bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A FLOT1 host regulatory allele is associated with a recently expanded Mtb clade in patients with tuberculosis
Authors: Luo Yang , Huang Chuan-Chin , Liu Qingyun , Howard Nicole , Li Xinyi , Zhu Junhao , Amariuta Tiffany , Asgari Samira , Ishigaki Kazuyoshi , Calderon Roger , Moody D. Branch , Lecca Leonid , Fortune Sarah M. , Murray Megan B. , Raychaudhuri Soumya
Published: February 2022

The outcome of infectious diseases may depend on the interaction between human and pathogen genomic variations. We explore this relationship in tuberculosis (TB) by conducting a genome-to-genome (g2g) study of paired genomes from humans and the infectious agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in 1,556 Peruvian TB patients. We identified a significant association between a human variant in the FLOT1 gene and a unique Mtb Lineage 2 (L2) subclade. The host allele affects FLOT1 expression in multiple tissue and cell types including lung, the primary site of TB disease. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the Mtb subclade has expanded rapidly in Peru since its emergence in the 1950s. Unbiased phenotypic profiling demonstrates that strains from the interacting Mtb subclade display different redox metabolism from other L2 strains. This study presents clear evidence that human and bacterial genetic variation interact together to produce different clinical outcomes.
The interaction effect between hemoglobin and hypoxemia on COVID-19 mortality in a sample from Bogotá, Colombia: An exploratory study
Authors: Patiño-Aldana Andrés Felipe , Ruíz-Sternberg Angela María , Pinzón-Rondón Angela María , Molano-González Nicolás , Rodríguez Lima David Rene
Published: February 2022

Purpose

We aimed to assess the effect of hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and oxygenation index on COVID-19 patients’ mortality risk.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively reviewed sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and clinical outcomes from patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. We assessed exploratory associations between oxygenation index and Hb concentration at admission and clinical outcomes. We used a generalized additive model (GAM) to evaluate the nonlinear relations observed and the classification and regression trees (CART) algorithm to assess the interaction effects found.

Results

From March to July 2020, 643 patients were admitted, of which 52% were male. The median age was 60 years old, and the most frequent comorbidity was hypertension (35.76%). The median value of SpO2/FiO2 was 419, and the median Hb concentration was 14.8 g/dL. The mortality was 19.1% (123 patients). Age, sex, and history of hypertension were independently associated with mortality. We described a nonlinear relationship between SpO2/FiO2, Hb concentration and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with mortality and an interaction effect between SpO2/FiO2 and Hb concentration. Patients with a similar oxygenation index had different mortality likelihoods based upon their Hb at admission. CART showed that patients with SpO2/FiO2 < 324, who were older than 62 years, and had an Hb of ≥ 16 g/dl had the highest mortality risk (96%). Additionally, patients with SpO2/FiO2 > 324 but Hb of < 12 and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio of > 4 had a higher mortality likelihood (57%). In contrast, patients with SpO2/FiO2 > 324 and Hb of > 12 g/dl had the lowest mortality risk (10%).

Conclusion

We found that a decreased SpO2/FiO2 increased mortality risk. Extreme values of Hb, either low or high, showed an increase in likelihood of mortality. However, Hb concentration modified the SpO2/FiO2 effect on mortality; the likelihood of death in patients with low SpO2/FiO2 increased as Hb increased.
Risk Factors for Early PICC Removal: A Retrospective Study of Adult Inpatients at an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Shen Burton H. , Mahoney Lindsey , Molino Janine , Mermel Leonard
Published: February 2022

Background

Use of PICCs has been rising since 2001. They are used when long-term intravenous access is needed and for blood draws in patients with difficult venous access.

Objective

To determine which risk factors contribute to inappropriate PICC line insertion defined as removal of a PICC within five days of insertion for reasons other than a PICC complication.

Design

Retrospective, observational study.

Setting

Tertiary-care, Level 1 trauma center.

Patients

Adult patients with a PICC removed 1/1/2017 to 5/4/2020.

Measurements

Frequency of PICC removal within five days of insertion and associated risk factors for early removal.

Results

Between 1/1/17 and 5/4/2020, 995 of 5348 PICCs inserted by the IV nursing team were removed within five days (19%). In 2017, 5 of 429 PICCs developed a central line-associated infection (1.2%) and 29 of 429 PICCs developed symptomatic venous thromboembolism (6.7%). Patients with PICCs whose primary service was a medical subspecialty were independently at higher risk of early removal (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.14, 1.83); weekday insertion was independently associated with a lower likelihood of early removal compared to weekend insertion (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.49, 0.75).

Limitation

PICC removal after discharge was not assessed and paper records were likely incomplete and biased.

Conclusion

Nearly one in five PICCs were removed within five days. Patients whose primary team was a medical subspecialty were at independently higher risk of early removal.
Marker genes of incident type 1 diabetes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of children: A machine learning strategy for large-p, small-n scenarios
Authors: De Silva Kushan , Demmer Ryan T. , Jönsson Daniel , Mousa Aya , Forbes Andrew , Enticott Joanne
Published: February 2022

Background and objective

Type 1 diabetes (TID) is a complex, polygenic disorder, the etiology of which is not fully elucidated. Machine learning (ML) genomics could provide novel insights on disease dynamics while high-dimensionality remains a challenge. This study aimed to identify marker genes of incident T1D in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of children via a ML strategy attuned to high-dimensionality.

Methods

Using samples from 105 children (81 with incident T1D and 24 healthy controls), we analyzed microarray transcriptomics via a workflow consisting of three sequential steps: application of dimension reduction strategies on the processed transcriptome; ML on the reduced gene expression matrix; and downstream network analyses to demarcate seed nodes (statistically significant genes) and hub genes. Sixteen dimension-reduction algorithms belonging to three groups (3 tailored; 3 regularizations; 10 classic) were applied. Four ML algorithms (multivariate adaptive regression splines, adaptive boosting, random forests, XGB-DART) were trained on the reduced feature set and internally-validated using repeated, 10-fold cross-validation. Marker genes were determined via variable importance metrics. Seed nodes were identified by the ‘OmicsNet’ platform while nodes having above average betweenness, closeness, and degree in the network were demarcated as hub genes.

Results

The processed gene expression matrix comprised 13515 genes which was reduced to contain 1003 genes collectively selected by dimension reduction algorithms. All four ML algorithms on this reduced feature set attained perfect and uniform predictive performance on internal validation. On removal of redundancies, variable importance metrics identified 30 marker genes of incident T1D in this cohort, while Early Growth Response 2 (EGR2) was uniformly selected by all four ML algorithms as the most important marker gene. Network analyses classified all 30 marker genes as seed nodes. Additionally, we identified 14 hub genes, 7 of which were found to be marker genes of incident T1D elucidated by ML.

Conclusions

We identified marker genes of incident T1D in PBMC of children via a ML analytic strategy attuned to the high dimensional structure of microarrays, with downstream analyses providing high biological plausibility. The demonstrated ML strategy would be useful in analyzing other high-dimensional biomedical data for biomarker discovery.
A mitochondrial blood-based patient stratification candidate biomarker for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Qi Rui , Sammler Esther , Gonzalez-Hunt Claudia P. , Pena Nicholas , Rouanet Jeremy P. , Goodson Steven , Fuzatti Marie , Blandini Fabio , Erickson Kirk I. , Weinstein Andrea M. , Padmanabhan Shalini ,   Fox BioNet (FBN) investigators, Tonelli Francesca , Alessi Dario R. , Shiva Sruti , Sanders Laurie H.
Published: February 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder and neuroprotective interventions remain elusive. High throughput biomarkers aimed to stratify patients based on shared etiology is one critical path to the success of disease-modifying therapies in clinical trials. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of PD. Previously, we found brain region-specific mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage accumulation in neuronal and in vivo PD models, as well as human PD postmortem brain tissue. In this study, to investigate mtDNA damage as a potential blood biomarker for PD, we describe a novel Mito DNADX assay that allows for the accurate real-time quantification of mtDNA damage in a 96-well platform, compatible with assessing large cohorts of patient samples. We found that levels of mtDNA damage were increased in blood derived from early-stage idiopathic PD patients or those harboring the pathogenic LRRK2 G2019S mutation compared to age-matched healthy controls. Given that increased mtDNA damage was also found in non-manifesting LRRK2 mutation carriers, mtDNA damage may begin to accumulate prior to a clinical PD diagnosis. LRRK2 kinase inhibition mitigated mtDNA damage in idiopathic PD models and patient-derived cells. The latter observations further substantiate a mechanistic role for wild-type LRRK2 kinase activity in idiopathic PD and support mtDNA damage reversal as a suitable approach to slow PD-related pathology. In light of recent advances in the field of precision medicine, the analysis of mtDNA damage as a blood-based patient stratification biomarker should be included in future clinical trials.

One Sentence Summary

Blood test identifies Parkinson’s patients most likely to respond to mitochondria-targeted therapeutics facilitating a precision medicine approach.
Leukotrienes promote stem cell self-renewal and chemoresistance in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Park Christopher Y , Stranahan Alec W , Berezniuk Iryna , Chakraborty Sohini , Feller Faye , Khalaj Mona
Published: February 2022

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by poor clinical outcomes due to high rates of relapse following standard-of-care induction chemotherapy. While many pathogenic drivers have been described in AML, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms mediating chemotherapy resistance remains poor. Therefore, we sought to identify resistance genes to induction therapy in AML and elucidated ALOX5 as a novel mediator of resistance to anthracycline based therapy. ALOX5 is transcriptionally upregulated in AML patient blasts in comparison to normal hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) and ALOX5 mRNA, and protein expression is increased in response to induction therapy. In vitro, and in vivo genetic, and pharmacologic perturbation studies confirm that ALOX5 positively regulates the leukemogenic potential of AML LSCs, and its loss does not significantly affect the function of normal HSPCs. ALOX5 mediates resistance to daunorubicin (DNR) and promotes AML cell survival and maintenance through its leukotriene (LT) synthetic capacity, specifically via modulating synthesis of LTB4 and its binding to LTB receptor (BLTR). Our study reveals a previously unrecognized role of LTs in AML pathogenesis and chemoresistance, whereby inhibition of ALOX5 mediated LTB4 synthesis and function could be combined with standard chemotherapy, to enhance the overall therapeutic efficacy in AML.
The Brazilian population of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense is not structured by VCG or by geographic origin
Authors: Batista Izabel C.A. , Heck Daniel W. , Santos Alessandro , Alves Gabriel , Ferro Camila G. , Dita Miguel , Haddad Fernando , Michereff Sami J. , Correia Kamilla C. , da Silva Christiana F. B. , Mizubuti Eduardo S. G.
Published: February 2022

Fusarium wilt, caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is considered one of the most destructive diseases of bananas. Paradoxically, knowledge of the genetics of the pathogen population in the Americas is very limited. In this study, a collection of 178 monosporic isolates from several banana producing regions, located in different climatic zones along a South to North transect in Brazil, was formed to assess the genetic structure of the population of Foc. The isolates underwent pathogenicity tests, PCR diagnosis for the detection of Tropical race 4 and screening to SIX homologs. The VCG of 119 isolates was determined by pairing against 17 testers. A group of 158 isolates was selected for microsatellite genotyping. There was moderate diversity of Foc in Brazil. Eight VCGs were identified: 0120, 0122, 0124, 0125, 0128, 01215, 01220, and 01222, of which 78% of isolates belong to a single VCG, while 22% of isolates belong to complexes of VCGs. The distribution of VCGs is uneven and independent of the banana genotype. VCGs were correlated with homologs of the SIX genes and varied according to geographic regions. Four SSR loci were polymorphic and on average 7.5 alleles were detected per locus. Thirty-five multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were identified. There was no association between VCG and MLGs and no genetic structure of the population of Foc in Brazil was detected.
Plasticity in structure and assembly of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein
Authors: Zhao Huaying , Nguyen Ai , Wu Di , Li Yan , Hassan Sergio A. , Chen Jiji , Shroff Hari , Piszczek Grzegorz , Schuck Peter
Published: February 2022

Worldwide SARS-CoV-2 sequencing efforts track emerging mutations in its spike protein, as well as characteristic mutations in other viral proteins. Besides their epidemiological importance, the observed SARS-CoV-2 sequences present an ensemble of viable protein variants, and thereby a source of information on viral protein structure and function. Charting the mutational landscape of the nucleocapsid (N) protein that facilitates viral assembly, we observe variability exceeding that of the spike protein, with more than 86% of residues that can be substituted, on average by 3-4 different amino acids. However, mutations exhibit an uneven distribution that tracks known structural features but also reveals highly protected stretches of unknown function. One of these conserved regions is in the central disordered linker proximal to the N-G215C mutation that has become dominant in the Delta variant, outcompeting G215 variants without further spike or N-protein substitutions. Structural models suggest that the G215C mutation stabilizes conserved transient helices in the disordered linker serving as protein-protein interaction interfaces. Comparing Delta variant N-protein to its ancestral version in biophysical experiments, we find a significantly more compact and less disordered structure. N-G215C exhibits substantially stronger self-association, shifting the unliganded protein from a dimeric to a tetrameric oligomeric state, which leads to enhanced co-assembly with nucleic acids. This suggests that the sequence variability of N-protein is mirrored by high plasticity of N-protein biophysical properties, which we hypothesize can be exploited by SARS-CoV-2 to achieve greater efficiency of viral assembly, and thereby enhanced infectivity.
Dynamic reorganization and selective segregation of mitochondria under DarT-mediated mtDNA damage
Authors: Dua Nitish , Seshadri Akshaya , Badrinarayanan Anjana
Published: February 2022

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that play essential roles in cell growth and survival. Processes of fission and fusion are critical for distribution, segregation and maintenance of mitochondria and their genomes (mtDNA). While recent work has revealed the significance of mitochondrial organization for mtDNA maintenance, impact of mtDNA perturbations on mitochondrial dynamics remains less understood. Here we develop a tool to induce mitochondria-specific DNA damage, using a mitochondrial-targeted base modifying bacterial toxin, DarT. Following damage, we observe dynamic reorganization of mitochondrial networks, likely driven by mitochondrial dysfunction. Changes in organization are associated with loss of mtDNA, independent of mitophagy. Unexpectedly, perturbation to exonuclease function of mtDNA replicative polymerase, Mip1, results in rapid loss of mtDNA. Our data suggest that, under damage, partitioning of defective mtDNA and organelle are de-coupled, with emphasis on mitochondrial segregation independent of its DNA. Together, our works underscores the importance of genome maintenance on mitochondrial function, that can act as a modulator of organelle organization and segregation.
Finding mutations in all the wrong places: Prevalence of knock-down resistance F1534S mutations among Aedes albopictus (family: Culicidae, order: Diptera) in North Carolina
Authors: Abernathy Haley A. , Hollingsworth Brandon D. , Giandomenico Dana A. , Moser Kara A. , Juliano Jonathan J. , Bowman Natalie M. , George Phillip J. , Reiskind Michael H. , Boyce Ross M.
Published: February 2022

Background

Knock-down resistance (kdr) mutations in the voltage gated sodium channel gene of Aedes species mosquitoes are biomarkers for resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. In the United States, few studies have reported kdr mutations among Aedes albopictus(family: Culicidae, order: Diptera, Skuse, 1895) populations. In this study we sought to explore the potential for permethrin-impregnated uniforms worn by military servicemembers to drive kdr emergence.

Methods and Results

We collected 538 Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, including 156 from 4 sites at Fort Bragg (exposed), North Carolina and 382 from 15 sites in Wake County (control), North Carolina to compare the prevalence of kdr mutations. Of those successfully sequenced, we identified 12 (3.0%) mosquitoes with kdr mutations, all of which were attributed to variants at position 1534 within domain 3. All mutations were found in mosquitoes collected at Wake County sites; no mutations were identified at Fort Bragg. There was a focus of mutations observed at the Wake County sites with approximately 92% (11 of 12) of the mosquitoes with the mutation coming from one site, where kdr mutations represented 24.4% (11 of 45) of all mosquitoes collected.

Conclusions

Our study did not show any evidence that universal implementation of permethrin-impregnated uniforms drives the development of resistance. In contrast, we observed highly focal resistance in a suburban area of Raleigh, which may be attributable to peri-domestic mosquito control activities that involve area dispersal of pyrethroid insecticides. More robust surveillance is needed to monitor the emergence and spread of resistance.

AUTHOR SUMMARY

Resistance to commonly employed insecticides among Aedes albopictus(family: Culicidae, order: Diptera, Skuse, 1895) mosquitoes poses as a substantial public health threat. In this study we sought to explore the potential for permethrin-impregnated uniforms worn by military servicemembers to drive emergence of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides by collecting and testing mosquitoes from both military and civilian sites. Overall, we did not identify mosquitoes harboring resistance at Ft. Bragg, but did find a focus of resistance in sub-urban Raleigh, which may be driven by commercial, peri-domestic mosquito control activities. These results suggest that resistance to pyrethroid insecticides may be more prevalent in the United States than previously known, but highly heterogenous. More robust surveillance is needed to monitor the emergence and spread of resistance.
Influenza A virus reassortment in mammals gives rise to genetically distinct within-host sub-populations
Authors: Ganti Ketaki , Bagga Anish , Carnaccini Silvia , Ferreri Lucas M. , Geiger Ginger , Caceres C. Joaquin , Seibert Brittany , Li Yonghai , Wang Liping , Kwon Taeyong , Li Yuhao , Morozov Igor , Ma Wenjun , Richt Juergen A. , Perez Daniel R. , Koelle Katia , Lowen Anice C.
Published: February 2022

Influenza A virus (IAV) genetic exchange through reassortment has the potential to accelerate viral evolution and has played a critical role in the generation of multiple pandemic strains. For reassortment to occur, distinct viruses must co-infect the same cell. The spatio-temporal dynamics of viral dissemination within an infected host therefore define opportunity for reassortment. Here, we used wild type and synonymously barcoded variant viruses of a pandemic H1N1 strain to examine the within-host viral dynamics that govern reassortment in guinea pigs, ferrets and swine. The first two species are well-established models of human influenza, while swine are a natural host and a frequent conduit for cross-species transmission and reassortment. Our results show reassortment to be pervasive in all three hosts but less frequent in swine than in ferrets and guinea pigs. In ferrets, tissue-specific differences in the opportunity for reassortment are also evident, with more reassortants detected in the nasal tract than the lower respiratory tract. While temporal trends in viral diversity are limited, spatial patterns are clear, with heterogeneity in the viral genotypes detected at distinct anatomical sites revealing extensive compartmentalization of reassortment and replication. Our data indicate that the dynamics of viral replication in mammals allow diversification through reassortment but that the spatial compartmentalization of variants likely shapes their evolution and onward transmission.
Partitioning variance in reproductive success, within years and across lifetimes
Authors: Waples Robin S.
Published: February 2022

Variance in reproductive success (, withk=number of offspring) plays a large role in determining the rate of genetic drift and the scope within which selection acts. Various frameworks have been proposed to parse factors that contribute to, but none has focused on age-specific values of, which indicate the degree to which reproductive skew is overdispersed (compared to the random Poisson expectation) among individuals of the same age and sex. Here, an ANOVA sums-of-squares framework is used to partition variance in annual and lifetime reproductive success into between-group and within-group components. For annual reproduction, the between-age effect depends on age-specific fecundity (bx), but relatively few empirical data are available on the within-age effect, which depends onϕx. By defining groups by age-at-death rather than age, the same ANOVA framework can be used to partition variance in lifetime reproductive success into between-group, within-group, and longevity components. Analyses of simulated data and worked examples for black bears and great tits illustrate the methods and show that the largely-neglected within-age effect a) typically represents a substantial component of the overall variance (even under a null model of random reproductive success), and b) can dominate the overall variance whenϕx>1.
The oral drug nitazoxanide restricts SARS-CoV-2 infection and attenuates disease pathogenesis in Syrian hamsters
Authors: Miorin Lisa , Mire Chad E. , Ranjbar Shahin , Hume Adam J. , Huang Jessie , Crossland Nicholas A. , White Kris M , Laporte Manon , Kehrer Thomas , Haridas Viraga , Moreno Elena , Nambu Aya , Jangra Sonia , Cupic Anastasija , Dejosez Marion , Abo Kristine A. , Tseng Anna E. , Werder Rhiannon B. , Rathnasinghe Raveen , Mutetwa Tinaye , Ramos Irene , de Aja Julio Sainz , de Alba Rivas Carolina Garcia , Schotsaert Michael , Corley Ronald B. , Falvo James V. , Fernandez-Sesma Ana , Kim Carla , Rossignol Jean-François , Wilson Andrew A. , Zwaka Thomas , Kotton Darrell N. , Mühlberger Elke , García-Sastre Adolfo , Goldfeld Anne E.
Published: February 2022

A well-tolerated and cost-effective oral drug that blocks SARS-CoV-2 growth and dissemination would be a major advance in the global effort to reduce COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Here, we show that the oral FDA-approved drug nitazoxanide (NTZ) significantly inhibits SARS-CoV-2 viral replication and infection in different primate and human cell models including stem cell-derived human alveolar epithelial type 2 cells. Furthermore, NTZ synergizes with remdesivir, and it broadly inhibits growth of SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.351 (beta), P.1 (gamma), and B.1617.2 (delta) and viral syncytia formation driven by their spike proteins. Strikingly, oral NTZ treatment of Syrian hamsters significantly inhibits SARS-CoV-2-driven weight loss, inflammation, and viral dissemination and syncytia formation in the lungs. These studies show that NTZ is a novel host-directed therapeutic that broadly inhibits SARS-CoV-2 dissemination and pathogenesis in human and hamster physiological models, which supports further testing and optimization of NTZ-based therapy for SARS-CoV-2 infection alone and in combination with antiviral drugs.
Very small spontaneous structural mutation rate in green algae
Authors: Léger-Pigout Matéo , Krasovec Marc
Published: February 2022

Structural mutations led to major innovations, but our knowledge of the spontaneous structural mutation rate is very limited. We cannot have a complete view of the adaptive potential of species and new variants in a population without addressing this question. Here, we used Illumina genomic data from mutation accumulation experiments of five green algae species and measured very low structural mutation rate, between 5×10-12 to 2×10-11 mutations per site, at least ten times lower than the nucleotide mutation rate in these species. Such low rates of structural mutations may be a consequence of selection. Assuming that structural mutations have higher fitness effect than point mutations because they impact a larger portion of the genome, selection toward a small structural mutation rate may be stronger than for point mutations. A second explanation could be the rate of true positive detection of de novo structural mutations, that is globally poor and variable between methods. This highlights the necessity of long read sequencing in future mutation accumulation studies.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Mutations are the first source of all biodiversity. Biologists tried since a century to measure the spontaneous mutation rate, but our knowledge on the structural spontaneous mutation rate, μst, is still poor. Here we measured μst in five species of phytoplankton, and found a very small rate compared to nucleotide and short insertion-deletion mutations.
BlotIt - Optimal alignment of western blot and qPCR experiments
Authors: Kemmer Svenja , Bang Severin , Rosenblatt Marcus , Timmer Jens , Kaschek Daniel
Published: February 2022

Biological systems are frequently analyzed by means of mechanistic mathematical models. In order to infer model parameters and provide a useful model that can be employed for systems understanding and hypothesis testing, the model is often calibrated on quantitative, time-resolved data. To do so, it is typically important to compare experimental measurements over broad time ranges and various experimental conditions, e.g. perturbations of the biological system. However, most of the established experimental techniques such as Western blot, or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction only provide measurements on a relative scale, since different sample volumes, experimental adjustments or varying development times of a gel lead to systematic shifts in the data. In turn, the number of measurements corresponding to the same scale enabling comparability is limited. Here, we present a new flexible method to align measurement data that obeys different scaling factors. We propose an alignment model to estimate these scaling factors and provide the possibility to adapt this model depending on the measurement technique of interest. In addition, an error model can be specified to adequately weight the different data points and obtain scaling-model based confidence intervals of the finally scaled data points. Our approach is applicable to all sorts of relative measurements and does not need a particular experimental condition that has been measured over all available scales. An implementation of the method is provided with the R package blotIt including refined ways of visualization.
Emerging from the shadow of the Soviet Union: the case of the accountancy field in Latvia
Authors: Praulins Arturs , Spence Crawford William , Voulgaris Georgios
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the structure of the accounting field in a post-Soviet context – Latvia. This study also aims to generate insights into the extent to which professionalization processes are shaped by national particularities and to demonstrate how self-styled professional fields change over time.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from the relational sociology of Pierre Bourdieu and drawing on 83 interviews, the paper highlights the forms of capital (cultural and social primarily) that help define what constitutes appropriate conduct for successful career progression in the accounting field.

Findings

The values ascribed to forms of capital that structure the Latvian accounting field fluctuate across time and space. This suggests that the structure of professional fields – as understood by the structuring properties of different forms of capital – is variable and fluid. Additionally, fields themselves can become more or less desirable over time to those who possess certain forms of capital.

Research limitations/implications

Although the results may be specific to one national accounting field, the idiosyncrasies constitute the contribution of the paper, showing that the form and structure of accounting fields vary in accordance with national particularities. Overall, the paper highlights the importance of fit between habitus and field and of adjustment to the surrounding rules of the game in professional contexts.

Originality/value

The findings are important for understanding the form that an accounting field can take in an emerging economy that has fully embraced neoliberalism while maintaining strong residues of the Soviet system. The findings are also relevant for understanding the dynamics of change more broadly in self-styled professional fields.
The determinants of risk reporting during the period of adoption of Basel II Accord: evidence from the Portuguese commercial banks
Authors: Azevedo Graça , Oliveira Jonas , Sousa Luiza , Borges Maria Fátima Ribeiro
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper to analyze the risk reporting practices and its determinants of commercial banks during the period of the adoption of the Basel II Accord in Portugal.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper conducts a content analysis of the risk and risk management sections included in the management reports and the notes of the annual reports of Portuguese commercial banks, for the years 2007, 2010 and 2013.

Findings

Findings show that theoretical frameworks underpinned in agency and legitimacy theories continue to provide valid explanations for risk reporting by Portuguese banks. More specifically, findings indicate that agency costs, public visibility and reputation are crucial drivers of risk reporting. Findings also indicate that younger banks with lower risk management skills use risk reporting either as an informational process or as a channel to manage organizational legitimacy.

Research limitations/implications

The content analysis does not allow readily for in-depth qualitative inquiry. The coding instrument is subject to coder bias. Information about risk can be provided in sources other than annual reports. Additionally, not all banks disclose information on corporate governance-related variables that could also influence risk reporting.

Originality/value

The current research setting has never been studied hitherto. In this sense, this study seems to be of great relevance given the scarcity of literature on the subject in Portugal.
Measurement and approximation by simulation of the instantaneous breakdown voltage of lightning discharge in the presence of protection
Authors: Khelil Djazia , Bouazabia Slimane , Mikropoulos Pantelis N.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The paper aims to estimate the instantaneous breakdown voltage of the lightning discharge from simulated figures in an energized rod-plane configuration protected by a lightning rod. The same configuration of electrodes has been the subject of experimental investigations for the measurement of the instantaneous breakdown voltage using oscillographic monitoring. This study validates the simulation model by making a comparison with experimentation and involves the role of the inception field of the upward discharge in the propagation of this last one.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology is based on the development of a fractal lightning protection model based on real physical conditions of the discharge propagation, such as the downward discharge and the upward one emanating from protection. The voltage drop and the randomness character of the lightning discharge are also taken into account. The electrical field is an important parameter in discharge development; it is considered in this work at each step of the discharge propagation by the finite element method. The instantaneous breakdown voltage is measured and estimated by both empirical equations and simulated figures of lightning discharge

Findings

The established model that allows estimating the instantaneous breakdown voltage from simulated discharges and empirical equations gives results in a good agreement with experimentation. The involvement of the upward discharge inception field emanating from the lightning rod in the evolution of electrical discharge is illustrated.

Practical implications

The work presented in this paper aims to develop a new fractal lightning protection model taking into consideration physical phenomena intervening in the development of the lightning discharge.

Originality/value

The originality of this work consists of the combination between fractals modelling of the electrical discharge and the protection against lightning, in addition, to use one of the characteristics of the electrical discharge, which is the instantaneous breakdown voltage, to prove the importance of the inception field emanating from the upward discharge in the propagation criterion of this last one.
The mediating role of financial service branding on investment decisions: an emerging market's perspective
Authors: Dzogbenuku Robert Kwame , Amoako George Kofi , Martins Albert
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study seeks to assess the mediating role of financial service branding on investment decisions from the perspective of financial service investors.

Design/methodology/approach

Field data were obtained from 403 individuals and corporate investors in financial service institutions who invested savings and pensions funds into short to medium term financial instruments from an emerging market in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Data were analysed using the partial least squares structural equation modelling technique (PLS-SEM).

Findings

Branding significantly mediates return on investment (ROI) decisions. However, the ROI did not have a significant direct effect on investment decisions. ROI has a significant indirect effect on investment decisions due to branding influence on investors.

Research limitations/implications

Data collected was cross sectional. Future research can use longitudinal data for better long term planning. Study can also be done in other emerging economies to determine how the financial sector characteristics for each country can be a source of difference from branding and investment standpoint.

Practical implications

Although consumer investment decisions are logically influenced largely by ROI, investors place savings and pensions into financial instruments largely managed by reliable corporate brands with solid reputation known as safe havens for hedging lifetime investments.

Originality/value

This study covers the research gap in brand power and the reputation of financial service institutions as well as the investment decisions of financial service investors in emerging Sub-Saharan African.
Translating leader sustainability orientation into green supply chain integration: a missing link of green entrepreneurial orientation
Authors: Feng Taiwen , Li Zhiyi , Shi Haiqing , Jiang Wenbo
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Based on upper echelons theory and social contagion theory, this study aims to explore how to translate leader sustainability orientation (LSO) into green supply chain integration (GSCI) by green entrepreneurial orientation (GEO), as well as the moderating effects of four dimensions of organizational learning capability (OLC).

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts hierarchical regression analysis using multi-sourced survey data collected in 264 Chinese companies to examine hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that LSO has positive influences on green supplier and customer integration. Furthermore, GEO partially mediates the impacts of LSO on green supplier and customer integration. Managerial commitment positively moderates the impact of LSO on GEO, while other dimensions such as systems perspective, openness and experimentation and knowledge transfer and integration have non-significant moderating effects.

Originality/value

This study enriches the existing research on internal drivers of GSCI and contributes to the understanding of the direct impact of LSO and mediating effects of GEO. This study extends social contagion theory boundaries by investigating the moderating effects of OLC on the relationship between LSO and GEO.
Fighting economic crime during the pandemic: a Sri Lankan perspective
Authors: Abeyagoonasekera Asanga
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the dual crisis in Sri Lanka during the pandemic. The health crisis was followed by democratic backsliding which directly impacted the fight for economic crime. The pre-pandemic political commitment to fight corruption is assessed with the pandemic environment and the policy decisions by the Government. Sri Lanka was a detailed case study of how politicians exploited the pandemic environment to suppress democracy and move their semi-autocratic agenda forward. However, Sri Lanka was not the only nation that faced such autocratic sentiments losing the democratic values. This paper discusses recommendations for improving the resources and investment to address economic crime in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data was used for the analysis introducing a theoretical framework referring to the work of Michel Foucault and Francis Fukuyama. The secondary data was used to develop an argument aligning political science with economic crime.

Findings

The Government disciplinary project launched during the pandemic directly impacted Sri Lankan democracy and structural changes made to the constitution. The heavy militarization was a sign of departure of long-cherished values of democracy in the country. Political clientelism backed by nepotism interfered with judicial independence and the fight against economic crime. Many accused, including those responsible for the largest corruption scandal, were not punished. The trust deficit has widened significantly between authorities and the public on fighting corruption in Sri Lanka.

Research limitations/implications

There are more factors for democratic backsliding than what is presented in this paper. The economic crime environment in Sri Lanka has many dimensions and the paper only highlights a few areas limiting to the secondary data available.

Originality/value

The paper discusses a unique perspective on how a pandemic could be misused to strengthen the autocratic rule and make structural changes to a nation, including constitution amendments. The pandemic environment was used to commit economic crime and suppress public opinion projecting the health crisis in the lockdown environment.
Judgment and reactivity are associated with mental distress among university students
Authors: Gonçalves Gallo Giovana , Fernandez Curado Daniela , Pires Alves Machado Mayra , Villar Scattone Vitor , Noto Ana Regina
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Mental health issues are concurrent among college students and new interventions are needed to address the problem. The objective of this study was to evaluate the convergence of symptoms into a single factor called “mental distress” and its relationship to mindfulness facets.

Design/methodology/approach

Brazilian university students (n = 136) answered self-report questionnaires, assessing sociodemographic information, dispositional mindfulness, insomnia severity, perceived stress, depression and anxiety. The analytical procedure consisted of defining the latent variable and relationships with mindfulness facets in a structural equations modeling environment.

Findings

The proposed model presented good fit [χ2 (23 = 34.38; p = 0.060; RMSEA = 0.068 (90% CI = 0.00;0.114); CFI = 0.951] and mental distress was inversely related to the five facets of mindfulness questionnaire of nonjudgment and nonreactivity.

Originality/value

The symptoms converged into a latent variable, and the latent variable was related to the abilities of not judging and not reacting to internal stimuli. The relationships found might guide the development of future intervention strategies to benefit university students’ mental health.
Development in a state of climate change: an Australian case study of government response
Authors: Cradduck Lucy , Warren-Myers Georgia
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This research seeks to understand the potential impact to investors from government responses to climate change risk, as reflected in changes to planning processes made after significant weather events.

Design/methodology/approach

The research examines the land planning responses within a select local government authority (“LGA”) area following four significant weather events, in order to identify any changes made, and the impact on future development proposals. The LGA selected is the Central Coast Council, which is a coastal LGA in the Australian State of New South Wales. The research engaged with the publicly accessible records available on the Central Coast Council, Australian Bureau of Meteorology and other websites; and extant literature.

Findings

The research reveals that some adjustments were made by the Central Coast Council, and or the State government, to relevant laws, policies and processes following these events. These changes, however, tended to focus on imposing additional requirements on future development applications, rather than on requiring changes to current structures, or prohibiting further development works.

Research limitations/implications

The research has three limitations: (1) land law in Australia varies, as each State and Territory, and LGA, has specific laws, policies and processes; (2) as laws and policies are subject to change, it was necessary to select points in time at which to engage with those laws and processes; and (3) COVID-19's impact on domestic Australian travel [the authors could not travel interstate] meant only documents available on the Internet were considered, however, not all documents relating to development; or changes to laws and processes were easily accessible online. As the research focussed on one case study area, this may limit the applicability of the results to other areas. However, as extreme events are international, the related issues are a concern in all areas.

Practical implications

This research confirms the results of other extant research, which observed that some risks cannot be properly mitigated, such that any development in an at-risk area remains at risk. It also identifies that more current, accurate and publicly accessible data are required to enable investors to more easily and accurately identify all risks affecting a property.

Originality/value

The research provides a snapshot of one LGA's response to the physical risks arising from climate change events. As investors and other organisations integrate and build up their analysis of climate risks to their portfolios and organisations, governments become more aware of the long-term effects of climate change and consistently with extant research; this research indicates that a greater awareness is required of current risks and action to manage the short-term effects and cost challenges, in addition to the long-term adaptation requirements.
Investigating the role of customer forgiveness following a double deviation
Authors: Lin Cheng-Yu , Chou En-Yi
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Despite double deviation being an acknowledged phenomenon in services marketing, less research has been devoted to the evaluation of the underlying relationships between cognitive appraisals, customer forgiveness and postrecovery actions following a double deviation. Therefore, this study aims to develop and empirically test a conceptual model to determine the role of customer forgiveness and its boundary conditions in double-deviation scenarios based on the stress and coping theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aggregated 290 survey data by adopting the retrospective experience sampling method and examined the proposed model using structural equation modeling and bootstrapping analysis.

Findings

The results confirm that customer forgiveness mediates the link between service recovery dissatisfaction and postrecovery customer complaints (i.e. online and third-party complaints). Additionally, attribution-based factors (i.e. stability and controllability attributions) positively moderated the service recovery dissatisfaction–customer forgiveness relationship. Finally, these findings exhibit that relationship-based factors (i.e. relationship duration and affective commitment) had negative moderating effects on the service recovery dissatisfaction–customer forgiveness link.

Originality/value

Without ensuring customer forgiveness, customers who experience failure twice in a row may act more aggressively to damage service firms. Yet, knowledge of customer forgiveness in a double-deviation scenario is still lacking. The results make twofold contributions to the service recovery literature. First, this study emphasizes customer forgiveness as an integral coping response that has a mediating role in the relationship between service recovery dissatisfaction and postrecovery customer complaints. Second, this study shed insights into boundary conditions of customer forgiveness by identifying attribution- and relationship-based factors as moderators.
Does robo-advisory increase retirement worry? A causal explanation
Authors: Chhatwani Malvika
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Artificial intelligence and robo-advisory have become prevalent in the finance industry, and many people rely on robots instead of humans for financial advice. This study aims to examine whether robo-advisory increases retirement worry based on agency theory and rational choice theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study investigate whether relying on robots for financial advice increases retirement-related worry in the present study. Using a sample of 1915 investors from the National Financial Capability Study (NCFS) survey, the author conducted instrumental variable regression analysis to examine the causal linkage.

Findings

Using fear of financial fraud as an instrument variable, the study provides a causal explanation of the linkage between robo-advisory usage and retirement worry. After controlling for sociodemographic and financial literacy-related variables, it is found that robo-advisory increases retirement worry.

Originality/value

Findings of the study emphasize on downsides of the artificial intelligence-enabled robo-advisory for financial planning. This article provides evidence that a lack of human involvement in financial planning may lead to increased worry among investors, which calls for attention from the regulators and policymakers.