bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Auditory neuropathy: from etiology to management
Authors: Huang Yuyu , Yang Jun , Duan Maoli
Published: August 2022

Purpose of review

Auditory neuropathy is a disorder of auditory dysfunction characterized by the normal function of the outer hair cells and malfunction of the inner hair cells, synapses, postsynapses and/or auditory afferent nervous system. This review summarizes the process of discovery and naming of auditory neuropathy and describes the acquired, associated genetic disorders and management available.

Recent findings

In the last 40 years, auditory neuropathy has undergone a process of discovery, naming and progressive elucidation of its complex pathological mechanisms. Recent studies have revealed numerous acquired and inherited causative factors associated with auditory neuropathy. Studies have analyzed the pathogenic mechanisms of various genes and the outcomes of cochlear implantation. New therapeutic approaches, such as stem cell therapy and gene therapy are the future trends in the treatment of auditory neuropathy.

A comprehensive understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms is crucial in illustrating auditory neuropathy and assist in developing future management strategies.
Estrogen-Associated Headaches Can Be Treated by Surgery: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chen Sunnia T. , Schoenbrunner Anna , Gfrerer Lisa , Packowski Kathryn , Austen William G. , Janis Jeffrey E.
Published: August 2022

Background:

Nerve decompression surgery has been successful in treating headaches refractory to traditional medical therapies. Nevertheless, a subset of patients remain unresponsive to surgical treatment.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective chart review of the two senior author’s (J.E.J. and W.G.A.) patient data from 2007 to 2020 to investigate differences in surgical outcomes in women reporting estrogen-associated headaches – headaches associated with menstrual period, oral contraceptives, pregnancy, other hormonal drugs – compared to those who did not. For these two groups, we used Migraine Headache Index (MHI) as the metric for headache severity and compared the mean percent change in MHI at 3 months and 1 year.

Results:

Of the 99 female patients who underwent nerve decompression surgery and met inclusion criteria, 50 of the patients reported estrogen-associated headaches and were found to have significantly earlier age of onset (p=0.017) and initial presentation to clinic (p=0.046). At 1-year post-op, the majority of patients improved more than 80% after surgery (67%), but there were a subset of patients who improved less than 5% (12.5%). We did not find a significant difference in percent change in post-op MHI between women with estrogen-associated headaches and those without such headaches.

Conclusion:

Women with estrogen-associated headaches have surgical outcomes comparable to women without this association. Nerve decompression surgery should be offered to women experiencing estrogen-associated headaches as an option for treatment.
Abdominal Organ Preservation Solutions in the Age of Machine Perfusion
Authors: Ramos Pedro , Williams Paul , Salinas Javier , Vengohechea Jordi , Lodge J. Peter A. , Fondevila Constantino , Hessheimer Amelia J.
Published: August 2022

The past decade has been the foreground for a radical revolution in the field of preservation in abdominal organ transplantation. Perfusion has increasingly replaced static cold storage as the preferred and even gold standard preservation method for marginal-quality organs. Perfusion is dynamic and offers several advantages in comparison with static cold storage. These include the ability to provide a continuous supply of new metabolic substrates, clear metabolic waste products, and perform some degree of organ viability assessment before actual transplantation in the recipient. At the same time, the ongoing importance of static cold storage cannot be overlooked, in particular when it comes to logistical and technical convenience and cost, not to mention the fact that it continues to work well for the majority of transplant allografts. The present review article provides an overview of the fundamental concepts of organ preservation, providing a brief history of static cold preservation and description of the principles behind and basic components of cold preservation solutions. An evaluation of current evidence supporting the use of different preservation solutions in abdominal organ transplantation is provided. As well, the range of solutions used for machine perfusion of abdominal organs is described, as are variations in their compositions related to changing metabolic needs paralleling the raising of the temperature of the perfusate from hypothermic to normothermic range. Finally, appraisal of new preservation solutions that are on the horizon is provided.
Variation in communicative complexity in relation to social structure and organization in non-human primates
Authors: Aureli Filippo , Schaffner Colleen M. , Schino Gabriele
Published: August 2022

Communicative complexity relates to social complexity, as individuals in more complex social systems either use more signals or more complex signals than individuals living in less complex ones. Taking the individual group member's perspective, here we examine communicative complexity in relation to social complexity, which arises from two components of social systems: social structure and social organization. We review the concepts of social relationships and social complexity and evaluate their implications for communicative and cognitive complexity using examples from primate species. We focus on spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi), as their social organization is characterized by flexibility in grouping dynamics and they use a variety of communicative signals. We conclude that no simple relationship exists among social complexity, communicative complexity and cognitive complexity, with social complexity not necessarily implying cognitive complexity, and communicative and cognitive complexity being independently linked to social complexity. To better understand the commonly implied link between social complexity and cognitive complexity it is crucial to recognize the complementary role of communicative complexity. A more elaborated communicative toolkit provides the needed flexibility to deal with dynamic and multifaceted social relationships and high variation in fission–fusion dynamics.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Cognition, communication and social bonds in primates’.
Paracoccus salsus sp. nov., a novel slightly halophilic bacterium isolated from saline lake sediment
Authors: Gao Lei , Fang Bao-Zhu , Liu Yong-Hong , Huang Yin , Wang Shuang , Jiang Hong-Chen , Li Wen-Jun
Published: August 2022

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, slightly halophilic and non-endospore-forming alphaproteobacterium, designated strain EGI L200073T, was isolated from saline lake sediment sampled in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. The taxonomic position of the isolate was determined using the polyphasic taxonomic analysis and phylogenomic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities indicated that strain EGI L200073T formed a distinct clade with

Paracoccus seriniphilus

DSM 14827T and shared sequence identity of 98.56 %. The novel isolate could be distinguished from other species of the genus

Paracoccus

by its distinct phenotypic, physiological and genotypic characteristics. Optimal growth of strain EGI L200073T occurred on marine agar 2216 at pH 8.0 and 30 °C. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10, while the major fatty acids (>10%) were summed feature 8 (C17 : 1
 ω6c and/or C17 : 1
 ω7c) and C18 : 0. The detected polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. Based on the genome sequence of strain EGI L200073T, the G+C content of the novel isolate was 65.7 mol%. The average nucleotide identity, amino acid identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values of strain EGI L200073T against related members in the genus

Paracoccus

were below the cut-off points proposed for delineation of a novel species. According our polyphasic taxonomic data, strain EGI L200073T represents a new species of the genus

Paracoccus

, for which the name Paracoccus salsus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the proposed novel isolate is EGI L200073T (=KCTC 92045T=CGMCC 1.19242T).
Spatiotemporal analysis of speckle dynamics to track invisible needle in ultrasound sequences using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Tehrani Zade Amin Amiri , Aziz Maryam Jalili , Majedi Hossein , Mirbagheri Alireza , Ahmadian Alireza
Published: August 2022

Objective

Accurate needle placement to the target point is critical for ultrasound interventions like biopsies and epidural injections. However, aligning the needle to the thin plane of the transducer is a challenging issue as it leads to the decay of visibility by the naked eye. Therefore, we have developed a CNN-based framework to track the needle using the spatiotemporal features of speckle dynamics.

Methods

There are three key techniques to optimize the network for our application. First, we proposed a motion field estimation network (RMF) to extract spatiotemporal features from the stack of consecutive frames. We also designed an efficient network based on the state-of-the-art Yolo framework (nYolo). Lastly, the Assisted Excitation (AE) module was added at the neck of the network to handle imbalance problem.

Results

Ten freehand ultrasound sequences are collected by inserting an injection needle steeply into the Ultrasound Compatible Lumbar Epidural Simulator and Femoral Vascular Access Ezono test phantoms. We divided the dataset into two sub-categories. In the second category, in which the situation is more challenging and the needle is totally invisible statically, the angle and tip localization error were 2.43±1.14° and 2.3±1.76 mm using Yolov3+RMF+AE and 2.08±1.18° and 2.12±1.43 mm using nYolo+RMF+AE.

Conclusion and significance

The proposed method has the potential to track the needle in a more reliable operation compared to other state-of-the-art methods and can accurately localize it in 2D B-mode US images in real-time, allowing it to be used in in current ultrasound intervention procedures.
Intramyocardial cell-based therapy during bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis for hypoplastic left heart syndrome: The ELPIS phase I trial
Authors: Kaushal Sunjay , Hoffman Jessica R , Boyd Riley M , Hare Joshua M , Ramdas Kevin N. , Pietris Nicholas , Kutty Shelby , Tweddell James S , Husain S. Adil , Menon Shaji C. , Lambert Linda M. , Danford David A , Kligerman Seth J , Hibino Narutoshi , Korutla Laxminarayana , Vallabhajosyula Prashanth , Campbell Michael J. , Khan Aisha , Yousefi Keyvan , Mehranfard Danial , McClain-Moss Lisa , Oliva Anthony A. , Davis Michael E
Published: August 2022

Background

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) survival relies on surgical reconstruction for the right ventricle (RV) to provide systemic circulation. This leads to substantially increased loads on the RV, wall stress, maladaptive remodeling and dysfunction, which in turn can increase risk of death or transplantation.

Objectives

We conducted a phase I multicenter trial to assess safety and feasibility of intra-operative MSC injection in HLHS patients to boost RV performance in the systemic position.

Methods

Allogeneic MSCs were directly administered by intramyocardial injections during the second stage palliative operation. The primary endpoint was safety.

Results

Ten patients received intramyocardial injections of allogeneic MSCs (Lomecel-B). No patients experienced major adverse cardiac events (MACE). All subjects were alive and transplant-free at 1 year following, and experienced growth comparable to healthy control historical data. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) revealed improving tricuspid regurgitant fraction (Baseline: 0.45±0.19; 6 mo.: 0.32±0.06; 12 mo.: 0.06±0.09), while global longitudinal strain (Baseline: -24.39±6.99; 6 mo.: -20.55±3.05, p > 0.05 vs baseline; 12 mo.: - 23.88±4.6, p>0.05 vs baseline) and RV ejection fraction (EF; baseline: 62.62±5.99; 6 mo.: 53.69±9.56; 12 mo.: 52.31±5.63: p=NS for change over time) were unchanged. Computational modeling identified 167 derived RNAs specific to circulating exosomes originating from transplanted MSCs corresponding to RVEF changes and identifying potential mechanistic underpinnings.

Conclusions

Intramyocardial MSCs appear safe in HLHS patients, and may favorably affect RV performance. Circulating exosomes of transplanted MSC-specific provide novel insight into bioactivity. Conduct of a controlled phase trial is warranted and is underway.

Condensed Abstract

The ELPIS phase I trial was designed to assess safety and feasibility of intramyocardial injection of allogeneic MSCs into the RV during second stage palliation of HLHS. There were no incidences of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) or other safety concerns, and there was a 100% transplant-free survival at 1-year follow-up, supporting the safety and feasibility of this approach. The ELPIS results are important for advancing MSC therapy for all ages and congenital heart conditions, and warrant further investigation in a controlled Phase II trial powered for efficacy.
Development of Highly Selective Epoxyketone-based Plasmodium Proteasome Inhibitors with Negligible Cytotoxicity
Authors: Almaliti Jehad , Fajtová Pavla , Calla Jaeson , LaMonte Gregory M. , Feng Mudong , Rocamora Frances , Ottilie Sabine , Glukhov Evgenia , Boura Evzen , Suhandynata Raymond T. , Momper Jeremiah D. , Gilson Michael K. , Winzeler Elizabeth A. , Gerwick William H. , O’Donoghue Anthony J.
Published: August 2022

Here we present remarkable epoxyketone-based proteasome inhibitors with low nanomolar in vitro potency for blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum and low cytotoxicity for human cells. Our best compound has more than 2,600-fold greater selectivity for erythrocytic-stage P. falciparum over HepG2 cells, which is largely driven by the accommodation of the parasite proteasome for a d-amino acid in the P3 position and the preference for a difluorobenzyl group in the P1 position. These compounds also significantly reduce parasitemia in a P. berghei mouse infection model and prolong survival of animals by an average of 6 days. The current epoxyketone inhibitors are ideal starting compounds for orally bioavailable anti-malarial drugs.
Interpretable RNA Foundation Model from Unannotated Data for Highly Accurate RNA Structure and Function Predictions
Authors: Chen Jiayang , Hu Zhihang , Sun Siqi , Tan Qingxiong , Wang Yixuan , Yu Qinze , Zong Licheng , Hong Liang , Xiao Jin , Shen Tao , King Irwin , Li Yu
Published: August 2022

Non-coding RNA structure and function are essential to understanding various biological processes, such as cell signaling, gene expression, and post-transcriptional regulations. These are all among the core problems in the RNA field. With the rapid growth of sequencing technology, we have accumulated a massive amount of unannotated RNA sequences. On the other hand, expensive experimental observatory results in only limited numbers of annotated data and 3D structures. Hence, it is still challenging to design computational methods for predicting their structures and functions. The lack of annotated data and systematic study causes inferior performance. To resolve the issue, we propose a novel RNA foundation model (RNA-FM) to take advantage of all the 23 million non-coding RNA sequences through self-supervised learning. Within this approach, we discover that the pre-trained RNA-FM could infer sequential and evolutionary information of non-coding RNAs without using any labels. Furthermore, we demonstrate RNA-FM’s effectiveness by applying it to the downstream secondary/3D structure prediction, SARS-CoV-2 genome structure and evolution prediction, protein-RNA binding preference modeling, and gene expression regulation modeling. The comprehensive experiments show that the proposed method improves the RNA structural and functional modelling results significantly and consistently. Despite only being trained with unlabelled data, RNA-FM can serve as the foundational model for the field.
Translation of dipeptide repeat proteins inC9ORF72-ALS/FTD through unique and redundant AUG initiation codons
Authors: Sonobe Yoshifumi , Lee Soojin , Krishnan Gopinath , Gu Yuanzheng , Kwon Deborah Y. , Gao Fen-Biao , Roos Raymond P. , Kratsios Paschalis
Published: August 2022

A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the first intron ofC9ORF72is the most common monogenic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). A hallmark of ALS/FTD pathology is the presence of dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins, produced from both sense GGGGCC (poly-GA, poly-GP, poly-GR) and antisense CCCCGG (poly-PR, poly-PG, poly-PA) transcripts. Although initiation codons and regulatory factors have been identified for sense DPR translation, they remain mostly unknown for antisense DPRs. Here, we show that an AUG initiation codon is necessary for poly-PR synthesis, suggesting canonical AUG dependent translation. Remarkably, although an AUG located 194 base pairs (bp) upstream of the repeat is the main start codon for poly-PG synthesis, two other AUG codons (−212 bp, -113 bp) can also initiate translation, demonstrating a striking redundancy in start codon usage. eIF2D is required for CUG start codon-dependent poly-GA translation from the sense transcript in human motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells ofC9ORF72ALS/FTD patients, but AUG-dependent poly-PG or poly-PR synthesis does not require eIF2D, indicating that distinct translation initiation factors control DPR synthesis from sense and antisense transcripts. Our findings provide key molecular insights into DPR synthesis from theC9ORF72locus, which may be broadly applicable to many other nucleotide-repeat expansion disorders.
Macrophage differentiation is marked by increased abundance of the mRNA 3’ end processing machinery, altered poly(A) site usage, and sensitivity to the level of CstF64
Authors: Mukherjee Srimoyee , Graber Joel H. , Moore Claire L.
Published: August 2022

Regulation of mRNA polyadenylation is important for response to external signals and differentiation in several cell types, and results in mRNA isoforms that vary in the amount of coding sequence or 3’ UTR regulatory elements. However, its role in differentiation of monocytes to macrophages has not been investigated. Macrophages are key effectors of the innate immune system that help control infection and promote tissue-repair. However, overactivity of macrophages contributes to pathogenesis of many diseases. In this study, we show that macrophage differentiation is characterized by shortening and lengthening of mRNAs in relevant cellular pathways. The cleavage/polyadenylation (C/P) proteins increase during differentiation, suggesting a possible mechanism for the observed changes in poly(A) site usage. This was surprising since higher C/P protein levels correlate with higher proliferation rates in other systems, but monocytes stop dividing after induction of differentiation. Depletion of CstF64, a C/P protein and known regulator of polyadenylation efficiency, delayed macrophage marker expression, cell cycle exit, attachment, and acquisition of structural complexity, and impeded shortening of mRNAs with functions relevant to macrophage biology. Conversely, CstF64 overexpression increased use of promoter-proximal poly(A) sites and caused the appearance of differentiated phenotypes in the absence of induction. Our findings indicate that regulation of polyadenylation plays an important role in macrophage differentiation.
Influence of relay intercropping of barley with chickpea on biochemical characteristics and yield under water stress
Authors: Assadi Negin Mohavieh , Bijanzadeh Ehsan
Published: August 2022

Relay intercropping of legumes with cereals is a useful technique for yield improvement. Intercropping may be affected the photosynthetic pigments, enzymes activity and yield of barley and chickpea under water stress. To investigate the effect of relay intercropping of barley with chickpea on pigments content, enzymes activity and yield under water stress, a field experiment as split plot based on a randomized complete block design was conducted during 2017 and 2018. The treatments included irrigation regimes (normal irrigation and cutting off irrigation at milk development stage) as main plot. Also, cropping systems consisted of sole cropping of barley in December (b1) and January (b2), sole cropping of chickpea in December (c1) and January (c2), barley + chickpea in December (b1c1), barley in December + chickpea in January (b1c2), barley in January + chickpea in December (b2c1) and barley + chickpea in January (b2c2) as sub plot. Chlorophyllacontent of barley increased in b1c2,by consuming less water compared to sole cropping. In barley, sowing of barley in December intercropped with chickpea in December and January (b1c1and b1c2) created a suitable canopy in pigment contents improvement. Late sowing of chickpea enhanced the carotenoid content of chickpea, catalase and peroxidase activities. Barley-chickpea intercropping reacted to water deficit through enzymes activity, water use efficiency and land equivalent enhancement compared to sole cropping. Under water stress, in b1c2, by increasing total chlorophyll and water use efficiency, grain yield of barley enhanced compared to b1. It seems that in b1c2, barley and chickpea response to water stress be increasing total chlorophyll and enzymes activity, respectively. In this relay intercropping treatment, each crop occupied and used the growth resources from different ecological niches at different times which is recommended in semi-arid areas.
Intermediate filament network perturbation in the C. elegans intestine causes systemic toxicity
Authors: Geisler Florian , Remmelzwaal Sanne , Boxem Mike , Leube Rudolf E.
Published: August 2022

Intermediate filaments (IFs) are major components of the metazoan cytoskeleton. A long-standing debate concerns the question whether IF network organization only reflects or also determines cell and tissue function. Using C. elegans, we have recently described mutants of the MAPK SMA-5, which perturb the organization of the intestinal IF cytoskeleton resulting in luminal widening and cytoplasmic invaginations. Besides these structural phenotypes, systemic dysfunctions were also observed. We now identify the IF polypeptide IFB-2 as a highly efficient suppressor of both the structural and functional deficiencies by removing the aberrant IF network. Mechanistically, IF network morphogenesis is linked to the phosphorylated IFB-2 aminoterminus. The rescuing capability is IF isotype-specific and not restricted to SMA-5 mutants but extends to other regulators of IF network morphogenesis, i.e. the cytoskeletal linker IFO-1 and the IF-associated protein BBLN1. The findings provide strong evidence for a gain-of-toxic function of the deranged IF networks with implications for diseases that are characterized by altered IF network organization.
Reference-free assembly of long-read transcriptome sequencing data with RNA-Bloom2
Authors: Nip Ka Ming , Hafezqorani Saber , Gagalova Kristina K. , Chiu Readman , Yang Chen , Warren René L. , Birol Inanc
Published: August 2022

Long-read sequencing technologies have improved significantly since their emergence. Their read lengths, potentially spanning entire transcripts, is advantageous for reconstructing transcriptomes. Existing long-read transcriptome assembly methods are primarily reference-based and to date, there is little focus on reference-free transcriptome assembly. We introduce RNA-Bloom2, a reference-free assembly method for long-read transcriptome sequencing data. Using simulated datasets and spike-in control data, we show that the transcriptome assembly quality of RNA-Bloom2 is competitive to those of reference-based methods. Furthermore, RNA-Bloom2 requires 27.0 to 80.6% of the peak memory and 3.6 to 10.8% of the total wall-clock runtime of a competing reference-free method. Finally, we showcase RNA-Bloom2 in assembling a transcriptome sample of Picea sitchensis (Sitka spruce). Since our method does not rely on a reference, it sets up the groundwork for large-scale comparative transcriptomics where high-quality draft genome assemblies are not readily available.
Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75
Authors: Saito Akatsuki , Tamura Tomokazu , Zahradnik Jiri , Deguchi Sayaka , Tabata Koshiro , Kimura Izumi , Ito Jumpei , Nasser Hesham , Toyoda Mako , Nagata Kayoko , Uriu Keiya , Kosugi Yusuke , Fujita Shigeru , Yamasoba Daichi , Shofa Maya , Begum MST Monira , Oda Yoshitaka , Suzuki Rigel , Ito Hayato , Nao Naganori , Wang Lei , Tsuda Masumi , Yoshimatsu Kumiko , Yamamoto Yuki , Nagamoto Tetsuharu , Asakura Hiroyuki , Nagashima Mami , Sadamasu Kenji , Yoshimura Kazuhisa , Ueno Takamasa , Schreiber Gideon , Takaori-Kondo Akifumi ,   The Genotype to Phenotype Japan (G2P-Japan) Consortium, Shirakawa Kotaro , Sawa Hirofumi , Irie Takashi , Takayama Kazuo , Matsuno Keita , Tanaka Shinya , Ikeda Terumasa , Fukuhara Takasuke , Sato Kei
Published: August 2022

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75 emerged in May 2022. BA.2.75 is a BA.2 descendant but is phylogenetically different from BA.5, the currently predominant BA.2 descendant. Here, we showed that the effective reproduction number of BA.2.75 is greater than that of BA.5. While the sensitivity of BA.2.75 to vaccination- and BA.1/2 breakthrough infection-induced humoral immunity was comparable to that of BA.2, the immunogenicity of BA.2.75 was different from that of BA.2 and BA.5. Three clinically-available antiviral drugs were effective against BA.2.75. BA.2.75 spike exhibited a profound higher affinity to human ACE2 than BA.2 and BA.5 spikes. The fusogenicity, growth efficiency in human alveolar epithelial cells, and intrinsic pathogenicity in hamsters of BA.2.75 were comparable to those of BA.5 but were greater than those of BA.2. Our multiscale investigations suggest that BA.2.75 acquired virological properties independently of BA.5, and the potential risk of BA.2.75 to global health is greater than that of BA.5.
Inositol pyrophosphate-controlled kinetochore architecture and mitotic entry in S. pombe
Authors: Kuenzel Natascha Andrea , Alcázar-Román Abel R. , Saiardi Adolfo , Bartsch Simon M. , Daunaraviciute Sarune , Fiedler Dorothea , Fleig Ursula
Published: August 2022

Inositol pyrophosphates (IPPs) comprise a specific class of signaling molecules that regulate central biological processes in eukaryotes. The conserved Vip1/PPIP5K family controls intracellular IP8 levels, the highest phosphorylated form of IPPs present in yeasts, as it has both inositol kinase and pyrophosphatase activities. Previous studies have shown that the fission yeast S. pombe Vip1/PPIP5K family member Asp1 impacts chromosome transmission fidelity via modulation of spindle function. We now demonstrate that an IP8 analogue is targeted by endogenous Asp1 and that cellular IP8 is subject to cell cycle control. Mitotic entry requires Asp1 kinase function and IP8 levels are increased at the G2/M transition. In addition, the kinetochore, the conductor of chromosome segregation assembled on chromosomes is modulated by IP8. Members of the yeast CCAN kinetochore-subcomplex such as Mal2/CENP-O localize to the kinetochore depending on the intracellular IP8-level: higher than wild-type IP8 levels reduces Mal2 kinetochore targeting, while a reduction in IP8 has the opposite effect. As our perturbations of the inositol polyphosphate and IPP pathways demonstrate that kinetochore architecture depends solely on IP8 and not on other IPPs, we conclude that chromosome transmission fidelity is controlled by IP8 via an interplay between entry into mitosis, kinetochore architecture and spindle dynamics.
To wine or not to wine? A scientometric approach to 65+ years of wine preference and selection studies
Authors: Carollo Alessandro , Fong Seraphina , Gabrieli Giulio , Mulatti Claudio , Esposito Gianluca
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Among the growing interest towards market segmentation and targeted marketing, the current study adopted a scientometric approach to examine the literature on wine selection and preferences. The current review specifically attempts to shed light on the research that explores the determinants of wine preferences at multiple levels of analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

CiteSpace was used to compute a Document Co-Citation Analysis (DCA) on a sample of 114,048 eligible references obtained from 2,846 publications downloaded from Scopus on 24 May 2021.

Findings

An optimized network of 1,505 nodes and 4,616 links was generated. Within the network, impactful publications on the topic and thematic domains of research were identified. Specifically, two thematic macro-areas were identified through a qualitative analysis of papers included in the 7 major clusters. The first one - “Methods of Wine Making” - included clusters #0, #3, #5, #6 and #18. The second one - “Consumers' Attitudes and Preferences Towards Wine” - included clusters #1 and #2. The first thematic macro-area included more technical aspects referring to the process of wine making, while the second thematic macro-area focused more on the factors influencing individuals' preferences and attitudes towards wine. To reflect the aims of the current paper, publications giving light to the “Consumers' Attitudes and Preferences Towards Wine” macro-area were analyzed in detail.

Originality/value

The resulting insights may help wine makers and wine sellers optimize their work in relation to market segments and to the factors influencing individuals' purchasing behaviors.
Evolution of entrepreneurship research in the food sector: a bibliometric review
Authors: Martín-Navarro Alicia , Lechuga Sancho María Paula , Martínez-Fierro Salustiano
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse through a bibliometric study the academic literature that relates entrepreneurship to foods.

Design/methodology/approach

A database of 1,300 papers published in the ISI Web of Science was generated. The bibliometric techniques allowed us to describe scientific literature evolution, most productive authors, institutions and countries, most relevant sources and documents, trend topics and social structure.

Findings

The results illustrate an upward trend, more accentuated in the last four years, in publishing papers relating entrepreneurship to the food industry.

Originality/value

This research is novel because although numerous articles relate the food industry to entrepreneurship, no bibliometric articles that analyse the scientific production that relates both terms have been found in the literature.
Dual carbon goals and the impact on future agricultural development in China: a general equilibrium analysis
Authors: Wei Wei , Cui Qi , Sheng Yu
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the future path of agricultural development in China toward 2060 under the dual carbon goals, so as to inform better policy choices for facilitating agricultural and rural transformation toward the goal of maintaining food security, sustainable income growth and low carbon emission.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a single-country, multi-sectoral computable general equilibrium model, CHINAGEM model and develops eight illustrative scenarios to simulate the impacts of attaining dual carbon goals on agricultural development in China. Additional two scenarios have also been designed to inform better policy making with the aim to offset the negative impact of the decarbonization schemes through facilitating agricultural technology progress.

Findings

Dual carbon goals are projected to impose substantial negative impact on agricultural productions and consumptions in China in the coming four decades. Under the assumption of business as usual, agricultural production will reduce by 0.49–8.94% along with the attainment of carbon neutrality goal by 2060, with the production of cereals and high-value being more severely damaged. To mitigate the adverse impact of the decarbonization schemes, it is believed that fastening technology progress in agriculture is one of the most efficient ways for maintaining domestic food security without harming the dual carbon goals. In particular, if agricultural productivity (particularly, for cereals and high-value products) can be increased by another 1% per year, the production losses caused by carbon emission mitigation will be fully offset. This implies that promoting technology progress is still the best way to facilitate agricultural development and rural transformation in future China.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature in better informing the impact of dual carbon goals on China's agriculture and the effectiveness of technology progress in agriculture on buffering the adverse impact of the decarbonization schemes and promoting agricultural development.
Far from “Fauda”: creators with disabilities in an established-outsider figuration in the Israeli film and television industries
Authors: Kuna Shani
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Ample literature has demonstrated that workers in the creative industries are excluded in terms of gender, race and class. Fewer studies, however, have examined the career advancement challenges faced by creators with disabilities. Drawing on insights from the established-outsider theory, this study aims to fill this lacuna.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants were 24 creators in the Israeli film and television industries (FTIs) contending with severe forms of mental or physical and sensory impairment. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore practitioners’ conceptions of the challenges they face in making careers in the FTI, as well as how they contend with these challenges.

Findings

Intergroup dynamics yield an established-outsider figuration that situates creators with disabilities in a marginal occupational position in the FTI. Creators with disabilities' lack of access to networks of prominent creators place them in a disadvantageous position in the ongoing struggles over scarce resources in the FTI. The structural features of the FTI, which are intertwined with the social mechanisms of stigmatization and exclusion, make it difficult to breach any figuration once established. In defiance of their occupational figuration, creators with disabilities utilize two tactics aimed at professional advancement: hyper-meritocracy and advocacy. These tactics yield only partial success.

Research limitations/implications

This study does not represent the voices of decision-makers in the film and television industries in Israel.

Practical implications

Implications are suggested regarding the role of culture funds as well as policymakers in advancing workforce diversity and opportunity in the film and television industries.

Originality/value

This study addresses covert and unspoken barriers to equality in the creative workforce. The findings also shed light on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workforce diversity and opportunity in the FTI.
Outcomes of job insecurity among hotel employees during COVID-19
Authors: Karatepe Osman M. , Okumus Fevzi , Saydam Mehmet Bahri
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper investigates the consequences of job insecurity among hotel employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from the employees of two five-star chain hotels in Turkey. The study hypotheses were tested via structural equation modeling.

Findings

The research findings demonstrate that job insecurity exacerbates job tension. Job tension erodes employees’ trust in organization and aggravates their propensity to leave work early and be late for work. As hypothesized, job tension mediates the effect of job insecurity on organizational trust and the abovementioned outcomes.

Originality/value

This study adds to the hospitality literature by assessing the interrelationships of job insecurity, job tension, organizational trust and nonattendance intentions.
Being ethically resilient during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study of Indian supply chain companies
Authors: Verma Shivangi , Garg Naval , Arumugam Thangaraja
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The present study aims to examine the relationship between techno-ethical orientation and ethical decision-making (EDM) in Indian supply chain companies during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also aims to explore the moderating role of technological frames (TF) in the relationship between techno-ethical orientation and EDM.

Design/methodology/approach

The relationship between techno-ethical orientation and EDM is examined using correlation and regression analysis. The moderating effect of five dimensions of TFs (personal attitude, application value, organisational influence, supervisor influence and industry influence) is analysed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The correlation coefficient between techno-ethical orientation and EDM is 0.513. Also, the regression coefficient (β = 0.213) is significant at 0.05, establishing a positive linkage between the two. R-square values showed a 45.2% variation in EDM is explained by techno-ethical orientation. Similarly, all variables of TFs have a positive and significant moderating effect on the relationship between techno-ethical orientation and EDM.

Originality/value

This is one of the pioneer studies exploring techno-ethical orientation’s impact on EDM in supply chain companies.
Immigrant prisoners in Italy. Cultural mediation to reduce social isolation and increase migrant prisoner well-being?
Authors: Garro Maria , Schirinzi Massimiliano , Novara Cinzia , Ayllon Alonso Elena
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to highlight how easy it is for immigrants to break Italian law because of the country’s inadequate cultural and linguistic mediation service. Insufficiencies in this service also have a negative impact on both the psychological and physical health of migrant prisoners. Furthermore, Italian is used in legal disputes and prison, and reference is made to Italian culture, preventing migrants from understanding their position regarding the law.

Design/methodology/approach

This report concerns the psychological discomfort of migrant incarcerated individuals within Italian prisons due to national laws in force. Consideration is also given to the negative impact on the physical health of incarcerated migrants.

Findings

Best practice should include adequate space for linguistic and cultural mediation in reception centres and prisons. It is considered suitable to combat social exclusion, even in prison.

Research limitations/implications

The report is not research on prisoners, but it focuses on making visible the condition of migrant individuals incarcerated in Italy.

Social implications

Enforced isolation does not allow immigrants to become a community resource but has negative repercussions in terms of financial, social and well-being costs.

Originality/value

This paper is one of few in limited, national or otherwise scientific output, to contribute to migrant inmate visibility in Italy. Taking action for the well-being of migrant prisoners will not only have a positive impact on a social level but should also help reintegrate these individuals after serving their sentence.
Customer incivil behavior and employee retaliation
Authors: Agnihotri Arpita , Bhattacharya Saurabh
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine a moderated mediation relationship between customer incivility and employee retaliation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tested the hypotheses using data from 459 hospitality industry employee responses. Data was collected by using Amazon’s MTurk.

Findings

The study results suggest that employee anger mediates the customer incivility and employee retaliation relationship. Further, the employee’s regulatory focus (namely, promotion and preventive regulatory focus) moderates this mediated relationship. Specifically, employee promotion regulatory focus positively moderates the relationship between customer incivility and employee anger, whereas prevention regulatory focus negatively moderates the relationship.

Originality/value

Extant study has not explored customer incivility and employee retaliation relationship under moderated mediation influence of regulatory focus and employee anger, respectively.
Competitive advantage via intellectual capital: a moderated mediation analysis
Authors: Mohammad Shafiee Majid
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Looking for ways to gain competitive advantage (CA) is one of the most challenging issues for today's businesses. Although previous research considered several aspects in this regard, the literature has largely overlooked the process of gaining CA via strategic intangibles, regarding business type and context. This paper aims to examine how to gain CA through strategic intangibles such as intellectual capital (IC).

Design/methodology/approach

Building on the concept of IC, and using data gathered from both the manufacturing/service and public/private firms, the authors tested a moderated mediation model to determine if the effect of IC on CA was conditioned on business type, competitive intensity and managerial support.

Findings

Among the factors in the relationship between IC and CA, the results discovered the role of business intelligence (BIN) and brand image (IM), as two key mediators. Furthermore, it was revealed that managerial support and competitive intensity moderate the relationship between IC, the mediators and CA. Finally, the authors provide academics and practitioners with some implications.

Originality/value

Previous research did not fully address the aforementioned antecedents (i.e., IC, BIN and IM) toward CA in a comprehensive model. Developing the path toward CA by focusing on the role of intangibles, the authors proposed a moderated mediation model, which has hitherto received scant attention in the field of competition.
Unethical practices in online classes during COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of affordances using routine activity theory
Authors: Hazra Ummaha , Priyo Asad Karim Khan
Published: August 2022

Purpose

While online classes have enabled many universities to carry out their regular academic activities, they have also given rise to new and unanticipated ethical concerns. We focus on the “dark side” of online class settings and attempt to illuminate the ethical problems associated with them. The purpose of this study is to investigate the affordances stemming from the technology-user interaction that can result in negative outcomes. We also attempt to understand the context in which these deleterious affordances are actualized.

Design/methodology/approach

We obtain the data from narratives written by students at a top private university in Bangladesh about their experiences of online classes and exams and from focus group discussions with them. We use the lens of affordance theory to identify the abilities that goal-oriented actors – primarily students – obtain from the technology-user interactions, which result in negative outcomes. We also attempt to understand the contextual actualization of those affordances through the lens of Routine Activity Theory (RAT).

Findings

We find three deleterious affordances and three associated deviant outcomes. Non-monitorability which results in academic dishonesty, disguiseability which results in cyber-truancy, and intrudeability which results in embarrassment and harassment. Our findings reveal a deeper underlying problem with the existing educational approach in the universities of Bangladesh and suggest that there is a need to introduce more modern teaching techniques focused on issues such as student engagement and interactive learning.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper that combines affordance theory with RAT to identify unethical practices observed in online class settings in the context of a least developed country like Bangladesh and to examine the environmental components that give rise to the pre-conditions for the unethical practices to surface.
The impact of a pandemic on knowledge sharing behavior: a COR perspective
Authors: Pradhan Sudeepta , Bashir Makhmoor , Singh Sweta
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to look at the attitudes of the employees in terms of sharing knowledge during COVID-19 in an online environment and the various difficulties associated and to analyze knowledge sharing (KS) in a virtual office setting, using the conservation of resources theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was used by conducting face-to-face interviews online through GoogleMeet, Skype and Zoom. A total of 34 interviews from 14 multinational companies (or their subsidiaries), in a supervisory role, were conducted for the study. A thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the responses.

Findings

During a crisis, the tendency of employees to share knowledge at the individual, team and organizational level increases and is interlinked. The results of this study suggest that during the initial phases of lockdown, the creativity levels among employees were high; however, as the work from the office got postponed because of extended lockdowns, the creativity level of employees saw a dip. Furthermore, the findings of this study also highlighted that KS in remotely located teams was found to be dependent on the extent to which the team members knew each other, such that known teams were in a better position to share knowledge than a newly formed team with unknown or less known members.

Research limitations/implications

This study has 34 respondents which is an acceptable number for a qualitative inquiry. However, the number of industries could be increased for generalization purposes. Responses were collected from a group of knowledge workers who were willing to correspond digitally, using social media channels of the authors, such as Linkedin. Responses collected personally could provide different results.

Practical implications

This study provides insights into visible change in organizational processes. The conceptual model developed in this study has several implications which will help chief knowledge officers to understand why the various individual, team and organizational factors lead to KS, particularly with respect to COVID-19.

Originality/value

This study has explored a contemporary phenomenon – KS during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, in an online environment. This study depicts the extant literature on knowledge management during a pandemic, thus bridging the scholarly gap. This study tried to bring in a broader perspective by selecting respondents across continents, domains and varied age groups. Fourth, most studies analyzing KS/knowledge hiding in the extant literature, especially during the pandemic, have followed a quantitative approach. This study followed a qualitative approach to gain insights into the KS of the firm and the thoughts and practicalities behind it.