marianne , Allali Slimane , Leguen Christèle Gras , de Pontual Loïc ,   Pediatric-Biocovid Study Group, Fischer Alain , Duffy Darragh , Laucat Fredéric Rieux- , Toubiana Julie , Ménager Mickaël M.
Published: February 2021

SARS-CoV-2 infection in children is generally milder than in adults, yet a proportion of cases result in hyperinflammatory conditions often including myocarditis. To better understand these cases, we applied a multi-parametric approach to the study of blood cells of 56 children hospitalized with suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The most severe forms of MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children related to SARS-CoV-2), that resulted in myocarditis, were characterized by elevated levels of pro-angiogenesis cytokines and several chemokines. Single-cell transcriptomic analyses identified a unique monocyte/dendritic cell gene signature that correlated with the occurrence of severe myocarditis, characterized by sustained NF-κB activity, TNF-α signaling, associated with decreased gene expression of NF-κB inhibitors. We also found a weak response to type-I and type-II interferons, hyperinflammation and response to oxidative stress related to increased HIF-1α and VEGF signaling. These results provide potential for a better understanding of disease pathophysiology.
Deletion ofFibroblast growth factor 9globally and in skeletal muscle results in enlarged tuberosities at sites of deltoid tendon attachments
Authors: Leek Connor C. , Soulas Jaclyn M. , Bhattacharya Iman , Ganji Elahe , Locke Ryan C. , Smith Megan C. , Bhavsar Jaysheel D. , Polson Shawn W. , Ornitz David M. , Killian Megan L.
Published: February 2021

The growth of most bony tuberosities, like the deltoid tuberosity (DT), rely on the transmission of muscle forces at the tendon-bone attachment during skeletal growth. Tuberosities distribute muscle forces and provide mechanical leverage at attachment sites for joint stability and mobility. The genetic factors that regulate tuberosity growth remain largely unknown. In mouse embryos with global deletion offibroblast growth factor 9(Fgf9), the DT size is notably enlarged. In this study, we explored the tissue-specific regulation of DT size using both global and targeted deletion ofFgf9. We showed that cell hypertrophy and mineralization dynamics of the DT, as well as transcriptional signatures from skeletal muscle but not bone, were influenced by the global loss ofFgf9. Loss ofFgf9during embryonic growth led to increased chondrocyte hypertrophy and reduced cell proliferation at the DT attachment site. This endured hypertrophy and limited proliferation may explain the abnormal mineralization patterns and locally dysregulated expression of markers of endochondral development inFgf9nullattachments. We then showed that targeted deletion ofFgf9in skeletal muscle leads to postnatal enlargement of the DT. Taken together, we discovered thatFgf9may play an influential role in muscle-bone crosstalk during embryonic and postnatal development.
3D viscoelastic drag forces contribute to cell shape changes during organogenesis in the zebrafish embryo
Authors: Sanematsu Paula C. , Erdemci-Tandogan Gonca , Patel Himani , Retzlaff Emma M. , Amack Jeffrey D. , Lisa Manning M.
Published: February 2021

The left-right organizer in zebrafish embryos, Kupffer’s Vesicle (KV), is a simple organ that undergoes programmed asymmetric cell shape changes that are necessary to establish the left-right axis of the embryo. We use simulations and experiments to investigate whether 3D mechanical drag forces generated by the posteriorly-directed motion of the KV through the tailbud tissue are sufficient to drive such shape changes. We develop a fully 3D vertex-like (Voronoi) model for the tissue architecture, and demonstrate that the tissue can generate drag forces and drive cell shape changes. Furthermore, we find that tailbud tissue presents a shear-thinning, viscoelastic behavior consistent with those observed in published experiments. We then perform live imaging experiments and particle image velocimetry analysis to quantify the precise tissue velocity gradients around KV as a function of developmental time. We observe robust velocity gradients around the KV, indicating that mechanical drag forces must be exerted on the KV by the tailbud tissue. We demonstrate that experimentally observed velocity fields are consistent with the viscoelastic response seen in simulations. This work also suggests that 3D viscoelastic drag forces could be a generic mechanism for cell shape change in other biological processes.

Highlights

new physics-based simulation method allows study of dynamic tissue structures in 3D

movement of an organ through tissue generates viscoelastic drag forces on the organ

these drag forces can generate precisely the cell shape changes seen in experiment

PIV analysis of experimental data matches simulations and probes tissue mechanics

Graphical abstract
Di-n-butyl[N′-(3-methoxy-2-oxidobenzylidene)-N-phenylcarbamohydrazonothioato]tin(IV): crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational study
Authors: Yusof Enis Nadia Md , Kwong Huey Chong , Karunakaran Thiruventhan , Ravoof Thahira B. S. A. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: February 2021

The title diorganotin Schiff base derivative, [Sn(C4H9)2(C15H13N3O2S)], features a penta-coordinated tin centre defined by the N,O,S-donor atoms of the di-anionic Schiff base ligand and two methylene-C atoms of the n-butyl substituents. The resultant C2NOS donor set defines a geometry intermediate between trigonal–bipyramidal and square-pyramidal. In the crystal, amine-N—H...O(methoxy) hydrogen bonding is found in a helical, supramolecular chain propagating along the b-axis direction. The chains are assembled into a layer parallel to (\overline{1}01) with methylene-C—H...π(phenyl) interactions prominent; layers stack without directional interactions between them. The analysis of the calculated Hirshfeld surface showed the presence of weak methylene-C—H...π(phenyl) interactions and short H...H contacts in the inter-layer region. Consistent with the nature of the identified contacts, the stabilization of the crystal is dominated by the dispersion energy term.
“Contra omnes et singulos a via domini aberrantes”: accounting for confession and pastoral power during the Roman Inquisition (1550–1572)
Authors: Bigoni Michele , Antonelli Valerio , Funnell Warwick , Cafaro Emanuela Mattia
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The study investigates the use of accounting information in the form of a confession as a tool for telling the truth about oneself and reinforcing power relations in the context of the Roman Inquisition.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts Foucault's understanding of pastoral power, confession and truth-telling to analyse the accounting practices of the Tribunal of the Inquisition in the 16th century Dukedom of Ferrara.

Findings

Detailed accounting books were not simply a means for pursuing an efficient use of resources, but a tool to force the Inquisitor to open his conscience and provide an account of his actions to his superiors. Accounting practices were an identifying and subjectifying practice which helped the Inquisitor to shape his Christian identity and internalise self-discipline. This in turn reinforced the centralisation of the power of the Church at a time of great crisis.

Research limitations/implications

The use of accounting for forcing individuals to tell the truth about themselves can inform investigations into the use of accounting records as confessional tools in different contexts, especially when a religious institution seeks to reinforce its power.

Social implications

The study documents the important but less discernible contributions of accounting to the formation of Western subjectivity at a time which Foucault considers critical in the development of modern governmental practices.

Originality/value

The study considers a critical but unexplored episode in Western religious history. It offers an investigation of the macro impact of religion on accounting practices. It also adds to the literature recognising the confessional properties of written information by explicitly focusing on the use of financial information as a form of confession that has profound power implications.
Leaders that bind: the role of network position and network density in opinion leaders' responsiveness to social influence
Authors: Zhang Honghong , Gong Xiushuang
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this present study is to investigate how opinion leaders' responsiveness to social influence varies with network positions (i.e. degree centrality and brokerage) and network density in new product diffusion networks.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected data based on a sociometric network survey. Hierarchical moderated regression and hierarchical linear modeling analyses were used to test the moderating effects of degree centrality, brokerage and density on the relationship between opinion leadership and susceptibility to social influence.

Findings

This study documents the significant moderating roles of network positions and network density in the relationship between individual influence (i.e. opinion leadership) and susceptibility to social influence. Interestingly, this study shows that the significant moderating effects of degree centrality and brokerage hold for opinion leaders' responsiveness to informational social influence, whereas that of network density holds for opinion leaders' responsiveness to normative social influence.

Research limitations/implications

This research sheds light on the network structural characteristics under which opinion leaders would be differentially responsive to social influence (i.e. informational and normative influence) from others.

Practical implications

This research provides marketing managers with insights into leveraging social influence by activating opinion leaders through existing network ties in new product diffusion networks.

Originality/value

Although opinion leaders are generally less susceptible to social influence from others than nonleaders, this research finds that, under certain network conditions, opinion leaders would be equally responsive to social influence from their peers.
Omni-channel retailing in supply chains: a systematic literature review
Authors: Raza Syed Asif , Govindaluri Srikrishna Madhumohan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a structured literature review using advanced bibliometric tools to understand the existing knowledge base, understand the trends in omni-channel (OC) research and identify emerging research topics.

Design/methodology/approach

More than 500 articles selected through a keyword combination search from reputed databases of peer-reviewed academic sources from period 2009–19 are analyzed for the purposes of this study. The study first presents an exploratory analysis to determine influential authors, sources and regions, among other key aspects. Second, several network analyses including co-citation and dynamic co-citation network analyses are conducted to identify themes. These allow identifying research clusters and emerging research topics algorithmically. Both centrality and modularity-based clustering are employed. A content analysis of the most influential groups within OC literature for each cluster is included.

Findings

The findings of this paper make unique contributions by using advanced tools from network analysis along with the standard bibliometric analysis tools to explore the current status of OC research, identify existing themes and the guidance for potential areas of future research interest in OC.

Practical implications

This research provides a comprehensive view of the range of topics of importance that have been discussed in the literature of OC management. These research trends can serve as a quick guide to researchers and practitioners to improve decision making and also develop strategies.

Originality/value

The paper employs advanced tools for the first time to review the literature of OC retailing. The sophisticated tools include co-citation and dynamic co-citation network analysis.
The impact of board gender diversity and foreign institutional investors on firm innovation: evidence from China
Authors: Ain Qurat Ul , Yuan Xianghui , Javaid Hafiz Mustansar
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of board gender diversity and foreign ownership on innovation in Chinese firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data for Chinese manufacturing firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, for a sample over the period 2008–2017. Ordinary least square (OLS) is used as the baseline methodology, with cluster OLS, two-stage Heckman test, Blau index and Shannon index used to address endogeneity issues.

Findings

The results show that gender diversity on the board has a positive effect on corporate innovation as measured by the total number of patent applications, invention patent applications, utility model patent applications and design patent applications. Our findings also provide support for the critical mass participation of female directors on the board being associated with more innovation. They also reveal that innovation output does not vary across state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and non-SOEs. These outcomes reveal that SOEs' advantages, such as easy access to funding and more support of government, are likely offset by their disadvantages, such as different goals and having more agency issues. Because of intense political power and networks in Chinese firms, qualified foreign institutional investors (QFIIs) are less motivated to enhance innovation activities.

Practical implications

This study highlights the role of board gender diversity in enhancing innovation among Chinese manufacturing firms. Our findings provide support for regulatory bodies' role regarding women's participation on the board.

Originality/value

This research adds to literature by addressing the largely ignored questions of whether providing a gender-diverse board enhances innovation, whether critical mass participation has a greater effect on improving firm innovation and whether the influence of women directors varies with ownership structure.
The adoption of inbound open innovation practices in developing countries: empirical evidence from the manufacturing sector
Authors: Pilav-Velic Amila , Jahic Hatidza
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Literature suggests that open innovation approach of large firms shows different characteristics with small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), so this paper tends to shed light on these structural differences. With the aim to gain a deeper understanding of the adoption of inbound innovation practices among firms in one small transition economy, this study is focused on the question of how different dimensions of inbound innovation practices affect the innovative performances of SMEs and large firms and how, eventually, these practices should be framed and managed differently.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a research model which analyses inbound innovation practices on a data set of 227 SMEs and large firms operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The data were collected by using a questionnaire specifically designed for this research. Association between the level of innovation of products in firms and inbound practices, between exploit and explore strategies, between types of industry and different types of collaborations with partners outside the firm is assessed by canonical correlation.

Findings

The research results revealed that inbound innovation practices of manufacturing firms in different stages of innovation development process starting from idea generation, experimentation, up to the commercialization, have positive influence on their innovative performances.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing research on open innovation by providing empirical evidences for different dimensions of inbound innovation practices in SMEs and large firms. We offer a very important insight into open innovation practices and challenges beyond well-researched developed countries.
Teachers' psychological well-being role of emotional intelligence and resilient character traits in determining the psychological well-being of Indian school teachers
Authors: Kamboj Kannu Priya , Garg Pooja
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The substance of the present study lies in analysing the extent to which intrinsic factors like emotional intelligence and resilient character traits impact the psychological well-being of school teachers. It prominences the mediating role of resilient character traits in the relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological well-being of teachers.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional survey study recruits a sample of 200 school teachers across the state of Haryana, India, with the help of a convenience sampling technique.

Findings

The findings from parallel multiple mediation indicate perseverance as a significant mediator and predictor of psychological well-being among factors of resilient traits, and self-reliance emerges as an inconsistent, yet significant mediator in the relationship between emotional intelligence and well-being of teachers. The direct effect of emotional intelligence on psychological well-being also emerged as statistically significant. Additionally, the female school teachers show higher emotional intelligence and resilience as compared to the male school teachers.

Practical implications

The research is not an unmitigated work in the exploration of a causal relationship between the study variables. However, the study draws practical suggestions for improving the perseverant and emotionally intelligent behaviour of teachers for better emotional and psychological adjustment at work. It acknowledges the role of school administration and education policymakers in furthering the betterment of teachers' psychological state for improved performance and effectiveness. Also, teamwork, stress reduction and leadership building appeared to be helpful contributors to enhance the perseverance and emotional intelligence among teachers.

Originality/value

Studies in the field of school administration rarely address the psychological well-being of school teachers as their concern. This study accentuates the impact of intrinsic antecedents of psychological well-being, which is neither well conceptualised in Indian studies nor is causally related to any psychological constructs. Therefore, it remarkably contributes to the literature in the field of educational management and leadership, providing an insight into the psyche of teachers from “the Orient”.
How can mixed integer linear programming assist dairy manufacturers by integrating supply decisions and production planning?
Authors: Emidio Juliana , Lima Rafael , Leal Camila , Madrona Grasiele
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The dairy industry needs to make important decisions regarding its supply chain. In a context with many available suppliers, deciding which of them will be part of the supply chain and deciding when to buy raw milk is key to the supply chain performance. This study aims to propose a mathematical model to support milk supply decisions. In addition to determining which producers should be chosen as suppliers, the model decides on a milk pickup schedule over a planning horizon. The model addresses production decisions, inventory, setup and the use of by-products generated in the raw milk processing.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was formulated using mixed integer linear programming, tested with randomly generated instances of various sizes and solved using the Gurobi Solver. Instances were generated using parameters obtained from a company that manufactures dairy products to test the model in a more realistic scenario.

Findings

The results show that the proposed model can be solved with real-world sized instances in short computational times and yielding high quality results. Hence, companies can adopt this model to reduce transportation, production and inventory costs by supporting decision making throughout their supply chains.

Originality/value

The novelty of the proposed model stems from the ability to integrate milk pickup and production planning of dairy products, thus being more comprehensive than the models currently available in the literature. Additionally, the model also considers by-products, which can be used as inputs for other products.
Linguistic tone of management discussion and analysis disclosures and the municipal debt market
Authors: Rich Kevin T. , Roberts Brent L. , Zhang Jean X.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

As the management discussion and analysis (MD&A) section contains discretionary narrative disclosures regarding a government's yearly financial changes and status, the authors investigate several municipal debt market consequences of linguistic tone within these disclosures.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors textually analyze municipal MD&As with Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software and develop narrative tone measures based on existing financial-specific dictionaries. Using a final sample of 446 municipal bond issuances from 2012 to 2016, the authors modify the current bond regression models to examine the association between MD&A disclosure tone and future bond interest costs or rating disagreements.

Findings

This study’s empirical analysis suggests that more negative MD&A tone is associated with higher future debt costs and greater future disagreements among bond rating agencies.

Practical implications

Overall, the evidence implies that municipal bond stakeholders use the information in narrative disclosures when evaluating risk, but that the qualitative nature can introduce differences in interpretation between users. Furthermore, additional training in MD&A writing and further standard guidance in MD&A disclosures could improve the MD&A's informativeness for bond market decision-making and state-level monitoring.

Originality/value

This study is first to incorporate narrative tone measures into bond models in a governmental context.
Exploring the use of operational excellence methodologies in the era of COVID-19: perspectives from leading academics and practitioners
Authors: McDermott Olivia , Antony Jiju , Douglas Jacqueline
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to present the results of a study carried out by the authors in the form of research interviews on the topic: “Exploring the use of operational excellence methodologies in the era of COVID-19.”

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative interview approach was utilized by interviewing a panel of leading academics and practitioners who are familiar with operation excellence methodologies.

Findings

Operational excellence methodologies are proven and can be utilized in pandemic situations to improve efficiency in the healthcare system and preparedness for pandemics.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation of this research was that most of the interviewees who participated in this study came from Europe, North America, South America and Asia, representing four continents. It would have been better to have different views from other continents such as Australia and Africa. Also, the interviews were short and at a high level. There is an opportunity for further study and analysis.

Practical implications

Operational excellence methodologies are proven and can be utilized in pandemic situations to improve efficiency in the healthcare system and preparedness for pandemics.

Originality/value

The paper provides an excellent resource for those people to get an insight into the value of the application of operations excellence methodologies in pandemic situations to aid healthcare process improvement and aid public and patient safety.
Microbial diversity and activity in Southern California salterns and bitterns: analogues for remnant ocean worlds
Authors: Klempay Benjamin , Arandia‐Gorostidi Nestor , Dekas Anne E. , Bartlett Douglas H. , Carr Christopher E. , Doran Peter T. , Dutta Avishek , Erazo Natalia , Fisher Luke A. , Glass Jennifer B. , Pontefract Alexandra , Som Sanjoy M. , Wilson Jesse M. , Schmidt Britney E. , Bowman Jeff S.
Published: February 2021

Concurrent osmotic and chaotropic stress make MgCl2‐rich brines extremely inhospitable environments. Understanding the limits of life in these brines is essential to the search for extraterrestrial life on contemporary and relict ocean worlds, like Mars, which could host similar environments. We sequenced environmental 16S rRNA genes and quantified microbial activity across a broad range of salinity and chaotropicity at a Mars‐analogue salt harvesting facility in Southern California, where seawater is evaporated in a series of ponds ranging from kosmotropic NaCl brines to highly chaotropic MgCl2 brines. Within NaCl brines, we observed a proliferation of specialized halophilic Euryarchaeota, which corresponded closely with the dominant taxa found in salterns around the world. These communities were characterized by very slow growth rates and high biomass accumulation. As salinity and chaotropicity increased, we found that the MgCl2‐rich brines eventually exceeded the limits of microbial activity. We found evidence that exogenous genetic material is preserved in these chaotropic brines, producing an unexpected increase in diversity in the presumably sterile MgCl2‐saturated brines. Because of their high potential for biomarker preservation, chaotropic brines could therefore serve as repositories of genetic biomarkers from nearby environments (both on Earth and beyond) making them prime targets for future life‐detection missions.
Regulating the post‐employment of public officials: Australian experience in an international context
Authors: Mulgan Richard
Published: February 2021

The potential abuse of power by public officials after they have left government employment became a major issue in Australia with the appointment of two recently retired senior federal ministers to lucrative positions with firms which had close dealings with their former departments. The cases raise important questions about the regulation of ‘the revolving door’ which is an increasing feature of governance as the public and private sectors move more closely together. Australian Commonwealth rules relating to both ministers and public servants are analysed in the context of international practice and as part of the wider issue of conflict of interest. Four types of conflict are relevant to post‐employment: ingratiation, profiteering, influence, and switching sides. The regulation of each type is discussed and Australian practice seen to be deficient in certain respects, particularly in relation to ministers. Regulation in this area faces two general challenges: definition of the offence and the comparative absence of oversight and sanctions. But international exemplars offer prospects for strengthening Australia's ethical regime.
The female payer: Gender differences in characteristics among child support payers
Authors: Claessens Elke , Mortelmans Dimitri
Published: February 2021

Nonresident mothers who formally pay child support are becoming increasingly prevalent. If the profile of female payers differs from that of men or if their payment is motivated differently, existing gender‐based child support policies and enforcement strategies face significant challenges. This study uses the payment framework of male compliance to map the differences between male and female payers of child support. The analysis applies discriminant analysis to a combination of register and fiscal data of separated parents. Whereas the separate aspects of the payment framework did not reach the threshold for acceptable discrimination, the full model revealed considerable differences between male and female payers. The aspect of willingness to pay showed the greatest discriminating power, suggesting that paying mothers have a higher willingness to do so than fathers. We conclude that while the discrepancies between nonresident mothers and fathers who pay child support can be partly attributed to demographic differences and residency patterns of children, differing motivations are also of importance.
Optimised statistical extraction of anthocyanins from Arbutus unedo L. fruits and preliminary supplementation assays in yoghurt
Authors: Benchikh Yassine , Sahli Sana , Alleg Moussa , Mohellebi Nassima , Gagaoua Mohammed
Published: February 2021

This study aimed to optimise the extraction parameters of anthocyanins from Arbutus unedo L. fruits and then perform a new formulation of yoghurt using the extracts as a supplement. Thus, the Box–Behnken model was applied to investigate the effects of agitation speed (600–1000 rotations per minute (rpm)), sample/solvent ratio (1–6 mg/mL) and extraction time (5–25 min) on total anthocyanin content (TAC) and antioxidant activity. The optimal conditions were 770 rpm, 3.59 mg/mL and 15.61 min. The enriched yoghurt with the anthocyanins contained 32.57 µg cyanidin‐3‐glucoside equivalent/100 g of TAC. The new formulated yoghurt was proposed as a good source of anthocyanins.
Second‐home buying and the housing boom and bust
Authors: I. García Daniel
Published: February 2021

I estimate the effects of second‐home buying (existing homeowners acquiring additional properties) on the housing boom and bust, by constructing a new measure and using a new identification strategy based on the rise in out‐of‐town demand for second homes in vacation areas during the housing boom. Areas with plausibly exogenous higher second‐home buying experienced a sharper boom and bust: faster growth in house prices and construction employment from 2000 to 2006, and a sharper contraction from 2006 to 2010. The results suggest that changes in credit demand were important in amplifying the recent housing cycle.