bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rhes protein transits from neuron to neuron and facilitates mutant huntingtin spreading in the brain
Authors: Ramírez-Jarquín Uri Nimrod , Sharma Manish , Shahani Neelam , Li Yuqing , Boregowda Siddaraju , Subramaniam Srinivasa
Published: August 2021

Rhes (RASD2) is a thyroid hormone-induced gene that regulates striatal motor activity and promotes neurodegeneration in Huntington disease (HD) and tauopathy. Previously, we showed that Rhes moves between cultured striatal neurons and transports the HD protein, polyglutamine-expanded huntingtin (mHTT) via tunneling nanotube (TNT)-like membranous protrusions. However, similar intercellular Rhes transport has not yet been demonstrated in the intact brain. Here, we report that Rhes induces TNT-like protrusions in the striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and transported between dopamine-1 receptor (D1R)-MSNs and D2R-MSNs of intact striatum and organotypic brain slices. Notably, mHTT is robustly transported within the striatum and from the striatum to the cortical areas in the brain, and Rhes deletion diminishes such transport. Moreover, we also found transport of Rhes to the cortical regions following restricted expression in the MSNs of the striatum. Thus, Rhes is a first striatum-enriched protein demonstrated to move and transport mHTT between neurons and brain regions, providing new insights on interneuronal protein transport in the brain.
Expression and subcellular localization of USH1C/harmonin in the human retina provide insights into pathomechanisms and therapy
Authors: Nagel-Wolfrum Kerstin , Fadl Benjamin R. , Becker Mirjana M. , Wunderlich Kirsten A. , Schäfer Jessica , Sturm Daniel , Fritze Jacques , Gür Burcu , Kaplan Lew , Andreani Tommaso , Goldmann Tobias , Brooks Matthew , Starostik Margaret R. , Lokhande Anagha , Apel Melissa , Fath Karl R. , Stingl Katarina , Kohl Susanne , DeAngelis Margaret M. , Schlötzer-Schrehardt Ursula , Kim Ivana K. , Owen Leah A. , Vetter Jan M. , Pfeiffer Norbert , Andrade-Navarro Miguel A. , Grosche Antje , Swaroop Anand , Wolfrum Uwe
Published: August 2021

Usher syndrome (USH) is the most common form of hereditary deafness-blindness in humans. USH is a complex genetic disorder, assigned to three clinical subtypes differing in onset, course, and severity, with USH1 being the most severe. Rodent USH1 models do not reflect the ocular phenotype observed in human patients to date; hence, little is known about the pathophysiology of USH1 in the human eye. One of the USH1 genes, USH1C, exhibits extensive alternative splicing and encodes numerous harmonin protein isoforms that function as scaffolds for organizing the USH interactome. RNA-seq analysis of human retinas uncovered harmonin_a1 as the most abundant transcript of USH1C. Bulk RNA-seq analysis and immunoblotting showed abundant expression of harmonin in Müller glia cells (MGCs) and retinal neurons. Furthermore, harmonin was localized in the terminal endfeet and apical microvilli of MGCs, presynaptic region (pedicle) of cones, and outer segments of rods as well as at adhesive junctions of MGCs and photoreceptors in the outer limiting membrane (OLM). Our data provide evidence for the interactions of harmonin with OLM molecules in photoreceptors (PRCs) and MGCs and rhodopsin in PRCs. Subcellular expression and colocalization of harmonin correlate with the clinical phenotype observed in USH1C patients. In addition, primary cilia defects in USH1C patient-derived fibroblasts could be reverted by the delivery of harmonin_a1 transcript isoform. Our data provide novel insights into PRC cell biology, USH1C pathophysiology, and for developing gene therapy treatment.
Structural dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein induced by RNA binding
Authors: Filho Helder Veras Ribeiro , Jara Gabriel Ernesto , Batista Fernanda Aparecida Heleno , Schleder Gabriel Ravanhani , Tonoli Celisa Caldana , Soprano Adriana Santos , Guimarães Samuel Leite , Borges Antonio Carlos , Cassago Alexandre , Bajgelman Marcio Chaim , Marques Rafael Elias , Trivella Daniela Barreto Barbosa , Franchini Kleber Gomes , Figueira Ana Carolina Migliorini , Benedetti Celso Eduardo , de Oliveira Paulo Sergio Lopes
Published: August 2021

The nucleocapsid (N) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causal agent of COVID-19, is a multifunction phosphoprotein that plays critical roles in the virus life cycle, including transcription and packaging of the viral RNA. To play such diverse roles, the N protein has two globular RNA-binding modules, the N-(NTD) and C-terminal (CTD) domains, which are connected by an intrinsically disordered region. Despite the wealth of structural data available for the isolated NTD and CTD, how these domains are arranged in the full-length protein and how the oligomerization of N influences its RNA-binding activity remains largely unclear. Herein, using experimental data from electron microscopy and biochemical/biophysical techniques combined with molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations, we showed that, in the absence of RNA, the N protein formed structurally dynamic dimers, with the NTD and CTD arranged in extended conformations. However, in the presence of RNA, the N protein assumed a more compact conformation where the NTD and CTD are packed together. We also provided an octameric model for the full-length N bound to RNA that was consistent with electron microscopy images of the N protein in the presence of RNA. Together, our results shed new light on the dynamics and higher-order oligomeric structure of this versatile protein.
Whole-tissue deconvolution and scRNAseq analysis identify altered endometrial cellular compositions and functionality associated with endometriosis
Authors: Bunis Daniel , Wang Wanxin , Vallvé-Juanico Júlia , Houshdaran Sahar , Sen Sushmita , Soltane Isam Ben , Kosti Idit , Vo Kim Chi , Irwin Juan , Giudice Linda C. , Sirota Marina
Published: August 2021

The uterine lining (endometrium) exhibits a pro-inflammatory phenotype in women with endometriosis, resulting in pain, infertility, and poor pregnancy outcomes. The full complement of cell types contributing to this phenotype has yet to be identified, as most studies have focused on bulk tissue or select cell populations. Herein, through integrating whole-tissue deconvolution and single cell RNAseq, we comprehensively characterized immune and nonimmune cell types in endometrium of women with or without disease and their dynamic changes across the menstrual cycle. We designed metrics to evaluate specificity of deconvolution signatures that resulted in single cell identification of 13 novel signatures for immune cell subtypes in healthy endometrium. Guided by statistical metrics, we identified contributions of endometrial epithelial, endothelial, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, classical dendritic cells, monocytes, macrophages, and granulocytes to the endometrial pro-inflammatory phenotype, underscoring roles for nonimmune as well as immune cells to the dysfunctionality of this tissue.

Teaser Sentence

Cell type deconvolution and single cell RNAseq analysis identify altered endometrial cellular compositions in women with endometriosis
LyTS: A Lysosome Localized Complex of TMEM192 and STK11IP
Authors: Angarola B. , Frölich F. , Ferguson S.M.
Published: August 2021

The degradative and signaling functions of lysosomes are dependent on numerous peripherally associated proteins. Targeting of lysosomes to sites of need is controlled by adaptors that link lysosomes to both dynein and kinesin motors. SKIP is one such adaptor that promotes microtubule plus-end-directed movement through its interaction with Arl8 on the lysosome surface and kinesin-1. Sequence homology between SKIP and STK11IP (also known as LIP1) led us to investigate a potential role for STK11IP at lysosomes. After first establishing that STK11IP localizes to lysosomes, we identified TMEM192, an abundant lysosomal integral membrane protein, as the major binding partner of STK11IP and demonstrated that STK11IP depends on TMEM192 for both its lysosome localization as well as its stability. Depletion studies furthermore support a role for these proteins in the control of lysosome homeostasis. Collectively, these new results define a lysosome localized complex of TMEM192 and STK11IP that we have named LyTS (“lights”).
Rapid depletion of CTCF and cohesin proteins reveals dynamic features of chromosome architecture
Authors: Liu Ning Qing , Magnitov Mikhail , Schijns Marijne , van Schaik Tom , van der Weide Robin H. , Teunissen Hans , van Steensel Bas , de Wit Elzo
Published: August 2021

The interphase genome is mainly shaped by cohesin-mediated loop extrusion and cohesin-independent compartmentalization. Extrusion is a dynamic process of cohesin loading, loop extension and release. Cohesin release is mediated by WAPL. Loss of WAPL leads to the formation of longer loops and counters compartmentalization. The dynamics of these changes in chromosome organization have been unclear. We have used acute depletion of WAPL to show that within six hours cohesin accumulates at CTCF-bound loop anchors and extended loops are formed. When we deplete WAPL and CTCF simultaneously, new loops are formed between active genes. Surprisingly, active gene clustering is independent of cohesin. Stabilization of cohesin on chromatin leads to a decrease in compartmentalization, which is rapidly restored by depletion of cohesin. Our analyses show that loop extrusion counters compartmentalization and plays a central role in many aspects of chromosome organization.

HIGHLIGHTS

Cohesin accumulates at CTCF-mediated chromatin loop anchors following WAPL depletion.

Actively transcribed genes form long-range gene clusters independent of the cohesin complex.

Plumes are a novel architectural feature of juxtaposed DNA formed by cohesin at open chromatin islands.

Chromosome compartmentalization can be uncoupled from nuclear lamina interactions.
Ankylosis homologue mediates cellular efflux of ATP, not pyrophosphate
Authors: Szeri Flora , Niaziorimi Fatemeh , Donnelly Sylvia , Fariha Nishat , Tertyshnaia Mariia , Patel Drithi , Lundkvist Stefan , van de Wetering Koen
Published: August 2021

The plasma membrane protein Ankylosis Homologue (ANKH, mouse ortholog: Ank) prevents pathological mineralization of joints by controlling extracellular levels of the mineralization inhibitor pyrophosphate (PPi). It was long thought that ANKH acts by transporting PPi into the joints, but we recently showed that ANKH releases large amounts of nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs), predominantly ATP, into the culture medium. This ATP is converted extracellularly into PPi and AMP by the ectoenzyme Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase Phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1). We could not rule out, however, that cells also release PPi directly via ANK. We now addressed this question by determining the effect of a complete absence of ENPP1 on ANKH-dependent extracellular PPi concentrations. Introduction of ANKH in ENPP1-deficient HEK293 cells resulted in robust cellular ATP release without the concomitant increase in extracellular PPi seen in ENPP1-proficient cells.

Ank-activity was previously shown to be responsible for about 75% of the PPi found in mouse bones. However, bones of Enpp1-/- mice contained < 2.5% of the PPi found in bones of wild type mice, showing that Enpp1-activity is also a prerequisite for Ank-dependent PPi incorporation into the mineralized bone matrix in vivo. Hence, ATP release precedes ENPP1-mediated PPi formation. We find that ANKH also provides about 25% of plasma PPi, whereas we have previously shown that 60-70 % of plasma PPi is derived from the NTPs extruded by the ABC transporter, ABCC6. Both transporters that keep plasma PPi at sufficient levels to prevent pathological calcification, therefore do so by extruding NTPs rather than PPi itself.
DENR/MCTS1 knockdown modulates repeat-associated non-AUG translation
Authors: Green Katelyn M. , Miller Shannon L. , Malik Indranil , Todd Peter K.
Published: August 2021

Repeat associated non-AUG (RAN) translation of mRNAs containing repeat-expansion mutations produces toxic peptides in neurons of patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. Recent findings indicate that RAN translation in diverse model systems is not inhibited by cellular stressors that impair global translation through phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eIF2, the essential eukaryotic translation initiation factor that brings the initiator tRNA to the 40S ribosome. Usingin vitro, cell-based, andDrosophilamodels, we examined the role of alternative ternary complex factors that may function in place of eIF2, including eIF2A, eIF2D, and DENR/MCTS1. Among these factors, DENR knockdown had the greatest inhibitory effect on RAN translation of expanded GGGGCC and CGG repeat reporters, and its reduction improved survival ofDrosophilaexpressing expanded GGGGCC repeats. Taken together, these data support a role for alternative initiation factors in RAN translation and suggest they may serve as novel therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative disease.
Discriminating predation attempt outcomes during natural foraging using the post-buzz pause in Japanese large-footed bat Myotis macrodactylus
Authors: Mizuguchi Yuuka , Fujioka Emyo , Heim Olga , Fukui Dai , Hiryu Shizuko
Published: August 2021

Bats emit a series of echolocation calls with an increasing repetition rate (the terminal buzz), when attempting to capture prey. This is often used as an acoustic indicator of prey-capture attempts. However, because it is directly linked to foraging efficiency, predation success is a more useful measure than predation attempts in ecological research. The characteristics of echolocation calls that consistently signify predation success across different situations have not been identified. Due to additional influencing factors, identification of these characteristics is particularly challenging for wild bats foraging in their natural environment compared to those in flight chambers. This study documented the natural foraging behavior of wild Japanese large-footed bat Myotis macrodactylus using synchronized acoustic and video recordings. From the video recordings, we could assign 137 attacks to three outcome categories: prey captured (51.8%), prey dropped (29.2%), and failed attempt (19%). Based on previous indications from laboratory studies that the length of the silent interval following the terminal buzz (post-buzz pause) might reflect the prey capture outcome, we compared post-buzz pause durations among categories of attack outcomes. The post-buzz pause was longest in the case of successful capture, suggesting that the length of the post-buzz pause is a useful acoustic indicator of predation success during natural foraging in M. macrodactylus. Our finding will advance the study of bat foraging behavior using acoustic data, including estimations of foraging efficiency and analyses of feeding habitat quality.

Summary statement

We investigated the natural foraging behavior of wild Myotis macrodactylus and found that the length of the post-buzz pause is a useful acoustic indicator of predation success.
Highly sensitive genetically-encoded sensors for population and subcellular imaging of cAMP in vivo
Authors: Massengill Crystian I , Bayless-Edwards Landon , Ceballos Cesar C , Cebul Elizabeth R , Qin Maozhen , Whorton Matthew R , Ye Bing , Mao Tianyi , Zhong Haining
Published: August 2021

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) integrates information from diverse G protein-coupled receptors, such as neuromodulator receptors, to regulate pivotal biological processes in a cellular- and subcellular-specific manner. However, in vivo cellular-resolution imaging of cAMP dynamics in neurons has not been demonstrated. Here, we screen existing genetically-encoded cAMP sensors, and further develop the best performer to derive three improved variants, called cAMPFIREs. These sensors exhibit up to ten-fold increased sensitivity to cAMP and a corrected, cytosolic distribution. cAMPFIREs are compatible with both ratiometric and fluorescence lifetime imaging, and can detect cAMP dynamics elicited by norepinephrine at physiologically-relevant, nanomolar concentrations. Imaging of cAMPFIREs in awake mice reveals tonic levels of cAMP in cortical neurons that are associated with wakefulness, and are differentially regulated in different subcellular compartments. Furthermore, enforced locomotion elicits neuron-specific, bidirectional cAMP dynamics, in part, mediated by norepinephrine. Finally, cAMPFIREs also function in Drosophila, suggesting that they have broad applicability for studying intracellular signaling in vivo.
Context-Dependent Flux Coupling via Conserved Small-Molecule Regulatory Structures
Authors: Euler Christian , Mahadevan Radhakrishnan
Published: August 2021

Small-molecule regulation modulates enzyme activity and is widespread in metabolic networks. However, the organization of small-molecule regulatory networks and its generalized role is not well understood. We analyze the structure of the genome-wide Escherichia coli small-molecule regulatory network (SMRN) to reveal that it optimizes controllability in the metabolic network. This is achieved by conserved, highly overabundant incoherent feedforward loops. Using multi-omics data, we characterize loop examples in central carbon metabolism. These use signals from hypothesized flux-sensing metabolites phosphoenolpyruvate, α-ketoglutarate, citrate, and malate to distinguish between glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and glyoxylate shunt activity to differentially couple fluxes across these major modes of metabolism. Our results suggest that coupling of fluxes by direct modulation of enzyme activity is an emergent property of the SMRN that depends heavily on both regulatory structure and metabolic context via the metabolome, and further that flux sensing and coupling may be a global property of the metabolic network.
Excluding loci with substitution saturation improves inferences from phylogenomic data
Authors: Duchêne David A. , Mather Niklas , Van Der Wal Cara , Ho Simon Y.W.
Published: August 2021

The historical signal in nucleotide sequences becomes eroded over time by substitutions occurring repeatedly at the same sites. This phenomenon, known as substitution saturation, is recognized as one of the primary obstacles to deep-time phylogenetic inference using genome-scale data sets. We present a new test of substitution saturation and demonstrate its performance in simulated and empirical data. For some of the 36 empirical phylogenomic data sets that we examined, we detect substitution saturation in around 50% of loci. We found that saturation tends to be flagged as problematic in loci with highly discordant phylogenetic signals across sites. Within each data set, the loci with smaller numbers of informative sites are more likely to be flagged as containing problematic levels of saturation. The entropy saturation test proposed here is sensitive to high evolutionary rates relative to the evolutionary timeframe, while also being sensitive to several factors known to mislead phylogenetic inference, including short internal branches relative to external branches, short nucleotide sequences, and tree imbalance. Our study demonstrates that excluding loci with substitution saturation can be an effective means of mitigating the negative impact of multiple substitutions on phylogenetic inferences.
Comparative kinetic analysis of ascorbate (Vitamin-C) recycling dehydroascorbate reductases from plant and human
Authors: Das Bhaba Krishna , Kumar Amit , Sreekumar Sreeshma Nellootil , Ponraj Kannapiran , Gadave Kaustubh , Kumar Saravanan , Achary V. Mohan Murali , Ray Pratima , Reddy Malireddy K. , Arockiasamy Arulandu
Published: August 2021

Ascorbate, a primary antioxidant, gets readily oxidized to dehydroascorbate (DHA). Hence, recycling by dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) enzymes is vital for protection from cellular oxidative stress in eukaryotes. However, a detailed kinetic analysis of plant DHARs and their human orthologs; chloride intracellular channels (HsCLICs) is lacking. We demonstrate that DHAR from stress adapted pearl milletPennisetum glaucum(PgDHAR) shows the highest turnover rate whereasHsCLIC1, 3, and 4 reduce DHA, albeit at lower rates. We further show that the catalytic cysteine is susceptible to varying levels of oxidation, supported by crystal structures and mass-spectrometry analysis. The differences in kinetic parameters among plant and human DHA reductases corroborate with the levels of reactive oxygen species H2O2encountered in their respective intracellular environment. Our findings may have broader implications in crop improvement using pearl millet DHAR, and anti-cancer therapeutics targeting Vitamin-C recycling capability of human CLICs.
The ascension of executives' tenure, corporate risk-taking and corporate performance: evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Atayah Osama F. , Najaf Khakan , Subramaniam Ravichandran K. , Chin Phaik Nie
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the implication of top executives’ number of years of experience (tenure) on corporate risk-taking behaviour and corporate performance in Malaysian corporations.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypothesis efficiently, the authors have extracted the data from Bloomberg for 788 listed companies of the Malaysian Stock Exchange. The methodology entails ordinary least squares regressions, quantile regression and dynamic system generalized method of moments model.

Findings

First, the authors show that executive management tenure has a significant negative relationship with corporate risk-taking. It means that the long-tenured executives tend to undertake less risky strategies and decisions. Second, this study reveals that the longer executive management tenure has a positive relationship with corporate performance. Third, the moderating effect of corporate risk-taking with executive tenure (Tenure dummy*Risk) has a negative relationship with the corporate performance by 1%.

Practical implications

It implies that the appointment of experienced executive management contributes towards corporate performance directly. However, experienced management trends take less risk, which eventually results in mitigating the corporate performance. On that basis, the findings are significant in highlighting the usefulness of executive leadership term and offers insights to academics, practitioners and policymakers.

Originality/value

This paper is novel since it is unique in evaluating the executive tenure and the preferences to handle risk strategies and how that impact the firm performance.
Structure, governance and challenges of networks in the public sector: the case of the power network in Pakistan
Authors: Naveed Shabana , Azhar Aisha
Published: August 2021

Purpose

With governance networks as the critical emerging feature of public administration, this article examines the structure, governance and challenges of networks in the public sector. Using complexity theory, this article explains that control-based relations do not hold much relevance to govern the complex systems of networks.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study research design is employed taking the power network in Pakistan as the unit of analysis. Data were collected through eleven semi-structured interviews, companies' websites, government policy reports and other companies' reports. The structure of the power network was examined through the technique of social network analysis using UCINET. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted with the help of NVivo 13 to identify the mode of governance and challenges.

Findings

The study found that five central public sector actors have a high degree centrality and betweenness centrality. Thematic analysis further revealed that these actors are controlling most of the decisions in the network in a hierarchical mode of governance. Other actors face multiple challenges including lack of autonomy, overlapping authorities, conflicting rules and complex decision processes.

Research limitations/implications

The findings imply that instead of top-down and control-based relations, networks require self-governance mechanisms where actors independently participate and interact with other actors to generate common solutions to problems.

Practical implications

The authorities should use network management strategies, participatory approaches and consensus-building methods to reach decisions.

Originality/value

The study explores the network structure and network governance challenges in the context of a developing country that is barely addressed in the public management literature.
Beyond multidimensional poverty: challenges of measurement and its link with social policy in Mexico
Authors: Martínez-Martínez Oscar A. , Coutiño Brenda , Ramírez-López Araceli
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Comprehensive poverty measures are increasingly gaining importance since people's deprivations and needs cover aspects beyond income. For this reason, the goal of this article is to propose a methodology to measure poverty that includes objective social deprivation, income deprivation and subjective social deprivation, using Mexico City and its municipalities as the study context. In order to show areas of intervention of public policies, the authors discuss the dimensions and indicators used in the multidimensional measurement.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Social Welfare Survey (N = 2,871), the authors measure poverty with the Alkire-Foster methodology. The applied concept of poverty includes objective and subjective deprivations, and income.

Findings

The interaction between objective and subjective deprivations shows that income, social cohesion, built environment and public insecurity are important areas for the redesigning of public policies.

Originality/value

The employed method to measure poverty emphasizes the relevance of including subjective deprivations in interaction with objective deprivations and income. It evidences the need for the implementation or strengthening of public policies.
“If you fulfill your promise, I will be an asset for you”: exploring the relationship between psychological contract fulfillment and individual ambidexterity
Authors: Karani Anushree , Jayswal Mitesh , Panda Rasananda , Trivedi Payal
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Healthcare is a vital sector in any economy, and the healthcare industry employees should be treated well. Work policies and practices shape the psychological contract (PC) of an individual. The purpose of this paper is to explore healthcare employees' PC fulfillment from the lenses of work practices and how it affects their ambidextrous behavior (explorative and exploitative activities).

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows a mix-method research design. First, the authors conducted telephonic interviews to enlist the PC fulfillment items, and after checking the reliability and validity, the authors conducted the survey using a descriptive research design. The sampling method was snowball sampling, where 786 respondents from 6 hospitals were surveyed, and AMOS (analysis of a moment structures) 20 was used for the structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

For the healthcare sector employees, a sense of belongingness has contributed the highest in exploration activities followed by work–life balance, rewards and managerial support. Work–life balance has contributed highest in exploitation activities, followed by a sense of belongingness, teamwork and managerial support.

Research limitations/implications

The study offers important implications for researchers and employers of the healthcare sector and highlights the significance of the PC fulfillment, leading to the employees' ambidextrous behavior. There was no prior work that had empirically proved the relationship between PC fulfillment and ambidextrous behavior.

Originality/value

In the study, an attempt was made to identify the healthcare industry's work practices and how that is associated with explorative and exploitive ambidextrous behavior. The paper instigates the imperative deliberation on PC fulfillment and ambidextrous behavior for healthcare sector employees.
The influence of Islamic attributes on tourist satisfaction with pull motivation as an intervening variables
Authors: Monoarfa Hilda , Rahayu Agus , Adirestuty Fitranty , Abu Karim Rizuwan , Bahtar Azlin Zanariah , Ahmad Nazari Zamzuri , Mahmud Nurazree
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to find out the level of influence of Islamic attributes and pull motivation to the satisfaction of Muslim tourists visiting Indonesia. Furthermore, this study may reveal where variables have a strong influence on the variable satisfaction of Muslim tourists. In addition, this study also wanted to know if Islamic attributes can influence the satisfaction of Muslim tourists with pull motivation as a moderating variable.

Design/methodology/approach

Using quantitative methods, this study analyzed the results of questionnaires that have been distributed to 200 Muslim tourist respondents who have visited Indonesia. To declare the hypotheses, the collected data were analyzed with structural equation modeling-partial least square using SmartPLS application version 3.2.7.

Findings

From this study, it was discovered that pull motivation has more effect on the satisfaction of Muslim tourists visiting Indonesia. Other results showed that both Islamic attributes and pull motivation simultaneously affect the satisfaction of Muslim tourists. Furthermore, Islamic attributes can affect pull motivation and pull motivation can also become an intermediary variable in bridging the impact of Islamic attributes on the satisfaction of Muslim tourists.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study include the relatively small sample used and not yet taking foreign tourists as respondents. Besides that, you can also add several variables to complement this research in the future either as an intervening variable or a mediator variable.

Practical implications

To increase the satisfaction of Muslim tourists traveling to Indonesia, policymakers in Indonesia must further improve the facilities of the pull motivation aspect such as the cleanliness of tourist attractions, exotic locations and hygienic shopping centers. In addition, aspects of Islamic attributes must also be updated, such as aspects of adequate worship facilities and tourist attractions that apply the concept of halal for Muslims.

Originality/value

The originality of this study on the pull motivation variable as an intervening variable and adding the Islamic attribute variable in the case of Muslim tourist satisfaction.
Disconnected citizens in the social media age: unpacking the effects of digital exclusion on satisfaction with democracy in Europe
Authors: Fan Ziteng , Zhang Nan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This article explores how digital exclusion measured by citizens' occasional social media use and their skeptical social media attitude may affect their satisfaction with democracy (SWD), which is critical for public engagement and democratic stability in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs multilevel regression to test the hypotheses proposed in the context of Europe and uses cross-level data sources. Individual-level data, including social media use frequency and attitude and SWD, come from the 2012, 2014 and 2016 Eurobarometer surveys. Country-level data are derived from multiple pre-existing datasets.

Findings

The empirical results suggest that digital exclusion measured by occasional use and skeptical attitude are negatively associated with the likelihood of SWD. Additionally, the negative effect of a skeptical attitude increases in importance over time. Finally, although government transparency can mitigate the negative effect of a skeptical attitude, its role in mitigating the negative effect of occasional use is effective only in countries with moderate or low transparency levels.

Originality/value

This study preliminarily explores the direct, changing and conditional impacts of digital exclusion in social media on SWD. It also deepens our understanding of digital exclusion by differentiating between its physical and motivational aspects, which relate to public engagement and equity and then comparing their relative importance.
Personality traits as predictor of metacognitive skills and creativity in electronic university students: a structural model of academic achievement
Authors: Abedini Yasamin
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The present study aimed to present a structural model of the relationships between personality traits, metacognitive awareness, creativity and academic achievement in virtual students.

Design/methodology/approach

The statistical population of the study consisted of all students of the electronic Islamic Azad University in Tehran, where 240 of them were selected as sample group by random sampling method. Research instruments included the short form of the Creative Behavior Inventory (Linger), the Metacognitive Awareness Questionnaire (Schraw and Dennison) and NEO Personality Inventory (McCrae and Costa). Data were analyzed using LISERL software and the path analysis method.

Findings

The findings indicated a mediating role of metacognitive awareness and creativity in the relationship between extraversion, openness to experience and conscientiousness personality traits with academic performance. It was also found that metacognitive awareness has a direct, significant positive effect on creativity.

Originality/value

According to the results of the present study, the level of creativity in virtual students can be developed through training and strengthening meta-cognitive skills. The findings also suggest that meta-cognition and creativity are traits that can have intrinsic and personality roots.
The Great Discontent
Authors: Hirsch Peter Buell
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this viewpoint is to examine the reasons why so many employees around the world are choosing not to go back to work as the COVID-19 pandemic eases.

Design/methodology/approach

The viewpoint is an overview of the various viewpoints expressed on this topic and the author’s perspective on the most likely reasons and what companies can do to prevent this “discontent” from spreading.

Findings

Companies need to carry through on their newfound commitment to citizenship and purpose beyond shareholder value to find a new capital/labor equilibrium.

Originality/value

While individual views on this topic have been covered, this is a comprehensive perspective and recommendation on dealing with the issue.
Determining the managerial perception on triple bottom line performance
Authors: Munjal Parul , Sharma Deergha
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine managerial perception on social and environmental performance and its effect on financial performance in the Indian banking industry. In addition, the study tests moderating role of gender and experience of bank managers in influencing the association between the constructs.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study is conducted using survey methodology. Responses were collected from 182 bank managers covering the private sector, public sector, foreign, regional rural and cooperative banks. Structural equation modelling technique was used to test hypothesized relationships between the constructs using Smart partial least squares software (3.3.2 version).

Findings

Results of the study endorse the stakeholder perspective. Bank managers perceive that involvement in socially responsible practices strengthens the relationship between stakeholders and banks, which eventually improves financial performance. Conversely, results indicate that environmental practices by banks do not influence financial performance, thereby sustaining shareholder perspective. Further, results suggest that gender and experience of bank managers are not effective moderators in determining the relationship between the constructs.

Practical implications

Findings would be valuable for investors to better assimilate social and environmental performance along with its effect on the financial performance of banks. The study would also facilitate policymakers and regulators to outline pertinent policies and rules to uphold financial strength and integrity in the banking industry. Further, bank managers’ perception would have a marked influence on customers’ understanding of social and environmental activities that might shape customer satisfaction, trust, engagement and loyalty.

Originality/value

The study underscores the eminence of endorsing socially responsible practices in the banks. This would facilitate in improving the sustainability in the Indian banking industry.
Youth and online privacy: a cross-border study in the Basque Country
Authors: Bidegain Eneko , Arroyo Sagasta Amaia , Diaz Bizkarguenaga Koldo , Zuberogoitia Aitor , Antón Eneko , Rozas Ixiar
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the main concerns and attitudes Basque adolescents have regarding online privacy. It analyzes their motivations for sharing private information and the kind of information they share. Likewise, it examines whether they consider the potential consequences of revealing certain information online and analyzes if there are any differences between the motivations and attitudes of young people from Gipuzkoa and Labourd.

Design/methodology/approach

For this study, three methods were combined to collect the data in 17 schools in the Basque provinces of Gipuzkoa and Labourd: a survey carried out among 1,133 students, out of which 242 also completed a diary and 482 took part in discussion groups.

Findings

The data from this research does not fully support the “youth cultures of disclosure” (James, 2009) in the Basque Country; however, some of these practices have been observed.

Originality/value

Time spent online by adolescents has increased sharply in recent years. This increase has brought with it concerns about youth’s level of awareness regarding online privacy. This is the first cross-border study conducted in the Basque Country addressing this topic (in the Basque Autonomous Community, administratively belonging to Spanish territory, and in the Northern Basque Country, administratively in French territory).
A practical compensation algorithm of stress relaxation due to single tension
Authors: Wang Lifeng , Qu Huijiang , Sun Longlong , Xiao Ziwang , Liu Long , Ahmad Sharf Shajib
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Due to the deformation between the pylon and the girder caused by single tension of cables, the previously tensioned steel strands have stress relaxation, resulting in the actual cable forces being less than the design cable forces. To compensate the stress loss caused by the single tension of cables, this paper aims to present a practical compensation algorithm of stress relaxation during the construction period.

Design/methodology/approach

From the perspective of the essential cause of the stress relaxation, finite element analysis is used to solve the tension control force of each steel strand after a rigorous theoretical formula derivation.

Findings

The deformation and tension control force of each steel strand decrease with the advance of the tension sequence, and the decline rate drops gradually. However, the calculated force values of the steel strand are in good agreement with the measured value as the cable length decreases.

Originality/value

The previous rough calculation methods for the tension force of steel strands cannot meet the accuracy, and the accurate calculation methods often include the solution of nonlinear equations, which complicate the calculating process. Otherwise, there are few studies on the compensation of stress loss by calculating the deformation of the steel strand during the tension process. So, it developed an accurate and efficient algorithm to determine the tension control forces.
The moderating role of message framing on the links between organizational identification and unethical pro-organizational behavior
Authors: Alniacik Esra , Erbas Kelebek Ezgi F. , Alniacik Umit
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how – if any – does message framing moderates the previously documented positive effect of organizational identification on unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used vignette methodology to manipulate message framing and organizational identification in a 2 × 2 between-subjects experimental design to test research hypotheses. In total, 332 undergraduate students in the senior year of banking and management participated in the experiment. Two-way analysis of variance was used for data analyses.

Findings

Message framing is found to moderate the effect of organizational identification on UPB. Organizational identification posed a stronger effect on intentions to engage UPB when a supervisor announces a critical situation by using a positively framed message than (s)he frames it negatively.

Research limitations/implications

Using undergraduate students as subjects is an important limitation to external validity and generalizability of the findings. More realistic field experiments can be conducted by using real employees and factual firms in future studies.

Practical implications

Managers should be careful when using over-motivating language to employees on critical issues. Under intense stress, a managerial message over-emphasizing “gain” can prompt highly identified employees to conduct misbehavior.

Social implications

Unethical behavior brings negative consequences for organizations, even if it is conducted for the benefit of the organization. To prevent any tendency toward UPB, management communication must clearly highlight the delicate boundary between being attached to the organization and going beyond the rules for the organizational goals.

Originality/value

The study findings shed more light on the relationship between organizational identification and UPB, allowing us to see that the relationship is not always linear. In addition to over-identification, reciprocity and neutralization processes, the framing may be another explanation to varying effect of organizational identification on UPB. Supervisors’ communication style can influence employee behavior in controversial issues linked to UPB.
Proposing a checklist for aesthetic control and management in a city under neo-liberal influences: Istanbul case
Authors: Rezafar Azadeh , Turk Sevkiye Sence
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The increased flexibility in urban planning practice under neoliberal policies had impacts on urban aesthetics, such as causing cities to lose their unique character and identity, especially in developing countries. However, importance of the control and management of aesthetics has not been adequately addressed in the current planning legislations in the literature. Conventional legislation devices (such as zoning ordinances, building codes, etc.) provide little effect on aesthetic control for the flexible planning era. The aim of the study is to examine how a supplementary legal tool (a checklist) can be developed to provide urban aesthetics control and management for a city under neo-liberal influences by taking into consideration the relationship between urban environmental aesthetics and related legal regulations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research focusses on the Istanbul case. In this study, the aesthetic parameters with factor analysis using urban design parameters that affecting urban aesthetics are determined, how inclusion into the planning laws and regulations of these aesthetic parameters are examined and a checklist for aesthetics control and management are proposed.

Findings

The findings reveal that although there are different and fragmented legal sources that directly or indirectly deal with the aesthetic control and management for urban design and there is a lack of a supplementary legal tool as control management.

Originality/value

Checklists in the aesthetic control area can be a practical legal tool, which can establish a routine by giving proper attention to aesthetic quality and its related parameters of planning for all developing countries under the influence of neoliberal policies.
Effect of different soldering temperatures on the properties of COB light source
Authors: Wang Zhao , Li Yuefeng , Zou Jun , Yang Bobo , Shi Mingming
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of different soldering temperatures on the performance of chip-on-board (COB) light sources during vacuum reflow soldering.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the influence of the void ratio of the COB light source on the steady-state voltage, luminous flux, luminous efficiency and junction temperature has been explored at soldering temperatures of 250°C, 260°C, 270°C, 280°C and 290°C. The COB chip has also been tested for practical application and aging.

Findings

The results show that when the soldering temperature is 270°C, the void ratio of the soldering layer is only 5.1%, the junction temperature of the chip is only 76.52°C, and the luminous flux and luminous efficiency are the highest, and it has been observed that the luminous efficiency and average junction temperature of the chip are 107 lm/W and 72.3°C, respectively, which meets the requirements of street lights. After aging for 1,080 h, the light attenuation is 84.64% of the initial value, which indicates that it has higher reliability and longer life.

Originality/value

It can provide reference data for readers and people in this field and can be directly applied to practical engineering.
K-5 social studies content standards: investigating critical thinking for informed action
Authors: Odebiyi Oluseyi Matthew
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the dynamics of critical thinking for informed action within the frame of six sample US states’ Kindergarten-5 social studies content standards.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used quantitative content analysis. In addition to describing how the states’ standards present critical thinking for informed action, four variables were included: the enrollment weight of the states, textbook adoption status to advance standards, summative test status for social studies and grade levels.

Findings

The results indicate complex variations in context-based critical thinking levels are required by the sample states’ content standards with an extensive orientation toward superficial contextual thinking.

Originality/value

The study provides a new lens with which to make sense of students’ context-based critical thinking, as it relates to the expectations found in standards. It discusses the implications of the states’ K-5 standards on engaging students in critical thinking.