bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The proteomic landscape of resting and activated CD4+ T cells reveal insights into cell differentiation and function
Authors: Subbannayya Yashwanth , Haug Markus , Pinto Sneha M. , Mohanty Varshasnata , Meås Hany Zakaria , Flo Trude Helen , Prasad T.S. Keshava , Kandasamy Richard K.
Published: November 2020

CD4+ T cells (T helper cells) are cytokine-producing adaptive immune cells that activate or regulate the responses of various immune cells. The activation and functional status of CD4+ T cells is important for adequate responses to pathogen infections but has also been associated with auto-immune disorders and survival in several cancers. In the current study, we carried out a label-free high-resolution FTMS-based proteomic profiling of resting and T cell receptor-activated (72h) primary human CD4+ T cells from peripheral blood of healthy donors as well as SUP-T1 cells. We identified 5,237 proteins, of which significant alterations in the levels of 1,119 proteins were observed between resting and activated CD4+ T cells. We confirmed several known T-cell activation-related processes such as IL-2 response, metabolic and signaling changes, cell cycle induction, differentiation into effector cells among others. Several stimulatory/inhibitory immune checkpoint markers were altered considerably between resting and activated CD4+ T cells. Network analysis identified several known regulatory hubs of CD4+ T cell activation, including IFNG, IRF1, FOXP3, AURKA, and novel hubs such as RIOK2. Comparison of primary CD4+ T cell proteomic profiles with human lymphoblastic cell lines revealed a substantial overlap, while comparison with mouse CD+ T cell data suggested interspecies proteomic differences.
HIV-induced membraneless organelles orchestrate post-nuclear entry steps
Authors: Scoca Viviana , Morin Renaud , Collard Maxence , Tinevez Jean-Yves , Di Nunzio Francesca
Published: November 2020

HIV integration occurs in chromatin sites that favor the release of high levels of viral progeny, alternatively the virus is also able to discreetly coexist with the host. The viral infection perturbs the cellular environment inducing the remodeling of the nuclear landscape. Indeed, HIV-1 triggers the nuclear clustering of the host factor CPSF6, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Our data indicate that HIV usurps a recently discovered biological phenomenon, called liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), to hijack the host cell. We observed CPSF6 clusters as part of HIV-induced membraneless organelles (HIV-1 MLOs) in macrophages, which are one of the main HIV target cells. We describe that HIV-1 MLOs follow phase separation rules and represent functional biomolecular condensates. We highlight HIV-1 MLOs as hubs of nuclear reverse transcription, while the double stranded viral DNA, once formed, rapidly migrates outside these structures. Transcription-competent proviruses localize outside, but near HIV-1 MLOs, in LEDGF-abundant regions, known to be active chromatin sites. Therefore, HIV-1 MLOs orchestrate viral events prior to the integration step and create a favorable environment for the viral replication. This study uncovers single functional host-viral complexes in their nuclear landscape, which is markedly restructured by HIV-1.
New Measures of Visual Scanning Efficiency and Cognitive Effort
Authors: Lv Zezhong , Xu Qing , Schoeffmann Klaus , Parkinson Simon
Published: November 2020

Visual scanning plays an important role in sampling visual information from the surrounding environments for a lot of everyday sensorimotor tasks, such as walking and car driving. In this paper, we consider the problem of visual scanning mechanism underpinning sensorimotor tasks in3Ddynamic environments. We exploit the use of eye tracking data as a behaviometric, for indicating the visuo-motor behavioral measures in the context of virtual driving. A new metric of visual scanning efficiency (VSE), which is defined as a mathematical divergence between a fixation distribution and a distribution of optical flows induced by fixations, is proposed by making use of a widely-known information theoretic tool, namely the square root ofJensen-Shannon divergence. Based on the proposed efficiency metric, a cognitive effort measure (CEM) is developed by using the concept of quantity of information. Psychophysical eye tracking studies, in virtual reality based driving, are conducted to reveal that the new metric of visual scanning efficiency can be employed very well as a proxy evaluation for driving performance. In addition, the effectiveness of the proposed cognitive effort measure is demonstrated by a strong correlation between this measure and pupil size change. These results suggest that the exploitation of eye tracking data provides an effective behaviometric for sensorimotor activity.
Training with audio and video games improves audiospatial performance in a “cocktail-party” task: A controlled intervention study in young adults
Authors: Schuchert Jonathan Barend , Lewald Jörg
Published: November 2020

Computer game playing has been suggested to be an effective training to enhance perceptual and cognitive abilities. Focusing on potential improvements in auditory selective spatial attention induced by computer gaming, we compared a passive waiting-control group with two gaming groups, playing either a first-person audio-only action game requiring spatial attention and sound localization or a platform side-scroller video game without audiospatial components, which has been shown to improve cognitive performance in previous studies. Prior to and immediately after game training for 1 month for at least 30 min per day (total training time ≥15 h), healthy young adults were tested in an audiospatial task simulating a “cocktail-party” situation with multiple speakers at different positions. The proportion of correct target localizations was significantly increased after audio and video gaming compared with the control group. However, there were no significant differences between gaming groups, with similarly strong effects of action audio game and non-action video game trainings on auditory selective spatial attention. Thus, it seems as if successful training of “cocktail-party” listening can be induced not only by modality-specific near-transfer learning within the audiospatial domain, but also by far transfer of trained cognitive skills across sensory modalities, which may enhance domain-general processes supporting selective attention.
A large panel of chicken cells are invadedin vivobySalmonellaTyphimurium even when depleted of all known invasion factors
Authors: Roche S. M. , Holbert S. , Le Vern Y. , Rossignol C. , Rossignol A. , Velge P. , Virlogeux-Payant I.
Published: November 2020

Poultry are the main source of human infection bySalmonella. As infected poultry are asymptomatic, the identification of infected poultry farms is difficult. Controlling animal infections is thus of primary importance. As cell tropism is known to govern disease, our aim was therefore to identify the infected host-cell types in chicks and the role of the three known invasion factors in this process (T3SS-1, Rck and PagN). Chicks were inoculated with wild-type or isogenic fluorescentSalmonellaTyphimurium mutants via the intraperitoneal route. Our results show that liver, spleen, gall bladder and aortic vessels could befociof infection and that phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells, including immune, epithelial and endothelial cells, are invadedin vivoin each organ. Moreover, a mutant defective for the T3SS-1, Rck and PagN remained able to colonize organs as the wild-type strain and invaded non-phagocytic cells in each organ studied. As the infection of gall bladder was not really described in chicks, invasion of gall bladder cells was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and infection was shown to last several weeks after inoculation of chicks. All together, these findings provide new insights into the dynamics ofSalmonellaspreadin vivoin chicks at the organ and cellular levels.
Small-molecule antibiotic inhibitors of post-translational protein secretion
Authors: Hamed Mohamed Belal , Burchacka Ewa , Angus Liselotte , Marchand Arnaud , De Geyter Jozefien , Loos Maria S. , Anné Jozef , Klaassen Hugo , Chaltin Patrick , Karamanou Spyridoula , Economou Anastassios
Published: November 2020

The increasing problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics underscores the urgent need for new antibacterials. The Sec preprotein export pathway is an attractive potential alternative target. It is essential for bacterial viability and includes components that are absent from eukaryotes. Here we used a new high throughputin vivoscreen based on the secretion and activity of alkaline phosphatase (PhoA), a Sec-dependent secreted enzyme that becomes active in the periplasm. The assay was optimized for a luminescence-based substrate and was used to screen a ~240K small molecule compound library. After hit confirmation and analoging, fourteen HTS secretion inhibitors (HSI), belonging to 8 structural classes, were identified (IC50<60 μM). The inhibitors were also evaluated as antibacterials against 19 Gram−and Gram+bacterial species (including those from the WHO top pathogens list). Seven of them, HSI#6, 9; HSI#1, 5, 10 and HSI#12, 14 representing three structural families were microbicidals. HSI#6 was the most potent (IC50of 0.4-8.7 μM), against 13 species of both Gram−and Gram+bacteria. HSI#1, 5, 9 and 10 inhibited viability of Gram+bacteria with IC50~6.9-77.8 μM. HSI#9, 12 and 14 inhibited viability ofE. colistrains with IC50<65 μM. Moreover, HSI#1, 5 and 10 inhibited viability of anE. colistrain missing TolC to improve permeability with IC504-14 μM, indicating their inability to penetrate the outer membrane.In vitroassays revealed that antimicrobial activity was not related to inhibition of the SecA component of the translocase and hence HSI molecules may target new unknown components that affect secretion. The results provide proof of principle for our approach, and new starting compounds for optimization.
Mosaic nanoparticles elicit cross-reactive immune responses to zoonotic coronaviruses in mice
Authors: Cohen Alexander A. , Gnanapragasam Priyanthi N.P. , Lee Yu E. , Hoffman Pauline R. , Ou Susan , Kakutani Leesa M. , Keeffe Jennifer R. , Wu Hung-Jen , Howarth Mark , West Anthony P. , Barnes Christopher O. , Nussenzweig Michel C. , Bjorkman Pamela J.
Published: November 2020

Protection against SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-related emergent zoonotic coronaviruses is urgently needed. We made homotypic nanoparticles displaying the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 or co-displaying SARS-CoV-2 RBD along with RBDs from animal betacoronaviruses that represent threats to humans (mosaic nanoparticles; 4-8 distinct RBDs). Mice immunized with RBD-nanoparticles, but not soluble antigen, elicited cross-reactive binding and neutralization responses. Mosaic-RBD-nanoparticles elicited antibodies with superior cross-reactive recognition of heterologous RBDs compared to sera from immunizations with homotypic SARS-CoV-2–RBD-nanoparticles or COVID-19 convalescent human plasmas. Moreover, sera from mosaic-RBD–immunized mice neutralized heterologous pseudotyped coronaviruses equivalently or better after priming than sera from homotypic SARS-CoV-2–RBD-nanoparticle immunizations, demonstrating no immunogenicity loss against particular RBDs resulting from co-display. A single immunization with mosaic-RBD-nanoparticles provides a potential strategy to simultaneously protect against SARS-CoV-2 and emerging zoonotic coronaviruses.

One sentence summary

Nanoparticle strategy for pan-sarbecovirus vaccine

125-character summary for online ToC

Immunizing with nanoparticles displaying diverse coronavirus RBDs elicits cross-reactive and neutralizing antibody responses.
Functional modulation of T follicular cellsin vivoenhances antigen-specific humoral immunity
Authors: Pagan Jose D. , Vlamakis Hera , Gaca Anthony , Xavier Ramnik , Anthony Robert M.
Published: November 2020

Generation of high-affinity IgG is essential for defense against infections and cancer, is the intended consequence of many vaccines, but can cause autoimmune and inflammatory diseases when inappropriately directed against self (Wang et al., 2018, Ludwig et al., 2017, Chinen et al., 2010). The interplay and balance of T follicular helper cells (TFH) and T follicular regulatory cells (TFR) is critical for production of high-affinity IgG (Wing et al., 2018). Here, we empowered TFHcells and improve antigen-specific IgG responses with two interventions intended to transiently diminish TFRinfluence. First, adult mice were administered an antibiotic cocktail (ABX) for an extended period to deplete the immunoregulatory intestinal microbiota (Belkaid and Harrison, 2017, Thaiss et al., 2016, Rooks and Garrett, 2016, Honda and Littman, 2016, Perruzza et al., 2017, Teng et al., 2016, Block et al., 2016, Proietti et al., 2014, Slack et al., 2014). This treatment skewed T follicular cell ratios, with increased TFHand reduced TFRnumbers. TNP-KLH immunization resulted in higher affinity TNP-specific IgG in ABX mice compared to controls. In a model of IgG-driven inflammatory nephritis, ABX mice had significantly worse nephritis accompanied by higher affinity antigen-specific IgG, and enriched TFHcells compared to controls. Second, we sought to functionally manipulate TFHand TFHcells, which both express the checkpoint inhibitory molecule, PD-1 (Sage et al., 2013), by administration of α-PD-1 during immunization. This intervention enhanced the affinity of antigen-specific IgG and increased in TFHfollowing TNP-KLH immunization and nephritis induction. These results suggest that altering TFHand TFRratio during immunization is an appealing strategy to qualitatively improve IgG responses.
Structural interpretation of the effects of threo-nucleotides on nonenzymatic template-directed polymerization
Authors: Zhang Wen , Kim Seohyun Chris , Tam Chun Pong , Lelyveld Victor S. , Bala Saikat , Chaput John C. , Szostak Jack W.
Published: November 2020

The prebiotic synthesis of ribonucleotides is likely to have been accompanied by the synthesis of noncanonical nucleotides including the threo-nucleotide building blocks of TNA. Here we examine the ability of activated threo-nucleotides to participate in nonenzymatic template-directed polymerization. We find that primer extension by multiple sequential threo-nucleotide monomers is strongly disfavored relative to ribo-nucleotides. Kinetic, NMR and crystallographic studies suggest that this is due in part to the slow formation of the imidazolium-bridged TNA dinucleotide intermediate in primer extension, and in part because of the greater distance between the attacking RNA primer 3’-hydroxyl and the phosphate of the incoming threo-nucleotide intermediate. Even a single activated threo-nucleotide in the presence of an activated downstream RNA oligonucleotide is added to the primer ten-fold more slowly than an activated ribonucleotide. In contrast, a single activated threo-nucleotide at the end of an RNA primer or in an RNA template results in only a modest decrease in the rate of primer extension, consistent with the minor and local structural distortions revealed by crystal structures. Our results are consistent with a model in which heterogeneous primordial oligonucleotides would, through cycles of replication, have given rise to increasingly homogeneous RNA strands.
Structure of the mycobacterial ESX-5 Type VII Secretion System hexameric pore complex
Authors: Beckham Kathrine S. H. , Ritter Christina , Chojnowski Grzegorz , Mullapudi Edukondalu , Rettel Mandy , Savitski Mikhail M. , Mortensen Simon A. , Kosinski Jan , Wilmanns Matthias
Published: November 2020

To establish an infection, pathogenic mycobacteria use the Type VII secretion or ESX system to secrete virulence proteins across their cell envelope. The five ESX systems (ESX-1 to ESX-5) have evolved diverse functions in the cell, with the ESX-5 found almost exclusively in pathogens. Here we present a high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structure of the hexameric ESX-5 Type VII secretion system. This 2.1 MDa membrane protein complex is built by a total of 30 subunits from six protomeric units, which are composed of the core components EccB5, EccC5, two copies of EccD5, and EccE5. The hexameric assembly of the overall ESX-5 complex is defined by specific inter-protomer interactions mediated by EccB5and EccC5. The central transmembrane pore is formed by six pairs of EccC5transmembrane helices that adopt a closed conformation in the absence of substrate in our structure. On the periplasmic face of the ESX-5 complex, we observe an extended arrangement of the six EccB5subunits around a central cleft. Our structural findings provide molecular details of ESX-5 assembly and observations of the central secretion pore, which reveal insights into possible gating mechanisms used to regulate the transport of substrates.
High Spatial-Resolution Imaging of the Dynamics of Cuticular Lipid Deposition During Arabidopsis Flower Development
Authors: Alexander Liza Esther , Gilbertson Jena S. , Xie Bo , Song Zhihong , Nikolau Basil J.
Published: November 2020

The extensive collection ofglossy(gl) andeceriferum(cer) mutants of maize and Arabidopsis have proven invaluable in dissecting the branched metabolic pathways that support cuticular lipid deposition. This branched pathway integrates the fatty acid elongation-decarbonylative branch and the fatty acid elongation-reductive branch that has the capacity to generate hundreds of cuticular lipid metabolites. In this study a combined transgenic and biochemical strategy was implemented to explore and compare the physiological function of three homologous genes,Gl2, Gl2-likeandCER2in the context of this branched pathway. These biochemical characterizations integrated new extraction-chromatographic procedures with high-spatial resolution mass spectrometric imaging methods to profile the cuticular lipids on developing floral tissues transgenically expressing these transgenes in wild-type orcer2mutant lines of Arabidopsis. Collectively, these datasets establish that both the maizeGl2andGl2-likegenes are functional homologs of the ArabidopsisCER2gene. In addition, the dynamic distribution of cuticular lipid deposition follows distinct floral organ localization patterns indicating that the fatty acid elongation-decarbonylative branch of the pathway is differentially localized from the fatty acid elongation-reductive branch of the pathway.
Reproductive compensation and selection among viable embryos drive the evolution of polyembryony
Authors: Brandvain Yaniv J , Harkness Alexander J , Pyhäjärvi Tanja
Published: November 2020

Simple polyembryony – where one gametophyte produces multiple embryos with different sires but the same maternal haplotype – is common among vascular plants. We show that together polyembryony’s two benefits – “reproductive compensation” achieved by providing a backup for inviable embryos, and the opportunity to favor the fitter of surviving embryos, can favor the evolution of polyembryony. To do so, we develop an infinite-site, forward population genetics model to test how these factors can favor the evolution of polyembryony, and how these underlying benefits of polyembryony shape the genetic load under a range of biological parameters. While these two benefits are difficult to disentangle in nature, we construct variant models of polyembryony that either only include or only exclude the opportunity for reproductive compensation. We find that reproductive compensation strongly favors the evolution of polyembryony, and that polyembryony is favored much more weekly in its absence, suggesting that the benefit of a backup embryo is the force favoring polyembryony. Remarkably we find nearly identical results in cases in which mutations impact either embryo or post-embryonic fitness (no pleiotropy), and in cases in which mutations have identical fitness effects embryo or post-embryonic fitness (extreme pleiotropy). Finally, we find that the consequences of polyembryony depends on its function – polyembryony results in a decrease in mean embryonic fitness when acting as a mechanism of embryo compensation, and ultimately increases mean embryonic fitness when we exclude this potential benefit.

Nature is, above all, profligate. Don’t believe them when they tell you how economical and thrifty nature is.

– Annie Dillard 1974.
Robustness of phylogenetic inference to model misspecification caused by pairwise epistasis
Authors: Magee Andrew F. , Hilton Sarah K. , DeWitt William S.
Published: November 2020

Likelihood-based phylogenetic inference posits a probabilistic model of character state change along branches of a phylogenetic tree. These models typically assume statistical independence of sites in the sequence alignment. This is a restrictive assumption that facilitates computational tractability, but ignores how epistasis, the effect of genetic background on mutational effects, influences the evolution of functional sequences. We consider the effect of using a misspecified site-independent model on the accuracy of Bayesian phylogenetic inference in the setting of pairwise-site epistasis. Previous work has shown that as alignment length increases, tree reconstruction accuracy also increases. Here, we present a simulation study demonstrating that accuracy increases with alignment size even if the additional sites are epistatically coupled. We introduce an alignment-based test statistic that is a diagnostic for pair-wise epistasis and can be used in posterior predictive checks.
14-3-3 mitigates alpha-synuclein aggregation and toxicity in thein vivopreformed fibril model
Authors: Underwood Rachel , Gannon Mary , Pathak Aneesh , Kapa Navya , Chandra Sidhanth , Klop Alyssa , Yacoubian Talene A.
Published: November 2020

Alpha-synuclein (αsyn) is the key component of proteinaceous aggregates termed Lewy Bodies (LBs) that pathologically define a group of disorders known as synucleinopathies, including Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). αSyn is hypothesized to misfold and spread throughout the brain in a prion-like fashion. Transmission of αsyn necessitates the release of misfolded αsyn from one cell and the uptake of that αsyn by another, in which it can template the misfolding of endogenous αsyn upon cell internalization. 14-3-3 proteins are a family of highly expressed brain proteins that are neuroprotective in multiple PD models. We have previously shown that 14-3-3θ acts as a chaperone to reduce αsyn aggregation, cell-to-cell transmission, and neurotoxicity in thein vitropre-formed fibril (PFF) model. In this study, we expanded our studies to test the impact of 14-3-3s on αsyn toxicity in thein vivoαsyn PFF model. We used both transgenic expression models and adenovirus associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression to examine whether 14-3-3 manipulation impacts behavioral deficits, αsyn aggregation, and neuronal loss in the PFF model. 14-3-3θ transgene overexpression in cortical and amygdala regions rescued social dominance deficits induced by PFFs at 6 months post injection, whereas 14-3-3 inhibition by transgene expression of the competitive 14-3-3 peptide inhibitor difopein in the cortex and amygdala accelerated social dominance deficits. The behavioral rescue by 14-3-3θ overexpression was associated with delayed αsyn aggregation induced by PFFs in these brain regions. Conversely, 14-3-3 inhibition by difopein in the cortex and amygdala accelerated αsyn aggregation and cortical pyramidal neuron loss induced by PFFs. 14-3-3θ overexpression by AAV in the substantia nigra (SN) also delayed αsyn aggregation in the SN and partially rescued PFF-induced dopaminergic cell loss in the SN. 14-3-3 inhibition in the SN accelerated nigral αsyn aggregation and increased PFF-induced dopaminergic cell loss. These data indicate a neuroprotective role for 14-3-3θ against αsyn toxicityin vivo.
Transient genomic instability drives tumorigenesis through accelerated clonal evolution
Authors: Shoshani Ofer , Bakker Bjorn , Wang Yin , Kim Dong Hyun , Maldonado Marcus , Demarest Matthew A. , Artates Jon , Zhengyu Ouyang , Mark Adam , Wardenaar Rene , Sasik Roman , Spierings Diana C.J. , Vitre Benjamin , Fisch Kathleen , Foijer Floris , Cleveland Don W.
Published: November 2020

Abnormal numerical and structural chromosome content is frequently found in human cancer. To test the role of aneuploidy in tumor initiation and progression, we compared tumor development in mice with chronic chromosome instability (CIN) induced by inactivation of the spindle assembly checkpoint (produced by Mad2 deficiency) and mice with transient CIN through transiently increased expression of polo-like kinase 4 (PLK4), a master regulator of centrosome number. Tumors forming under chronic CIN gradually trended toward chromosomal gains producing a specific karyotype profile that could only be partially maintained in end-stage tumors, as determined by single-cell whole genome DNA sequencing. Short term CIN from transient PLK4 induction generated significant centrosome amplification and aneuploidy resulting in formation of aggressive T cell lymphomas in mice with heterozygous inactivation of one p53 allele or accelerated tumor development in the absence of p53. Transient CIN increased the frequency of lymphomainitiating cells (as revealed by T cell receptor sequencing) with a specific karyotype profile containing triploid chromosomes 4, 5, 14, and 15 occurring early in tumorigenesis. Overall, our evidence demonstrates that distinct CIN mechanisms drive cancers presenting specific, complex chromosomal alterations with transient CIN rapidly enhancing tumor formation by accelerating the generation of such events.
Metformin prevented high glucose-induced endothelial reactive oxygen species via OGG1 in an AMPKα-Lin-28 dependent pathway
Authors: Tao Liangliang , Fan Xiucai , Sun Jing , zhang Zhu
Published: November 2020

Metformin improved vascular function in obese type 2 diabetic patients. 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1), a main DNA glycosylase, was involved in vascular complications in diverse diseases. However, whether metformin suppressed endothelial ROS via OGG1 pathway was unclear. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to HG (high glucose) or HG with metformin. OGG1 and AMPfα levels were measured after metformin treatment while HG-caused ROS was measured by DHE prober. Diabetic mice were induced by daily intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (STZ). Metformin reduced Endothelial ROS caused by HG via upregulating OGG1. Additionally, OGG1 protein expression was dependent on its mRNA stability, which was reversed by genetic inhibition of AMPKα and Lin-28. The role of OGG1 on ROS stimulated by HG was partially dependent on NFKB/NOX4 pathway in HUVECs. These results suggested that metformin contacted HG-induced endothelial ROS via AMPKα/Lin-28/OGG1 pathway.
OIL: Installation of a Central Gas Gathering Station at Madhuban, Assam
Authors: Dutta Goutam
Published: November 2020

This case deals with several types of uncertainties faced by project team in an oil company north east in India. These challenges and uncertainties are in the areas drawing approval, supply chain, critical equipment availability, soll type, control room, soil type, employee availability, environmental clearances, safety and wildlife clearances. This project demonstrates the ownership issues, why it is difficult to complete a project on time in the Northeast of India or why public sector project gets delayed.
Determinants of knowledge-sharing behaviour among students at higher educational institutions in Oman: a planned behaviour theoretical perspective of knowledge sharing
Authors: Abdel Fattah Fadi Abdel Muniem , Mohamed Abdul Hakim H.M , Bashir Mohamed Izzeldin A. , Al Alawi Abrar Mohammed Mubarak
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how students’ attitude (SA), students’ subjective norms (SN), students’ knowledge sharing intentions (KSI) can contribute to the enhancement of knowledge sharing behaviour (KSB) among students at higher education institutes (HEI) in Oman.

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows the quantitative methodology and the deductive causal research approach. The data were conveniently collected through a Web-based questionnaire (Google forms) from 285 active students who are affiliated to Omani universities. SPSS was used to statistically analyse the collected data, including partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM V3.3) to draw the results.

Findings

The study concluded that SA has both direct and indirect positive impact on SN, KSI and KSB. Moreover, the result revealed that there is a mediation effect between SA and KSB through KSI, SA and KSI when SN is playing as a mediation role.

Research limitations/implications

Although this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge, this study is limited by the scarcity of the related literature in the Omani context. It is recommended that these shortfalls be addressed together while improving the knowledge-sharing behaviour among students and administrative staff. Furthermore, the potential variation between academic staff and students in terms of factors affecting their intentions to share knowledge within HEIs should be explored.

Practical implications

This research provides policymakers in academic fields with the appropriate approaches to leverage the knowledge-sharing behaviour amongst Omani students with the understanding of the main factors affecting individuals’ knowledge-sharing behaviours.

Social implications

This will help in improving the means of employing and practising knowledge-sharing strategies within HEIs, which can generate competitive advantages amongst students and institutions while benefiting knowledge management strategies and its members.

Originality/value

The importance of the study stems from its context being conducted in Oman as a developing country. In addition, this study is one of the initial attempts to investigate KSB by considering SA, SN and KSI and its applicability on HEI in Oman. The findings of the study can serve as inputs to HEI in developing best practices across KSB dimensions and expanding the knowledge-sharing culture amongst HEI’s students in Oman. One of the developed strategies is the spreading of the knowledge-sharing culture among students by positively directing their attitude towards the practices of knowledge exchange.
Identifying sustainability drivers in higher education through fuzzy AHP
Authors: Arora Anchal , Jain Jinesh , Gupta Sanjay , Sharma Ajay
Published: November 2020

Purpose

In today's competitive environment, sustainability is talked out in every sphere of life. Sustainability is a key to stability and for that roots are being focused by incorporating sustainability in higher education. The basic purpose of this paper is to prioritize the sustainability drivers in the higher education system. This research will provide fruitful insight into the sustainability drivers in the higher education system to the education industry and policymakers.

Design/methodology/approach

The present research is conducted on the 400 students studying in four major universities in the state of Punjab. Fuzzy analytical hierarchy process was applied to prioritize the sustainability drivers in the higher education system. The primary factors considered for the present study include social-people (social responsibility), environmental-planet (sustainable environmental practices) and financial-profit (economic value created).

Findings

The most influential criteria were environmental-planet (sustainable environmental practices) and social-people (social responsibility). The five most influential subcriteria were “Student engagement in eco co-curricular activities (C21)”, Energy efficiency measures (C23)”, “The HEI as a job driver in the city (C11)”, “Total direct energy consumption (C31)” and “Support from the HEI for local initiatives and help in growing the sustainability of the community or region (C12)”.

Research limitations/implications

Although the sample survey conducted in this study was focused on a small sample selected from the state of Punjab which genuinely represented the total population, it is still considered as a limitation for the present study.

Practical implications

The outcome of this research provides policymakers with a better understanding of the sustainability drivers in higher education. This will further help them toward achieving the aim of sustainability.

Originality/value

The present research is based on the available literature on sustainability and the results of the study would add value to the existing knowledge base.
A design of wetsuit based on 3D body scanning and virtual technologies
Authors: Wu Xinzhou , Kuzmichev Victor
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a method of digital twins of female bodies and the optimization of wetsuit patterns with the help of virtual technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the new anthropometrical grouping of female torsos has been developed with 3D body scanning technology. Second, soft tissue deformation under the influence of typical diving postures and hydraulic pressure has been explored. Through real experiments, the relationship between textile material strain and body measurement changing has been applied to establish deformed digital twins of female bodies. Finally, during the evaluation of the virtual wetsuit test on digital twins through material strain and pressure values in CLO 3D, the optimized pattern of the wetsuit has been designed.

Findings

The experimental results show that the digital twins based on real data transformation are feasible and practical, and the process of establishing digital twins with 3D body scanning technology is valid and accurate.

Originality/value

The researches on the wetsuit of structure and body dynamic measurements still have many gaps existing in the real and virtual experiments. Thus the manuscript addresses these issues and provides the deformed digital twin for wetsuit pattern design for the first time. This study can be used for designing and optimizing the wetsuit and further improving the efficiency of manufacture and evaluation.
Energy efficiency in logistics through service modularity: the case of household waste
Authors: Wehner Jessica , Altuntas Vural Ceren , Halldórsson Árni
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Service modularity promotes efficiency at the provider end of the supply chain and customisation at the customer end. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how logistics service modularity contributes to sustainable development through the means of energy efficiency. This is analysed in the context of logistics services for household waste collection.

Design/methodology/approach

A single case study methodology with embedded units is adopted where semi-structured interviews were conducted with a waste service provider (WSP) and buyers (municipalities) in Sweden, focussing on five types of logistics services for waste collection: collection of food and residual waste at apartments and one-family houses, as well as collection of gardening waste. Service modules are identified and analysed by blueprinting the service.

Findings

The findings show different service modules – standardised or customised – and their contribution to sustainable development operationalised through energy efficiency. Principles for an energy-centric service design are proposed.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to Swedish household waste collection setting. Promising efficiency through standardisation, logistics service modularity has a potential to improve energy efficiency as well. This neglected link between sustainability and service modularity offers fruitful research avenues.

Practical implications

This research is of practical relevance to waste logistics service providers and the municipality by suggesting principles for energy-centric service design. The service blueprint enables using logistics service modularity for improving energy efficiency in different logistics service settings.

Originality/value

This research incorporates an environmentally sustainable development perspective into logistics service modularity and contributes to the literature by exploring how energy efficiency is improved by modular design of logistics services. Furthermore, the study is one of the first to use service blueprinting to analyse logistics service modularity, providing a methodological contribution to that field in general and logistics in particular.
Curriculum up-gradation practices among higher education institutions of Pakistan: does curriculum ideologies make difference?
Authors: Asad Muhammad Mujtaba , Rind Amjad Ali , Khand Zahid Hussain , Rind Irfan Ahmed , Mughal Shahid Hussain
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to find out the perception of prospective teachers and teacher educators regarding the curriculum ideologies. The student–teachers and teacher educators from a public university of Pakistan participated in the study.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study has employed quantitative approach and used descriptive survey research design. The data was collected through the convenience sampling techniques. The data was collected through a questionnaire developed by Schiro in 2008. The questionnaire consisting of six parts and each part contains four statements on the curriculum ideologies of Scholar Academy, Social efficacy learner centered and social reconstruction ideology. The population of study comprised of 200 Prospective teachers of education department of a public sector University of Sindh, Pakistan. The data was collected by using 4-point Likert scale. The likert scale was ranging from the first priority to least priority. The reliability statistics was computed through Cronbach alpha α = 0.763. The data was analyzed through Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 23.0 and mean and percentages were computed in this study.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that most of the prospective teachers as well faculty members are following the scholar academy ideology to align with national goals of curriculum. The prospective teachers and faculty members believe that knowledge should be transferred from the institutions to the learners rather than the knowledge can be disseminated from the other sources as per the new dimensions for updated curriculum.

Practical implications

The current study suggests curriculum ideology awareness programs should be given to prospective teachers and faculty members before their induction. The study also recommends that a survey study can be conducted from teachers and teacher educators before designing the national curriculum of Pakistan because majority of participants believed that knowledge can only be transferred from institutions.

Originality/value

This empirical study has given thoughtful insights to investigate the curriculum ideologies with new dimensions for those who are studying in teacher education courses and for their mentors. So, this study has contributed new knowledge in the context of Sindh, Pakistan specifically in the domain of curriculum ideologies and frameworks.
Corporate real estate ownership, cash and credit ratings
Authors: Ivanov Stoyu I. , Faulkner Matthew
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Recently, multiple examples of large firms acquiring real estate have polarized investors. Who are the firms investing in real estate and what are their characteristics? How does this investment in owning commercial real estate relate to cash holding policies? Is owning commercial real estate associated with better credit ratings? This study questions commonly held beliefs in finance that firms prefer to lease their real estate rather than own it and examines what are the differences in outcomes between the choices.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors identify three testable hypotheses based on the research questions and prior literature. The authors use univariate and multivariate analyses to test these hypotheses along with thorough robustness and addressing of endogeneity issues to confirm that our results hold in a variety of settings. The authors employ new proxies of real estate to the literature from Bloomberg and firm level data from Compustat.

Findings

The authors show that more firms within the S&P 500 choose to own commercial real estate. The authors also find many significant differences in corporate characteristics between firms who own real estate and those who do not, such that firms with real estate ownership have significantly: higher growth opportunities, higher R&D expenses, higher working capital levels, lower capital expenditures, higher leverage and higher cash flow. Firms with corporate real estate (CRE) ownership hold less cash. Contingent on real estate ownership, firms have higher cash holdings as their real estate holdings increase. Last, firms with commercial real estate ownership have higher credit ratings.

Originality/value

One of the main contributions of this study is in the use of a new specific proxy using data on corporate land, buildings and construction in progress, which to the best of our knowledge has not been done in the past. Other studies focus on aggregate property, plant and equipment data which blurs the CRE ownership picture. Additionally, the authors provide an underexplored variable of CRE ownership to its impacts of cash holdings and credit ratings, which had yet to be uncovered.
A leader–network exchange theory
Authors: Escórcio Soares André , Pereira Lopes Miguel , Geremias Rosa Lutete , Glińska-Neweś Aldona
Published: November 2020

Purpose

We propose an integrative model of how leaders (individual level) effectively relate to their social networks as a whole (network level). Additionally, we focus both on the leader constructs and the followers shared constructs about those networks.

Design/methodology/approach

Our conceptual paper uses the integration of literature from two main bodies of knowledge: individual and shared cognitions, fundamentally from psychology, and a structural perspective, mainly from sociology, organisational studies and social network analysis. We take a psycho-structural approach which allows the emergence of new perspectives on the study of leadership and more specifically on the study of relational leadership.

Findings

We propose a leader-network exchange (LNX) theory focussed on the behaviours and cognitions of leaders and followers as well as the relations between them.

Research limitations/implications

Our model represents a new perspective on leader–followers relationship by stressing the importance of both followers and leaders' cognitions. We highlight the importance of the relationships between followers on the creation of shared meaning about the leader.

Practical implications

Our model helps leaders and managers make sense of the cognitions and behaviours of their teams. By considering the teams characteristics, i.e. cognitions and network structure, it allows leaders to adopt the most appropriate behaviours for effective leadership. Leadership and management development programmes designed around our model will enhance the use of networking skills.

Originality/value

Contrary to the traditional view of LMX, our approach considers the social context of leaders and followers. It also adds a new layer of knowledge going beyond what members think of their leaders by considering the social networks of leaders and followers.
Internationalisation of developing economy small and medium-sized enterprises: social capital and learning in Palestinian pharmaceutical firms
Authors: Khoury Grace , El-Far Mira T. , Khoury Elena Noor , Tovstiga George
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The paper examines the role of learning through social capital on the internationalisation process of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based within extreme contexts. The study focuses on the Palestinian pharmaceutical industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The inductive, exploratory research used in this study adopts a case study approach. Data derived from semi-structured in-depth interviews held with senior management and companies' founders were analysed using content and thematic analysis techniques.

Findings

The findings suggest that accumulated learning by SMEs seeking international expansion is enhanced with stronger social capital ties and networks through structural, relational and cognitive mechanisms. Serendipity and liability effects enabled modes of foreign entry with higher degrees of commitment than efficacy-related factors.

Practical implications

The Palestinian pharmaceutical industry presents a benchmark for other industries in comparable developing economy contexts. This study elucidates the important interrelationship between social capital and learning for SMEs seeking to expand internationally; the findings have implications for regional policymaking in developing economy regions.

Originality/value

The case study investigation focuses on the pharmaceutical industry and SMEs operating within the extreme context of Palestine, thereby contributing insights in an area of management enquiry that is under-represented in the extant literature.
Assessment for the implementation of a national greenhouse gas inventory: the case of Japan
Authors: Kawanishi Masato , Fujikura Ryo
Published: November 2020

Purpose

By applying a framework for implementation analysis, the authors aim to examine the evolution of Japan's national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, assess the extent to which each condition for effective implementation has been met and identify factors that may contribute to transparency-related capacity building in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The case description was based on interviews and document reviews. The authors coded the collected data into the variables as identified under the framework for implementation analysis, and they evaluated the effectiveness according to the code of assessment.

Findings

First, this study finds that the development of the endogenous research base can contribute to the continuous improvement in GHG inventories. Second, it highlights the boundary-spanning role played by a private-sector actor's facilitation of interactions among relevant actors. Third, the assessment revealed the criticality of the causal linkage, pointing to the importance of a commitment to emission reductions as a strong driver for the quality improvement of GHG inventories. Lastly, this study indicates a lack of data compatibility, which may potentially hinder effective policy implementation, suggesting the importance of integrated development of the national statistics.

Originality/value

The primary contribution of this paper lies in its use of a framework for implementation analysis, creating new possibilities for both practitioners and researchers. The present study pays attention to the fact that the national GHG inventory preparation, although a highly technical task, is crucial to each country's climate change policy implementation, an aspect that has not been focused on by prior studies.