bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling group heteroscedasticity in single-cell RNA-seq pseudo-bulk data
Authors: You Yue , Dong Xueyi , Wee Yong Kiat , Maxwell Mhairi J , Alhamdoosh Monther , Smyth Gordon K , Hickey Peter F , Ritchie Matthew E , Law Charity W
Published: September 2022

Group heteroscedasticity is commonly observed in pseudo-bulk single-cell RNA-seq datasets and when not modelled appro-priately, its presence can hamper the detection of differentially expressed genes. Most bulk RNA-seq methods assume equal group variances which will under- and/or over-estimate the true variability in such datasets. We present two methods that account for heteroscedastic groups, namely voomByGroup and voomWithQualityWeights using a blocked design (voomQWB). Compared to current gold standard methods that do not account for heteroscedasticity, we show results from simulation studies and various experiments that demonstrate the superior performance of both voomByGroup and voomQWB in error control and power when group variances in pseudo-bulk scRNA-seq data are unequal. We recommend the use of either of these methods over established approaches, with voomByGroup having the advantage of accurate variance estimation since group variance trends can take on different “shapes”, whilst voomQWB has the advantage of catering to complex study designs.
Optimization and redevelopment of single-cell data analysis workflow based on deep generative models
Authors: Liu Yunhe , Fu Qiqing , Dong Chenyu , Xia Xiaoqiong , Liu Gang , Liu Lei
Published: September 2022

The present single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq) analysis pipelines require a combination of appropriate normalization, dimension reduction, clustering, and specific-gene analysis algorithms, but the rationale for the choice of these algorithms is relatively subjective because of the lack of ground truth assessment conclusions. As the number of captured single-cells increases, the number of different types of noise cells also increases, which can strongly affect the analysis efficiency. For scRNA-seq, a technology that generates data through multi-process operations, the deep generative model should be a good choice for this type of data analysis, allowing simultaneous estimation of multiple unobservable parameters assumed in the data generation process. Hence, in our study, we sequenced a pool of pre-labeled single cells to obtain a batch of scRNA-seq data with main and fine labels, which was then used to evaluate the clustering and specific-gene analysis methods. Afterward, we applied two deep generative models to infer the probabilities of pseudo and impurity cells. And by stepwise removing the inferred noise cells, the clustering performance and the consistency of different specific-gene analysis methods are both greatly improved. After that, we applied Deep-LDA (a latent Dirichlet allocation-based deep generative model) to scRNA-seq data analysis. And this model takes the count matrix as input, and makes the classification and specific gene optimization process mutually dependent, which has more practical sense and simplifies the analysis workflow. At last, we successfully implemented the model with transferred knowledge to make single-cell annotation and verified its superior performance.
Action prediction error: a value-free dopaminergic teaching signal that drives stable learning
Authors: Greenstreet Francesca , Vergara Hernando Martinez , Johansson Yvonne , Pati Sthitapranjya , Schwarz Laura , Lenzi Stephen C , Wisdom Matthew , Gubanova Alina , Marbach Fred , Rollik Lars , Kaur Jasvin , Moskovitz Theodore , Cohen Joseph , Thompson Emmett , Margrie Troy W , Clopath Claudia , Stephenson-Jones Marcus
Published: September 2022

Animals’ choice behavior is characterized by two main tendencies: taking actions that led to rewards and repeating past actions. Theory suggests these strategies may be reinforced by different types of dopaminergic teaching signals: reward prediction error (RPE) to reinforce value-based associations and movement-based action prediction errors to reinforce value-free repetitive associations. Here we use an auditory-discrimination task in mice to show that movement-related dopamine activity in the tail of the striatum encodes the hypothesized action prediction error signal. Causal manipulations reveal that this prediction error serves as a value-free teaching signal that supports learning by reinforcing repeated associations. Computational modeling and experiments demonstrate that action prediction errors alone cannot support reward-guided learning but when paired with the RPE circuitry they serve to consolidate stable sound-action associations in a value-free manner. Together we show that there are two types of dopaminergic prediction errors that work in tandem to support learning.
Predicting host associations of the invasive spotted lanternfly on trees across the USA
Authors: Huron Nicholas A. , Helmus Matthew R.
Published: September 2022

Global impacts of invasive insect pests cost billions of dollars annually, but the impact of any individual pest species depends on the strength of associations with economically important plant hosts. Estimating host associations for a pest requires surveillance field surveys that observe pest association on plant species within an invaded area. However, field surveys often miss rare hosts and cannot observe associations with plants found outside the invaded range. Associations for these plants instead are estimated with experimental assays such as controlled feeding trials, which are time consuming and for which few candidate hosts can be tested logistically. For emerging generalist pests, these methods are unable to rapidly produce estimates for the hundreds of potential suitable hosts that the pest will encounter as it spreads within newly invaded regions. In such cases, association data from these existing methods can be statistically leveraged to impute unknown associations. Here we use phylogenetic imputation to estimate potential host associations in an emergent generalist forest pest in the U.S., the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula; SLF). Phylogenetic imputation works when closely related plants have similar association strengths, termed phylogenetic signal in host association, which is common in phytophagous insects. We first aggregated known SLF host associations from published studies. Existing research has estimated association strengths for 144 species across both the invaded and native range of SLF. These known associations exhibited phylogenetic signal. We then developed two protocols that combined known host association data and fit phylogenetic imputation models based on hidden state prediction algorithms to estimate association strength for 569 candidate tree species found across the continental U.S. Of candidate species considered, 255 are predicted to have strong associations with SLF in the U.S. and can be found in several clades including Juglandaceae, Rutaceae, Salicaceae, and Sapindaceae. Uninvaded regions with the highest numbers of these strongly associated species include midwestern and west coast states such as Illinois and California. Survey efforts for SLF should be focused on these regions and predicted species, which should also be prioritized in experimental assays. Phylogenetic imputation scales up existing host association data, and the protocols we present here can be readily adapted to inform surveillance and management efforts for other invasive generalist plant pests.
Evaluation of endogenous and therapeutic 25-hydroxycholesterols in murine models of pulmonary SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Fessler Michael B. , Madenspacher Jennifer , Baker Paul J. , Hilligan Kerry L. , Castro Ehydel , Meacham Julie , Chen Shih-Heng , Johnson Reed F. , Martin Negin P. , Tucker C.J. , Mahapatra Debabrata , Cesta Mark , Mayer-Barber Katrin D.
Published: September 2022

Oxysterols (i.e., oxidized cholesterol species) have complex roles in biology. 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC), a product of activity of cholesterol-25-hydroxylase (CH25H) upon cholesterol, has recently been shown to be broadly antiviral, suggesting therapeutic potential against SARS-CoV-2. However, 25HC can also amplify inflammation and tissue injury and be converted by CYP7B1 to 7α,25HC, a lipid with chemoattractant activity via the G protein-coupled receptor, EBI2/GPR183. Here, usingin vitrostudies and two different murine models of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we investigate the effects of these two oxysterols on SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. We show that while 25HC and enantiomeric-25HC are antiviralin vitroagainst human endemic coronavirus-229E, they did not inhibit SARS-CoV-2; nor did supplemental 25HC reduce pulmonary SARS-CoV-2 titers in the K18-human ACE2 mouse modelin vivo. 25HC treatment also did not alter immune cell influx into the airway, airspace cytokines, lung pathology, weight loss, symptoms, or survival but was associated with increased airspace albumin, an indicator of microvascular injury, and increased plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conversely, mice treated with the EBI2/GPR183 inhibitor NIBR189 displayed a modest increase in lung viral load only at late time points, but no change in weight loss. Consistent with these findings, althoughCh25hwas upregulated in the lungs of SARS-CoV-2-infected WT mice, lung viral titers and weight loss inCh25h−/–andGpr183−/–mice infected with the beta variant were similar to control animals. Taken together, endogenous 25-hydroxycholesterols do not significantly regulate early SARS-CoV-2 replication or pathogenesis and supplemental 25HC may have pro-injury rather than therapeutic effects in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.
A gene expression analysis and immune infiltration between lesioned and preserved subchondral bone in osteoarthritis
Authors: Zhang Gang , Yin Chengliang , Wu Rilige , Wang Ren , Qin Yong , Lyu Songcen
Published: September 2022

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease which need more research. The purpose of this study was to performed gene expression analysis and immune infiltration between lesioned and preserved subchondral bone, and validation with datasets and experiment of multiple tissues.

Methods

The different expressed genes(DEGs) of GSE51588 datasets between lesioned and preserved tibial plateaus of OA patients were conducted. Moreover, functional annotation and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were applied for exploring the potential therapeutic targets in OA subchondral bones between lesioned and preserved sides. In addition, multiple tissues were used to screen out co-expressed genes and the expression levels of identified candidate DEGs was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in OA. Finally, immune infiltration analysis was conducted.

Results

A total of 1010 DEGs were identified, including upregulated 423 genes, 587 downregulated genes. Upregulated genes showed that BP terms were enriched in “skeletal system development”, “sister chromatid cohesion”,”ossification” etc. Pathways were enriched in “Wnt signaling pathway,” “Proteoglycans in cancer,” Downregulated genes showed that BP terms were enriched in “inflammatory response,” “xenobiotic metabolic process”, “positive regulation of inflammatory response”. Pathways were enriched in “Neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction”, “AMPK signaling pathway” etc. JUN, TNF, IL1B,were the hub genes in the PPI network. Col1A1 and LRRC15 were screened out by multiple datasets and validated by experiments. Immune infiltration showed adipocytes and endothelial cells infiltrated less in lesioned samples.

Conclusion

Our research might provide valuable information for exploring the pathogenesis mechanism of OA and identifying the potential therapy targets for OA diagnosis.
Integrons, plasmids, and resistance genes in equine faecal bacteria
Authors: Mitchell Scott W. , Moran Robert A. , Elbourne Liam D. H. , Chapman Belinda , Bull Michelle , Muscatello Gary , Coleman Nicholas V.
Published: September 2022

Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria is a threat to both human and animal health. We aimed to understand the impact of domestication and antimicrobial treatment on the types and numbers of resistant bacteria, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and class 1 integrons (C1I) in the equine gut microbiome. Antibiotic-resistant faecal bacteria were isolated from wild horses, healthy farm horses, and horses undergoing veterinary treatment, and isolates (9,083 colonies) were screened by PCR for C1I; these were found at frequencies of 9.8% (vet horses), 0.31% (farm horses), and 0.05% (wild horses). A collection of 71 unique C1I+ isolates (17 Actinobacteria and 54 Proteobacteria) was subjected to resistance profiling and genome sequencing. Farm horses yielded mostly C1I+ Actinobacteria (Rhodococcus, Micrococcus, Microbacterium, Arthrobacter, Glutamibacter, Kocuria), while vet horses primarily gave C1I+ Proteobacteria (Escherichia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Pantoea, Acinetobacter, Leclercia, Ochrobactrum); the vet isolates had more extensive resistance and stronger PC promoters in the C1Is. All integrons in Actinobacteria were flanked by copies of IS6100, except in Micrococcus, where a novel IS5 family element (ISMcte1) was implicated in mobilization. In the Proteobacteria, C1I’s were predominantly associated with IS26, and also IS1, Tn21, Tn1721, Tn512, and a putative formaldehyde-resistance transposon (Tn7489). Several large C1I-containing plasmid contigs were retrieved; two of these (plasmid types Y and F) also had extensive sets of metal resistance genes, including a novel copper-resistance transposon (Tn7519). Both veterinary treatment and domestication increase the frequency of C1I’s in equine gut microflora, and each of these anthropogenic factors selects for a distinct group of integron-containing bacteria.

IMPORTANCE

There is increasing acknowledgement that a ‘One Health’ approach is required to tackle the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. This requires that the issue is examined from not only the perspective of human medicine, but also includes consideration of the roles of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine and agriculture, and recognises the importance of other ecological compartments in the dissemination of ARGs and mobile genetic elements such as C1I. We have shown that domestication and veterinary treatment increase the frequency of occurrence of C1I’s in the equine gut microflora, and that in healthy farm horses, the C1I are unexpectedly found in Actinobacteria, while in horses receiving antimicrobial veterinary treatments, a taxonomic shift occurs, and the more typical integron-containing Proteobacteria are found. We identified several new mobile genetic elements (plasmids, IS and transposons) on genomic contigs from the integron-containing equine bacteria.
Paecilomycone inhibits quorum sensing in Gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Beenker Wouter A. G. , Hoeksma Jelmer , Bannier-Hélaouët Marie , Clevers Hans , Hertog Jeroen den
Published: September 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes major healthcare concerns due to its virulence and high intrinsic resistance to antimicrobial agents. Therefore, new treatments are highly needed. An interesting approach is to target quorum sensing (QS). QS regulates the production of a wide variety of virulence factors and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa. This study describes the identification of paecilomycone as inhibitor of QS in both C. violaceum and P. aeruginosa. Paecilomycone strongly inhibited the production of virulence factors, including various phenazines, and biofilm formation. In search of the working mechanism, we found that paecilomycone inhibited the production of 4-hydroxy-2-heptylquinoline (HHQ) and 3,4- dihydroxy-2-heptylquinoline (PQS), but not 2’-aminoacetophenone (2-AA). We suggest that paecilomycone affects QS in P. aeruginosa by targeting the PqsBC complex and alternative targets, or alters processes that influence the enzymatic activity of the PqsBC complex. The toxicity of paecilomycone towards eukaryotic cells and organisms was low, making it an interesting lead for further clinical research.

Importance

Antibiotics are becoming less effective against bacterial infections due to the evolution of resistance among bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative pathogen that causes major healthcare concerns and is difficult to treat due to its high intrinsic resistance to antimicrobial agents. Therefore, new targets are needed and an interesting approach is to target quorum sensing (QS). QS is the communication system in bacteria that regulates multiple pathways including the production of virulence factors and biofilm formation, which leads to high toxicity in the host and low sensitivity to antibiotics, respectively. We found a compound, named paecilomycone, which inhibited biofilm formation and the production of various virulence factors in P. aeruginosa. The toxicity of paecilomycone towards eukaryotic cells and organisms was low, making it an interesting lead for further clinical research.
Teneurin-2 at the Synapse Construction Site is a Signpost for Cargo Unloading from Motor Proteins
Authors: Ichinose Sotaro , Susuki Yoshihiro , Kaneko Ryosuke , Iwasaki Hirohide
Published: September 2022

In mature neurons, excitatory synapses are formed on the dendritic spine, whereas inhibitory synapses are formed on the dendritic shaft. Thus, it is primarily the accumulation of synaptic proteins that characterizes inhibitory synapses as distinct from non-synaptic regions. Protein accumulation is achieved by a combination of microtubule (MT)-based transport by kinesins and lateral diffusion across the plasma membrane; however, how and when proteins are released from kinesins remains unclear. Using primary cultured hippocampal neurons, we found that Teneurin-2 (TEN2) promotes synaptic protein accumulation by recruiting MTs via the representative MT plus end-tracking protein, EB1. MTs recruitment was enhanced when the extracellular domain of TEN2 successfully chose partners, and the lateral diffusion of TEN2 was inhibited. Conversely, if TEN2 partner choice is not achieved, MTs are not recruited, and thus synaptogenesis is not followed. Our study revealed that cargo release from kinesins through TEN2-MTs interactions supports the continuity from partner choice to synaptogenesis, which is a critical step in synaptic maturation.
Formation of amyloid loops in brain tissues is controlled by the flexibility of protofibril chains
Authors: Miller Alyssa M. , Meehan Sarah , Dobson Christopher M. , Welland Mark E. , Klenerman David , Vendruscolo Michele , Ruggeri Francesco Simone , Knowles Tuomas P. J.
Published: September 2022

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), are associated with protein misfolding and aggregation into amyloid fibrils. Increasing evidence suggests that soluble, low molecular weight aggregates play a key role in disease-associated toxicity. Within these aggregates, protofibrillar loop-like structures have been observed for a variety of amyloid systems and their presence in brain tissues is associated with high levels of neuropathology. However, their mechanism of formation and relationship with mature fibrils has largely remained challenging to elucidate. Here, we use atomic force microscopy and statistical theory of biopolymers to characterise amyloid ring structures derived from the brains of AD patients. We analyse the bending fluctuations of protofibrils and show that the process of loop formation is governed by the mechanical properties of their chains. We conclude that ex vivo protofibril chains possess greater flexibility than that imparted by hydrogen-bonded networks characteristic of mature amyloid fibrils, such that they are able to form end-to-end connections. Furthermore, we show that these findings can be extended to several amyloid systems, giving a general framework relating the mechanical properties of assemblies and the conditions in which they can form loop structures. These results explain the diversity in the structures formed from protein aggregation and sheds light on the links between early forms of flexible ring-forming aggregates and their role in disease.
Isolation, culture and characterization of Arsenophonus symbionts from two insect species reveal loss of infectious transmission and extended host range in the apicola-nasoniae group
Authors: Nadal-Jimenez Pol , Parratt Steven R. , Siozios Stefanos , Hurst Gregory D.D.
Published: September 2022

Vertically transmitted ‘Heritable’ microbial symbionts represent an important component of the biology and ecology of invertebrates. These symbioses evolved from ones where infection/acquisition processes occurred within the environment (horizontal transmission). However, the pattern of evolution that follows transition from horizontal to vertical transmission is commonly obscured by the distant relationship between microbes with differing transmission modes. In contrast, the genus Arsenophonus provides an opportunity to investigate these processes with clarity, as it includes members that are obligate vertically transmitted symbionts, facultative vertically transmitted symbionts, strains with mixed modes of transmission and ones that are purely horizontally transmitted. Significantly, some of the strains are culturable and amenable to genetic analysis. We first report the isolation of Arsenophonus nasoniae strain Pv into culture from the ectoparasitic wasp Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae and characterize the symbiosis. We demonstrate maternal vertical transmission and find no evidence for paternal inheritance, infectious transmission or reproductive parasitism phenotypes. This leads us to conclude this strain, in contrast to related strains, is a facultative heritable symbiont which is likely to be beneficial. We then report the serendipitous discovery and onward culture of a strain of Arsenophonus (strain Pb) from the blue butterfly, Polyommatus bellargus. This association extends the range of host species carrying A. nasoniae/A. apicola symbionts beyond the Hymenoptera for the first time. We perform basic metabolic analysis of the isolated strains using Biolog plates. This analysis indicates all strains utilize a restricted range of carbon sources, but these restrictions are particularly pronounced in the A. nasoniae Pv strain that is solely vertically transmitted. Finally, we demonstrate the Arsenophonus strain Pb from the blue butterfly can infect Galleria waxworms, providing a model system for investigating the functional genetics of Arsenophonus-insect interactions.
Antisense transcription of the Neurospora frequency gene is rhythmically regulated by CSP-1 repressor but dispensable for clock function
Authors: Cemel Ibrahim A. , Diernfellner Axel C.R. , Brunner Michael
Published: September 2022

The circadian clock of Neurospora crassa is based on a negative transcriptional/translational feedback loops. The frequency (frq) gene controls the morning-specific rhythmic transcription of a sense RNA encoding FRQ, the negative element of the core circadian feedback loop. In addition, a long noncoding antisense RNA, qrf, is rhythmically transcribed in an evening-specific manner. It has been reported that the qrf rhythm relies on transcriptional interference with frq transcription and that complete suppression of qrf transcription impairs the circadian clock. We show here that qrf transcription is dispensable for circadian clock function. Rather, the eveningspecific transcriptional rhythm of qrf is mediated by the morning-specific repressor CSP-1. Since CSP-1 expression is induced by light and glucose, this suggests a rhythmic coordination of qrf transcription with metabolism. However, a possible physiological significance for the circadian clock remains unclear, as suitable assays are not available.
ArfGAP1 regulates the endosomal sorting of guidance receptors to promote directed collective cell migration in vivo
Authors: Boutet Alison , Zeledon Carlos , Emery Gregory
Published: September 2022

Chemotaxis drives diverse migrations important for development and involved in diseases, including cancer progression. Using border cells in the Drosophila egg chamber as a model for collective cell migration, we characterized the role of ArfGAP1 in regulating chemotaxis during this process. We found that ArfGAP1 is required for the maintenance of receptor tyrosine kinases, the guidance receptors, at the plasma membrane. In absence of ArfGAP1, the level of active receptors is reduced at the plasma membrane and increased in late endosomes. Consequently, clusters with impaired ArfGAP1 activity lose directionality. Furthermore, we found that the number and size of late endosomes and lysosomes are increased in the absence of ArfGAP1. Finally, genetic interactions suggest that ArfGAP1 acts on the kinase and GTPase Lrrk to regulate receptor sorting. Overall, our data indicate that ArfGAP1 is required to maintain the homeostasis of the endo-lysosomal pathway to ensure the maintenance of guidance receptors at the plasma membrane and promote chemotaxis.
Pbp1 stabilizes and promotes the translation of Puf3-target mRNAs involved in mitochondrial biogenesis
Authors: van de Poll Floortje , Sutter Benjamin M. , Lee Chien-Der , Yang Yu-San , Tu Benjamin P.
Published: September 2022

Pbp1 (poly(A)-binding protein - binding protein 1) is a cytoplasmic stress granule marker that is capable of forming condensates that function in the negative regulation of TORC1 signaling under respiratory conditions. How mutations in its mammalian ortholog ataxin-2 are linked to neurodegenerative conditions remains unclear. Here, we show that loss of Pbp1 leads to decreases in amounts of mitochondrial proteins whose encoding mRNAs are targets of Puf3, a member of the PUF (Pumilio and FBF) family of RNA-binding proteins. We found that Pbp1 stabilizes and promotes the translation of Puf3-target mRNAs in respiratory conditions, such as those involved in the assembly of cytochrome c oxidase. We further show that Pbp1 and Puf3 interact through their respective low complexity domains, which is required for Puf3-target mRNA stabilization and translation. Our findings reveal a key role for Pbp1-containing assemblies in enabling the translation of mRNAs critical for mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration. They may further begin to explain prior associations of Pbp1/ataxin-2 with RNA, stress granule biology, mitochondrial function, and neuronal health.
Assessing global interest in decentralized finance, embedded finance, open finance, ocean finance and sustainable finance
Authors: Ozili Peterson K.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper analyzes global interest in Internet information about decentralized finance (DeFi), embedded finance (EmFi), open finance (OpFi), ocean finance (OcFi) and sustainable finance (SuFi) and the relationship among them.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used a comparative methodology based on regression and correlation analyses to assess global interest in Internet information about DeFi, EmFi, OpFi, OcFi and SuFi.

Findings

The findings reveal that global interest in Internet information about EmFi was more popular in Asian and European countries. Global web search for Internet information about OcFi decreased during the financial crisis while global web search for Internet information about OpFi and EmFi increased during financial crisis years. Global web search for Internet information about DeFi, SuFi and EmFi increased during the pandemic years. There is a significant and positive correlation between interest in DeFi, EmFi, OcFi and SuFi. Also, there is a significant and negative correlation between interest in EmFi and interest in OpFi. The regression coefficient matrix shows that OpFi, EmFi, OcFi, DeFi and SuFi are significantly related.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first paper that analyses the association between interest in DeFi, EmFi, OpFi, OcFi and SuFi. Thus, this study addressed an important knowledge gap in the literature by exploring people’s interest in Internet information about DeFi, EmFi, OpFi, OcFi and SuFi.
Evaluation of weather-productivity models of construction labour for tropics
Authors: Al-Refaie Anas , Alashwal Ali , Abdul-Samad Zulkiflee , Salleh Hafez , Elshafie Ahmed
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Weather is one of the main factors affecting labour productivity. Existing weather-productivity models focussed on hot and cold climates paying less attention to the tropics. Many tropical countries are expected to be the most areas affected by accelerated climate change and global warming, which may have a severe impact on labour health and productivity. The purpose of this paper is to assess whether the existing models can be used to predict labour productivity based on weather conditions in the tropics.

Design/methodology/approach

Five models are identified from the literature for evaluation. Using real labour productivity data of a high-rise building project in Malaysia, the actual productivity rate was compared with predicted productivity rates generated using the five models. The predicted productivity rates were generated using weather variables collected from an adjusting weather station to the project.

Findings

Compared with other models evaluated in this paper, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) was found to be the best model to predict productivity based on the case study data. However, the result shows only a 57% accuracy level of the USACE model indicating the need to develop a new model for the tropics for more accurate prediction.

Originality/value

The result of this study is perhaps the first to apply meteorological variables to predict productivity rates and validate them using actual productivity data in the tropics. This study is the first step to developing a more accurate productivity model, which will be useful for project planning and more accurate productivity rate estimation.
The formation of a firm's core competence and its development: an analysis with a special reference to North East England firms
Authors: Mathew Sony , Seddighi Hamid
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper provides remarkable insight into the structural components of a firm's core competence and its development via research and development (R&D) activities for innovation and exporting activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have used a positivist design and a deductive methodology. The authors have examined the extant literature developing a theoretical framework to empirically investigate the relationships between a firm's core competence, organisational learning (OL), tacitness, dynamic capability and R&D activities. To carry out this investigation, the authors have collected stratified sample data from 330 firms operating in North East England, a peripheral region of England.

Findings

The authors have found that there are indeed significant statistical relationships between these structural components, R&D activities and a firm's core competence, and this nexus is pertinent to innovation and exporting. Furthermore, it is found that North East England is significantly constrained by the lack of finance, technological capability, experts and brain drain. Based on these findings, the authors propose a cooperative R&D framework to narrow down these constraints to assist firms in developing core competencies for innovation and exporting in peripheral regions.

Social implications

There is an urgent need to investigate the incidence of knowledge-driven activities, R&D, the extent of innovation and exporting activities of firms operating in North East England, a peripheral region of the United Kingdom (UK).

Originality/value

This study provides an original and systematic investigation of the firm's core competence and its formation via key structural components for innovation and exporting within an empirical framework.
Audit and CSR committees: are they complements or substitutes in CSR reporting, assurance and GRI framework adoption?
Authors: Uyar Ali , Elbardan Hany , Kuzey Cemil , Karaman Abdullah S.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims mainly to test the effect of audit committee independence and expertise attributes on corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting, assurance and global reporting initiative (GRI) framework adoption and to investigate how CSR committee existence moderates this main relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a large global sample that includes all (59,172) firm-year observations having CSR-related data in the Thomson Reuters Eikon database for a period between 2002 and 2019. The empirical analyses are based on random-effects logistic panel regression and Hayes methodology for the moderation analysis.

Findings

The study finds that audit committee independence and expertise are significantly associated with CSR reporting, CSR report assurance and GRI framework adoption. Moderation analysis largely supports the existence of a substitution role between audit and CSR committees and implies that audit committees are significant predictors of CSR reporting, assurance and GRI framework adoption mostly in the absence of the CSR committee.

Practical implications

The findings propose audit committee members be extra-vigilant in CSR reporting and assurance practices arising from undertaking substitution roles with the CSR committee. Hence, firms may configure their corporate structure in line with the results such as augmenting the audit committee with independent and expert members if they do not constitute a CSR committee. If firms establish a CSR committee, audit committee members may allocate less time to CSR reporting and assurance and more time to financial reporting quality.

Originality/value

This is the first study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to investigate the direct and indirect effect of audit committees’ attributes not only on CSR disclosure but also on GRI implementation and CSR reporting external assurance, considering the CSR committee’s possible substitutability or complementarity moderating role. This research develops a deeper understanding of audit committees’ non-financial role.
Objectively measuring learning outcomes of information technology-assisted training courses
Authors: Schneikart Gerald , Mayrhofer Walter
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The objective of the presented pilot study was to test the applicability of a metric to specifically measure performance improvement via a hands-on workshop about collaborative robotics.

Design/methodology/approach

Candidates interested in acquiring basic practical skills in working with a collaborative robot completed a distance learning exercise in preparation for a hands-on training workshop. The candidates executed a test before and after the workshop for recording the parameters compiled in the tested performance index (PI).

Findings

The results reflected the potential of the tested PI for applications in detecting improvement in practical skill acquisition and revealed potential opportunities for integrating additional performance factors.

Research limitations/implications

The low number of candidates available limited in-depth analyses of the learning outcomes.

Practical implications

The study outcomes provide the basis for follow-up projects with larger cohorts of candidates and control groups in order to expedite the development of technology-assisted performance measurements.

Social implications

The study contributes to research on performance improvement and prediction of learning outcomes, which is imperative to this emerging field in learning analytics.

Originality/value

The development of the presented PI addresses a scientific gap in learning analytics, i.e. the objective measurement of performance improvement and prediction along skill-intensive training courses. This paper presents an improved version of the PI, which was published at the 12th Conference on Learning Factories, Singapore, April 2022.
POLI advantages of state-owned multinationals
Authors: Panibratov Andrei , Garanina Olga , Ameyaw Abdul-Kadir , Anand Amit
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The authors revisit the traditional OLI paradigm with the objective to allocate politics within the set of internationalization advantages by building on the political strategy literature. The authors outline the specific role of political advantage that facilitates and propels the international expansion of state-owned multinational enterprises (SOMNEs) from emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual paper which explains the role of political advantage in the internationalization of SOMNEs. The authors expand the scope of the OLI to capture the impact of firms' home governments' policies and relationships with host countries which are leveraged by SOMNEs in their internationalization.

Findings

The authors define political advantage as a new type of advantage which depends on and is sourced from external actors. The authors argue that P-advantage is a multifaceted and unstable part of POLI composition, which is contingent on political shifts and may be leveraged by various firms. The authors also assert that political capabilities have limitations in sustaining political advantage, which may be compensated via enhancing the political activity of firms.

Originality/value

The authors conceptualize the POLI-advantages paradigm for the internationalization of SOMNEs by proposing that in addition to the traditional ownership, location, and internalization advantages, firms can capitalize on their political advantage to enter markets where internationalization might have been difficult without their political connections.
CSR communication and international marketing: Insights from the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Farmaki Anna , Hadjielias Elias , Olya Hossein , Taheri Babak , Hadjielia Drotarova Maria
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication of the Fortune top-100 companies during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Specifically, the authors examine the messages of international companies' CSR communication to customers during the pandemic, focusing particularly on the companies' posts on Twitter. In addition to identifying what international companies communicate, the authors determine the motives of companies' COVID-19-related CSR communication as well as how companies strategically approach CSR communication.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Nvivo, the authors carried out content analysis of the COVID-19-related tweets of the Fortune top-100 companies using Twitter's ‘advanced search’ tool. The analysis included tweets posted between 1 February 2020 and September 2021, a period that represents the peak of the pandemic.

Findings

Study findings indicate that COVID-19-related CSR responses of international companies are driven by commitment to organizational values, attainment of recognition for timely response to COVID-19, altruistic motives to combat COVID-19 and congruence with social movements that create expectations from customers to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most companies adopt a response strategy to CSR communication, by informing customers of their COVID-19 responses in relation to several issues such as alterations in companies' processes and the impacts of the pandemic on health.

Practical implications

The study suggests that the CSR practices of companies should be strategically embedded in organizations' international marketing plans and not remain just on-off responses to crises should marketing-related benefits be obtained. Several recommendations are made to strengthen companies' adoption of a proactive, engagement-oriented approach to CSR communication.

Originality/value

The CSR communication of international companies during external crises has not been sufficiently studied in relation to international marketing, as most studies considered internal corporate crises. Focusing on an external crisis (COVID-19 pandemic) with global impacts, this study advances existing knowledge on international companies' CSR communication to their customers. Additionally, this study offers new insights on the role of integrated, coordinated and consistent CSR messages and strategies, which are targeted to the needs and expectations of domestic and international customers in response to COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19, lockdown measures and their impact on food and healthcare prices: empirical evidence using a dynamic ARDL model
Authors: Chang Bisharat Hussain , Gohar Raheel , Derindag Omer Faruk , Uche Emmanuel
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This research examines the impact of lockdown stringency measures and COVID-19 cases on food and healthcare prices in six Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and Turkey (BRICST) countries. This research is conducted in these countries since previous studies failed to examine the effect of COVID-19 reported cases on food and healthcare prices.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the objectives of this study, food and healthcare services were regressed against CVC and lockdown stringency measures using the dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (DARDL) model. For this purpose, we used daily data for BRICST countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and Turkey.

Findings

The empirical evidence indicates that, in the long run, COVID-19 cases significantly and positively affect both food and healthcare prices in India, South Africa and China. In contrast, in the short run, COVID-19 positively affects food and healthcare prices in all countries except Russia and Turkey. Similarly, in the long run, the government stringency index (GSI) and Containment and Health Index (CHI) significantly affect health prices in India and South Africa. In contrast, GSI and CHI significantly affect healthcare prices in South Africa only in the short run. Finally, GSI and CHI significantly affect the food prices in the long run in India, South Africa and China and in the short run in South Africa only.

Originality/value

The widespread impact of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) has made the world panic. COVID-19 affected all spheres of life, including food supplies and healthcare services. However, most of the empirical research failed to examine the impact of COVID-19 cases on food and healthcare prices which is the main focus of this study. Moreover, in the given context, the authors use a recently developed model that the previous studies failed to use.
Involvement of multiple generations in management and internationalization of family firms in Spain: the moderating effect of SEW dimensions
Authors: Blanzo-Mazagatos Virginia , Delgado-García Juan Bautista , Barrero Jesús P.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The study aims to analyze for the Spanish context the influence of the involvement of several generations in the firm's management on family firm internationalization. The authors also respond to the call in the literature to consider the influence of SEW on family firm internationalizations by analyzing the moderating effect of the importance family managers attach to each of the socioemotional wealth (SEW) dimensions – enrichment, continuity and prominence on the relationship between multiple generations involved in management and family firm internationalization.

Design/methodology/approach

The information was obtained by means of a questionnaire sent to the CEOs of family businesses. The authors’ sample consists of 147 Spanish family firms.

Findings

The authors find that the involvement of multiple generations in management is positively related to the internationalization of family firms. Furthermore, the importance that family CEOs attribute to the enrichment dimension of SEW reduces the intensity of the effect of the involvement of several generations in management on family firm internationalization.

Originality/value

The authors’ results, for the Spanish context, complement previous studies (Meneses et al., 2014) showing that the entry of new generations into the family business opens a window of opportunity for the internationalization of the family business. Furthermore, their study shows that the diverse family objectives by CEOs can have different, even conflicting effects on the internationalization decision. These results suggest that the enrichment dimension, which focuses on the short-term family goals may restrain the internationalization of the family business. However, continuity and prominence dimensions, which are related with long term family objectives and jointly enable the fulfillment of nonfamily stakeholders’ objectives, do not influence the internationalization of the family firms analyzed.
Evaluation of an inpatient sex offender treatment programme for men with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Hickman Gareth , Morris Antonia
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on an inpatient cognitive behavioural sex offender treatment group programme developed and provided to people with intellectual disabilities detained in medium and low security hospital settings. The programme was delivered five times between 2012 and 2020. This paper describes the integration of the programme within a wider treatment pathway model and provides analysis of outcome data.

Design/methodology/approach

The programme was evaluated over five group programmes using self-report psychometric measures related to treatment targets in the reduction of sexual offending risk, including cognitive distortions, sexual attitudes and knowledge and locus of control; recidivism data spanning up to 7 years post discharge is also provided. The treatment pathway and a description of the programme are provided.

Findings

The results of this paper showed improvements in sexual knowledge, cognitive distortions and locus of control, however not to a statistically significant degree. No recidivism was observed in the follow-up period.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the evidence base of interventions focused on cognitive behavioural approaches to the treatment and risk reduction of sexual offending in men with intellectual disabilities and adds to the debate regarding the effectiveness of such programmes with offenders with intellectual disabilities.
Next steps toward an inclusive country? Inviting and amplifying youth voice in public anti-hate messaging
Authors: Pollock Mica , Lopez Dolores De los Angeles , Yoshisato Mariko , Kendall Reed , Reece Erika , Kennedy Benjamin Carmichael
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore a national anti-hate messaging project, #USvsHate, and its call to students to create public messages refusing “hate, bias, and injustice.” Participants indicated that #USvsHate’s invitation to publicly express students’ ideas about equal human value functioned as a next step in furthering youth voice and critical consciousness toward societal inclusion and justice.

Design/methodology/approach

Using grounded theory, analysis drew from teacher interviews (n = 45), student focus groups (n = 30), anonymous participant questionnaires and student-created messages and backstories (n = 250) gathered between 2017 and 2020.

Findings

Participants indicated #USvsHate’s call to amplify student voice offered a next step to act upon awareness of social issues by denouncing hate while promoting inclusivity. Four invitations related to the project’s “anti-hate message” call emerged as important to participants: the invitation to comment personally on improving society; the creative invitation to share perspectives in any media form; the invitation to speak to a promised public audience; and the invitation to join a collective “us” improving society.

Originality/value

Youth voice and critical consciousness scholarship show the importance of supporting K12 youth to develop abilities to speak about injustice while pursuing an inclusive democracy. Still, less research highlights youth who might enter a classroom with some level of such awareness. This research extends existing scholarship by examining a potential next step to inviting critical consciousness and youth voice in any classroom. It also explores the potential pitfalls of this open-ended approach.