bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening the human druggable genome identifies ABHD17B as an anti-fibrotic target in hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Li Wenyang , Sparks Robert P. , Sun Cheng , Yang Yang , Pantano Lorena , Kirchner Rory , Weilheimer Arden , Toles Benjamin J. , Chen Jennifer Y. , Moran Sean P. , Barrera Victor , Li Zixiu , Zhou Peng , Brassil Meghan L. , Wrobel David , Sui Shannan J. Ho , Aspnes Gary , Schuler Michael , Smith Jennifer , Medoff Benjamin D. , Zhou Chan , Boustany-Kari Carine M. , Rippmann Jörg F. , Santos Daniela M. , Doerner Julia F. , Mullen Alan C.
Published: August 2023

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are activated with chronic liver injury and transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts, which produce excessive extracellular matrices that form the fibrotic scar. While the progression of fibrosis is understood to be the cause of end-stage liver disease, there are no approved therapies directed at interfering with the activity of HSC myofibroblasts. We performed a high-throughput small interfering RNA (siRNA) screen in primary human HSC myofibroblasts to identify gene products necessary for the fibrotic phenotype of HSCs. We found that depletion ofABHD17Bpromotes the inactivation of HSCs, characterized by reducedCOL1A1andACTA2expression and accumulation of lipid droplets. Mice deficient forAbhd17bare also protected from fibrosis in the setting ofin vivoliver injury. While ABHD17B is a depalmitoylase, our data suggest that ABHD17B promotes fibrosis through pathways independent of depalmitoylation that include interaction with MYO1B to modulate gene expression and HSC migration. Together, our results provide an analysis of the phenotypic consequences for siRNAs targeting RNAs from >9,500 genes in primary human HSCs and identify ABHD17B as a potential therapeutic target to inhibit liver fibrosis.
Purifying selection and adaptive evolution proximate to the zoonosis of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Townsend Jeffrey P. , Gaughran Stephen , Hassler Hayley B. , Fisk J. Nicholas , Nagib Mofeed , Wu Yinfei , Wang Yaning , Wang Zheng , Galvani Alison P. , Dornburg Alex
Published: August 2023

Over the past two decades the pace of spillovers from animal viruses to humans has accelerated, with COVID-19 becoming the most deadly zoonotic disease in living memory. Prior to zoonosis, it is conceivable that the virus might largely be subjected to purifying selection, requiring no additional selective changes for successful zoonotic transmission. Alternatively, selective changes occurring in the reservoir species may coincidentally preadapt the virus for human-to-human transmission, facilitating spread upon cross-species exposure. Here we quantify changes in the genomes of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 proximate to zoonosis to evaluate the selection pressures acting on the viruses. Application of molecular-evolutionary and population-genetic approaches to quantify site-specific selection within both SARS-CoV genomes revealed strong purifying selection across many genes at the time of zoonosis. Even in the viral surface-protein Spike that has been fast-evolving in humans, there is little evidence of positive selection proximate to zoonosis. Nevertheless, in SARS-CoV-2, NSP12, a core protein for viral replication, exhibited a region under adaptive selection proximate to zoonosis. Furthermore, in both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, regions of adaptive selection proximate to zoonosis were found in ORF7a, a putative Major Histocompatibility Complex modulatory gene. These findings suggest that these replication and immunomodulatory proteins have played a previously underappreciated role in the adaptation of SARS coronaviruses to human hosts.
Characterization of m6A modifiers and RNA modifications in uterine fibroids
Authors: George Jitu W. , Cancino Rosa A. , Miller Jennifer L. Griffin , Qiu Fang , Lin Qishan , Rowley M Jordan , Chennathukuzhi Varghese M. , Davis John S.
Published: August 2023

Uterine leiomyoma or fibroids are the most common prevalent noncancerous tumors of the uterine muscle layer. Common symptoms associated with fibroids include pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, anemia, and pelvic pressure. These tumors are a leading cause of gynecological care but lack long-term therapy as the origin and development of fibroids are not well understood. Several next-generation sequencing technologies have been performed to identify the underlying genetic and epigenetic basis of fibroids. However, there remains a systemic gap in our understanding of molecular and biological process that define uterine fibroids. Recent epitranscriptomics studies have unraveled RNA modifications that are associated with all forms of RNA and are thought to influence both normal physiological functions and the progression of diseases. We quantified RNA expression profiles by analyzing publicly available RNA-seq data for 15 known epigenetic mediators to identify their expression profile in uterine fibroids compared to myometrium. To validate our findings, we performed RT-qPCR on a separate cohort of uterine fibroids targeting these modifiers confirming our RNA-seq data. We then examined protein profiles of key m6A modifiers in fibroids and their matched myometrium. In concordance with our RNA expression profiles, no significant differences were observed in these proteins in uterine fibroids compared to myometrium. To determine abundance of RNA modifications, mRNA and small RNA from fibroids and matched myometrium were analyzed by UHPLC MS/MS. In addition to the prevalent N6-methyladenosine (m6A), we identified 11 other known modifiers but did not identify any aberrant expression in fibroids. We then mined a previously published dataset and identified differential expression of m6A modifiers that were specific to fibroid genetic sub-type. Our analysis also identified m6A consensus motifs on genes previously identified to be dysregulated in uterine fibroids. Overall, using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, RNA expression and protein profiles, we characterized and identified differentially expressed m6A modifiers in relation to driver mutations. Despite the use of several different approaches, we identified limited differential expression of RNA modifiers and associated modifications in uterine fibroids. However, considering the highly heterogenous genomic and cellular nature of fibroids, and the possible contribution of single molecule m6A modifications to fibroid pathology, there is a need for greater in-depth characterization of m6A marks and modifiers in a larger and varied patient cohort.
Declining old pole physiology gradually enhances gene expression asymmetry in bacteria
Authors: Proenca Audrey M. , Tuğrul Murat , Nath Arpita , Steiner Ulrich K.
Published: August 2023

Gene expression is a heterogeneous process at the single-cell level. This heterogeneity is often coupled to individual growth rates, which are also highly stochastic, leading to the emergence of multiple physiological states within bacterial populations. Although recent advances have shown that cellular aging acts as a deterministic driver of growth asymmetry, the relationship between aging and gene expression heterogeneity remains elusive. Here we show that old poles undergo a progressive decline in gene expression as mother cells age, contributing to enhance phenotypic heterogeneity in bacterial populations. We quantified the activity of promoters with distinct activity profiles: a constitutive promoter, whose expression positively correlates with growth, and the promoter of RpoS, the general stress response sigma factor, for which growth and expression are mutually inhibitory. We demonstrate that mother cells have lower gene expression for both promoters. This asymmetry could not be explained by metabolic rate differences, but rather by the increasing intracellular heterogeneity of mother cells. As a mother ages, the declining activity of its old pole produces intracellular gradients in gene expression. This intracellular asymmetry manifests in the next generation as mother-daughter asymmetry, thus representing a source of phenotypic heterogeneity for the population. Our results show that bacterial asymmetry is built into the declining physiology of mother cells across generations, illustrating the deterministic nature of aging in bacterial systems. These findings provide further evidence for cellular aging as a mechanism to enhance the variance of metabolic states found in bacterial populations, with possible consequences for stress response and survival.
Force-induced site-specific enzymatic cleavage probes reveal that serial mechanical engagement boosts T cell activation
Authors: Rogers Jhordan , Ma Rong , Hu Yuesong , Salaita Khalid
Published: August 2023

The surface of T cells is studded with T cell receptors (TCRs) that are used to scan target cells to identify peptide-major histo-compatibility complexes (pMHCs) signatures of viral infection or cancerous mutation. It is now established that the TCR-pMHC complex is highly transient and experiences mechanical forces that augment the fidelity of T cell activation. An important question in this area pertains to the role of force duration in immune activation. Herein, we report the development of force probes that autonomously terminate tension within a time window following mechanical triggering. Force-induced site-specific enzymatic cleavage (FUSE) probes tune tension duration by controlling the rate of a force-triggered endonuclease hydrolysis reaction. This new capability provides a method to study how accumulated force duration contributes to T cell activation. We screened DNA sequences and identified FUSE probes that disrupt mechanical interactions withF>7.1 piconewtons (pN) between TCRs and pMHCs. Force lifetimes (τF) are tunable from tens of min down to 1.9 min. T cells challenged with FUSE probes presenting cognate antigens with τFof 1.9 min demonstrated dampened markers of early activation, thus demonstrating that repeated mechanical sampling boosts TCR activation. Repeated mechanical samplingF>7.1 pN was found to be particularly critical at lower pMHC antigen densities, wherein the T cell activation declined by 23% with τFof 1.9 min. FUSE probes withF>17.0 pN response showed weaker influence on T cell triggering further showing that TCR-pMHC withF>17.0 pN are less frequent compared toF>7.1 pN. Taken together, FUSE probes allow a new strategy to investigate the role of force dynamics in mechanotransduction broadly and specifically suggest a model of serial mechanical engagement in antigen recognition.
High-efficiency transformation and expression of genomic libraries in yeast
Authors: Loock Mira , Antunes Luiza Berenguer , Heslop Rhiannon T , De Lauri Antonio Alfonso , Lira Andressa Brito , Cestari Igor
Published: August 2023

Saccharomyces cerevisiaeis a powerful system for the expression of genome-wide or combinatorial libraries for diverse types of screening. However, expressing large libraries in yeast requires high-efficiency transformation and controlled expression. Transformation of yeast using electroporation methods is more efficient than chemical methods; however, protocols described for electroporation require large amounts of linearized plasmid DNA and often yield about 106cfu/µg of plasmid DNA. We optimized the electroporation of yeast cells for the expression of whole-genome libraries to yield up to 108cfu/µg plasmid DNA. The protocol generates sufficient transformants for 10-100x coverage of diverse genome libraries with small amounts of genomic libraries (0.1µg of DNA per reaction) and provides guidance on calculations to estimate library size coverage and transformation efficiency. It describes the preparation of electrocompetent yeast cells with lithium acetate and dithiothreitol conditioning step and the transformation of cells by electroporation with carrier DNA. We validated the protocol using three yeast surface display libraries and demonstrated using nanopore sequencing that libraries’ size and diversity are preserved. Moreover, expression analysis confirmed library functionality and the method’s efficacy. Hence, this protocol yields a sufficient representation of the genome of interest for downstream screening purposes while limiting the amount of the genomic library required.
Impact of Donor Individuality, Temporal Variation, and Culture Medium Type on Microbiota Composition and Metabolic Activity in Human Fecal Batch Culture
Authors: Liu Zhuang , Gerritsen Jacoline , Smidt Hauke , Zoetendal Erwin G.
Published: August 2023

Fecal batch culture (FBC) studies often rely on a single fecal sample collection and the use of one type of medium for cultivation, bringing challenges to the interpretation of results and the comparison between studies. This study investigated the impact of donor individuality, temporal variation and culture medium type on microbiota composition and metabolic activity in an FBC setting with the fiber polydextrose (PDX) as carbon and energy source. FBCs were inoculated with fecal microbiota from three healthy donors sampled at three different days (day 1, 2 and 30), using either basal or rich culture medium with PDX as carbon source. Microbiota composition and metabolic activity were determined after 0, 6, 12, and 24 h of incubation. Microbiota composition variation explained by donor individuality dropped from 51% to 16% during incubation, while that explained by medium and PDX supplementation increased from 0% to 17% and 20%, respectively. Independent of the medium, the generaErysipelotrichaceaeUCG-003,BlautiaandFusicatenibacterwere stimulated by PDX supplementation. In basal mediumBacteroidesandAnaerostipesgrew better, whereasBifidobacterium,FaecalibacteriumandMegasphaeragrew better in rich medium. Metabolite variation was explained up to 50% by PDX supplementation during incubations, with butyrate being produced at the highest concentrations among all metabolites. Temporal variation explained less than 3% of the variation in both microbiota and metabolite composition. In conclusion, in this study donor individuality had the most profound impact on microbiota succession while medium and PDX supplementation had larger impacts on metabolic activity in FBCs.

IMPORTANCE

FBCs or otherin vitromodels are often chosen to assist in obtaining mechanistic insights complementingin vivomicrobiome observations by mimicking the colonic fermentation. However, FBCs are prone to a variety of factors such as the individuality of feces donor, temporal variation in microbiota composition within the individual, and cultivation medium. The importance of our study is in reinforcing that both donor individuality and medium type have major impacts on PDX degradation, whilst the impact of temporal variation is limited. Of interest is that bifidobacterial growth was more stimulated in rich medium with PDX as carbon source, whereas growth of members of theBacteroideteswere more stimulated in basal medium with PDX as carbon source. We recommend that variations in medium and donor samples should be considered when planning and interpretingin vitroincubation studies.
Single-cell transcriptome landscape of developing fetal gonads defines somatic cell lineage specification in humans
Authors: Lardenois A. , Suglia A. , Moore CL. , Evrard B. , Noël L. , Rivaud P. , Besson A. , Toupin M. , Léonard S. , Lesné L. , Coiffec I. , Nef S. , Lavoué V. , Collin O. , Chédotal A. , Mazaud-Guittot S. , Chalmel F. , Rolland AD.
Published: August 2023

Gonad development is an exciting model to study cell fate commitment. However, the specification and differentiation of somatic cell lineages within the testis and the ovary are incompletely characterized, especially in humans. In fact, a better understanding of sex determination first requires the identification of all the cell types involved and of their dynamic expression programs. Here we present a comprehensive analysis of approximately 128,000 single cells collected from 33 fetal testes and ovaries between 5 and 12 postconceptional weeks. In particular, a focused analysis of somatic cells allowed us to identify a common population of bipotential progenitors derived from the coelomic epithelium of both male and female gonads and capable of committing to either a steroidogenic or a supporting fate. Moreover, we have shown that early supporting cells, prior to further differentiation into Sertoli or granulosa cells, also give rise to the rete testis/ovarii lineage. Finally, we found that the ovary retains the capacity to feed the supporting cell pool for an extended period of time, directly from the surface epithelial cells and, bypassing the bipotential progenitor step. Altogether, our results provide an unprecedented revisiting of the human gonadal sex determination process.
Adaptor Protein-3 Produces Synaptic Vesicles that Release Phasic Dopamine
Authors: Jain Shweta , Yee Andrew G. , Maas James , Gierok Sarah , Xu Hongfei , Stansil Jasmine , Eriksen Jacob , Nelson Alexandra , Silm Katlin , Ford Christopher P. , Edwards Robert H.
Published: August 2023

The burst firing of midbrain dopamine neurons releases a phasic dopamine signal that mediates reinforcement learning. At many synapses, however, high firing rates deplete synaptic vesicles (SVs), resulting in synaptic depression that limits release. What accounts for the increased release of dopamine by stimulation at high frequency? We find that adaptor protein-3 (AP-3) and its coat protein VPS41 promote axonal dopamine release by targeting vesicular monoamine transporter VMAT2 to the axon rather than dendrites. AP-3 and VPS41 also produce SVs that respond preferentially to high frequency stimulation, independent of their role in axonal polarity. In addition, conditional inactivation of VPS41 in dopamine neurons impairs reinforcement learning, and this involves a defect in the frequency dependence of release rather than the amount of dopamine released. Thus, AP-3 and VPS41 promote the axonal polarity of dopamine release but enable learning by producing a novel population of SVs tuned specifically to high firing frequency that confers the phasic release of dopamine.

Significance statement

Reinforcement learning requires the phasic dopamine produced by burst firing but synaptic vesicle depletion limits the ability to convey information at high firing rates. We now find that AP-3 has two independent roles in dopamine release. First, AP-3 confers the axonal polarity of dopamine release by targeting vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) to the axon. Second, AP-3 acting locally at the nerve terminal produces synaptic vesicles that respond specifically to high frequency stimulation. Consistent with this, loss of AP-3 impairs reinforcement learning and this reflects the defect in release at high frequency, not the reduction in axonal dopamine.
A Novel Burn / Synovectomy Mouse Model for Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis
Authors: Hsu Ginny Ching-Yun
Published: August 2023

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) is present in 33% of the U.S. population. Currently available animal models do not faithfully simulate the native disease progression of TMJ OA. The initiation of TMJ OA requires both local trauma and systemic inflammation. In this study, we present a novel mouse model which reproduces these two conditions. This is achieved by a procedure involving both synovectomy (local trauma) and a distant burn injury (systemic inflammation). Its efficacy at inducing TMJ OA was assessed with histomorphology and radiographic evaluation at 1,3, and 9 weeks after the procedure. We found that burn/synovectomy mice demonstrated significantly more degenerative hard and soft tissue changes in TMJ than uninjured control mice or synovotomy mice. The observed histology in burn/synoectomy mice mimicked native TMJ OA disease progression in a faithful manner. This animal model is invaluable in future research of the mechanism and risk factors of TMJ OA.
The actin binding protein profilin 1 is critical for mitochondria function
Authors: Read Tracy-Ann , Cisterna Bruno A. , Skruber Kristen , Ahmadieh Samah , Lindamood Halli L. , Vitriol Josefine A. , Shi Yang , Lefebvre Austin E.Y.T. , Black Joseph B. , Butler Mitchell T. , Bear James E. , Cherezova Alena , Ilatovskaya Daria V. , Weintraub Neil L. , Vitriol Eric A.
Published: August 2023

Profilin 1 (PFN1) is an actin binding protein that is vital for the polymerization of monomeric actin into filaments. Here we screened knockout cells for novel functions of PFN1 and discovered that mitophagy, a type of selective autophagy that removes defective or damaged mitochondria from the cell, was significantly upregulated in the absence of PFN1. Despite successful autophagosome formation and fusion with the lysosome, and activation of additional mitochondrial quality control pathways, PFN1 knockout cells still accumulate damaged, dysfunctional mitochondria. Subsequent imaging and functional assays showed that loss of PFN1 significantly affects mitochondria morphology, dynamics, and respiration. Further experiments revealed that PFN1 is located to the mitochondria matrix and is likely regulating mitochondria function from within rather than through polymerizing actin at the mitochondria surface. Finally, PFN1 mutants associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) fail to rescue PFN1 knockout mitochondrial phenotypes and form aggregates within mitochondria, further perturbing them. Together, these results suggest a novel function for PFN1 in regulating mitochondria and identify a potential pathogenic mechanism of ALS-linked PFN1 variants.
Molecular basis of Gabija anti-phage supramolecular assemblies
Authors: Yang Xiao-Yuan , Shen Zhangfei , Lin Qingpeng , Fu Tian-Min
Published: August 2023

As one of the most prevalent anti-phage defense systems in prokaryotes, Gabija consists of a Gabija protein A (GajA) and a Gabija protein B (GajB). The assembly and function of the Gabija system remain unclear. Here we present cryo-EM structures of GajA and the GajAB complex, revealing tetrameric and octameric assemblies, respectively. In the center of the complex, GajA assembles into a symmetric tetramer, which recruits two sets of GajB dimer at opposite sides of the complex, resulting in a 4:4 GajAB supramolecular complex for anti-phage defense. Further biochemical analysis showed that GajA alone is sufficient to cut double-stranded DNA and plasmid DNA, which can be inhibited by ATP. Unexpectedly, the GajAB displays enhanced activity for plasmid DNA, suggesting a role of substrate selection by GajB. Together, our study defines a framework for understanding anti-phage immune defense by the GajAB complex.
Tissue-specific increases in hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha protein are independent of mRNA levels during acute hypoxic exposure of the Gulf killifish,Fundulus grandis
Authors: Murphy Taylor E. , Harris Jasmine C. , Rees Bernard B.
Published: August 2023

The hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF1) is a central regulator of the molecular responses to low oxygen in animals. It has been extensively studied in mammals, where its tissue levels are regulated by stabilization of the alpha subunit (HIF1α) when oxygen levels decrease. Consistent with this, the initial characterization of HIF1α in fish cells in culture indicated that protein abundance increased during hypoxia even when transcription was blocked. Subsequent studies, however, have reported an increase in HIF1α mRNA levels during hypoxia in certain tissues of selected species, raising the question whether hypoxic exposure brings about coordinated changes in HIF1α mRNA and protein in tissues when measured in the same fish. We have directly addressed this question by determining levels of HIF1α protein and mRNA in the tissues of Gulf killifish,Fundulus grandis, exposed to short-term hypoxia (24 h at 1 mg O2l−1). HIF1α protein was higher in brain, ovary, and skeletal muscle from fish exposed to hypoxia compared with normoxic controls by 6 h, and it remained elevated in brain and ovary at 24 h. In contrast, HIF1α mRNA levels were unaffected by hypoxia in any tissue. Moreover, levels of HIF1α protein and mRNA in the same tissues were not correlated with one another, during either normoxia or hypoxia. These results suggest that, during the initial response to low oxygen, HIF1α protein levels increase as the result of post-translational protein stabilization, rather than new transcription, as predicted from studies in mammalian and fish cells in culture.

Summary Statement

Parallel measurements of protein and mRNA of the hypoxia inducible factor support post-translational protein stabilization rather than new transcription in the initial response of fish to low oxygen
Non-homogenous axonal bouton distribution in whole-brain single cell neuronal networks
Authors: Qian Penghao , Manubens-Gil Linus , Jiang Shengdian , Peng Hanchuan
Published: August 2023

We examined the distribution of pre-synaptic contacts in axons of mouse neurons and constructed whole-brain single-cell neuronal networks using an extensive dataset of 1891 fully reconstructed neurons. We found that bouton locations were not homogeneous throughout the axon and also among brain regions. As our algorithm was able to generate whole-brain single-cell connectivity matrices from full morphology reconstruction datasets, we further found that non-homogeneous bouton locations have a significant impact on network wiring, including degree distribution, triad census and community structure. By perturbing neuronal morphology, we further explored the link between anatomical details and network topology. In our in silico exploration, we found that dendritic and axonal tree span would have the greatest impact on network wiring, followed by synaptic contact deletion. Our results suggest that neuroanatomical details must be carefully addressed in studies of whole brain networks at the single cell level.
Gut microbiota-mediated alleviation of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice.
Authors: Ikeda Eri , Yamaguchi Masaya , Kawabata Shigetada
Published: August 2023

Gut dysbiosis characterized by an imbalanced microbiota is closed involved in the pathogenesis of a widespread gastrointestinal inflammatory disorder, inflammatory bowel disease. However, it is unclear how the complex intestinal microbiota affects resistance to mucosal inflammation. Here, we showed differences in the susceptibility of inbred BALB/c mice from three main distributors of laboratory animals to colitis; clinical symptoms, such as weight loss, disease activity index score, and colon shortening were assessed. Analysis of the gut microbiota using 16S rRNA sequencing revealed clear separation of the gut microbial composition among mice from the vendors. Notably, the abundance of the phylum Actinobacteriota was strongly associated with disease activity. We also observed the expansion of butyrate-producing Roseburia species in mice with decreased susceptibility to the disease. Further cohousing experiments showed that variation in clinical outcomes was more correlated with the gut microbiota than genetic variants among substrains from different suppliers. Targeting butyrate-producing bacteria could have therapeutic potential for ulcerative colitis.
Being present: a longitudinal study on the role of mindfulness on engagement and burnout in teachers
Authors: Gabel-Shemueli Rachel , Tzafrir Shay , Rodriguez Perez Berlan , Bahamonde Canepa Danae
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this two-wave longitudinal study was to examine the role of mindfulness as mediator between social support and engagement and as a moderator in the relationship between work overload and burnout, both cross-sectionally and after one year.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of 243 Peruvian teachers. Structural equation modeling and SPSS Process Macro were used to test the hypothesis.

Findings

The results show that mindfulness mediated the relationship between social support and engagement at both times but doesn't moderate the relationship between work overload and burnout at either time.

Originality/value

This study highlights the role of mindfulness as a valuable personal resource in the workplace, as it facilitates a higher functioning at work while identifying relevant organizational characteristics that have an influence in its use.
A measurement instrument for the “ten principles of good BPM”
Authors: Badakhshan Peyman , Scholta Hendrik , Schmiedel Theresa , vom Brocke Jan
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The ten principles of good business process management (BPM) support organizations in planning and scoping the organizations' BPM approach. Derived from literature and expert panels, the principles received much attention both in research and practice. This article develops a measurement instrument to operationalize the principles and to support organizations in measuring the degree to which they incorporate the principles in their BPM approach, that way advancing their BPM capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied the scale-development methodology, because this methodology is an established approach consisting of various techniques to develop measurement instruments. First, the authors used established techniques to develop such an instrument. Then, the authors assessed the validity and reliability of the developed instrument through a field survey with 345 participants.

Findings

The authors developed a valid and reliable measurement instrument for the ten principles of good BPM. The field survey's results reveal that the measurement instrument meets all required methodological standards. The instrument, thus, can be applied to help process owners and managers to evaluate their BPM approach and plan future actions based on potential shortcomings. Future research can both use and further develop the instrument, which serves as a conceptualization of the principles.

Originality/value

This study is the first to provide a measurement instrument for assessing an organizations' BPM practice against the ten principles of good BPM, which have become established as a much-considered and widely-used source of reference both in academia and practice. The authors also discuss how the instrument compares to and distinguishes from existing approaches to qualify BPM approaches, thus communicating the significance of the instrument.
Improved gray correlation analysis and combined prediction model for aviation accidents
Authors: Su Siyu , Sun Youchao , Peng Chong , Guo Yuanyuan
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the key influencing factors of aviation accidents and to predict the aviation accidents caused by the factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes an improved gray correlation analysis (IGCA) theory to make the relational analysis of aviation accidents and influencing factors and find out the critical causes of aviation accidents. The optimal varying weight combination model (OVW-CM) is constructed based on gradient boosted regression tree (GBRT), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and support vector regression (SVR) to predict aviation accidents due to critical factors.

Findings

The global aviation accident data from 1919 to 2020 is selected as the experimental data. The airplane, takeoff/landing and unexpected results are the leading causes of the aviation accidents based on IGCA. Then GBRT, XGBoost, SVR, equal-weight combination model (EQ-CM), variance-covariance combination model (VCW-CM) and OVW-CM are used to predict aviation accidents caused by airplane, takeoff/landing and unexpected results, respectively. The experimental results show that OVW-CM has a better prediction effect, and the prediction accuracy and stability are higher than other models.

Originality/value

Unlike the traditional gray correlation analysis (GCA), IGCA weights the sample by distance analysis to more objectively reflect the degree of influence of different factors on aviation accidents. OVW-CM is built by minimizing the combined prediction error at sample points and assigns different weights to different individual models at different moments, which can make full use of the advantages of each model and has higher prediction accuracy. And the model parameters of GBRT, XGBoost and SVR are optimized by the particle swarm algorithm. The study can guide the analysis and prediction of aviation accidents and provide a scientific basis for aviation safety management.
Optimize your leadership pipeline: leveraging HR analytics for C-suite executive development
Authors: Zhu Guorong , Wang Lan , Hall Douglas T.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper employs human resources (HR) analytics to investigate the pathways through which high-potential managers ascend to C-suite positions, and how different developmental paths influence turnover among executives.

Design/methodology/approach

By combining job analysis and competency assessment with sequence analysis, the authors utilize HR analytics to analyze the work experiences of 53 general managers spanning 57 years (n = 2,742), encompassing various roles, job requirements, and 20 executive competencies attached to over 1,000 positions.

Findings

This study's findings reveal three distinct developmental paths that lead to the C-suite, characterized by differences in the content, context, timing, and complexity of work experience. Furthermore, the authors identify that a more complex developmental path tends to reinforce executives' competency in self-awareness while inhibiting their development of technical competency, ultimately resulting in reduced executive turnover.

Originality/value

By employing HR analytics to analyze empirical data embedded in job and organizational contexts, this study sheds light on the critical role of timing and complexity of work experiences in executive development. It also offers practical implications for firms seeking to optimize their leadership pipeline and reduce executive turnover by leveraging HR analytics effectively.
Local government debt and earnings management: evidence from China
Authors: Xie Hongji , Xu Shulin , Tong Zefeng
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study examines the effect of local government debt (LGD) on corporate earnings management using 25,624 firm-year observations from 2007 to 2019.

Design/methodology/approach

Pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) regression is used to examine the impact of LGD on earnings management. A difference-in-differences (DID) method is also used to alleviate potential endogeneity.

Findings

Results show that LGD motivates firms to increase earnings management, especially income-decreasing earnings management. Findings are robust to DID method and robustness tests. Heterogeneity analyses show that the positive effect of LGD on earnings management is pronounced in firms with political dependence and moderated by external governance mechanisms. Further discussions indicate that tax enforcement is an underlying channel for LGD to affect earnings management. Firms engage in downward real earnings management by increasing their abnormal discretionary expenditures and higher LGD leads to a greater book-tax difference in those firms that manipulate income-decreasing earnings management.

Originality/value

This study contributes towards examining the political costs hypothesis, the microeconomic effects of LGD and the determinants of earnings management.
Intraday price discovery and volatility transmission between the dual-listed stock index futures and spot markets – new evidence from India
Authors: Sundararajan Sivakumar , Balasubramanian Senthil Arasu
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study empirically explores the intraday price discovery mechanism and volatility transmission effect between the dual-listed Indian Nifty index futures traded simultaneously on the onshore Indian exchange, National Stock Exchange (NSE) and offshore Singapore Exchange (SGX) and its spot market by using high-frequency data.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies the vector error correction model to analyze the lead-lag relationship in price discovery among three markets. The contributions of individual markets in assimilating new information into prices are measured using various measures, Hasbrouck's (1995) information share, Lien and Shrestha's (2009) modified information share and Gonzalo and Granger's (1995) component share. Additionally, the Granger causality test is conducted to determine the causal relationship. Lastly, the BEKK-GARCH specification is employed to analyze the volatility transmission.

Findings

This study provides robust evidence that Nifty futures lead the spot in price discovery. The offshore SGX Nifty futures consistently ranked first in contributing to price discovery, followed by onshore NSE Nifty futures and finally by the spot. Empirical results also show unidirectional causality and volatility transmission from Nifty futures to spot, as well as bidirectional causal relationship and volatility spillovers between NSE and SGX Nifty futures. These novel findings provide fresh insights into the informational efficiency of the dual-listed Indian Nifty futures, which is distinct from previous literature.

Practical implications

These findings can potentially help market participants, policymakers, stock exchanges and regulators.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies in this area, this is the first study that empirically examines the intraday price discovery mechanism and volatility spillover between the dual-listed futures markets and its spot market using 5-min overlapping price data and trivariate econometric models.
The perceived quality of green buildings: from a review of occupant satisfaction towards a conceptual framework
Authors: Halicioglu Fahriye Hilal , Gurel Kubra
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Most of the emphasis in the green building literature on the green performance of buildings has been on optimizing energy and resource efficiency. Admittedly, from the perspective of the sustainable construction industry, making optimally energy and resource efficiency, often seen as a technical challenge, has a premise role in green building projects. However, green buildings need to optimally meet the health, well-being and comfort requirements of their occupants and their environmental quality targets. In that context, perceived quality is a crucial determinant of occupant satisfaction and can play a critical role in the user-oriented improvement of the green performance of buildings. While previous research has highlighted issues related to occupant satisfaction, none of them examines green buildings from a perceived quality perspective. Therefore, the study attempts to fill this research gap.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, to reveal the positive and negative satisfaction of the building occupants according to the green building features, the review of previous research in the related literature is supplemented by an exploratory study of case studies evaluating occupant satisfaction in green buildings. Then, a conceptual framework is proposed to link perceived quality and green building features towards occupant satisfaction.

Findings

A review of the case studies in 49 research articles has shown deficiencies in a comprehensive understanding and approach to the perceived quality of green buildings. In response, the development of a framework for conceptual interrelationships may provide a pathway for more detailed quality assessments for future research. In this study, the proposed conceptual framework has the potential to provide a conceptual basis for future models in determining the relationship between quality expectations and quality experiences in green buildings. It can also serve as a constructive approach for assessing occupant satisfaction in the quality-driven improvements of green buildings and further investigation of the importance of various quality cues, quality attributes and their interactions.

Originality/value

This study aims to incorporate green building features and perceived quality concepts into a framework that can form the basis for assessing occupant satisfaction in green buildings. The ultimate goal of the proposed conceptual framework is to generate an insight that can contribute to rethinking the perceived quality of green buildings and developing more occupant-driven solutions for future green buildings.
ESG ratings and corporate financial performance in South Africa
Authors: Chininga Emmerson , Alhassan Abdul Latif , Zeka Bomikazi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper examines the effect of ESG ratings and its dimensions (environmental, social and governance) on the financial performance of JSE-listed firms included in FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs panel data covering 40 JSE-listed firms included in FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index between 2015 and 2019. The paper employs the two-stage least squares (2SLS) instrumental variable regression technique to estimate the effect of ESG ratings and its dimensions (environmental, social and governance) on both accounting- and market-based performance indicators.

Findings

The results of the two-stage least squares instrumental estimation analysis reveal that investment in ESG initiatives improves both accounting- and market-based indicators of financial performance. Of the ESG pillars, the paper finds environmental initiatives improves firms' financial bottom line and market performance, while a firm's social and governance practices are observed to have no effect on a firm's accounting and market performance measures.

Practical implications

The insights from this study proffers policy implications for firms' management, investors and regulatory authorities.

Originality/value

As far as the authors are concerned, this paper presents the first empirical analysis on the contribution of ESG ratings on financial performance in South Africa.
CSR-authenticity and conciliation after service failure: the role of apology and compensation
Authors: Atav Gizem , Chatterjee Subimal , Kuru Basak
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how authentic corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities can serve as a proactive service recovery tool and shield service providers from the negative consequences of service failures. Specifically, the authors investigate the conditions under which such activities can encourage conciliatory behavior among aggrieved consumers and how adding reactive service recovery tools to the mix interferes with the process.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct three experiments on an online panel and college student participants. The authors present a service failure scenario at a restaurant (late/subpar food delivery); vary the restaurant’s CSR activity (authentic, inauthentic or nonexistent); and test CSR’s impact on conciliatory behavior, the underlying mechanisms and how reactive service recovery tactics (apology/compensation) moderate the process.

Findings

The authors find that authentic-CSR activities (relative to inauthentic or no-CSR activities) indirectly promote conciliatory behavior by (serially) making the failure appear as a onetime event and lessening consumer anger toward the service provider. However, the process gets disrupted when the authors add an apology/compensation to the mix, ostensibly because the latter is a more direct signal that the failure is a onetime problem.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that tests how authentic-CSR activities can serve as a proactive service recovery tool and encourage conciliatory behavior among aggrieved consumers (a serial mediation process). The authors add value by showing that the process cuts across cultures (with participants from the USA and Turkey) and that CSR activities are indispensable when customers do not complain but simply exit the firm.
Achieving SMEs’ excellence: scale development of Islamic entrepreneurship from business and spiritual perspectives
Authors: Raza Mohsin , Khalique Muhammad , Khalid Rimsha , Kasuma Jati , Ali Waqas , Selem Kareem M.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper investigates the effect of Islamic entrepreneurship on small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) business performance and the development of a framework to comprehensively investigate Islamic entrepreneurship to achieve competitive business advantages. Islamic entrepreneurship was measured through the Islamic entrepreneurial model, which is based on two unobserved constructs: business and spiritual perspectives. These two constructs were used as predictors of business performance. This paper aims to develop a new scale of Islamic entrepreneurship from business and spiritual perspectives to achieve SMEs’ successful business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 189 Muslim respondents were involved and analyzed their responses using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory composite analysis.

Findings

The empirical findings proved that the Islamic entrepreneurial scale with two perspectives is an absolute measure. Besides, the predictive validity findings revealed that business (i.e. trustworthiness, honesty and truthfulness) and spiritual perspectives of Islamic entrepreneurship (i.e. Taqwa, good intention and respecting religious obligations) positively affected SMEs’ business performance.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study lies in expanding the existing research, developing a measurement scale and empirically testing the Islamic entrepreneurship model. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that contributes to the Islamic entrepreneurship literature in the SME context and offers new avenues for potential researchers. The new scale will allow SMEs to understand the halal and haram concepts in more depth and apply the Islamic rules and principles with full spirit.
Renew or die amidst COVID-19: investigating the effect of organizational learning culture on strategic renewal through strategic reconfiguration and digital transformation
Authors: YahiaMarzouk Yasmine , Jin Jiafei
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Based on the dynamic capabilities view, the current study aims to empirically investigate the effects of organizational learning culture (OLC), strategic reconfiguration (SREC) and digital transformation (DT), altogether, on Egyptian private hospitals' strategic renewal in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a cross-sectional design to collect the data used to carry out mediation analysis. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample consisted of 264 Egyptian private hospitals. The smart partial least square structural equation modeling technique (PLS-SEM) was adopted to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results demonstrate that OLC directly and positively affects SR. Besides, SREC and DT partially and serially mediate the OLC-SR relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size was small, covering only Egyptian private hospitals. The results may be different in the manufacturing sector and in other countries. The study was cross-sectional which is limited to trace long-term effects of OLC, SREC and DT on SR. Accordingly, a longitudinal study may be undertaken.

Practical implications

Private hospitals' managers must actively explore and dig out valuable resources in order to discover potential information and trends endeavor to redesign internal structures, and reconfigure their current resources, structures and strategies to achieve strategic renewal. The findings also provide new insights to mangers of private sectors' institutions and direct their attention toward adopting the strategic renewal option to survive amidst crises instead of retrenchment, persevering, or quitting business.

Social implications

The study's results imply that health care providers have sought to improve the capacities of their health care systems to address the patient-level social needs through continuous learning, internal reconfigurations and the transformation toward digitalization to renew their services.

Originality/value

This study therefore contributes to SR literature by being the first empirical study to introduce an integrative model for the antecedents of SR amidst the pandemic.