bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing enteric neurons in Dopamine Transporter (DAT)-Cre reporter mice reveals dopaminergic subtypes with dual-transmitter content
Authors: Recinto Sherilyn Junelle , Premachandran Shobina , Mukherjee iparna , Allot Alexis , MacDonald Adam , Yaqubi Moein , Gruenheid Samantha , Trudeau Louis-Eric , Stratton Jo Anne
Published: June 2023

The enteric nervous system (ENS) comprises a complex network of neurons whereby a subset appears to be dopaminergic, although the characteristics, roles, and implications in disease are less understood. Most investigations relating to enteric dopamine (DA) neurons rely on immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) - a rate-limiting enzyme in the production of DA. However, TH immunoreactivity is likely to provide an incomplete picture given previous work has showed that some DA neurons contain little if any TH and its levels tend to be decreased in response to cellular stress. This study herein provides a comprehensive characterization of DA neurons in the gut using a well-accepted reporter mouse line, expressing a fluorescent protein (tdTomato) under control of the DA transporter (DAT) promoter. Our findings confirm a unique localization of DA neurons in the gut and unveil the discrete subtypes of DA neurons in this organ, which we characterized using both immunofluorescence and single-cell transcriptomics, as well as validated usingin situhybridization. We observed distinct subtypes of DAT-tdTomato neurons expressing co-transmitters and modulators across both plexuses; some of them likely co-releasing acetylcholine, while others were positive for a slew of canonical DA markers (TH, VMAT2 and GIRK2). Interestingly, we uncovered a seemingly novel population of DA neurons unique to the ENS which were ChAT/DAT-tdTomato-immunoreactive neurons and were characterised by the expression ofGrp,CalcbandSst. Given the clear heterogeneity of DAergic gut neurons, further investigation is warranted to define their functional signatures and discover any inherent vulnerabilities in disease.

Abstract Figure

Using a reporter mouse line, expressing a fluorescent protein under control of the dopamine transporter (DAT) promoter, discrete subtypes of dopaminergic neurons were unveiled across the ganglionated plexuses of the gut. A novel subpopulations of enteric DA neurons, expressing genes previously reported involved in dopamine signaling in the brain, exhibit a cholinergic phenotype.
Specification and survival of post-metamorphic branchiomeric neurons in the hindbrain of a non-vertebrate chordate
Authors: Gigante Eduardo D. , Piekarz Katarzyna M. , Gurgis Alexandra , Cohen Leslie , Razy-Krajka Florian , Popsuj Sydney , Ali Hussan S. , Mohana Sundaram Shruthi , Stolfi Alberto
Published: June 2023

Tunicates are the sister group to the vertebrates, yet most species have a life cycle split between swimming larva and sedentary adult phases. During metamorphosis, larval neurons are largely replaced by adult-specific ones. Yet the regulatory mechanisms underlying this neural replacement remain largely unknown. Using tissue-specific CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis in the tunicateCiona, we show that orthologs of conserved hindbrain and branchiomeric neuron regulatory factors Pax2/5/8 and Phox2 are required to specify the “Neck”, a compartment of cells set aside in the larva to give rise to cranial motor neuron-like neurons in the adult. Using bulk and single-cell RNAseq analyses, we also characterize the transcriptome of the Neck downstream of Pax2/5/8. Surprisingly, we find that Neck-derived adult ciliomotor neurons begin to differentiate in the larva, contrary to the long-held assumption that the adult nervous system is formed only after settlement and the death of larval neurons during metamorphosis. Finally, we show that manipulating FGF signaling during the larval phase alters the patterning of the Neck and its derivatives. Suppression of FGF converts Neck cells into larval neurons that fail to survive metamorphosis, while prolonged FGF signaling promotes an adult neural stem cell-like fate instead.
OpenSIM: open source microscope add-on for structured illumination microscopy
Authors: Hannebelle Mélanie T.M , Raeth Esther , Leitao Samuel M. , Lukeš Tomáš , Pospíšil Jakub , Toniolo Chiara , Venzin Olivier F. , Chrisnandy Antonius , Swain Prabhu Prasad , Ronceray Nathan , Lütolf Matthias P. , Oates Andrew C. , Hagen Guy M. , Lasser Theo , Radenovic Aleksandra , McKinney John D. , Fantner Georg E.
Published: June 2023

Super-resolution techniques expand the abilities of researchers who have the knowledge and resources to either build or purchase a system. This excludes the part of the research community without these capabilities. Here we introduce the openSIM add-on to upgrade existing optical microscopes to Structured Illumination super-resolution Microscopes (SIM). The openSIM is an open-hardware system, designed and documented to be easily duplicated by other laboratories, making super-resolution modality accessible to facilitate innovative research. The add-on approach gives a performance improvement for pre-existing lab equipment without the need to build a completely new system.
KAT6Amutations drive transcriptional dysregulation of cell cycle and Autism risk genes in an Arboleda-Tham Syndrome cerebral organoid model
Authors: Nava Aileen A. , Jops Connor T. , Vuong Celine K. , Niles-Jensen Samantha L. , Bondhus Leroy , Ong Cameron J. , de la Torre-Ubieta Luis , Gandal Michael J. , Arboleda Valerie A.
Published: June 2023

Arboleda-Tham Syndrome (ARTHS, OMIM#616268) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused byde novomutations inKAT6A. Individuals with ARTHS typically exhibit varying degrees of intellectual disability, speech and language deficits and clinical manifestations across multiple systems that lead to abnormal: vision, craniofacial features, cardiac morphology, and gastrointestinal function. To gain insight into the potential neuropathological mechanisms underlying ARTHS, we investigate howKAT6Amutations disruptin vitrobrain development using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and cerebral organoids (COs) derived from ARTHS patients harboringKAT6Anonsense mutations. In this study, we conducted comprehensive transcriptomic profiling by performing time-course experiments and generating short-read and long-read RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from undifferentiated iPSCs and COs at 15 and 25 days of neural differentiation. Our analysis revealed abnormal expression of 235 genes in ARTHS across all three timepoints examined. Notably, we observed persistent dysregulation of genes such asCTSF,ZNF229,PCDHB12, andPAK3. Additionally, we found a consistent enrichment ofPTBP1-target genes among the upregulated genes in ARTHS at all three stages assessed by RNA-seq. During neural differentiation, we identified 980 genes that consistently display aberrant transcription in ARTHS at both CO stages. These genes are enriched for genes involved in cell fate determination through modulation of cell-cycle dynamics (e.g.E2Ffamily) and cell-adhesion molecules (e.g.PCDHgenes). Our findings indicate that ARTHS COs exhibit slower downregulation of pluripotency and cell cycle genes compared to controls and that this delay led to an overrepresentation of cycling human neural progenitor markers during neural differentiation in ARTHS. Finally, matching the variable neurodevelopment phenotypes in ARTHS, we discovered that the aberrantly expressed genes in ARTHS are enriched for genes associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Epilepsy, with a subset showing isoform-specific dysregulation. Strikingly, the samePTBP1-target genes were enriched amongst the genes that display differential isoform usage in ARTHS. For the first time, we demonstrate thatKAT6Amutations lead to a delay in repressing pluripotency and cell cycle genes during neural differentiation, suggesting that prolonged activation of these gene networks disrupts the temporal dynamics of human brain development in ARTHS.
Dysregulated alveolar epithelial cell progenitor function and identity in Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome
Authors: Wang Joanna Y. , Michki Sylvia N. , Sitaraman Sneha , Banaschewski Brandon J. , Jamal Reshma , Gokey Jason J. , Lin Susan M. , Katzen Jeremy B. , Basil Maria C. , Cantu Edward , Kropski Jonathan A. , Zepp Jarod A. , Frank David B. , Young Lisa R.
Published: June 2023

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a genetic disorder of endosomal protein trafficking associated with pulmonary fibrosis in specific subtypes, including HPS-1 and HPS-2. Single mutant HPS1 and HPS2 mice display increased fibrotic sensitivity while double mutant HPS1/2 mice exhibit spontaneous fibrosis with aging, which has been attributed to HPS mutations in alveolar epithelial type II (AT2) cells. We utilized HPS mouse models and human lung tissue to investigate mechanisms of AT2 cell dysfunction driving fibrotic remodeling in HPS. Starting at 8 weeks of age, HPS mice exhibited progressive loss of AT2 cell numbers. HPS AT2 cell function was impairedex vivoandin vivo. Incorporating AT2 cell lineage tracing in HPS mice, we observed aberrant differentiation with increased AT2-derived alveolar epithelial type I cells. Transcriptomic analysis of HPS AT2 cells revealed elevated expression of genes associated with aberrant differentiation and p53 activation. Lineage tracing and organoid modeling studies demonstrated that HPS AT2 cells were primed to persist in a Krt8+reprogrammed transitional state, mediated by p53 activity. Intrinsic AT2 progenitor cell dysfunction and p53 pathway dysregulation are novel mechanisms of disease in HPS-related pulmonary fibrosis, with the potential for early targeted intervention before the onset of fibrotic lung disease.
Non-coding sequence variation reveals fragility within interleukin 2 feedback circuitry and shapes autoimmune disease risk
Authors: Simeonov Dimitre R. , Park Kyemyung , Cortez Jessica T. , Young Arabella , Li Zhongmei , Nguyen Vinh , Umhoefer Jennifer , Indart Alyssa C. , Woo Jonathan M. , Anderson Mark S. , Tsang John S. , Germain Ronald N. , Wong Harikesh S. , Marson Alexander
Published: June 2023

Genetic variants associated with human autoimmune diseases commonly map to non-coding control regions, particularly enhancers that function selectively in immune cells and fine-tune gene expression within a relatively narrow range of values. How such modest, cell-type-selective changes can meaningfully shape organismal disease risk remains unclear. To explore this issue, we experimentally manipulated species-conserved enhancers within the disease-associatedIL2RAlocus and studied accompanying changes in the progression of autoimmunity. Perturbing distinct enhancers with restricted activity in conventional T cells (Tconvs) or regulatory T cells (Tregs)—two functionally antagonistic T cell subsets—caused only modest, cell-type-selective decreases inIL2raexpression parameters. However, these same perturbations had striking and opposing effectsin vivo, completely preventing or severely accelerating disease in a murine model of type 1 diabetes. Quantitative tissue imaging and computational modelling revealed that each enhancer manipulation impinged on distinct IL-2-dependent feedback circuits. These imbalances altered the intracellular signaling and intercellular communication dynamics of activated Tregs and Tconvs, producing opposing spatial domains that amplified or constrained ongoing autoimmune responses. These findings demonstrate how subtle changes in gene regulation stemming from non-coding variation can propagate across biological scales due to non-linearities in intra- and intercellular feedback circuitry, dramatically shaping disease risk at the organismal level.
Detecting episodic evolution through Bayesian inference of molecular clock models
Authors: Tay John H , Baele Guy , Duchene Sebastian
Published: June 2023

Molecular evolutionary rate variation is a key aspect of the evolution of many organisms that can be modelled using molecular clock models. For example, fixed local clocks revealed the role of episodic evolution in the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Like all statistical models, however, the reliability of such inferences is contingent on an assessment of statistical evidence. We present a novel Bayesian phylogenetic approach for detecting episodic evolution. It consists of computing Bayes factors, as the ratio of posterior and prior odds of evolutionary rate increases, effectively quantifying support for the effect size. We conducted an extensive simulation study to illustrate the power of this method and benchmarked it to formal model comparison of a range of molecular clock models using (log) marginal likelihood estimation, and to inference under a random local clock model. Quantifying support for the effect size has higher sensitivity than formal model testing and is straight-forward to compute, because it only needs samples from the posterior and prior distribution. However, formal model testing has the advantage of accommodating a wide range molecular clock models. We also assessed the ability of an automated approach, known as the random local clock, where branches under episodic evolution may be detected without theira prioridefinition. In an empirical analysis of a data set of SARS-CoV-2 genomes, we find ‘very strong’ evidence for episodic evolution. Our results provide guidelines and practical methods for Bayesian detection of episodic evolution, as well as avenues for further research into this phenomenon.
Heat-evolved algal symbionts enhance bleaching tolerance of adult corals without trade-off against growth
Authors: Chan Wing Yan , Rudd David , Meyers Luka , Topa Sanjida H. , van Oppen Madeleine J. H.
Published: June 2023

Ocean warming has caused coral mass bleaching and mortality worldwide and the persistence of symbiotic reef-building corals requires rapid acclimation or adaptation. Experimental evolution of the coral’s microalgal symbionts followed by their introduction into coral is one potential method to enhance coral thermotolerance. Heat-evolved microalgal symbionts of the generalist species,Cladocopium proliferum(strain SS8), were exposed to elevated temperature (31°C) for ∼10 years, and were introduced into chemically bleached adult fragments of the scleractinian coral,Galaxea fascicularis. The new symbionts persisted for the five months of the experiment and enhanced adult coral thermotolerance compared with corals that were inoculated with the wild-typeC. proliferumstrain. Thermotolerance of SS8-corals was similar to that of coral fragments from the same colony hosting the homologous symbiont,Durusdiniumsp., which is naturally heat-tolerant. However, SS8-coral fragments exhibited faster growth and recovered cell density and photochemical efficiency more quickly following chemical bleaching and inoculation under ambient temperature relative toDurusdinium-corals. Mass spectrometry imaging suggests that algal pigments involved in photobiology and oxidative stress were the greatest contributors to the thermotolerance differences between coral hosting heat-evolved versus wild-typeC. proliferum. These pigments may have increased photoprotection in the heat-evolved symbionts. Our findings show that adult coral thermotolerance can be enhanced via the uptake of exogenously supplied, heat-evolved symbionts, without a trade-off against growth under ambient temperature. Heat-evolvedC. proliferumremains in the corals in moderate abundance two years after its first inoculation, suggesting long-term stability of this novel symbiosis.
DNA conserved in diverse animals since the Precambrian controls genes for embryonic development
Authors: Frith Martin C. , Ni Shengliang
Published: June 2023

DNA that controls gene expression (e.g. enhancers, promoters) has seemed almost never to be conserved between distantly-related animals, like vertebrates and arthropods. This is mysterious, because development of such animals is partly organized by homologous genes with similar complex expression patterns, termed “deep homology”.

Here we report twenty-five regulatory DNA segments conserved across bilaterian animals, of which seven are also conserved in cnidaria (coral and sea anemone). They control developmental genes (e.g.Nr2f, Ptch, Rfx1/3, Sall, Smad6, Sp5, Tbx2/3), including six homeobox genes:Gsx, Hmx, Meis, Msx, Six1/2, andZfhx3/4. The segments contain perfectly or near-perfectly conserved CCAAT boxes, E-boxes, and other sequences recognized by regulatory proteins. More such DNA conservation will surely be found soon, as more genomes are published and sequence comparison is optimized. This reveals a control system for animal development conserved since the Precambrian.
A combined computational-biochemical approach offers an accelerated path to membrane protein solubilization
Authors: Pierce Mariah R. , Ji Jingjing , Novak Sadie X. , Sieburg Michelle A. , Nangia Shikha , Hougland James L.
Published: June 2023

Membrane proteins are difficult to isolate and purify due to their dependence on the surrounding lipid membrane for structural stability. Detergents are often used to solubilize these proteins, with this approach requiring a careful balance between protein solubilization and denaturation. Determining which detergent is most appropriate for a given protein has largely been done empirically through screening, which requires large amounts of membrane protein and associated resources. Here we describe an alternative to conventional detergent screening using a computational modeling approach to identify the most likely candidate detergents for solubilizing a protein of interest. We demonstrate our approach using ghrelinO-acyltransferase (GOAT), a member of the membrane-boundO-acyltransferase (MBOAT) family of integral membrane enzymes that has not been solubilized or purified in active form. A computationally derived GOAT structural model provides the only structural information required for this approach. Using computational analysis of detergent ability to penetrate phospholipid bilayers and stabilize the GOAT structure, a panel of common detergents were rank ordered for their proposed ability to solubilize GOAT. Independently, we biologically screened these detergents for their solubilization of fluorescently tagged GOAT constructs. We found computational prediction of protein structural stabilization was the better predictor of detergent solubilization ability, but neither approach was effective for predicting detergents that would support GOAT enzymatic function. The current rapid expansion of membrane protein computational models lacking experimental structural information and our computational detergent screening approach can greatly improve the efficiency of membrane protein detergent solubilization supporting downstream functional and structural studies.
An oncogenic isoform of septin 9 promotes the formation of juxtanuclear invadopodia by reducing nuclear deformability
Authors: Okletey Joshua , Angelis Dimitrios , Jones Tia M. , Montagna Cristina , Spiliotis Elias T.
Published: June 2023

Invadopodia are extracellular matrix (ECM) degrading structures, which promote cancer cell invasion. The nucleus is increasingly viewed as a mechanosensory organelle that determines migratory strategies. However, how the nucleus crosstalks with invadopodia is little known. Here, we report that the oncogenic septin 9 isoform 1 (SEPT9_i1) is a component of breast cancer invadopodia. SEPT9_i1 depletion diminishes invadopodia formation and the clustering of invadopodia precursor components TKS5 and cortactin. This phenotype is characterized by deformed nuclei, and nuclear envelopes with folds and grooves. We show that SEPT9_i1 localizes to the nuclear envelope and juxtanuclear invadopodia. Moreover, exogenous lamin A rescues nuclear morphology and juxtanuclear TKS5 clusters. Importantly, SEPT9_i1 is required for the amplification of juxtanuclear invadopodia, which is induced by the epidermal growth factor. We posit that nuclei of low deformability favor the formation of juxtanuclear invadopodia in a SEPT9_i1-dependent manner, which functions as a tunable mechanism for overcoming ECM impenetrability.

Highlights

The oncogenic SEPT9_i1 is enriched in breast cancer invadopodia in 2D and 3D ECM

SEPT9_i1 promotes invadopodia precursor clustering and invadopodia elongation

SEPT9_i1 localizes to the nuclear envelope and reduces nuclear deformability

SEPT9_i1 is required for EGF-induced amplification of juxtanuclear invadopodia

eTOC Blurb

Invadopodia promote the invasion of metastatic cancers. The nucleus is a mechanosensory organelle that determines migratory strategies, but how it crosstalks with invadopodia is unknown. Okletey et al show that the oncogenic isoform SEPT9_i1 promotes nuclear envelope stability and the formation of invadopodia at juxtanuclear areas of the plasma membrane.
Structure-function analysis of histone H2B and PCNA ubiquitination dynamics using deubiquitinase-deficient strains
Authors: Radmall Kaitlin S. , Shukla Prakash K. , Leng Andrew M. , Chandrasekharan Mahesh B.
Published: June 2023

Post-translational covalent conjugation of ubiquitin onto proteins or ubiquitination is important in nearly all cellular processes. Steady-state ubiquitination of individual proteinsin vivois maintained by two countering enzymatic activities: conjugation of ubiquitin by E1, E2 and E3 enzymes and removal by deubiquitinases. Here, we deleted one or more genes encoding deubiquitinases in yeast and evaluated the requirements for ubiquitin conjugation onto a target protein. Our proof-of-principle studies demonstrate that absence of relevant deubiquitinase(s) provides a facile and versatile method that can be used to study the nuances of ubiquitin conjugation and deubiquitination of target proteinsin vivo. We verified our method using mutants lacking the deubiquitinases Ubp8 and/or Ubp10 that remove ubiquitin from histone H2B or PCNA. Our studies reveal that the C-terminal coiled-domain of the adapter protein Lge1 and the C-terminal acidic tail of Rad6 E2 contribute to monoubiquitination of histone H2BK123, whereas the distal acidic residues of helix-4 of Rad6, but not the acidic tail, is required for monoubiquitination of PCNA. Further, charged substitution at alanine-120 in the H2B C-terminal helix adversely affected histone H2BK123 monoubiquitination by inhibiting Rad6-Bre1-mediated ubiquitin conjugation and by promoting Ubp8/Ubp10-mediated deubiquitination. In summary, absence of yeast deubiquitinasesUBP8and/orUBP10allows uncovering the regulation of and requirements for ubiquitin addition and removal from their physiological substrates such as histone H2B or PCNAin vivo.
Neural correlates of online action preparation
Authors: Shahbazi Mahdiyar , Ariani Giacomo , Kashefi Mehrdad , Pruszynski J. Andrew , Diedrichsen Jörn
Published: June 2023

When performing movements in rapid succession, the brain needs to coordinate preparation of an upcoming action with ongoing execution. Here we identify the processes and brain areas involved in this ability. Human participants performed pairs of single-finger presses or three-finger chords in settings where they had to prepare the second movement before or after the first response. Despite matched perceptual and movement requirements, 7T functional MRI revealed increased brain activity in regions along the intra-parietal sulcus and ventral visual stream when actions overlapped. Multivariate analyses suggested that these areas were involved in stimulus identification and action selection. In contrast, the dorsal premotor cortex, known to be involved in planning upcoming movements, showed no discernible signs of heightened activity. This observation suggests that the bottleneck during simultaneous action control and preparation arises at the level of stimulus identification and action selection, whereas movement planning in the premotor cortex can unfold concurrently with execution without interference between the two processes.

The brain’s ability to prepare for upcoming actions while controlling ongoing movements is a crucial evolutionary adaptation of the action system. However, the neural basis of online action preparation remains largely unknown. We found that superior-parietal and occipito-temporal areas exhibited heightened activation during online preparation. Surprisingly, the dorsal premotor cortex, known to be a crucial structure in motor planning, did not display additional activation for overlapping actions. These findings imply that while motor planning within the premotor cortex can occur in parallel with the execution of ongoing movement, the parallel stimulus identification and action selection in the posterior parietal cortex requires additional neural processes.

Highlights

Individuals prepare upcoming actions while simultaneously controlling ongoing movement

When these two processes overlap, superior-parietal and occipito-temporal areas show increased activation

Multivariate analysis suggests that increased activation arises to resolve simultaneous stimulus identification and action selection

The premotor cortex, known to be involved in motor planning, coordinates simultaneous planning and execution without extra neural engagement
Selective plane activation structured illumination microscopy
Authors: Temma Kenta , Oketani Ryosuke , Kubo Toshiki , Bando Kazuki , Maeda Shunsuke , Sugiura Kazunori , Matsuda Tomoki , Heintzmann Rainer , Kaminishi Tatsuya , Fukuda Koki , Hamasaki Maho , Nagai Takeharu , Fujita Katsumasa
Published: June 2023

Resolution enhancement in structured illumination microscopy is hindered when volumetric samples are observed owing to background signals from out-of-focus planes. In this study, we utilized selective plane illumination and reversibly photoswitchable fluorescent proteins to realize structured illumination within the focal plane and eliminate the out-of-focus background. We demonstrated high-resolution fluorescence imaging of volumetric samples, including dense fluorescent objects in a cell spheroid.
Male and female syringeal muscles exhibit superfast shortening velocities in Zebra finches
Authors: Gladman Nicholas W. , Elemans Coen P. H.
Published: June 2023

Vocalisations play a key role in the communication behaviour of many vertebrates. Vocal production requires extremely precise motor control, which is executed by superfast vocal muscles that can operate at cycle frequencies over 100 Hz and up to 250 Hz. The mechanical performance of these muscles has been quantified with isometric performance and the workloop technique, but due to methodological limitations we lack a key muscle property characterising muscle performance, the force-velocity (FV) relationship. Here we establish a method that allows quantification of the FV relationship in extremely fast muscles, and test if the maximal shortening velocity of zebra finch syringeal muscles is different between males and females. We show that syringeal muscles exhibit extremely high maximal shortening velocities of 46 L0s-1, far exceeding most other vocal and skeletal muscles, and that isometric properties positively correlate with maximal shortening velocities. While male and female muscles differ in isometric speed measures, maximal shortening velocity surprisingly is not sex-dependent. We also show that cyclical methods to measure force-length properties used in classical laryngeal studies give the same result as conventional stepwise methodologies, suggesting either approach is appropriate. Next to force, instantaneous power also trades for speed, further highlighting these muscles are tuned to operate at high frequencies. We argue that the high thermal dependence of superfast vocal muscle performance may impact vocal behaviour.

Summary statement

Zebra finch syringeal muscle exhibits superfast shortening of 46 L0s-1. Shortening is not sex-specific but correlates with isometric performance – faster twitches and tetani are associated with faster shortening.
Evaluating the compliance of environmental management systems: evidence from Moroccan banks
Authors: Ibenrissoul Abdelmajid , Benjouid Zakaria , Kammoun Souhaila
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the compliance of environmental risk management systems implemented by Moroccan banks with ISO 14001 certification or environmental charters.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through the distribution of an environmental risk management questionnaire to all Moroccan banks’ branches, business centers and various central entities. The study uses regression analysis to model the relationship between environmental management system (EMS) compliance and environmental management explanatory variables to identify the most relevant indicators that can explain the effectiveness and reliability of an EMS.

Findings

Empirical evidence reveals that the evaluation of EMS compliance in Moroccan banks should consider two categories of variables: the first category is related to the culture of environmental risk management, and the second one is related to environmental management practices.

Originality/value

The results show that the “information” variables play a key role in the overall design of an EMS and represent essential variables in the general definition of the environmental policy and in raising awareness and providing information on the bank’s commitment to a pro-environmental approach. The “application” variables confirm that environmental management practices need to be put in place to manage the different environmental risks. The study raises some managerial implications and further research directions.
Extending UTAUT with competitive pressure for SMEs digitalization adoption in two European nations: a multi-group analysis
Authors: Kwarteng Michael Adu , Ntsiful Alex , Diego Lerma Fernando Plata , Novák Petr
Published: June 2023

Purpose

In this article, the authors draw-upon an extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and propose a research model involving performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), facilitating conditions (FC) and competitive pressure (CP) as potential salient factors explaining the adoption of digitalization in European SMEs. The authors also postulate that there may be cross-cultural differences, thereby leading us to include the country as a moderator in the model.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors validate this model with a cross-cultural sample involving 188 owner-managers from the Czech Republic and Slovakia and through the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) techniques as well as multi-group analysis.

Findings

The results using the study’s global dataset indicate that PE, FC and CP significantly affect owner-managers intentions toward digitalization in SMEs. The authors’ application of the multi-group analysis also suggests that although the two countries differ in digitalization adoption intention, the differences are statistically insignificant. In the conclusion, the authors highlight several implications these findings have for theory and practice.

Practical implications

The authors recommend that the providers of emerging digital technologies should improve on the performance features of those technologies and ensure they are relevant to the SMEs. By doing so, the adoption of digitalization will grow, because owner-managers of SMEs will have the confidence that adopting such technologies will improve their operations. Second, SMEs are required to provide adequate organizational and technical infrastructure to support digitalization adoption.

Originality/value

Aside from being among the few attempts to extend the explanatory power of UTAUT with PE, EE, FC and CP in investigating digitalization adoption in SMEs context, this study also validates its model with rigorous methodological approach as well as three datasets (global, Czech Republic and Slovakia) thereby strengthening the validity of the results.
Internal corporate social responsibility in times of uncertainty: does working from home harm the creativity link?
Authors: Lucius Zita K. , Damberg Svenja , Meinel Martin , Ringle Christian M.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate how working from home (WFH) affects the relationship between internal corporate social responsibility (ICSR) and employee creativity in times of uncertainty when employees’ occupational stress increases and their identification with their company decreases.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying social identity theory, the authors derive and test the hypotheses presented in this study regarding ICSR’s direct effects on employee creativity, given the amount of time they spent on WFH and the role of threat in this relationship. The authors use partial least squares structural equation modeling to analyze the various effects. Via an online questionnaire and using the snowball technique, the authors collected data from 158 participants in different industries in Germany.

Findings

The empirical results of this study show that ICSR activities increase employee creativity, partly by reducing one harmful aspect of stress, namely, threat. In addition, the authors find that WFH moderates this effect, such that the higher the degree of WFH, the weaker the ICSR activities’ effects are.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused on the respondents’ WFH situation during the global COVID-19 pandemic. As such, this research contributes to understanding the roles that modern work practices, human resource management (HRM) and ICSR actions play in respect of employee creativity. The authors expand the theoretical understanding, which is based on social identity theory, by showing that the greater the amount of time spent on WFH, the more it reduces ICSR’s positive effect on employee creativity. The findings of this study open avenues for future research and longitudinal studies that compare the ICSR effects during and after the pandemic, as well as for those that compare WFH and its effects on organizational creativity.

Practical implications

This study shows that managers should encourage appropriate ICSR measures in their organizations and should specifically consider the work setting (i.e. WFH or at the office) as a boundary factor for these measures’ effectiveness. However, ICSR actions, such as anti-discrimination measures, are less effective in respect of building the employee–employer relationship and supporting employees’ identification with and commitment to the company when they work from home. Given the economic benefit of decreased turnover rates and the societal benefit of a company output with higher creativity levels, this study has an impact from both an economic and a societal perspective.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on employee creativity and ICSR’s roles in current HRM practice, which is still underexplored. More importantly, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study provides the first empirical evidence of a hitherto overlooked mechanism explaining ICSR activities’ effects on, or their perceived threat to, employee creativity.
From Industry 4.0 adoption to innovation ambidexterity to firm performance: a MASEM analysis
Authors: Oduro Stephen , De Nisco Alessandro
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Informed by the resource-based view of the firm, dynamic capabilities theory and contingency theory, this study examines the impact of Industry 4.0 (IR4.0) technologies adoption on firm performance (FP) while accounting for the mediating role of innovation ambidexterity (IA) and moderating roles of contextual and methodological factors that drive the performance gains of the phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

A random-effect model in comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) is used to synthesize 113 studies in 115 independent samples with 192,188 observations.

Findings

This analysis demonstrates that IR4.0 digital technologies are directly related to financial and non-financial performance, disclosing that the performance effect on non-financial is the largest. Moreover, there is a complementary partial mediation role of the impacts of IR4.0 on FP by IA. Furthermore, this focal relationship is moderated by boundary-spanning conditions: contextual factors – firm size, business type, economic development, industry sector and methodological factors – proxy of FP, sample size and study type.

Practical implications

The results imply that IR4.0 produces financial and non-financial benefits by enabling firms to develop dynamic capabilities like innovation ambidexterity, which informs managers and practitioners that unless IR4.0 technologies and IA strategies are combined together to generate superior FP, IR4.0, in and of itself, would produce a less positive impact on FP than the combined impact of IR4.0 and IA. Therefore, managers should focus on converting IR4.0 resources to dynamic capabilities like IA by leveraging open innovation strategies or building IR4.0-based coordination mechanisms by creating cross-unit business synergies.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, per the literature review, this is the first meta-analysis structural equation modeling study on the interplay between IR4.0, innovation ambidexterity and firm performance.
Examining the effect of technology-related divestitures on exploratory innovation: evidence from China
Authors: Wu Xintong , Gao Yuchen , Hu Yimei
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to test the effects of Technology-related Divestitures (TRDs) on firms' exploratory innovation. The moderating effects of firms' internal and external resource coordination activities, resource buffering and bridging, are also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

A set of data including 1,372 Chinese listed firms from 2009 to 2018 is adopted. Based on propensity score matching sample, random-effect Tobit models were employed to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that TRDs inhibit firms' exploratory innovation, while both resource buffering and bridging can mitigate this negative effect. This implies that to promote exploratory innovation, resource coordination activities are the essential.

Originality/value

The research findings can contribute to both the exploratory innovation and technological divestiture literature. The test on the moderating roles of resource buffering and bridging can also extend our understanding of the effect of TRDs on firms' exploratory innovation. Accordingly, several practical implications can be provided. This is especially important for strategic decisions of firms from emerging and developing countries, which often lack sufficient internal resources and strong technological capabilities to develop exploratory innovation.
Mediating customer engagement in the relationship between fast-food restaurants' innovativeness and brand evangelism during COVID-19: evidence from emergent markets
Authors: Khashan Mohamed A. , Elsotouhy Mohamed M. , Ashraf Aziz Mariam , Alasker Thamir Hamad , Ghonim Mohamed A.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The proliferation of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has threatened the service industry, especially the restaurant sector, requiring innovative ways to help restaurants overcome this challenge. Thus, based on the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) model, the purpose of this study is to examine the role of customers' perception of a restaurant's innovativeness (CPRI) in brand evangelism by mediating customer engagement (CE). Additionally, this study examines the moderating role of customer openness to experience.

Design/methodology/approach

A Web-based survey collected the primary data from 483 Egyptian customers. The data were analysed using the partial least squares structural equation modelling method based on WarpPLS.7 software.

Findings

According to the findings, CPRI, which acts as a stimulus in the SOR model, positively affects CE (organism) and brand evangelism (response). CE positively affects restaurant evangelism. Additionally, CE mediates the relationship between CPRI and evangelism. Openness to experience moderates the relationship between CPRI, engagement and brand evangelism.

Research limitations/implications

This study addresses the gaps in understanding CE and brand evangelism within the context of restaurant innovation. This study assesses restaurant innovativeness scales of developing economies in multiple dimensions. Egyptian restaurant marketing managers should innovate products, services, experiences, and promotions to increase consumer engagement and feedback through technology.

Originality/value

This study investigates how Egyptian restaurants engage with and evangelise customers through innovation. This is one of the few studies that examine brand evangelism in a restaurant setting from the perspective of the SOR theory. Additionally, this study analyses CE as a mediator and openness to experience as a moderator.
Measurement model of the projected and perceived image through the organizational identity of the Volvo Ocean Race Brazil event
Authors: Najdzion Lígia , Anjos Sara Joana Gadotti dos , Kuhn Vitor Roslindo , Anjos Francisco Antonio dos
Published: June 2023

Purpose

World Tourism Organization (WTO) recognizes image as the main aspect to be considered by a destination in its promotion and marketing process. Cities try to build valued and recognized images, established from an identity defined based on their own values. One of the strategies adopted for this construction is to hold events, through which it is possible to promote tourism, move the economy, improve the infrastructure, change the image and influence intentions to visit the destination. From the point of view of supply and demand, theorists have proposed two categories of destination image: the projected image and the perceived image. In this context, the objective of the research was to propose a model for measuring the Projected and Perceived Image through the Organizational Identity of the Volvo Ocean Race Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

With a quali-quantitative approach, the study universe is composed of in-depth interviews with the main members of the organizing committee, documentary and netnographic analysis of the event's social networks. For the analysis and interpretation of qualitative data, the collective subject discourse was used. Documentary and netnographic analysis were by means of deductive content analysis and correspondence analysis.

Findings

The results supported the three secondary hypotheses of the research, leading to confirm the central hypothesis that the constructed organizational identity, projected by the image, is perceived by visitors to the event studied.

Originality/value

It is understood as fundamental the expansion of studies regarding projected and perceived image, identity and the possibility of its application in tourist events, as social representations, as support also for the definition of management and marketing strategies.
Electronic word of mouth, brand image and young customers' online purchase intention during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Hoang Le Nguyen , Tung Le Thanh
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to identify the relationships between the electronic word of mouth (eWOM), brand image (Brand) and online purchase intention (INT) of young customers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic period.

Design/methodology/approach

The covariance-based SEM and the multi-group invariance analysis (MGA) were applied to investigate the proposed model with the data collected via an online survey during the fourth wave of COVID-19 in Vietnam.

Findings

The results showed that eWOM quantity (eQuan) has a significant positive effect on eWOM credibility (eC) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, whereas Brand positively partially mediates the relationship between eQuan and INT, this construct plays a positively fully mediating role in the relationship between eC and INT. Finally, the results indicated that there is no significant difference in the invariance indicators related to the gender of respondents.

Originality/value

This study has some contributions not only to the theoretical framework for understanding the online purchase behaviour of young customers in the pandemic context, but also to the practical implications of how to use different dimensions of eWOM accordingly to enhance a company's brand image in the online business environment.
The moderating effect of gender on the relationship between apprenticeship and self-employment: evidence from a developing country
Authors: Mohammed Ibrahim , Abdul Rahaman Wassiuw , Darku Alexander Bilson , Baah-Boateng William
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the association between apprenticeship training and self-employment and how gender moderates the association.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data from the World Bank’s Skills Towards Employment and Productivity (STEP) survey on Ghana were analysed using a binary choice (logit regression) model. The STEP survey drew its nationally representative sample from the working-age population (15–64 years) in urban areas.

Findings

After controlling for several factors identified in the literature as determinants of self-employment, the results indicate that completing apprenticeship training increases the likelihood of being self-employed. However, women who have completed apprenticeship training are more likely to be self-employed than men.

Originality/value

By examining the moderating effect of gender on the association between apprenticeship training and self-employment, this study has offered new evidence that policymakers can use to promote self-employment, especially among women, to reduce the entrepreneurial gap between men and women.
Risk of herpes zoster according to past history in the general population: The Japanese Shozu herpes zoster study
Authors: Kawahira Kazuhiro , Imano Hironori , Yamada Keiko , Mori Yasuko , Asada Hideo , Okuno Yoshinobu , Yamanishi Koichi , Iso Hiroyasu
Published: June 2023

Immunity is known to persist after vaccination for varicella zoster virus, but the duration of immunity in patients who develop herpes zoster (HZ) remains unknown. To investigate the association between a past history of HZ and its occurrence in the general population. The Shozu HZ (SHEZ) cohort study included data for 12 299 individuals aged ≥50 years with information on their HZ history. Cross‐sectional and 3‐year follow‐up studies were carried out to analyze the associations between a history of HZ (yes <10 years, yes ≥10 years, no) and the proportion of positive varicella zoster virus skin test results (erythema diameter ≥5 mm) and the risk of HZ after adjusting for potential confounding factors including age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, sleep duration, and mental stress. The incidences of positive skin test results were 87.7% (470/536) for individuals with a history of HZ <10 years ago, 82.2% (396/482) for those with a history of HZ ≥10 years, and 80.2% (3614/4509) for those with no history of HZ. The multivariable odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of erythema diameter ≥5 mm were 2.07 (1.57–2.73) and 1. 39 (1.08–1.80) for individuals with a history <10 years and ≥10 years ago, respectively, compared with no history. The corresponding multivariable hazard ratios of HZ were 0.54 (0.34–0.85) and 1.16 (0.83–1.61), respectively. A past history of HZ <10 years ago may reduce the occurrence of HZ.