bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural basis of ALC1/CHD1L autoinhibition and the mechanism of activation by the nucleosome
Authors: Wang Li , Chen Kangjing , Chen Zhucheng
Published: June 2021

Chromatin remodeler ALC1 (amplification in liver cancer 1) is crucial for repairing damaged DNA. It is autoinhibited and activated by nucleosomal epitopes. However, the mechanisms by which ALC1 is regulated remain unclear. Here we report the crystal structure of human ALC1 and the cryoEM structure bound to the nucleosome. The structure shows the macro domain of ALC1 binds to lobe 2 of the ATPase motor, sequestering two elements for nucleosome recognition, explaining the autoinhibition mechanism of the enzyme. The H4 tail competes with the macro domain for lobe 2-binding, explaining the requirement for this nucleosomal epitope for ALC1 activation. A dual-arginine-anchor motif of ALC1 recognizes the acidic pocket of the nucleosome, which is critical for chromatin remodeling in vitro. Together, our findings illustrate the structures of ALC1 and shed light on its regulation mechanisms, paving the way for the discovery of drugs targeting ALC1 for the treatment of cancer.
Inequalities in the Distribution of National Institutes of Health Research Project Grant Funding
Authors: Lauer Michael , Roychowdhury Deepshikha
Published: June 2021

Previous reports have described worsening inequalities of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding of principal investigators. We analyzed data through the end of Fiscal Year 2020, confirming worsening inequalities beginning at the time of the NIH budget doubling (1998-2003), but finding that trends have reversed over the past 3 years. We also find that career-stage trends have stabilized, with equivalent proportions of early-, mid-, and late-career investigators funded from 2017 to 2020. Women continue to constitute a greater proportion of funded principal investigators, though not at parity. Analyses of funding inequalities over time show that inequalities have consistently been greater within groups (i.e., within groups by career stage, gender, race, and degree) than between groups.
Inflammatory blockade prevents injury to the developing pulmonary gas exchange surface in preterm primates
Authors: Toth Andrea , Steinmeyer Shelby , Kannan Paranthaman , Gray Jerilyn , Jackson Courtney M. , Mukherjee Shibabrata , Demmert Martin , Sheak Joshua R. , Benson Daniel , Kitzmiller Joe , Wayman Joseph A. , Presicce Pietro , Cates Christopher , Rubin Rhea , Chetal Kashish , Du Yina , Miao Yifei , Gu Mingxia , Guo Minzhe , Kalinichenko Vladimir V. , Kallapur Suhas G. , Miraldi Emily R. , Xu Yan , Swarr Daniel , Lewkowich Ian , Salomonis Nathan , Miller Lisa , Sucre Jennifer S. , Whitsett Jeffrey A. , Chougnet Claire A. , Jobe Alan H. , Deshmukh Hitesh , Zacharias William J.
Published: June 2021

Malformations of or injuries to the developing lung are associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality with lifelong consequences for subsequent pulmonary health. One fetal exposure linked with poor health outcomes is chorioamnionitis, which impacts up to 25-40% of preterm births. Severe chorioamnionitis with prematurity is associated with significantly increased risk of pulmonary disease and secondary infections in childhood, suggesting that fetal inflammation may significantly alter developmental ontogeny of the lung. To test this hypothesis, we used intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) to generate experimental chorioamnionitis in prenatal Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), a model which shares critical structural and temporal aspects of human lung development. Inflammatory injury directly disrupts the developing gas exchange surface of the primate lung, with extensive damage to alveolar structure, particularly the close association and coordinated differentiation of alveolar type 1 pneumocytes and specialized alveolar capillary endothelium. Single cell RNA sequencing analysis defined a multicellular alveolar signaling niche driving alveologenesis which was extensively disrupted by perinatal inflammation, leading to loss of gas exchange surface and alveolar simplification similar to that found in chronic lung disease of newborns. Blockade of IL1β and TNFα ameliorated endotoxin-induced inflammatory lung injury by blunting stromal response to inflammation and modulating innate immune activation in myeloid cells, restoring structural integrity and key signaling networks in the developing alveolus. These data provide new insight into the pathophysiology of developmental lung injury and suggest that modulating inflammation is a promising therapeutic approach to prevent fetal consequences of chorioamnionitis.
Nanoparticle-mediated transgene expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 in the growth restricted guinea pig placenta increases placenta nutrient transporter expression and fetal glucose concentrations
Authors: Wilson Rebecca L. , Lampe Kristin , Gupta Mukesh K. , Duvall Craig L. , Jones Helen N.
Published: June 2021

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) significantly contributes to neonatal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Currently, there are no effective treatment options for FGR during pregnancy. We have developed a nanoparticle gene therapy targeting the placenta to increase expression of human insulin-like growth factor 1 (hIGF-1) to correct fetal growth trajectories. Using the maternal nutrient restriction (MNR) guinea pig model of FGR, an ultrasound-guided, intra-placental injection of non-viral, polymer-based nanoparticle gene therapy containing plasmid with the hIGF-1 gene and placenta-specific Cyp19a1 promotor was administered at mid-pregnancy. Sustained hIGF-1 expression was confirmed in the placenta five days after treatment. Whilst gene therapy treatment did not change fetal weight, circulating fetal glucose concentration were 33-67% higher. This was associated with increased expression of glucose and amino acid transporters in the placenta. Additionally, nanoparticle gene therapy treatment increased the fetal capillary volume density in the placenta, and reduced interhaemal distance between maternal and fetal circulation. Overall, our findings, that gene therapy treatment results in changes to glucose transporter expression and increases fetal glucose concentrations within a short time period, highlights the translational potential this treatment could have in correcting impaired placental nutrient transport in human pregnancies complicated by FGR.
Evidence of multiple origins of glyphosate resistance evolution in Lolium multiflorum
Authors: Brunharo Caio A. C. G. , Streisfeld Matthew A.
Published: June 2021

The multitude of herbicide resistance patterns in the weed Lolium multiflorum L. is a remarkable example of the rapid adaptation to anthropogenic-driven disturbance. Recently, resistance to glyphosate was identified in multiple populations of L. multiflorum in Oregon.

We used phenotypic approaches, as well as population genomic and gene expression analyses, to determine if known mechanisms were responsible for glyphosate resistance, if resistance phenotypes evolved independently in different populations, and to identify potential loci contributing to resistance.

We found no evidence of genetic alterations or expression changes at known target and non-target sites of glyphosate resistance. Population genomic analyses indicated that resistant populations tended to have largely distinct ancestry from one another, with little evidence of admixture, suggesting that glyphosate resistance did not spread among populations via gene flow. Rather, resistance appears to have evolved independently on different genetic backgrounds. We also detected potential loci associated with the resistance phenotype, some of which encode proteins with potential effects on herbicide metabolism.

Our results suggest that Oregon populations of L. multiflorum evolved resistance to glyphosate due to a novel mechanism. Future studies that characterize the gene or genes involved in resistance will be necessary to confirm this conclusion.
Cohesin is required for long-range enhancer action
Authors: Kane Lauren , Williamson Iain , Flyamer Ilya M. , Kumar Yatendra , Hill Robert E. , Lettice Laura A. , Bickmore Wendy A.
Published: June 2021

The mammalian genome is organised into topologically associating domains (TADs) that are formed through the process of cohesin-driven loop extrusion1–3 and whose extent is constrained at TAD boundaries by orientation-dependent CTCF binding4–7. The large regulatory landscapes of developmental genes frequently correspond to TADs, leading to the hypothesis that TADs and/or loop extrusion are important for enhancers to act on their cognate gene8,9. However, it has proven hard to interpret the consequences of experimental disruption of TADs or loop-extrusion on gene regulation3,6,10, in part because of the difficulty in distinguishing direct from indirect effects on enhancer-driven gene expression. By coupling acute protein degradation with synthetic activation by targeted transcription factor recruitment in mouse embryonic stem cells, here we show that cohesin, but not CTCF, is required for activation of a target gene by distant distal regulatory elements. Cohesin is not required for activation directly at the promoter or activation from an enhancer located closer to the gene. Our findings support the hypothesis that chromatin compaction mediated by cohesin-mediated loop extrusion allows for genes to be activated by regulatory elements that are located many hundreds of kilobases away in the linear genome but suggests that cohesin is dispensable for more genomically close enhancers.
Sensory and choice responses in MT distinct from motion encoding
Authors: Levi Aaron J , Zhao Yuan , Park Il Memming , Huk Alexander C
Published: June 2021

Macaque area MT is well known for its visual motion selectivity and relevance to motion perception, but the possibility of it also reflecting non-sensory functions has largely been ignored. Manipulating subjects’ temporal evidence weighting revealed multiple components of MT responses that were, surprisingly, not interpretable as behaviorally-relevant modulations of motion encoding, nor as consequences of readout of motion direction. MT’s time-varying motion-driven responses were starkly changed by our strategic manipulation, but with timecourses opposite the subjects’ temporal weighting strategies. Furthermore, large choice-correlated signals were represented in population activity distinctly from motion responses (even after the stimulus) with multiple phases that both lagged psychophysical readout and preceded motor responses. These results reveal multiple cognitive contributions to MT responses that are task-related but not functionally relevant to encoding or decoding of motion for psychophysical direction discrimination, calling into question its nature as a simple sensory area.
SynapseJ: an automated, synapse identification macro for ImageJ
Authors: Moreno Manrique Juan Felipe , Voit Parker R. , Windsor Kathryn E. , Karla Aamuktha R. , Rodriguez Sierra R. , Beaudoin Gerard M. J.
Published: June 2021

While electron microscopy represents the gold standard for detection of synapses, a number of limitations prevent its broad applicability. A key method for detecting synapses is immunostaining for markers of pre- and post-synaptic proteins, which can infer a synapse based upon the apposition of the two markers. While immunostaining and imaging techniques have improved to allow for identification of synapses in tissue, analysis and identification of these appositions are not facile, and there has been a lack of tools to accurately identify these appositions. Here, we delineate a macro that uses open-source and freely available ImageJ or FIJI for analysis of multichannel, z-stack confocal images. With use of a high magnification with a high NA objective, we outline two methods to identify puncta in either sparsely or densely labeled images. Puncta from each channel are used to eliminate non-apposed puncta and are subsequently linked with their cognate from the other channel. These methods are applied to analysis of a presynaptic marker, bassoon, with two different postsynaptic markers, gephyrin and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit 1 (NR1). Using gephyrin as an inhibitory, postsynaptic scaffolding protein, we identify inhibitory synapses in basolateral amygdala, central amygdala, arcuate and the ventromedial hypothalamus. Systematic variation of the settings identify the parameters most critical for this analysis. Identification of specifically overlapping puncta allows for correlation of morphometry data between each channel. Finally, we extend the analysis to only examine puncta overlapping with a cytoplasmic marker of specific cell types, a distinct advantage beyond electron microscopy. Bassoon puncta are restricted to virally transduced, pedunculopontine tegmental neuron (PPN) axons expressing yellow fluorescent protein. NR1 puncta are restricted to tyrosine hydroxylase labeled dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The macro identifies bassoon-NR1 overlap throughout the image, or those only restricted to the PPN-SNc connections. Thus, we have extended the available analysis tools that can be used to study synapses in situ. Our analysis code is freely available and open-source allowing for further innovation.
Association of lung clearance index with survival in individuals with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Kurz Johanna Manuela , Ramsey Kathryn Angela , Rodriguez Romy , Spycher Ben , Biner Reta Fischer , Latzin Philipp , Singer Florian
Published: June 2021

Background

Lung clearance index (LCI) quantifies global ventilation inhomogeneity, a sensitive biomarker of airway function in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease.

Objectives

We examined the association of LCI with the risk of death or lung transplantation (LTX) in individuals with CF.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis in a cohort of individuals with CF aged ≥ five years with available LCI and FEV1 measurements between 1980 and 2006. Outcome was time until death or LTX. We applied Cox proportional hazard regressions using the earliest available LCI and FEV1 values and adjusted for demographic and clinical variables. For sensitivity analyses, we used the mean of the first three LCI and FEV1 measurements, stratified the cohort based on age, and investigated individuals with normal FEV1.

Results

In total, 237 individuals with CF aged mean (range) 13.9 (5.6–41.0) years were included. This time-to-event analysis accrued 3813 person-years, 94 (40%) individuals died or received LTX. Crude hazard ratios [95% CI] were 1.04 [1.01–1.06] per one z-score increase in LCI and 1.25 [1.11–1.41] per one z-score decrease in FEV1. After adjusting LCI and FEV1 mutually in addition to sex, age, BMI and the number of hospitalisations, hazard ratios were 1.04 [1.01-1.07] for LCI, and 1.12 [0.95-1.33] for FEV1. Sensitivity analyses yielded similar results and using the mean LCI strengthened the associations.

Conclusions

Increased ventilation inhomogeneity is associated with greater risk of death or LTX. Our data support LCI as novel surrogate of survival in individuals with CF.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

Lung clearance index (LCI) is a measure of global ventilation inhomogeneity which increases early during the course of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) lung disease. This study shows that LCI is predictive of death or lung transplantation in individuals with CF.

Study registration number

NCT04016194
Ketamine and sleep modulate neural complexity dynamics in cats
Authors: Pascovich Claudia , Castro-Zaballa Santiago , Mediano Pedro A.M. , Bor Daniel , Canales-Johnson Andrés , Torterolo Pablo , Bekinschtein Tristan A.
Published: June 2021

There is increasing evidence that level of consciousness can be captured by neural informational complexity: for instance, complexity, as measured by the Lempel Ziv (LZ) compression algorithm, decreases during anesthesia and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in humans and rats, when compared to LZ in awake and REM sleep. In contrast, LZ is higher in humans under the effect of psychedelics, including subanesthetic doses of ketamine. However, it is both unclear how this result would be modulated by varying ketamine doses, and whether it would extend to other species. Here we studied LZ with and without auditory stimulation during wakefulness and different sleep stages in 5 cats implanted with intracranial electrodes, as well as under subanesthetic doses of ketamine (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg i.m.). In line with previous results, LZ was lowest in NREM sleep, but similar in REM and wakefulness. Furthermore, we found an inverted U-shaped curve following different levels of ketamine doses in a subset of electrodes, primarily in prefrontal cortex. However, it is worth noting that the variability in the ketamine dose-response curve across cats and cortices was larger than that in the sleep-stage data, highlighting the differential local dynamics created by two different ways of modulating conscious state. These results replicate previous findings, both in humans and other species, demonstrating that neural complexity is highly sensitive to capture state changes between wake and sleep stages while adding a local cortical description. Finally, this study describes the differential effects of ketamine doses, replicating a rise in complexity for low doses, and further fall as doses approach anesthetic levels in a differential manner depending on the cortex.

In brief

Previous studies have shown that Lempel Ziv complexity (LZ) decreases during anesthesia and non-rapid eyes movement (NREM) sleep in humans and rats whereas it increases in REM sleep and under the effect of psychedelics. In this work we show that in the cat, LZ is lowest in NREM sleep, but similar in REM and wakefulness. We also found a ketamine inverted U-shape dose-response curve only in the auditory and prefrontal cortex, with a much larger variability in the ketamine across cats and cortices when compared to the sleep cycle.
Engineered chimeric T cell receptor fusion construct (TRuC)-expressing T cells prevent translational shutdown in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells
Authors: Godbole Ira , Ciminski Kevin , Yousefi O. Sascha , Pathan-Chhatbar Salma , Saltukoglu Deniz , Vesper Niklas , Salavei Pavel , Strietz Juliane , Gensch Nicole , Reth Michael , Schwemmle Martin , Schamel Wolfgang W.
Published: June 2021

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of Covid-19, is known to evade the immune system by several mechanisms. This includes the shutdown of the host cellular protein synthesis, which abrogates the induction of antiviral interferon responses. The virus initiates the infection of susceptible cells by binding with its spike protein (S) to the host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Here we applied the T cell receptor fusion construct (TRuC) technology to engineer T cells against such infected cells. In our TRuCs an S-binding domain is fused to the CD3ε component of the T cell receptor (TCR) complex, enabling recognition of S-containing cells in an HLA independent manner. This domain either consists of the S-binding part of ACE2 or a single-chain variable fragment of an anti-S antibody. We show that the TRuC T cells are activated by and kill cells that express S of SARS-CoV-2 and its alpha (B.1.1.7) and beta (B.1.351) variants at the cell surface. Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected cells with our engineered T cells did not lead to massive cytotoxicity towards the infected cells, but resulted in a complete rescue of the translational shutdown despite ongoing viral replication. Our data show that engineered TRuC T cell products might be used against SARS-CoV-2 by exposing infected cells to the host innate immune system.
Synthesis, crystal structure determination, and spectroscopic analyses of 1-chloro-2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-azaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,5-dione: an unyielding precursor to a cyclic (alkyl)(amido)carbene
Authors: Hudnall Todd W. , Reinheimer Eric W. , Dorsey Christopher L.
Published: June 2021

The synthesis, single-crystal X-ray structure, and 1H and 13C NMR spectrocopic analyses of an unyielding precursor molecule to a cyclic (alkyl)(amido)carbene, 1-chloro-2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-azaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,5-dione, C24H34ClNO2 (1), is reported. Despite the use of several bases, 1 could not be deprotonated to afford the corresponding carbene. The crystal structure of 1 was compared to the crystal structures of two structurally similar HCl adducts of stable carbenes (compounds 4 and 5), which revealed no significant differences in the geometries about the `carbene' C atoms. To better understand the reactivity differences observed for 1 when compared to 4 and 5, modified percent buried volume (%V
bur) calculations were performed. These calculations revealed that the H atom bound to the carbene C atom is the most sterically hindered in compound 1 when compared to 4 and 5 (%V
bur = 84.9, 81.3, and 79.3% for 1, 4, and 5, respectively). Finally, close inspection of the quadrant-specific %V
bur values indicated that the approach of a deprotonating base to the H atom bound to the carbene C atom is significantly blocked in 1 (69.9%) when compared to 4 and 5 (50.4 and 56.5%, respectively).
The apple producers' choice between hail insurance and anti-hail nets
Authors: Rogna Marco , Schamel Guenter , Weissensteiner Alex
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Hailstorms are a major risk in agriculture. In order to mitigate the negative consequences on farm revenues, in the present paper the authors analyse the choice between insurance contracts and anti-hail nets. Furthermore, the authors discuss the consequences of anti-hail nets adoption on the actuarial soundness of the insurance market.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper the authors firstly develop a theoretical model based on expected utility theory to compare the profitability of no-hedging against insurance and anti-hail nets. Subsequently, they test their theoretical model predictions with data of South Tyrolean apple producers.

Findings

The authors find that the benefit of anti-hail nets compared to insurance is an increasing function of the overall risk of hail damages, of the farmers' level of risk aversion and of the worth of the agricultural output.

Practical implications

Given the authors’ findings that anti-hail nets are more profitable for riskier, risk-averse and high-profitable farmers, the diffusion of anti-hail nets could be beneficial for the actuarial soundness of insurance markets.

Originality/value

The model developed in the paper is specifically designed to compare the profitability of different agricultural hedging options and can be easily extended to cover other hazards.
Animosity based on traditional enmity versus other causes
Authors: Campo Sara , Alvarez Maria D.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the concept of animosity that is based on traditional enmity and that which originates from other grounds. The study examines whether animosity that is based on these different causes has differing effects on perceptions and purchase decisions of the tourist destination product.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on data collected via an online questionnaire concerning the perceptions, feelings and visitation intentions of Chinese individuals toward Japan, as the traditional enemy, or toward other countries without a history of enmity with China. A model of relationships is tested.

Findings

The findings determine that animosity is formed differently depending on the target country. In addition, the influence of animosity on intention to visit and perceived risk of visiting the destination vary when animosity is based on traditional enmity reasons and when it is grounded on other causes. The influence of animosity on risk perceptions is also verified.

Practical implications

The study provides information that can be used to manage a country's brand in the Chinese market and to segment Chinese consumers based on their feelings of animosity toward certain countries.

Originality/value

The study is original as it compares animosity and its influence when it is based on causes related to traditional enmity and when it is grounded on other reasons. It is also one of the few studies to address the relationship between animosity and perceived risk.
Determinant factors of Indonesian people’s fish purchase intention
Authors: Novita Novita , Rowena Janny
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinant factors that influence the purchase intention of fish by Indonesians, especially in 14 provinces with low fish consumption rates.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey was conducted with a total of 307 respondents in West Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu, Lampung, DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Special Region of Yogyakarta, East Java, Banten, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara and West Borneo. The factors measured and analyzed are product, individual and environmental characteristics while partial least square is used to analyze the data.

Findings

The factors influencing the purchase intention of fish by Indonesians include product, individual and environmental characteristics. Not surprisingly, environmental characteristics were cited by most respondents.

Originality/value

This is the first study on the factors which influence the purchase of fish by Indonesians, in a country with a high rate of fish production, but a low rate of consumption. Findings are relevant to support the “Gemarikan Program” (Program to Promote Fish Eating) by The Indonesia Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.
E-service quality perceptions of millennials and non-millennials on O2O delivery applications
Authors: Zhuang Xiaoping , Lin Li , Zhang Rongteng , Li Jun (Justin) , He Biao
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study attempts to explore major attributes of food delivery applications in consideration of their impacts upon perceived service quality, satisfaction and usage intention. A multi-group analysis is performed to examine the hypothesized relationships in the structural models for the millennials and non-millennials.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was collected from 311 food delivery application users. The structural equation model (SEM) was designed to examine the interrelationships among variables.

Findings

The findings indicate that five salient dimensions that include ease of use, facility aesthetics, trustworthiness, value for money and product portfolio have a significant impact on overall service quality. Results further demonstrate that differences in generational difference partially moderate the relationship between each attribute of the food delivery application service quality as well as overall service quality.

Originality/value

The rapid evolution of the Internet and mobile communication has resulted in the proliferation of food delivery applications in China. However, to the best of our knowledge, only a few studies have focused on measuring the key dimension of service quality of food delivery applications.
A study of customer perception of visual information in food stands through eye-tracking
Authors: Jeon Yoowha , Cho Mi Sook , Oh Jieun
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The study selected five small-scale food operations as visual stimuli and eye-tracking experiment was conducted with 36 female participants in a laboratory setting. Heat maps were used to visualize viewers' visual attention on the storefronts. The eye-movement data were analyzed using one-way repeated ANOVA to identify a significant difference between stimuli in terms of average fixation duration, fixation counts and revisits. An independent t-test was also used to examine statistical difference among text and image in menu board. The significance cut-off of p-value was set to <0.05.

Design/methodology/approach

The exteriors of food-service establishments are major business representation. However, few studies have been conducted to examine customers' visual processing toward small-scale restaurants. The present study accordingly aims to discover customers' different levels of attention to the frontage in food stands through eye tracking, which would be practical for future owners to plan their exterior shop design.

Findings

The findings can be summarized as follows: First, upper board shows the highest level of attention, suggesting an optimal location of menu board for grasping customers' attention. Second, customers also gaze the inside of a store along with the food on display, which are related with food hygiene and the perception. Third, textual information on menu boards tends to attract more visual attention than those of images. Overall, the current study indicates various customers' attention toward the location of menu boards as well as the type of visual information on menu board.

Originality/value

The results of this study make a new insight into customers' viewing behavior toward exteriors of food-service establishments. This study is one of the first attempts to explore how customers distribute visual attention to the exterior images of food stand by using eye-tracking technology. The findings of this research thus enrich the food-service literature and offer meaningful discoveries on customers' visual behaviors. For example, this study suggests that customers tend to be attracted to textual information on menu boards rather than graphical ones.
How marketer-generated content characteristics affect consumer engagement? Empirical evidence from China's WeChat food marketing
Authors: Tan Si , Chen Weiping
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Leveraging marketer-generated content (MGC) can increase firms' success. However, few studies uncover the effects of MGC-related attributes on consumer engagement in the context of food marketing. This paper aims to explore the influence of MGC characteristics (valence, content types, vividness and interactivity) on consumer engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses WeChat official account data of seven food companies from China and conducts negative binomial regression models.

Findings

The findings indicate that different MGC-related characteristics have separate impacts on consumer WeChat engagement. Title valence, transactional title content and title with punctuation vividness negatively affect consumers' consuming engagement. Knowledgeable or entertaining title content and title with interactivity both positively affect consumers' consuming engagement. Moreover, transactional body text content negatively influences consumers' contributing engagement, whereas entertaining body text content shows positive effects. Vivid and interactive MGC body text attributes enhance consumers' contributing engagement behavior.

Originality/value

This study contributes to social media research in food marketplaces and sheds light on the effect of different WeChat MGC characteristics on separate consumer engagement.
Productivity and innovation in the Japanese construction industry
Authors: Arai Koki , Morimoto Emi
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the essential elements required for innovation in the construction industry. To this end, the authors assessed the innovation at three levels: the firm growth account level, the firm behaviour level and the level of the firm’s experts. The factors influencing innovation at each level were identified and synthesised into guiding strategies for innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Three methods were combined to develop a mode of thinking for innovation. First, at the semi-macro level, the authors identified the factors that influence the total factor productivity (TFP) by regressing the TFP across firms of the construction industry on a variety of extrinsic factors. Second, at the firm level, the authors extracted actual innovative firms from a large amount of public procurement individual data. The authors analysed the behaviours of these innovative firms. Third, the authors conducted a survey of expert-level personnel. In addition, a text analysis was performed to determine what was perceived by experts as a factor that leads to innovation.

Findings

The authors analysed the TFP, the behaviour of innovative firms and the perception issues between industry experts and stakeholders regarding innovation. As a result, two factors were identified. The first factor was the expectation of a positive solution to the problem through monopoly profits, future benefits and increased efficiency. The second factor was peer pressure from other organisations of a similar nature, peer pressure from users and technical information, as well as competitive conditions, e.g. recent environmental growth, including relevant innovations.

Practical implications

In the context of innovation, static and dynamic thinking were important requirements. Static concepts were based on the accumulation of knowledge, such as patents and technological progress. Dynamic thinking involved a future outlook, including a competitive environment as a necessary condition. Actual technological innovation was driven by incentives and expectations.

Social implications

According to the results of this study, the authors make the following recommendations for enhancing the construction-industry innovation in Japan: do not rely on a patent policy to drive innovation, create an environment that encourages competition and develop an ongoing initiative that encourages and rewards innovation.

Originality/value

This study was novel, in that the nature of innovation was investigated at three levels: the TFP, firm behaviour and expert perceptions. The identification and extraction of the two resulting points – statically necessary and dynamically necessary elements – was a significant contribution of the study.
Al Junaid industrial group: exploring business development strategies during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Al Suwaidi Muna Saeed , Ahmad Syed Zamberi
Published: June 2021

Learning outcomes

Expected learning outcomes are as follows: to understand the nature of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) manufacturing industries based on Al Junaid Industrial group when considering entering such businesses. To understand how unexpected short-term shocks such as a global pandemic may require long-term changes in a company’s outlook and planning. Discuss the marketing mix strategy that the Al Junaid Industrial group business products and services elements follow. To understand the competitiveness of Al Junaid group’s business environment and to identify the potential for business growth. To gain skills at developing a marketing strategy using the products, price, place and promotion model.

Case overview/synopsis

Al Junaid Industrial group is a small to medium-sized HVAC manufacturing company created over 12 years ago, in the United Arab Emirates. It has a production line company in the Sharjah industrial area with a capacity of 5,000 ft. The company not only manufactures air conditioning and its accessories but also provides installation and maintenance services. As for its international connections, it imports raw materials such as aluminum and exports air conditioning grills and accessories, offering installation services to many destinations, including Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The company has recently suffered a setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020 its net revenue and profits decreased by an average of 40%. As a result, Al Junaid Industrial group currently faces several internal and external challenges affecting its business performance such as high operating expenses, low market demand and stiff competition. Due to these challenges, this case study argues that Mr. Obaid Al Junaid, the Chief Executive Officer, should develop a new marketing strategy aimed at raising revenues to levels closer to those observed before the onset of the epidemic.

Complexity academic level

This case could be used in undergraduate and graduate classes of the business management field, as well as in development programs for managers in small to medium-sized enterprises (SME). Students (final year students of an undergraduate program for a bachelor’s degree) are expected to have a basic knowledge of Strategic management and business in general. It is preferred that the students have basic knowledge about small-to-medium businesses. Additionally, the managers in SME should be familiar with operational management, business management and marketing strategy and some of the challenges faced by managers in industrial businesses.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Vertical and horizontal trust and team learning: the role of organizational climate
Authors: Agbejule Adebayo , Rapo Jukka , Saarikoski Lotta
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study examines the relationship between trust, organizational climate and team learning among project team members (PTM). In recent years, many companies have come to recognize the important role team learning plays in achieving competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a survey questionnaire, and responses from 86 PTM provide support for the research model and demonstrate that how organizational climate mediates the relationship between trust and team learning.

Findings

The structural equation analysis of the data collected from 86 project team members indicate that both vertical and horizontal trust influences organizational climate, which, in turn, is a determinant of team learning. In addition, although both types of trust contributed to organizational climate, the results indicated that horizontal trust had a greater influence on organizational climate and team learning.

Research limitations/implications

The study employed the survey method and is not without limitations. The first limitation concerns our sample size, which was selected from one global company. Second, the survey data were all collected at a single point in time. Therefore, the authors cannot unambiguously infer causality. To attempt to do so, it would be useful to investigate the model in the context of organizational and development change. Despite these limitations, the results of the study have implications for theory and practice.

Practical implications

The implication for theory is that the results provide empirical support for the view that organization climates mediate the relationship between trust and team learning. On the practical side, the organizations should also pay more attention to increasing trust at the work place, especially among PTM that may contribute to favorable organizational climate, which is vital for team learning.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the simultaneous role of vertical and horizontal trust on organizational climate and how it contributes to team learning. The results indicate that organizations emphasis on horizontal trust can plays a vital role in team learning, which is a contribution to enhancing teamwork and performance in organizations.
Interrelated effects of technological and non-technological innovation on firm performance in EM – A mediation analysis of Peruvian manufacturing firms
Authors: Del Carpio Gallegos Javier Fernando , Miralles Francesc
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Firm innovative performance in emerging markets must take into account the peculiarities of their competitive environment. Research on the effect of innovation on firm performance focuses mainly on high-tech firms in developed countries. This study proposes a model that empirically examines how technological and non-technological innovation influence Peruvian manufacturing firms' performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the resource-based view, a model is proposed that allows the mediation effects of technological innovation and non-technological innovation on firm performance among low and medium-low technological intensity manufacturing firms to be analyzed. The study uses structural equation modeling and mediation analysis with data from 503 Peruvian firms researched in the 2012 National Survey of Innovation.

Findings

The model's validation shows that the integrated perspective is relevant for emerging markets like Peru. Moreover, the results confirm that technological and non-technological innovation and their interrelationship are important for understanding the performance dimensions of Peruvian manufacturing firms.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on innovation in Latin American economies, proposing and validating a model that combines the mediation effects of technological and non-technological innovation to explain the relevant dimensions of firm performance in emerging markets.
Development of supply chain value stream map for government-supported drug distribution system
Authors: Dixit Anuj , Routroy Srikanta , Dubey Sunil Kumar
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The requirement of high-quality government-supported healthcare services has necessitated the significance of recognizing new management practices to enhance patient satisfaction. Hence, the purpose of this study is to address the patient's enhanced custom needs through the implementation of supply chain value stream mapping (SCVSM) in government-supported drug distribution system (DDS) for enhanced patient's satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This study elucidates the role of one popular emerging management technique (i.e. SCVSM) in the healthcare sector by an investigative case study. The DDS in Rajasthan (India) was selected for this study. The data for this analysis were gathered in three ways (i.e. direct observation, documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews).

Findings

The outcome of this current study reveals that it is possible to apply the tool (SCVSM) to investigate the wastes in DDS to deliver the medicines at right time, right quantity and right quality. The application of SCVSM concluded that the various Kaizens (areas needed to improve) in lead time; transportation and routing should be adopted. The study further implemented kaizen on the current SCVSM and developed future SCVSM.

Research limitations/implications

Although various stages and functions exist in the healthcare supply chain, the current study is focused on the distribution system of drugs. The proposed approach provides a platform for both researchers and academicians to understand the existing DDS and to implement the SCVSM approach in the healthcare environment. The results show that the proposed SCVSM model is able to identify some operational bottlenecks and wastes which interfere in DDS.

Originality/value

It was observed that limited literature related to lean implementation on DDS and implementation of SCVSM on the healthcare environment in general and government-supported or public in specific are available. The current study on the application of SCVSM in DDS is unique in nature and will definitely add value to the existing literature of the application of value stream mapping (VSM) on the healthcare supply chain management field.
Analysis of the validity and reliability of a questionnaire to measure students’ perception of inclusion of sustainability in engineering degrees
Authors: Aginako Zaloa , Peña-Lang María Begoña , Bedialauneta Miren Terese , Guraya Teresa
Published: June 2021

Purpose

There are multiple questionnaires in the literature that try to gather university students’ perception about sustainable development (SD), but they are mainly focused on determining the students’ knowledge and attitude about sustainability. As the existing questionnaires did not fit the type of analysis that is intended to carry out, a new questionnaire was developed, adapted to the aims and context (engineering students) of the pretended study. The questionnaire contains two scales; one to determine the level of insertion of sustainability and the other to measure the importance that students give in their training process to the three dimensions of sustainability: economic, environmental and social. This new instrument requires a validation process to ensure its content – validity, reliability and clarity. The aim of this paper is to describe the validation process.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper shows the validation process of a questionnaire designed ad hoc to measure the students’ perception on SD inclusion level in three current engineering degrees, at the Engineering School of Bilbao (EIB) that belongs to the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). The questionnaire validation process was conducted in three stages: experts on the subject provided their advice to ensure the study objectives, a small number of students contributed to clarify the statement of the questions, and thus, to increase the reliability of the questionnaire and finally, a larger number of students completed the survey to analyse the internal consistency of the two scales in the questionnaire with the Cronbach’s alpha test.

Findings

As a result of the entire validation process, an appropriate scale has been obtained to measure the importance that students give to the three dimensions of sustainability, economic, environmental and social, and to the sustainability overall. Furthermore, an appropriate scale to measure the insertion level of sustainability in engineering studies has been developed. However, the insertion scale needs a revision in the items of social and economic dimension to be valid to conduct disaggregated studies by dimensions.

Originality/value

The surveys published in the literature try to determine the knowledge and attitude that students have regarding SD. However, this new questionnaire, whose validation process is described in this paper, aims to know how engineering students of the EIB perceive the level of insertion of SD in their academic programs, from a frequency perspective, and the importance they give to it, both personally and professionally, given to the analysis a holistic perspective. Thus, the questionnaire can be used by higher education institutions to design strategies for inserting SD in engineering studies.
Improving the performance of the intrusion detection systems by the machine learning explainability
Authors: Dang Quang-Vinh
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explain the state-of-the-art machine learning models that are used in the intrusion detection problem for human-being understandable and study the relationship between the explainability and the performance of the models.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors study a recent intrusion data set collected from real-world scenarios and use state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms to detect the intrusion. The authors apply several novel techniques to explain the models, then evaluate manually the explanation. The authors then compare the performance of model post- and prior-explainability-based feature selection.

Findings

The authors confirm our hypothesis above and claim that by forcing the explainability, the model becomes more robust, requires less computational power but achieves a better predictive performance.

Originality/value

The authors draw our conclusions based on their own research and experimental works.