bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moderate and intensive mechanical loading differentially modulate the phenotype of tendon stem/progenitor cellsin vivo
Authors: Zhang Jianying , Nie Daibang , Williamson Kelly , McDowell Arthur , Hogan MaCalus V. , Wang James H-C.
Published: November 2020

To examine the differential mechanobiological responses of specific resident tendon cells, we developed anin vivomodel of whole-body irradiation followed by injection of either tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSCs) expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP-TSCs) or mature tenocytes expressing GFP (GFP-TNCs) into the patellar tendons of wild type C57 mice. Injected mice were subjected to moderate treadmill running (MTR) and intensive treadmill running (ITR). In MTR mice, both GFP-TSC and GFP-TNC injected tendons maintained normal cell morphology with elevated expression of tendon related markers collagen I and tenomodulin. In ITR mice injected with GFP-TNCs, cells also maintained an elongated shape similar to the shape found in normal/untreated control mice, as well as elevated expression of tendon related markers. However, ITR mice injected with GFP-TSCs showed typical tendinopathic changes, such as cell morphology transitioning to a round shape, elevated chondrogenic differentiation, and increased gene expression of non-tenocyte related genes LPL, Runx-2, and SOX-9. Increased gene expression data was supported by immunostaining showing elevated expression of SOX-9, Runx-2, and PPARγ. This study provides evidence that while MTR maintains tendon homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of TSCs into tenocytes, ITR may cause the development of tendinopathy by inducing non-tenocyte differentiation of TSCs, thus leading to the presence of non-tendinous tissues in tendon.
Influence of tropical pastures on grazing behavior parameters of young lambs
Authors: Fabíola Tontini Jalise , Poli Cesar Henrique Espírito Candal , da Silva Hampel Viviane , de Souza Farias Mariana , Fajardo Neuza Maria , da Silva Joseane Anjos , Farinatti Luís Henrique Ebling , Muir James Pierre
Published: November 2020

Tropical sward characteristics can alter lamb ingestive behavior. Our study evaluated the ingestive behavior of young lambs in different tropical pastures to identify which variables interfere in their grazing activity. Two years of study were carried out with 54 weaned lambs distributed in three different swards: 1) monoculture of a upright grass, guinea grass (Panicum maximum; GG); 2) monoculture of a shrubby legume pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan; PP) and 3) contiguous areas with half the paddock with GG and half with PP (GP). The experiment was set out in a randomized complete block design. Lamb ingestive behavior was observed from sunrise to sunset with records every 5 minutes. To identify the main variables that affected with the lamb grazing activity, a multivariate analysis of the Decision Tree was performed. Our results showed that there was no difference in the ingestive behavior parameters of young lambs in different swards (P> 0.05). There was interaction among the swards and the experimental periods for the variables idleness time and biting rate (P≤ 0.05). Grazing time of the animals increased 40% with experimental period progression. The Decision Tree identified leaf:stem ratio as the variable that most influenced lamb grazing time in GG and GP swards while in the PP sward grazing time was directly related to the pasture height. The behavior of young lambs on tropical pasture is variable as there is a change in the behavioral response over time. In addition, the grazing time of these animals can be estimated by means of variables related to pasture structural characteristics (leaf:stem ratio and height) together with chemical variables.
Towards Targeting the Disordered SARS-CoV-2 Nsp2 C-terminal Region: Partial Structure and Dampened Mobility Revealed by NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Mompeán Miguel , Treviño Miguel Á. , Laurents Douglas V.
Published: November 2020

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) play essential roles in regulating physiological processes in eukaryotic cells. Many virus use their own IDPs to “hack” these processes to disactive host defenses and promote viral growth. Thus, viral IDPs are attractive drug targets. While IDPs are hard to study by X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM, atomic level information on their conformational perferences and dynamics can be obtained using NMR spectroscopy. SARS-CoV-2 Nsp2 interacts with human proteins that regulate translation initiation and endosome vesicle sorting, and the C-terminal region of this protein is predicted to be disordered. Molecules that block these interactions could be valuable leads for drug development. To enable inhibitor screening and to uncover conformational preferences and dynamics, we have expressed and purified the13C,15N-labeled C-terminal region of Nsp2. The13Cβ and backbone13CO,1HN,13Cα and15N nuclei were assigned by analysis of a series of 2D1H-15N HSQC and13C-15N CON as well as 3D HNCO, HNCA, CBCAcoNH and HncocaNH spectra. Overall, the chemical shift data confirm that this region is chiefly disordered, but contains two five-residue segments that adopt a small population of β-strand structure. Whereas the region is flexible on ms/ms timescales as gauged by T1ρmeasurements, the {1H}-15N NOEs reveal a flexibility on ns/ps timescales that is midway between a fully flexible and a completely rigid chain.
Towards Semantic fMRI Neurofeedback: Navigating among Mental States using Real-time Representational Similarity Analysis
Authors: Russo Andrea G. , Lührs Michael , Di Salle Francesco , Esposito Fabrizio , Goebel Rainer
Published: November 2020

Objective

Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (rt-fMRI-NF) is a non-invasive MRI procedure allowing examined participants to learn to self-regulate brain activity by performing mental tasks. A novel two-step rt-fMRI-NF procedure is proposed whereby the feedback display is updated in real-time based on high level (semantic) representations of experimental stimuli via real-time representational similarity analysis of multi-voxel patterns of brain activity.

Approach

In a localizer session, the stimuli become associated with anchored points on a two-dimensional representational space where distances approximate between-pattern (dis)similarities. In the NF session, participants modulate their brain response, displayed as a movable point, to engage in a specific neural representation. The developed method pipeline is verified in a proof-of-concept rt-fMRI-NF study at 7 Tesla using imagery of concrete objects. The dependence on noise is more systematically assessed on artificial fMRI data with similar (simulated) spatio-temporal structure and variable (injected) signal and noise. A series of brain activity patterns from the ventral visual cortex is evaluated via on-line and off-line analyses and the performances of the method are reported under different noise conditions.

Main results

The participant in the proof-of-concept study exhibited robust activation patterns in the localizer session and managed to control the neural representation of a stimulus towards the selected target, in the NF session. The offline analyses validated the rt-fMRI-NF results, showing that the rapid convergence to the target representation is noise-dependent.

Significance

Our proof-of-concept study demonstrates the potential of semantic NF designs where the participant navigates among different mental states. Compared to traditional NF designs (e.g. using a thermometer display to set the level of the neural signal), the proposed approach provides content-specific feedback to the participant and extra degrees of freedom to the experimenter enabling real-time control of the neural activity towards a target brain state without suggesting a specific mental strategy to the subject.
Canonical Wnt signalling is activated during BEC-to-hepatocyte conversionin vivoand modulates liver epithelial cell plasticity in hepatic organoids
Authors: Valle-Encinas Eider , Aleksieva Niya , Velasco Martinez Carmen , Dawes Michael , Zverev Matthew , Müller Miryam , Offergeld Anika , Smalley Matthew J , Hogan Catherine , Forbes Stuart J , Bird Tom G , Dale Trevor C
Published: November 2020

While it is recognized that the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway orchestrates hepatocyte proliferation in both homeostasis and injury, little is known about the importance of β-catenin in biliary epithelial cell (BEC) plasticity. In this study, the dynamics of activation of the canonical Wnt pathway were investigated during BEC-to-hepatocyte conversion using as a model methionine/choline deficient (MCD)-injured livers where hepatocyte proliferation was compromised by the overexpression of p21. In this model, activation of β-catenin was found an event associated with BEC reprogramming. Using ductal organoids to model BECs transitioning into hepatocytes, we found that activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in these cells promoted partial escape from a biliary fate and triggered the acquisition of progenitor cell features. Our data furthermore support that BECs are source of Wnt ligands and that Rspo proteins potentially act as the limiting factor controlling the activation of β-catenin activation and BEC reprogramming during severe liver damage.
Importin α7 deficiency causes infertility in male mice by disrupting spermatogenesis
Authors: Liu Na , Qadri Fatimunnisa , Busch Hauke , Huegel Stefanie , Sihn Gabin , Chuykin Ilya , Hartmann Enno , Bader Michael , Rother Franziska
Published: November 2020

Spermatogenesis is driven by an ordered series of events, which rely on trafficking of specific proteins between nucleus and cytoplasm. The importin α family of proteins mediates movement of specific cargo proteins when bound to importin β. Importin α genes have distinct expression patterns in mouse testis, implying they may have unique roles during mammalian spermatogenesis. Here we use a loss-of-function approach to specifically determine the role of importin α7 in spermatogenesis and male fertility. We show that ablation of importin α7 in male mice leads to infertility and has multiple cumulative effects on both germ cells and Sertoli cells. Importin α7-deficient mice exhibit an impaired Sertoli cell function, including loss of Sertoli cells and a compromised nuclear transport of the androgen receptor. Furthermore, our data demonstrate devastating defects in spermiogenesis that are accompanied by disturbed histone-protamine-exchange, absence of the transcriptional regulator Brwd1 and altered expression of Rfx2 target genes, resulting in incomplete sperm maturation and massive loss of sperms. Our work uncovers the essential role of importin α7 in spermatogenesis and hence in male fertility.
Plant-specific histone deacetylases are essential for early as well as late stages of Medicago nodule development
Authors: Li Huchen , Schilderink Stefan , Cao Qingqin , Kulikova Olga , Bisseling Ton
Published: November 2020

Legume and rhizobium can establish a nitrogen-fixing nodule symbiosis. Previous studies have shown that several transcription factors that play a role in (lateral) root development are also involved in nodule development. Chromatin remodelling factors, like transcription factors, are key players in regulating gene expression. However, it has not been studied whether chromatin remodelling genes that are essential for root development get involved in nodule development. Here we studied the role of Medicago histone deacetylases (MtHDTs) in nodule development. Their Arabidopsis orthologs have been shown to play a role in root development. The expression ofMtHDTsis induced in nodule primordia and is maintained in nodule meristem and infection zone. Conditional knock-down of their expression in a nodule-specific way by RNAi blocks nodule primordium development. A few nodules still can be formed but their nodule meristems are smaller and rhizobial colonization of the cells derived from the meristem is markedly reduced. Although the HDTs are expressed during nodule and root development, transcriptome analyses indicate that HDTs control the development of these organs in a different manner. During nodule development the MtHDTs positively regulate3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase 1(MtHMGR1). The decreased expression ofMtHMGR1is sufficient to explain the block of primordium formation.

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY

Plant-specific histone deacetylases regulate the expression of3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductasesto control root nodule development.
The role of XPB/Ssl2 dsDNA translocation processivity in transcription-start-site scanning
Authors: Tomko Eric J. , Luyties Olivia , Rimel Jenna K. , Tsai Chi-Lin , Fuss Jill O. , Fishburn James , Hahn Steven , Tsutakawa Susan E. , Taatjes Dylan J. , Galburt Eric A.
Published: November 2020

The general transcription factor TFIIH contains three ATP-dependent catalytic activities. TFIIH functions in nucleotide excision repair primarily as a DNA helicase and in Pol II transcription initiation as a dsDNA translocase and protein kinase. During initiation, the XPB/Ssl2 subunit of TFIIH couples ATP hydrolysis to dsDNA translocation facilitating promoter opening and the kinase module phosphorylates the C-terminal domain to facilitate the transition to elongation. These functions are conserved between metazoans and yeast; however, yeast TFIIH also drives transcription start-site scanning in which Pol II scans downstream DNA to locate productive start-sites. The ten-subunit holo-TFIIH fromS. cerevisiaehas a processive dsDNA translocase activity required for scanning and a structural role in scanning has been ascribed to the three-subunit TFIIH kinase module. Here, we assess the dsDNA translocase activity of ten-subunit holo- and core-TFIIH complexes (i.e. seven subunits, lacking the kinase module) from bothS. cerevisiaeandH. sapiens. We find that neither holo nor core human TFIIH exhibit processive translocation, consistent with the lack of start-site scanning in humans. Furthermore, in contrast to holo-TFIIH, theS. cerevisiaecore-TFIIH also lacks processive translocation and its dsDNA-stimulated ATPase activity was reduced ~5-fold to a level comparable to the human complexes, potentially explaining the reported upstream shift in start-site observed in the absence of theS. cerevisiaekinase module. These results suggest that neither human norS. cerevisiaecore-TFIIH can translocate efficiently, and that theS. cerevisiaekinase module functions as a processivity factor to allow for robust transcription start-site scanning.
Notch signaling represses cone photoreceptor formation through the regulation of retinal progenitor cell states
Authors: Chen Xueqing , Emerson Mark M.
Published: November 2020

Notch signaling is required to repress the formation of vertebrate cone photoreceptors and to maintain the proliferative potential of multipotent retinal progenitor cells. However, the mechanism by which Notch signaling controls these processes is unknown. Recently, restricted retinal progenitor cells with limited proliferation capacity and that preferentially generate cone photoreceptors have been identified. Thus, there are several potential steps during cone genesis that Notch signaling could act. Here we use cell type specific cis-regulatory elements to localize the primary role of Notch signaling in cone genesis to the formation of restricted retinal progenitor cells from multipotent retinal progenitor cells. Localized inhibition of Notch signaling in restricted progenitor cells does not alter the number of cones derived from these cells. Cell cycle promotion is not a primary effect of Notch signaling but an indirect effect on progenitor cell state transitions that leads to depletion of the multipotent progenitor cell population. Taken together, this suggests that the role of Notch signaling in cone photoreceptor formation and proliferation are both mediated by a localized function of Notch in multipotent retinal progenitor cells to repress the formation of restricted progenitor cells.
PCMD-1 bridges the centrioles and the PCM scaffold inC. elegans
Authors: Stenzel Lisa , Mehler Judith , Schreiner Alina , Üstüner Sim , Zuccoli Elisa , Zanin Esther , Mikeladze-Dvali Tamara
Published: November 2020

Correct cell division relies on the formation of a bipolar spindle. In animal cells, microtubule nucleation at the spindle poles is facilitated by the pericentriolar material (PCM), which assembles around a pair of centrioles. Although centrioles are essential for PCM assembly, proteins that anchor the PCM to the centrioles are less known. Here we investigate the molecular function of PCMD-1 in bridging the PCM and the centrioles inCaenorhabditis elegans.

We demonstrate that centrosomal recruitment of PCMD-1 is dependent on the outer centriolar protein SAS-7. While the most C-terminal part of PCMD-1 is sufficient to target it to the centrosome, the coiled-coil domain promotes its accumulation by facilitating self-interaction. We reveal that PCMD-1 is bridging the centrioles and PCM scaffold through protein-protein interactions with the PCM scaffold protein SPD-5, the mitotic kinase PLK-1 and the centriolar protein SAS-4. Using an ectopic translocation assay, we show that PCMD-1 is able to selectively recruit downstream PCM scaffold components to an ectopic location in the cell, indicating that PCMD-1 is sufficient to anchor the PCM scaffold proteins to the centrioles. Our work suggests that PCMD-1 is an essential functional bridge between the centrioles and the PCM.
A Tn-seq screen ofStreptococcus pneumoniaeuncovers DNA repair as the major pathway for desiccation tolerance and transmission
Authors: Matthews Allison J. , Rowe Hannah M. , Rosch Jason W. , Camilli Andrew
Published: November 2020

Streptococcus pneumoniaeis an opportunistic pathogen that is a common cause of serious invasive diseases such as pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, and otitis media. Transmission of this bacterium has classically been thought to occur through inhalation of respiratory droplets and direct contact with nasal secretions. However, the demonstration thatS. pneumoniaeis desiccation tolerant, and therefore environmentally stable for extended periods of time, opens up the possibility that this pathogen is also transmitted via contaminated surfaces (fomites). To better understand the molecular mechanisms that enableS. pneumoniaeto survive periods of desiccation, we performed a high throughput transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) screen in search of genetic determinants of desiccation tolerance. We identified 42 genes whose disruption reduced desiccation tolerance, and 45 genes that enhanced desiccation tolerance. The nucleotide excision repair pathway was the most enriched category in our Tn-seq results, and we found that additional DNA repair pathways are required for desiccation tolerance, demonstrating the importance of maintaining genome integrity after desiccation. Deletion of the nucleotide excision repair geneuvrAresulted in decreased transmission efficiency between infant mice, indicating a correlation between desiccation tolerance and pneumococcal transmission. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that enable pneumococcal persistence in the environment may enable targeting of these pathways to prevent fomite transmission, thereby preventing the establishment of new colonization and any resulting invasive disease.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ß-cardiac myosin mutation (P710R) leads to hypercontractility by disrupting super-relaxed state
Authors: Roest Alison Schroer Vander , Liu Chao , Morck Makenna M , Kooiker Kristina Bezold , Jung Gwanghyun , Song Dan , Dawood Aminah , Jhingran Arnav , Pardon Gaspard , Ranjbarvaziri Sara , Fajardo Giovanni , Zhao Mingming , Campbell Kenneth S , Pruitt Beth L , Spudich James A , Ruppel Kathleen M , Bernstein Daniel
Published: November 2020

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited form of heart disease, associated with over 1000 mutations, many in β-cardiac myosin (MYH7). Molecular studies of myosin with different HCM mutations have revealed a diversity of effects on ATPase and load-sensitive rate of detachment from actin. It has been difficult to predict how such diverse molecular effects combine to influence forces at the cellular level and further influence cellular phenotypes. This study focused on the P710R mutation that dramatically decreased in vitro motility velocity and actin-activated ATPase, in contrast to other MYH7 mutations. Optical trap measurements of single myosin molecules revealed that this mutation reduced the step size of the myosin motor and the load sensitivity of the actin detachment rate. Conversely, this mutation destabilized the super-relaxed state in longer, two-headed myosin constructs, freeing more heads to generate force. Micropatterned hiPSC-cardiomyocytes CRISPR-edited with the P710R mutation produced significantly increased force (measured by traction force microscopy) compared with isogenic control cells. The P710R mutation also caused cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cytoskeletal remodeling as measured by immunostaining and electron microscopy. Cellular hypertrophy was prevented in the P710R cells by inhibition of ERK or Akt. Finally, we used a computational model that integrated the measured molecular changes to predict the measured traction forces. These results confirm a key role for regulation of the super-relaxed state in driving hypercontractility in HCM with the P710R mutation and demonstrate the value of a multiscale approach in revealing key mechanisms of disease.

Significance Statement

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited form of heart disease, affecting over 1 in 200 people. Mutations in myosin, the motor protein responsible for contraction of the heart, are a common cause of HCM but have diverse effects on the biomechanics of the myosin protein. We demonstrate that complex biomechanical effects of mutations associated with heart disease can be effectively studied and understood using a multi-scale experimental and computational modeling approach. This work confirmed an important role for disruption of the super-relaxed state for one particular HCM mutation, and our approach can be extended to aid in the development of new targeted therapies for patients with different mutations.
Effect of glycine as a complex agent on the surface and corrosion properties of Ni-P and Ni-P/Al2O3 electroless coating
Authors: Omar Refaie , Oraby Elsayed , Abdelrhman Yasser , Aboraia Mohammed
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The ability to produce a uniform composition, high corrosion resistance with a hard coating layer during the electroless coating techniques are mainly based on the plating bath composition. The complexing agent is one of the most important components that control the coating layer properties. This paper aims to investigate the effect of the glycine as a complex agent on the surface and corrosion properties of Ni-P and Ni-P/Al2O3 electroless coating.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the effect of glycine as a complexing agent on the final surface and corrosion properties of the Ni-P and Ni-P/Al2O3 coatings has been investigated. The surface morphology and composition of the coated samples were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. Linear polarization scan and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques were used to investigate the corrosion properties of the coating layer.

Findings

The results clarify that, glycine has a remarkable effect on the porosity content of Ni-P and Ni-P/Al2O3. It was found that increasing of glycine concentration results in higher porosity content in the coating layers. Also, the porosity in the coating layers minimizes the protectability of the coating against corrosion. The results also show that adding nano-alumina (Al2O3) to the coating path has improved the corrosion properties by decreasing the porosity in the coating layer. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that the concentration of glycine affects the content and distribution of alumina nanoparticles embedded in the coating layer. Also, it was observed that using a high concentration of glycine (0.4 M glycine), the alumina tends to agglomerate and the final alumina content in the coating was decreased.

Originality/value

The present study reveals that the quality of the final coating plays a major role in the corrosion performance of the steel substrate. The coating quality can by improve remarkably by optimization of the complexing agent used in the plating bath, to minimize the porosity involve in the coating layer.
Corrosion study on low molecular organic acids in the initial condensation zone of steam turbines
Authors: Tuo Weiling , Cao Shun'an , Zhong Jie
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the corrosion of low molecular organic acids from water-steam cycles such as acetic acid and formic acid in mental parts of steam turbine initial condensation zone.

Design/methodology/approach

The corrosion behavior of gray cast iron in initial condensate containing different concentrations of acetic acid and formic acid was studied by weight loss test, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

Findings

The results indicated that gray cast iron had a certain degree of corrosion in the simulated initial condensate containing acetic acid and formic acid, but the acid corrosion of gray cast iron was not only caused by low molecular organic acid but also affected by inorganic anions such as Cl−. When Cl− existed, after removing corrosion products, surface analysis results proved that the surface of gray cast iron was rough and uneven with many cracks, which was corrected more serious.

Originality/value

The corrosion behavior of thermal equipment by low molecular organic acids and inorganic anions in water-steam cycles was studied. The research results can provide theoretical guidelines for corrosion control of steam turbine in power plants.
Antecedents and postcedents of satisfaction in seller-business relationships: positive and negative alter egos
Authors: Høgevold Nils , Svensson Göran , Roberts-Lombard Mornay
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study explores a seller’s perspective in business relationships to validate whether the findings reported in previous studies based on buyer business relationships apply to seller business relationships. The purpose of this study is to test whether satisfaction functions as a connector between positive antecedents (trust and commitment) and negative postcedents (opportunism and conflict) in a business-to-business (B2B) relationship, based on a seller perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive research design was applied and data was collected from Norwegian companies from the database of LinkedIn’s Sales Navigator. Respondents (Sales or Marketing Managers/Directors or Key Account Managers) were asked to identify one main business customer with whom they had interacted in the past year. A total of 213 responses could be used for data analysis. In addition, the measurement and structural models were assessed.

Findings

Trust was established as a positive alter ego of opportunism and opportunism as a negative alter ego of trust. The commitment was also determined to be a positive alter ego of conflict, with conflict being a negative alter ego of commitment. Furthermore, it was proven that alter egos are not opposites, but facets of antecedents and postcedents in relation to a connector, satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The tested model endorses the hypothesised relationships between trust, commitment, satisfaction, opportunism and conflict in Norwegian B2B relationships. Satisfaction is linked to its two antecedents and its outcomes and the hypothesised relationship between opportunism and conflict is also endorsed from a seller’s perspective in B2B relationships.

Practical implications

The findings can assist the B2B industry to understand how trust and commitment foster satisfaction, how satisfaction influences opportunism and conflict, and how opportunism relates to conflict in a seller-business relationship.

Originality/value

No previous study has focussed on relationship marketing in B2B relationships from a seller’s perspective to establish whether satisfaction functions as a connector between trust and commitment and opportunism and conflict.
State and self-regulation for better governance: an implication of collibration
Authors: Saleem Irfan , Lamarque Eric , Hasan Rashedul
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to study the evolution of French corporate governance law in light of collibration approach and bring statistical evidence from French Companies Executive Compensation practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has used mixed methods. In the first part, the authors analyzed the French laws in the light of collibration. In the second part of the study, the authors used unbalanced panel data to test the hypotheses related to executive remuneration based on the theoretical underpinning of collibration. Data for 173 firms listed in the Euronext Paris Index is collected from the Bloomberg database. Seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) analysis is performed to investigate the impact of collibration on the governance disclosure of French-listed firms.

Findings

SUR results indicate that board size plays a significant role in the governance disclosure before collibration. However, the collibration model is found to be more effective in ensuring the desired level of governance disclosure. Under the collibration approach, executive remuneration, frequency of board meetings, executive directors in the compensation committee and independent directors play a significant role in governance disclosure. Board size, however, does not have a substantial impact on governance disclosure after the adoption of collibration mechanism.

Research limitations/implications

Results provided by this study can allow regulators to improve corporate disclosure regime in France, which could play a vital role in safeguarding the interest of stakeholder.

Originality/value

The authors study the impact of collibration on the extent of governance disclosure in the context of France. Empirical evidence on the implication of collibration as governance mechanisms to enhance stakeholder confidence is rare and allows this study to make a unique contribution to the governance literature.
Do mutual fund managers' possess style liquidity timing abilities?
Authors: Alam Mahfooz , Ansari Valeed Ahmad
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the style timing and liquidity style timing vis-à-vis the market, size, value and momentum factors of the actively managed Indian equity mutual funds.

Design/methodology/approach

We examine the style timing of the funds using the augmented Carhart four-factor model by incorporating timing measures (Treynor and Mazuy; Henriksson and Merton). Based on this, the study explores the four-factor liquidity and volatility style timing exhibited by fund managers. The sample is from April 2000 to March 2018 and spans the volatile 2008 subprime economic crises. The sample comprised 182 actively managed equity funds from various sizes and was considered to be a well-diversified sample.

Findings

The results of our study provide strong evidence of market liquidity timing in India. No other style timing skills are observed in our analysis. Our results also imply that the fund managers might misidentify size timing as market timing if integrated liquidity timing measures are not employed, leading to false conclusions.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of our study imply that the fund managers might misidentify size timing as market timing if integrated liquidity timing measures are not employed, leading to false conclusions.

Originality/value

This study, to our knowledge, is the first attempt to investigate the portfolio-based style timing in the Indian context.
The nexus between records management and perceived corruption in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Adu Kofi Koranteng
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to chronicle perceived corruption cases emanating from poor records management in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa by examining the nexus between records management and perceived corruption in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a content analysis approach, based on auditor’s report and detailed analysis of available literature, this study examines the nexus between records management and perceived corruption in Africa.

Findings

It observed that government agencies can easily be corrupted by inefficiencies in records management. However, a clear commitment to records management, underpinned by transparency and accountability, ensures that public office holders can be held accountable for their actions. Free and unhampered access to information promotes transparency in the administration of public funds and public participation.

Research limitations/implications

The study selected only 14 African countries for the study to establish the nexus between corruption and records management. Further studies are needed to cover all the countries in Africa.

Practical implications

The paper contributes to the ongoing debate that effective records management is crucially important in the prevention of corruption. It does this at a time when most African countries have made commitments towards the 17 goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development goals of the UN. The implementation of these goals can effectively be achieved in an environment where there is an effective records management system to ensure that public officers have access to information in the delivery of their duties.

Originality/value

The paper is written at a time when most African countries have made commitments towards the 17 goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development goals of the UN.
Money in politics: a recipe for corruption in Malaysia
Authors: Abas Azmi Khairul Saidah , Zainudin Rozaimah
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how money in politics contributes to corruption in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used in-depth semi-structured interviews to collect primary data. The interviews were conducted with two elite groups comprising seven politicians and seven corporate leaders. Data were then analysed using a thematic analysis approach.

Findings

The findings indicate how money in politics contributes to corruption in Malaysia. Various types of corruption in the country are identified, namely political donation, bribery and money politics. This study also provides evidence of the underlying factors driving money politics.

Practical implications

This paper offers valuable insights to policymakers and enforcement agencies for vigorous prosecution or appropriate sanction against the perpetrators. Especially on the weak regulation of political finance in Malaysia, this paper provides insights into how the weakness is used to manufacture corruption.

Originality/value

This paper provides evidence of how money politics cultivate corrupt activities, which are relatively sensitive and controversial by nature. The rarely obtained views from the elite groups provide a significant value to research.
Business financing and blockchain technology adoption in agroindustry
Authors: Rijanto Arief
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore patterns of business financing and adoption of blockchain technology in the agricultural industry. The adoption of blockchain technology in terms of recording, storing, validating and securing data can solve a variety of agricultural problems such as agricultural business financing. If the banking and insurance industries are connected in real-time to activity data in the agricultural industry, they can create better credit ratings and profile models. So, finally, all parties in the agricultural industry have a greater chance to get business financing from banks.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a case study research approach with a framework of analysis of the theory of adoption of technology, organization and environment (TOE) and the theory of “mindfulness of adoption”. The case study method has advantages when verification is still questioned or the application of certain theories in practice as phenomena and contexts that occur in the field in accordance with the application of blockchain technology into a relatively new business, both technically and practically in the field.

Findings

The findings indicate that there are no barriers to the availability of blockchain technology for technology adoption. The characteristics of this technology are very suitable for solving financing and supply chain business problems in the agricultural industry. However, the adoption of blockchain technology in agriculture shows that there is complexity in the organizational context involving internal and external organizations. The number of organizations and small parties involved in the agricultural process challenges the adoption of blockchain technology as new technology. Then, the external environment of technology, especially government regulations in developing countries, is still an obstacle to the adoption of blockchain technology.

Research limitations/implications

This study faces several limitations, namely, the limited case of implementation of the blockchain technology due to the novelty of technology and government regulation. So that further research related to the adoption of blockchain technology needs to be done using field data such as surveys. Research related to the connectivity of the banking industry and other financial institutions also needs to be explored further, especially in creating a data-based credit risk model of the blockchain system.

Originality/value

On the practical side, case studies of technology adoption and its relationship with the financing of agricultural business are still little explored so this study contributes to exploring the application of blockchain technology in the agricultural industry. The adoption of blockchain technology has an impact not only on farmers but also on all parties involved in the supply chain including banks, insurance and other financial institutions. In addition, the distributed data exchange business model using blockchain technology is a new business model in the agriculture industry.
Designing creative teams from creative members: the role of reward interdependence and knowledge sharing
Authors: Zhang Yong , Li Guiquan , Wang Mingxuan
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to extend understanding of how team creative potential translates into team creativity. Drawing on social exchange theories, the authors propose that reward interdependence produce cooperative intra-team interactions, which in turn enables aggregate levels of individual member creativity to translate into team creativity. Further, the authors propose that reward interdependence enhances this link indirectly by motivating collective norms around knowledge sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi-source and multi-wave data was collected from 94 R&D teams in two large medical firms. At Time 1, team members assessed the degree of reward interdependence and knowledge sharing characterizing their team; team leaders rated each member’s individual creativity. Unit leaders reported on the team’s overall creativity at Time 2 (three months after Time 1).

Findings

The results indicate that the effect of aggregate member creativity (AMC) on team creativity is moderated by reward interdependence in such a way that when reward interdependence is high, AMC has stronger positive effects on team creativity. Furthermore, knowledge sharing, as motivated by reward interdependence, mediates this moderating effect.

Originality/value

By integrating the team design and team creativity literatures, this paper advances an interactive model in which team creative composition combines with reward interdependence and knowledge sharing to help team creativity.
Land reclamation or Silk Road understanding Beijing’s initiatives in the South China Sea
Authors: Roy Nalanda
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Southeast Asia’s position between the continents of Asia and Oceania gave the region a distinctive identity. Over the years, Southeast Asia has witnessed several important political changes and the emergence of new security threats. Historical mistrust, enduring territorial disputes and competition for maritime claims and resources have combined to weaken the regional security structure. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether China’s growing assertive position in the region bring some fresh air in the region following Beijing’s collaborative initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

Seas are a central concern for Southeast Asian countries, so it is hardly surprising that the countries in the region are strongly nationalistic in asserting and protecting their claims. Maritime policy analyst, Mark Valencia, comments, “Indeed, when countries in Asia think maritime, they think first and foremost about boundary disputes, not the protection of the deteriorating marine environment or management of dwindling fisheries […] [it] is these perceptions that must change.” This paper will explore whether China’s growing assertive position in the name of diplomatic cooperation will mellow down and bring some fresh air into the South China Sea (SCS) region following Beijing’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiatives.

Findings

The world is still unsure when it comes to SCS! It often feels like “Pengci” or the art of staging drama to get the desired outcome? Beijing has to address the increasing global fears and uncertainty about her motives and talk more about its dracoplomacy. At one point, Beijing followed Xiaoping’s famous guideline: “hide our capacities and bide our time.” But now, things have changed. China is no longer actively avoiding international limelight. The motto has become “going international.” This change was not all talk either rather it was accompanied by significant, short-term action. Since becoming president, Xi has already visited more than 40 countries with his OBOR dream! It is important for Beijing to emphasize the purpose of her massive infrastructure push. That is, to achieve economic development, rather than to satisfy her growing political ambitions on the global stage. The creation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and other major geo-economic projects are signs that Beijing is using her coercive diplomacy in a subtler way. Therefore, this paper checks whether Beijing’s Silk Road spirit will be successful enough to maintain its agility and grace in the future.

Originality/value

This is an original piece of work, and it adds value to the special issue titled “China’s Rise and Power Shifts in Asia: Geopolitical, Socio-Economic and Historical Perspectives.”
Association of natriuretic peptide and adverse outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Du Hong , Yang Lei , Zhang Hui , Zhang Xiaolin , Shao Huiyu
Published: November 2020

Studies on the association of elevated B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP)/N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) level with adverse clinical outcomes have yielded conflicting results in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This meta‐analysis aimed to assess the prognostic value of BNP/NT‐proBNP level in AF patients. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Embase databases up to July 1, 2020. Studies investigating the association between BNP/NT‐proBNP level and adverse clinical outcomes in patients with AF were eligible. Outcome measures were all‐cause mortality, stroke/systemic embolism, major bleed, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Ten studies recruiting 29 543 patients with AF were included. Elevated BNP/NT‐proBNP level was independently associated with higher risk of all‐cause mortality (risk ratios [RR] 1.92; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.50–2.45), stroke/systemic embolism (risk ratio [RR] 2.53; 95% CI 2.00–3.19), and MACEs (RR 2.17; 95% CI 1.89–2.49). However, the association between elevated BNP/NT‐proBNP level and major bleed was not statistically significant (RR 1.14; 95% CI 0.92–1.40). Elevated BNP/NT‐proBNP level is significantly associated with higher risk of all‐cause mortality, stroke/systemic embolism, and MACEs. Determination of BNP/NT‐proBNP level may play an important role in risk stratification of AF patients.
Field‐Level Land‐Use Adaptation to Local Weather Trends
Authors: Ramsey Steven M. , Bergtold Jason S. , Heier Stamm Jessica L.
Published: November 2020

The intersection of agriculture and climate has been well researched for at least the last couple of decades. Largely, the motivation for previous research has been the potential impact on food security for the world's (growing) population. Many studies have predicted unfavorable yield scenarios for some geographic regions. As a result, another common research theme is farmer adaptation to a changing climate. Typically, these studies are concerned with what farmers could or should do to adapt to adverse outcomes. However, research examining whether farmers respond to weather patterns has largely been ignored. Answering this question can help provide more accurate food security analyses: if farmers do respond to changing patterns through cropping decisions, for instance, the global food supply outcome will be different than a world in which they do not respond. This article aims to provide insights into what and how farmers' cropping decisions respond to weather patterns. The study region is a set of eleven Kansas counties. The article provides an important step toward more credible estimates of global food supplies under changing climates and the methods themselves translate to other areas. Results suggest that land‐use responses to changing weather patterns will vary across time and space.