bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calcium activates purified human TRPA1 with and without its N-terminal ankyrin repeat domain in the absence of calmodulin
Authors: Moparthi Lavanya , Moparthi Satish Babu , Wenger Jérôme , Zygmunt Peter M.
Published: March 2020

Extracellular influx of calcium or release of calcium from intracellular stores have been shown to activate mammalian TRPA1 as well as to sensitize and desensitize TRPA1 electrophilic activation. Calcium binding sites on both intracellular N- and C-termini have been proposed. Here, we demonstrate based on fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and bilayer patch-clamp studies, a direct calmodulin-independent action of calcium on the purified human TRPA1 (hTRPA1), causing structural changes and activation of hTRPA1 with and without its N-terminal ankyrin repeat domain (N-ARD). Thus, calcium can activate hTRPA1 by direct interaction with binding sites outside the N-ARD.
Embryogenesis, polyembryony, and settlement in the gorgonianPlexaura homomalla
Authors: Wells Christopher D. , Tonra Kaitlyn J. , Lasker Howard R.
Published: March 2020

Understanding the ontogeny and reproductive biology of reef-building organisms can shed light on patterns of population biology and community structure. This knowledge is particularly important for Caribbean octocorals, which seem to be more resilient to long-term environmental change than scleractinian corals and provide some of the same ecological services. We monitored the development of the black sea rodPlexaura homomalla, a common, widely distributed octocoral on shallow Caribbean reefs, from eggs to 3-polyp colonies over the course of 73 days. In aquaria on St John, U.S. Virgin Islands, gametes were released in spawning events three to six days after the July full moon. Cleavage started 3 hours after fertilization and was holoblastic, equal, and radial. Embryos were positively buoyant until becoming planulae. Planulae were competent after 4 days. Symbiodiniaceae began infecting polyps at around 8 days post fertilization. Development was typical for Caribbean octocorals, except for the occurrence of a novel form of asexual reproduction in octocorals: polyembryony. Fragmentation of embryos during development may represent a temporally varied tradeoff between number and size of propagules, in which large eggs have higher fertilization rates followed by polyembryony, which maximizes the number of surviving recruits by generating more, albeit smaller, larvae. Polyembryony may contribute to the success of some gorgonians on Caribbean reefs as other anthozoans are in decline.
Development and optimization of a germination assay and long-term storage forCannabis sativapollen
Authors: Gaudet Daniel , Yadav Narendra Singh , Sorokin Aleksei , Bilichak Andrii , Kovalchuk Igor
Published: March 2020

Pollen viability and storage is of great interest to cannabis breeders and researchers to maintain desirable germplasm for future use in breeding or for biotechnological and gene editing applications. Here, we report a simple and efficient cryopreservation method for long-term storage ofCannabis sativapollen. Additionally, we have deciphered the bicellular nature of cannabis pollen using DAPI staining. We have also standardized a pollen germination assay to assess the viability of cannabis pollen, and found pollen collected from different principal growth stages exhibits different longevity. Finally, we developed a long-term storage method which includes pollen combination with baked whole wheat flower and desiccation under vacuum for cryopreservation. By using this method, we were able to maintain germination viability in liquid nitrogen after 4 months, suggesting potentially indefinite preservation of cannabis pollen.
Gatekeeper transcription factors regulate switch between lineage preservation and cell plasticity
Authors: Ray Tania , Shah Anit , Bulla Gary A. , Ray Partha S.
Published: March 2020

Reprogramming somatic cells to pluripotency by repressing lineage-instructive transcription factors (TFs) alone has not been pursued because lineage specification is thought to be regulated by transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs) comprising of multiple TFs rather than by single pivotal “gatekeeper” TFs. Utilizing an intra-species somatic cell hybrid model, we identified Snai2 and Prrx1 as the most critical determinants of mesenchymal commitment in rat embryonic fibroblasts (REFs) and demonstrate that siRNA-mediated knockdown of either of these master regulators is adequate to convert REFs into functional adipocytes, chondrocytes or osteocytes without requiring exogenous TFs or small molecule cocktails. Furthermore, knockdown of Snai2 alone proved sufficient to transform REFs to dedifferentiated pluripotent stem-like cells (dPSCs) that formed embryoid bodies capable of triple germ-layer differentiation. These findings suggest that inhibition of a single gatekeeper TF in a lineage committed cell is adequate for acquisition of cell plasticity and reprogramming without requiring permanent genetic modification.

Graphical Abstract

Schematic diagram depicting transdifferentiation of REFs into adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes and dedifferentiation into MSCs on individual treatment with siSnai2 or siPrrx1. dPSCs were generated only in the siSnai2 group.
Population structure in Arctic marine forests is shaped by diverse recolonisation pathways and far northern glacial refugia
Authors: Bringloe Trevor T. , Verbruggen Heroen , Saunders Gary W.
Published: March 2020

The Arctic is experiencing a rapid shift towards warmer regimes, calling for a need to understand levels of biodiversity and ecosystem responses to climate cycles. This study examines marine refugial locations during the Last Glacial Maximum in order to link recolonization pathways to patterns of genetic diversity in Arctic marine forests. We present genetic data for 109 species of seaweed to infer community-level patterns, and hindcast species distributions during the Last Glacial Maximum to further pinpoint likely refugial locations. Sequence data revealed contiguous populations extending from the Bering Sea to the Northwest Atlantic, with high levels of genetic diversity in the East Canadian Arctic. One fifth of the species sampled appeared restricted to Arctic waters. Hindcasted species distributions highlighted refugia in the Bering Sea, Northwest Atlantic, South Greenland, and Europe. We hypothesize that Arctic coastal systems were recolonized from many geographically disparate refugia leading to enriched diversity levels in the East Canadian Arctic, with important contributions stemming from northerly refugia likely centered along Southern Greenland. Moreover, we hypothesize these northerly refugia likely played a key role in promoting polar endemic diversity, as reflected by abundant unique population haplotypes and endemic species in the East Arctic.

Significance Statement

Our work challenges the existing paradigm that marine Arctic ecosystems are depauperate extensions of southerly (temperate) communities established in the wake of recent glaciation, fundamentally changing how these systems should be viewed and interpreted. We forward novel hypotheses regarding the recent history of Arctic marine systems, particularly with regards to endemism being an integral feature of Arctic biomes, and present a firm framework for future evolutionary research in this system typically viewed as “ecologically immature.”
Traceback of Core Transcription Factors for Soybean Root Growth Maintenance under Water Deficit
Authors: Lin Li , Van de Velde Jan , Nguyen Na , Meyer Rick , An Yong-qiang Charles , Song Li , Valliyodan Babu , Prince Silvas , Wan Jinrong , Murphy Mackensie C , Kim Eiru , Lee Insuk , Pentecost Genevieve , Zhu Chengsong , Kushwaha Garima , Joshi Trupti , Chen Wei , Patil Gunvant , Mutava Raymond , Xu Dong , Vandepoele Klaas , Nguyen Henry T.
Published: March 2020

Some crops inhibit shoot growth but maintain root growth under water-deficit conditions. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms of root plasticity under water deficit conditions in plants remains a major challenge. We developed an efficient platform for identifying core transcription factors (TFs) that collectively regulate each other and/or themselves in response to water stress, and exploring their interconnected regulatory circuitry involved in root growth maintenance under water deficit in soybean. We performed multi-species phylogenetic footprinting combined with spatial-temporal transcriptome analysis of soybean (Glycine max) roots under water deficit to identify conserved motifs that function in the water-stress response. Using these functional conserved cis-motifs, we applied a new approach to trace back motifs-associated core TFs ingroup as signal mediators, which mediate signaling between abiotic and endogenous stimuli. We integrated a co-functional TF–TF network and conserved motif-centered TF–DNA networks to construct a core TF network defined by mutual cross-regulation among core TFs. We found that core TF ARG (Abscisic acid response element binding factor-like Root Growth regulator) represses BRG (Brassinosteroid enhanced expression-like Root Growth regulator) expression through binding to its promoter at a conserved binding site. ARG and BRG antagonistically regulate Phytochrome-interacting factor-like Root Growth regulator (PRG) and combinatorially regulate some other core TFs. These core TFs form complex regulatory circuits to integrate light and multiple hormone signaling pathways and maintain root growth in response to varying degrees of water stress. Our study provides valuable information to unravel the complicated mechanisms of molecular networks involved in the regulation of root growth under water deficit.
Hormonal regulation of the BRC1-dependent strigolactone transcriptome involved in shoot branching responses
Authors: Kerr Stephanie C. , de Saint Germain Alexandre , Dissanayanke Indeewari M. , Mason Michael G. , Dun Elizabeth A. , Beveridge Christine A. , Tanurdzic Milos
Published: March 2020

The plant hormone strigolactone (SL) inhibits shoot branching by suppressing the growth of axillary buds. This is thought to occur largely via regulation of the transcription factor BRANCHED1 (BRC1). Here, we clarify the central role of BRC1 and identify additional transcriptional responses by which SL might regulate axillary bud outgrowth in garden pea (Pisum sativum). We used a transcriptomic approach to identify differentially expressed transcripts in pea axillary buds in response to a synthetic SL,rac-GR24. Changes in transcript abundance were confirmed by measuring their response to GR245DS. BRC1 was required for the regulation of over half of the fourteen GR245DS-regulated genes, confirming its role as a mediator of SL transcriptional responses in axillary buds. All, but one, of the BRC1-dependent GR245DS-regulated genes were also regulated by branch-promoting treatments cytokinin (CK) and/or decapitation in an opposing manner to SL. This suggests that SL, CK, and decapitation regulate shoot branching via a common pathway. We used correlational analyses of gene co-expression data to infer a gene regulatory network consisting of nine key co-expression modules correlated withrac-GR24 treatment. Enrichment of GO terms such as cell proliferation, carbohydrate responses, and abscisic acid and jasmonic acid hormone pathways suggest a role for these in SL-mediated inhibition of shoot branching. In summary, we have shown that BRC1 is indeed a key transcriptional regulator of the SL signalling pathway in pea buds as well as a focal point of the SL, CK and decapitation signalling pathways to coordinate shoot branching in pea buds.

One Sentence Summary

Identification of genes that are strigolactone-responsive and BRC1-dependent in pea buds reveals a high degree of overlap among strigolactone, cytokinin and decapitation response pathways.
Multiplexed photo-activation of mRNA with single-cell resolution
Authors: Zhang Dongyang , Jin Shuaijiang , Piao Xijun , Devaraj Neal K.
Published: March 2020

We demonstrate sequential optical activation of two types of mRNAs in the same mammalian cell through the sequential photocleavage of small molecule caging groups (‘photo-cages’) tethered to the 5′ untranslated region (5′-UTR) of an mRNA. Synthetic ‘photo-cages’ were conjugated onto target mRNA using RNA-TAG, an enzymatic site-specific RNA modification technique. Translation of mRNA was severely reduced upon conjugation of the ‘photo-cages’ onto the 5′-UTR. However, subsequent photo-release of the ‘cages’ from the mRNA transcript triggered activation of translation with single-cell spatiotemporal resolution. To achieve sequential photo-activation of two mRNAs in the same cell, we synthesized a pair of ‘photo-cages’ which can be selectively cleaved from mRNA upon photo-irradiation with different wavelengths of light. Sequential photo-activation of two mRNAs enabled precise optical control of translation of two unique transcripts. We believe that this modular approach to precisely and rapidly control gene expression will serve as a powerful tool in future biological studies that require controlling translation of multiple transcripts with high spatiotemporal resolution.
The gut microbiota of rural and urban individuals is shaped by geography and lifestyle
Authors: Kabwe Mubanga Hellen , Vikram Surendra , Mulaudzi Khodani , Jansson Janet K. , Makhalanyane Thulani P.
Published: March 2020

Understanding the structure and drivers of gut microbiota remains a major ecological endeavour. Recent studies have shown that several factors including diet, lifestyle and geography may substantially shape the human gut microbiota. However, most of these studies have focused on the more abundant bacterial component and comparatively less is known regarding fungi in the human gut. This knowledge deficit is especially true for rural and urban African populations. Therefore, we assessed the structure and drivers of rural and urban gut mycobiota. Our participants (n=100) were balanced by geography and sex. The mycobiota of these geographically separated cohorts was characterized using amplicon analysis of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) gene. We further assessed biomarker species specific to rural and urban cohorts. In addition to phyla which have been shown to be ubiquitous constituents of gut microbiota, Pichia were key constituents of the mycobiota. We found that several factors including geographic location and lifestyle factors such as the smoking status were major drivers of gut mycobiota. Linear discriminant and the linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis revealed several distinct urban and rural biomarkers. Together, our analysis reveals distinct community structure in urban and rural South African individuals. Geography and lifestyle related factors were shown to be key drivers of rural and urban gut microbiota.

Importance

The past decade has revealed substantial insights regarding the ecological patterns of gut microbiomes. These studies have shown clear differences between the microbiomes of individuals living in urban and rural locations. Yet, in contrast to bacteria we know substantially less regarding the fungal gut microbiota (mycobiome). Here we provide the first insights regarding the mycobiome of individuals from urban and rural locations. We show that these communities are geographically structured. Further we show that lifestyle factors, such as diet and smoking, are strong drivers explaining community variability.
Orally Bioavailable Endochin-like Quinolone Carbonate Ester Prodrug ReducesToxoplasma gondiiBrain Cysts
Authors: Doggett J. Stone , Schultz Tracey , Miller Alyssa J. , Bruzual Igor , Pou Sovitj , Winter Rolf , Dodean Rozalia , Zakharov Lev N. , Nilsen Aaron , Riscoe Michael K , Carruthers Vern B
Published: March 2020

Toxoplasmosis is a potentially fatal infection for immunocompromised people and the developing fetus. Current medicines for toxoplasmosis have high rates of adverse effects that interfere with therapeutic and prophylactic regimens. Endochin-like quinolones (ELQs) are potent inhibitors ofToxoplasma gondiiproliferationin vitroand in animal models of acute and latent infection. ELQ-316, in particular, was found to be effective orally against acute toxoplasmosis in mice and highly selective for theT. gondiicytochromebover the human cytochromeb. Despite oral efficacy, the high crystallinity of ELQ-316 limits oral absorption, plasma concentrations and therapeutic potential. A carbonate ester prodrug of ELQ-316, ELQ-334, was created to decrease crystallinity and increase oral bioavailability, which resulted in a six-fold increase in bothCmax(maximum plasma concentration) and AUC (area under the curve) of ELQ-316. The increased bioavailability of ELQ-316, when administered as ELQ-334, resulted in greater efficacy than the equivalent dose of ELQ-316 against acute toxoplasmosis and had similar efficacy against latent toxoplasmosis compared to intraperitoneal administration of ELQ-316. Carbonate ester prodrugs are a successful strategy to overcome the limited oral bioavailability of ELQs for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.
Efficacy of Guanabenz Combination Therapy Against Chronic Toxoplasmosis Across Multiple Mouse Strains
Authors: Martynowicz Jennifer , Doggett J. Stone , Sullivan William J.
Published: March 2020

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite that can cause life-threatening acute disease, differentiates into a quiescent cyst stage to establish lifelong chronic infections in animal hosts, including humans. This tissue cyst reservoir, which can reactivate into an acute infection, is currently refractory to clinically available therapeutics. Recently, we and others have discovered drugs capable of significantly reducing brain cyst burden in latently infected mice, but not to undetectable levels. In this study, we examined the use of novel combination therapies possessing multiple mechanisms of action in mouse models of latent toxoplasmosis. Our drug regimens included combinations of pyrimethamine, clindamycin, guanabenz, and endochin-like quinolones (ELQs), and were administered to two different mouse strains in an attempt to eradicate brain tissue cysts. We observed mouse strain-dependent effects with these drug treatments: pyrimethamine + guanabenz showed synergistic efficacy in C57BL/6 mice, yet did not improve upon guanabenz monotherapy in BALB/c mice. Contrary to promisingin vitroresults demonstrating toxicity to bradyzoites, we observed an antagonistic effect between guanabenz + ELQ-334in vivo. While we were unable to completely eliminate brain cyst burden, we found that a combination treatment of ELQ-334 + pyrimethamine impressively reduced brain cysts to 95% in C57BL/6 mice, which approaches the limit of detection. These analyses highlight the importance of evaluating anti-infective drugs in multiple mouse strains and will help inform further preclinical cocktail therapy studies designed to treat chronic toxoplasmosis.
Genome regulation and gene interaction networks inferred from muscle transcriptome underlying feed efficiency in Pigs
Authors: Carmelo Victor AO. , Kadarmideen Haja N.
Published: March 2020

Improvement of feed efficiency (FE) is key for sustainability and cost reduction in pig production. Our aim was to characterize the muscle transcriptomic profiles in Danbred Duroc (Duroc) and Danbred Landrace (Landrace), in relation to FE for identifying potential biomarkers. RNA-seq data was analyzed employing differential gene expression methods, gene-gene interaction and network analysis, including pathway and functional analysis. We compared the results with genome regulation in human exercise data. In the differential expression analysis, 13 genes were differentially expressed, including:MRPS11, MTRF1, TRIM63, MGAT4A, KLH30. Based on a novel gene selection method, the divergent count, we performed pathway enrichment analysis. We found 5 significantly enriched pathways related to feed conversion ratio (FCR). These pathways were mainly mitochondrial, and summarized in the mitochondrial translation elongation (MTR) pathway. In the gene interaction analysis, highlights include the mitochondrial genes: PPIF, MRPL35, NDUFS4and the fat metabolism and obesity genes:AACS, SMPDL3B, CTNNBL1, NDUFS4andLIMD2. In the network analysis, we identified two modules significantly correlated with FCR. Pathway enrichment of modules identified MTR, electron transport chain and DNA repair as enriched pathways. In the network analysis, the mitochondrial gene groupNDUFwas a key hub group, showing potential as biomarkers. Comparing with human transcriptomic exercise studies, genes related to exercise displayed enrichment in our FCR related genes. We conclude that mitochondrial activity is a driver for FCR in muscle tissue, and mitochondrial genes could be potential biomarkers for FCR in pigs. We hypothesize that increased FE mimics processes triggered in exercised muscle.
Anti-Insulin receptor antibodies improve hyperglycaemia in a mouse model of human insulin receptoropathy
Authors: Brierley Gemma V , Webber Hannah , Rasijeff Eerika , Grocott Sarah , Siddle Kenneth , Semple Robert K
Published: March 2020

Loss-of-function mutations in both alleles of the human insulin receptor gene (INSR) cause extreme insulin resistance (IR) and usually death in childhood, with few therapeutic options. Bivalent anti-receptor antibodies can elicit insulin-like signaling by mutant INSR in cultured cells, but whether this translates into meaningful metabolic benefitsin vivo, where dynamics of insulin signaling and receptor recycling are more complex, is unknown. To address this we adopted a strategy to model human insulin receptoropathy in mice, usingCrerecombinase delivered by adeno-associated virus to knock out endogenous hepaticInsracutely in floxedInsrmice (L- IRKO+GFP), before adenovirus-mediated ‘add-back’ of wild-type (WT) or mutant humanINSR. Two murine anti-INSR monoclonal antibodies, previously shown to be surrogate agonists for mutant INSR, were then tested by intraperitoneal injections. As expected, L-IRKO+GFP mice showed glucose intolerance and severe hyperinsulinemia, and this was fully corrected by add-back of WT but neither D734A nor S350L mutant INSR. Antibody injection improved glucose tolerance in D734A INSR-expressing mice and reduced hyperinsulinemia in both S350L and D734A INSR-expressing animals, and did not cause hypoglycemia in WT INSR-expressing mice. Antibody treatment also downregulated both wild-type and mutant INSR protein, attenuating its beneficial metabolic effects. Anti-INSR antibodies thus improve IR in an acute model of insulin receptoropathy, but these findings imply a narrow therapeutic window determined by competing effects of antibodies to stimulate receptors and induce their downregulation.

One Sentence Summary

Bivalent anti-insulin receptor antibodies improve glycaemic control, but downregulate receptor expression, in a novel mouse model of lethal human insulin receptoropathy.
Morphological and physiological response strategies ofVallisneria natansat different water depths and light conditions
Authors: Chou Qingchuan , Chen Jianfeng , Zhang Wei , Ren Wenjing , Yuan Changbo , Zhang Xiaolin , Cao Te , Ni Leyi , Jeppesen Erik
Published: March 2020

Phenotypic plasticity is an important adaptation to spatial and temporal environmental variations. For submerged macrophytes, adaptation to water depth and light variation is particularly important. To determine the morphological and physiological adaptive strategies ofVallisneria natansat different water depths and light conditions, we combined field investigation, light control experiment andin situphysiological response experiment. In the field investigation and the light control experiment, both water depth and light intensity had prominent effects on the morphological ofV. natans, especially in fresh weight and leaf length. The leaf length elongated more rapidly at intermediate water depth sites with lower light intensity. In thein situexperiment, the survival boundary ofV. natansis 5.5 m in Lake Erhai. Below this depth, the chlorophyll-a content increased gradually with increasing water depth. Our results demonstrated thatV. natanscan adapt to water depth and light availability by changing morphological, physiological and resource allocation. At low light condition,V. natansinvested more resource for light acquisition, simultaneously, changing the photosynthetic pigment content to compensate for light attenuation; conversely, more resource was directed towards reproduction. These results will provide new insight for species selection when conducting aquatic plants restoration in freshwater ecosystem.

HIGHLIGHTS

Water depth and light availability affect the morphology, physiology, and resource allocation ofV. natans.

An alternative resource allocation pattern ofV. natanscould shift between light acquisition and reproduction.
The influence of deuteration on the crystal structure of hybrid halide perovskites: a temperature-dependent neutron diffraction study of FAPbBr3
Authors: Franz Alexandra , Többens Daniel M. , Lehmann Frederike , Kärgell Martin , Schorr Susan
Published: March 2020

This paper discusses the full structural solution of the hybrid perovskite formamidinium lead tribromide (FAPbBr3) and its temperature-dependent phase transitions in the range from 3 K to 300 K using neutron powder diffraction and synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Special emphasis is put on the influence of deuteration on formamidinium, its position in the unit cell and disordering in comparison to fully hydrogenated FAPbBr3. The temperature-dependent measurements show that deuteration critically influences the crystal structures, i.e. results in partially-ordered temperature-dependent structural modifications in which two symmetry-independent molecule positions with additional dislocation of the molecular centre atom and molecular angle inclinations are present.
Structural investigation of methyl 3-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-7-methyl-2-phenylindolizine-1-carboxylate, an inhibitory drug towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Hasija Avantika , Bhandary Subhrajyoti , Venugopala Katharigatta N. , Chandrashekharappa Sandeep , Chopra Deepak
Published: March 2020

The title compound, C24H18FNO3, crystallizes in the monoclinic centrosymmetric space group P21/n and its molecular conformation is stabilized via C—H...O intramolecular interactions. The supramolecular network mainly comprises C—H...O, C—H...F and C—H...π interactions, which contribute towards the formation of the crystal structure. The different intermolecular interactions have been further analysed via Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots.
An alternative view of the millennial green product purchase: the roles of online product review and self-image congruence
Authors: Nguyen Yen Thi Hoang , Nguyen Hung Vu
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to provide an alternative view to green consumption behaviors of millennials. In fact, studies on green consumption have usually assumed a common attitude–behavior model for different generations. Instead, the view in this paper highlights two other constructs, online product review and self-image congruence, as the key antecedents to the behavior among the generation.

Design/methodology/approach

To test our proposed model, an online survey with a sample of 305 millennials in Vietnam was conducted. The sample shares similar demographic features with the millennials in the country. The data were collected in popular social networks and then validated before being analyzed with AMOS.

Findings

The model analysis results provided supports for the key roles of online product review and self-image congruence among millennials. In particular, online product review was found to have both direct and mediational impacts on green product purchase intention. Self-image congruence was also found to be a key antecedent to the intention.

Research limitations/implications

The model in this paper only examined the purchase intention. Moreover, only a single sample of millennials in Vietnam was investigated. Future research may incorporate the green consumption behavior to enhance the external validity and/or directly compare models for different generations or across countries to further confirm the differential generational patterns.

Practical implications

The paper includes recommendations for managers to use the online channels and to promote green product self-matching among millennials. These recommendations are not contrary to but go beyond the frequently suggested ones for attitude-related training or communication campaigns for green consumption.

Originality/value

This paper fills an identified gap to provide an alternative view to green consumption behaviors of millennials. Different from the common attitude–behavior view in green consumption research, two key constructs of online product review and self-image congruence are highlighted for the generation in this paper.
The growth of hidden champions in China: a cognitive explanation from integrated view
Authors: Lei Linan , Wu Xiaobo , Tan Ziyan
Published: March 2020

Purpose

There is a research gap in strategic management regarding the complement from managerial cognition literature to the behavioral theory of firm, as well as linkage between cognitive structure and cognitive process of strategy formulation in the field of managerial cognition, which also calls for further exploration. The purpose of this paper is to construct a model from an integrated view for explaining the process of cognitive reconstruction under incremental changes.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research is conducted in the form of 17 semi-structured interviews in four hidden champions operating in China. Based on the model generated from the literature review, this paper adopts the abductive logic for data analysis.

Findings

This paper draws the following conclusions. The cognitive structure is shaped by the changing environment and the performance feedback, the variance in structural attributes will affect whether the changing environment destructs the effectiveness of original cognitive structure or not, the centrality of cognitive structure will promote the efficiency of tried-and-true organizational adaptations to incremental changes, and cognitive structure reconstruction is the result of the recursive process of trial-and-error learning.

Originality/value

This paper proposes the model explaining the interaction mechanisms between cognitive structure and strategy formulation process. It also presents the iterative sense-making process for reconstructing cognitive structure in strategy formulation. Both of them extend the understanding on managerial cognition in organizational adaptations to incremental environmental changes.
Female board members: the effect of director affiliation
Authors: Arioglu Emrah
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether female directors have an effect on company financial performance in a patriarchal emerging country that has a collectivistic culture with a substantial gender equality gap and is characterized with a paternalistic management culture. In addition, it aims to investigate whether the affiliations of female directors matter performance-wise in a setting where the majority of the companies are ultimately controlled by large business groups including families.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study uses a unique hand-collected data set that covers all non-financial public companies quoted at the Borsa Istanbul between the years 2009 and 2017. To investigate the relationships between the presence and ratio of female directors and company financial performance, the current study uses the pooled ordinary least squares method, as well as the firm-fixed effects method to overcome potential omitted variables problems and various generalized method of moments methods to overcome potential reverse causality problems.

Findings

The findings of the current study demonstrate that the presence and percentage of female directors both have a positive effect on company financial performance in a cultural setting where the opposite might be expected. They also present evidence suggesting that the effect becomes larger as the level of the independence of female directors becomes greater.

Originality/value

The current study demonstrates that the presence of female directors on boards has a positive effect on company financial performance, even in a cultural setting that is very different from those of countries where the majority of previous studies on female directors are conducted on. In addition, it demonstrates how company financial performance varies with the level of the affiliation of female directors.
Housing sales of real estate developers in Turkey
Authors: Selvi Murat Selim , Pajo Aykut , Çakir Ceyda , Demir Emre
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Because of competition, residential property developers use a variety of promotional tools to gain recognition and increase their market share and the demand for housing, and to manage their customer relations. This study aims to examine what real estate developers did to detect the need for types of housing, and pricing and promoting housing. It also sought clues about how they manage customer relations in residential sales.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with real estate developers. This study has heuristic characteristics based on qualitative data. Document reviews, descriptive analysis and discourse analysis were carried out on the interview data and other sources. As purposeful sampling is generally used in qualitative studies; intensity sampling, homogeneous sampling, criterion sampling and snowball sampling were used together in this study.

Findings

The study found that real estate developers were inadequate at advertising and promoting, allocated little budget for promotion and did not use technology sufficiently. The real estate developers gave discounts at rates that did not actually desire, had to create payment plans, and as a result, they lost customers because they could not manage customer relations well.

Research limitations/implications

Interviews were conducted with 15 real estate developers who have been selling residential properties for more than 10 years in Süleymanpasa and Çorlu districts of Tekirdag. Data obtained are mostly qualitative.

Originality/value

This study aimed to determine real estate developers’ ability to implement a variety of promotional strategies and manage customer relations. Results and conclusions can offer significant clues about real estate developers with similar characteristics. Its conclusions of this study can be compared to similar studies of real estate developers in many regions of Turkey.
False self-employment: the role of occupations
Authors: Kösters Lian , Smits Wendy
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper analyses the relation between occupational characteristics and the probability that a worker in the Netherlands has a false self-employed arrangement instead of an employee arrangement. These are arrangements in which self-employed workers perform tasks in the hierarchy of the firm as if they were employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from the Dutch Labour Force Survey is used to analyse the relationship between occupational skill, routine and wage level and the probability to be a false self-employed or a standard or non-standard employee.

Findings

The results show that the probability to be false self-employed decreases slightly with the skill level of the occupation, but there is no evidence that false self-employment is more likely in low paid, routine occupations. Workers in the lowest paid occupations are more likely to have a non-standard contract as an employee. False self-employment arrangements are more likely in the (lower) middle paid occupations. Finally, the results show that working in the highest paid occupations increases the probability of being in a false self-employed arrangement, but only in arrangements that are characterised by economic and organizational dependency. These are arrangements with financial dependency on one client for income combined with dependency on this client on when and where to work.

Originality/value

This study makes an important contribution to the literature on identifying vulnerable self-employed workers as well as to the literature on mechanisms behind the growth of solo self-employment.
Greening multinational enterprises in the oil, gas and petrochemicals
Authors: Ndubisi Nelson Oly , Al-Shuridah Obaid , Capel Celine
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Premised on the shortage of research on the role of organisational mindfulness in promoting environmental sustainability, this study evaluates the effects of organisational mindfulness and mindful organising on environmental sustainability outcomes in the critical case of multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in the oil and gas sector in the Arabian Gulf.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from the (oil and gas sector) MNES. A total of 92 completed responses were received. The respondents include executives, senior managers and directors. The data were analysed using SmartPLS software. The measurement and structural models were evaluated.

Findings

The models show that four (of five) dimensions of organisational mindfulness (defined as organisational goals, desires and strategies) and mindful organising (defined as organisational tactics and practices) are significantly related. Mindful organising is significantly associated with more environmentally sustainable outcomes. But contrary to expectations sensitivity to the local environment did not have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between mindful organising and environmental sustainability initiatives and outcomes of these MNEs.

Research limitations/implications

The paper presents several hypotheses, most of which were confirmed. Direct effects of organizational mindfulness, mindful organizing were confirmed. Environmental sensitivity has a direct effect rather than a moderating effect (as hypothesized) on environmental sustainability.

Practical implications

Environmental sustainability can be approached by MNEs in the oil and gas sector by among other factors, increased environmental sensitivity, signalling environmental behaviours the organisation expects, rewards and supports and putting in place a social process that is reliant on extensive and continuous interactions between individuals and among teams regarding these environmental expectations.

Social implications

Social and environmental performance of MNEs can be improved through mindfulness-based approaches, effects of which can be transmitted through a social process that relies on continuous real-time communication and interactions among members through formal and informal interactions during meetings, briefings, work and play. Sensitivity and respect for the host community and environment can bolster brand image and social relations.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the greening issues surrounding the largely unexplored context of the Arabian Gulf’s oil and gas sector. It demonstrates that ongoing greening communications and interactions through briefings, meetings, updates and in teams' ongoing work are some of the mechanisms for achieving sustainability. Also environmental sensitivity is a direct driver rather than a contingent factor of sustainability.
Examining the impact of mobile interactivity on customer engagement in the context of mobile shopping
Authors: Alalwan Ali Abdallah , Algharabat Raed Salah , Baabdullah Abdullah Mohammed , Rana Nripendra P. , Qasem Zainah , Dwivedi Yogesh K.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of mobile interactivity dimensions (active control, personalization, ubiquitous connectivity, connectedness, responsiveness and synchronicity) on customer engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative field survey study was conducted to collect the required data from actual users of mobile shopping in three countries: Jordan, the United Kingdom (UK) and Saudi Arabia.

Findings

The results are based on structural equation modelling and support the impact of five dimensions of mobile interactivity: active control, personalization, ubiquitous connectivity, responsiveness and synchronicity. The impact of connectedness is not supported. The results also support the significant impact of customer engagement on customer loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

This study only considered the shopping activities conducted by mobile channels, while other channels (e.g., online channels, traditional channels and social media shopping channels) are not considered. Furthermore, the current model does not consider the impact of personal factors (e.g., technology readiness, self-efficacy and user experience). The results of the current study present a foundation that can guide marketers and practitioners in the area of mobile shopping.

Originality/value

This study enriches the current understanding of the impact of mobile interactivity on mobile shopping, as well as how mobile interactivity can enhance the level of customer engagement.
Lean readiness assessment model – a tool for Humanitarian Organizations' social and economic sustainability
Authors: Shafiq Muhammad , Soratana Kullapa
Published: March 2020

Purpose

purpose of this study is to present a Lean Readiness Assessment Model (LRAM) for assessing the readiness of Humanitarian Organizations (HO) for adopting Lean Management (LM) (Johanson et al.) practices. Literature reveals that implementation of LM itself is a cost and most organizations have failed to adopt LM techniques due to a non-readiness status and a non-supportive organizational culture. This situation indicates that the assessment of organizations' readiness before implementation of lean techniques is necessary.

Design/methodology/approach

This was an empirical quantitative study. Based on a synthesis of the literature, a conceptual model was developed by identifying seven critical success factors (CSFs). The CSFs were validated by HO professionals via a questionnaire-based survey. The data from the responses were analysed by applying partial least square structured equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using the SmartPLS3 software.

Findings

A proven LRAM was constructed that consists of CSFs (independent and mediating variables), which have reflected positive coefficients and significant t >1.96 and p < 0.05 values. The CSFs that are significant include process management, planning and control management, customer relationship management, human resource management, communication and coordination management and a positive organizational culture. The CSFs of supplier relationship and top management and leadership had insignificant t and p values and were dropped from the final LRAM.

Originality/value

This is a unique and rare study in its nature which developed LRAM for HO sector. The contribution of this model is to improve the efficiency and sustainability (economic and social aspects) of an HO under scarce resource conditions.
The trickle-down effect of empowering leadership: a boundary condition of performance pressure
Authors: Byun Gukdo , Lee Soojin , Karau Steven J. , Dai Ye
Published: March 2020

Purpose

By taking a social learning perspective, this study examines the trickle-down effect of empowering leadership across hierarchical levels in an organization. Specifically, this study aims to demonstrate that the empowering leadership of higher-level leaders promotes the task performance of employees through the mediation of the empowering leadership of lower-level leaders. It also seeks to confirm the role of performance pressure as a boundary condition in social learning process.

Design/methodology/approach

Under a moderated mediation framework, this study tests our hypotheses through a hierarchical regression analysis. The data used in the analysis is from the survey responses of 209 subordinate-supervisor dyads.

Findings

This study finds that the empowering leadership of higher-level leaders promotes the empowering leadership of lower-level leaders, which indirectly improves the task performance of employees. It also finds that performance pressure perceived by lower-level leaders moderates the relationship between the empowering leadership of higher- and lower-level leaders, thus moderating the proposed indirect effect.

Research limitations/implications

This study complements the findings of previous studies by identifying the trickle-down effect of empowering leadership across different hierarchical levels in an organization and by highlighting its boundary condition. In addition, this study provides evidence for the presence of trickle-down effect of leadership in an Eastern culture.

Practical implications

This study suggests the necessity of leadership education and training programs within organizations by revealing the importance of social learning process for promoting empowering leadership. In addition, it also suggests that performance pressure in an organization not only dampens empowering leadership but also has a negative effect on the task performance of employees.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates the influence mechanism of empowering leadership through a systematic verification of its trickle-down effect, which has been lacking in previous studies. It also highlights the moderating role of performance pressure, as a contextual factor, in the social learning and influence process of empowering leadership.
Behavioral perspective of newsvendor ordering decisions: review, analysis and insights
Authors: Yamini S.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The traditional newsvendor model has focused on deriving the optimal order quantity that minimises the balance between stocking too much or too less number of products. However, the managers make inventory decisions based on intuitions and shortcuts, which may involve human errors and biases. The effect of cognitive biases and heuristics influencing the inventory ordering decisions in newsvendor settings is highlighted. The advancement of research associated to the newsvendor biases is reviewed to appreciate the behavioral aspects of the minds underlying this process.

Design/methodology/approach

The use of experimental and non-experimental methods to investigate the ordering behaviour of newsvendors is described and we present a framework of the existing literature and highlight the research gaps to point to future research possibilities and priorities.

Findings

The proposed framework gives a systematic approach to confirm the existence of a substantial scope of research opportunities and points to specific areas for further research. It synthesizes the existing results of behavioral newsvendor research and will act as a key reference paper. In addition, it will help the practitioners and software tool vendors to comprehend the behavioral perspective of newsvendor preferences and design strategies to mitigate this effect. The insights will be helpful for academicians, researchers and practitioners working in the areas of experimental economics, behavioral economics, behavioral operations, bounded rationality theory, newsvendor modelling and supply chain contracts.

Originality/value

A summary of literature in this evolving area of research is very scarce. Considering the impact of behavioral economics on managerial decisions in the contemporary world, it is highly important to have an educational summary which can act as a tool for the practitioners and researchers in the area of behavioral operations management.