bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine induces polyfunctional T cell responses with features of longevity
Authors: Guerrera Gisella , Picozza Mario , D’Orso Silvia , Placido Roberta , Pirronello Marta , Verdiani Alice , Termine Andrea , Fabrizio Carlo , Giannessi Flavia , Sambucci Manolo , Balice Maria Pia , Caltagirone Carlo , Salvia Antonino , Rossini Angelo , Battistini Luca , Borsellino Giovanna
Published: September 2021

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection has shown to be effective in preventing hospitalization for severe COVID-19. However, multiple reports of break-through infections and of waning antibody titers have raised concerns on the durability of the vaccine, and current discussions on vaccination strategies are centered on evaluating the opportunity of a third dose administration. Here, we monitored T cell responses to the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 in 71 healthy donors vaccinated with the Pfizer–BioNTech mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2) for up to 6 months after vaccination. We find that vaccination induces the development of a sustained anti-viral memory T cell response which includes both the CD4+ and the CD8+ lymphocyte subsets. These lymphocytes display markers of polyfunctionality, are fit for interaction with cognate cells, show features of memory stemness, and survive in significant numbers the physiological contraction of the immune response. Collectively, this data shows that vaccination with BNT162b2 elicits an immunologically competent and potentially long-lived SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell population. Understanding the immune responses to BNT162b2 provides insights on the immunological basis of the clinical efficacy of the current vaccination campaign and may instruct future vaccination strategies.
Pre-mRNA Splicing Factor U2AF2 Recognizes Distinct Conformations of Nucleotide Variants at the Center of the pre-mRNA Splice Site Signal
Authors: Glasser Eliezra , Maji Debanjana , Biancon Giulia , Keedakkatt Puthenpeedikakkal Anees Mohammed , Cavender Chapin E. , Tebaldi Toma , Pulvino Mary J. , Jenkins Jermaine L. , Mathews David H. , Halene Stephanie , Kielkopf Clara L.
Published: September 2021

The essential pre-mRNA splicing factor U2AF2 (also called U2AF65) identifies polypyrimidine (Py) tract signals of nascent transcripts, despite length and sequence variations. Previous studies have shown that the U2AF2 RNA recognition motifs (RRM1 and RRM2) preferentially bind uridine-rich RNAs. Nonetheless, the specificity of the RRM1/RRM2 interface for the central Py tract nucleotide has yet to be investigated. We addressed this question by determining crystal structures of U2AF2 bound to a cytidine, guanosine, or adenosine at the central position of the Py tract, and compared U2AF2-bound uridine structures. Local movements of the RNA site accommodated the different nucleotides, whereas the polypeptide backbone remained similar among the structures. Accordingly, molecular dynamics simulations revealed flexible conformations of the central, U2AF2-bound nucleotide. The RNA binding affinities and splicing efficiencies of structure-guided mutants demonstrated that U2AF2 tolerates nucleotide substitutions at the central position of the Py tract. Moreover, enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation of endogenous U2AF2 in human erythroleukemia cells showed uridine-sensitive binding sites with lower sequence conservation at the central nucleotide positions of otherwise uridine-rich, U2AF2-bound splice sites. Altogether, these results highlight the importance of RNA flexibility for protein recognition and take a step towards relating splice site motifs to pre-mRNA splicing efficiencies.
Multiple metals influence distinct properties of the Arabidopsis circadian clock
Authors: Hargreaves Jessica K. , Oakenfull Rachael J. , Davis Amanda M. , Pullen Freya , Knight Marina I. , Pitchford Jon W. , Davis Seth J.
Published: September 2021

Circadian rhythms coordinate endogenous events with external signals, and are essential to biological function. When environmental contaminants affect these rhythms, the organism may experience fitness consequences such as reduced growth or increased susceptibility to pathogens. In their natural environment plants may be exposed to a wide range of industrial and agricultural pollutants. Here, we investigate how the addition of various metal salts to the environment can impact plant-circadian rhythms, via the promoter:luciferase system. The consequences of these environmental changes were found to be varied and complex. Therefore, in addition to Fourier-based analyses, we apply novel wavelet-based spectral hypothesis testing and clustering methodologies to organize and understand the data. We are able to classify broad sets of responses to environmental contaminants, including pollutants which increase, or decrease, the period, or which induce a lack of precision or disrupt any meaningful periodicity. The methods are general, and may be applied to discover common responses and hidden structures within a wide range of biological time series data.
Optogenetic control of NOTCH1 signalling
Authors: Kałafut Joanna , Czapiński Jakub , Przybyszewska-Podstawka Alicja , Czerwonka Arkadiusz , Sahlgren Cecilia , Rivero-Müller Adolfo
Published: September 2021

The Notch signalling pathway is a crucial regulator of cell differentiation as well as tissue organisation. Dysregulation of Notch signalling has been linked to the pathogenesis of different diseases. Notch plays a key role in breast cancer progression by controlling the interaction between the tumour cells and the microenvironment as well as by increasing cell motility and invasion. NOTCH1 is a mechanosensitive receptor, where mechanical force is required to activate the proteolytic cleavage and release of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD). Here, we circumvent this step by regulating Notch activity by light. To achieve this, we have engineered a membrane-bound optogenetic NOTCH1 receptor (optoNotch) to control the activation of NOTCH1 intracellular domain (N1ICD) and its downstream transcriptional activities. Using optoNotch we confirm that NOTCH1 activation increases cell proliferation in MCF7 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells in 2D and spheroid 3D cultures. OptoNotch allows fine-tuning ligand-independent regulation of N1ICD to understand the spatiotemporal complexity of Notch signalling.
Large-scale mapping of positional changes of hypoxia-responsive genes upon activation
Authors: Nakayama Koh , Shachar Sigal , Finn Elizabeth H. , Sato Hiroyuki , Hirakawa Akihiro , Misteli Tom
Published: September 2021

Chromosome structure and nuclear organization are important factors in the regulation of gene expression. Transcription of a gene is influenced by local and global chromosome features such as condensation status and histone modifications. The relationship between the position of a gene in the cell nucleus and its activity is less clear. Here, we used high-throughput imaging to perform a large-scale analysis of the spatial location of a set of nearly 100 hypoxia-inducible genes to determine whether their location within the nucleus is correlated with their activity state upon stimulation. Radial distance analysis demonstrated that the majority of HIF- and CREB-inducible hypoxia responsive genes are located in the intermediate region of the nucleus. Radial position of numerous responsive genes changed upon hypoxic treatment. Analysis of the relative distances amongst a subset of HIF target gene groups revealed that some gene pairs also altered their relative location to each other upon hypoxic treatment, suggesting higher order chromatin rearrangements. While these changes in location occurred in response to hypoxic activation of the target genes, they did not correlate with the extent of their activation. These results suggest that induction of the hypoxia-responsive gene expression program is accompanied by spatial alterations of the genome, but that radial and relative gene positions are not directly related to gene activity.
Nanopore sequencing methods detect cell-free DNA associated with MRD and CNS infiltration in pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Sampathi Shilpa , Chernyavskaya Yelena , Haney Meghan G. , Moore L. Henry , Snyder Isabel A. , Cox Anna H. , Fuller Brittany L. , Taylor Tamara J. , Badgett Tom C. , Blackburn Jessica S.
Published: September 2021

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) patients that are positive for minimal residual disease (MRD) after therapy or have leukemic infiltration into the central nervous system (CNS) are considered high risk and receive intensive chemotherapy regimens. Current methods to diagnose MRD and CNS infiltration rely on detecting leukemic cells in patient samples using pathology, flow cytometry, or next-generation sequencing. However, leukemic blasts may persist in the patient but not be physically present in bone marrow biopsy or biofluid sample, leading to inaccurate or delayed patient diagnosis. We have developed a nanopore sequencing workflow to detect B-ALL-associated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Quantitation of B-cell specific VDJ recombination events in cfDNA samples defined B-ALL clonal heterogeneity. This workflow allowed us to track the response of individual B-ALL clones throughout treatment. Detection of cfDNA also predicted the clinical diagnosis of MRD and CNS disease. Importantly, we identified patients diagnosed as CNS negative who had low B-cell derived cell-free DNA levels in their CSF sample that correlated with B-cell clones present in the bone marrow. These data suggest that cfDNA assays may be useful in detecting the presence of ALL in the patient even when blasts are not in the biofluid sample. Nanopore analysis of cell-free DNA is a simple, rapid, and inexpensive assay that can serve as a valuable complement to traditional clinical diagnostic approaches for ALL.

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Generation of iPSC lines with high cytogenetic stability from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)
Authors: Panther Lindsay , Ornelas Loren , Jones Michelle R , Gross Andrew R. , Gomez Emilda , Liu Chunyan , Berman Benjamin , Svendsen Clive N. , Sareen Dhruv
Published: September 2021

The utility of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) is contingent upon genomic integrity and stability. Recurrent genomic aberrations have been observed in human iPSC lines upon long-term culture, ∼10-25% demonstrate karyotype abnormalities. We describe a new and reliable non-integrating episomal plasmid reprogramming method for fresh (unexpanded) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) into iPSCs (PBMC-iPSCs). PBMC-iPSCs produced using this method have a superior chromosome-level karyotype stability rate (∼5% abnormality rate for all chromosomes; 2.8% for autosomes). After extended culture PBMC-iPSCs maintain a low rate of abnormalities (2% for autosomes). Deep coverage whole genome sequencing in a subset of PBMC-iPSC lines showed no shared single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or structural variants are introduced during reprogramming and maintenance of PBMC-iPSCs. iPSCs reprogrammed from unexpanded PBMCs have consistently high cytogenetic stability and minimal genomic aberrations, suggesting this method is highly suited for iPSCs in research and therapeutic clinical applications.
Inhibition of chloroplast translation as a new target for herbicides
Authors: Sukhoverkov Kirill V. , Breese Karen J. , Debowski Aleksandra W. , Murcha Monika W. , Stubbs Keith A. , Mylne Joshua S.
Published: September 2021

The rise in herbicide resistance over recent decades threatens global agriculture and food security and so discovery of new modes of action is increasingly important. Here we reveal linezolid, an oxazolidinone antibiotic that inhibits microbial translation, is also herbicidal. To validate the herbicidal mode of action of linezolid we confirmed its micromolar inhibition is specific to chloroplast translation and did not affect photosynthesis directly. To assess the herbicide potential of linezolid, testing against a range of weed and crop species found it effective pre- and post-emergence. Using structure-activity analysis we identified the critical elements for herbicidal activity, but importantly also show, using antimicrobial susceptibility assays, that separation of antibacterial and herbicidal activities was possible. Overall these results validate chloroplast translation as a viable herbicidal target.
The modifying enzyme Tsr3 establishes the hierarchy of Rio kinase activity in 40S ribosome assembly
Authors: Huang Haina , Parker Melissa , Karbstein Katrin
Published: September 2021

Ribosome assembly is an intricate process, which in eukaryotes is promoted by a large machinery comprised of over 200 assembly factors (AF) that enable the modification, folding, and processing of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and the binding of the 79 ribosomal proteins. While some early assembly steps occur via parallel pathways, the process overall is highly hierarchical, which allows for the integration of maturation steps with quality control processes that ensure only fully and correctly assembled subunits are released into the translating pool. How exactly this hierarchy is established, in particular given that there are many instances of RNA substrate “handover” from one highly related AF to another remains to be determined. Here we have investigated the role of Tsr3, which installs a universally conserved modification in the P-site of the small ribosomal subunit late in assembly. Our data demonstrate that Tsr3 separates the activities of the Rio kinases, Rio2 and Rio1, with whom it shares a binding site. By binding after Rio2 dissociation, Tsr3 prevents rebinding of Rio2, promoting forward assembly. After rRNA modification is complete, Tsr3 dissociates, thereby allowing for recruitment of Rio1. Inactive Tsr3 blocks Rio1, which can be rescued using mutants that bypass the requirement for Rio1 activity. Finally, yeast strains lacking Tsr3 randomize the binding of the two kinases, leading to the release of immature ribosomes into the translating pool. These data demonstrate a role for Tsr3 and its modification activity in establishing a hierarchy for the function of the Rio kinases.
Analytical description of nanowires. I. Regular cross sections for zincblende and diamond structures. Corrigendum
Authors: König Dirk , Smith Sean C.
Published: September 2021

In the paper by König & Smith [Acta Cryst. (2019), B75, 788–802], several equations had minor errors in their coefficients defining characteristic lengths and area of zinc-blende nanowire cross sections, thereby deviating from the exact analytical solution by 1.4 ± 0.8 %. A fully corrected version of the paper is provided.
Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 5-cyclopropyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamide
Authors: Pokhodylo Nazariy T. , Slyvka Yurii , Pavlyuk Volodymyr
Published: September 2021

The title compound, C15H18N4O2, was obtained via a two-step synthesis (Dimroth reaction and amidation) for anticancer activity screening and was selected from a 1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamide library. The cyclopropyl ring is oriented almost perpendicular to the benzene ring [dihedral angle = 87.9 (1)°], while the dihedral angle between the mean plane of the cyclopropyl ring and that of the triazole ring is 55.6 (1)°. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by O—H...O and C—H...N interactions into infinite ribbons propagating in the [001] direction, which are interconnected by weak C—H...O interactions into layers. The intermolecular interactions were characterized via Hirshfeld surface analysis, which indicated that the largest fingerprint contact percentages are H...H (55.5%), N...H/H...N (15.4%), C...H/H...C (13.2%) and O...H/H...O (12.9%).
The regional economy of Central Macedonia: an application of the social accounting matrix
Authors: Maniati Anthia , Loizou Efstratios , Psaltopoulos Dimitrios , Mattas Konstadinos
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The economic and social problems, including high unemployment, facing the Greek economy in recent years are substantial. The role of the agri-food sector and agriculture in dealing with unemployment is a concern. To support the agricultural economy, a Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2007–2014 was adopted and implemented in the EU Member States. However, boosting employment, in the industry itself and indirectly in the economy, has almost never been a key goal of any policy. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of the CAP 2014–2020 in maintaining and enhancing employment and income distribution in the region of Central Macedonia.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used the regional social accounting matrix (SAM), which examines the depiction of the interconnections between the sectors of economic activity and local economy (households, businesses, public) but also interconnections and transactions with the rest of the world. The SAM presents a more complete picture of the economic figures of the region, evaluating the interconnections of cross-sectoral relations and the implemented policies, both in the production sectors and in the regional society.

Findings

For the Central Macedonia region, the agricultural sector is a key player, holding a regulatory role for regional economic viability, and shows marked connections with the other industry branches of the region.

Originality/value

The new CAP 2014–2020 through Pillar 2–Rural Development may reinforce the new role of the industry in terms of the environment, integrated rural development and social structure of rural areas, ensuring coherence.
Risk-taking behavior, competition, diversification and performance of frontier and emerging economy banks
Authors: Boamah Nicholas Addai , Boakye-Dankwa Augustine , Opoku Emmanuel
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The study examines the dynamic association between competition, risk-taking, performance and income diversification of frontier and emerging economy (FEE) banks. It additionally, explores the effect of banking sector depth and economic performance on the level of competition, performance and risk-taking behavior of banks in these economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a panel vector auto-regressive technique and collects data across ninety (90) FEEs.

Findings

The paper finds that competition increases with improvement in the depth of the banking sector, a surge in risk-taking behavior and the adoption of focused strategy by banks. Similarly, income diversification activities are driven by competition, banking sector depth, the state of the economy and bank performance. Additionally, risk-taking behavior, banking sector depth and the state of the economy are relevant in describing bank performance. Also, risk-taking behavior is influenced by bank performance, banking sector depth and economic growth.

Originality/value

The evidence indicates that although competition improves banking sector health, excessive competition and non-competitive banking environment constrain banks’ performance and stability.
What attracts me or prevents me from mobile shopping? An adapted UTAUT2 model empirical research on behavioral intentions of aspirant young consumers in Pakistan
Authors: Hanif Muhammad Shehzad , Wang Min , Mumtaz Muhammad Usman , Ahmed Zeeshan , Zaki Waqas
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Acceptance and use of mobile shopping as the preferred shopping medium is becoming the new normal today. The proliferation of mobile shopping practices follows unsteady growth patterns in different countries. Despite challenges of price, quality and privacy matters, young consumers still lead the race to engage in mobile shopping activity in developing countries. This research investigates the determinants that either support or hinder the mobile shopping intentions of aspirant young consumers in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The present research applies a consumer-centric approach to the technology adoption framework to unearth the behavioral patterns of these young consumers in Pakistan. Employing the structural equation modeling technique, this research examines the significant effect of structural assurance, perceived risk, trust and various unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model constructs on behavioral intention to engage in mobile shopping.

Findings

This research examines the significant effect of structural assurance, perceived risk, trust and various UTAUT model constructs on behavioral intention to engage in mobile shopping. Results also demonstrate a significant moderating effect of structural assurance and prior shopping experience on the relationship between perceived risk, trust and mobile shopping intentions. Further, the mobile shopping patterns for the male and female segment indicate a significant difference for perceived risk, trust structural assurance and social influence. The research contributes to the growing body of knowledge which advocates the application of consumer-centric customized model approach to explore various factors that either facilitate or impede the adoption of mobile shopping in a developing economy.

Research limitations/implications

The study validates the need to enforce structural assurance mechanism for facilitating mobile shopping in a developing country. It also offers practical implications for online businesses and marketers striving to attract and retain more mobile customers.

Practical implications

The study offers practical implications for online businesses and marketers striving to attract and retain more mobile customers.

Originality/value

This study offers fresh insights about driving elements and impediments of mobile shopping behavioral intentions. Structural assurance and prior shopping experience appear to influence the mobile shopping behavior through direct and indirect effect.
Experimental validation of a topological derivative-based crack growth control method using digital image correlation
Authors: Barros Guilherme , Filho João , Nunes Luiz , Xavier Marcel
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to experimentally validate the crack growth control based on the topological derivative of the famous Rice's integral.

Design/methodology/approach

Single edge notch tensile specimens with two configurations were tested. Displacement fields near notch were experimentally obtained using the digital image correlation method. These displacements were used to verify the minimization of the associated shape functional, which is defined in terms of the Rice's integral, when a set of controls (holes) positioned according to the topological derivative information, is inserted. Based on the Griffth's energy criterion, this minimization represents an improvement in the fracture toughness of cracked bodies.

Findings

The experimental tests confirmed that a decrease around 27% in the value of the associated shape functional can be obtained following this approach. Therefore, the results allow us to conclude that the predictive methodology for crack growth control based on the topological derivative is feasible.

Originality/value

This is the first work concerning experimental validation of crack growth control based on the topological derivative method.
Innovation structure combining inter-story isolation with passive cooling effect for AP1000 nuclear power plants
Authors: Hou Gangling , Liu Yu , Wang Tao , Wang Binsheng , Song Tianshu , Sun Menghan , Li Yong
Published: September 2021

Purpose

An inter-story isolation structure (IIS) for AP1000 nuclear power plants (NPPs) is provided to resolve the conflict of seismic safety and the optimal location of air intakes.

Design/methodology/approach

The effect of passive cooling system (PCS) is better with lower altitude of air intakes than that in the original design of AP1000 NPPs. Seismic performances of IIS NPPs, including the seismic responses, damping frequency bandwidth and seismic reduction robustness, are improved by combining the position of air intakes lower and the optimal design method.

Findings

Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation are illustrated that the seismic reduction failure of IIS NPPs is the lowest probability of occurrence when PCS has highest working efficiency.

Originality/value

The IIS NPPs can transfer the contradiction between PCS work efficiency and seismic safety of NPPs to the mutual promotion of them.
Motivation to learn, mobile learning and online learning climate: moderating role of learner interaction
Authors: Swain Deepika , Jena Lalatendu Kesari , Dash Sanket Sunand , Yadav Rama Shankar
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically exhibit the moderating effect of learner interaction (LI) on motivation to learn (MTL), mobile learning (ML) and online learning climate (OLC), so as to bring in enhanced rigour to the virtual knowledge dissemination during the times of crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 784 valid responses were considered for the confirmatory factor analysis to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The study found that MTL and ML contributed to improved OLC and high LI moderated the positive relationship between MTL, ML and OLC. LI also directly contributed to an improved OLC.

Practical implications

Measures need to be designed to crowbar motivation to ensure heightened interaction of learners, to gear up the ML reach soaring heights achieving a dynamic OLC. Acclimatization of the OLC will be the visionary solution to tackle learning disruption during today’s pandemic times and also many other challenges to come in near-far future.

Originality/value

The current study established the moderating role of LI in influencing OLC, and also motivating facilitator’s for designing upgraded content, and thereby fuelling the intention to learn.
Understanding tenants’ motivations for co-living arrangements: a case study of Klang Valley, Malaysia
Authors: Christy Vania , Tan Teck Hong
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to fill a knowledge gap by analyzing the motivations of tenants to co-living spaces in Klang Valley, Malaysia as the motives of co-living spaces are related to how well that space supports their needs.

Design/methodology/approach

Tenants’ behaviors were examined using a convergent parallel mixed-method approach, which included a survey and an in-depth interview. A total of 175 respondents were interviewed using purposive sampling.

Findings

The results show that the preference for co-living attributes has changed during the pandemic. User ratings of preference for physical and leasing attributes of co-living spaces are significant in terms of co-living motivations. The findings also revealed that tenants prefer twin-sharing and master bedrooms when choosing a co-living space to stay in.

Research limitations/implications

Identifying the factors that influence such motivations is critical for housing developers and co-living service providers to pay close attention to improving tenants’ living experiences.

Originality/value

There is interest in the co-living spaces that are available for rent. However, very little research is based on an understanding of how the tenants in Klang Valley, Malaysia perceive this type of living arrangement. A better understanding and prediction of tenants’ needs and preferences may lead to a better understanding of the attributes that influence their motivations for using co-living spaces.
Women empowerment through entrepreneurship: case study of a social entrepreneurial intervention in rural India
Authors: Agrawal Anirudh , Gandhi Poonam , Khare Prajakta
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how social entrepreneurship empowers women and how it influences the existing gender based intersectionalities in the society. This paper is based on a single case study of a social entrepreneurial startup called “Pahal,” which used social entrepreneurial strategies to encourage women to engage in economic activities, which helped them in gaining economic empowerment.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher alongside the social entrepreneur visited the field for eight months from August 2016 to March 2017 and interviewed multiple stakeholder-employees (as partners) of the social enterprise. This study was done by conducting interviews with all the stakeholders in all the three social entrepreneurial phases, i.e. pre-Pahal, during-Pahal and after-Pahal. The interviews and observations were recorded and analysed using social entrepreneurial lens and intersectionality.

Findings

“Pahal Initiative” – is a social entrepreneurial intervention that helped the women in the household to start a food delivery business with the support of the social entrepreneur. Consequently, women gained confidence and self-respect. The attitude of men in the household changed when the women in the household generated additional income. It impacted their position and status which led to an increase in their participation in decision-making in the household and economic independence. The women become more interactive and expressive in a predominantly patriarchal household. Within one year, the entrepreneur had to stop the Pahal initiative. Then, this study observed and recorded that this event curtailed the economic activities undertaken by the women in their village and their social status reverted to what it was before the initiative.

Practical implications

First, social entrepreneurial strategies lead to economic value creation and lead overall socio-economic gains. Second, social entrepreneurial strategies address the problems of patriarchy and gender discrimination. Third, economic activities undertaken by women changed the social perceptions of the family members towards women in the families.

Social implications

From this case study, one observes that social entrepreneurship has a strong potential to bring about social and economic change. This study helps policymakers and non-governmental organisations to solve poverty and gender discrimination related problems using social entrepreneurial strategies.

Originality/value

This study uses social entrepreneurial intervention to understand and bring about change in the socio-economic status of women in rural India. This study uses an intersectionality lens to make sense of the data, reality and reflects on how intersectional positions are altered when women are economically empowered either through training or through a proper organisation or both.
Task scheduling and resource allocation of seasonal requests of users in cloud using NMKA and CM-GA techniques
Authors: Prathiba S. , Sankar Sharmila
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide energy-efficient task scheduling and resource allocation (RA) in cloud data centers (CDC).

Design/methodology/approach

Task scheduling and RA is proposed in this paper for cloud environment, which schedules the user’s seasonal requests and allocates resources in an optimized manner. The proposed study does the following operations: data collection, feature extraction, feature reduction and RA. Initially, the online streaming data of seasonal requests of multiple users were gathered. After that, the features are extracted based on user requests along with the cloud server, and the extracted features are lessened using modified principal component analysis. For RA, the split data of the user request is identified and that data is pre-processed by computing closed frequent itemset along with entropy values. After that, the user requests are scheduled using the normalized K-means algorithm (NKMA) centered on the entropy values. Finally, the apt resources are allotted to that scheduled task using the Cauchy mutation-genetic algorithm (CM-GA). The investigational outcomes exhibit that the proposed study outruns other existing algorithms in respect to response time, execution time, clustering accuracy, precision and recall.

Findings

The proposed NKMA and CM-GA technique’s performance is analyzed by comparing them with the existing techniques. The NKMA performance is analyzed with KMA and Fuzzy C-means regarding Prc (Precision), Rca (Recall), F ms (f measure), Acr (Accuracy)and Ct (Clustering Time). The performance is compared to about 500 numbers of tasks. For all tasks, the NKMA provides the highest values for Prc, Rca, Fms and Acr, takes the lowest time (Ct) for clustering the data. Then, the CM-GA optimization for optimally allocating the resource in the cloud is contrasted with the GA and particle swarm optimization with respect to Rt (Response Time), Pt (Process Time), Awt (Average Waiting Time), Atat (Average Turnaround Time), Lcy (Latency) and Tp (Throughput). For all number of tasks, the proposed CM-GA gives the lowest values for Rt, Pt, Awt, Atat and Lcy and also provides the highest values for Tp. So, from the results, it is known that the proposed technique for seasonal requests RA works well and the method optimally allocates the resources in the cloud.

Originality/value

The proposed approach provides energy-efficient task scheduling and RA and it paves the way for the development of effective CDC.
Financialization of Indian agricultural commodities: the case of index investments
Authors: RL Manogna , Mishra Aswini Kumar
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The phenomenon known as financialization of commodities, arising from the speculation in commodity derivatives market, has raised serious concerns in the recent past. This has prompted distortion in agricultural commodity prices driving them away from rational levels of supply and demand shocks. In the backdrop of financialized commodities leading to increase in price of agricultural products and their interaction with equity markets, the authors examine the investment of institutional investors in impacting the agricultural returns. The paper aims to focus on the financial mechanism that drives extreme values and the mean of agricultural returns.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ the Threshold AutoRegressive Quantile (TQAR) methodology to find evidence of linkages between the Indian agricultural and equity markets from January 2010 to May 2020 consistent with the rise in inflows of institutional investors in agricultural markets.

Findings

The results reveal that the investors impact the agricultural commodity markets strongly when the composite commodity index value (COMDEX) is low. Additionally, in the lower extreme quantiles (0.25) of agricultural returns, the integration between the equity index and agricultural returns is found to be highly significant compared to insignificant values in the higher quantiles (0.75 and 0.95) in both the regimes. The results suggest that low values of agricultural commodities are more closely linked to equity indices when composite commodity index value is low. This implies that, at the lower quantiles of COMDEX return (bad day), the investors move to the stock market. In that way, the commodity index returns are seen to be as a strong channel for the financialization of Indian agricultural commodities and suggesting potential involvement of investors during those regime.

Research limitations/implications

Regulators need to anticipate the price fluctuations in spot and futures markets. Investors in commodity markets need to strengthen risk awareness to carry out portfolio strategies.

Practical implications

From policy perspective, it is of pivotal importance to enhance the understanding of the financialization of agricultural products. The findings provide reference measures to stabilize the commodity markets, alleviate price distortions and carry out further evidence of price discovery and risk management in Indian commodity markets.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to highlight the potential influence of financial markets on the financialization of agricultural commodities in an emerging economy like India.
Exploring the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sport tourism
Authors: Mirehie Mona , Cho Inje
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and consequent economic shutdown have had severe impacts on the tourism industry. Acquiring an understanding of the impacts and ongoing response procedures is crucial to recovery planning. The purpose of this study is to explore the management procedures undertaken by sport tourism stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana, USA, a state that relies heavily on sport tourism for its economic vibrancy.

Design/methodology/approach

A constructivist grounded theory approach was adopted. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 high-rank managers in sport tourism organizations.

Findings

Continued uncertainty, psychological and financial distress were found to be the main challenges. Contingency planning, adaptability and focus on doable tasks were the core elements of the strategic response plan. Resilience management, particularly social and financial, appeared to be key in the recovery process. A stronger return was predicted with technological advancements and new collaborations. Intra-destination collaboration and creative programs were found to be key in the long-term resilience of the destination.

Originality/value

Findings shed light on the challenges faced, response actions undertaken, and the projected future which helps to understand the stories behind decisions and proposals, identify the gaps, and plan the best possible practices. Recommendations for leveraging sports to revitalize the destinations and help businesses survive the crisis are provided that can guide sport tourism communities on their path to recovery from COVID-19.
The identity change of rural–urban transformational tourism development in Chiang Mai heritage city: local residents’ perspectives
Authors: Wanitchakorn Thanapa , Muangasame Kaewta
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to develop an empirical understanding of the local identity changes of Chiang Mai heritage city from residents’ perspectives from when the city was pushed forward to inscription on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites during a period of transformation in tourism development. The indicative themes of identity change are proposed in a conceptualised model of the multiple stages of identity change in transformational tourism development.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied the qualitative approach to gain insight on local residents in Chiang Mai. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with local residents who underwent transformational experiences with the city, including life-changing tourism experiences with mixtures of senior citizens who were born in the city, migrants and local experts. Site observations and secondary data supplemented the interviews were used in triangulation with identity changes during the transformational tourism period.

Findings

This study’s findings revealed identity changes in locals’ way of life regarding tradition and culture and the increased urbanisation. The indicative themes that caused local identity changes included tourism demand, national policy and new critical emerging issues of capitalism and education are underlined. The way of life in local community transition, tradition and culture has been distorted by effective destination marketing, However, the positive perspectives of identity changes were explored in this study.

Originality/value

This study fills a research gap, given that few scholars (Gu and Ryan, 2007; Lean, 2009; Lemmi et al., 2018; Reisinger, 2015; Robledo and Batle, 2017; Willson et al., 2013; Xue et al., 2017) have conducted in-depth studies on identity change problems that are caused by rural to urban transformational tourism development.
Commercialising public health during the 1918-1919 Spanish flu pandemic in Britain
Authors: O’ Hagan Lauren Alex
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to use the advertisements of three major brands – Chymol, Formamint and Lifebuoy Soap – to examine how advertisers responded to the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic in Great Britain influenza pandemic. It looks particularly at the ways in which marketing strategies changed and how these strategies were enacted in the lexical and semiotic choices (e.g. language, image, colour, typography, texture, materiality, composition and layout) of advertisements.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 120 advertisements for the three brands were collected from the British Newspaper Archive and analysed using the theory and analytical tools of multimodal critical discourse analysis. The general themes and semiotic structures of the advertisements were identified, with the aim of deconstructing the meaning potentials of verbal and visual resources used to convey ideas about the pandemic, and how they work to shape public understanding of the products and make them appear as effective and credible.

Findings

Each brand rapidly changed their marketing strategy in response to the influenza pandemic, using such techniques as testimonials, hyperbole, scaremongering and pseudoscientific claims to persuade consumers that their products offered protection. Whilst these strategies may appear manipulative, they also had the function of fostering reassurance and sympathy amongst the general public in a moment of turmoil, indicating the important role of brands in building consumer trust and promoting a sense of authority in early twentieth-century Britain.

Originality/value

Exploring the way in which advertisers responded to the 1918‐1919 influenza pandemic reminds us of the challenges of distinguishing legitimate and illegitimate medical advice in a fast-moving pandemic and highlights the need to cast a critical eye to the public health information, particularly when it comes from unofficial sources with vested interests.
Economic factors and the Kauffman startup activity index
Authors: Felan Joe T. , Bell Joe R. , Upadhyay Sadiksha , Johnson Vess L.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine entrepreneurial activity in the USA and whether it supports a “pull” or a “push” theory of startup creation. The “push” theory argues that individuals are pushed into entrepreneurship by negative external forces, such as job dissatisfaction, difficulty finding employment, insufficient salary or inflexible work schedule. The “pull” theory contends that individuals are attracted into entrepreneurial activities seeking independence, self-fulfillment, wealth and other desirable outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper incorporates three well-established measures when looking at impact factors; unemployment rates, gross domestic product (GDP) and household income. The current study is unique in that it introduces the Kauffman Startup Activity Index (KSAI) as the measure of entrepreneurial activity when examining impact factors.

Findings

The results of this study support the “pull” theory (or the entrepreneurial effect) of startup activity and further supports the idea that entrepreneurs look for opportunities in the marketplace, rather than being “forced” into self-employment.

Research limitations/implications

Research is limited to having US data at the national level. Follow-up research could include parsing the data out to the state and local levels.

Social implications

The results of this study suggest to the economic development community that incentives during times of economic growth could further incent entrepreneurial activity.

Originality/value

The tact used by the authors is unique in that it relied upon three historical variables – unemployment rates, US GDP and household income – and introduced a new variable, the KSAI, rather than the previously relied upon national startup activity data or startup activity.
Conservation of woody species in China under future climate and land‐cover changes
Authors: Peng Shijia , Zhang Jian , Zhang Xiaoling , Li Yaoqi , Liu Yunpeng , Wang Zhiheng
Published: September 2021

Climate and land‐cover changes are major threats to biodiversity, and their impacts are expected to intensify in the future. Protected areas (PAs) are crucial for biodiversity conservation. However, their effectiveness under future climate and land‐cover changes remains to be evaluated. Moreover, the impacts of climate and land‐cover changes on multi‐dimensions of biodiversity are rarely considered when expanding PAs.

Using distributions of 8,732 woody species in China and species distribution models, we identified species that will be threatened by future climate and land‐cover changes (i.e. species with significant projected loss of suitable habitats by the 2070s) under different dispersal scenarios. We then estimated the geographical patterns in species richness (SR) and phylogenetic diversity (PD) of threatened species, evaluated the effectiveness (i.e. the changes in SR and PD) of Chinese PAs and identified conservation priorities for future PA expansion.

Approximately 12%–38% of woody species will be threatened under different scenarios. These species tend to be clustered in the tree of life, and their SR and PD show consistent spatial patterns, being highest at low latitudes. PAs currently protect 90% of threatened species. However, their SR and PD of threatened species within PAs will decrease by 30%–40% by the 2070s, which reduces the PA effectiveness, especially for PAs at low elevations and those with low topographic heterogeneity and high natural vegetation loss.

The conservation priorities identified from the SR and PD of the threatened species are mainly in mountains in southern China, the Yunnan‐Guizhou Plateau and Taiwan Island. PA expansion and ecological corridors in these regions are needed to conserve threatened species.

Synthesis and applications. We present a systematic study of the impacts of future climate and land‐cover changes on the conservation status of woody species and PA effectiveness in China. Our results suggest that future climate and land‐cover changes will reduce PA effectiveness, and the spatial prioritization of biodiversity conservation should consider the influences of future global changes on biodiversity. These results shed new light on the conservation priorities for the post‐2020 expansion of PAs in China.
Bright spots of carbon storage in temperate forests
Authors: Crockett Erin T. H. , Vennin Sydney , Botzas‐Coluni Julie , Larocque Guillaume , Bennett Elena M.
Published: September 2021

Mitigating climate change is an urgent challenge for society. Increasing carbon storage in forests, which cover more than 30% of the global land surface, presents a key opportunity to meet this challenge. Although the biophysical and ecological factors that affect carbon storage have been well studied, the relative importance of social factors in privately owned forests, such as people's goals and management actions, is less well understood.

We examine how well typical biophysical and ecological variables can explain differences in above‐ground carbon storage across 1,561 plots in temperate forests of southern Quebec, Canada. We then identify bright spots and dark spots of above‐ground carbon storage, where forests are performing much better or worse than predicted based on biophysical and ecological conditions alone. We conducted surveys with forest owners to assess whether their individual goals, values and management actions explain the differences in carbon storage between bright and dark spots.

Biophysical and ecological variables collectively explained a substantial fraction of the variation in carbon storage between forest plots (R2 = 0.42). The ecological variables of stand age, species richness and functional diversity within the plots were the most important variables in explaining carbon storage.

Surveys showed that bright spots (plots that stored more carbon than predicted) were often managed by forest owners who expressed a strong connection to, or dependence on, their forested property. Dark spots were often associated with forest harvesting and hunting.

Synthesis and applications. Ecologically based policies that aim to increase the average forest age, species richness and functional diversity—and socially based policies that incentivise long‐term forest ownership, stronger connections between people and their properties, and maple syrup production—could help increase carbon storage over multidecadal time‐scales and thereby reduce the harmful effects of climate change.