bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gut microbiome-linked metabolites in the pathobiology of depression and anxiety - a role for bile acids
Authors: MahmoudianDehkordi Siamak , Bhattacharyya Sudeepa , Brydges Christopher R , Jia Wei , Fiehn Oliver , Rush A John , Dunlop Boadie W , Kaddurah-Daouk Rima ,   the Mood Disorders Precision Medicine Consortium
Published: April 2022

Background

The gut microbiome may play a role in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric diseases including major depressive disorder (MDD). Bile acids (BAs) are steroid acids that are synthesized in the liver from cholesterol and further processed by gut-bacterial enzymes, thus requiring both human and gut microbiome enzymatic processes in their metabolism. BAs participate in a range of important host functions such as lipid transport and metabolism, cellular signaling and regulation of energy homeostasis. BAs have recently been implicated in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s and several other neuropsychiatric diseases, but the biochemical underpinnings of these gut microbiome-linked metabolites in the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety remains largely unknown.

Method

Using targeted metabolomics, we profiled primary and secondary BAs in the baseline serum samples of 208 untreated outpatients with MDD. We assessed the relationship of BA concentrations and the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms as defined by the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HRSD17) and the 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HRSA-Total), respectively. We also evaluated whether the baseline metabolic profile of BA informs about treatment outcomes.

Results

The concentration of the primary BA chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) was significantly lower at baseline in both severely depressed (log2 fold difference (LFD)= -0.48; p=0.021) and highly anxious (LFD= -0.43; p=0.021) participants compared to participants with less severe symptoms. The gut bacteria-derived secondary BAs produced from CDCA such as lithocholic acid (LCA) and several of its metabolites, and their ratios to primary BAs, were significantly higher in the more anxious participants (LFD’s range=[0.23,1.36]; p’s range=[6.85E-6,1.86E-2]). The interaction analysis of HRSD17 and HRSA-Total suggested that the BA concentration differences were more strongly correlated to the symptoms of anxiety than depression. Significant differences in baseline CDCA (LFD= -0.87, p=0.0009), isoLCA (LFD= -1.08, p=0.016) and several BA ratios (LFD’s range [0.46, 1.66], p’s range [0.0003, 0.049]) differentiated treatment failures from remitters.

Conclusion

In patients with MDD, BA profiles representing changes in gut microbiome compositions are associated with higher levels of anxiety and increased probability of first-line treatment failure. If confirmed, these findings suggest the possibility of developing gut microbiome-directed therapies for MDD characterized by gut dysbiosis.
Perivascular SPP1 Mediates Microglial Engulfment of Synapses in Alzheimer’s Disease Models
Authors: De Schepper Sebastiaan , Ge Judy Z , Crowley Gerard , Ferreira Laís SS , Garceau Dylan , Toomey Christina E , Sokolova Dimitra , Childs Thomas , Lashley Tammaryn , Burden Jemima J , Jung Steffen , Sasner Michael , Frigerio Carlo Sala , Hong Soyon
Published: April 2022

Microglia are phagocytes of the brain parenchyma, where they interact with neurons to engulf synapses in a context-dependent manner. Genetic studies in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) highlight dysfunctional phagocytic signaling in myeloid cells as disease-associated pathway. In AD models, there is a region-specific reactivation of microglia-synapse phagocytosis involving complement; however, what drives microglia-synapse engulfment remains unknown. Here, we show that SPP1 (Osteopontin), a glycoprotein associated with inflammation, is regionally upregulated and modulates microglial synaptic engulfment in AD mouse models. Ultrastructural examination revealed SPP1 expression predominantly by perivascular macrophages, a subtype of border-associated macrophages, in the hippocampus of mice and patient tissues. Cell-cell interaction networks of single-cell transcriptomics data suggested that perivascular SPP1 drives microglial functional states in the hippocampal microenvironment of AD mice. Absence of Spp1 expression resulted in failure of microglia to mediate synaptic phagocytosis. This study suggests a critical role for perivascular SPP1 in neuroimmune crosstalk in AD-relevant context.
DomeVR: A setup for experimental control of an immersive dome virtual environment created with Unreal Engine 4
Authors: Shapcott Katharine A. , Weigand Marvin , Glukhova Iuliia , Havenith Martha N. , Schölvinck Marieke L.
Published: April 2022

1

Immersive virtual reality (VR) environments are a powerful tool to explore cognitive processes ranging from memory and navigation to visual processing and decision making - and to do so in a naturalistic yet controlled setting. As such, they have been employed across different species, and by a diverse range of research groups. Unfortunately, designing and implementing behavioural tasks in such environments often proves complicated. To tackle this challenge, we created DomeVR, an immersive VR environment built using Unreal Engine 4 (UE4). UE4 is a powerful game engine with photo-realistic graphics containing a visual scripting language designed for use by non-programmers. As a result, virtual environments are easily created using drag-and-drop elements. DomeVR aims to make these features accessible to neuroscience experiments. This includes a logging and synchronization system to solve timing uncertainties inherent in UE4; an interactive GUI for scientists to observe subjects during experiments and adjust task parameters on the fly, and a dome projection system for full task immersion in non-human subjects. These key features are modular and can easily be added individually into other UE4 projects. Finally, we present proof-of-principle data highlighting the functionality of DomeVR in three different species: human, macaque and mouse.
Loss of HOXA10 causes endometrial hyperplasia progressing to endometrial cancer
Authors: Mishra Anuradha , Ganguli Nirmalya , Majumdar Subeer S. , Modi Deepak
Published: April 2022

Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women and the precursor lesion is endometrial hyperplasia. HOXA10 is a transcription factor that plays key roles in endometrial functions such as the endowment of receptivity, embryo implantation, and trophoblast invasion. Herein, using testicular transgenesis, we developed transgenic mice that expressed an shRNA against HOXA10 and observed that in these animals there was nearly 70% reduction in the expression of HOXA10. We termed these animals as HOXA10 hypomorphs and observed that downregulation of HOXA10 led to the development of endometrial hyperplasia and most animals developed well-differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma with age. There was an increased proliferation of the uterine glands and stromal cells in the hypomorphs along with a gain of OVGP1 expression and increased levels of ERα and ERβ. In parallel, there was increased expression of Wnt4 and β-Catenin, SOX9 and YAP1. We propose that chronic reduction in HOXA10 expression disrupts multiple pathways in the uterus that aids in the development of endometrial hyperplasia which progresses to endometrial cancer with age.
Nrf2 prevents diabetic cardiomyopathy via antioxidation and normalization of glucose and lipid metabolism in the heart
Authors: Yang Ge , Zhang Qihe , Dong Chao , Hou Guowen , Li Jinjie , Meng Lingbin , Jiang Xin , Xin Ying
Published: April 2022

Objective

Metabolic disorders and oxidative stress are the main causes of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) exerts a powerful antioxidant effect and prevents the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, the mechanism of its cardiac protection and direct action on cardiomyocytes are not well understood.

Methods

In this study, cardiomyocyte-restricted Nrf2 transgenic mice (Nrf2-TG) were used to directly observe whether cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of Nrf2 can prevent diabetic cardiomyopathy and correct glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in the heart.

Results

Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, Nrf2-TG mice showed resistance to diabetic cardiomyopathy in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes mouse model. This was primarily manifested as improved echocardiography results as well as reduced myocardial fibrosis, cardiac inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Conclusion

These results showed that Nrf2 can directly act on cardiomyocytes to play a cardioprotective role. Mechanistically, the cardioprotective effects of Nrf2 depend on its antioxidation activity, partially through improving glucose and lipid metabolism by targeting the metabolic pathways of Akt/GSK-3 β/HK-II and AMPK/Sirt1/PGC-1α.
Unique genomic sequences in a novelMycobacterium aviumsubsp.hominissuislineage enable fine scale transmission route tracing during pig movement
Authors: Komatsu Tetsuya , Ohya Kenji , Ota Atsushi , Nishiuchi Yukiko , Yano Hirokazu , Matsuo Kayoko , Odoi Justice Opare , Suganuma Shota , Sawai Kotaro , Hasebe Akemi , Asai Tetsuo , Yanai Tokuma , Fukushi Hideto , Wada Takayuki , Yoshida Shiomi , Ito Toshihiro , Arikawa Kentaro , Kawai Mikihiko , Ato Manabu , Baughn Anthony D. , Iwamoto Tomotada , Maruyama Fumito
Published: April 2022

Mycobacterium aviumsubsp.hominissuis(MAH) is one of the most prevalent mycobacteria causing non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease in humans and animals. Of note, MAH is a major cause of mycobacterial granulomatous mesenteric lymphadenitis outbreaks in pig populations. To determine the precise source of infection of MAH in a pig farm and to clarify the epidemiological relationship among pig, human and environmental MAH lineages, we collected 50 MAH isolates from pigs reared in Japan and determined draft genome sequences of 30 isolates. A variable number of tandem repeat analysis revealed that most pig MAH isolates in Japan were closely related to North American, European and Russian human isolates but not to those from East Asian human and their residential environments. Historical recombination analysis revealed that most pig isolates could be classified into SC2/4 and SC3, which contain MAH isolated from pig, European human and environmental isolates. Half of the isolates in SC2/4 had many recombination events with MAH lineages isolated from humans in East Asia. To our surprise, four isolates belonged to a new lineage (SC5) in the global MAH population. Members of SC5 had few footprints of inter-lineage recombination in the genome, and carried 80 unique genes, most of which were located on lineage specific-genomic islands. Using unique genetic features, we were able to trace the putative transmission route via their host pigs. Together, we clarify the possibility of species-specificity of MAH in addition to local adaptation. Our results highlight two transmission routes of MAH, one exposure on pig farms from the environment and the other via pig movement. Moreover, our study also warns that the evolution of MAH in pigs is influenced by MAH from patients and their residential environments, even if the MAH are genetically distinct.

Highlights

Variable number of tandem repeat analysis ofMycobacterium aviumsubsp.hominissuis(MAH) isolated from pigs (n=50) were conducted.

Draft genome sequences of MAH (n=30) and genome analysis were conducted.

Pig MAHs were genetically far from East Asian human isolates and close to those of Western countries.

Novel MAH lineage which were transmitted farms by pig movement was found.

Human MAH isolates influenced the evolution of pig isolates.
Point mutations in the catalytic domain disrupt cellulose synthase (CESA6) vesicle trafficking and protein dynamics
Authors: Huang Lei , Zhang Weiwei , Li Xiaohui , Staiger Christopher J. , Zhang Chunhua
Published: April 2022

Cellulose, as the main component of the plant cell wall, is synthesized by a multimeric protein complex named the cellulose synthase (CESA) complex or CSC. In plant cells, CSCs are transported through the endomembrane system to the PM, but how catalytic activity or conserved motifs around the catalytic core domain influence vesicle trafficking or protein dynamics is not well understood. Here, we used a functional YFP-tagged AtCESA6 and site- directed mutagenesis to create 18 single amino acid replacement mutants in key motifs of the catalytic domain including DDG, DXD, TED and QXXRW, to comprehensively analyze how catalytic activity affects plant growth, cellulose biosynthesis, complex formation, as well as CSC dynamics and trafficking. Plant growth and cellulose content were reduced by nearly all mutations. Moreover, mutations in most conserved motifs reduced the speed of CSC movement in the PM as well as delivery of CSCs to the PM. Interestingly, the abundance of YFP-CESA6 in the Golgi apparatus was increased or reduced by mutations in DDG and QXXRW motifs, respectively. Post-Golgi trafficking of CSCs was also differentially perturbed by these mutations and, based on these phenotypes, the 18 mutations could be divided into two major groups. Group I comprises mutations causing significantly increased fluorescence intensity of YFP-CESA6 in Golgi with either an increase or no change in the abundance of cortical small CESA-containing compartments (SmaCCs). In contrast, Group II represents mutations with significantly decreased fluorescence intensity of YFP-CESA6 in Golgi and/or reduced SmaCC density. In addition, two Group II mutations in the QXXRW motif reduced CSC assembly in the Golgi. We propose that Group I mutations cause CSC trafficking defects whereas Group II mutations, especially in the QXXRW motif, affect normal CSC rosette formation in the ER or Golgi and hence interfere with subsequent CSC trafficking. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the catalytic domain of CESA6 is essential not only for cellulose biosynthesis, but also CESA complex formation, protein folding and dynamics, vesicle trafficking, or all of the above.

One sentence summary

A comprehensive mutational analysis of the catalytic domain of Arabidopsis CESA6 reveals distinct roles for conserved motifs in CSC vesicle trafficking, protein complex formation, or protein dynamics
Molecular dissection of condensin II-mediated chromosome assembly using in vitro assays
Authors: Yoshida Makoto M. , Kinoshita Kazuhisa , Aizawa Yuuki , Tane Shoji , Yamashita Daisuke , Shintomi Keishi , Hirano Tatsuya
Published: April 2022

In vertebrates, condensin I and condensin II cooperate to assemble rod-shaped chromosomes during mitosis. Despite recent progress in our understanding of the mechanism of action of condensin I, how condensin II might work has remained largely unexplored. By introducing recombinant condensin II complexes into Xenopus egg extracts, we dissect the roles of its individual subunits in chromosome assembly. We show that two HEAT subunits, CAP-D3 and CAP-G2, play positive and negative roles, respectively, in condensin II-mediated chromosome assembly. The SMC ATPase and the basic amino acid clusters of the kleisin subunit are essential for this process. Deletion of the C-terminal tail of CAP-D3 increases the ability of condensin II to assemble chromosomes and further exposes a hidden function of CAP-G2 in the lateral compaction of chromosomes. Taken together, our results uncover a multilayered regulatory mechanism unique to condensin II, and provide profound implications in the evolution of condensin II.
Single-cell transcriptomics reveal hyperacute cytokine and immune checkpoint axis in patients with poor neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest
Authors: Tamura Tomoyoshi , Cheng Changde , Chen Wenan , Merriam Louis T. , Pinilla-Vera Mayra , Varon Jack , Hou Peter C. , Lawler Patrick R. , Oldham William M. , Seethala Raghu R. , Tesfaigzi Yohannes , Weissman Alexandra J. , Baron Rebecca M. , Ichinose Fumito , Berg Katherine M. , Bohula Erin A. , Morrow David A. , Chen Xiang , Kim Edy Y. ,   Immunology of Cardiac Arrest Network (I-CAN)
Published: April 2022

Neurological injury is a major driver of mortality among patients hospitalized after cardiac arrest (CA). The early systemic inflammatory response after CA is associated with neurological injury and mortality but remains poorly defined. We determine the innate immune network induced by clinical CA at single-cell resolution. Immune cell states diverge as early as 6h post-CA between patients with good or poor neurological outcomes at hospital discharge. Nectin-2+monocyte and Tim-3+natural killer (NK) cell subpopulations associate with poor outcomes, and interactome analysis highlights their crosstalk via cytokines and immune checkpoints. Ex vivo studies on peripheral blood cells from CA patients demonstrate that immune checkpoints are a compensatory mechanism against inflammation after CA. IFNγ/IL-10 induce Nectin-2 on monocytes; in a negative feedback loop, Nectin-2 suppresses IFNγ production by NK cells. The initial hours after CA may represent a window for therapeutic intervention in the resolution of inflammation via immune checkpoints.
Intracellular acidification is a hallmark of thymineless death in E. coli
Authors: Ketcham Alexandra , Freddolino Peter L. , Tavazoie Saeed
Published: April 2022

Thymidine starvation causes rapid cell death. This enigmatic process known as thymineless death (TLD) is the underlying killing mechanism of diverse antimicrobial and antineoplastic drugs. Despite decades of investigation, we still lack a mechanistic understanding of the causal sequence of events that culminate in TLD. Here, we used a diverse set of unbiased approaches to systematically determine the genetic and regulatory underpinnings of TLD in Escherichia coli. In addition to discovering novel genes in previously implicated pathways, our studies revealed a critical and previously unknown role for intracellular acidification in TLD. We observed that a decrease in cytoplasmic pH is a robust early event in TLD across diverse genetic backgrounds. Furthermore, we show that acidification is a causal event in the death process, as chemical and genetic perturbations that increase intracellular pH substantially reduce killing. We also observe a decrease in intracellular pH in response to exposure to the antibiotic gentamicin, suggesting that intracellular acidification may be a common mechanistic step in the bactericidal effects of other antibiotics.
Dichotomic Regulation of Striatal Plasticity by Dynorphin
Authors: Yang Renzhi , Tuan Rupa R. Lalchandani , Hwang Fuu-Jiun , Bloodgood Daniel W. , Kong Dong , Ding Jun B.
Published: April 2022

Modulation of corticostriatal plasticity alters the information flow throughout basal ganglia circuits and represents a fundamental mechanism for motor learning, action selection, and reward. Synaptic plasticity in the striatal direct- and indirect-pathway spiny projection neurons (dSPNs and iSPNs) are dichotomically regulated by two distinct networks of GPCR signaling cascades. While it is well-known that dopamine D2 and adenosine A2a receptors bidirectionally regulate iSPN plasticity, it remains unclear how D1 signaling modulation of synaptic plasticity is counteracted by a dSPN-specific Gi signaling. Here, we show that striatal dynorphin selectively suppresses long-term potentiation (LTP) through Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) in dSPNs. Both KOR antagonism and conditional deletion of dynorphin in dSPNs enhance LTP counterbalancing with different levels of D1 receptor activation. Behaviorally, mice lacking dynorphin specifically in dSPNs show normal motor behavior and reward-based learning, but enhanced flexibility during reversal learning. These findings support a model in which D1R and KOR signaling bidirectionally modulate synaptic plasticity in striatal direct pathways and behavior.
Microenvironmental engineering improves the self-organization of patterned microvascular networks
Authors: Cabral Katelyn A. , Srivastava Vasudha , Coyle Maxwell C. , Stashko Connor , Weaver Valerie , Gartner Zev J.
Published: April 2022

The construction of three-dimensional (3D) microvascular networks with defined structures remains challenging. Emerging bioprinting strategies provide a means of patterning endothelial cells (ECs) into the geometry of 3D microvascular networks, but the microenvironmental cues necessary to promote their self-organization into cohesive and perfusable microvessels are unknown. To this end, we reconstituted microvessel formation in vitro by patterning thin lines of closely packed ECs fully embedded within a 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) and observed how different microenvironmental parameters influenced EC behaviors and their self-organization into microvessels. We found that the inclusion of fibrillar matrices, such as collagen I, into the ECM positively influenced cell condensation into extended geometries such as cords. We also identified the presence of a high molecular weight protein(s) in fetal bovine serum (FBS) that negatively influenced EC condensation. This component destabilized cord structure by promoting cell protrusions and destabilizing cell-cell adhesions. Endothelial cords cultured in the presence of fibrillar collagen and the absence of this protein activity were able to polarize, lumenize, incorporate mural cells, and support fluid flow. These optimized conditions allowed for the construction of branched and perfusable microvascular networks directly from patterned cells in as little as three days. These findings reveal important design principles for future microvascular engineering efforts based on bioprinting techniques.
An Ultralong Bovine CDRH3 that Targets a Conserved, Cryptic Epitope on SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Burke Matthew J. , Scott James N.F. , Minshull Thomas , Stockley Peter G. , Calabrese Antonio N. , Boyes Joan
Published: April 2022

The ability of broadly neutralising antibodies to target conserved epitopes gives them huge potential as antibody-based therapeutics, particularly in the face of constant viral antigen evolution. Certain bovine antibodies are highly adept at binding conserved, glycosylated epitopes, courtesy of their ultralong complementarity determining region (CDR)H3. Here, we used a SARS-naïve, bovine ultralong CDRH3 library and mammalian cell display, to isolate a bovine paratope that engages the SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD). This neutralises viruses pseudo-typed with SARS-CoV Spike protein but not by competition with RBD binding to ACE2. Instead, using differential hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry and site-directed mutagenesis, we demonstrate that this ultralong CDRH3 recognises a rarely identified, conserved, cryptic epitope that overlaps the target of pan-sarbecovirus antibodies (7D6/6D6). The epitope is glycan-shielded and becomes accessible only transiently via inter-domain movements. This represents the first bovine anti-sarbecovirus paratope and highlights the power of this approach in identifying novel tools to combat emerging pathogens.
The campaign strategies of the pro-Beijing and pro-democracy parties under the proportional representation system in Hong Kong before 2019
Authors: Chan Fung
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the strategies employed by the pro-Beijing and pro-democracy camps in the proportional representation system which was used to universally elect a half of the seats in the Legislative Council (LegCo) of Hong Kong before 2019. It provides the consequences of proportional representation over the political sphere development after the handover.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on the past election results and the interviews conducted with 18 LegCo members in 2018.

Findings

This paper examines how the political parties split their lists in order to win more seats with the past electoral outcomes. Coupled with firsthand materials from interviews with the legislators, the most significant part of this article analyzes why the pro-Beijing camp performed better than the pro-democracy camp. It supplements the gap of current literature from the perspective of campaign strategies. This article also points out the Chinese authorities' miscalculation in the 1990s which resulted in the unintentional creation of fragmented politics and filibusters before 2019.

Originality/value

This examines the development of campaign strategies of the pro-Beijing and pro-democracy camps, and it explains how the proportional representation caused the fragmented politics in Hong Kong.
The value of data from construction project site meeting minutes in predicting project duration
Authors: van Niekerk Jaques , Wium Jan , de Koker Nico
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Construction projects generate large volumes of data which can be used for better management of projects. In this paper, key project data is manually extracted from project site meeting minutes. Knowledge discovery technologies are then used to predict the final project duration of active projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Project planning and effective leadership/governance were identified from literature as the most significant factors that impact the duration of projects. These factors were hence considered as the main features for a data mining process. Items supporting these factors were extracted from site meeting minutes to create a database of 27 civil engineering projects executed over the last ten years. Data mining algorithms were used to predict from this data whether or not an active project will be completed on time.

Findings

The research showed that information from project site meetings can be used to predict final project duration of active projects with accuracy of above 80% when using random forest algorithms from Orange and RapidMiner data mining applications. The value of data to predict project duration from project site meeting minutes is demonstrated but it only becomes practically useable if the format of minutes is suitably standardised.

Practical implications

Some of the data mining algorithms provided accuracies of above 80% in predicting final project duration and proved the value of project data from site meeting minutes. The random forest algorithms are particularly suited to this type of data. The factors with the highest impact on the prediction of the project duration are those related to the progress of the project.

Originality/value

This study for the first time shows that data from site meeting minutes of past and current projects can be used to make accurate predictions of final project duration of active projects and serve as a project management tool to activate remedial measures.
A comparative analysis of corporate social responsibility development in the USA and China
Authors: Bu Maoliang , Rotchadl Steven , Bu Mengmeng
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to conduct a comparative study between the historical development of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in both the USA and China. It is motivated by the phenomenon that CSR is developing in two different directions (global vs local).

Design/methodology/approach

A comparative study on sustainability-linked compensation illustrates how CSR in the USA is driven by firm-level economic decisions, in which the manifestations of CSR are usually those which prove to be the most profitable financially. Moreover, a case analysis on the green bond market in China contrarily illustrates how CSR in China is usually based more on alignment with top-down, state-led initiatives in which the state directs the ways in which CSR is manifested.

Findings

This paper reveals that despite globalizing trends are attempting to unify definitions of CSR, they inevitably become localized to fit the societal needs in which they are located.

Originality/value

By understanding how CSR development in these two countries has changed over time, this paper shows that future developments in CSR will likely be influenced more by local practices than by converging global forces.
National customer orientation: a framework, propositions and agenda for future research
Authors: Mintz Ofer , Currim Imran S. , Deshpandé Rohit
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a new country-level construct, national customer orientation, to provide a benchmark for global headquartered managers’ decisions and scholars investigating cross-national research.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework and unique propositions are developed that focus on how one macro-economic driver, e.g. the wealth of a country, and one macro-marketing driver, e.g. customer price sensitivity, affect national customer orientation during and after global economic downturns such as recessions and a pandemic.

Findings

An agenda setting section proposes distinct theoretical, empirical and managerial themes for future research aimed at testing the propositions at the country and organization levels over time.

Research limitations/implications

Although the new construct offers substantial benefits for scholars and managers, current measures of national customer orientation are limited to data provided by the World Economic Forum or expensive primary survey-based research that restrict the number of countries, respondents and time periods.

Practical implications

The new national-level customer orientation construct and propositions about its drivers over time promise to provide global managers a country-level customer-based benchmark so that they can better understand, set expectations and manage customer orientation across different countries over time.

Originality/value

Research on market and customer orientation is consistently designated a priority by academics and practitioners. However, most previous studies exclusively focus at the micro organizational-level, with less known on how customer orientation varies at the macro country-level and over time.
Comparative analysis of the lattice Boltzmann method and the finite difference technique of thermal convection in closed domains with heaters
Authors: Gibanov Nikita Sergeevich , Rashidi Mohammad Mehdi , Sheremet Mikhail
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate numerically thermal convection heat transfer in closed square and cubical cavities with local energy sources of various geometric shapes.

Design/methodology/approach

The analyzed regions are square and cubical cavities with two isothermally cold opposite vertical walls, whereas other walls are adiabatic. A local energy element of rectangular, trapezoidal or triangular shape is placed on the lower surface of the cabinet. The lattice Boltzmann technique has been used as the main method for the problem solution in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) formulations, whereas the finite difference technique with non-primitive parameters such as stream function and vorticity has been also used.

Findings

The velocity and temperature fields for a huge range of Rayleigh number 104–106, as well as for various geometry shapes of the heater have been studied. A comparative analysis of the results obtained on the basis of two numerical techniques for 2D and 3D formulations has been performed. The dependences of the energy transfer strength in the region on the shape of energy source and Rayleigh number have been established. It has been revealed that the triangular shape of the energy source corresponds to the maximum values of the velocity vector and temperature within the cavity, and the rectangular shape corresponds to the minimum values of these mentioned variables. With the growth of the Rayleigh number, the difference in the values of these mentioned variables for rectangular and triangular shapes of heaters also increases.

Originality/value

The originality of this work is to scrutinize the lattice Boltzmann method and finite difference method for the problem of natural convection in 2D and 3D closed chambers with a local heated element.
Influence of customer perceived ethicality on customer loyalty in the banking industry of Pakistan
Authors: Batool Shahina , Panezai Babrak Ali , Baloch Ghulam Jan , Sohail Shamaila
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine empirically the effect of customer perceived ethicality (CPE) on customer loyalty (CL) and further the authors ascertained if customer trust (CT), customer affective commitment (CAC) and customer perceived quality (CPQ) acted as mediating mechanisms linking CPE and CL. This study also tested the influence of CL on customer word of mouth (CWOM).

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, data were collected from 390 customers of banks in Pakistan through a self-administered questionnaire and tested through partial least squares (PLS) with smart PLS 3.2.7 version.

Findings

Research findings provided evidence for the positive relationship between CPE and CL and mediating effects of CT, CAC and CPQ for the CPE–CL linkage. Furthermore, a positive and significant relationship between CL and CWOM was experienced.

Practical implications

This study can help banks to determine the importance of CT, CAC and CPQ, as they can facilitate translating CPE into CL. Furthermore, managers need to effectively communicate about their ethical activities and encourage their customers to share their experiences.

Originality/value

First, this paper has considered the effect of CPE on customer loyalty under research area of corporate service brands. Second, it examines the mediating role of three factors (CT, CAC and CPQ) between CPE and customer loyalty in the banking industry.
Exploring the nature and culture of science as an academic discipline: implications for the integration of education for sustainable development
Authors: Hogan Deirdre , O'Flaherty Joanne
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Goal 4.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) explicitly frames education as an enabler of change and a means to achieve all SDGs. This study aims to explore the nature and culture of science as an academic discipline and its capacity for the integration of education for sustainable development (ESD).

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon interviews with academics working in a Life Sciences Department (n= 11), focus groups with students (n= 21) and observations from lectures, laboratory sessions and field trips, the study advances a number of recommendations for the integration of ESD in Science Education programs.

Findings

Findings point to the nature and structure of scientific knowledge and the culture of science as articulated by study participants. The study provides a number of recommendations for the integration of ESD in Science Education programs including a greater emphasis on inquiry-based learning, enhancing ESD themes in science-related modules to teach for sustainability and adopting a department wide strategy that promotes ESD.

Originality/value

This study argues that ESD practitioners need to be cognizant of the nature and culture of the discipline area – as a particular discipline propagates a specific culture – encapsulating ways of being, thinking, acting and communicating, which can have implications for the integration of ESD.
Is brand globalness compatible with brand country-of-origin? An investigation of hybrid brand positioning strategies for emerging market brands
Authors: Hong Ruiyang , Zhang Zhe , Zhang Chun , Hu Zuohao
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate hybrid brand positioning strategies for emerging market brands based on two positioning elements: brand country-of-origin (COO) and brand globalness.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers conducted two studies. In Study 1, a survey of 128 brand managers of emerging market brands were used to examine whether asymmetric positioning strategies improve brand preference more than symmetric strategies, and if so, which type of asymmetric strategies improves brand preference more. In Study 2, a consumer experiment in the USA was conducted to identify the positioning strategy for emerging market brands that improve brand preference the most.

Findings

For emerging market brands, at any given value of COO or global elements, asymmetric strategies outperform symmetric strategies in terms of brand preference. On average, the best hybrid positioning strategy is the one that highlights brand COO and de-emphasizes brand globalness.

Originality/value

A large body of branding literature examines COO and globalness separately without considering their co-presence in the same brand positioning strategy. Few studies that examine the joint influence of brand COO and globalness focus on established brands from developed markets and do not examine whether highlighting both brand COO and global elements equally is an effective positioning strategy for emerging market brands. This study introduces a framework to systematically examine the various combinations of COO and global elements in a brand’s positioning strategies for emerging market brands. By conducting two studies, the authors empirically test the influence of various combinations of COO and global elements on brand preference for emerging market brands from both firm and consumer perspectives.
The impact of LinkedIn posts on employer brand perception and the mediating effects of employer attractiveness and corporate reputation
Authors: Joglekar Jayesh , Tan Caroline S.L.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study is to identify the relationship between employee-generated content (EGC) and firm-generated content (FGC) in the form of LinkedIn posts, employer brand perception, and the effect of employer's attractiveness and corporate reputation on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study comprises two phases. In phase 1, the focus was on stimuli selection through an online questionnaire on favourability. In phase 2, for the main study, data were gathered through an online survey from 214 information technology (IT) employees via a survey. Multiple linear regression and mediation analyses were conducted.

Findings

The results show that EGC and FGC have a positive influence on employer brand perception, and the relationship is positively mediated by employer attractiveness and corporate reputation. These findings suggest that organizations can strategically use their own as well as employees' LinkedIn accounts, and encourage employee advocacy initiatives to attract new talent, enhance attractiveness and corporate reputation.

Originality/value

The study covers two different categories of content – employer and employee-generated – and examines both content types' influence on employer brand perception. It adds to the body of literature regarding employee branding and paves the way for further research in employee advocacy.
A qualitative exploration of the role of employment in desistance and subsequent identity change – ex-prisoners’ lived experiences
Authors: Rhoden Natasha , Senker Sarah , Glorney Emily
Published: April 2022

Purpose

In the context of desistance, employment has been described as a contributing factor in the formation of a non-offending identity. This study aims to examine the lived experiences of adult male ex-offenders who had served a custodial sentence in the UK, to explore the potential influence of employment as a desistance-promoting factor in the construction of a new, non-offending identity.

Design/methodology/approach

Interpretative phenomenological analysis was applied to eight semi-structured interview transcripts, up to 12 months after release from prison, from which five themes emerged.

Findings

Findings showed that lawful income through employment is associated with a shift in the values and goals of former prisoners, but only after transformation from an offending identity into a pro-desistance identity had taken place. The early days of prison, soon after induction, were reported as critical to catalyzing identity reconstruction. Once committed to a non-offending identity, desistance was then consolidated by employment and external support.

Practical implications

External support soon after arrival at prison may be useful in helping offenders to develop a non-offending identity. Professionals within the prison service could initiate identity reconstruction strategies in the days immediately following arrival at prison. This was shown to be a potential key phase of reflection for offenders, which could result in life-changing identity reconstruction.

Originality/value

The findings challenge previous research, which suggests that identity change occurs on release from prison or after sourcing regular employment. The application of identity reconstruction strategies, immediately following arrival at prison, might provide a useful approach when supporting the development of a non-offending identity among adult men serving a custodial sentence.
Beliefs about job-seeking strategies: dimensionality, measurement and outcomes
Authors: Horvath Michael , Celin Nicole A. , Murcko Ryan , Bate Brittany P. , Davis Christopher A.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Job-seeking success relates to engagement with specific job-seeking strategies, so it is important to understand the beliefs that job-seekers have of them. Using multiple methods, this study aims to establish a typology of the beliefs job-seekers have about strategies, create and validate a measure of these beliefs and relate them to job-seeking behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first sample, the authors interviewed 77 job-seekers about their job-seeking strategy beliefs. The authors then created a measure and verified its psychometric properties using 396 job-seekers. Finally, using a sample of 628 job-seekers, the authors continued their evaluation of the measure and related strategy beliefs to job-seeker motivation and behavior.

Findings

The authors initially identified 21 beliefs about job-seeking strategies. The authors ultimately found support for 15 dimensions, replicating the factor structure across samples. Strategies are perceived to differ on most beliefs, and eight beliefs had unique relationships with job-seeker effort and/or motivation.

Practical implications

The study results can help organizations and job-seekers increase job-seeking motivation by targeting specific beliefs found to have the strongest relationships with strategy use.

Originality/value

This is the first measure of job-seeking strategy beliefs that generalizes across strategies. Furthermore, the authors establish several beliefs that have the strongest relationships with job-seeking motivation.
Relation among corporate environmental disclosure, earnings management and accounting conservatism: evidence from Chinese listed firms
Authors: Xi Jianqun , Xiao He
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationship among corporate environmental disclosure (CED), earnings management (EM) practices and accounting conservatism in Chinese listed firms and determine how internal corporate governance (CG) mechanisms moderate these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses two different EM practices, accrual-based EM (AEM) and real EM (REM), to analyze the relationship between CED and EM practices, as well as accounting conservatism. The final sample consisted of 1,619 observations, documented between 2015 and 2019. The panel data method was applied to estimate the relationship among CED, AEM and REM, as well as the moderating effect of CG on this relationship.

Findings

This study finds a negative relationship between CED and EM (both AEM and REM) and a positive relationship between CED and accounting conservatism. Further, CG, measured as the independent director ratio, institutional ownership and state-owned entities, was found to moderate these relationships.

Practical implications

Chinese policymakers should reinforce CED because it reduces corporate EM practices and improves accounting conservatism. Further, CED, as a mandatory requirement, may be expanded to all industries, that is, beyond the highly polluting industries listed on China’s stock exchanges.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to examine the relationship between CED and EM practices from both the AEM and REM perspectives and the one between CED and accounting conservatism. It also extends extant analyses by investigating the moderating effect of CG on these relationships in China.
Professional financial statement users’ perceived value of carbon accounting disclosures and decision context
Authors: Coram Paul , Potter Brad , Soderstrom Naomi
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how professional financial statement users use carbon accounting information in their decisions and whether this use is sensitive to changing the decision context from an investment to a donation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 173 US professional financial statement users, the authors conduct an experiment that manipulates an investment or donation choice to evaluate how differing levels of carbon sequestration affect decision-making across contexts.

Findings

Carbon sequestration information affects users’ donation decisions but does not affect investment decisions. Variation in the reliability of the information and whether the information is linked to strategy do not affect users’ decision-making.

Research limitations/implications

This study is performed by an experiment and informs our understanding of the relevance to users of carbon sequestration disclosure. Results indicate that carbon sequestration disclosure has value for donation but not investment decisions. The authors interpret this as evidence of some value of this type of disclosure in professional financial statement users’ decision-making but not for a financially focused evaluation.

Originality/value

This paper provides unique insights into the effect of reporting carbon sequestration on decision-making. There has been significant research on the broader topic of corporate sustainability, and capital markets research indicates that the market values increased sustainability disclosure. This study extends the research by examining a specific component of carbon disclosure that is not currently widely reported and by the use of information for different types of evaluations. The results find evidence that the value of this type of carbon disclosure does not stem from a purely financial perspective but instead, from other nonpecuniary factors.
Corporates’ sustainability disclosures impact on cost of capital and idiosyncratic risk
Authors: Gholami Amir , Sands John , Shams Syed
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate not only the association between corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and the cost of capital (COC) but also its impact on the company’s idiosyncratic risk. Further, it highlights that companies could manage their risk through sustainability initiatives to achieve a cheaper cost of financing.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an extensive Australian sample for the 2007–2017 period from the Bloomberg database, this study conducts a panel (data) regression analysis to examine the impact of the corporate ESG performance disclosure score on the COC and idiosyncratic risk. The robustness of the findings is tested and confirmed in several ways, including a sensitivity test. Furthermore, the instrumental variable approach is used to address potential endogeneity issues.

Findings

A favourable association was found between a higher corporate ESG performance disclosure score and cheaper resources financing. The evidence also supports the mitigating impact of corporate ESG performance disclosure score on the company’s idiosyncratic risk as a strong complement for access to a cheaper source of funds. The findings strongly support both hypotheses of this study.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends the current body of knowledge addressing these associations. Further studies should expand the investigation to non-listed or small and medium-sized companies. Additionally, future studies could contribute to the literature by including other moderating variables, such as a country’s cultural environment and diverse economic situations.

Originality/value

An extensive literature review suggests that this study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first that simultaneously evaluates the impact of corporate ESG performance disclosure on a company’s COC and idiosyncratic risk.