bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Brazilian Rare Genomes Project: validation of whole genome sequencing for rare diseases diagnosis
Authors: Campos Coelho Antonio Victor , Cordeiro de Azevedo Bruna Mascaro , Lucon Danielle Ribeiro , Nóbrega Maria Soares , de Souza Reis Rodrigo , de Alexandre Rodrigo Bertollo , Silva Moura Livia Maria , de Oliveira Gustavo Santos , Muniz Guedes Rafael Lucas , Caraciolo Marcel Pinheiro , Zurro Nuria Bengala , Cervato Murilo Castro , de Oliveira Filho João Bosco
Published: October 2021

Rare diseases affect 3.2 to 13.2 million individuals in Brazil. The Brazilian Rare Genomes Project is envisioned to further the implementation of genomic medicine into the Brazilian public healthcare system. Here we report the results of the validation of a whole genome sequencing (WGS) procedure for implementation in a clinical laboratory. In addition, we report data quality for the first 1,200 real world patients sequenced. For the validation, we sequenced a well characterized group of 76 samples, including seven gold standard genomes, using a PCR-free WGS protocol on Illumina Novaseq 6000 equipment. We compared the observed variant calls with their expected calls, observing good concordance for single nucleotide variants (SNVs; mean F-measure = 99.82%) and indels (mean F-measure = 99.57%). Copy number variants and structural variants events detection performances were as expected (F-measures 96.6% and 90.3%, respectively). Our protocol presented excellent intra- and inter-assay reproducibility, with coefficients of variation ranging between 0.03% and 0.20% and 0.02% and 0.09%, respectively. Limitations of the procedure include the inability to confidently detect variants such as uniparental disomy, balanced translocations, repeat expansion variants and low-level mosaicism. In summary, the observed performance of the test was in accordance with that seen in the best centers worldwide. The Rare Genomes Project is an important initiative to improve Brazil’s general population access to the innovative WGS technology which has the potential to reduce the time until diagnosis of rare diseases, bringing pivotal improvements for the quality of life of the affected individuals.
De novo birth of functional, human-specific microproteins
Authors: Vakirlis Nikolaos , Duggan Kate M. , McLysaght Aoife
Published: October 2021

We now have a growing understanding that functional short proteins can be translated out of small Open Reading Frames (sORF). Such “microproteins” can perform crucial biological tasks and can have considerable phenotypic consequences. However, their size makes them less amenable to genomic analysis, and their evolutionary origins and conservation are poorly understood. Given their short length it is plausible that some of these functional microproteins have recently originated entirely de novo from non-coding sequence. Here we test the possibility that de novo gene birth can produce microproteins that are functional “out-of-the-box”. We reconstructed the evolutionary origins of human microproteins previously found to have measurable, statistically significant fitness effects. By tracing the appearance of each ORF and its transcriptional activation, we were able to show that, indeed, novel small proteins with significant phenotypic effects have emerged de novo throughout animal evolution, including many after the human-chimpanzee split. We show that traditional methods for assessing the coding potential of such sequences often fall short, due to the high variability present in the alignments and the absence of telltale evolutionary signatures that are not yet measurable. Thus we provide evidence that the functional potential intrinsic to sORFs can be rapidly, and frequently realised through de novo gene birth.
Structure-Functional-Selectivity Relationship Studies on A-86929 Analogs and Small Aryl Fragments toward Discovery of Biased D1 Agonists
Authors: Li Haoxi , Mirabel Rosa , Zimmerman Joseph , Ghiviriga Ion , Phidd Darian K. , Horenstein Nicole , Urs Nikhil M.
Published: October 2021

Dopamine regulates normal functions such as movement, reinforcement learning, and cognition, and its dysfunction has been implicated in multiple psychiatric and neurological disorders. Dopamine acts through the D1- (D1R and D5R) and D2-class (D2R, D3R and D4R) of seven transmembrane receptors, and activates both G-protein- and β-arrestin-dependent signaling pathways, to mediate its physiological effects. Current dopamine receptor-based therapies are used to ameliorate motor deficits in Parkinson’s disease, or as antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia. These drugs show efficacy for ameliorating only some symptoms caused by dopamine dysfunction and are plagued by debilitating side-effects. Studies in primates and rodents have shown that shifting the balance of dopamine receptor signaling towards the arrestin pathway can be beneficial for inducing normal movement, while reducing motor side-effects such as dyskinesias, and can be efficacious at enhancing cognitive function compared to balanced agonists. Several structure-activity-relationship (SAR) studies have embarked on discovering β-arrestin-biased dopamine agonists, focused on D2 partial agonists, non-catechol D1 agonists, and mixed D1/D2R dopamine receptor agonists. Here, we describe an SAR study to identify novel D1R β-arrestin biased ligands using A-86929, a high-affinity D1R catechol agonist, as a core scaffold. Previously described and novel analogs of A-86929 were synthesized and screened in vitro for structure-functional-selectivity relationships (SFSR) studies to identify chemical motifs responsible for β-arrestin biased activity at both D1 and D2Rs. Most of the A-86929 analogs screened were G protein biased but none of them were exclusively arrestin-biased. Additionally, various catechol aryl fragments were designed and synthesized. Other compounds surveyed included hydroxyl and chloro analogs of dopamine to test for hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions. Some of these small molecular probes displayed weak bias towards the β-arrestin pathway. Continued in-depth SFSR studies informed by structure determination, molecular modeling, and mutagenesis studies will facilitate discovery of potent and efficacious arrestin-biased dopamine receptor ligands.
A ROLE FOR CORTICAL DOPAMINE IN THE PARADOXICAL CALMING EFFECTS OF PSYCHOSTIMULANTS
Authors: Harris Sharonda S. , Green Sara M. , Kumar Mayank , Urs Nikhil M.
Published: October 2021

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects young children and manifests symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsivity and cognitive disabilities. Psychostimulants, which are the primary treatment for ADHD, target monoamine transporters and have a paradoxical calming effect, but their mechanism of action, is unclear. Studies using the dopamine (DA) transporter (DAT) knockout mice, which have elevated striatal DA levels and are considered an animal model of ADHD, have suggested that the paradoxical calming effect of psychostimulants might be through the actions on serotonin neurotransmission. On the other hand, newer non-stimulant class of drugs such as atomoxetine and Intuniv suggest that targeting the norepinephrine (NE) system in the PFC might explain this paradoxical calming effect. We sought to decipher the mechanism of this paradoxical effect of psychostimulants through an integrated approach usingex vivomonoamine efflux experiments, monoamine transporter knockout mice, drug infusions and behavior. Ourex vivoefflux experiments reveal that NE transporter (NET) blocker desipramine elevates both norepinephrine and dopamine but not serotonin levels, in PFC tissue slices from wild-type and DAT-KO but not NET KO mice. However, serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT) inhibitor fluoxetine elevates only serotonin in all three genotypes. Systemic administration of both desipramine and fluoxetine but local PFC infusion of only desipramine and not fluoxetine inhibits hyperactivity in the DAT-KO mice. In contrast, pharmacological norepinephrine depletion but dopamine elevation using Nepicastat also inhibits hyperactivity in DATKO mice. Together, these data suggest that elevation of PFC dopamine and not norepinephrine or serotonin as a convergent mechanism for the paradoxical psychostimulant effects observe in ADHD therapy.
RASopathy Mutations Provide Functional Insight into the BRAF Cysteine-rich Domain and Demonstrate the Importance of Autoinhibition in BRAF Regulation
Authors: Spencer-Smith Russell , Terrell Elizabeth M. , Insinna Christine , Agamasu Constance , Wagner Morgan E. , Ritt Daniel A. , Stauffer Jim , Stephen Andrew G. , Morrison Deborah K
Published: October 2021

BRAF is frequently mutated in human cancer and the RASopathy syndromes, with RASopathy mutations often observed in the cysteine-rich domain (CRD). Although the CRD participates in phosphatidylserine (PS) binding, the RAS-RAF interaction, and RAF autoinhibition, the impact of these activities on RAF function in normal and disease states is not well-characterized. Here, we analyze a panel of CRD mutations and show that they increase BRAF activity by relieving autoinhibition and/or enhancing PS binding, with relief of autoinhibition being the major factor determining mutation severity in zebrafish models. Further, we show that CRD-mediated autoinhibition is essential for preventing the constitutive plasma membrane localization of BRAF and increased RAS-dependent and RAS-independent function. Comparison of the BRAF- and CRAF-CRDs also indicates that the BRAF-CRD is a stronger mediator of autoinhibition and PS binding, and given the increased catalytic activity of BRAF, our studies reveal a more critical role for CRD-mediated autoinhibition in BRAF regulation.
Ataxin-2 Disordered Region Promotes Huntingtin Protein Aggregation And Neurodegeneration In Drosophila Models Of Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Huelsmeier Joern , Walker Emily , Bakthavachalu Baskar , Ramaswami Mani
Published: October 2021

The Ataxin-2 (Atx2) protein contributes to the progression of neurodegenerative phenotypes in animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), type 2 spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA-2), Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Huntington’s Disease (HD). However, because the Atx2 protein contains multiple separable activities, deeper understanding requires experiments to address the exact mechanisms by which Atx2 modulates neurodegeneration (ND) progression. Recent work on two ALS models, C9ORF72 and FUS, in Drosophila has shown that a C-terminal intrinsically disordered region (cIDR) of Atx2 protein, required for assembly of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules, is essential for the progression of neurodegenerative phenotypes as well as for accumulation of protein inclusions associated with these ALS models. Here we show that the Atx2-cIDR also similarly contributes to the progression of degenerative phenotypes and accumulation of Huntingtin protein aggregates in Drosophila models of HD. Because Huntingtin is not an established component of RNP granules, these observations support a recently hypothesised, unexpected protein-handling function for RNP granules, which could contribute to the progression of Huntington’s disease and, potentially, other proteinopathies.
Synthetic sphingolipid analogs and anti-cancer drugs synergistically induced human colon and pancreatic cancer cell death through inhibiting ceramide metabolism
Authors: Song Jing , Dagan Arie
Published: October 2021

Ceramide metabolism is a potential target for anti-cancer therapy. Studies show that chemotherapeutic agents can induce apoptosis and it is mediated by ceramide. Synthesized sphingolipid analogs can induce cell death in human lymphocytes and leukemia cells. By screening a group of synthetic sphingolipid analogs, we found that low concentrations of AD2750 and AD2646 induced cell death in human cancer cells by preventing ceramide from converting to sphingomyelin, individually or in combination with commercial cancer drugs. The combination of low concentrations of Taxol and AD2750 or AD2646 significantly increased cell death on human colon cancer cells (HT29). Co-administering low concentrations of Doxorubicin with AD2750 or AD2646 elevated cellular toxicity on human pancreatic cancer cells (CRL1687). This synergistic effect is related to the elevated cellular ceramide. Combining AD2750 or AD2646 with chemotherapy drugs can be used to manipulate ceramide and sphingomyelin metabolism, potentially to affect the growth of human cancer cells and increase the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs on killing cancer cells.
The immunomodulatory properties of the HDAC6 inhibitor ACY241 supports robust anti-tumor response in NSCLC when coupled with the chemotherapy drug Oxaliplatin
Authors: Bag Arup , Schultz Andrew , Bhimani Saloni , Dominguez William , Cen Ling , Adeegbe Dennis
Published: October 2021

Background

Durable treatments that benefit a wide pool of patients remain elusive for Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The success of immunotherapy in a subset of NSCLC patients highlights the potential contribution of immune response to anti-tumor immunity while underscoring a need for broadly applicable therapeutic strategies. HDAC inhibitors are a promising class of drugs whose immunomodulatory properties are now being appreciated. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the HDAC6 inhibitor, ACY241 on lung tumor immune compartment with the goal of understanding the scope of its immunomodulatory properties and its therapeutic potential in combination with Oxaliplatin.

Methods

Lung adenocarcinoma-bearing mice were treated with ACY241 or vehicle after which the proportions and phenotype of tumor-associated T cells and macrophages were evaluated by comprehensive flow cytometric analysis. Bulk RNA-sequencing was also conducted on both cellular subsets to interrogate the transcriptomic changes associated with ACY241 treatment relative to vehicle controls. In vivo drug efficacy study was performed by administration of ACY241 and/or Oxaliplatin and assessing tumor growth and survival of tumor-bearing mice. Ex vivo functional studies was performed to assess tumor-associated T cell effector function as it correlates with measured outcomes.

Results

We demonstrate that ACY241 promotes increased presence of T and NK cells in the lung tumors of treated mice. The tumor-associated T cells under ACY241 treatment displayed enhanced activation, proliferation, and effector profile. In addition, tumor-associated macrophages exhibited increased expression of MHC and co-stimulatory molecules while expression of inhibitory ligands were reduced. RNA-sequencing of both tumor-associated T cells and macrophages revealed significant genomic changes in both subsets that is consistent with ACY241-mediated enhancement of immune priming. These broad immunomodulatory properties of ACY241 were associated with significantly enhanced tumor-associated T cell effector functionality, robust anti-tumor response, and significantly prolonged survival of NSCLC-bearing mice when combined with the chemotherapy drug Oxaliplatin.

Conclusion

Collectively, our studies highlight the broad immunomodulatory effect of ACY241 as a promising HDAC6 inhibitor which coupled with Oxaliplatin promotes robust therapeutic outcomes in a pre-clinical model of NSCLC, providing compelling rationale for the clinical testing of this novel combinatorial regimen in NSCLC.
Effects of chronic dietary hexavalent chromium on bioaccumulation and immune responses in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus
Authors: Chan Qixia , Wang Fuqiang , Shi Lidong , Ren Xue , Ren Tongjun , Han Yuzhe
Published: October 2021

Sea cucumbers Apostichopus japonicus (3.54 ± 0.01 g of wet weight) were exposed to five concentrations of dietary hexavalent chromium [0 (control), 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg Cr6+/kg dry weight] amended with K2Cr2O7 for 30 days. The bioaccumulation and immune responses [antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT); hydrolytic enzymes: acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP)] of sea cucumbers were subsequently evaluated. This study found that the order of Cr accumulation in the experimental tissues was respiratory tree > intestine > body wall. Significantly lower SOD activities occurred in the 400 mg/kg group compared to that in the control group. Higher dietary Cr6+ exposure (400 and 800 mg Cr6+ /kg dry weight) did not negatively alter the CAT activities, but significantly inhibited CAT activities in 100 mg/kg group, compared to control group. ACP activities in groups 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg were significantly lower than those in control group, while no significant differences occurred in AKP activities among groups. The present study provides important information into the bioaccumulation and immune responses of the sea cucumber A. japonicus in response to chronic dietary Cr6+ exposure.
Sperm of more colorful males are better adapted to ovarian fluids in lake char (Salmonidae)
Authors: Nusbaumer David , Garaud Laura , de Guttry Christian , Ançay Laurie , Wedekind Claus
Published: October 2021

Fish often spawn eggs with ovarian fluids that have been hypothesized to support sperm of some males over others (cryptic female choice). Alternatively, sperm reactions to ovarian fluids could reveal male strategies linked to their likely roles during spawning. Sperm of males who would usually be close to females during spawning are then expected to be better adapted to the presence of ovarian fluids than to water only, while the reverse would be expected for males that typically spawn at larger distance to the females. We tested these predictions with gametes and ovarian fluids from wild-caught lake char (Salvelinus umbla). We found that sperm of more colorful males showed increased sperm velocity in diluted ovarian fluids while sperm of paler males were fastest in water only. We then let equal numbers of sperm compete for fertilizations in the presence or absence of ovarian fluids and used microsatellite markers to assign in total 1,464 embryos (from 70 experimental trials) to their fathers. Overall, sperm of more colorful males reached higher fertilization success than sperm of pale males. This difference was enhanced by the presence of ovarian fluids and best explained by the increased sperm velocity. Sperm competitiveness was not enhanced with decreasing genetic distance to a given female, although parallel stress tests on embryos had revealed that females would profit more from mating with least related males rather than most colored ones. We conclude that sperm of more colorful males are best adapted to ovarian fluids, and that the observed reaction norms reveal male strategies rather than cryptic female choice.
Loss of Protein Kinase D2 Activity Protects Against Bleomycin-induced Dermal Fibrosis in Mice
Authors: Chen Liping , Zhao Jinjun , Chao Yapeng , Roy Adhiraj , Guo Wenjing , Qian Jiabi , Xu Wanfu , Xing Zhe , Lai Xiaoju , Lu Binfeng , Deng Fan , Wang Q. Jane
Published: October 2021

Background

Dermal fibrosis occurs in many human diseases, particularly systemic sclerosis (SSc) where persistent inflammation leads to collagen deposition and fiber formation in skin and multiple organs. The family of protein kinase D (PKD) has been linked to inflammatory responses in various pathological conditions, however, its role in inflammation-induced dermal fibrosis has not been well defined. Here, using a murine fibrosis model that gives rise to dermal lesions similar to those in SSc, we investigated the role of PKD in dermal fibrosis in mice lacking PKD2 activity.

Methods

Homozygous kinase-dead PKD2 knock-in mice (PKD2SSAA/SSAA-KI) were obtained through intercrossing mice heterozygous for PKD2S707A/S711A(PKD2SSAA). The wild-type and KI mice were subjected to repeated subcutaneous injection of bleomycin (BLM) to induce dermal inflammation and fibrosis. As controls, mice were injected with PBS. At the end of the experiment, mouse skin at the injection site was dissected, stained, and analyzed for morphological changes and expression of inflammatory and fibrotic markers. PKD-regulated signaling pathways were examined by real-time RT-qPCR and Western blotting. In a separate experiment, BLM-treated mice were administered with or without a PKD inhibitor, CRT0066101 (CRT). The effects of CRT on dermal fibrosis were analyzed similarly. The identity of the PKD expressing cells were probed using myeloid lineage markers CD45, CD68 in BLM-treated mouse tissues.

Results

Dermal thickness and collagen fibers of kinase-dead PKD2-KI mice were significantly reduced in response to BLM treatment as compared to the wild-type mice. These mice also exhibited reduced α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen expression. At molecular levels, both transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNAs were decreased in the KI mice treated with BLM as compared to those in the wild-type mice. Similarly, CRT significantly blocked BLM-induced dermal fibrosis and inhibited the expression of α-SMA, collagen, and IL-6 expression. Further analysis indicated that PKD2 was mainly expressed in CD45+/CD68+myeloid cells that could be recruited to the lesional sites to promote the fibrotic process of the skin in response to BLM.

Conclusions

Knock-in of the kinase-dead PKD2 or inhibition of PKD activity in mice protected against BLM-induced dermal fibrosis by reducing dermis thickness and expression of fibrotic biomarkers including α-SMA, collagen, and inflammatory/fibrotic mediators including TGF-β1 and IL-6. PKD2 does this potentially through modulating the recruitment and function of myeloid cells in skin of BLM-treated mice. Overall, our study demonstrated a potential critical role of PKD catalytic activity in inflammation-induced dermal fibrosis.
Mechanical Compression Creates a Quiescent Muscle Stem Cell Niche
Authors: Tao Jiaxiang , Choudhury Mohammad Ikbal , Maity Debonil , Kim Taeki , Sun Sean X. , Fan Chen-Ming
Published: October 2021

Skeletal muscles can regenerate throughout life time from resident Pax7-expressing (Pax7+) muscle stem cells (MuSCs)1–3. Pax7+ MuSCs are normally quiescent and localized at a niche in which they are attached to the extracellular matrix basally and compressed against the myofiber apically3–5. Upon muscle injury, MuSCs lose apical contact with the myofiber and re-enter cell cycle to initiate regeneration. Prior studies on the physical niche of MuSCs focused on basal elasticity6,7, and significance of the apical force exerted on MuSCs remains unaddressed. Here we simulate MuSCs’ mechanical environment in vivo by applying physical compression to MuSCs’ apical surface. We demonstrate that compression drives activated MuSCs back to a quiescent stem cell state, even when seeded on different basal elasticities. By mathematical modeling and manipulating cell tension, we conclude that low overall tension combined with high edge tension generated by compression lead to MuSC quiescence. We further show that apical compression results in up-regulation of Notch downstream genes, accompanied by increased levels of nuclear Notch. The compression-induced nuclear Notch is ligand-independent, as it does not require the canonical S2-cleavage of Notch by ADAM10/17. Our results fill the knowledge gap on the role of apical tension for MuSC fate. Implications to how stem cell fate and activity are interlocked with the mechanical integrity of its resident tissue are discussed.
A mechanochemical model recapitulates distinct vertebrate gastrulation modes
Authors: Serra Mattia , Nájera Guillermo Serrano , Chuai Manli , Spandan Vamsi , Weijer Cornelis J. , Mahadevan L.
Published: October 2021

Gastrulation is a critical event in vertebrate morphogenesis driven by cellular processes, and characterized by coordinated multi-cellular movements that form the robust morphological structures. How these structures emerge in a developing organism and vary across vertebrates remains unclear. Inspired by experiments on the chick, we derive a theoretical framework that couples actomyosin activity to tissue flow, and provides a basis for the dynamics of gastrulation morphologies. Our model predicts the onset and development of observed experimental patterns of wild-type and perturbations of chick gastrulation as a spontaneous instability of a uniform state. Varying the initial conditions and a parameter in our model, allows us to recapitulate the phase space of gastrulation morphologies seen across vertebrates, consistent with experimental observations in the accompanying paper. All together, this suggests that early embryonic self-organization follows from a minimal predictive theory of active mechano-sensitive flows.
A sustainability assessment framework for population density in central Indian cities
Authors: Kamble Tanushri , Bahadure Sarika Pankaj
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The urban population in Indian cities is increasing at an alarming speed. Accommodating such a huge population while sustaining the environment is a challenge in urban areas. Compact urban forms with high-density planning is claimed to be a sustainable solution in such situations. Thus, this approach needs to be tested for Indian urban areas.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper formulates a neighbourhood sustainability assessment (NSA) framework for monitoring, assessing and managing the population density of urban neighbourhoods. The paper identifies context-specific built density indicators at the neighbourhood scale. It assesses the indicators in neighbourhoods with varying population density by physical and perceived measures. This helps in verifying the feasibility of density by physical density assessment and verifies the acceptability of density by perceived density assessment.

Findings

When tested in the Indian context, the framework shows that although high-density neighbourhoods are sustainable, certain indicators may endorse differing densities. The result displays that high-density planning is sustainable compared to low- and medium-density neighbourhoods in the selected cities.

Practical implications

The study demonstrates the application of formulated assessment system in three central Indian cities with useful results. Similar studies can be conducted to identify the gaps for improving sustainability and achieve a livable density pattern.

Originality/value

Although sustainable development goals are part of new planning policies, there exist very few assessment systems to determine the sustainability of neighbourhoods, especially for density. The methodology will assist in developing sustainability assessment frameworks and encourage the practice of sustainability assessment in developing countries like India.
Pictorial warning labels as deterrents of alcohol abuse
Authors: Piper Luigi , Mileti Antonio , Prete M. Irene , Guido Gianluigi
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the effectiveness of pictorial warning labels that leverage the risk of obesity as a deterrent against alcohol abuse. It evaluates the impact of three different kinds of warning labels that can potentially discourage alcoholic drinking: (1) a claim, in text format, that cautions consumers about the product (i.e. a responsibility warning statement); (2) a textual warning label, text-format information on the content of the product or the consequences of excessive consumption (i.e. a synthetic nutritional table); (3) a pictorial warning label, an image depicting a food product with a caloric content equivalent to that of an alcoholic beverage.

Design/methodology/approach

In Study 1, a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design is used to evaluate the intention to buy different alcoholic cocktails. The stimuli comprised two cocktails that are similar in alcoholic volume, but different in their caloric content. The images of the products were presented across eight warning label conditions and shown to 480 randomly selected Italian respondents who quantified their intention to buy the product. In Study 2, a different sample of 34 Italian respondents was solicited with the same stimuli considered in Study 1, and neuropsychological measurements through Electroencephalography (EEG) were registered. A post hoc least significance difference (LSD) test is used to analyse data.

Findings

The results show that only the presence of an image representing an alcoholic beverage's caloric content causes a significant reduction in consumers' purchase intentions. This effect is due to the increase in negative emotions caused by pictorial warning labels.

Originality/value

The findings provide interesting insights on pictorial warning labels, which can influence the intention to purchase alcoholic beverages. They confirmed that the use of images in the warning labels has a greater impact than text, and that the risk of obesity is an effective deterrent in encouraging consumers to make healthier choices.
A topology optimization algorithm based on topological derivative and level-set function for designing phononic crystals
Authors: Yera Rolando , Forzani Luisina , Méndez Carlos Gustavo , Huespe Alfredo E.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This work presents a topology optimization methodology for designing microarchitectures of phononic crystals. The objective is to get microstructures having, as a consequence of wave propagation phenomena in these media, bandgaps between two specified bands. An additional target is to enlarge the range of frequencies of these bandgaps.

Design/methodology/approach

The resulting optimization problem is solved employing an augmented Lagrangian technique based on the proximal point methods. The main primal variable of the Lagrangian function is the characteristic function determining the spatial geometrical arrangement of different phases within the unit cell of the phononic crystal. This characteristic function is defined in terms of a level-set function. Descent directions of the Lagrangian function are evaluated by using the topological derivatives of the eigenvalues obtained through the dispersion relation of the phononic crystal.

Findings

The description of the optimization algorithm is emphasized, and its intrinsic properties to attain adequate phononic crystal topologies are discussed. Particular attention is addressed to validate the analytical expressions of the topological derivative. Application examples for several cases are presented, and the numerical performance of the optimization algorithm for attaining the corresponding solutions is discussed.

Originality/value

The original contribution results in the description and numerical assessment of a topology optimization algorithm using the joint concepts of the level-set function and topological derivative to design phononic crystals.
On the foreign direct investment–economic growth relationship in Africa: does economic freedom mediate this relationship?
Authors: Aluko Olufemi Adewale , Ibrahim Muazu , Vo Xuan Vinh
Published: October 2021

Purpose

In this study, the authors examine how economic freedom mediates the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

By using data from 41 countries over the period 2000–2017, the authors invoke Seo and Shin's (2016) sample splitting approach while relying on the recently developed Seo et al.'s (2019) computationally robust bootstrap algorithm to achieve the purpose of this study.

Findings

The authors find evidence of economic freedom threshold that bifurcates the link between FDI and economic growth in Africa. More precisely, FDI does not improve overall economic growth for African countries whose economic freedom index is below the estimated threshold while significantly spurring growth for African countries with economic freedom above this threshold.

Practical implications

African countries need to strive towards improving their level of economic freedom through the strengthening of rule of law, reducing government size, promoting regulatory efficiency and further opening of the goods and capital markets.

Originality/value

The association between FDI and economic growth has been well documented. While the positive theoretical postulations are almost conclusive, empirical literature on the precise effect of FDI remains contentious and far from being settled. What is missing in the existing literature in Africa is whether countries' level of economic freedom mediates how FDI explains the variations in economic growth across African countries. The authors fill this research gap.
Effect of open-mindedness and humble behavior on innovation: mediator role of learning
Authors: Al-Abrrow Hadi , Fayez Akram Sami , Abdullah Hasan , Khaw Khai Wah , Alnoor Alhamzah , Rexhepi Gadaf
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study examines the effect of open-mindedness (OM) and humble behavior on innovation through the mediator role of learning.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative design was adopted to collect data through a questionnaire-based survey distributed to 400 employees at international oil companies operating in Iraq.

Findings

The results indicate a direct positive of learning on innovation. Hence, there is a natural and partial indirect effect of humble behavior on innovation and a full indirect impact of OM on innovation through learning.

Research limitations/implications

The theoretical and practical implication of this study indicates that individual learning on innovation is vital when the workplace environment has a diversity of cultural backgrounds. Moreover, the implications of this study may contribute to determining the weakness of invention in such industries because of the effect of personal characteristics (i.e. OM and humble) on readiness to learn.

Originality/value

In a culturally diverse work environment, the behavior of humble and OM will have a significant impact on the intensity of individual learning, which would increase innovation in the context of the oil industry. Therefore, the essence of originality in this study is to lead the managers to pay attention to the psychological aspects of the workplace environment that require learning and innovation.
Determinants of stock market reaction to cross-border acquisitions: evidence from emerging economies
Authors: Jain Samta , Kashiramka Smita , Jain P. K.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The global economy has witnessed an exponential increase in cross-border acquisitions (CBAs) by emerging market companies (EMCs), demanding a relook at their internationalization strategy. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether the announcement of CBAs by EMCs creates value for the equity-holders of acquiring firms and identify factors affecting the valuation of acquiring companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates the announcement impact of CBAs of CNX Nifty 500 Indian and SSE 380 Chinese companies. The event study analysis of 553 Indian and 125 Chinese acquisitions supports the contention that CBAs are indeed a strategic choice of EMCs for value creation.

Findings

CBAs generate positive and statistically significant abnormal returns for shareholders of both Indian and Chinese acquirers. The markets, however, differ in terms of their motivations; country-level factors have been observed to exert significant influence on the returns of Indian acquirers. Indian companies experience larger value creation on acquiring firms established in developed, institutionally closer and/or economically distant markets. The findings support the asset-seeking motive of Indian companies.

Originality/value

The research work contributes to the evolving stream of CBAs literature with a focus on the globalization strategies of EMCs. The present study is a modest attempt to lay the foundation for a new theoretical framework (asset-seeking perspective) of overseas acquisitions from emerging economies. The existing studies on emerging economies have emphasized, in isolation, either Indian CBAs or international acquisitions by Chinese firms. Being so, the study is unique and original in the sense that it is a comparative study of India and China.
Does investor sentiment differently affect stocks in different sectors? Evidence from China
Authors: Niu Hongli , Lu Yao , Wang Weiqing
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the dynamic relationship between the investor sentiment and the return of various sectors in the Chinese stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

The wavelet coherence and wavelet phase angle approaches are used to study the lead–lag associations between sentiment index and stock returns in a time–frequency way. The multiscale linear and nonlinear Granger causality tests are performed to explore whether there is a causality between them.

Findings

The empirical results show that during normal period, investor sentiment index has a stronger relationship with stock returns of industrials, consumer discretionary, health care, utilities, real estate and financial sectors. In crisis period, investor sentiment has a significant positive relationship with all industry sectors. In the short term, there is bidirectional causality between investor sentiment and stock returns of all sectors. In the medium and long run, almost all sector stock returns Granger-cause the investors' sentiment index but investor sentiment does not Granger-cause all sectors, which is in contrast to the developed markets.

Practical implications

The interindustry impact of investment sentiment on the stock market can help construct arbitrage portfolio by investors who are interested in Chinese stock market.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on the industry sector differences of investor sentiment impact on the Chinese stock market. As far as the authors know, this is the first paper to explore the time–frequency relationship between sentiment index and industry stock returns in China using the time–frequency method based on wavelet coherence, which considers the heterogeneity of different types of investors' responses to various economic and financial events.
Customer participation in service innovation using SNS smartphone apps: an investigation of the Indian hotel service industry
Authors: Sarmah Bijoylaxmi , Shukla Yupal , Chatterjee Ravi , Kamboj Shampy
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Existing research lacks a comprehensive understanding of the individual factors that may transform an “ordinary” customer into an active participator in the service innovation process and/or the situational factors that determine a customer's participation in any stage of the service innovation process. The purpose of this paper is to fill these research gaps by developing and validating a conceptual framework on CPSIB in the Indian hotel industry by using smartphones to access SNS apps.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey design method was used in this study to collect representative samples with greater response rates. The target population included in this study were hotel guests of all of the star category hotels in New Delhi who had earlier experiences of staying in star category hotels. Structured questionnaire was formulated, which was later pre-tested to confirm its reliability and validity. Out of 400 questionnaires, 348 usable responses were obtained.

Findings

This research examines CPSIB in the Indian hotel industry using SNS smartphone apps. It confirms that user innovativeness and perceived trust in the service provider determine customers' participative service innovation behavior, which further results in positive adoption intention via SNS smartphone apps.

Research limitations/implications

This research provides valuable insights into the hotel industry, specifically in the context of India. However, it has a few limitations that must be taken into account when generalizing its results.

Practical implications

First, investigating the key antecedents and consequences of CPSIB has important implications for marketing practitioners. Moreover, it was observed that hotel guests with higher innovativeness and trust in the service provider would show positive participative service innovation behavior toward innovating new services along with the hotel service providers, which may result in a positive adoption intention toward the newly developed services. Second, hoteliers should integrate hotel guests into hotel service innovation via the use of SNS smartphone apps.

Social implications

This research conceptualizes that user innovativeness is a driving factor for CPSIB that may further generate a positive adoption intention toward newly developed services.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, only a very few studies have tested the interrelationships between individual factors and customer participation behavior in the mobile technology-mediated service ecosystem simultaneously. Furthermore, research examining the individual and situational factors influencing CPSIB and adoption intention towards newly developed services using SNS smartphone apps is still in a nascent stage.
Contagions in interconnected power markets
Authors: Handika Rangga
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper offers an alternative approach to assessing contagions in price and load in the Australian interconnected power markets. This approach enabled us to identify a high-risk region and assess the direction of contagions from both buyers' and sellers' perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The author used a multinomial logit method to measure contagions. Having identified the exceedance and coexceedances, the author estimated the multinomial logit coefficients of the covariates explaining the probability of a certain number of coexceedances.

Findings

Market participants should recognize the presence of contagion risk and scrutinize price and load dynamics in the NSW and VIC regions to anticipate any simultaneous extreme changes. Regulators need to stabilize the demand and supply sides in those regions to minimize any possible contagions.

Originality/value

This paper presents a pioneering study investigating contagion in the Australian interconnected power markets.
The influence of past situations on present behaviors: how school life predicts managerial learning
Authors: Rigolizzo Michele , Zhu Zhu , Cruz Adrianna
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of supervisors’ past experiences in school on their present learning behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered in a time-lagged study. Supervisors populated a previously validated survey about their quality of school life. One week later, a direct measure of learning behaviors was used to determine the extent to which they were motivated to learn in general, and their motivation to exert time and effort in a learning task.

Findings

Supervisors who found more satisfaction in school were more motivated to learn in general. Those who were more committed to the work of school spent more time on learning and exerted more effort when practicing a new skill.

Research limitations/implications

Results are valid for supervisors engaging in a learning task relevant to their role. However, because the results are based on direct observation of their learning behavior years later, the findings suggest that school experiences influence workplace learning for employees at all levels.

Practical implications

Typically, organizations consider the degree employees attain and the content of their learning. This study suggests that organizations should also be considering the habits and attitudes toward learning that employees developed while at school.

Originality/value

This study bridges educational and workplace learning by examining how the habits and attitudes developed in school settings impact managerial learning, even years later.
Workplace ostracism and employee silence: an identity-based perspective
Authors: Sahabuddin Md , Tan Qingmei , Ayub Arslan , Fatima Tehreem , Ishaq Mustafa , Khan Ali Junaid
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Extant research has shown that workplace ostracism (WO) elicits counterproductive work behaviors, such as employee silence (ES), culminating in reduced job performance. However, lesser is known about the factors that buffer against this underlying linkage. With an emphasis on conservation of resource (COR) theory and social identity theory, this study investigates the hitherto unexplored moderating roles of moral identification (MI) and organizational identification (OI) in the relationship between WO and ES.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a time-lagged design to collect multi-source data from 250 employees working in the service sector organizations in Pakistan. Data are analyzed in SMARTPLS (v 3.3.3) to assess the measurement model and the structural model.

Findings

Results reveal that WO is positively correlated with ES and negatively correlated with job performance. At the same time, ES mediates the negative relationship between WO and job performance. In addition, MI and OI buffer against the positive connection between WO and ES. The positive association between WO and ES is less pronounced at high levels of MI and OI and vice versa.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that there is potential value in developing MI and OI, for which several interventions are discussed.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few efforts to outstretch the boundary conditions of ES. Moreover, this is the first study to investigate the role of identity-based perspective in the relationship between WO and ES.
Lowered Expectations and Shifting Standards? – Two Survey Experiments exploring Neo‐populist Political Scandals and the Perceived Trustworthiness of Politicians
Authors: Karv Thomas , Strandberg Kim
Published: October 2021

The recent wave of electoral success for right‐wing populists has coincided with an increase in political scandals as well as a new, neo‐populist type, of scandals. Thus, it has been argued that the public might have become increasingly numb to scandals and that scandalous behaviour by populist politicians is often neglected as part of their ‘typical’ behavior. In this article, we explore how involvement in neo‐populist scandals affects the public's trust in individual politicians and whether this effect is moderated by the politician's party affiliation – both populist and non‐populist – and party preferences of citizens judging a scandal. We also compare the effects with two other types of traditional scandals, involving financial misconduct or an extra‐marital affair. Two factorial vignette survey experiments (N = 1,000 and 1,577) were carried out in 2017 and 2019 to explore whether and how neo‐populist scandals affect trust in politicians under varying circumstances. The key findings are that neo‐populist scandals clearly have negative effects on trust for a scandalous politician but the judgement of scandals are subject to strong partisanship effects. Thus, supporters of a populist party do not see a scandalous behaviour by a populist politician as harmful for their trust in that politician. This effect is not evident among supporters of a traditional party when ‘their’ politician is involved in a scandal. Populist supporters also tend not to see scandals in general as especially harmful to their trust in politicians, regardless of type of scandal nor affiliation of a scandalous politician.