bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mycobacterium marinumphthiocerol dimycocerosates enhance macrophage phagosomal permeabilization and membrane damage
Authors: Osman Morwan M. , Pagán Antonio J. , Shanahan Jonathan K. , Ramakrishnan Lalita
Published: May 2020

Phthiocerol dimycocerosates (PDIMs) are a class of mycobacterial lipids that promote virulence inMycobacterium tuberculosisandMycobacterium marinum. It has recently been shown that PDIMs work in concert with theM. tuberculosisType VII secretion system ESX-1 to permeabilize the phagosomal membranes of infected macrophages. As the zebrafish-M. marinummodel of infection has revealed the critical role of PDIM at the host-pathogen interface, we set to determine if PDIMs contributed to phagosomal permeabilization inM. marinum. Using anΔmmpL7mutant defective in PDIM transport, we find the PDIM-ESX-1 interaction to be conserved in anM. marinummacrophage infection model. However, we find PDIM and ESX-1 mutants differ in their degree of defect, with the PDIM mutant retaining more membrane damaging activity. Using anin vitrohemolysis assay— a common surrogate for cytolytic activity, we find that PDIM and ESX-1 differ in their contributions: the ESX-1 mutant loses hemolytic activity while PDIM retains it. Our observations confirm the involvement of PDIMs in phagosomal permeabilization inM. marinuminfection and suggest that PDIM enhances the membrane disrupting activity of pathogenic mycobacteria and indicates that the role they play in damaging phagosomal and red blood cell membranes may differ.
Low Intensity Vibration Restores Nuclear YAP Levels and Acute YAP Nuclear Shuttling in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Subjected to Simulated Microgravity
Authors: Thompson M , Woods K , Newberg J , Oxford JT , Uzer G
Published: May 2020

Reducing the bone deterioration that astronauts experience in microgravity requires countermeasures that can improve the effectiveness of rigorous and time-expensive exercise regimens under microgravity. The ability of low intensity vibrations (LIV) to activate force-responsive signaling pathways in cells suggests LIV as a potential countermeasure to improve cell responsiveness to subsequent mechanical challenge. Mechanoresponse of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) which maintain bone-making osteoblasts is in part controlled by the “mechanotransducer” protein YAP (Yes-associated protein) which is shuttled into the nucleus in response cyto-mechanical forces. Here, using YAP nuclear shuttling as a measure of MSC mechanoresponse, we tested the effect of 72 hours of simulated microgravity (SMG) and daily LIV application (LIVDT) on the YAP nuclear entry driven by either acute LIV (LIVAT) or Lysophosphohaditic acid (LPA), applied at the end of the 72h period. We hypothesized that SMG-induced impairment of acute YAP nuclear entry will be alleviated by daily application of LIVDT. Results showed that while both acute LIVATand LPA treatments increased nuclear YAP entry by 50% and 87% over the basal levels in SMG-treated MSCs, nuclear YAP levels of all SMG groups were significantly lower than non-SMG controls. Daily dosing of LIVDT, applied in parallel to SMG, restored the SMG-driven decrease in basal nuclear YAP to control levels as well as increased the LPA-induced but not LIVAT-induced YAP nuclear entry over the non-LIVDTtreated, SMG only, counterparts. These cell level observations suggest that utilizing daily LIV treatments is a feasible countermeasure for increasing the YAP-mediated anabolic responsiveness of MSCs to subsequent mechanical challenge under SMG.
Region-Specific PSD-95 Interactomes Contribute to Functional Diversity of Excitatory Synapses in Human Brain
Authors: Funk Adam J. , Labilloy Guillaume , Reigle James , Alnafisah Rawan , Heaven Michael R. , Roberts Rosalinda C. , Shamsaei Behrouz , Greis Kenneth D. , Meller Jaroslaw , McCullumsmith Robert E.
Published: May 2020

The overarching goal of this exploratory study is to link subcellular microdomain specific protein-protein interactomes with big data analytics. We isolated postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) complexes from four human brain regions and compared their protein interactomes using multiple bioinformatics techniques. We demonstrate that human brain regions have unique postsynaptic protein signatures that may be used to interrogate perturbagen databases. Assessment of our hippocampal signature using the iLINCS database yielded several compounds with recently characterized “off target” effects on protein-protein interactions in the posynaptic density compartment.
The Proline-rich Domain Promotes Tau Liquid Liquid Phase Separation in Cells
Authors: Zhang Xuemei , Vigers Michael , McCarty James , Rauch Jennifer N. , Fredrickson Glenn H. , Wilson Maxwell Z. , Shea Joan-Emma , Han Songi , Kosik Kenneth S.
Published: May 2020

Tau proteinin vitrocan undergo liquid liquid phase separation (LLPS); however, observations of this phase transition in living cells are limited. To investigate protein state transitions in living cells we found that Cry2 can optogentically increase the association of full lengh tau with microtubules. To probe this mechanism, we identified tau domains that drive tau clustering on microtubules in living cells. The polyproline rich domain (PRD) drives LLPS and does so under the control of phosphorylation. These readily observable cytoplasmic condensates underwent fusion and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching consistent with the ability of the PRD to undergo LLPSin vitro. In absence of the MTBD, the tau PRD co-condensed with EB1, a regulator of plus-end microtubule dynamic instability. The specific domain properties of the MTBD and PRD serve distinct but mutually complementary roles that utilize LLPS in a cellular context to implement emergent functionalities that scale their relationship from binding alpha-beta tubulin heterodimers to the larger proportions of microtubules.
ESAT-6 ofMycobacterium tuberculosisdownregulates cofilin1 and reduces the phagosome acidification in infected macrophages
Authors: Mahesh P P , Retnakumar R J , Sivakumar K C , Mundayoor Sathish
Published: May 2020

Mycobacterium tuberculosiswhen phagocytosed by macrophages is not cleared completely and many of the bacteria remain in phagosomes indefinitely. In this study we considered abnormal retention of filamentous actin on early phagosomes contributing to defective phagosome acidification. Phosphocofilin1, the inactive form of actin depolymerizing protein cofilin1, which leads to retention of filamentous actin, and the total filamentous actin itself were found upregulated in macrophages infected with virulentM. tuberculosis. Over expression of constitutively active cofilin1 in macrophages was found to increase phagosome acidification when infected with virulentM. tuberculosis. The anticancer drug sorafenib which activates cofilin1 in PI3K dependent manner was also found to increase phagosome acidification. Cofilin1, known to be positively regulated by superoxide was found to be downregulated by ESAT-6 ofM. tuberculosiswhere the latter is known to reduce ROS in macrophages. Ectopic expression of ESAT-6 in macrophages was found to increase filamentous actin and to transform the macrophages more spindle shaped. ESAT-6 was also found to decrease phagosome acidification in macrophages infected with an avirulentM. tuberculosisstrain. Finally, this study proposes a role for the amino acid methionine in resisting ROS by creating M93 mutants of ESAT-6.
Single-cell immune repertoire and transcriptome sequencing reveals that clonally expanded and transcriptionally distinct lymphocytes populate the aged central nervous system in mice
Authors: Yermanos Alexander , Neumeier Daniel , Sandu Ioana , Borsa Mariana , Waindok Ann Cathrin , Merkler Doron , Oxenius Annette , Reddy Sai T.
Published: May 2020

Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role during ageing and various neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and infection. Technical limitations, however, have prevented an integrative analysis of how lymphocyte immune receptor repertoires and their accompanying transcriptional states change with age in the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we leveraged single-cell sequencing to simultaneously profile B cell receptor (BCR) and T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires and accompanying gene expression profiles in young and old mouse brains. We observed the presence of clonally expanded B and T cells in the central nervous system (CNS) of aged mice. Furthermore, many of these B cells were of the IgM and IgD isotype and had low levels of somatic hypermutation. Integrating gene expression information additionally revealed distinct transcriptional profiles of these clonally expanded lymphocytes. Our findings implicate that clonally related T and B cells in the CNS of elderly mice may contribute to neuroinflammation accompanying homeostatic ageing.
E prostanoid receptor 4 expressing macrophages promote the regeneration of the intestinal epithelial barrier upon inflammation
Authors: Na Yi Rang , Jung Daun , Stakenborg Michelle , Gu Gyo Jeong , Jeong Mi Reu , Jang Hye Ri , Suh Soo Youn , Kim Hak Jae , Kwon Yoon Hey , Sung Tae Sik , Ryoo Seung Bum , Park Kyu Joo , Im Jong Pil , Park Ji Yong , Lee Yun Sang , Han Heon Jong , Park Bo Youn , Lee Sung Wook , Lee Ho Su , Cleynen Isabelle , Matteoli Gianluca , Seok Seung Hyeok
Published: May 2020

Dysfunctional resolution of intestinal inflammation and altered mucosal healing are essential features in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Intestinal macrophages are vital in the process of resolution of inflammation but the mechanisms underlying their mucosal healing capacity remains elusive. Here, we describe a subset of E prostanoid receptor 4 (EP4) expressing intestinal macrophages with mucosal healing properties both in human and mice. Notably, Csf1r-iCre EP4-fl/fl mice showed defective mucosal healing and intestinal epithelial barrier regeneration in a dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis model. Mechanistically, an increased mucosal level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) triggers the secretion of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) in monocyte-derived EP4+macrophages via MAPKs. Subsequently, CXCL1 drives epithelial cell differentiation and proliferation from regenerating crypts during the resolution phase of colitis. Thus, EP4+intestinal macrophages are essential for the support of the intestinal stem cell niche and for the regeneration of the injured epithelium.

One Sentence Summary

Prostaglandin E2 licenses E-type prostanoid receptor 4 intestinal macrophage regenerative capacity promoting mucosal healing via the secretion of CXCL1
Chi hotspot control of RecBCD helicase-nuclease by long-range intramolecular signaling
Authors: Amundsen Susan K. , Taylor Andrew F. , Smith Gerald R.
Published: May 2020

Repair of broken DNA by homologous recombination requires coordinated enzymatic reactions to prepare it for interaction with intact DNA. The multiple activities of enterobacterial RecBCD helicase-nuclease are coordinated by Chi recombination hotspots (5’ GCTGGTGG 3’) recognized during DNA unwinding. Chi is recognized in a tunnel in RecC but activates the RecB nuclease, >25 Ǻ away. How the Chi-dependent signal travels this long distance has been unknown. We found a Chi-recognition-deficient mutant in the RecB helicase domain located >45 Ǻ from both the Chi-recognition site and the nuclease active site. This unexpected observation led us to find additional mutations that reduced or eliminated Chi hotspot activity in each subunit and widely scattered throughout RecBCD. Each mutation alters the intimate contact between one or another pair of subunits in the crystal or cryoEM structures of RecBCD bound to DNA. Collectively, these mutations span a path ∼185 Ǻ long from the Chi recognition site to the nuclease active site. We discuss these surprising results in the context of an intramolecular signal transduction accounting for many previous observations.
Structural Analysis of 70S Ribosomes by Cross-Linking/Mass Spectrometry Reveals Conformational Plasticity
Authors: Tüting Christian , Iacobucci Claudio , Ihling Christian H. , Kastritis Panagiotis L. , Sinz Andrea
Published: May 2020

The ribosome is not only a highly complex molecular machine that executes translation according to the central dogma of molecular biology, but also an exceptional specimen for testing and optimizing cross-linking/mass spectrometry (XL-MS) workflows. Due to its high abundance, ribosomal proteins are frequently identified in proteome-wide XL-MS studies of cells or cell extracts. Here, we performed in-depth cross-linking of theE. coliribosome using the amine-reactive cross-linker diacetyl dibutyric urea (DSAU). We analyzed 143E. coliribosomal structures, mapping a total of 10,771 intramolecular distances for 126 cross-link-pairs and 3,405 intermolecular distances for 97 protein pairs. Remarkably, 44% of intermolecular cross-links covered regions that have not been resolved in any high-resolutionE. coliribosome structure and point to a plasticity of cross-linked regions. We systematically characterized all cross-links and discovered flexible regions, conformational changes, and stoichiometric variations in bound ribosomal proteins, and ultimately remodeled 2,057 residues (15,794 atoms) in total. Our working model explains more than 95% of all cross-links, resulting in an optimizedE. coliribosome structure based on the cross-linking data obtained. Our study might serve as benchmark for conducting biochemical experiments on newly modeled protein regions, guided by XL-MS. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD018935.
Reconstruction of natural images from responses of primate retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Brackbill Nora , Rhoades Colleen , Kling Alexandra , Shah Nishal P. , Sher Alexander , Litke Alan M. , Chichilnisky E.J.
Published: May 2020

The visual message conveyed by a retinal ganglion cell (RGC) is often summarized by its spatial receptive field, but in principle also depends on the responses of other RGCs and natural image statistics. This possibility was explored by linear reconstruction of natural images from responses of the four numerically-dominant macaque RGC types. Reconstructions were highly consistent across retinas. The optimal reconstruction filter for each RGC – its visual message – reflected natural image statistics, and resembled the receptive field only when nearby, same-type cells were included. ON and OFF cells conveyed largely independent, complementary representations, and parasol and midget cells conveyed distinct and expected features. Correlated activity and nonlinearities had statistically significant but minor effects on reconstruction. Simulated reconstructions, using linear-nonlinear cascade models of RGC light responses that incorporated measured spatial properties and nonlinearities, produced similar results. Spatiotemporal reconstructions exhibited similar spatial properties, suggesting that the results are relevant for natural vision.
Physiological and transcriptomic responses to N-deficiency and ammonium: nitrate shift inFugacium kawagutii(Symbiodiniaceae)
Authors: Li Tangcheng , Chen Xibei , Lin Senjie
Published: May 2020

Symbiodiniaceae are the source of essential coral symbionts of reef building corals. The growth and density of endosymbiotic Symbodiniaceae within the coral host is highly dependent on nutrient availability, yet little is known about how Symbiodiniaceae respond to the dynamics of the nutrients, including switch between different chemical forms and changes in abundance. In this study, we investigated physiological, cytometric, and transcriptomic responses inFugacium kawagutiito nitrogen (N)-nutrient deficiency and different chemical N forms (nitrate and ammonium) in batch culture conditions. We mainly found that ammonium was consumed faster than nitrate when provided separately, and was preferentially utilized over nitrate when both nitrogen compounds were supplied at 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1 molarity ratios. Besides, N-deficiency caused decreases in growth, energy production, antioxidative capacity and investment in photosynthate transport but increased energy consumption. Growing on ammonium produced a similar cell yield as nitrate, but with a decreased investment in nutrient transport and assimilation. These all have important implications of N nutrient to support symbiosis in coral ecosystem, especially regarding ammonium. In addition, by integrating our current results with previous data, we identified ten highly and stably expressed genes as candidate reference genes, which will be potentially useful for gene expression studies in the future.
Three-Dimensional (3D) Fibronectin Nano-Array Presented on Fibrin Matrix Accelerates Mice Skin Wound Healing
Authors: Jara Carlos Poblete , Wang Ou , do Prado Thais Paulino , Ismail Ayman , Fabian Frank Marco , Li Han , Velloso Licio A. , Carlson Mark A. , Burgess William , Lei Yuguo , Velander William H. , Araújo Eliana P.
Published: May 2020

Plasma fibrinogen (F1) and fibronectin (pFN) polymerize to form a fibrin clot that is both a hemostatic and provisional matrix for wound healing. About 90% of plasma F1 has a homodimeric pair of γ chains (γγF1) and 10% has a heterodimeric pair of γ and more acidic γ’ chains (γγ’F1). We have synthesized a novel fibrin matrix exclusively from a 1:1 (molar ratio) complex of γγ’F1 and pFN in the presence of highly active thrombin and recombinant Factor XIII (rFXIIIa). In this matrix, the fibrin nanofibers were wrapped with periodic 200-300 nm wide pFN nanobands (termed γγ’F1:pFN fibrin). In contrast, fibrin made from 1:1 mixture of γγF1 and pFN formed a sporadic distribution of “pFN droplets” (termed γγF1 +pFN fibrin). The γγ’F1:pFN fibrin enhanced the adhesion of primary human umbilical vein endothelium cells (HUVECs) relative to the γγF1+FN fibrin. Three dimensional (3D) culturing showed that the γγ’F1:pFN complex fibrin matrix enhanced the proliferation of both HUVECs and primary human fibroblasts. HUVECs in the 3D γγ’F1:pFN fibrin exhibited a starkly enhanced vascular morphogenesis while an apoptotic growth profile was observed in the γγF1 +pFN fibrin. Relative to γγF1 +pFN fibrin, mouse dermal wounds that were sealed by γγ’F1:pFN fibrin exhibited accelerated and enhanced healing. This study suggests that a 3D pFN nano-array presented on a fibrin matrix can promote wound healing.
Viral genome wide association study identifies novel hepatitis C virus polymorphisms associated with sofosbuvir treatment failure
Authors: Smith David A , Magri Andrea , Bowden Rory , Chaturvedi Nimisha , Fellay Jacques , McLauchlan John , Foster Graham R. , Irving William L ,   STOP-HCV Consortium, Simmonds Peter , Pedergnana Vincent , Barnes Eleanor , Ansari M. Azim
Published: May 2020

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. With the recent development of direct acting antivirals (DAA), treatment of chronically infected patients has become highly effective although a subset of patients do not respond to therapy. Sofosbuvir is a common component of current de novo or salvage combination therapies. We used pre-treatment whole genome sequencing of HCV from 507 patients infected with HCV subtype 3a and treated with sofosbuvir containing regimens to detect viral polymorphisms associated with response to treatment. We found that three common polymorphisms present in HCV NS2 and NS3 proteins (not direct targets of sofosbuvir) were associated with reduced treatment response. These polymorphisms were enriched in post-treatment HCV sequences of patients unresponsive to treatment; they were also associated with lower reductions in viral load in the first week of therapy. The finding of polymorphisms in NS2 and NS3 proteins associated with poor treatment outcomes emphasises the value of more systematic genome-wide analyses of HCV in uncovering indirect but clinically relevant mechanisms of antiviral resistance.
Snca-GFP knock-in mice reflect patterns of endogenous expression and pathological seeding
Authors: Caputo Anna , Liang Yuling , Raabe Tobias D. , Lo Angela , Horvath Mian , Zhang Bin , Brown Hannah J. , Stieber Anna , Luk Kelvin C.
Published: May 2020

Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) participates in synaptic vesicle trafficking and synaptic transmission, but its misfolding is also strongly implicated in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders known as synucleinopathies where misfolded aSyn accumulates in different regions of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Although increased aSyn expression levels or altered aggregation propensities likely underlie familial PD with SNCA amplification or mutations, the majority of synucleinopathies arise sporadically, indicating that disease can develop under normal levels of wildtype aSyn. We report here the development and characterization of a mouse line expressing an aSyn-GFP fusion protein under the control of nativeSncaregulatory elements. Regional and subcellular localization of the aSyn-GFP fusion protein in brains and peripheral tissues of knock-in (KI) mice are indistinguishable from that of wildtype littermates. Importantly, similar to wildtype aSyn, aSyn-GFP disperses from synaptic vesicles upon membrane depolarization, indicating that the tag does not alter normal aSyn dynamics at synapses. In addition, intracerebral injection of aSyn pre-formed fibrils into KI mice induced the formation of aSyn-GFP inclusions with a distribution pattern similar to that observed in wildtype mice, albeit with attenuated kinetics due to the GFP tag. We anticipate that this new mouse model will facilitatein vitroandin vivostudies requiringin situdetection of endogenous aSyn, therefore providing new insights into aSyn function in health and disease.

Significance Statement

Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) participates in synaptic vesicle function and represents a major component of the Lewy pathology found in Parkinson’s and related neurodegenerative diseases. The function of aSyn and the sequence of events leading to its aggregation and neurotoxicity are not fully understood. Here we present a new mouse model in which Enhanced Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) has been knocked-in at the C-terminal of theSncagene. The resulting fusion protein shows identical expression and localization to that of wildtype animals, is functional, and is incorporated into pathological aggregatesin vitroandin vivo. This new tool allows for monitoring aSyn under a variety of physiological and pathological conditions, and may uncover additional insights into its function and dysfunction.
Enhancing backcross programs through increased recombination
Authors: Tourrette Elise , Falque Matthieu , Martin Olivier C.
Published: May 2020

Introgression of a QTL by successive backcrosses is a strategy that can be used to improve elite lines (recurrent parent) by bringing in alleles from exotic material (donor parent). In the absence of selection, the proportion of the donor genome decreases by half at each generation. However, since one selects for the donor allele at the QTL, the elimination of the donor genome in the neighborhood of that QTL will be much slower (linkage drag). Using markers to monitor the genome around the QTL and in the background can accelerate the return to the recurrent parent genome. The success of an introgression will partly depend on the occurrence of crossovers at favorable positions. However, the number of crossovers per generation is limited and their distribution along the genome is heterogeneous. Recently, techniques have been developed to modify these two aspects of recombination. Here, we assess, by simulation, their effect on the efficiency of introgression programs by studying the reduction of the linkage drag and the recovery of the recurrent genome. The selection schemes we simulate begin by two generations of foreground selection and continue with one or more generations of background selection. Our results show that when the QTL is in a region that was initially lacking crossovers, increasing the recombination rate can decrease the linkage drag nearly ten-fold after the foreground selection and improves the return to the recurrent parent. However, if the QTL is in a region already rich in crossovers then increasing recombination proves to be detrimental.

Key message

In breeding programs, recombination is essential for introgression, but introducing more crossovers is beneficial only when the target is in a cold region, otherwise it is detrimental.
SVAT4: a computer program for visualization and analysis of crystal structures
Authors: Li X.-Z.
Published: May 2020

SVAT4 is a computer program for interactive visualization of three-dimensional crystal structures, including chemical bonds and magnetic moments. A wide range of functions, e.g. revealing atomic layers and polyhedral clusters, are available for further structural analysis. Atomic sizes, colors, appearance, view directions and view modes (orthographic or perspective views) are adjustable. Customized work for the visualization and analysis can be saved and then reloaded. SVAT4 provides a template to simplify the process of preparation of a new data file. SVAT4 can generate high-quality images for publication and animations for presentations. The usability of SVAT4 is broadened by a software suite for simulation and analysis of electron diffraction patterns.
Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT studies of 2-(2,3-dihydro-1H-perimidin-2-yl)phenol
Authors: Daouda Ballo , Tuo Nanou Tiéba , Kangah Niameke Jean-Baptiste , Hökelek Tuncer , Kodjo Charles Guillaume , Retailleau Pascal , Essassi El Mokhtar
Published: May 2020

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C17H14N2O, contains two independent molecules each consisting of perimidine and phenol units. The tricyclic perimidine units contain naphthalene ring systems and non-planar C4N2 rings adopting envelope conformations with the C atoms of the NCN groups hinged by 44.11 (7) and 48.50 (6)° with respect to the best planes of the other five atoms. Intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bonds may help to consolidate the molecular conformations. The two independent molecules are linked through an N—H...O hydrogen bond. The Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H...H (52.9%) and H...C/C...H (39.5%) interactions. Hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions are the dominant interactions in the crystal packing. Density functional theory (DFT) optimized structures at the B3LYP/ 6–311 G(d,p) level are compared with the experimentally determined molecular structure in the solid state. The HOMO–LUMO behaviour was elucidated to determine the energy gap.
Dissensus and democratic accountability in a case of conflict
Authors: Scobie Matthew Russell , Milne Markus J. , Love Tyron Rakeiora
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper explores diverse practices of the giving and demanding of democratic accountability within a case of conflict around deep-sea petroleum exploration in Aotearoa New Zealand. These practices include submissions and consultations, partnership between Indigenous Peoples and a settler-colonial government and dissensus. These are theorised through the political thought of Jacques Rancière.

Design/methodology/approach

A single case study approach is employed that seeks to particularise and draws on interview, documentary and media materials.

Findings

By examining a case of conflict, the authors find that as opportunities for participation in democratic accountability processes are eroded, political dissensus emerges to demand parts in the accountability process. Dissensus creates counter forums within a wider understanding of democratic accountability. In this case, individuals and organisations move between police (where hierarchy counts those with a part) and politics (exercised when this hierarchy is disrupted by dissensus) to demand parts as police logics become more and less democratic. These parts are then utilised towards particular interests, but in this case to also create additional parts for those with none.

Originality/value

This study privileges demands for accountability through dissensus as fundamental to democratic accountability, rather than just account giving and receiving. That is, who is or who is not included – who has a stake or a part – is crucial in a broader understanding of democratic accountability. This provides democratic accountability with a radical potential for creating change. The study also advances thinking on democratic accountability by drawing from Indigenous perspectives and experiences in a settler-colonial context.
Pursuing doctoral studies in Macau’s private universities: pragmatic motivations and challenging experiences of Guangdong college teachers
Authors: Shao Yanju
Published: May 2020

Purpose

In response to the emergence of a strong cross-border student flow of postgraduate students from mainland China to the Macau Special Administrative Region (Macau), this study examines the motivations and experience of a special group of doctoral students: college teachers working in Guangdong Province and simultaneously pursuing PhD degrees at private universities in Macau.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative research method, thirteen college teachers were interviewed.

Findings

The research findings reveal their motivations for pursuing doctoral studies in Macau, and the difficulties they faced and gains they obtained from this experience.

Originality/value

All the findings indicate a potential expansion of the role of Macau’s higher education system. Once merely a stepping-stone, it is now an acceleration site for brain circulation between Macau and Guangdong as part of a regionalization strategy for China’s Greater Bay Area.
Pricing rainfall derivatives in the equatorial Pacific
Authors: Cabrales Sergio , Solano Jesus , Valencia Carlos , Bautista Rafael
Published: May 2020

Purpose

In the equatorial Pacific, rainfall is affected by global climate phenomena, such as El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). However, current publicly available methodologies for valuing weather derivatives do not account for the influence of ENSO. The purpose of this paper is to develop a complete framework suitable for valuing rainfall derivatives in the equatorial Pacific.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, we implement a Markov chain for the occurrence of rain and a gamma model for the conditional quantities using vector generalized linear models (VGLM). The ENSO forecast probabilities reported by the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) are included as independent variables using different alternatives. We then employ the Esscher transform to price rainfall derivatives.

Findings

The methodology is applied and calibrated using the historical rainfall data collected at the El Dorado airport weather station in Bogotá. All the estimated coefficients turn out to be significant. The results prove more accurate than those of Markovian gamma models based on purely statistical descriptions of the daily rainfall probabilities.

Originality/value

This procedure introduces the novelty of incorporating variables related to the climatic phenomena, which are the forecast probabilities regularly published for the occurrence of El Niño and La Niña.
The role of community: CSA member retention
Authors: Witzling Laura , Shaw Bret R. , Strader Claire , Sedlak Carrie , Jones Erika
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to better understand motivations for CSA participation with an emphasis on membership retention. Food-related and community-related motivations for participation were examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Current and former CSA members across Wisconsin completed an online survey. Participants were grouped based on their CSA membership status. The four groups were as follows: Keepers (current members planning to renew their membership with their current farm); Switchers (current members planning to switch their membership to a new farm); Stoppers (current members planning to stop purchasing a CSA share from any farm) and Formers (former CSA members). The groups were compared through ANOVA.

Findings

Keepers had stronger community-related motivations, and they had more favorable perceptions about communication with their CSA farm. Food-related motivations were reduced among Stoppers but were similar among Keepers and Switchers.

Research limitations/implications

This study used online purposive sampling; thus, generalizability of results is limited. Switchers were identified as a distinct group that trends younger and appears more willing to change CSA farms but is committed to CSA because of food-related motivations.

Practical implications

Investment by CSA farmers in community building may improve member retention. They may achieve this, in part, through communication with members that taps into factors related to community, such as offering support and making emotional connections. Offering exemplary product is broadly important to keep individuals committed to CSA, but it does not uniquely keep individuals invested in a particular CSA farm the way community-related motivations may.

Originality/value

This is the first analysis to highlight differences between individuals who plan to renew their membership with their current CSA farm, those who plan to switch CSA farms and those who plan to stop purchasing CSA.
What can we learn from experience? An impact analysis of experience on households' preferences for microfinance
Authors: Ding Zhao , Abdulai Awudu , Jiang Yuansheng
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This article examines the impact of experience on rural households' preferences for microfinance attributes, using household data from Sichuan province in China.

Design/methodology/approach

We use the Bayesian updating method to account for the learning process involved in acquiring experience on microfinance. We then use the generalized multinomial logit model that accounts for both preference and scale heterogeneity to estimate the choice probabilities and impact of experience on preferences and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for microfinance.

Findings

The empirical findings show that experience with microfinance products or lending institutions helps households in their selections of microfinance institutions. In particular, experience with financial institutions increase the scale parameter and help respondents to feel assured about their choices, while experience with individual lenders have no such effects. The results also indicate that the willingness-to-pay estimates vary across experiences, with WTP for installment credit displaying the biggest change and the Bayesian updating making the changes even much larger.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the research gap by taking experience as a latent variable that influences personal specific tastes and as an integral part of total utility of rural households in their decision-making processes. We develop a conceptual framework that is based on McFadden's random utility theory and Bayesian inference.
Enhancing post-crisis communication through memorials: the case of the bonfire crisis at Texas A&M
Authors: Tachkova Elina R.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

There is a small amount of research that examines the post-crisis communication efforts of organizations (Coombs, 2012). The discourse of renewal has a focus on learning and positive views of the future. However, there have been some efforts to link it with memorials (Veilet al., 2011). More can be done so that memorials and remembering enhance our understanding of the effects of post-crisis communication. This paper analyzes the Texas A&M Bonfire tragedy as an example of how remembrance, through the shared experience of grief and memorializing, communicates renewal and how the narrative of the crisis has been successfully institutionalized within the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relies on 12 qualitative interviews with undergraduate students attending Texas A&M.

Findings

The findings indicate that memorials are important facilitators of renewal as they carry multiple messages. The results from the study indicated that the narrative of the Bonfire crisis has been embedded within the organizational culture of A&M through a memorialization process facilitated by renewal discourse. Additionally, renewal was found to influence stakeholder perceptions of crises and to be an underlying force of learning and change following organizational crisis.

Originality/value

The paper explores how an organization presents a past crisis to new stakeholders. This paper explores how stakeholders experience and interpret that post-crisis communication. Additionally, the memorial creates a remembering-forgetting tension as organizations want stakeholders to forget the negatives from a crisis.
The landscape of customer engagement in hospitality and tourism: a systematic review
Authors: Hao Fei
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to deliver a systematic review of customer engagement in hospitality and tourism by synthesising existing literature, thus presenting a state-of-art landscape of customer engagement research.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 173 peer-reviewed articles were collected from seven databases, spanning from 2007 to 2020. A systematic review was conducted by analysing, categorizing and synthesising existing studies to examine the evolution, conceptual nature, typology and measurement of the existing literature on customer engagement in hospitality and tourism.

Findings

This study provides an overview of the temporal, spatial, sectoral and journal-wise distribution of customer engagement in hospitality and tourism. A comprehensive definition of customer engagement is proposed based on five fundamental propositions. Scrutiny of customer engagement studies in hospitality and tourism presents four sub-forms, including online customer engagement, tourist engagement, customer brand engagement and customer engagement behaviour. Additionally, the research methods, dimensionality and measurement scales of customer engagement are systematically reviewed.

Originality/value

This study is the first systematic review of customer engagement research in the field of hospitality and tourism. The original definition leads to an improved understanding of customer engagement. This study is also the first to propose a clear typology of customer engagement to enhance consistency in usage.
Thermal comfort properties of weft knitted quilted fabrics
Authors: Abbasi Sadaf Aftab , Marmaralı Arzu , Ertekin Gözde
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the thermal comfort properties of quilted (jersey cord) fabrics produced with different width of diamond pattern, different filling yarn linear density and different types of material.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 12 fabrics were knitted by varying the width of diamond pattern (1 and 3 cm), the filling yarn linear density (300 and 900 denier) and the type of materials (cotton, polyester and their combination). In this regard, air permeability, thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, thermal absorptivity and relative water vapor permeability of these fabrics were measured and evaluated statistically.

Findings

The results showed that fabrics knitted using cotton yarn in both front and back surfaces exhibit higher thermal conductivity, thermal absorptivity and relative water vapor permeability characteristics; whereas samples knitted using polyester yarn in both surfaces have higher air permeability and thermal resistance. As the linear density of filling yarn increases, thickness and thermal resistance of the samples increase and air permeability, thermal conductivity, water vapor permeability characteristics decrease. When the effect of the width of diamond pattern compared, it is seen that an increase in the width of pattern lead to an increase in thickness and thermal resistance and a decrease in thermal conductivity, thermal absorptivity and water vapor permeability values.

Originality/value

Many researches were carried out on the thermal comfort properties of knitted fabrics, however there is a lack of research efforts regarding thermal comfort properties of quilted fabrics.
A robust multi response surface approach for optimization of multistage processes
Authors: Moslemi Amir , Shafiee Mahmood
Published: May 2020

Purpose

In a multistage process, the final quality in the last stage not only depends on the quality of the task performed in that stage but is also dependent on the quality of the products and services in intermediate stages as well as the design parameters in each stage. One of the most efficient statistical approaches used to model the multistage problems is the response surface method (RSM). However, it is necessary to optimize each response in all stages so to achieve the best solution for the whole problem. Robust optimization can produce very accurate solutions in this case.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to model a multistage problem, the RSM is often used by the researchers. A classical approach to estimate response surfaces is the ordinary least squares (OLS) method. However, this method is very sensitive to outliers. To overcome this drawback, some robust estimation methods have been presented in the literature. In optimization phase, the global criterion (GC) method is used to optimize the response surfaces estimated by the robust approach in a multistage problem.

Findings

The results of a numerical study show that our proposed robust optimization approach, considering both the sum of square error (SSE) index in model estimation and also GC index in optimization phase, will perform better than the classical full information maximum likelihood (FIML) estimation method.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are few papers focusing on quality-oriented designs in the multistage problem by means of RSM. Development of robust approaches for the response surface estimation and also optimization of the estimated response surfaces are the main novelties in this study. The proposed approach will produce more robust and accurate solutions for multistage problems rather than classical approaches.
Socioeconomic effects of pension spending: evidence from Spain
Authors: Bermejo Fernando , Febrero Eladio , Fernandes Tomon Avelino Andre
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide broader understanding of the significant role that the pension system has in the Spanish economy by estimating the sectoral production, employment and income sustained by pensioners' consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on input–output tables by the World Input–Output Database and consumption data from the Household Budget Survey by the Spanish Statistical Office, a demoeconomic model is applied to quantify the direct impacts, indirect impacts from interindustry links and induced impacts from income–consumption connections over a nine-year period (2006–2014). Then, the factors driving the evolution of total output, employment and value added during such period have been examined by using structural decomposition analysis.

Findings

The growing participation of consumption by pensioner households in final demand had proven crucial during the 2008 crisis to alleviate the negative trend in production and employment derived from the collapse in consumption suffered by the rest of households.

Practical implications

Determining the underlying factors driving changes in both employment and income during the 2008 crisis can be of interest in political decision-making on the sustainability of the Spanish pension system.

Social implications

The results of estimating both the employment and income supported by pensioners' consumption reveal the significant stabilizing effect of the public spending on pensions, particularly during the 2008 crisis.

Originality/value

The current Spanish approach of attaining the pension system sustainability by merely reducing social protection costs ignores the adverse consequences of a lower pensioners' demand. This paper addresses an alternative view in which pension spending is not considered a burden on economic growth but rather a means of improving the level of production and employment.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at:https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-01-2019-0047
Socio-economic inequality as a barrier on the path of sustainable development: “institutional traps” and perspectives of overcoming them
Authors: Abashidze Aslan Kh. , Inshakova Agnessa O. , Solntsev Alexander M. , Gugunskiy Denis A.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to study the problem of socio-economic inequality from the positions of the neo-institutional economic theory, to determine the causal connections of emergence and manifestation of this problem as a barrier on the path of sustainable development and to develop institutional measures for its solution based on state regulation.

Design/methodology/approach

The scientific and methodological basis of this research is based on regression analysis, which is used for creating and analyzing the regression curves. For the fullest coverage of countries of the world and provision of high representation of the research results, the objects of the research are countries from each category that were distinguished according to their position in the global rating of countries as to the index of sustainable development, calculated and compiled by Sustainable Development Solutions Network (2019).

Findings

It is substantiated that financial inequality is a result of violation of the principles of social justice—primarily, in the labor market. The institutional approach, which is used for studying the problem of socio-economic inequality, allows presenting this problem as a result of the action of social institutes with own system of rules and norms and offering the institutional measures of regulation, which are to influence the rules and norms in society in the labor market. Due to this, the object of regulation is not the consequence but the reasons—and better and long-term results are achieved.

Originality/value

It is proved that social justice is the key condition of overcoming socio-economic inequality, formation of inclusive society and achievement of balance of the global economic system—thus opening a path to sustainable development. Four “institutional traps” are determined, which establish the practices of violation of the principles of social justice in the system of norms and rules of behavior of the labor market's participants. The authors determine perspectives and directions and offer measures of state regulation of the institutes of socio-economic inequality for its overcoming and provision of sustainable development of national economy and the global economy.
A timeline toolkit for cold case investigations
Authors: Keatley David , Clarke David D.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline a variety of related methods for helping with criminal (cold) case investigations. Despite the best efforts of police investigations, many cases around the world run out of leads and go cold. While many police departments around the world have developed specialist groups and task forces, academics have also been developing new methods that can assist with investigations.

Design/methodology/approach

Cold cases, by their very nature, typically comprise incomplete data sets that many traditional statistical methods are not suited to. Groups of researchers have therefore developed temporal, dynamic analysis methods to offer new insights into criminal investigations. These methods are combined into a timeline toolkit and are outlined in the current paper.

Findings

Methods from the timeline toolkit have already been successfully applied to many cold cases, turning them back into current cases. In this paper, two real-world cold cases are analysed with methods from the timeline toolkit to provide examples of how these methods can be applied in further cold cases.

Originality/value

Methods from the timeline toolkit provide a novel approach to investigating current and cold cases. This review provides academics and practitioners with a guide to begin using and developing these methods and forming successful collaborations with police departments and cold case task forces. The methods are also suitable for wider groups and to use in their investigations.