bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cellular and behavioral effects of altered NaV1.2 sodium channel ion permeability in Scn2aK1422E mice
Authors: Echevarria-Cooper Dennis M. , Hawkins Nicole A. , Misra Sunita N. , Huffman Alexandra , Thaxton Tyler , Thompson Christopher H. , Ben-Shalom Roy , Nelson Andrew D. , Lipkin Anna M. , George Alfred L. , Bender Kevin J. , Kearney Jennifer A.
Published: July 2021

Genetic variants in SCN2A, encoding the NaV1.2 voltage-gated sodium channel, are associated with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders with overlapping phenotypes. Some variants fit into a framework wherein gain-of-function missense variants that increase neuronal excitability lead to infantile epileptic encephalopathy, while loss-of-function variants that reduce neuronal excitability lead to developmental delay and/or autism spectrum disorder with or without co- morbid seizures. One unique case less easily classified using this binary paradigm is the de novo missense variant SCN2A p.K1422E, associated with infant-onset developmental delay, infantile spasms, and features of autism spectrum disorder. Prior structure-function studies demonstrated that K1422E substitution alters ion selectivity of NaV1.2, conferring Ca2+ permeability, lowering overall conductance, and conferring resistance to tetrodotoxin (TTX). Based on heterologous expression of K1422E, we developed a compartmental neuron model that predicted mixed effects on channel function and neuronal activity. We also generated Scn2aK1422E mice and characterized effects on neurons and neurological/neurobehavioral phenotypes. Dissociated neurons from heterozygous Scn2aK1422E/+ mice exhibited a novel TTX-resistant current with a reversal potential consistent with mixed ion permeation. Cortical slice recordings from Scn2aK1442E/+ tissue demonstrated impaired action potential initiation and larger Ca2+ transients at the axon initial segment during the rising phase of the action potential, suggesting mixed effects on channel function. Scn2aK1422E/+ mice exhibited rare spontaneous seizures, interictal EEG abnormalities, altered response to induced seizures, reduced anxiety-like behavior and alterations in olfactory-guided social behavior. Overall, Scn2aK1422E/+ mice present with phenotypes similar yet distinct from Scn2a knockout models, consistent with mixed effects of K1422E on NaV1.2 channel function.

Significance Statement

The early-onset epilepsy variant SCN2A-p.K1422E displays unique biophysical properties in vitro. To model the impact of this rare variant, we generated Scn2aK1422E mice. Neurons from heterozygous Scn2aK1422E/+ mice showed functional deficits similar to the loss-of-function effects observed in the Scn2a haploinsufficiency model, as well as gain-of-function effects specific to the K1422E variant. There is also some overlap in neurobehavioral phenotypes between Scn2aK1422E/+ and Scn2a haploinsufficient mice. However, Scn2aK1422E/+ mice exhibited unique epilepsy-related phenotypes, including epileptiform events and seizures. Scn2aK1422E/+ mice serve as a useful platform to investigate phenotypic complexity of SCN2A-associated disorders.
Customization of a dada2-based pipeline for fungal Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS 1) amplicon datasets
Authors: Rolling Thierry , Zhai Bing , Frame John V. , Hohl Tobias M. , Taur Ying
Published: July 2021

Identification and analysis of fungal communities commonly rely on internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based amplicon sequencing. Currently, there is no gold standard to infer and classify fungal constituents, in part since methodologies have been adapted from analyses of bacterial communities. To achieve high resolution inference of fungi in clinical samples, we customized a DADA2-based pipeline using a mock community of eleven medically relevant fungi. While DADA2 allowed the discrimination of ITS1 sequences differing by a single nucleotide, quality filtering, sequencing bias, and database selection were identified as key variables determining the accuracy of sample inference. By fine-tuning quality filtering, we decreased the number of wrongly discarded sequences attributed to Aspergillus species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Candida glabrata reads. We confirmed this effect in patient samples. By adapting a wobble nucleotide in the ITS1 forward primer region, we further increased the yield of S. saccharomyces and C. glabrata sequences. Finally, we showed that a BLAST-based algorithm based on the UNITE+INSD or the NCBI NT database achieved a higher reliability in species-level taxonomic annotation than the naïve Bayesian classifier implemented in DADA2. These steps optimized a robust fungal ITS1 sequencing pipeline that, in most instances, enables species level-assignment of community members.
Single-nucleus cross-tissue molecular reference maps to decipher disease gene function
Authors: Eraslan Gokcen , Drokhlyansky Eugene , Anand Shankara , Subramanian Ayshwarya , Fiskin Evgenij , Slyper Michal , Wang Jiali , Wittenberghe Nicholas Van , Rouhana John M. , Waldman Julia , Ashenberg Orr , Dionne Danielle , Win Thet Su , Cuoco Michael S. , Kuksenko Olena , Branton Philip A. , Marshall Jamie L. , Greka Anna , Getz Gad , Segrè Ayellet V. , Aguet François , Rozenblatt-Rosen Orit , Ardlie Kristin G. , Regev Aviv
Published: July 2021

Understanding the function of genes and their regulation in tissue homeostasis and disease requires knowing the cellular context in which genes are expressed in tissues across the body. Single cell genomics allows the generation of detailed cellular atlases in human tissues, but most efforts are focused on single tissue types. Here, we establish a framework for profiling multiple tissues across the human body at single-cell resolution using single nucleus RNA-Seq (snRNA-seq), and apply it to 8 diverse, archived, frozen tissue types (three donors per tissue). We apply four snRNA-seq methods to each of 25 samples from 16 donors, generating a cross-tissue atlas of 209,126 nuclei profiles, and benchmark them vs. scRNA-seq of comparable fresh tissues. We use a conditional variational autoencoder (cVAE) to integrate an atlas across tissues, donors, and laboratory methods. We highlight shared and tissue-specific features of tissue-resident immune cells, identifying tissue-restricted and non-restricted resident myeloid populations. These include a cross-tissue conserved dichotomy between LYVE1- and HLA class II-expressing macrophages, and the broad presence of LAM-like macrophages across healthy tissues that is also observed in disease. For rare, monogenic muscle diseases, we identify cell types that likely underlie the neuromuscular, metabolic, and immune components of these diseases, and biological processes involved in their pathology. For common complex diseases and traits analyzed by GWAS, we identify the cell types and gene modules that potentially underlie disease mechanisms. The experimental and analytical frameworks we describe will enable the generation of large-scale studies of how cellular and molecular processes vary across individuals and populations.
The effect of climate change on the distribution of Canidae
Authors: Porto Lucas M. V. , Bennett David , Maestri Renan , Etienne Rampal S.
Published: July 2021

Land use by humans and climate change have been seriously affecting the distribution of species resulting in a quarter of all known mammals currently threatened with extinction. Here, we modeled the present and future potential distributions of all 36 extant Canidae species to evaluate their response to future climate scenarios. In addition, we tested if canids were likely to experience evolutionary rescue, which could allow some species to adapt to climate change. Our results suggest that global warming will cause most species to lose or maintain their ranges, while a few will have the potential to benefit from future conditions and considerably expand their geographic distributions. Some canids have the potential to experience evolutionary rescue, butAtelocynus microtisandChrysocyon brachyurusare two concerning cases that do not show this capacity to adapt given the current pace of climate change. We also reveal that most Canidae hotspot regions are outside protected areas, which may be useful for the identification of key areas for conservation.
Resolution Enhancement with a Task-Assisted GAN to Guide Optical Nanoscopy Image Analysis and Acquisition
Authors: Bouchard Catherine , Wiesner Theresa , Deschênes Andréanne , Bilodeau Anthony , Turcotte Benoît , Gagné Christian , Lavoie-Cardinal Flavie
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We introduce a deep learning model that predicts super-resolved versions of diffraction-limited microscopy images. Our model, named Task- Assisted Generative Adversarial Network (TA-GAN), incorporates an auxiliary task (e.g. segmentation, localization) closely related to the observed biological nanostructures characterization. We evaluate how TA-GAN improves generative accuracy over unassisted methods using images acquired with different modalities such as confocal, brightfield (diffraction-limited), super-resolved stimulated emission depletion, and structured illumination microscopy. The generated synthetic resolution enhanced images show an accurate distribution of the F-actin nanostructures, replicate the nanoscale synaptic cluster morphology, allow to identify dividing S. aureus bacterial cell boundaries, and localize nanodomains in simulated images of dendritic spines. We expand the applicability of the TA-GAN to different modalities, auxiliary tasks, and online imaging assistance. Incorporated directly into the acquisition pipeline of the microscope, the TA-GAN informs the user on the nanometric content of the field of view without requiring the acquisition of a super-resolved image. This information is used to optimize the acquisition sequence, and reduce light exposure. The TA-GAN also enables the creation of domain-adapted labeled datasets requiring minimal manual annotation, and assists microscopy users by taking online decisions regarding the choice of imaging modality and regions of interest.
Redox regulation by TXNRD3 during epididymal maturation underlies capacitation-associated mitochondrial activation and sperm motility in mice
Authors: Wang Huafeng , Dou Qianhui , Jung Kyung Jo , Choi Jungmin , Gladyshev Vadim N. , Chung Jean-Ju
Published: July 2021

During epididymal transit, redox remodeling protects mammalian spermatozoa, preparing them for survival in the subsequent journey to fertilization. However, molecular mechanisms of redox regulation in sperm development and maturation remain largely elusive. In this study, we report that TXNRD3, a thioredoxin reductase family member particularly abundant in elongating spermatids at the site of mitochondrial sheath formation, regulates redox homeostasis to support male reproduction. Using Txnrd3-/- mice, our biochemical, ultrastructural, and live cell imaging analyses revealed impairments in sperm morphology and motility under conditions of TXNRD3 deficiency. We reveal that mitochondria develop more defined cristae during capacitation in wild type sperm. Absence of TXNRD3 alters redox status in both the head and tail during sperm maturation and capacitation, resulting in defective mitochondrial ultrastructure and activity under capacitating conditions. These findings provide insights into molecular mechanisms of redox homeostasis and bioenergetics during sperm maturation, capacitation, and fertilization.
Phenotypic and genomic signatures of interspecies cooperation and conflict in naturally-occurring isolates of a model plant symbiont
Authors: Batstone Rebecca T. , Burghardt Liana T. , Heath Katy D.
Published: July 2021

Given the need to predict the outcomes of (co)evolution in host-associated microbiomes, whether microbial and host fitnesses tend to trade off, generating conflict, remains a pressing question. Examining the relationships between host and microbe fitness proxies at both the phenotypic and genomic levels can illuminate the mechanisms underlying interspecies cooperation and conflict. We examined naturally-occurring genetic variation in 191 strains of the model microbial symbiont,Ensifer meliloti, paired with each of two hostMedicago truncatulagenotypes in single- or multi-strain experiments to determine how multiple proxies of microbial and host fitness were related to one another and test key predictions about mutualism evolution at the genomic scale, while also addressing the challenge of measuring microbial fitness. We found little evidence for interspecies fitness conflict; loci tended to have concordant effects on both microbe and host fitnesses, even in environments with multiple co-occurring strains. Our results emphasize the importance of quantifying microbial relative fitness for understanding microbiome evolution and thus harnessing microbiomes to improve host fitness. Additionally, we find that mutualistic coevolution between hosts and microbes acts to maintain, rather than erode, genetic diversity, potentially explaining why variation in mutualism traits persists in nature.
Diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) volatizes and cross-contaminates wells in a common 96-well plate zebrafish larvae exposure method
Authors: Mundy Paige C. , Mendieta Rosalia , Lein Pamela J.
Published: July 2021

Diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) is an organophosphate (OP) that is commonly used to study the neurotoxic effects of acutely intoxicating OP exposure. In preliminary studies, we discovered abnormal deaths in DMSO-only exposed larvae housed in the same plate as DFP-exposed larvae, and hypothesized that DFP volatilizes and cross-contaminates wells when using a 96-well plate exposure method for exposing zebrafish larvae. Survivability and acetylcholinesterase activity assays confirmed DFP presence in the tissues of zebrafish ostensibly exposed to DMSO only. These findings indicate DFP cross-contamination, which raises concerns for the experimental design of studies evaluating the toxicity of volatile and semi-volatile substances.
Don’t think, feel: basal ganglia-cortical connectivity underlies self-regulation of brain oscillations in humans
Authors: Kasahara Kazumi , DaSalla Charles S. , Honda Manabu , Hanakawa Takashi
Published: July 2021

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) provide an artificial link by which the brain can directly interact with the environment. To achieve fine BCI control, participants must modulate the patterns of the cortical oscillations generated from the motor and somatosensory cortices. However, it remains unclear how humans regulate cortical oscillations, the controllability of which substantially varies across individuals. Here, we performed simultaneous electroencephalography (to assess BCI control) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (to measure brain activity) in healthy participants. Self-regulation of cortical oscillations induced activity in the basal ganglia-cortical network (BgCN) and the neurofeedback control network (NfCN). Successful self-regulation correlated with striatal activity in the BgCN, through which patterns of cortical oscillations were likely modulated. Moreover, BgCN and NfCN connectivity correlated with strong and weak self-regulation, respectively. The findings indicate that the BgCN is important for self-regulation, the understanding of which should help advance BCI technology.
Identification of green lineage osmotic stress pathways
Authors: Vilarrasa-Blasi Josep , Vellosillo Tamara , Jinkerson Robert E. , Fauser Friedrich , Xiang Tingting , Minkoff Benjamin B. , Wang Lianyong , Kniazev Kiril , Guzman Michael , Osaki Jacqueline , Sussman Michael R. , Jonikas Martin C. , Dinneny José R.
Published: July 2021

Maintenance of water homeostasis is a fundamental cellular process required by all living organisms. Here, we use the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to establish a foundational understanding of evolutionarily conserved osmotic-stress signaling pathways in the green lineage through transcriptomics, phosphoproteomics, and functional genomics approaches. Five genes acting across diverse cellular pathways were found to be essential for osmotic-stress tolerance in Chlamydomonas including cytoskeletal organization, potassium transport, vesicle trafficking, mitogen-activated protein kinase and chloroplast signaling. We show that homologs of these genes in the multicellular land plant Arabidopsis thaliana have conserved functional roles in stress tolerance and reveal a novel PROFILIN-dependent actin remodeling stage of acclimation that ensures cell survival and tissue integrity upon osmotic stress. This study highlights the conservation of the stress response in algae and land plants and establishes Chlamydomonas as a unicellular plant model system to dissect the osmotic stress signaling pathway.
Previously unrecognized non-reproducible antibody-antigen interactions and their implications for diagnosis of viral infections including COVID-19
Authors: Pan Jiaojiao , Yang Lan , Deng Yi , Sun Baoqing , Zhang Li , Wu Wenya , Li Jingzhi , Cheng Hu , Li Yiting , Xu Wenwen , Yang Jiao , Sun Yiyue , Fei Hao , Xue Qinghong , Zhou Youxin , Wang Hui , Zheng Peiyan , Chen Hao , Zhu Fengcai , Peng Daxin , Gu Dayong , Han Jun , Qiu Jiwan , Ma Hongwei
Published: July 2021

Antibody-antigen (Ab-Ag) interactions are canonically described by a model which exclusively accommodates non-interaction (0) or reproducible-interaction (RI) states, yet this model is inadequate to explain often-encountered non-reproducible signals. Here, by monitoring diverse experimental systems and confirmed COVID-19 clinical sera using a peptide microarray, we observed that non-specific interactions (NSI) comprise a substantial proportion of non-reproducible antibody-based results. This enabled our discovery and capacity to reliably identify non-reproducible Ab-Ag interactions (NRI), as well as our development of a powerful explanatory model (“0-RI-NRI-Hook four-state model”) that is [mAb]-dependent, regardless of specificity, which ultimately shows that both NSI and NRI are not predictable yet certain-to-happen. In experiments using seven FDA-approved mAb drugs, we demonstrated the use of NSI counts in predicting epitope type. Beyond challenging the centrality of Ab-Ag interaction specificity data in serology and immunology, our discoveries also facilitated the rapid development of a serological test with uniquely informative COVID-19 diagnosis performance.
Phylo-taxonogenomics of 182 strains of genusLeuconostocelucidates its robust taxonomy and biotechnological importance
Authors: Kumar Sanjeet , Bansal Kanika , Sethi Santosh Kumar , Bindhani Birendra Kumar
Published: July 2021

GenusLeuconostocis a group of a diverse range of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) majorly found in dairy, food and environmental ecology. These microbes are commercially important for several industries due to their intrinsic genomic attributes such as bacteriocins, carbohydrate-active enzymes, plasmids etc. Even though the species ofLeuconostocare commercially significant, their taxonomy is largely based on old, low resolution traditional methods. There have been several taxonomic reclassifications in the past which are inadequate for microbiologist and food industry professionals to truly demarcate any new strain of genusLeuconostoc. The current taxonomy of the genus is largely based on classical approaches, which are in utmost need of reinvestigation by whole genome-based approaches. In the present study, the taxono-phylogenomic analysis clearly depicted sixteen species including three novel genomospecies in addition to several reshufflings across the species namely,L. mesenteroides, L. pseudomesenteroides, L. gelidumandL. lactis. The presence of a wide range of carbohydrate-active enzymes, type III polyketide synthase and vector plasmids suggested the biotechnological potential of constituent strains of the genera. Further, the absence of antibiotic gene clusters reaffirms their utility in industries such as food and dairy. Such large-scale in-depth genome-based study can shed light on the nature of the genome dynamics of the species and help to obtain a more robust taxonomic classification.
Postsynaptic neuroligin-1 mediates presynaptic endocytosis during neuronal activity
Authors: Luo Jiaqi Keith , Melland Holly , Nithianantharajah Jess , Gordon Sarah L
Published: July 2021

Fast, high-fidelity neurotransmission and synaptic efficacy requires tightly regulated coordination of pre- and postsynaptic compartments and alignment of presynaptic release sites with postsynaptic receptor nanodomains. Neuroligin-1 (Nlgn-1) is a postsynaptic cell-adhesion protein exclusively localised to excitatory synapses that is crucial for coordinating the transsynaptic alignment of presynaptic release sites with postsynaptic AMPA receptors as well as postsynaptic transmission and plasticity. However, little is understood about whether the postsynaptic machinery can mediate the molecular architecture and activity of the presynaptic nerve terminal, and thus it remains unclear whether there are presynaptic contributions to Nlgn1-dependent control of signalling and plasticity. Here, we employed a presynaptic reporter of neurotransmitter release and synaptic vesicle dynamics, synaptophysin-pHluorin (sypHy), to directly assess the presynaptic impact of loss of Nlgn1. We show that lack of Nlgn1 had no effect on the size of the readily releasable or entire recycling pool of synaptic vesicles, nor did it impact exocytosis. However, we observed significant changes in the retrieval of synaptic vesicles by compensatory endocytosis, specifically during activity. Our data extends growing evidence that synaptic adhesion molecules critical for forming transsynaptic scaffolds are also important for regulating activity-induced endocytosis at the presynapse.
Machine learning models based on molecular descriptors to predict human and environmental toxicological factors in continental freshwater
Authors: Servien Rémi , Latrille Eric , Patureau Dominique , Hélias Arnaud
Published: July 2021

Abstract

It is a real challenge for life cycle assessment practitioners to identify all relevant substances contributing to the ecotoxicity. Once this identification has been made, the lack of corresponding ecotoxicity factors can make the results partial and difficult to interpret. So, it is a real and important challenge to provide ecotoxicity factors for a wide range of compounds. Nevertheless, obtaining such factors using experiments is tedious, time-consuming, and made at a high cost. A modeling method that could predict these factors from easy-to-obtain information on each chemical would be of great value. Here, we present such a method, based on machine learning algorithms, that used molecular descriptors to predict two specific endpoints in continental freshwater for ecotoxicological and human impacts. The different tested machine learning algorithms show good performances on a learning database and the non-linear methods tend to outperform the linear ones. The cluster-then-predict approaches usually show the best performances which suggests that these predicted models must be derived for somewhat similar compounds. Finally, predictions were derived from the validated model for compounds with missing toxicity/ecotoxicity factors.

Highlights

Characterization factors (for human health and ecotoxicological impacts) were predicted using molecular descriptors.

Several linear or non-linear machine learning methods were compared.

The non-linear methods tend to outperform the linear ones using a train and test procedure. Cluster-then-predict approaches often show the best performances, highlighting their usefulness.

This methodology was then used to derive characterization factors that were missing for more than a hundred chemicals in USEtox®.

Graphical abstract
Integration of the cyanophage-encoded phosphate binding protein into the cyanobacterial phosphate uptake system
Authors: Zhao Fangxin , Lin Xingqin , Cai Kun , Jiang YongLiang , Ni Tianchi , Chen Yue , Feng Jianrong , Dang Shangyu , Zhou Cong-Zhao , Zeng Qinglu
Published: July 2021

To acquire phosphorus, cyanobacteria use the typical bacterial ABC-type phosphate transporter, which is composed of a periplasmic high-affinity phosphate-binding protein PstS and a channel formed by two transmembrane proteins PstC and PstA. The pstS gene has been identified in the genomes of cyanophages that infect the unicellular cyanobacteria Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus. However, it is unknown how the cyanophage PstS interplays with the host PstC and PstA to function as a chimeric ABC transporter. Here we showed that the cyanophage P-SSM2 PstS protein was abundant in the infected Prochlorococcus NATL2A cells and the host phosphate uptake rate was enhanced after infection. This is consistent with our biochemical and structural analyses showing that the phage PstS protein is indeed a high-affinity phosphate-binding protein. We further modeled the complex structure of phage PstS with host PstCA and revealed three putative interfaces that may facilitate the formation of the chimeric ABC transporter. Our results provide insights into the molecular mechanism by which cyanophages enhance the phosphate uptake rate of cyanobacteria. Phosphate acquisition by infected bacteria can increase the phosphorus contents of released cellular debris and virus particles, which together constitute a significant proportion of the marine dissolved organic phosphorus pool.
Multi-omics analysis identifies essential regulators of mitochondrial stress response in two wild-type C. elegans strains
Authors: Gao Arwen W. , El Alam Gaby , Lalou Amélia , Li Terytty Yang , Molenaars Marte , Zhu Yunyun , Overmyer Katherine A. , Shishkova Evgenia , Hof Kevin , Sleiman Maroun Bou , Houtkooper Riekelt H. , Coon Joshua J. , Auwerx Johan
Published: July 2021

The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is a promising pharmacological target for aging and age-related diseases. However, the integrative analysis of the impact of UPRmt activation on different layers of signaling in animals with a different genetic background is lacking. In this study, we applied systems approaches to investigate the effect of UPRmt induced by administering doxycycline (Dox) on transcriptome, proteome, lipidome, and metabolome in two genetically divergent C. elegans strains. We found that Dox prolongs lifespan of both worm strains through pathways in both shared and strain-specific manners. From the integrated omics datasets, we observed a strong impact of Dox on mitochondrial functions, detected upregulated defense response and lipid metabolism, identified decreased triglycerides and lowered metabolome profiles in both strains. This conserved phenomic footprint has great translational value as it indicates that the beneficial effects of Dox-induced UPRmt on health and lifespan are consistent across different genetic backgrounds.
Sequence-based correction of barcode bias in massively parallel reporter assays
Authors: Lee Dongwon , Kapoor Ashish , Lee Changhee , Mudgett Michael , Beer Michael A. , Chakravarti Aravinda
Published: July 2021

Massively parallel reporter assays (MPRAs) are a high-throughput method for evaluating in vitro activities of thousands of candidate cis-regulatory elements (CREs). In these assays, candidate sequences are cloned upstream or downstream from a reporter gene tagged by unique DNA sequences. However, tag sequences may themselves affect reporter gene expression and lead to major potential biases in the measured cis-regulatory activity. Here, we present a sequence-based method for correcting tag-sequence-specific effects and show that our method can significantly reduce this source of variation and improve the identification of functional regulatory variants by MPRAs. We also show that our model captures sequence features associated with post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA. Thus, this new method helps not only to improve detection of regulatory signals in MPRA experiments but also to design better MPRA protocols.
Beam heating from a fourth-generation synchrotron source
Authors: Lawrence Bright Eleanor , Giacobbe Carlotta , Wright Jonathan P.
Published: July 2021

The high levels of flux available at a fourth-generation synchrotron are shown to have significant beam heating effects for high-energy X-rays and radiation hard samples, leading to temperature increases of over 400 K with a monochromatic beam. These effects have been investigated at the ID11 beamline at the recently upgraded ESRF Extremely Brilliant Source, using thermal lattice expansion to perform in situ measurements of beam heating. Results showed significant increases in temperature for metal and ceria samples, which are compared with a lumped thermodynamic model, providing a tool for estimating beam heating effects. These temperature increases may have a drastic effect on samples and measurements, such as the rapid recrystallization of a copper wire shown here. These results demonstrate the importance of beam heating and provide information needed to consider, predict and mitigate these effects.
Crystal structures of two copper(I)–6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridyl (dmbpy) compounds, [Cu(dmbpy)2]2[MF6]·xH2O (M = Zr, Hf; x = 1.134, 0.671)
Authors: Wang Yiran , Nisbet Matthew L. , Poeppelmeier Kenneth R.
Published: July 2021

The syntheses and crystal structures of two bimetallic molecular compounds, namely, bis[bis(6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine)copper(I)] hexafluoridozirconate(IV) 1.134-hydrate, [Cu(dmbpy)2]2[ZrF6]·1.134H2O (dmbpy = 6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridyl, C12H12N2), (I), and bis[bis(6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine)copper(I)] hexafluoridohafnate(IV) 0.671-hydrate, [Cu(dmbpy)2]2[HfF6]·0.671H2O, (II), are reported. Apart from a slight site occupany difference for the water molecule of crystallization, compounds (I) and (II) are isostructural, featuring isolated tetrahedral cations of copper(I) ions coordinated by two dmbpy ligands and centrosymmetric, octahedral anions of fluorinated early transition metals. The tetrahedral environments of the copper complexes are distorted owing to the steric effects of the dmbpy ligands. The extended structures are built up through Coulombic interactions between cations and anions and π–π stacking interactions between heterochiral Δ- and Λ-[Cu(dmbpy)2]+ complexes. A comparison between the title compounds and other [Cu(dmbpy)2]+ compounds with monovalent and bivalent anions reveals a significant influence of the cation-to-anion ratio on the resulting crystal packing architectures, providing insights for future crystal design of distorted tetrahedral copper compounds.
Barium bis[tetrafluoridobromate(III)]
Authors: Ivlev Sergei I. , Kraus Florian
Published: July 2021

Single crystals of barium bis[tetrafluoridobromate(III)], Ba[BrF4]2, were obtained in the form of tiny blocks. Crystal-structure refinement of Ba[BrF4]2 from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data confirmed the previous model obtained on the basis of powder data [Ivlev et al. (2014). Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. pp. 6261–6267], but with all atoms refined with anisotropic displacement parameters. The crystal structure consists of two symmetry-independent barium cations that are each coordinated by twelve fluorine atoms, forming edge-sharing polyhedra, and an almost square-planar [BrF4]− anion. The compound crystallizes in the Ba[AuF4]2 structure type.
Joyful information activities in serious leisure: looking for pleasure, passion and purpose
Authors: Mansourian Yazdan
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper provides selective findings from a broader research project on information behaviours in serious leisure. This paper focuses on the positive feelings of information seeking and sharing in this context, aiming to capture and contextualise the joy of information embedded in and inspired by leisure activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The required data were obtained using semi-structured interviews with 20 serious leisure participants from Wagga Wagga city in Australia, recruited via a maximum variation sampling technique. The data were fully transcribed and analysed based on a qualitative thematic analysis method.

Findings

The joy of information is embedded within a wide spectrum of information activities in serious leisure ranging from information seeking and browsing to information sharing and information creation. Among all these activities, information sharing with peers and a broader audience is the most joyful experience because it often generates social engagement, a sense of belonging and friendship. Moreover, serious leisure is a productive ground to transform hedonic wellness into eudaimonic well-being, while continuous information seeking and sharing play a significant role in achieving this goal.

Practical implications

Information system designers can use the findings to consider the emotional aspects of information seeking and sharing to improve the usability of their products. At the policy level, cultural policy writers and decision-makers can make more informed decisions to support serious leisure.

Originality/value

This study explores the joyful aspects of information behaviour in a unique context. Exploring the joy of information is an emerging topic in human information behaviour scholarship, and the existing knowledge on this issue is still limited. This paper can contribute to creating new knowledge in this emerging area.
Initiatives that enable Singapore contractors to improve construction productivity
Authors: Ofori George , Zhang Zhe , Ling Florence Y.Y.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study examines the initiatives that would enable contractors in Singapore to improve the level of construction productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-pronged research method was employed: questionnaire survey with contractors (109 responses received) and in-depth interviews with 12 subject matter experts. The questionnaire covered questions such as the current and future improvement measures.

Findings

The results show that the top three motives for achieving high productivity (increase profitability, on time delivery and enhance corporate competitiveness) are underpinned by profit maximization. Factor analysis revealed several categories of productivity improvement strategies. Among these, only site operations category is under the control of contractors. Other important categories include government's initiatives and design factors.

Research limitations/implications

While contractors are the producers of built products, their productivity is very much dependent on other factors and other parties. The long-standing exhortation to contractors to improve productivity is necessary but not a sufficient condition to improve it.

Practical implications

Recommendations are provided for the government, designers, contractors and other stakeholders on what can be done to improve productivity.

Originality/value

This research adds to knowledge by showing that contractors' top motives for high productivity relate to self-seeking behavior to maximize profit. Prior to this study, productivity improvement is considered the responsibility of contractors. This study shows that two other stakeholders also hold the key to productivity improvement – government and designers. Government controls the supply of foreign labor, has the capacity to offer incentives and has the muscle to enact regulations to improve productivity. Consultants' upstream designs must be buildable.
Portland Trail Blazers
Authors: Wilcox Ronald T.
Published: July 2021

Designed to teach conjoint analysis, this case challenges students to make tactical decisions based on marketing research. It should be paired with the technical note “A Practical Guide to Conjoint Analysis” (UVA-M-0675) and that note’s accompanying supplemental PowerPoint file (UVA-M-0675TNP). A National Basketball Association franchise is struggling to increase attendance. It contracts a marketing research firm to conduct a conjoint analysis focusing on several aspects of its season ticket offerings with the hope that it can profitably improve its attractiveness.
Business continuity and disaster recovery in Ghana–a literature review
Authors: Barnett-Quaicoo Patricia , Ahmadu Aminu
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Business continuity and disaster recovery are directly associated frameworks which guarantee the continued operations of organisations after a disaster has occurred. Thus, researchers have continued to investigate best practices in this area. It is in this vein that the authors of this study seek to draw attention to what pertains in Ghana and what role the government can play to improve the situation. The purpose of this study is to explore some of the disasters which have been suffered by businesses in Ghana as well as the causes, effects and lessons learnt. The study will also look at business continuity and disaster recovery measures that could have been implemented in the examples provided.

Design/methodology/approach

The study follows a literature review approach by reviewing secondary data on both man-made and natural disasters that have affected Ghana in the past decade through the review of literature.

Findings

The comprehensive study of the selected disasters indicated the presence of business continuity and disaster recovery measures in some formal institutions; however, the informal sector appeared to have minimal provision for handling disasters.

Research limitations/implications

The authors were limited to the use of the account from the resources used since this study relied on secondary data.

Practical implications

The study indicates that businesses in Ghana must implement business continuity and disaster recovery plans to protect business operations in the event of a disaster.

Originality/value

The study has not been previously published in any other journal. Secondary data for carrying out the study were obtained from other publications including online media platforms in Ghana.
Big data analytics in innovation processes: which forms of dynamic capabilities should be developed and how to embrace digitization?
Authors: Capurro Rosita , Fiorentino Raffaele , Garzella Stefano , Giudici Alessandro
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze, from a dynamic capabilities perspective, the role of big data analytics in supporting firms' innovation processes.

Design/methodology/approach

Relevant literature is reviewed and critically assessed. An interpretive methodology is used to analyze empirical data from interviews of big data analytics experts at firms within digitally related sectors.

Findings

This study shows how firms leverage big data to gain “richer” and “deeper” data at the inter-sections between the digital and physical worlds. The authors provide evidence for the importance of counterintuitive strategies aimed at developing innovative products, services or solutions with characteristics that may initially diverge, even significantly, from established customer/user needs.

Practical implications

The authors’ findings offer insights to help practitioners manage innovation processes in the physical world while taking investments in big data analytics into account.

Originality/value

The authors provide insights into the evolution of scholarly research on innovation directed toward opportunities to create a competitive advantage by offering new products, services or solutions diverging, even significantly, from established customer demand.
Cross-cultural training and adjustment through the lens of cultural intelligence and type of expatriates
Authors: Kour Sumeet , Jyoti Jeevan
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Organisations operate in diverse cultural environment, which is a challenging task due to absence of cultural knowledge and difficulty in adapting the native culture that usually leads to expatriate failure. In this context cultural intelligence plays an important role in the adjustment of employees. The purpose of the study is to examine the mediating role played by cultural intelligence between cross-cultural training and cross-cultural adjustment relationship. It further analyses the moderating role of cross-cultural training and types of expatriate between cultural intelligence and cross-cultural adjustment relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Set in a large culturally diverse emerging economy context, data have been gathered from 530 managers working in banking sector. Data have been duly assessed for reliability and validity.

Findings

The results revealed that cultural intelligence mediates cross-cultural training and cross-cultural adjustment relationship. Evidence from the analysis further suggests that cross-cultural training and types of expatriate moderate the relationship between cultural intelligence and cross-cultural adjustment. Lastly, the managerial and theoretical implications have been put forth for practical and academic perusal.

Research limitations/implications

The study is cross-sectional in nature and data have been collected from single source.

Practical implications

Organisations should design such training programmes, which motivate the managers to successfully complete out of home state assignment and help them to adapt in the cross-cultural situations.

Social implications

Culturally intelligent employees/managers are able to communicate with people belonging to diverse culture, which results in building trust, loyalty and cordial relationship amongst the people. This will create the feeling of unity in the society thereby bringing national as well as global peace.

Originality/value

The study develops the extant literature on cross-cultural training and types of expatriate as effective intercultural instruments to enhance the capability of the managers to interact and adjust in host region environment.
Designing attractive workplace health promotion programs
Authors: Nöhammer Elisabeth
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Workplace health promotion (WHP) is an investment in human capital that can lead to substantial organizational and individual benefit. However, this depends on high participation rates, which are rarely reached. The aim of this article thus is to examine necessary conditions for WHP success by analyzing employee perceived determinants of participation.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a qualitative study, a questionnaire was designed. The determinants of participation were assessed regarding underlying categories and importance via factor analysis.

Findings

Personal benefit, social aspects, information, uncomplicated use, security and autonomy plus time and participation in offer design emerged as relevant factors. For the population studied, uncomplicated use, personal benefit and information were rated as most important.

Originality/value

The study is based on determinants voiced by the workforce only, not expert-rated aspects. Moreover, it was carried out in small and medium-sized organizations, which are understudied regarding WHP. By reducing data using factor analysis, a basis for further research is created. Also, a basic questionnaire is suggested via the items employed that can help organizations to investigate the WHP-related wishes and needs that matter most to the workforce.
An exploratory assessment of callings: the importance of specialization
Authors: Cain Christopher Paul , Cain Lisa Nicole , Busser James A. , Kang Hee Jung (Annette)
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study sought to understand how having a calling influenced engagement, work–life balance and career satisfaction for Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) and Golf Course Superintendent of America (GCSA) professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model was used to examine callings among golf course supervisors and its impact on their engagement, work–life balance and career satisfaction. This study also explored the moderation effect of employees’ generalized or specialized role on the calling–engagement relationship. Surveys were collected from a single golf management company and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis.

Findings

The results revealed significant relationships among all of the variables, with the exception of the impact of having a calling on work–life balance. Additionally, the more having a calling increased, the more important it was for supervisors to have specialized roles to increase their engagement.

Originality/value

This study identifies important differences in factors that promote career satisfaction for golf course supervisors and extends current understanding of role theory.
Investigating the impacts of ISO 9001 certification on lean manufacturing and supply chain relationship: an empirical analysis
Authors: Vanichchinchai Assadej
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This research examines the impacts of ISO 9001 certification on lean manufacturing (LM), supply chain relationship (SCR) and their sub-constructs

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 516 manufacturers in Thailand. Structural equation modeling was applied to analyze the hypotheses

Findings

It was found that ISO 9001 certification significantly affects overall LM, its facility and quality sub-constructs, overall SCR, its supplier coordination, customer collaboration and customer coordination sub-constructs. ISO 9001 has insignificant impacts on production, purchasing and distribution of LM, and supplier collaboration of SCR.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first research to present insights into the impacts of ISO 9001 as a certificate rather than as a set of management practices on LM, SCR and their sub-constructs
An empirical analysis of government interventions in ECOWAS: evidence from dynamic panel threshold
Authors: Olaoye Olumide Olusegun , Noman Ambreen , Abanikanda Ezekiel Olamide
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The study examines whether the growth effect of government spending is contingent on the level of institutional environment prevalent in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts the more refined and more appropriate dynamic threshold panel by Seo and Shin (2016) and made applicable be Seo et al. (2019). The technique models a nonlinear asymmetric dynamics and cross-sectional heterogeneity simultaneously in a dynamic threshold panel data framework.

Findings

The results show that there is a threshold effect in the government spending-growth relationship. Specifically, the authors found that the impact of government spending on economic growth is positive and statistically significant only above a certain threshold level of institutional development. Below that threshold, the effect of government spending on growth is insignificant and negative at best. The findings suggest that government spending-growth nexus is contingent on the level of Institutional quality.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies that adopt the linear interaction model which pre-impose a priori conditional restrictions, this study adopts the dynamic threshold panel framework which allows the lagged dependent variable and endogenous covariates.
The moderating role of donation-related predispositions on the effectiveness of price and product quality on cause-related marketing participation
Authors: Akolaa Andrews Adugudaa , Kosiba John Paul Basewe , Appiah Felix , Nyanteh Akua Akuffo
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study investigates the effect of product quality and price fairness on consumer cause-related marketing (CRM) participation and also the moderating role of donation-related customer predispositions (i.e. empathy and cause importance) on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the study were obtained from 240 respondents. A structural equation modelling approach was used in analysing the data.

Findings

Results from the analysis indicate that fair pricing and product quality affect CRM participation. The findings also provide insights into the moderation role of empathy and cause importance.

Originality/value

Prior research studied the effect of promotion on CRM participation; however, this study examines the effect of product and price. The findings offer insight into issues of research and managerial interest, offering insightful implications to the academic and practitioner communities in developing countries, respectively.