bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of orphan ligand-receptor relationships using a cell-based CRISPRa enrichment screening platform
Authors: Siepe Dirk H. , Henneberg Lukas T. , Wilson Steven C. , Hess Gaelen T. , Bassik Michael C. , Zinn Kai , Garcia K. Christopher
Published: June 2022

Secreted proteins, which include cytokines, hormones and growth factors, are extracellular ligands that control key signaling pathways mediating cell-cell communication within and between tissues and organs. Many drugs target secreted ligands and their cell-surface receptors. Still, there are hundreds of secreted human proteins that either have no identified receptors (“orphans”) and are likely to act through cell surface receptors that have not yet been characterized. Discovery of secreted ligand-receptor interactions by high-throughput screening has been problematic, because the most commonly used high-throughput methods for protein-protein interaction (PPI) screening do not work well for extracellular interactions. Cell-based screening is a promising technology for definition of new ligand-receptor interactions, because multimerized ligands can enrich for cells expressing low affinity cell-surface receptors, and such methods do not require purification of receptor extracellular domains. Here, we present a proteo-genomic cell-based CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) enrichment screening platform employing customized pooled cell surface receptor sgRNA libraries in combination with a magnetic bead selection-based enrichment workflow for rapid, parallel ligand-receptor deorphanization. We curated 80 potentially high value orphan secreted proteins and ultimately screened 20 secreted ligands against two cell sgRNA libraries with targeted expression of all single-pass (TM1) or multi-pass (TM2+) receptors by CRISPRa. We identified previously unknown interactions in 12 of these screens, and validated several of them using surface plasmon resonance and/or cell binding. The newly deorphanized ligands include three receptor tyrosine phosphatase (RPTP) ligands and a chemokine like protein that binds to killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIR’s). These new interactions provide a resource for future investigations of interactions between the human secreted and membrane proteomes.
The DEAD-box RNA helicase Dhx15 controls glycolysis and arbovirus replication in Aedes aegypti mosquito cells
Authors: Machado Samara Rosendo , Qu Jieqiong , Koopman Werner J.H. , Miesen Pascal
Published: June 2022

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are responsible for the transmission of arthropod-borne (arbo)viruses including dengue and chikungunya virus (CHIKV), but in contrast to human hosts, arbovirus infected mosquitoes are able to efficiently control virus replication to sub-pathological levels. Yet, our knowledge about the molecular interactions of arboviruses with their mosquito hosts is largely incomplete. Here, we aimed to identify and characterize novel host genes that control arbovirus replication in Aedes mosquitoes. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are well known to regulate immune signaling pathways in all kingdoms of life. We therefore performed a knockdown screen targeting 461 genes encoding predicted RBPs in Aedes aegypti Aag2 cells and identified 15 genes with antiviral activity against a Sindbis reporter virus. Amongst these, three DEAD-box RNA helicases, AAEL004419/Dhx15, AAEL008728 and AAEL004859 also acted as antiviral factors in dengue and CHIKV infections. Here, we explore the mechanism of Dhx15 in regulating an antiviral transcriptional response in mosquitoes by silencing Dhx15 in Aag2 cells followed by deep-sequencing of poly-A enriched RNAs. Dhx15 knockdown in uninfected or CHIKV-infected cells resulted in differential expression of 856 and 372 genes, respectively. Interestingly, amongst the consistently downregulated genes, glycolytic process was the most strongly enriched GO term as the expression of all core enzymes of the glycolytic pathway was reduced, suggesting that Dhx15 regulates glycolytic function. A decrease in lactate production supported the observation that Dhx15 silencing functionally impaired glycolysis. Modified rates of glycolytic metabolism have been implicated in controlling the replication of several classes of viruses and strikingly, infection of Aag2 cells with CHIKV by itself also resulted in the decrease of several glycolysis genes. Our data suggests that Dhx15 regulates replication of CHIKV, and possibly other arboviruses, by controlling glycolysis in mosquito cells.
In vivo virological efficacy of monoclonal antibodies and direct antiviral agents against the SARS-CoV-2 BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron sublineages
Authors: Mazzotta V , Cozzi Lepri A , Colavita F , Rosati S , Lalle E , Cimaglia C , Paulicelli J , Mastrorosa I , Vergori A , Girardi E , Garbuglia AR , Vaia F , Nicastri E , Antinori A
Published: June 2022

Background

Omicron variant questioned the efficacy of the approved therapies for the early COVID-19. I In vitro data show retained neutralizing activity against BA.1 and BA.2 for remdesivir (RDV), molnupiravir (MLN), and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NRM/r), while poor efficacy for Sotrovimab (STR) against BA.2. No data about the risk of clinical failure and in vivo antiviral activity are available.

Material and methods

Single-center observational comparison study enrolling all consecutive patients with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (BA.1 or BA.2) diagnosis and who met eligibility criteria for treatment with RDV, MLN, NRM/r, or STR. Treatment allocation was subject to drug availability, time from symptoms onset, and comorbidities. Patients were followed through day 30. Nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) VL was measured on day 1 (D1) and D7 and was expressed by log2 cycle threshold (CT) scale. Comparisons between groups were made by Chi-square and Wilcoxon paired-test. Primary endpoint was D1-D7 VL variation. Potential decrease in VL and average treatment effect (ATE) were calculated from fitting marginal linear regression models weighted for calendar month of infusion, duration of symptoms, and immunodeficiency. Secondary endpoints were the proportion of D7 undetectable VL in NPS and clinical outcomes compared by treatment groups using a Chi-square test.

Results

A total of 521 pts received treatments (STR 202, MLN 117, NRM/r 84, and RDV 118): female 250 (48%), median age 66 yrs (IQR 55-76), 90% vaccinated; 15% with negative baseline serology. At D1, median time from symptoms onset was 3 days (2,4). 378 (73%) pts were infected with BA.1 and 143 (27%) with BA.2. D1 mean viral load was 4.12 log2 (4.16 for BA.1 and 4.01 for BA.2). The adjusted analysis showed that NRM/r significantly reduced VL compared to all the other drugs in pts infected with BA.1 while no evidence for a difference vs. MLP was seen in those infected with BA.2. MLN had comparable activity to STR against BA.1 and to NRM/r against BA.2. There was no significant difference between STR and RDV for BA.2.

At D7, 35/521 (6.7%) pts had undetectable VL. Of these, 31 were infected with BA.1 [9 (9%) MLN, 7 (14%) NRM/r, 7 (8%) RDV, and 8 (5%) STR)], and only 4 with BA.2, all treated with NRM/r. After 30 days of follow-up, 9/568 pts experienced COVID-19-related clinical failure [7/226 STR (5 BA.1) and 2/87 NRM /r (2 BA.1)].

Conclusions

In this analysis of in vivo early VL reductions, NRM/r appears to be the drug showing the greatest antiviral activity regardless of the VoC, together with MLN, although the latter limited to people with BA.2. In the Omicron era, due to the high prevalence of vaccinated people and the lower probability of hospital admission, VL decrease can be a valuable surrogate of drug activity.
Genetic susceptibility to earlier ovarian ageing increases de novo mutation rate in offspring
Authors: Stankovic Stasa , Shekari Saleh , Huang Qin Qin , Gardner Eugene J. , Owens Nick D. L. , Azad Ajuna , Hawkes Gareth , Kentistou Katherine A. , Beaumont Robin N. , Day Felix R. , Zhao Yajie ,   The Genomics England Research Consortium, Kennedy Kitale , Wood Andrew R. , Weedon Michael N. , Ong Ken K. , Wright Caroline F. , Hoffmann Eva R. , Hurles Matthew E. , Ruth Katherine S. , Martin Hilary C. , Perry John R. B. , Murray Anna
Published: June 2022

Human genetic studies have provided substantial insight into the biological mechanisms governing ovarian ageing, yet previous approaches have been largely restricted to assessing common genetic variation. Here we report analyses of rare (MAF<0.1%) protein-coding variants in the exomes of 106,973 women from the UK Biobank study, implicating novel genes with effect sizes up to ∼5 times larger than previously discovered in analyses of common variants. These include protein truncating variants in ZNF518A, which shorten reproductive lifespan by promoting both earlier age at natural menopause (ANM, 5.61 years [4.04-7.18], P=2*10-12) and later puberty timing in girls (age at menarche, 0.56 years [0.15-0.97], P=9.2*10-3). By integrating ChIP-Seq data, we demonstrate that common variants associated with ANM and menarche are enriched in the binding sites of ZNF518A. We also identify further links between ovarian ageing and cancer susceptibility, highlighting damaging germline variants in SAMHD1 that delay ANM and increase all-cause cancer risk in both males (OR=2.1 [1.7-2.6], P=4.7*10-13) and females (OR=1.61 [1.31-1.96], P=4*10-6). Finally, we demonstrate that genetic susceptibility to earlier ovarian ageing in women increases de novo mutation rate in their offspring. This provides direct evidence that female mutation rate is heritable and highlights an example of a mechanism for the maternal genome influencing child health.
Health-Related Quality of Life Among Critical Ill Patients After Move Out of ICU - A Systematic Review Protocol
Authors: Li Yao , Fang Dan , Wu Qiao
Published: June 2022

Introduction

the impact of critical illness is profound on patients resulting in physical, mental and social consequences and a poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Several studies investigated HRQOL among patients after moving out of the Intensive care unit (ICU). We will propose a systematic review of these studies.

Method

We will search PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Cochrane Library and open grey paper that reported HRQOL of ICU survivors from January 2012 to January 2022 in the English language. We will exact HRQOL data. Risk of bias will use the QUADAS-2 tool. The strength of results depends on the quality of studies.

Strengths and limitations of this study

This study will focus on general ICU survivors and make sure our results are generalizable

The information about HRQOL is updated, and the follow-up period was extended. We will focus on recently ten-year studies. We will be glad to see whether the HRQOL improved.

This study will analyze the factors associated with HRQOL after patients moved out of ICU.

This study will not perform a meta-analysis due to the heterogeneous population.

Ethics and dissemination

We do not require ethical approval because our review will be based on published material.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO CRD 42022304279
The Chlamydia trachomatis type III secreted effector protein CteG induces centrosome amplification through interactions with centrin-2
Authors: Steiert Brianna , Icardi Carolina M. , Faris Robert , Klingelhutz Aloysius J. , Yau Peter M. , Weber Mary M.
Published: June 2022

The centrosome is the main microtubule organizing center of the cell and is crucial for mitotic spindle assembly, chromosome segregation, and cell division. Centrosome duplication is tightly controlled, yet several pathogens, most notably oncogenic viruses, perturb this process leading to increased centrosome numbers. Infection by the obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t.) correlates with blocked cytokinesis, supernumerary centrosomes, and multipolar spindles; however, the mechanisms behind how C.t. induces these cellular abnormalities from the confines of its inclusion, remain largely unknown. Here we show that the type III secreted effector protein, CteG, binds to centrin-2 (CETN2), a key structural component of centrosomes and regulator of centriole duplication. This interaction requires a functional calcium binding EF hand 4 of CETN2, which is recognized via the C-terminus of CteG. Significantly, we show that deletion of CteG, or knockdown of CETN2, significantly impairs chlamydia’s ability to induce centrosome amplification. Uniquely, we have identified the first bacterial effector to target centrins, crucial regulators of the eukaryotic cell cycle. These findings have not only allowed us to begin addressing how C.t. induces gross cellular abnormalities during infection, but also indicate that obligate intracellular bacteria may contribute to cellular transformation events that negatively impact host physiology even when the pathogen is long removed. Understanding the consequences of CteG-CETN2 interactions, its impact on centrosome amplification, and the long-term effect this has on host cells could explain why chlamydial infection leads to an increased risk of cervical or ovarian cancer.

Significance Statement

The presence of more than two centrosomes is a hallmark of many types of cancer, including cervical and ovarian cancers of which Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t.) infection is a significant risk factor. Despite the importance of this problem, how C.t. orchestrates these drastic changes in the host cell remains poorly understood. Here, we describe how C.t. uses a single effector protein, CteG, to drive centrosome amplification via manipulation of a key regulator of centriole duplication, centrin-2. This work begins to define how C.t. induces centrosome amplification to promote its replication while potentially contributing to devastating long-term negative consequences for normal host physiology. Further it may help elucidate why chlamydial infection leads to an increased cancer risk.
Mapping Responsive Genomic Elements to Heat Stress in a Maize Diversity Panel
Authors: Liang Zhikai , Myers Zachary A. , Petrella Dominic , Engelhorn Julia , Hartwig Thomas , Springer Nathan M.
Published: June 2022

Many plant species exhibit genetic variation for tolerating environmental stress. A transcriptome investigation of over 100 maize inbreds revealed manycis- andtrans-acting eQTLs that influence the expression response to heat stress. Thecis-acting eQTL in response to heat stress are identified in genes with differential responses to heat stress between genotypes as well as genes that are only expressed under heat stress. Thecis-acting variants for heat stress responsive expression likely result from distinct promoter activities and the differential heat responses of the alleles were confirmed for selected genes using transient expression assays. Global foot-printing of transcription factor binding was performed in control and heat stress conditions to document regions with heat-enriched transcription factor binding occupancies. Footprints enriched near proximal regions of characterized heat-responsive genes in a large association panel can be utilized for prioritizing functional genomic regions that regulate genotype-specific responses under heat stress.
Common patterns of hydrolysis initiation in P-loop fold nucleoside triphosphatases
Authors: Kozlova Maria I. , Shalaeva Daria N. , Dibrova Daria V. , Mulkidjanian Armen Y
Published: June 2022

In ubiquitous P-loop fold nucleoside triphosphatases (also known as Walker NTPases), hydrolysis of ATP or GTP is initiated by interaction with an activating partner (usually another protein domain), which is accompanied by insertion of stimulatory moiety(ies) (usually arginine or lysine residues) into the catalytic site. After inspecting over 3600 Mg-NTP-containing structures of P-loop NTPases, we identified those with stimulator(s) inserted into catalytic sites and analysed the patterns of stimulatory interactions. In most cases, at least one stimulator twists gamma-phosphate counter-clockwise by linking the oxygen atoms of alpha- and gamma-phosphates; the twisted gamma-phosphate is stabilized by a hydrogen bond with the backbone amino group of the fourth residue of the Walker A motif. In the remaining cases, the stimulators only interact with gamma-phosphate. The ubiquitous mechanistic interaction of diverse stimulators with the gamma phosphate group suggests its twist/rotation as the trigger for NTP hydrolysis.
Metabotyping of Andean pseudocereals and characterization of emerging mycotoxins
Authors: Vásquez-Ocmín Pedro G. , Marti Guillaume , Gadea Alice , Cabanac Guillaume , Vásquez-Briones Juan A. , Casavilca-Zambrano Sandro , Ponts Nadia , Jargeat Patricia , Haddad Mohamed , Bertani Stéphane
Published: June 2022

Pseudocereals are best known for three crops derived from the Andes: quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa, Chenopods I), canihua (C. pallidicaule, Chenopods I), and kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus). Their grains are recognized for their nutritional benefits; however, there is a higher level of polyphenism and the chemical foundation that would rely with such polyphenism has not been thoroughly investigated. Meanwhile, the chemical food safety of pseudocereals remains poorly documented. Here we applied untargeted and targeted metabolomics approach by LC-MS to achieve both:i) a comprehensive chemical mapping of pseudocereal samples collected in the Andes to classify them according to their chemotype;ii) a quantification of their contents in emerging mycotoxins. An inventory of the fungal community was also realized with the aims to better know the filamentous fungi present in these grains and try to parallel this information with the presence of the molecules produced, especially mycotoxins. Metabotyping permitted to add new insights into the chemotaxonomy of pseudocereals, confirming the previously established phylotranscriptomic clades: Chenopods I (clusters quinoa and canihua), and Amaranthaceae s.s. (cluster kiwicha). Moreover, we report for the first time the presence of mycotoxins in pseudocereals. Sixteen samples of Peru (out of 27) and one sample from France (out of one) were contaminated with Beauvericin, an emerging mycotoxin. There were several mycotoxigenic fungi detected, includingAspergillus sp.,Penicillium sp., andAlternaria sp., but notFusaria.

Highlights

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Twenty-seven grain samples of Andean pseudocereals were profiled by LC-HRMS.

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Untargeted metabolomics was used to differentiate varieties from the whole metabolome dataset.

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Five mycotoxins were quantify using targeted metabolomics.

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Sixteen samples of Peru and one sample from France were contaminated with Beauvericin.

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An inventory of the fungal community infesting the Andean pseudocereal samples was documented.
Natural Antimicrobial Peptides Self-assemble as α/β Chameleon Amyloids
Authors: Ragonis-Bachar Peleg , Rayan Bader , Barnea Eilon , Engelberg Yizhaq , Upcher Alexander , Landau Meytal
Published: June 2022

Amyloid protein fibrils and some antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) share biophysical and structural properties. This observation suggests that ordered self-assembly can act as an AMP-regulating mechanism, and, vice versa, that human amyloids play a role in host defense against pathogens, as opposed to their common association with neurodegenerative and systemic diseases. Based on previous structural information on toxic amyloid peptides, we developed a sequence-based bioinformatics platform and, led by its predictions, experimentally identified 14 fibril-forming AMPs (ffAMPs) from living organisms, which demonstrated cross-β and cross-α amyloid properties. The results support the amyloid-antimicrobial link. The high prevalence of ffAMPs produced by amphibians and marine creatures among other species suggests that they confer unique advantageous properties in distinctive environments, potentially providing stability and adherence properties. Most of the newly identified 14 ffAMPs showed lipid-induced and/or time-dependent secondary structure transitions in the fibril form, indicating structural and functional cross-α/β chameleons. Specifically, ffAMP cytotoxicity against human cells correlated with inherent or lipid-induced α-helical fibril structure. The findings raise hypotheses about the role of fibril secondary structure switching in regulation of processes, such as the transition between a stable storage conformation and an active state with toxicity against specific cell types.
DNA Release from Complex Plant Tissue using Focused Ultrasound Extraction (FUSE)
Authors: Stettinius Alexia , Holmes Hal , Zhang Qian , Mehochko Isabelle , Winters Misa , Hutchison Ruby , Maxwell Adam , Holliday Jason , Vlaisavljevich Eli
Published: June 2022

Sample preparation in genomics is a critical step that is often overlooked in molecular workflows and impacts the success of downstream genetic applications. This study explores the use of a recently developed focused ultrasound extraction (FUSE) technique to enable the rapid release of DNA from plant tissues for genetic analysis. FUSE generates a dense acoustic cavitation bubble cloud that pulverizes targeted tissue into acellular debris. This technique was applied to leaf samples of American chestnut (Castanea dentata), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), red maple (Acer rubrum), and chestnut oak (Quercus montana). We observed that FUSE can extract high quantities of DNA in 9-15 minutes, compared to the 30 minutes required for conventional DNA extraction. FUSE extracted DNA quantities of 24.33 ± 6.51 ng/mg and 35.32 ± 9.21 ng/mg from American chestnut and red maple, respectively, while conventional methods yielded 6.22 ± 0.87 ng/mg and 11.51 ± 1.95 ng/mg, respectively. The quality of the DNA released by FUSE allowed for successful amplification and next-generation sequencing. These results indicate that FUSE can improve DNA extraction efficiency for leaf tissues. Continued development of this technology aims to adapt to field-deployable systems to increase the cataloging of genetic biodiversity, particularly in low-resource biodiversity hotspots.
Meta-analysis of RNA Sequencing Data of Arabidopsis and Rice under Hypoxia
Authors: Tamura Keita , Bono Hidemasa
Published: June 2022

Hypoxia is an abiotic stress in plants. Flooding resulting from climate change is a major crop threat that increases the risk of hypoxic stress. The molecular mechanisms underlying hypoxia in plants have been elucidated in recent years, but new genes related to this stress remain to be discovered. Thus, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis of RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa) under hypoxia. We collected 29 (Arabidopsis) and 26 (rice) pairs of RNA-Seq data involving hypoxic (including submergence) and normoxic (control) treatments and extracted the genes that were commonly upregulated or downregulated in the majority of the experiments. The meta-analysis revealed 40 and 19 commonly upregulated and downregulated genes, respectively, in the two species. Several WRKY transcription factors and cinnamate-4-hydroxylase were commonly upregulated, but their involvement in hypoxia remains unclear. Our meta-analysis identified candidate genes for novel molecular mechanisms in plants under hypoxia.
I-SceI-Mediated Transgenesis in Xenopus
Authors: Noble Anna , Abu-Daya Anita , Guille Matthew J.
Published: June 2022

Transgenic frogs can be very efficiently generated using I-SceI meganuclease, a nuclease with an 18-bp recognition site. The desired transgene must be flanked by I-SceI sites, in either a plasmid or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product. After a short in vitro digestion with the meganuclease, the complete reaction is injected into fertilized eggs, where the enzyme mediates genomic integration by an unknown mechanism. Posttransgenesis development is typically normal, and up to 70% of the embryos integrate the transgene.
Methods to Assess Blood and Nectar Meals in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes
Authors: Venkataraman Krithika , Jové Veronica , Duvall Laura B.
Published: June 2022

Male and female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes survive by feeding on floral nectar for metabolic energy, but females require blood protein, obtained from biting a host, for egg development. Although males exclusively derive energy from nectar sugars, females must select the meal that best matches their present metabolic and reproductive needs. In females, blood and nectar promote independent feeding behaviors with distinct sensory appendages, meal sizes, digestive tract targets, and metabolic fates. Understanding how male and female mosquitoes recognize, locate, and metabolize nutrients is essential for characterizing the survival and reproductive capabilities of this mosquito. Here, we provide an introduction to blood versus nectar feeding and methods to quantify nectar and blood meal sizes in individual Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. Precise quantification of meal size is crucial for ensuring consistency in assays that record events downstream of feeding behavior, including host attraction or fecundity.
Bis{[amino(iminiumyl)methyl]urea} tetrakis{2-[(dimethylamino)(iminiumyl)methyl]guanidine} di-μ6-oxido-tetra-μ3-oxido-tetradeca-μ2-oxido-octaoxidodecavanadium(V) tetrahydrate
Authors: Pérez-Benítez Aarón , Ariza-Ramírez Jorge Luis , Fortis-Valera Monserrat , Arroyo-Carmona Rosa Elena , Martínez de la Luz María Isabel , Ramírez-Contreras Diego , Bernès Sylvain
Published: June 2022

The title compound, (C4H12N5)4(C2H7N4O)2[V10O28]·4H2O, is a by-product obtained by reacting ammonium metavanadate(V), metformin hydrochloride and acetic acid in the presence of sodium hypochlorite, at pH = 5. The crystal structure comprises a decavanadate(V) anion (V10O28)6– lying on an inversion centre in space group P\overline{1}, while cations and solvent water molecules are placed in general positions, surrounding the anion, and forming numerous N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds. Metforminium (C4H12N5)+ and guanylurea (C2H7N4O)+ cations display the expected shape. Interestingly, in physiology the latter cation is known to be the main metabolite of the former one. The reported structure thus supports the role of sodium hypochlorite as an oxidizing reagent being able to degrade metformin hydrochloride to form guanylurea.
An evolution of virtual training: implications for talent development in the post-pandemic period
Authors: Ganiyu Idris Olayiwola , Atiku Sulaiman Olusegun , Van der Byl Kim
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study examines the effectiveness of virtual training programs in times of crisis at a public institution in South Africa for an enhancement of talent development via virtual training in the post-pandemic period.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a survey research design following a quantitative approach for data collection and analysis procedure. The respondents (employees receiving virtual training and the facilitators providing the training in times of crisis) were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was designed and administered to 119 respondents in the participating public institution in South Africa. The data were analyzed using a variance-based structural equation modeling via SmartPLS, version 3.3.3.

Findings

The results showcased the impact of information technology and virtual training platform on the effectiveness of virtual training programs during the pandemic in South Africa.

Originality

There is a dearth of literature on the evolution and effectiveness of virtual training in times of crisis in South Africa. The outcomes of this study contribute to the extant literature on talent development, virtual training, and HR effectiveness in the digital age.
Towards expediting the implementation of sustainable and successful lean paradigm for construction projects: a hybrid of DEMATEL and SNA approach
Authors: Dehdasht Gholamreza , Ferwati M. Salim , Mohandes Saeed Reza , El-Sabek Luai , Edwards David John
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Proper identification of the key motivating factors (or key drivers) is needed to ensure successful adaption and implementation of the lean concept for construction projects. However, there lacks a study investigating the complex interrelationships existing among the key drivers contributing to Sustainable and Successful Lean Construction (SSLC) implementation for such projects. To address this shortcoming, this study aims to uncover the main critical key drivers towards the implementation of SSLC for the very first time by capturing the complexity of this vexing problem.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a new hybrid framework is developed through the integration of Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Social Network Analysis (SNA). The novel developed framework is called the DSNA approach.

Findings

Considering the case of Malaysian construction projects, the developed DSNA gives the following major outcomes: (1) Most important critical key drivers are seen to be optimization, continuous improvement, and, improve company culture, and (2) For SSLC adoption, the critical drivers impacting other key drivers are seen to be “improve teamwork”, “reduce leadership conflict”, and “improve company culture”, thereby demanding more attention.

Practical implications

The outcomes of this study give insight for decisions and policymakers in the construction industry regarding critical key drivers and their complex interrelationships towards the further adoption of SSLC, promoting the sustainability paradigm within the respective sector.

Originality/value

This paper not only presents a list of critical drivers and the corresponding association among them towards SSLC adoption, but also proposes DSNA as a novel approach for uncovering the complex interrelationship existing in an intricate problem, improving the intricate process of decision-making.
Capital structure in family firms: the role of innovation activity and institutional investors
Authors: Harasheh Murad , Capocchi Alessandro , Amaduzzi Andrea
Published: June 2022

Purpose

There is still an ongoing debate on the value relevance of capital structure and its determinants. Recently the issue has been explored in family firms after being explored in mature firms. This paper investigates the role of institutional investors and the firm's innovation activity in influencing the firm's decision and ability to acquire debt capital.

Design/methodology/approach

A large sample of 700 privately-held family firms in Italy from 2010 to 2019. Two analysis techniques are used: panel analysis and path analysis. The value of debt and the debt ratio are used as leverage measures. The value of patent (as a proxy for innovation) and institutional investor are the explanatory variables.

Findings

The results show that institutional investors have no relationship with financial leverage measures except when controlling for an interaction variable (Institutional investors × Lombardy region). The patent value is positively correlated with debt; however, the ratio patent-to-asset is negatively related to financial leverage indicating higher risk exposure. The nonlinearity test demonstrates a turning point when the relationship between patent value and debt inverts.

Practical implications

Firms should monitor their innovation activity since excessive innovation increases risk exposure and affects financing opportunities and value. The involvement of institutional investors does not always enhance value.

Originality/value

Existing literature focuses separately on family firm innovations and financial leverage as outcome variables, emphasizing the role of institutional investors in both fields by adopting agency theory and socioemotional wealth framework. In this study, the authors go further by merging both relationships, investigating the dynamics of the institutional-family firm innovation relationship in influencing the firm's capital structure. The authors contribute to the ongoing debate by providing original findings on capital structure, governance and innovation, supported by rigorous methods to enhance family firms' decision-making.
Learning from digital adaptations to the pandemic: enhancing work-based higher education
Authors: Lester Stan , Crawford–Lee Mandy
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper examines how the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated digital developments in apprenticeship and work-based learning in higher education (HE), focusing on practices that have ongoing value.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was carried out on the theme of HE work-based and work-integrated learning during the pandemic, followed by minimally-structured interviews with UK university staff responsible for apprenticeship and other work-based programmes.

Findings

The pandemic has accelerated adoption of online and digital methods to support work-based and apprenticeship learning. There has been progress from emergency measures to more pedagogically consistent ones. A blended approach is becoming common, with the learning and logistical benefits from digital methods ensuring their continuing use. Progress is uneven and there is still a need for improved digital pedagogy and better integration of theoretical and practical learning.

Practical implications

More attention is needed to digital pedagogy and to effective use of online methods to support work-based learning with corresponding implications for staff development. There are institutional implications in terms of ensuring that systems and structures support what is, particularly for work-based learners, likely to be a permanent move towards digital, blended and online learning.

Originality/value

There has been limited research on the impact of the pandemic on work-based learning, with most of the literature focusing on placements and projects. This paper presents findings at a point when universities are considering how technologically-supported methods will be employed on a more permanent basis.
Multi-word terms selection for information retrieval
Authors: Bechikh Ali Chedi , Haddad Hatem , Slimani Yahya
Published: June 2022

Purpose

A number of approaches and algorithms have been proposed over the years as a basis for automatic indexing. Many of these approaches suffer from precision inefficiency at low recall. The choice of indexing units has a great impact on search system effectiveness. The authors dive beyond simple terms indexing to propose a framework for multi-word terms (MWT) filtering and indexing.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors rely on ranking MWT to filter them, keeping the most effective ones for the indexing process. The proposed model is based on filtering MWT according to their ability to capture the document topic and distinguish between different documents from the same collection. The authors rely on the hypothesis that the best MWT are those that achieve the greatest association degree. The experiments are carried out with English and French languages data sets.

Findings

The results indicate that this approach achieved precision enhancements at low recall, and it performed better than more advanced models based on terms dependencies.

Originality/value

Using and testing different association measures to select MWT that best describe the documents to enhance the precision in the first retrieved documents.
Distinctions in environmental attitudes between soccer and American football fans
Authors: Kellison Timothy , Cianfrone Beth A.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

In this study, the authors examine consumer attitudes toward a professional soccer club’s proenvironmental initiatives and evaluate whether key themes are consistent with those found in previous research of fans in different sporting contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed empirical material provided by 147 highly identified supporters of a Major League Soccer team. Using template analysis, the authors compared codes, categories and themes with those previously identified in a reference group of National Football League (NFL) fans.

Findings

Twenty-three preliminary codes, nine categories and four themes were established by the researchers. Three themes – Considering Environmental Action, Business Insights and Impacting the Fan Experience – were all consistent with the NFL reference group. A fourth theme, Public Visibility, focused on the possibility that the club’s proenvironmental initiatives could provide a competitive advantage over rival cities and positively influence local programming and behaviors.

Originality/value

The results of this study support the notion that fan characteristics may differ across various demographic and structural contexts and fans’ recognition that a club could leverage its community standing to promote proenvironmental action.
Business analysts' contributions to the dynamic capabilities of agile software development teams
Authors: Ndlela Mandlakazi , Tanner Maureen
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Literature reveals ongoing debates around the role of business analysts in agile software development (ASD) teams. This can be attributed, in part, to a knowledge gap concerning how business analysts contribute to overall team capabilities, particularly those which are essential in enabling teams to respond to fast-paced environmental changes. The purpose of this study was to address this gap by investigating how business analysts (BAs) contribute to the dynamic capabilities of ASD teams.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a deductive approach, this study adapted and applied a research model based on the team dynamic capabilities (DC) theory to explore the contributions of BAs in agile teams. The study was executed using a qualitative, single case study research strategy directed at an ASD team in the financial services industry. Moreover, data were collected through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews; a focus group; non-participant observation and physical artefacts review. The thematic analysis technique was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The study contributes to teams DC theory through four theoretical propositions centred on the role of BAs. The proposition highlights how BAs relationship management, tacit knowledge sharing, task mental models and transactive memory are key contributors of ASD teams' DC. The study also found that BAs contribute to ASD teams' ability to embrace agile principles 2, 4, 6 and 12. This study can inform the design of capacity development programmes for individual team members and BAs and thus help managers curate teams that will best promote DC.

Practical implications

This study can inform the design of capacity development programmes for individual team members and BAs and thus help managers curate teams that will best promote DC.

Originality/value

This study builds on the relatively few studies which focus on DC within software development (SD) teams and ASD project teams. Moreover, the study explores how an individual (i.e. a BA) can contribute to the DC of a team.
Navigating a global pandemic crisis through marketing agility: evidence from Italian B2B firms
Authors: Moi Ludovica , Cabiddu Francesca
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impact of marketing agility on the business-to-business (B2B) firms’ capacity to address unexpected events such as the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, examining how they reshape their strategies during the different stages of a crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows a theory-building approach and performs an in-depth exploratory multiple-case study in the context of 16 Italian firms operating in the B2B sector.

Findings

The study develops an event-sequence-based framework and illustrates how agile marketing strategies empower B2B firms to cope with a crisis across three crucial moments: the event phase, the response management phase and the investigation phase.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to a better understanding of marketing agility in the context of crisis management by showing the agile marketing strategies that B2B firms adopt during the different stages of a crisis. This work provides a useful foundation to assist managers in coping with market uncertainty. It suggests practical guidelines to make more informed strategic and operational marketing decisions, increasing a firm’s capacity to act in today’s fast-moving, complex times.
Regulations and banking crisis: lessons from the African context
Authors: Ofori-Sasu Daniel , Agbloyor Elikplimi Komla , Kuttu Saint , Abor Joshua Yindenaba
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the coordinated impact of regulations on the predicted probability of a banking crisis in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the dynamic panel instrumental variable probit regression model of 52 African economies over the period 2006 to 2018.

Findings

The authors observe that banking crisis is persistent for few years but dissipates in the long run. The results show that board mechanism and ownership control are important in reducing the likelihood of banking crisis. The authors found a negative impact of regulatory capital and monetary policy on the predicted probability of a banking crisis while regulatory quality was not strong in reducing the likelihood of banking crisis. There was also evidence to support that regulatory capital and monetary policy augment the negative impact of board mechanism and ownership control on the predicted probability of a banking crisis.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of the study is that it did not explore all measures of regulatory framework and how they impact banking crisis. However, it has an advantage of using alternative measures of regulations in a banking crisis probability model. Therefore, future studies should include other macro-prudential regulations, regulatory environments and supervision and observe how they are coordinated to reduce possible crisis in a robust methodological framework.

Practical implications

The research has policy implications for monetary authorities and policymakers to set coordinated regulations through internal banking mechanisms that are relevant in sustaining banking system stability goals. Countries in Africa should strengthen their quality of regulation in such a way that it can play a strong and complementary role to a robust internal control mechanisms, so as to maintain stability in the banking system. In general, regulators and policymakers should design greater coordination of external and internal regulations through a single regulatory framework and a common resolution mechanism that make the banking system more robust in curbing possible crisis.

Social implications

The policy implication of the study is to build banking confidence in the society.

Originality/value

This study analyses the interactions of different components of internal and external regulatory framework in helping to reduce the probability of a banking crisis in Africa.
Market orientation and business performance: the mediating role of total quality management and service innovation among Moslem fashion macro, small and medium enterprises in Indonesia
Authors: Fikri Amar Reza , Ratnasari Ririn Tri , Ahmi Aidi , Kirana Kusuma Chandra
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to see the effect of market orientation (MO) on business performance with two intervening variables, namely, service innovation and total quality management (TQM) with Muslim fashion micro, small, and medium enterprises as the object of research.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative approach with structural equation modelling-partial least square analysis techniques. Date were collected using an online questionnaire that got 100 respondents. The respondents of this research are the owner, manager, human resource development, chief financial officer and chief operating officer of a business that is engaged in Muslim fashion.

Findings

This study found that MO has an effect on business performance either directly or through mediating variables, namely, service innovation and TQM.

Research limitations/implications

This study only focuses on the Muslim fashion business and does not pay attention to businesses operating in other sectors.

Practical implications

The results of the study highlight the need for Muslim fashion business owners/managers to pay more attention to customer feedback. This is by adopting modern ways of communicating, providing training for employees and starting to join the Muslim fashion business community. These things need to be highlighted because in the items measured, they get the smallest mean among other items that are in the same variable.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to find out the effect of MO on business performance using mediating variables, namely, service innovation and TQM.
The pollution-routing problem with one general period of congestion
Authors: Liu Zhiyuan , Chen Yuwen , Qin Jin
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to address a pollution-routing problem with one general period of congestion (PRP-1GPC), where the start and finish times of this period can be set freely.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, three sets of decision variables are optimized, namely, travel speeds before and after congestion and departure times on given routes, aiming to minimize total cost including green-house gas emissions, fuel consumption and driver wages. A two-phase algorithm is introduced to solve this problem. First, an adaptive large neighborhood search heuristic is used where new removal and insertion operators are developed. Second, an analysis of optimal speed before congestion is presented, and a tailored speed-and-departure-time optimization algorithm considering congestion is proposed by obtaining the best node to be served first over the congested period.

Findings

The results show that the newly developed operator of congested service-time insertion with noise is generally used more than other insertion operators. Besides, compared to the baseline methods, the proposed algorithm equipped with the new operators provides better solutions in a short time both in PRP-1GPC instances and time-dependent pollution-routing problem instances.

Originality/value

This paper considers a more general situation of the pollution-routing problem that allows drivers to depart before the congestion. The PRP-1GPC is better solved by the proposed algorithm, which adds operators specifically designed from the new perspective of the traveling distance, traveling time and service time during the congestion period.
The effect of creating shared value on enterprise image: focusing on mediating effects of environmental involvement
Authors: Qing Chenglin , Jin Xiu , Xu Yonghui
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The global business environment has brought about great innovation according to the advent of the fourth industrial revolution era. Most of the enterprises are focusing on adapting to the era of the fourth industrial revolution and trying to find appropriate strategies. Competitiveness among enterprises is changing fiercely. Such environments are threatening to the sustainability of enterprises. In this regard, it is a key issue that how enterprises can be sustainable and gain competitive advantage. Based on this background, this study emphasized the importance of environmental involvement. Enterprise can improve its image through environmental involvement. Since enterprise image is a variable that directly impacts enterprise growth and performance, it promotes the sustainability of the enterprise. Therefore, this study aims to explore the improvement factors of environmental immersion and verified its influence.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focused on creating shared value as a factor to improve environmental involvement. It is divided into three components, which are economic values, social values and cooperative values, respectively. The role of these three factors in enhancing environmental involvement was clearly identified and the process of enhancing enterprise image was verified.

Findings

The mediating effect of environmental involvement on the relationship between creative shared values (economic values, social values and cooperative values) and enterprise image was demonstrated.

Originality/value

This study emphasized the importance of environmental immersion in the era of the fourth industrial revolution and provided a way to improve enterprise image, which is directly related to the sustainability of the enterprise.