bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of a soil amendment upon the abundance and interaction of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with arable soils and host winter wheat
Authors: Wilkes Thomas I
Published: October 2023

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form close symbiotic relationships with an estimated 70% of terrestrial plant species and aid in the acquisition of soil nutrients. Due to their symbiotic relationship, AM fungi are able to provide a host with acquired soil bound nutrients in exchange for host produced photosynthetic carbohydrates. AM fungal-host relationships are affected by land and soil management practices employed in arable farming. Tillage, for example, can be one of the most detrimental physical disturbances to AM fungal populations. The present study aims to utilise compost and a commercially available AM fungal inoculant to amend arable soils supporting Zulu winter wheat, under controlled conditions, to determine changes in the degree of AM fungal-host symbiosis, crop growth and development, as well as comment on the potential integration of these soil amendments into arable soil management practices. Soils were sampled from 3 field from each of the 3 participating farms practicing either conventional, reduced, or zero tillage. Soil textures were assessed for each sampled soil. Via the employment of AM fungal symbiosis quantification methods, and proxy parameters for fungal biomass, AM fungi were able to be compared between soil amendments and their effects on crop growth and development. The current study was able to show soils amended with multipurpose compost produced a greater degree of AM fungal-host associations for all soil types across all tillage practices. Compost amended soils were also able to show increases in crop tiller numbers and their respective crop height. Reduced wheat root length was also seen from compost amended soils, however, this was correlated to an increase in AM fungal root arbuscules. Commercial AM fungal inocula, on the other hand, was seen to reduce AM fungal associations with their host as well as have little to no influence on crop root length and crop height. Number of tillers per plant were, however, seen to marginally increase with the addition of a commercial AM fungal inocula. From results presented in the current study, conclusions can be drawn towards the advantageous addition of multipurpose compost to arable soils for the tillage and soil types studied. Furthermore, the addition of compost is a more cost effective change to soil management.
Poly-N-acetylglucosamine mediatesCutibacterium acnesbiofilm formation and biocide resistance
Authors: Kaplan Jeffrey B.
Published: October 2023

Biofilm formation likely plays an important role in the pathogenesis of implant-related infections caused byCutibacterium acnes. Biofilms protect bacteria from antimicrobials and host defenses which makes biofilm-related infections difficult to treat. Here we demonstrate that the exopolysaccharide poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) contributes toC. acnesbiofilm formationin vitro. By treatingC. acnescells and biofilms with the PNAG-degrading enzyme dispersin B, we found that PNAG mediates the attachment ofC. acnescells to polystyrene rods and the formationC. acnesbiofilms in glass and polypropylene tubes. We further show that PNAG protectsC. acnesbiofilm cells from killing by tetracycline and benzoyl peroxide. PNAG may play an important role in biofilm formation, antibiotic tolerance, and virulence in this opportunistic pathogen.
Did “long COVID” increase road deaths in the U.S.?
Authors: Robertson Leon S.
Published: October 2023

Objective

To examine data on COVID-19 disease associated with a 10 percent increase in U.S. road deaths from 2020 to 2021 that raises the question of the potential effect of pandemic stress and neurological damage from COVID-19 disease.

Methods

Poisson regression was used to estimate the association of recent COVID-19 cases, accumulated cases, maximum temperatures, truck registrations, and gasoline prices with road deaths monthly among U.S. states in 2021. Using the regression coefficients, changes in each risk factor from 2020 to 2021 were used to calculate expected deaths in 2021 if each factor had remained the same as in 2020.

Results

Corrected for the other risk factors, road deaths were associated with accumulated COVID-19 cases but not cases in the previous month. More than 20,700 road deaths were associated with the changes in accumulated COVID-19 cases but were substantially offset by about 19,100 less-than-expected deaths associated with increased gasoline prices.

Conclusions

While more research is needed, the data are sufficient to warn people with “long COVID” to minimize road use.

What is already known about this topic

Previous short-term fluctuations in road deaths are related to changes in temperature, fuel prices, and truck registrations.

What this study adds

Corrected for other risk factors, the monthly changes in road deaths from 2020 to 2021 in U.S. states were associated with cumulative COVID-19 cases.

How this study might affect research, practice, or policy

Studies are needed to distinguish the potential relative effects of neurological damage as well as the stress of coping with the pandemic on driving, walking, and bicyclist behavior. Warning people with “long covid” about road risk is warranted.
New insights into iodide metabolism based on preclinical models: impact on radiotherapy efficacy and protection against radioactive iodine exposure
Authors: Guglielmi Julien , D’Andréa Grégoire , Graslin Fanny , Chatti Kaouthar , Schiazza Aurélie , Lindenthal Sabine , Darcourt Jacques , Cambien Béatrice , Pourcher Thierry
Published: October 2023

Background

The main basic aspects of the regulation of thyroid metabolism by iodine are known, but given the complexity of the mechanisms involved, further analyzes in living animals are still required. Here, we provided new insights into iodine physiology but also into the optimization of radiotherapy with iodine, as well as effective countermeasures in the case of an exposure to radioactive iodine.

Methods

We performed Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) coupled to an X-ray scanner to record radiotracers in living mice and rats. Our imaging system was similar to that routinely used in nuclear medicine but was specifically designed for studies with small animals. Different modalities of administration of radioactive iodine or its radioactive analogues combined with a low or high iodine diet have been studied in pregnant, lactating and control animals. To optimize countermeasures against acute or chronic iodine exposure, the protective effects of potassium iodide (KI) administration protocols were analyzed. Perchlorate was administered to study the iodine metabolism in the kidney and stomach.

Results

Our results showed how the various organs capable of iodine uptake adapt to an iodine-deficient diet. Indeed, the uptake capacity of the thyroid gland, but also that of the salivary glands was significantly increased on a low iodine diet. In contrast, the iodine uptake capacity of the thyroid and lactating mammary glands was reduced on an iodide-rich diet. Our results also showed the physiological role of the kidneys in controlling excess circulating iodide. In addition, they revealed an active iodine cycle in the stomach. We also investigated the protective effects of daily KI administration during radioactive iodine exposure and found that the overall protection was better in rats (85%) than in mice (65%). We also included pregnant females and newborns, and we revealed the existence of specific mechanisms for the inhibition of the fetal thyroid by circulating iodine. Indeed, an iodine-rich diet or repeated daily administration of KI led to a strong inhibition of the iodide uptake capacity of the fetal thyroid.

Conclusions

Our study contributes to a better understanding of iodine metabolism and its regulation in the thyroid and in non-thyroidal organs in adult, fetal and newborn animals. Extrapolated to humans, our results not only provide better understanding of iodide withdrawal as a clinical preparatory measure for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, but also help to optimize countermeasures in the case of an exposure to radioactive iodine.
Retinal waves in adaptive rewiring networks orchestrate convergence and divergence in the visual system
Authors: Luna Raul , Li Jia , Bauer Roman , van Leeuwen Cees
Published: October 2023

Spontaneous retinal wave activity shaping the visual system is a complex neurodevelopmental phenomenon. Retinal ganglion cells are the hubs through which activity diverges throughout the visual system. We consider how these divergent hubs emerge, using an adaptively rewiring neural network model. Adaptive rewiring models show in a principled way how brains could achieve their complex topologies. Modular small-world structures with rich club effects and circuits of convergent-divergent units emerge as networks evolve, driven by their own spontaneous activity. Arbitrary nodes of an initially random model network were designated as retinal ganglion cells. They were intermittently exposed to the retinal waveform, as the network evolved through adaptive rewiring. A significant proportion of these nodes developed into divergent hubs within the characteristic complex network architecture. The proportion depends parametrically on the wave incidence rate. Higher rates increase the likelihood of hub formation, while increasing the potential of ganglion cell death. In addition, direct neigbours of designated ganglion cells differentiate like amacrine cells. The divergence observed in ganglion cells resulted in enhanced convergence downstream, suggesting that retinal waves control the formation of convergence in LGN. We conclude that retinal waves stochastically control the distribution of converging and diverging activity in evolving complex networks.
Healthy adults favor stable left/right hand choices over performance at an unconstrained reach-to-grasp task
Authors: Kim Taewon , Zhou Ruiwen , Gassass Samah , Liu Lei , Philip Benjamin A.
Published: October 2023

Reach-to-grasp actions are fundamental to the daily activities of human life, but few methods exist to assess individuals’ reaching and grasping actions in unconstrained environments. The Block Building Task (BBT) provides an opportunity to directly observe and quantify these actions, including left/right hand choices. Here we sought to investigate the motor and non-motor causes of left/right hand choices, and optimize the design of the BBT, by manipulating motor and non-motor difficulty in the BBT’s unconstrained reach-to-grasp task We hypothesized that greater motor and non-motor (e.g. cognitive/perceptual) difficulty would drive increased usage of the dominant hand. To test this hypothesis, we modulated block size (large vs. small) to influence motor difficulty, and model complexity (10 vs. 5 blocks per model) to influence non-motor difficulty, in healthy adults (n=57). We hypothesized that healthy adults with high non-dominant hand performance in a precision drawing task should be more likely to use their non-dominant hand in the BBT. Our data revealed that increased motor and non-motor difficulty led to lower task performance (slower speed), but participants only increased use of their dominant hand only under the most difficult combination of conditions: in other words, participants allowed their performance to degrade before changing hand choices, even though participants were instructed only to optimize performance. These results demonstrate that hand choices during reach-to grasp actions are more stable than motor performance in healthy right-handed adults, but tasks with multifaceted difficulties can drive individuals to rely more on their dominant hand.

Statements and Declarations

Dr. Philip and Washington University in St. Louis have a licensing agreement with PlatformSTL to commercialize the iPad app used in this study.
Regulatory Landscape Enrichment Analysis (RLEA) using gaiaAssociation
Authors: Sosa Eric A. , Rosean Samuel , O’Shea Dónal , Raj Srilakshmi M. , Seoighe Cathal , Greally John M.
Published: October 2023

Motivation

To understand whether sets of genomic loci are enriched at the regulatory loci of one or more cell types, we developed the gaiaAssociation package to perform Regulatory Landscape Enrichment Analysis (RLEA). RLEA is a novel analytical process that tests for enrichment of sets of loci in cell type-specific open chromatin regions (OCRs) in the genome.

Results

We demonstrate that the application of RLEA to genome-wide association study (GWAS) data reveals cell types likely to be mediating the phenotype studied, and clusters OCRs based on their shared regulatory profiles. GaiaAssociation is Python code that is freely available for use in functional genomics studies.

Availability and Implementation

Gaia Association is available on PyPi (https://pypi.org/project/gaiaAssociation/0.6.0/#description) for pip download and use on the command line or as an inline Python package. Gaia Association can also be installed from GitHub athttps://github.com/GreallyLab/gaiaAssociation.

Contact

john.greally@einsteinmed.edu
SAGERank: Inductive Learning of Protein-Protein Interaction from Antibody-Antigen Recognition using Graph Sample and Aggregate Networks Framework
Authors: Sun Chuance , Bai Ganggang , Xu Honglin , Wang Yanjing , Ma Buyong
Published: October 2023

Numerous experiments and computationally solved antibody-antigen interfaces offer the possibility of training deep-learning models to help predict their biological correlations. Predicting antibody-antigen docking and structure-based design represent significant long-term and therapeutically important challenges in computational biology. We present SAGERank, a general, configurable deep learning framework for antibody design using Graph Sample and Aggregate Networks, which mainly includes ranking docking decoys, detecting binding, and identifying biological interfaces. The model proved its reliability in three different tasks. For both problems ranking docking decoys and identifying biological interfaces, SAGERank is competitive with or outperforms, state-of-the-art methods. Besides, the SAGERank model still showed a high degree of confidence in determining whether the antibody-antigen could bind. All of these demonstrate the versatility of SAGERank for structural biology research. Most importantly, our study demonstrated the real potential of inductive deep learning to overcome small dataset problem in molecular science. The SAGERank models trained for antibody-antigen docking can be used to examine generally protein-protein interaction docking and differentiate crystal packing from biological interface.
Small molecule STAT3/5 inhibitors exhibit therapeutic potential in acute myeloid leukemia and extra-nodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma
Authors: Pölöske Daniel , Sorger Helena , Schönbichler Anna , de Araujo Elvin D. , Neubauer Heidi A. , Orlova Anna , Timonen Sanna H. , Abdallah Diaaeldin I. , Ianevski Aleksandr , Kuusanmäki Heikki , Surbek Marta , Wagner Christina , Suske Tobias , Metzelder Martin L. , Bergmann Michael , Dahlhoff Maik , Grebien Florian , Fleck Roman , Pirker Christine , Berger Walter , Hadzijusufovic Emir , Sperr Wolfgang R. , Kenner Lukas , Valent Peter , Aittokallio Tero , Herling Marco , Mustjoki Satu , Gunning Patrick T. , Moriggl Richard
Published: October 2023

The oncogenic transcription factors STAT3, STAT5A and STAT5B are essential to steer hematopoiesis and immunity, but their enhanced expression and activation drives the development or progression of blood cancers. Current therapeutic strategies focus on blocking upstream tyrosine kinases, but frequently occurring resistance often leads to disease relapse, emphasizing the need for more targeted therapies. Here we evaluate JPX-0700 and JPX-0750, which are STAT3/5-specific covalent cysteine binders that lead to growth arrest of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and natural killer/T cell lymphoma (NKCL) cell linesin vitroandin vivo, as well as reduce cell viability of primary AML blastsex vivo. Our non-PROTAC small molecular weight degraders selectively reduce STAT3/5 activation and total protein levels, as well as downstream target oncogene expression, exhibiting nanomolar to low micromolar efficacy. We found that both AML and NKCL cells hijack STAT3/5 signaling through either upstream activating mutations in tyrosine kinases, activating gain-of-function mutations in STAT3, mutational loss of negative STAT regulators, or genetic gains in anti-apoptotic, pro-proliferative or epigenetic-modifying STAT3/5 targets. Moreover, we have shown synergistic inhibitory action of JPX-0700 and JPX-0750 upon combinatorial use with approved chemotherapeutics (doxorubicin, daunorubicin, cytarabine), epigenetic enzyme blocker vorinostat, tyrosine kinase inhibitor cabozantinib or BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax. Importantly, JPX-0700 or JPX-0750 treatment reduced leukemic cell growth in human AML/NKCL xenograft mouse models without adverse side effects. These potent small molecule degraders of STAT3/5 could propel further clinical development for use in AML and NKCL patients.
Longitudinal Observations of the Effects of Ischemic Stroke on Binaural Perception
Authors: Dietze Anna , Sörös Peter , Pöntynen Henri , Witt Karsten , Dietz Mathias
Published: October 2023

Acute ischemic stroke, characterized by a localized reduction in blood flow to specific areas of the brain, has been shown to affect binaural auditory perception. In a previous study conducted during the acute phase of ischemic stroke, two tasks of binaural hearing were performed: binaural tone-in-noise detection, and lateralization of stimuli with interaural time- or level differences (Dietze et al., 2022, Front. Neurosci. 16:1022354). Various lesion-specific, as well as individual, differences in binaural performance between patients in the acute phase of stroke and a control group were demonstrated. For the current study, we re-invited the same group of patients, whereupon a subgroup repeated the experiments during the subacute and chronic phases of stroke. Similar to the initial study, this subgroup consisted of patients with lesions in different locations, including cortical and subcortical areas. At the group level, the results from the tone-in-noise detection experiment remained consistent across the three measurement phases, as did the number of deviations from normal performance in the lateralization task. However, the performance in the lateralization task exhibited variations over time among individual patients. Some patients demonstrated improvements in their lateralization abilities, indicating recovery, whereas others’ lateralization performance deteriorated during the later stages of stroke. Notably, our analyses did not reveal consistent patterns for patients with similar lesion locations. These findings suggest that recovery processes are more individual than the acute effects of stroke on binaural perception. Individual impairments in binaural hearing abilities after the acute phase of ischemic stroke have been demonstrated and should therefore also be targeted in rehabilitation programs.
Sophocarpine inhibits TRP channels to produce anti-pruritic and analgesic effects in a mouse model of inflammatory itch and pain
Authors: Zeng Hekun , Li Peiyang , Zhou Dan , Zhang Zhe , Verkhratsky Alexei , Nie Hong
Published: October 2023

Background and objective

Itch, an unpleasant sensation prompting the urge to scratch, and pain, aimed at detecting potential harm through acute withdrawal or protective behaviors, are increasingly recognized as interconnected phenomena. The co-occurrence of itch and pain symptoms in various diseases impairs therapeutic efficacy and the quality of life. In this study, we investigated the potential antipruritic and analgesic effects of sophocarpine (SC), an active compound ofSophorae Flavesentis Radix, in a murine model of inflammatory itch and pain, and sought to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Method

The anti-pruritic and analgesic effects of three doses of SC (60 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg) were tested by analyzing the scratching and wiping behaviors in squaric acid dibutylester (SABDE)-induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) mouse model accompany by itch and pain, respectively. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score was used to test the anti-inflammatory effect of SC. The underlying mechanisms were studied by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Additionally, the anti-pruritic and analgesic effects of SC were further tested in mice with intradermal injection of allyl-isothiocyanate (AITC), a TRPA1 agonist, or capsaicin (CAP), a TRPV1 agonist, respectively. The relationships between SC, AITC, CAP and TRPV1, TRPA1 were simulated by molecular docking.

Results

SC treatment significantly decreased scratching bouts and wipes, as well as the PASI score. Administration of SC reduced the mRNA and protein expression of both TRPA1 and TRPV1. Moreover, pretreatment of SC decreased scratching bouts and wipes induced by AITC as well as by CAP. Molecular docking revealed potential competitive binding between SC and AITC on TRPA1, and SC and CAP on TRPV1.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that SC has strong anti-pruritic and analgesic effects by targeting the TRPA1 and TRPV1 ion channels, and is a potential competitive inhibitor of TRPA1 and TRPV1. These findings suggest that SC has significant therapeutic potential in the therapy of diseases with inflammatory itch and pain.
Tracking neurons across days with high-density probes
Authors: van Beest Enny H. , Bimbard Célian , Fabre Julie M. J. , Takács Flóra , Coen Philip , Lebedeva Anna , Harris Kenneth , Carandini Matteo
Published: October 2023

Neural activity spans multiple scales from milliseconds to months. Its evolution can be recorded with chronic electrodes, and especially with high-density arrays such as Neuropixels probes, which measure each spike at tens of sites and record hundreds of neurons. These arrays often record units with consistent spike waveforms over time, but produce vast amounts of data that require new approaches for tracking neurons across recordings. To meet this need, we developed UnitMatch, an open-access pipeline that operates after spike sorting, based only on each unit’s average spike waveform. We tested UnitMatch in Neuropixels recordings from the mouse brain, where it tracked neurons across weeks. In visual cortex, a neuron’s selectivity for visual stimuli and correlation with other neurons remained stable over days. In striatum, neuronal responses changed across days during learning of a task. UnitMatch is thus a promising tool to reveal invariance or plasticity in neural activity across days.
Surveillance and Stability of SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Samples in Minnesota
Authors: Osborn Mark J. , Champeau Shannon , Meyer Carolyn , Hayden Mason , Landini Laura , Stark Stacey , Preeket Stephanie , Vetter Sara , Lynfield Ruth , Huff Daniel , Schacker Timothy W. , Doss Charles R.
Published: October 2023

Wastewater-based epidemiology provides an approach for assessing the prevalence of pathogens such as COVID-19 in a sewer service area. In this study, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was measured serially in 44 wastewater treatment plants of varying service capacities comprising approximately 67% of the population of Minnesota, from September 2020 through December 2022. We employed linear regression models to establish a predictive relationship between the weekly SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater and clinical case counts. Metrics were assessed under specified transformation and normalization methods which we confirmed by cross-validation averaged across the enrolled treatment plants. We report that the relationship between COVID-19 incidence and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater may be treatment plant-specific. Toward establishing guidelines for pathogen surveillance, we further studied storage and time-to-analysis for RNA wastewater data and observed large effects of storage temperature, indicating that collection methods may have an important effect on the utility and validity of wastewater data for infectious disease monitoring. Our findings are additive for any large-scale wastewater surveillance program.
Generation of a porcine cell line stably expressing pig TMPRSS2 for efficient isolation of viruses from pigs with respiratory diseases
Authors: Tanaka Yuri L , Shofa Maya , Butlertanaka Erika P , Niazi Ahmad Massoud , Hirai Takuya , Mekata Hirohisa , Saito Akatsuki
Published: October 2023

Pigs are important animals for meat production but can carry several zoonotic diseases, including Japanese encephalitis virus, Nipah virus, and influenza viruses. SeveralOrthomyxoviridaeandCoronavirinaerespiratory viruses require cleavage of envelope proteins to acquire viral infectivity and consequently need a host protease or the addition of exogenous trypsin for efficient propagation. Host TMPRSS2 is a key protease responsible for viral cleavage. Stable expression of human TMPRSS2 in African green monkey-derived Vero cells can enhance the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. However, considering the narrow host tropism of viruses, a porcine cell line expressing pig TMPRSS2 could be optimal for replicating pig-derived viruses. Herein, we generated and evaluated a pig-derived PK-15 cell line stably expressing pig TMPRSS2. This cell line markedly and specifically enhanced the growth of influenza viruses. Therefore, PK-15 cells expressing pig TMPRSS2 could be a valuable and promising tool for virus isolation, vaccine production, and virological studies.
A familiar face and person processing area in the human temporal pole
Authors: Deen Ben , Husain Gazi , Freiwald Winrich A.
Published: October 2023

How does the brain process the faces of familiar people? Neuropsychological studies have argued for an area of the temporal pole (TP) linking faces with person identities, but magnetic susceptibility artifacts in this region have hampered its study with fMRI. Using data acquisition and analysis methods optimized to overcome this artifact, we identify a familiar face response in TP, reliably observed in individual brains. This area responds strongly to visual images of familiar faces over images of unfamiliar faces, objects, and scenes. However, TP did not just respond to images of faces, but also to a variety of high-level cognitive tasks that involve thinking about people, including semantic, episodic, and theory of mind tasks. The response profile of TP contrasted from a nearby region of perirhinal cortex that responded specifically to faces, but not to social cognition tasks. TP was functionally connected with a distributed network in association cortex associated with social cognition, while PR was functionally connected with face-preferring areas of ventral visual cortex. This work identifies a missing link in the human familiar face processing system that specifically processes familiar faces, and is well placed to integrate visual information about faces with higher-order conceptual information about other people. The results suggest that separate streams for person and face processing reach anterior temporal areas positioned at the top of the cortical hierarchy.
Principals in Indian inclusive schools: bridge over troubled waters
Authors: Srinivasavarathan Sarikha , Rajendran Poornima
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The international academic literature agrees that principals act as change agents and are vital in creating and promoting an inclusive school culture. In this article, the authors proclaim that Indian schools lack school leadership to accomplish inclusive education (IE) characterized by local needs. The article emphasizes the importance of school principals and discusses how principal vacancies, insufficient training and lack of autonomy jeopardize inclusive and equitable quality education in Indian schools. Contextualized policies, professional standards for principals, research that highlights principals' perspectives and autonomy for principals are required to strengthen principals, who are the primary advocates for IE, to create a more democratic, equitable and just society.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors base their arguments and opinions on the latest National Education Policy (NEP, 2020), data/statistics from various educational organizations in India, and research findings of global scholars.

Findings

The data and statistics show that principals in Indian schools do not receive the essential assistance to implement IE successfully. A lack of adequate data regarding the subject of debate is another point made by the authors.

Social implications

Understanding the hardships faced by Indian school principals would help readers recognize the leadership challenges for IE in India. Addressing these challenges is one of the best ways to fulfill the equity and inclusion goals emphasized in UN Sustainable Development Goal #4.

Originality/value

This article is the first to emphasize the importance of prioritizing principals in Indian schools, among other agents when trying to achieve inclusion.
The user cost of capital and corporate investment in the Latin American economies: a novel approach
Authors: Doruk Ömer Tuğsal
Published: October 2023

Purpose

In the current study, corporate investment is examined by using a user cost of capital model for two important Latin American economies: Brazil and Mexico. In this paper, a dynamic user cost of capital model is employed. The extended model also accounts the investment model with the convex adjustment cost. Moreover, the link between structural change, financial liberalization and investment is also investigated. The present study, therefore, sheds new lights on the investment behavior of the Latin American emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The differenced generalized method of moments approach is employed to control the endogeneity, heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation for modeling the corporate investment over 20 years for both countries.

Findings

The findings indicate that the dynamic user cost of capital-based investment model explains the corporate investment in Brazil and Mexico. Especially, the interest rate and depreciation explain the investment behavior of nonfinancial firms in both countries. At the same time, structural change and financial liberalization do not have a significant impact on interest rates, an important user cost of capital.

Originality/value

This is the first study examines the corporate investment using dynamic user costs of capital approach for an emerging market. The user cost of capital-based investment models is clearly understudied models for emerging markets. This study is particularly important for emerging markets as investment models need to have a theoretical background.
Analyzing the efficiency of intellectual capital: a new approach based on DEA-MPI technology
Authors: Habib Ahmed Mohamed , Mourad Nahia
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study develops a robust model to measure intellectual capital efficiency (ICE). It also analyzes ICE across Gulf companies, sectors and countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses data envelopment analysis (DEA), the Malmquist productivity index (MPI), difference tests and additional analyses on a dataset consisting of 276 firm-year observations.

Findings

The findings indicate that the study model is robust to additional analysis. The results show significant differences in ICE between firms during the study period and noteworthy differences between countries, where the Qatari and Bahraini firms achieved the best ICE compared to other countries.

Practical implications

The results of this study have significant ramifications for increasing knowledge of ICE analysis models among relevant parties. In addition, the findings may affect trading strategies because investors and financiers are motivated by the potential for lucrative financial returns on their investments in companies that prioritize ICE strategies.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature by proposing a robust model for estimating the ICE. It also compares ICE across Gulf companies, industries and countries to shed light on their ICE challenges.
Microfinance institutions managers' motivation towards environment protection through green microfinance: the case of the developing country of Cabo Verde
Authors: Leite Zenaida Neves , Sá Elisabete Sampaio
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The paper explores the beliefs and perceptions of microfinance institution (MFI) managers about environmental threats and the role that green microfinance can play in mitigating them, to assess their influence on these institutions' engagement in green activities.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on protection motivation theory, the study follows a qualitative case study approach, focusing on the MFIs of the developing country of Cabo Verde.

Findings

Findings indicate that MFI managers understand and are aware of the environmental threats and identify their customers as the most vulnerable to them. They seem motivated to increase their green activity in the future as it is generally seen as effective in mitigating the problems. However, their response capacity is hindered by limitations such as a lack of financial conditions and technical environmental knowledge.

Social implications

MFIs play an important role in promoting self-employment and breaking the poverty cycle, but their funds are also often used to develop environmentally damaging practices. Green microfinance can contribute to targeting a triple bottom line; considering together people, profit and the planet, provided implementation challenges are addressed.

Originality/value

Although the environmental behaviour of MFIs has been previously studied, the understanding of the core beliefs of MFI managers that can support their environmental actions is still limited. Thus, the study contributes to advancing the knowledge of green microfinance by considering individual-level factors in understanding organisational greening.
Nudging digital entrepreneurs: the influence of the Google Play Store top developer award on technological innovation
Authors: Kuk George
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study explores how app store awards shape the behavior of leading digital entrepreneurs, focusing on their engagement in technological innovation through feedback and re-signaling mechanisms. It aims to reveal the nudging effect of award signals on entrepreneurial behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, data from 349 leading mobile app entrepreneurs in the UK Google Play Store were collected over an extended period from various sources. Functionality novelty and explorative behavior were assessed by analyzing app release date and permission technologies in comparison to both their own prior apps and those of their closest competitors. Hypothesized relationships were tested using accelerated failure time parametric models.

Findings

This study extends the literature on signaling by showing that (1) the top developer award signal served to nudge entrepreneurs to improve the functionality novelty of their apps and those who succeeded were less likely to switch to another product category, (2) the award signal created a window of opportunity for non-award entrepreneurs to respond and those who released new apps around the midpoint of a normal app development cycle significantly improved the likelihood of winning the award in a subsequent round of award-giving, and (3) the effect of functionality novelty on winning the award was more pronounced when non-award entrepreneurs pursued more explorative than exploitative behavior in app development.

Originality/value

The results offer novel insights into an understudied area, specifically the influence of online award signals on nudging entrepreneurs to pursue technological innovation. The research also highlights the crucial role played by the app store as an intermediary signaler.
Are we only all by ourselves? A double-level perspective to cope with the insecurity of the nonstandard gig work model
Authors: Chen Jianyu
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The emerging nonstandard employment (i.e. gig work) makes gig workers face a series of forms of labor insecurity. Prior studies focus on the linkage between gig work insecurity and precariousness. However, how gig workers and platforms jointly handle gig work insecurity has been so far overlooked. To this end, this study aims to explore how gig platforms and workers jointly cope with the insecurity of the gig work model.

Design/methodology/approach

Building upon the JD-R model, this study used a double-level perspective to hypothesize how gig platforms and workers jointly cope with gig work insecurity. Second, 248 questionnaire data were collected from workers who worked for several gig platforms (e.g. Meituan, Eleme, DidiTax, Zhihu and Credamo) in China. Third, the analysis method based on the partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the study theoretical model.

Findings

Empirical findings show that gig workers can cope with gig work insecurity by crafting their work; gig platforms' formalization governance not only reduces gig work insecurity but also helps gig workers address it by more easily crafting their work.

Practical implications

Gig workers do always have not enough job resources and motivation to work hard. Gig workers merely rely on job crafting to cope with the insecurity of the gig work model, which is insufficient. Gig platforms should also formalize their current governance mechanisms, which can supplement gig workers' job resources and reduce their job demands so as to help them cope with such gig work insecurity.

Originality/value

These results advance the understanding of the joint roles of gig platforms and workers in addressing gig work insecurity and improve governance effectiveness and value of gig platforms.
Are Basel-III norms good for Indian banks? Examining performance, efficiency and resilience variance in private-sector and public-sector banks
Authors: Jaiwani Megha , Gopalkrishnan Santosh
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The study examines whether the Basel-III regulations impact the financial performance, operational efficiency and resilience of Indian banks. Further, the study tests whether there is a variance in the impact between private- and public-sector banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses panel data regression on data from 16 private- and 12 public-sector banks from the years 2016–2022. Random-effect estimation is used, and robust standard errors are calculated.

Findings

The main findings indicate that the Basel-III regulations related to capital and leverage boost public-sector banks' financial performance and resilience. However, a similar impact is not detected in the case of private-sector banks.

Practical implications

The findings signify that the Basel-III framework does not address the differences between public and private-sector banks. Therefore, the policy implications are of practical importance and indicate that Basel-III regulations should not be considered a one-size-fits-all type of bank. Instead, policymakers should consider the structural differences between private and public-sector banks concerning Basel-III regulations.

Originality/value

The study addresses a significant limitation of the Basel-III regulations, which, in their current state, somehow fail to account for the differences between the public- and private-sector banks.
Who still shops at omnichannel fashion department stores? An analysis of generational cohorts and intent to purchase
Authors: Meredith Robertson Cydni , Kopot Caroline
Published: October 2023

Purpose

While today's customer steadily adapts to various modes of shopping, their beliefs around fluency through each shopping channel, and personal factors such as income level, can impact their intention to patronage or purchase from omnichannel department stores. Hence, this study analysed the customers of omnichannel fashion department stores, using perceived fluency and income as indirect factors that help understand customers' patronage intention and purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The overarching framework for this research is the theory of reasoned action, in which patronage and purchase intentions represent the specific likelihood-of-performance behaviours. A Seemingly Unrelated Regression model was empirically used to analyse the relationships between generational cohorts, income, and perceived channel fluency and the behaviours that lead to patronage intention and purchase intention. Researchers conducted a survey among 552 omnichannel fashion department store consumers to examine today's retail environment.

Findings

The results of this study suggest that (1) consumers between the ages of 50 and 69 years, including older Generation X and younger Baby Boomers, who earn between $60,000 and $79,999 in annual salary show a significantly positive relationship with both patronage and purchase intentions through perceived fluency and (2) consumers between the ages of 38 and 49 years, including older Millennials and younger Generation X, who earn between $80,000 and $99,999 in annual salary show a significantly positive relationship with purchase intention through perceived fluency

Originality/value

This study analyses correlations between a generational cohort, perceived fluency as moderated by income and the relationship between these variables and customers' patronage and purchase intentions, which has not been studied before.
Citizens’ trust and digital attitudes: evidence from city digital transformation in Shanghai, China
Authors: Zhang Yang
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Based on the theory of trust and cost-benefit perspective, this paper examines the relationship between citizens’ trust and their digital attitudes by considering the mediating effects of performance expectancy and perceived risk, as well as the moderating effect of media use.

Design/methodology/approach

The city digital transformation in Shanghai is chosen as the case in this study. 466 questionnaires were collected through a survey, with Structural Equation Modeling to test the hypotheses in AMOS.

Findings

Citizens’ trust of government and trust of technology has no significant direct effect on their digital attitudes. However, performance expectancy mediates between the trust of government and digital attitudes, and perceived risk mediates the effect of trust of technology on attitudes. The use of social media significantly moderates the association between trust of technology and citizens’ attitudes.

Originality/value

Exploring why citizens shape supportive attitudes toward digitalization is critical to achieving digital governance goals in developing countries, especially large cities where digital transformation is accelerating. The originality lies in using cost-benefit analysis as a perspective and media use as a moderator to examine the mechanisms of citizens’ trust and digital attitudes.
Risk takers: PDS partners developing and sustaining antifragile teachers
Authors: Jones Lianne , Rogers Rachelle , Rogers Doug , McClinton Austin , Painter Lisa
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The ever-changing educational landscape, exacerbated by recent events surrounding COVID, political and cultural unrest, necessitates educators who are antifragile, able to withstand pressures and thrive amidst uncertainty. To this end, the pilot study reported here aims to examine mathematics educators’ initial reflections on what it means to be a risk-taker in the classroom, what prevents them from engaging in instructional risks and what would support their instructional risk-taking.

Design/methodology/approach

The pilot study utilized interviews with participants, including four pre-service teachers who were enrolled at the university and seven in-service teachers who were employed on active PDS campuses within the school district.

Findings

Preliminary findings suggest teacher beliefs concerning risk-taking, the barriers to engaging in such behaviors and the support needed to be able to take instructional risks. Results highlight the role of school–university partnerships in cultivating a culture of risk-taking through active collaboration and dialogue.

Research limitations/implications

These findings have important implications for universities and PDS partners engaged in preparing teachers for an educational field that is unpredictable and continually changing. Additional research should be completed in varying PDS settings.

Practical implications

Findings highlight the role of school–university partnerships in cultivating a culture of risk-taking through active collaboration and dialogue.

Originality/value

Educators are currently faced with an unprecedented instructional landscape. Antifragile, risk-taking teachers are needed who are adaptable and innovative, thus better equipped to enter the challenging and uncertain realities of education.
Duration of the active first stage of labour and severe perineal lacerations and maternal postpartum complications: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Kogner Lisa , Lundborg Louise , Liu Xingrong , Ladfors Linnea V. , Ahlberg Mia , Stephansson Olof , Sandström Anna
Published: October 2023

Objective

The impact of first stage labour duration on maternal outcomes is sparsely investigated. We aimed to study the association between a longer active first stage and maternal complications in the early postpartum period.

Design

A population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Regions of Stockholm and Gotland, Sweden, 2008–2020.

Population

A cohort of 159 459 term, singleton, vertex pregnancies, stratified by parity groups.

Methods

The exposure was active first stage duration, categorised in percentiles. Poisson regression analysis was performed to estimate the adjusted relative risk (aRR) and the 95% confidence interval (95% CI). To investigate the effect of second stage duration on the outcome, mediation analysis was performed.

Main outcome measures

Severe perineal lacerations (third or fourth degree), postpartum infection, urinary retention and haematoma in the birth canal or ruptured sutures.

Results

The risks of severe perineal laceration, postpartum infection and urinary retention increased with a longer active first stage, both overall and stratified by parity group. The aRR increased with a longer active first stage, using duration of <50th percentile as the reference. In the ≥90th percentile category, the aRR for postpartum infection was 1.64 (95% CI 1.46–1.84) in primiparous women, 2.43 (95% CI 1.98–2.98) in parous women with no previous caesarean delivery (CD) and 2.33 (95% CI 1.65–3.28) in parous women with a previous CD. The proportion mediated by second stage duration was 33.4% to 36.9% for the different outcomes in primiparous women. The risk of haematoma or ruptured sutures did not increased with a longer active first stage.

Conclusions

Increasing active first stage duration is associated with maternal complications in the early postpartum period.
What Role Do Boards Play in Companies with Visionary CEOs?
Authors: JIANG XU , LAUX VOLKER
Published: October 2023

Visionary CEOs have strong beliefs about the right course of action for their firms. How should a board of directors that does not necessarily share the visionary CEO's confidence advise and monitor the CEO? We consider a model in which the board can acquire costly information about the firm's optimal strategic direction. The board not only advises the CEO on strategy, but also must approve it, and the CEO exerts effort to implement the strategy. We find that the board gathers less information when the CEO believes more strongly in his vision. Further, depending on the strength of the CEO's belief bias, the board either plays an advisory role, a monitoring role, or a rubberstamping role. The model predicts that in firms that are led by highly visionary CEOs, boards are passive in that they acquire little information and rubberstamp the visionary's proposal. Nevertheless, shareholders prefer the visionary over an unbiased manager in industries in which obtaining information about the correct course of action is difficult and costly.