bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Somatic chromosomal integration of polydnavirus during parasitism triggered their germline infiltration in multiple lepidopteran families
Authors: Heisserer Camille , Muller Héloïse , Jouan Véronique , Musset Karine , Périquet Georges , Drezen Jean-Michel , Volkoff Anne-Nathalie , Gilbert Clément
Published: September 2022

Increasing numbers of horizontal transfer (HT) of genes and transposable elements are reported in insects. Yet the mechanisms underlying these transfers remain unknown. Here we firs t quantify and characterize the patterns of chromosomal integration of the polydnavirus (PDV) encoded by the Campopleginae Hyposoter didymator parasitoid wasp (HdIV) in somatic cells of parasitized fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). Polydnaviruses are domesticated viruses injected by wasps together with their eggs into their hosts in order to facilitate the development of wasp larvae. We found that six HdIV DNA circles integrate into the genome of host somatic cells. Each host haploid genome suffers between 23 and 40 integration events (IEs) on average 72 hours post parasitism. Almost all IEs are mediated by DNA double strand breaks occurring in the host integration motif (HIM) of HdIV circles. We show that despite their independent evolutionary origins, PDV from both Campopleginae and Braconidae wasps use remarkably similar mechanisms for chromosomal integration. Next, our similarity search performed on 775 genomes reveals that PDVs of both Campopleginae and Braconidae wasps have recurrently colonized the germline of dozens of lepidopteran species through the same mechanisms they use to integrate into somatic host chromosomes during parasitism. We found evidence of HIM-mediated HT of PDV DNA circles in no less than 124 species belonging to 15 lepidopteran families. Thus, this mechanism underlies a major route of HT of genetic material from wasps to lepidopterans with likely important consequences on lepidopterans.
Functional interplay between Mediator and RSC chromatin remodeling complex controls nucleosome-depleted region maintenance at promoters
Authors: André Kévin M. , Aiach Nathalie Giordanengo , Martinez-Fernandez Veronica , Zeitler Leo , Goldar Arach , Werner Michel , Wilkes Cyril Denby , Soutourina Julie
Published: September 2022

Chromatin organization is crucial for the transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes. Mediator is an essential and conserved coactivator thought to act in concert with chromatin regulators. However, it remains largely unknown how their functions are coordinated. Here, we provide evidence in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that Mediator establishes physical contact with RSC (Remodels the Structure of Chromatin), a conserved and essential chromatin remodeling complex that is crucial for nucleosome-depleted region (NDR) formation. We determined the role of Mediator-RSC interaction in their recruitment, nucleosome occupancy and transcription on a genomic scale. Mediator and RSC co-localize on wide NDRs of promoter regions, and specific Mediator mutations affect nucleosome eviction and TSS-associated +1 nucleosome stability. This work shows that Mediator contributes to RSC remodeling function to shape NDRs and maintain chromatin organization on promoter regions. It will help in our understanding of transcriptional regulation in the chromatin context relevant for severe diseases.
Deficiency in the cell-adhesion moleculedscaml1impairs hypothalamic CRH neuron development and perturbs normal neuroendocrine stress axis function
Authors: Ma Manxiu , Brunal Alyssa A. , Clark Kareem C. , Studtmann Carleigh , Stebbins Katelyn , Higashijima Shin-ichi , Pan Y. Albert
Published: September 2022

The corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-expressing neurons in the hypothalamus are critical regulators of the neuroendocrine stress response pathway, known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. As developmental vulnerabilities of CRH neurons contribute to stress-associated neurological and behavioral dysfunctions, it is critical to identify the mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal CRH neuron development. Using zebrafish, we identifiedDown syndrome cell adhesion molecule like-1 (dscaml1) as an integral mediator of CRH neuron development and necessary for establishing normal stress axis function. Indscaml1mutant animals, hypothalamic CRH neurons had highercrhb(the CRH homolog in fish) expression, increased cell number, and reduced cell death compared to wild-type controls. Physiologically,dscaml1mutant animals had higher baseline stress hormone (cortisol) levels and attenuated responses to acute stressors. Together, these findings identifydscaml1as an essential factor for stress axis development and suggest that HPA axis dysregulation may contribute to the etiology of humanDSCAML1-linked neuropsychiatric disorders.
Germ-stem cells and oocyte production in the Honeybee Queen Ovary
Authors: Cullen Georgia , Gilligan Joshua B. , Guhlin Joseph G. , Dearden Peter K.
Published: September 2022

Understanding the reproduction of honeybee queens is crucial to support populations of this economically important insect. Here we examine the structure of the honeybee ovary to determine the nature of the germ-stem cells in the ovary. Using a panel of marker genes that mark somatic or germ-line tissue in other insects we determine which cells in the honeybee ovary are somatic and which germline. We examine patterns of cell division, and demonstrate that, unlike Drosophila, there are no single germ-line stem cells that provide the germ-line in honeybees. Germ-line stem cells are clustered in groups of 8 cells, joined by a polyfusome, and collections of these, in each ovariole, maintain the germ-line during reproduction. We also show that these 8-cell clusters can divide, and that their division occurs such that the numbers of germ-line stem cells are relatively constant over the reproductive life of queen honeybees. This information helps us to understand the diversity of structures in insects reproduction, and provide information to better support honeybee reproduction.
Loss of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 dysregulates metabolic responses to acute exercise but enhances adaptations to exercise training in mice
Authors: Rome Ferrol I. , Shobert Gregory L. , Voigt William C. , Stagg David B. , Puchalska Patrycja , Burgess Shawn C. , Crawford Peter A. , Hughey Curtis C.
Published: September 2022

Acute exercise increases liver gluconeogenesis to supply glucose to working muscle. Concurrently, elevated liver lipid breakdown fuels the high energetic cost of gluconeogenesis. This functional coupling between liver gluconeogenesis and lipid oxidation has been proposed to underlie the ability of regular exercise to enhance liver mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and decrease liver steatosis in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Herein we tested whether repeated bouts of increased hepatic gluconeogenesis are necessary for exercise training to lower liver lipids. Experiments used diet-induced obese mice lacking hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (KO) to inhibit gluconeogenesis and wild type (WT) littermates. 2H/13C metabolic flux analysis quantified glucose and mitochondrial oxidative fluxes in untrained mice at rest and during acute exercise. Circulating and tissue metabolite levels were determined during sedentary conditions, acute exercise, and refeeding post-exercise. Mice also underwent six weeks of treadmill running protocols to define hepatic and extrahepatic adaptations to exercise training. Untrained KO mice were unable to maintain euglycemia during acute exercise resulting from an inability to increase gluconeogenesis. Liver triacylglycerides were elevated following acute exercise and circulating β-hydroxybutyrate was higher during post-exercise refeeding in untrained KO mice. In contrast, exercise training prevented liver triacylglyceride accumulation in KO mice. This was accompanied by pronounced increases in indices of skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative metabolism in KO mice. Together, these results show that hepatic gluconeogenesis is dispensable for exercise training to reduce liver lipids. This may be due to responses in ketone body metabolism and/or metabolic adaptations in skeletal muscle to exercise.
Post-Cyclase Skeletal Rearrangements in Plant Triterpenoid Biosynthesis by a Pair of Branchpoint Isomerases
Authors: Chuang Ling , Liu Shenyu , Franke Jakob
Published: September 2022

Triterpenoids possess potent biological activities, but their polycyclic skeletons are challenging to synthesise. In biochemistry, the skeletal diversity of plant triterpenoids is normally generated by oxidosqualene cyclases and remains unaltered during subsequent tailoring steps. In contrast, we report here enzyme-mediated skeletal rearrangements after the initial cyclisation, controlling the pathway bifurcation between different plant triterpenoid classes. Using a combination of bioinformatics, heterologous expression in plants and chemical analyses, we identified a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and two isomerases for this process. The two isomerases share one epoxide substrate but generate two different rearrangement products, one containing a cyclopropane ring. Our findings reveal a new strategy how triterpenoid skeletal diversity is generated in Nature and are crucial for the biotechnological production of limonoid, quassinoid, isoprotolimonoid and glabretane triterpenoids.
Proteome dynamics during transition from exponential to stationary phase under aerobic and anaerobic conditions in yeast
Authors: den Ridder Maxime , van den Brandeler Wiebeke , Altiner Meryem , Daran-Lapujade Pascale , Pabst Martin
Published: September 2022

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a widely used eukaryotic model organism and a promising cell factory for industry. However, despite decades of research, the regulation of its metabolism is not yet fully understood, and its complexity represents a major challenge for engineering and optimising biosynthetic routes. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of resource and proteomic allocation data in enhancing models for metabolic processes. However, comprehensive and accurate proteome dynamics data that can be used for such approaches are still very limited. Therefore, we performed a quantitative proteome dynamics study to comprehensively cover the transition from exponential to stationary phase for both aerobically and anaerobically grown yeast cells. The combination of highly controlled reactor experiments, biological replicates and standardised sample preparation procedures ensured reproducibility and accuracy. Additionally, we selected the CEN.PK lineage for our experiments because of its relevance for both fundamental and applied research. Together with the prototrophic, standard haploid strain CEN.PK113-7D, we also investigated an engineered strain with genetic minimisation of the glycolytic pathway, resulting in the quantitative assessment of over 1700 proteins across 54 proteomes. These proteins account for nearly 40% of the overall yeast proteome and approximately 99% of the total protein biomass. The anaerobic cultures showed remarkably less proteome-level changes compared to the aerobic cultures, during transition from the exponential to the stationary phase as a consequence of the lack of the diauxic shift in the absence of oxygen. These results support the notion that anaerobically growing cells lack time and resources to adapt to changes in the environment. This proteome dynamics study constitutes an important step towards better understanding of the impact of glucose exhaustion and oxygen on the complex proteome allocation process in yeast. Finally, the established proteome dynamics data provide a valuable resource for the development of resource allocation models as well as for metabolic engineering efforts.
Conformational dynamics and target-dependent myristoyl switch of calcineurin B homologous protein 3
Authors: Becker Florian , Fuchs Simon , Refisch Lukas , Drepper Friedel , Bildl Wolfgang , Schulte Uwe , Liang Shuo , Heinicke Jonas Immanuel , Hansen Sierra C. , Kreutz Clemens , Warscheid Bettina , Fakler Bernd , Mymrikov Evgeny V. , Hunte Carola
Published: September 2022

Calcineurin B homologous protein 3 (CHP3) is an EF-hand Ca2+-binding protein involved in regulation of cancerogenesis, cardiac hypertrophy and neuronal development via interactions with sodium/proton exchangers (NHEs) and signalling proteins. CHP3 binds Ca2+with micromolar affinity providing the basis to respond to intracellular Ca2+signals. Ca2+binding and myristoylation are important for CHP3 function but the underlying molecular mechanism remained elusive. Here, we show that Ca2+binding and myristoylation independently affect conformational dynamics and functions of human CHP3. Ca2+binding increased flexibility and hydrophobicity of CHP3 indicative of an open conformation. CHP3 in open Ca2+-bound conformation had higher affinity for NHE1 and associated stronger with lipid membranes compared to the closed Mg2+-bound conformation. Myristoylation enhanced flexibility of CHP3 and decreased its affinity to NHE1 independently of the bound ion, but did not affect its binding to lipid membranes. The data exclude the proposed Ca2+-myristoyl switch for CHP3. Instead, they document a Ca2+-independent exposure of the myristoyl moiety induced by binding of the target peptide to CHP3 enhancing its association to lipid membranes. We name this novel regulatory mechanism “target-dependent myristoyl switch”. Taken together, the interplay of Ca2+binding, myristoylation and target binding allows for a context-specific regulation of CHP3 functions.
DHHC3 mediated Cadm4 palmitoylation regulates myelination in CNS
Authors: Chang Yanli , Zhu Jiangli , Nie Chenchen , Lu Yajuan , Ren Fangjing , Cao Xize , Li Juanjuan , Wang Changhong , Yang Chenyu , Li Tianhan , Liang Yinming , Qi Shiqian , Kang Xiaohong , Kong Eryan
Published: September 2022

Cell adhesion molecule 4 (Cadm4) plays important roles on plasma membrane (PM) to regulate myelin formation and the downregulation of Cadm4 is a prominent feature in many demyelination diseases. However, how Cadm4 maintains its level on PM has been elusive. Here, we identify that Cadm4 is palmitoylated at cysteine-347 (C347) and palmitoylation regulates the stable localization of Cadm4 on PM, as blocking palmitoylation by mutating C347 into alanine (C347A) results in the dissociation of Cadm4 from PM and targeting for degradation. Intriguingly, blocking Cadm4 palmitoylation by introducing C347A (Cadm4-KI) causes myelin abnormalities in CNS, characterized by loss of myelination, myelin infoldings and hypermyelination. Moreover, it is uncovered that Cadm4 palmitoylation is catalyzed by DHHC3, reducing Cadm4 palmitoylation by the deletion of DHHC3 renders the redistribution of Cadm4 for degrading. Consistently, the genetic deletion of DHHC3 leads to downregulated Cadm4 palmitoylation and defects in CNS myelination, virtually phenocopies that of the Cadm4-KI mice. Our findings suggest a mechanism that the stable localization of Cadm4 on PM regulated by protein palmitoylation is vital for myelination in CNS.
IL-17 signalling is critical for controlling subcutaneous adipose tissue dynamics and parasite burden during chronic Trypanosoma brucei infection
Authors: Sinton Matthew C. , Chandrasegaran Praveena , Capewell Paul , Cooper Anneli , Girard Alex , Ogunsola John , Perona-Wright Georgia , Ngoyi Dieudonné M. , Kuispond Nono , Bucheton Bruno , Camara Mamadou , Kajimura Shingo , Bénézech Cécile , MacLeod Annette , Quintana Juan F.
Published: September 2022

In the skin,Trypanosoma bruceicolonises the subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT) and harbours a pool of parasites that are proposed to be competent for forward transmission. The interaction between parasites, adipose tissue, and the local immune system is likely to drive the adipose tissue wasting and weight loss observed in cattle and humans infected withT. brucei. However, mechanistically, the events leading to scWAT wasting are not fully understood. Here, using several complementary approaches, including mass cytometry by time of flight, bulk and single cell transcriptomics, andin vivogenetic models, we found thatT. bruceiinfection drives local expansion of several IL-17A-producing cells in the murine WAT, including TH17 and Vγ6+T cells. We also found that global IL-17 deficiency, or mice lacking IL-17 receptor expression exclusively in adipocytes, were protected from infection-induced WAT wasting and weight loss. Unexpectedly, we found that abrogation of IL-17 signalling in adipocytes results in a significant accumulation ofDpp4+Pi16+interstitial preadipocytes and a higher burden of extravascular parasites in the WAT, highlighting a critical role for IL-17 signalling in controlling preadipocyte fate, scWAT tissue dynamics, and local parasite burden. Taken together, our study highlights the central role of adipocyte IL-17 signalling in controlling WAT responses to infection, suggesting that adipocytes are a critical coordinator of the tissue dynamics and immune responses toT. bruceiinfection.
Higher levels of narrativity lead to similar patterns of posterior EEG activity across individuals
Authors: Dini Hossein , Simonetti Aline , Bigne Enrique , Bruni Luis Emilio
Published: September 2022

The focus of cognitive and psychological approaches to narrative has not so much been on the elucidation of important aspects of narrative, but rather on using narratives as tools for the investigation of higher order cognitive processes elicited by narratives (e.g., understanding, empathy, etc.). In this study, we work toward a scalar model of narrativity, which can provide testable criteria for selecting and classifying communication forms in their level of narrativity. We investigated whether being exposed to videos with different levels of narrativity modulates shared neural responses, measured by inter-subject correlation, and engagement levels. Thirty-two participants watched video advertisements with high-level and low-level of narrativity while their neural responses were measured through electroencephalogram. Additionally, participants’ engagement levels were calculated based on the composite of their self-reported attention and immersion scores. Results demonstrated that both calculated inter-subject correlation and engagement scores for high-level video ads were significantly higher than those for low-level, suggesting that narrativity levels modulate inter-subject correlation and engagement. We believe that these findings are a step toward the elucidation of the viewers’ way of processing and understanding a given communication artifact as a function of the narrative qualities expressed by the level of narrativity.
Flexible and open-source programs for quantitative image analysis in microbial ecology
Authors: Pasulka Alexis L. , Hood Jonathan F. , Michels Dana E. , Wright Mason D.
Published: September 2022

Epifluorescence microscopy is an essential tool for obtaining reliable estimates of the abundance of marine microorganisms including viruses. However, computational analysis is required to gain consistent and quantitative data from digital microscopy images. Many imaging programs are proprietary and cost-prohibitive. The currently available free imaging programs are often platform specific and/or lack the flexibility to analyze microscopy images from natural samples, such as the planktonic environment, which can contain challenges such as debris and high background signals. Here we describe two MATLAB-based open-source image analysis programs that work across computer platforms and provide the tools to analyze a range of image types and cell sizes with a user-friendly interface. The Microbial Image Analysis (MiA) program aims to provide flexibility for the selection, identification, and quantification of cells that vary in size and fluorescence intensity within natural microbial communities. The Viral Image Analysis (ViA) program aims to provide an effective means for quantifying viral abundances from epifluorescence images as well as enumerating the intensity of a primary and secondary stain. In this paper, we provide an overview of the functionality of the MiA and ViA programs and highlight specific program features through several microbial image case studies.
Multi-scale observations of mangrove blue carbon fluxes; the NASA Carbon Monitoring System BlueFlux field campaign
Authors: Poulter Benjamin , Adams Frannie , Amaral Cibele , Barenblitt Abigail , Campbell Anthony , Charles Sean P. , Roman-Cuesta Rosa Maria , D’Ascanio Rocco , Delaria Erin , Doughty Cheryl , Fatoyinbo Temilola , Gewirtzman Jonathan , Hanisco Thomas F. , Hull Moshema , Kawa S. Randy , Hannun Reem , Lagomasino David , Lait Leslie , Malone Sparkle , Newman Paul , Raymond Peter , Rosentreter Judith , Thomas Nathan , Wolfe Glenn M. , Xiong Lin , Ying Qing , Zhang Zhen
Published: September 2022

The BlueFlux field campaign is supported by NASA’s Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) and will develop prototype blue carbon products to inform coastal carbon management. Blue carbon is included in carbon-dioxide removal actions proposed to reduce atmospheric CO2concentrations to mitigate climate change. Due to their high productivity and carbon storage, combined with historic losses and a wide-range of beneficial ecosystem services, the restoration and conservation of mangrove ecosystems features prominently in blue-carbon planning. The goal of BlueFlux is to carry out multi-scale measurements of CO2and CH4fluxes using chambers, flux towers, and aircraft and scale these to gridded products using space-based observations of forest structure and surface reflectance. The measurements cover gradients in disturbance, mainly from the history of hurricanes in the region that drive the dieback of mangroves and the formation of ‘ghost forests’. The fluxes of CH4emissions will be contrasted with CO2uptake to provide a more complete budget of radiative forcing and to understand the net climate benefits of blue carbon. BlueFlux demonstrates that quantifying the removals of CO2and emissions of CH4using a multi-scale approach can provide increased confidence in regional greenhouse-gas accounting, contribute to process-understanding, and help inform restoration and conservation efforts in the context of climate mitigation.
Base Editor-Mediated Large-Scale Screening of Functional Mutations in Bacteria for Industrial Phenotypes
Authors: Yuan Yaomeng , Liao Xihao , Li Shuang , Xing Xin-hui , Zhang Chong
Published: September 2022

Base editing, the targeted introduction of point mutations into cellular DNA, holds promise for improving genome-scale functional genome screening to single-nucleotide resolution. Current efforts in prokaryotes, however, remain confined to loss-of-function screens using the premature stop codons-mediated gene inactivation library, which falls far short of fully releasing the potential of base editors. Here, we developed a base editor-mediated functional single nucleotide variant screening pipeline inE. coli. We constructed a library with 31,123 sgRNAs targeting 462 stress response-related genes inE. coli, and screened for adaptive mutations under isobutanol and furfural selective conditions. Guided by the screening results, we successfully identified several known and novel functional mutations. Our pipeline might be expanded to the optimization of other phenotypes or the strain engineering in other microorganisms.
Research on the laws of transition zone of non-deformation area for 90° V-bending forming process
Authors: Miah Md. Helal , Zhang Jianhua , Malhi Gurmail Singh
Published: September 2022

Purpose

“V-bending” is the most commonly used bending process in which the sheet metal is pressed into a “V-shaped” die using a “V-shaped” punch to form a required angular bend. When the punch is removed after the operation, because of elastic recovery, the bent angle varies. This shape discrepancy is known as spring back which causes problems in the assembly of the component in the modern aerospace industry. Regarding the optimization of spring-back accuracy, this research will illustrate the laws of the transition area (TA) of the nondeformation area (NDA) during the 90° “V-shape” bending process.

Design/methodology/approach

According to the traditional “V-bending” process to optimize the spring-back accuracy, the bent sheets are divided into deformation area (DA) and NDA. For this reason, the traditional “V-bending” process may prolong error to optimize the spring-back accuracy because NDA has a certain amount of deformation, which the researcher always avoids. Firstly, bent sheets are divided into three parts in this research: DA, TA and NDA to avoid the distortion error in TA that are not considered in the NDA in traditional theory. Then, the stress and strain in the DA and TA were discussed during theoretical derivation and some hypotheses were proposed. In this research, the interval, position and distortion degree of the TA of the bending sheet are used by finite element analysis. Finally, V-shape bending tests for aluminum alloy at room temperature are used and labeled all the work pieces' TAs to realize the deformation amount in the TA.

Findings

The bending radius does not affect the range of the TA, it only changes the position of TA in the bending sheet. It is evident that the laws of TA were explored in the width direction and gradually changed from the inner layer to the outer layer based on the ratio of width and thickness of the bending plate/sheet.

Originality/value

In the modern aerospace industry, aircraft manufacturing technology must maintain high accuracy. This research has practical value in the 90° “V-shape” bending of metal sheets and the development of its spring-back accuracy.
Do the knowledge economy increase inequality? Reassessment of the impact of the Kuznets curve on income inequality in OECD
Authors: Toyozawa Kei , Kinugasa Tomoko , Matsubayashi Yoichi
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the influence of industrial structure changes, which is the fundamental idea of the Kuznets hypothesis, especially the service–knowledge structural change, on income inequality.

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis uses the interaction term is that industrial structure changes multiplied by period dummy, this study indicates the effect of industrial structure changes on inequality from the 1970s. Using this method, this study reveals the impact of transitions in industrial structure, from agriculture to knowledge, on inequality.

Findings

Empirical analysis reveals a Kuznets curve relationship between income inequality and the agriculture–manufacturing structural change before the 1970s. From the 1980s to the 2000s, “The Great U-Turn,” which refers to events that expanded economic inequalities again, is observed in the relationship between inequality and the manufacturing–service structural change. Moreover, the service–knowledge structural change effect on inequality after the 2010s, through the Kuznets curve relationship. Therefore, this study confirms the Kuznets hypothesis is not a thing of the past hypothesis.

Originality/value

This study shows why income inequality in organisation for economic co-operation and development (OECD) countries has continued to increase in these days. Specifically, this study focuses on the impact of industrial structure changes and long-term trends, which has not been fully discussed in recent studies. The authors perform empirical analysis based on the relationship between these changes and inequality in developed countries. In addition, by setting a period dummy variable every decade, this study visualizes the transition of industrial structure changes in OECD clearly.
Extinguishing injustice: growing equity, diversity and inclusion in Canadian fire departments
Authors: Fredin Keith A.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper evaluates the value and necessity of greater equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in Canadian fire departments. Rather than focussing on changing hiring practices, the paper seeks to highlight how leadership can implement a culture of EDI that will encourage all people to participate.

Design/methodology/approach

From a leadership perspective, this paper aims to show how EDI can improve firefighter teamwork and job performance whilst satisfying moral obligations to better represent Canadian communities. Strategies and their limitations for communication and culture change are discussed.

Findings

Leaders of Canadian fire departments can utilise organisational change models focussing on improved communication techniques and models to implement cultural changes needed to allow for more EDI. Specific recommendations based on business research into culture change, communication and EDI are outlined.

Practical implications

Recommendations to fire department leadership for cultural changes and communication are provided. Further, strategies and reasoning for why inclusive departments are more effective are given.

Social implications

Creating a more inclusive culture in fire departments will lead to an increase in applications from people who have not typically applied in the past.

Originality/value

There has been little research or recommendations on increasing EDI in Canadian fire departments through cultural changes. Most existing literature is vague and tends to focus on hiring practices over an analysis of internal culture. This article provides analysis of best business practices and applies those to the cultural context of fire departments to promote culture change.
Design guidelines and research directions for team analytics
Authors: Hui Bowen
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to illustrate the processes involved in managing teams in order to assist designers and developers to build software that support teamwork. A deeper investigation into the role of team analytics is discussed in this article.

Design/methodology/approach

Many researchers over the past several decades studied the success factors of a team. Despite many efforts, there is still no consensus on how a team should ideally be formed. Consequently, how one decides to form teams in a class depends on the domain, classroom context and pedagogical objectives. Therefore, software used to support an instructor in forming teams must be flexible enough to accommodate a variety of use cases and support the users throughout the lifecycle of teamwork. In this work, the author proposes a framework for designing general-purpose team management software. The author reviews existing team formation software and focuses specifically on opportunities for advancing research in team analytics.

Findings

In this context, the author identifies four areas of research opportunities for team analytics.

Originality/value

Lastly, the author proposes a series of research questions (RQs) and discusses the pedagogical, design, technical and social challenges involved.
Undeclared activities on digital labour platforms: an exploratory study
Authors: Mațcu Mara , Zaiț Adriana , Ianole-Călin Rodica , Horodnic Ioana Alexandra
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the prevalence of undeclared activities conducted on digital labour platforms, and then to discuss what policies are likely to be more effective in order to prevent the growth of the informal activities on these platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

To depict the profile of the digital worker conducting undeclared activities, the sectors where undeclared activities are more prevalent and the effectiveness of deterrent policies, data are reported from 2019 Special Eurobarometer survey covering the European Union member states and the UK.

Findings

The finding is that 13% of undeclared activities are conducted on digital labour platforms. This practice is more common amongst men, those married or remarried, those living in small/middle towns, in sectors such as repairs/renovations, selling goods/services, assistance for dependant persons, gardening and help moving house. The higher the perceived sanction, the lower the likelihood of undertaking undeclared activities on digital labour platforms. Intriguing, a higher risk of detection is associated with a higher likelihood to use digital labour platform for undeclared activities.

Practical implications

The attitudes toward risk can be interpreted closer to the gaming context, and not to the working environment, looking at platform workers as being involved in a state versus individual game. Policy makers should consider improving the correspondence of laws and regulations between countries and offering operational assistance for suppliers and consumers.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to explore the prevalence of undeclared activities conducted on digital labour platforms and to outline the policy measures required to reduce this practice.
Teachers of English learners: perceived motivators to becoming principals of high-needs schools
Authors: Abdelrahman Nahed , Irby Beverly J. , Lara-Alecio Rafael , Tong Fuhui , Elfarargy Hamada
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore intrinsic and extrinsic motivations that led 28 teachers of emergent bilingual (EB) students to seek a master's in educational administration with a focus on bilingual/English as a second language (ESL).

Design/methodology/approach

To address the study objectives, the authors used a qualitative phenomenological design. The authors conducted online interviews with 28 teachers of EBs. The authors used the self-determination theory as the theoretical framework.

Findings

Primarily, teachers of EBs were intrinsically motivated to seek the principalship. The authors identified additional motivators that were not found in the previous literature which heretofore was based on general education teachers' responses. Those motivators were, gain advice from mentors, promote cultural awareness, commit to a campus-wide impact, increase awareness of the importance of bilingual/ESL education programs, and foster a relationship with the school community.

Practical implications

Identifying the intrinsic and extrinsic motivators for teachers of EBs who desire to move into a principal position may aid faculty in university principal preparation programs and administrators in school districts to support and mentor these teachers to better serve as leaders in high need schools.

Originality/value

There is little known about intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of teachers of EBs which influence their decisions to change their career paths to become principals.
Moving ahead: how time is compressed and stretched in strategy work
Authors: Thygesen Niels Thyge
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To contribute the process perspective on strategy the systems theoretical concept of time binding and show how time, when unfolded and linked, is compressed or stretched, thereby demonstrating the motion of temporal spaces within organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Case approach and with emphasis on communicative events.

Findings

The finding of three different time bindings in strategy work showing not only how time is unfolded and multiplied but also how these bindings were unexpectedly found to be experienced simultaneously, thus turning a seemingly linear strategy based on goal achievement into a complex of interrelated motions driven by performativity, potentiality and reiteration.

Research limitations/implications

The research implications are significant to the process perspective on strategy as time should not only be understood and investigated as different unfoldings and time-links within organizations, but also on the motion of these temporal spaces, which is to say, how they move the organization ahead.

Practical implications

From a practical perspective, when taking both the existing and future research on strategy into account, one notices that most management literature and the mainstream courses held at business schools tend to draw on one-dimensional casualities and chronological timelines in order to combine accurate forecasts with predicted end-results. Such attempts reflect one unfolding, one binding, one temporal space and one way of moving, but if managers want to improve knowledge on deliberate change, temporal awareness should be part of their strategic change repertoire alongside the ability to match different motions to the skills and capacity of an organization.

Social implications

The concept of time binding is a way to extend the ways by which we seek to comprehend the temporal nature of social relations and structures within organizations and in particular those practices that are considered strategic. In particular, it offers ways of understanding how strategy is a temporal exercise that provides organizations with different temporal spaces within single events and hence different motions – all of which simultaneously move the organization differently ahead in time.

Originality/value

By providing the system theoretical concept of time binding it brings new and original value into the process and practice field of strategy research. The empirical findings demonstrate how unusual and not yet seen unfoldings and bindings between before and after appears and how such bindings take the form of temporal spaces that simultaneously and differently moves the organizations ahead in time.
Fueling and cooling firestorms: how online community members enable and disable online negative e-WOM
Authors: Hancock Tyler , Breazeale Michael , Adams Frank G. , Hardman Haley
Published: September 2022

Purpose

A firestorm is a vast wave of negative information about a brand that disseminates quickly online. Their relative unpredictability represents a particularly challenging problem for brand marketers. This paper aims to show how firestorms are enabled and can be disabled by online community members (OCMs), exploring the dissemination of negative electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM), the challenges in countering negative brand information and how brands can effectively communicate with OCMs to facilitate offsetting negative e-WOM.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a sequential mixed-method research methodology. Study 1 uses an experimental design and tests serial mediation using PROCESS Model 6. Study 2 extends the findings while introducing a moderator using the PROCESS Model 83. Finally, qualitative findings are used to develop a practitioner-friendly typology of OCMs.

Findings

The perceived authenticity of a message can influence the believability of negative WOM in the presence of a negative availability cascade. Positive cascades are likely to prevent online communities from enabling negative e-WOM when the instigating message is perceived to be inauthentic. Qualitative findings from a post hoc analysis identify a typology of eight OCM types that enable and are also capable of disabling firestorms.

Practical implications

OCMs can both actively fuel and cool a firestorm. Brands should always monitor online communities and closely monitor discussions that are most likely to generate firestorms. More proactively, they should also develop communication strategies for each OCM type to help disable firestorms in the making.

Originality/value

Both negative and positive cascades are explored quantitatively and qualitatively to understand the mechanisms that can drive firestorms and provide both warnings and guidance for brands. An OCM typology guides brands’ mitigation strategies.
Decision-making biases in property investments in Prishtina, Kosovo
Authors: Hoxha Visar , Hasani Islam
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The overall purpose of the study is to identify the impact of heuristics, prospect theory biases and personality traits on property investment decision-making of rank and file individuals in Kosovo, with a concentration in Prishtina, which is the city with the largest number of investors and property transactions in Kosovo.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study used quantitative research with the questionnaire used as a research instrument. The questionnaire survey was conducted with 1,209 rank and file property investors in Prishtina, Kosovo. The sampling method used in this research was stratified random sampling.

Findings

The study finds that heuristics, prospect theory biases and personality traits as a whole model affect investment decision-making in Prishtina, Kosovo. Nevertheless, the study finds that not all dimensions of the constructed research model (heuristics, the prospect theory and personality) affect the property investment decision-making in Prishtina at the same level. Whereas prospect theory biases (regret aversion, framing and self-control) seem to very strongly influence property investment decision-making of rank and file investors in Prishtina, personality traits (conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness to new experiences) seem not to affect the real estate investment decision-making. Finally, heuristics biases also strongly influence the real estate investment decision-making with a strong statistically significant explanatory power but not to the same degree as prospect theory biases.

Practical implications

The present study contributes toward the understanding of the role that is played by heuristics, prospect theory biases and personality traits in Kosovo's property investment industry. More importantly, the implication of the results of the present study is that it goes some way toward enhancing understanding of heuristic and prospect theory-driven biases and their influence on property investment decision-making in a developing economy. The present study paves the way to further analyze why personality traits do not influence property investment decision-making in Kosovo.

Originality/value

The present study is the first quantification of the impact of heuristics, prospect theory biases and personality traits on the investment decision-making of rank and file individuals in Prishtina, Kosovo.
Government subsidies and corporate environmental investments: a resource-based perspective
Authors: Ding Longyue , Xu Yingbo
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the mechanism of the role of government subsidies on corporate environmental investment and explore how specific characteristics of firms affect corporate environmental responsibility.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the relationship between government subsidies and corporate environmental investment and models with a sample of 78,854 industries. The authors measure the corporate environmental investment by the natural logarithm of the volume of waste gas treatment facilities.

Findings

The results show the positive effect of government subsidies on corporate environmental investment. In addition, state ownership positively regulates the relationship between government and corporations, but the relationship between them is negatively regulated by the slack resources.

Practical implications

When people are increasingly concerned about corporate social and environmental responsibility, clarifying the link between government subsidies and corporate environmental investments can help policymakers formulate policies and allocate limited resources.

Originality/value

This study uses the resource-based view as a theoretical framework to reveal the mechanism of action between government subsidies and corporate environmental responsibility, enriching the previous literature that explores the issue based on the legitimacy perspective.
Pension insurance contributions and corporate financialization: evidence from China
Authors: Xia Changyuan , Mao Xieen , Yu Haizong , Chan Kam C.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of a firm’s pension insurance contributions (PIC) on its financialization (investment in risky assets) using a sample of Chinese firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a multiple regression model to conduct the analysis.

Findings

The findings suggest that a firm’s PIC increases its financialization. Additional analysis suggests that firms with higher PIC are more likely to have lower operating profit and higher financial risk. In addition, the impact of PIC on financialization is more salient when a firm faces high industry competitiveness, holds more cash, has high labor costs and labor intensity or is non-state owned.

Practical implications

The paper adds to the growing literature on the effect of social insurance on corporate policies. The findings complement those related to the relationship between defined contributions and defined benefits retirement plans and corporate policies.

Social implications

The study contributes to the debate on the merits of financialization. The literature is mixed on the pros and cons of financialization. The results suggest that financialization has an adverse effect on a firm’s performance and risk in the lens of increased PIC.

Originality/value

China has seen a trend of financialization arising from the rapid economic development in the past decade. Moreover, the PIC premiums in China are not trivial. Thus, the significant cost of PIC and the financialization trend suggest that the answer to the research question is timely and meaningful.
Complications and risk factors of punch biopsy: A retrospective large‐scale study
Authors: Yasui Yukiko , Kato Hiroshi , Oda Takao , Nakamura Motoki , Morita Akimichi
Published: September 2022

The authors analyzed the risk factors of punch biopsy by investigating the complications of the technique and their proportions. Patients who underwent punch biopsy in a dermatology clinic between November 2018 and November 2020 (n = 1294; mean age, 62.3 years; 540 men and 754 women) were enrolled in the current study. The most common complication was postoperative bleeding (0.9%). Wound infection (0.2%), surrounding skin damage (0.2%), and vagal reflex (0.1%) were also observed. The main risk factors for bleeding following biopsy were location of biopsy site outside of the trunk (odds ratio [OR], 4.60 [95% CI, 2.65–8.00]; p < 0.001) and platelet count lower than 150 000/μL (OR, 2.82 [95% CI, 1.69–4.73]; p < 0.001). When performing a punch biopsy, an adequate explanation of the risks and complications should be provided before obtaining informed consent. Further, blood sampling tests should be performed in advance and the types of cases that may require wound suture should be appropriately determined.
How and why in microbial ecology: An appeal for scientific aims, questions, hypotheses and theories
Authors: Prosser James I.
Published: September 2022

This article precedes a series of articles on the important questions, hypotheses and theories in microbial ecology. It considers why, as scientists, we ask questions and propose hypotheses and what makes them important, good or significant. Emphasis is placed on ‘scientific’ questions, the need for scientific aims and on possible reasons for, and inadequacy of aim‐less studies and question free studies. Current global issues surrounding the climate crisis, pandemics and antibiotic resistance focus attention on science and scientists. They exemplify the urgent need for greater understanding of the interactions between microbes and their biological and physicochemical environments, that is, of microbial ecology. They also provide examples of reaction against science and scientists and highlight why we must be clear regarding what defines (good) science, its power and limitations, and ensure that this is communicated to stakeholders and the general public.