bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clathrin-independent endocytosis of Human Papillomaviruses is facilitated by actin nucleation promoting factor WASH
Authors: Brinkert Pia , Krebs Lena , Samperio Ventayol Pilar , Greune Lilo , Bannach Carina , Bucher Delia , Kollasser Jana , Dersch Petra , Boulant Steeve , Stradal Theresia E.B. , Schelhaas Mario
Published: June 2021

Endocytosis is a fundamental cellular process facilitated by diverse mechanisms. Remarkably, several distinct clathrin-independent endocytic processes were identified and characterized following virus uptake into cells. For some, however, mechanistic execution and biological function remain largely unclear. This includes an endocytic process exploited by human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16). Using HPV16, we examined how vesicles are formed by combining systematic cellular perturbations with electron and video microscopy. Cargo uptake occurred by uncoated, inward-budding pits. Mechanistically, vesicle scission was facilitated by actin polymerization controlled through the actin nucleation promoting factor WASH. While WASH typically functions in conjunction with the retromer complex on endosomes during retrograde trafficking, endocytic vesicle formation was largely independent of retromer itself and the heterodimeric membrane-bending SNX-BAR retromer adaptor, thereby uncovering a role of WASH in endocytosis in addition to its canonical role in intracellular membrane trafficking.
The widespread nature of Pack-TYPE transposons reveals their importance for plant genome evolution
Authors: Gisby Jack S. , Catoni Marco
Published: June 2021

Pack-TYPE transposable elements (TEs) are a group of non-autonomous DNA transposons found in plants. These elements can efficiently capture and shuffle coding DNA across the host genome, accelerating the evolution of genes. Despite their relevance for plant genome plasticity, the detection and study of Pack-TYPE TEs are challenging due to the high similarity these elements have with genes. Here, we produced an automated annotation procedure designed to study Pack-TYPE elements and used it to successfully annotate and analyse more than 4000 new Pack-TYPE TEs in the rice and maize genomes. Our analysis indicates that Pack-TYPE TEs are an abundant and heterogeneous group of elements. We found that these elements are associated with all main superfamilies of Class II DNA transposons in plants and likely share a similar mechanism to capture new chromosomal DNA sequences. Furthermore, we report examples of the direct contribution of these TEs to coding genes, suggesting a generalised and extensive role of Pack-TYPE TEs in plant genome evolution.
A mutational gradient drives somatic mutation accumulation in mitochondrial DNA and influences germline polymorphisms and genome composition
Authors: Sanchez-Contreras Monica , Sweetwyne Mariya T. , Kohrn Brendan F. , Tsantilas Kristine A. , Hipp Michael J , Schmidt Elizabeth K. , Fredrickson Jeanne , Whitson Jeremy A. , Campbell Matthew D. , Rabinovitch Peter S. , Marcinek David J. , Kennedy Scott R.
Published: June 2021

Background

Mutations in the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) can cause devastating maternally inherited diseases, while the accumulation of somatic mtDNA mutations is linked to common diseases of aging. Although mtDNA mutations impact human health, the process(es) that give rise to these mutations are unclear and are under considerable debate. We analyzed the distribution of naturally occurring somatic mutations across the mouse and human mtDNA obtained by Duplex Sequencing to provide clues to the mechanism by which de novo mutations arise as well as how the genome is replicated.

Results

We observe two distinct mutational gradients in G→A and T→C transitions, but not their complements, that are delimited by the light-strand origin and the control region (CR). The gradients increase with age and are lost in the absence of DNA polymerase γ proofreading activity. A nearly identical pattern is present in human mtDNA somatic mutations. The distribution of mtDNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human population and genome base composition across >3,000 vertebrate species mirror this gradient pattern, pointing to evolutionary conservation of this phenomenon. Lastly, high-resolution analysis of the mtDNA control region highlights mutational ‘hotspots’ and ‘cold-spots’ that strongly align with important regulatory regions.

Conclusions

Collectively, these patterns support an asymmetric strand-displacement mechanism with key regulatory structures in the CR and argue against alternative replication models. The mutational gradient is a fundamental consequence of mtDNA replication that drives somatic mutation accumulation and influences inherited polymorphisms and, over evolutionary timescales, genome composition.
Detection of a novel enterotropic Mycoplasma gallisepticum-like in European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) around poultry farms in France
Authors: Gall-Ladevèze Chloé Le , Nouvel Laurent-Xavier , Souvestre Marie , Croville Guillaume , Hygonenq Marie-Claude , Guérin Jean-Luc , Le Loc’h Guillaume
Published: June 2021

Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in southwest France have raised questions regarding the role of commensal wild birds in the introduction and dissemination of pathogens between poultry farms. To assess possible infectious contacts at the wild-domestic bird interface, the presence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) was studied in the two sympatric compartments in southwest France. Among various peridomestic wild birds (n=385), standard PCR primers targeting the 16S rRNA of MG showed a high apparent prevalence (up to 45%) in cloacal swabs of European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris, n=108), while the MG-specific mgc2 gene was not detected. No tracheal swab of these birds tested positive, and no clinical sign was observed in positive birds, suggesting commensalism in the digestive tract of starlings. A mycoplasma strain was then isolated from a starling swab and its whole genome was sequenced using both Illumina and Nanopore technologies. Phylogenetic analysis showed that it was closely related to MG and M. tullyi, although it was a distinct species.

A pair of specific PCR primers targeting the mgc2-like gene of this MG-like strain was designed and used to screen again the same avian populations and a wintering urban population of starlings (n=50). Previous PCR results obtained in starlings were confirmed to be mostly due to this strain (20/22 positive pools). In contrast, the strain was not detected in fresh faeces of urban starlings. Furthermore, it was detected in one tracheal pool of cattle egrets and one cloacal pool of white wagtails, suggesting infectious transmissions between synanthropic birds with similar feeding behaviour. As the new starling mycoplasma was not detected in free-range ducks (n=80) in close contact with positive starlings, nor in backyard (n=320) and free-range commercial (n=720) chickens of the area, it might not infect poultry. However, it could be involved in mycoplasma gene transfer in such multi-species contexts.
SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD and nucleocapsid encoding DNA vaccine elicits T cell and neutralising antibody responses that cross react with variants
Authors: Brentville VA , Vankemmelbeke M , Metheringham RL , Symonds P , Cook KW , Urbanowicz RA , Tsoleridis T , Coleman CM , Chang K-C , Skinner A , Dubinina E , Daniels I , Shah S , Argonza M , Delgado J , Dwivedi V , Kulkarni V , Dixon JE , Pockley AG , Adams SE , Paston SJ , Daly JM , Ball JK , Durrant LG
Published: June 2021

Although the efficacy of vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2 is apparent now that the approved mRNA and adenovirus vector vaccines are in widespread use, the longevity of the protective immune response and its efficacy against emerging variants remains to be determined. We have therefore designed a DNA vaccine encoding both the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptorbinding domain (‘RBD’) and nucleocapsid proteins, the latter of which is highly conserved amongst beta coronaviruses. The vaccine elicits strong pro-inflammatory CD4+Th1 and CD8+T-cell responses to both proteins in mice and rats, with responses being significantly enhanced by fusing the nucleocapsid sequence to a modified Fc domain. We have shown that the vaccine also stimulates high titre antibody responses to RBD in mice that efficiently neutralise in pseudotype and live virus neutralisation assays and show cross reactivity with spike proteins from the variants B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta) and B.1.617.2 (Delta). The vaccine also showed good protection in a viral challenge model in ACE2 receptor transgenic mice. This DNA platform can be easily adapted to target variant proteins and we show that a vaccine variant encoding the Beta variant sequence stimulates cross-reactive humoral and T cell responses. These data support the translation of this DNA vaccine platform into the clinic, thereby offering a particular advantage for rapidly targeting emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Reconstruction of genome--scale metabolic model for Hansenula polymorpha using RAVEN toolbox
Authors: Zorrilla Francisco , Kerkhoven Eduard J
Published: June 2021

Genome scale metabolic models (GEMs) provide a useful framework for modeling the metabolism of microorganisms. While the applications of GEMs are wide and far reaching, the reconstruction and continuous curation of such models can be perceived as a tedious and time consuming task. Using the RAVEN toolbox, this protocol practically demonstrates how researchers can create their own GEMs using a homology based approach. To provide a complete example, we reconstruct a draft GEM for the industrially relevant yeast Hansenula polymorpha.
Nanodiscs-based proteomics identify Caj1 as an Hsp40 with affinity for phosphatidic acid lipids
Authors: Zhang Xiao X. , Young John William , Foster Leonard J. , Duong Franck
Published: June 2021

Many soluble proteins interact with membranes to perform important biological functions, including signal transduction, regulation, transport, trafficking and biogenesis. Despite their importance, these protein-membrane interactions are difficult to characterize due to their often-transient nature as well as phospholipids’ poor solubility in aqueous solution. Here, we employ nanodiscs – small, water-soluble patches of lipid bilayer encircled with amphipathic scaffold proteins – along with quantitative proteomics to identify lipid-binding proteins in S. cerevisiae. Using nanodiscs reconstituted with yeast total lipid extracts or only phosphatidylethanolamine (PE-nanodiscs), we capture several known membrane-interacting proteins, including the Rab GTPases Sec4 and Ypt1, which play key roles in vesicle trafficking. Utilizing PE-nanodiscs enriched with phosphatidic acid (PEPA-nanodiscs), we specifically capture a member of the Hsp40/J-protein family, Caj1, whose function has recently been linked to membrane protein quality control. We show that Caj1 interaction with liposomes containing PA is modulated by pH and PE lipids, and depends on two patches of positively charged residues near the C-terminus of the protein. The protein Caj1 is the first example of an Hsp40/J-domain protein with affinity for membranes and phosphatidic acid lipid specificity. These findings highlight the utility of the nanodisc system to identify and characterize protein-lipid interactions that may not be evident using other methods.
Genome-wide ChIPseq analysis of AhR, COUP-TF, and HNF4 enrichment in TCDD-treated mouse liver
Authors: Cholico Giovan N. , Nault Rance , Zacharewski Timothy R.
Published: June 2021

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor known for mediating the toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related compounds. Although the canonical mechanism of AhR activation involves heterodimerization with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator, other transcriptional regulators that interact with AhR have been identified. Enrichment analysis of motifs in AhR-bound genomic regions implicated co-operation with COUP transcription factor (COUP-TF) and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF4). The present study investigated AhR, HNF4α and COUP-TFII genomic binding and effects on gene expression associated with liver-specific function and cell differentiation in response to TCDD. Hepatic ChIPseq data from male C57BL/6 mice at 2 hrs after oral gavage with 30 µg/kg TCDD were integrated with bulk RNA-sequencing (RNAseq) time-course (2 - 72 hrs) and dose-response (0.01 - 30 µg/kg) datasets to assess putative AhR, HNF4α and COUP-TFII interactions associated with differential gene expression. TCDD treatment resulted in the genomic enrichment of 23,701, 11,688, and 9,547 binding regions for AhR, COUP-TFII and HNF4α, respectively, throughout the genome. Functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified differential binding enrichment for AhR, COUP-TFII, and HNF4a to regions within liver-specific genes suggesting intersections associated with the loss of liver-specific functions and hepatocyte differentiation. Analysis found that the repression of liver-specific, HNF4α target and hepatocyte differentiation genes, involved increased AhR and HNF4α binding with decreased COUP-TFII binding. Collectively, these results suggested TCDD-elicited loss of liver-specific functions and markers of hepatocyte differentiation involved interactions between AhR, COUP-TFII and HNF4α.
The Promise of Deep Learning for BCIs: Classification of Motor Imagery EEG using Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Tibrewal Navneet , Leeuwis Nikki , Alimardani Maryam
Published: June 2021

Motor Imagery (MI) is a mental process by which an individual rehearses body movements without actually performing physical actions. Motor Imagery Brain-Computer Interfaces (MI-BCIs) are AI-driven systems that capture brain activity patterns associated with this mental process and convert them into commands for external devices. Traditionally, MI-BCIs operate on Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, which require extensive signal processing and feature engineering to extract changes in sensorimotor rhythms (SMR). However, in recent years, Deep Learning (DL) models have gained popularity for EEG classification as they provide a solution for automatic extraction of spatio-temporal features in the signals. In this study, EEG signals from 54 subjects who performed a MI task of left-or right-hand grasp was employed to compare the performance of two MI-BCI classifiers; a ML approach vs. a DL approach. In the ML approach, Common Spatial Patterns (CSP) was used for feature extraction and then Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) model was employed for binary classification of the MI task. In the DL approach, a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model was constructed on the raw EEG signals. The mean classification accuracies achieved by the CNN and CSP+LDA models were 69.42% and 52.56%, respectively. Further analysis showed that the DL approach improved the classification accuracy for all subjects within the range of 2.37 to 28.28% and that the improvement was significantly stronger for low performers. Our findings show promise for employment of DL models in future MI-BCI systems, particularly for BCI inefficient users who are unable to produce desired sensorimotor patterns for conventional ML approaches.
BioProfiling.jl: Profiling biological perturbations with high-content imaging in single cells and heterogeneous populations
Authors: Vulliard Loan , Hancock Joel , Kamnev Anton , Fell Christopher W. , da Silva Joana Ferreira , Loizou Joanna , Nagy Vanja , Dupré Loïc , Menche Jörg
Published: June 2021

Motivation

High-content imaging screens provide a cost-effective and scalable way to assess cell states across diverse experimental conditions. The analysis of the acquired microscopy images involves assembling and curating morphological measurements of individual cells into morphological profiles suitable for testing biological hypotheses. Despite being a critical step, there is currently no standard approach to morphological profiling and no solution is available for the high-performance Julia programming language.

Results

Here, we introduce BioProfiling.jl, an efficient end-to-end solution for compiling and filtering informative morphological profiles in Julia. The package contains all the necessary data structures to curate morphological measurements and helper functions to transform, normalize and visualize profiles. Robust statistical distances and permutation tests enable quantification of the significance of the observed changes despite the high fraction of outliers inherent to high-content screens. This package also simplifies visual artifact diagnostics, thus streamlining a bottleneck of morphological analyses. We showcase the features of the package by analyzing a chemical imaging screen, in which the morphological profiles prove to be informative about the compounds’ mechanisms of action and can be conveniently integrated with the network localization of molecular targets.

Availability

The Julia package is available on GitHub:https://github.com/menchelab/BioProfiling.jlWe also provide Jupyter notebooks reproducing our analyses:https://github.com/menchelab/BioProfilingNotebooks

Contact

joerg.menche@univie.ac.at
A gate and clamp regulate sequential DNA strand cleavage by CRISPR-Cas12a
Authors: Naqvi Mohsin M. , Lee Laura , Torres Montaguth Oscar E. , Szczelkun Mark D.
Published: June 2021

CRISPR-Cas12a has been widely used for genome editing and diagnostic applications, yet it is not fully understood how RNA-guided DNA recognition activates the sequential cleavage of the non-target strand (NTS) followed by the target strand (TS). Here we used single-molecule magnetic tweezers microscopy, ensemble gel-based assays and nanopore sequencing to explore the coupling of DNA unwinding and cleavage. In addition to dynamic R-loop formation, we also directly observed transient dsDNA unwinding downstream of the 20 bp DNA:RNA hybrid and, following NTS cleavage and prior to TS cleavage, formation of a hyperstable “clamped” Cas12a-DNA intermediate resistant to DNA twisting. Alanine substitution of a conserved aromatic amino acid “gate” in the REC2 domain that normally caps the heteroduplex produced more frequent and extended downstream DNA breathing, a longer-lived twist-resistant state, and a 16-fold faster rate of TS cleavage. We suggest that both breathing and clamping events, regulated by the gate and by NTS cleavage, deliver the unwound TS to the RuvC nuclease and result from previously described REC2 and NUC domain motions.
Does habitat restoration disturb? A case study of a shallow urban water reservoir in western India using cladoceran zooplankton
Authors: Kulkarni Mihir R. , Padhye Sameer M.
Published: June 2021

Anthropogenic stressors, including restoration activities, can have ecosystem wide impacts, reflecting in various biotic components, particularly the basal levels in the trophic webs. Functional traits link taxonomic diversity to ecosystem function, thereby enabling a better ecological assessment of ecosystem health. We studied the effects of restoration activities on the community structure and functional diversity of freshwater cladoceran zooplankton in an urban water reservoir. Samples were taken in the early and late phases of the restoration work. Cladoceran species community and functional composition was significantly different between the two phases. There was a considerable reduction in taxonomic richness, functional richness and redundancy in the late phase. Taxonomic beta diversity between the two phases was explained more by nestedness. Habitat degradation due to haphazard restoration measures such as destruction of littoral zone and arbitrary desilting in addition to the dumping of untreated sewage could have contributed to the decrease in species and functional richness within the reservoir.
Lysosomal proteolysis of amyloid beta is impeded by fibrils grown in both acidic and neutral pH environments
Authors: Lambeth Tyler R. , Julian Ryan R.
Published: June 2021

Aggregation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) into extracellular plaques is a well-known hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Similarly, autophagic vacuoles, autophagosomes, and other residual bodies within dystrophic neurites, though more difficult to detect, are characteristic features of AD. To explore the potential intersection between these observations, we conducted experiments to assess whether Aβ fibril formation disrupts lysosomal proteolysis. Fibrils constituted from either Aβ 1-40 or Aβ 1-42 were grown under both neutral and acidic pH. The extent of proteolysis by individual cathepsins (L, D, B, and H) was monitored by both thioflavin T fluorescence and liquid-chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. The results show that all Aβ fibrils are resistant to cathepsin digestion, with significant amounts of undigested material remaining for samples of fibrils grown in both neutral and acidic pH. Further analysis revealed that the neutral-grown fibrils are proteolytically resistant throughout the sequence, while the acid-grown fibrils prevented digestion primarily in the C-terminal portion of the sequence. Fibrils grown from Aβ 1-42 are generally more resistant to degradation compared to Aβ 1-40. Overall, the results indicate that Aβ fibrils formed in the neutral pH environments found in intracellular or extracellular spaces may pose the greatest difficulty for complete digestion by the lysosome, particularly when the fibrils are comprised of Aβ 1-42.
BioCPPNet: Automatic Bioacoustic Source Separation with Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Bermant Peter C
Published: June 2021

We introduce the Bioacoustic Cocktail Party Problem Network (BioCPPNet), a lightweight, modular, and robust UNet-based machine learning architecture optimized for bioacoustic source separation across diverse biological taxa. Employing learnable or handcrafted encoders, BioCPPNet operates directly on the raw acoustic mixture waveform containing overlapping vocalizations and separates the input waveform into estimates corresponding to the sources in the mixture. Predictions are compared to the reference ground truth waveforms by searching over the space of (output, target) source order permutations, and we train using an objective function motivated by perceptual audio quality. We apply BioCPPNet to several species with unique vocal behavior, including macaques, bottlenose dolphins, and Egyptian fruit bats, and we evaluate reconstruction quality of separated waveforms using the scale-invariant signal-to-distortion ratio (SI-SDR) and downstream identity classification accuracy. We consider mixtures with two or three concurrent conspecific vocalizers, and we examine separation performance in open and closed speaker scenarios. To our knowledge, this paper redefines the state-of-the-art in end-to-end single-channel bioacoustic source separation in a permutation-invariant regime across a heterogeneous set of non-human species. This study serves as a major step toward the deployment of bioacoustic source separation systems for processing substantial volumes of previously unusable data containing overlapping bioacoustic signals.
Crystal structure of the ferredoxin reductase component of carbazole 1,9a-dioxygenase from Janthinobacterium sp. J3
Authors: Ashikawa Yuji , Fujimoto Zui , Inoue Kengo , Yamane Hisakazu , Nojiri Hideaki
Published: June 2021

Carbazole 1,9a-dioxygenase (CARDO), which consists of an oxygenase component and the electron-transport components ferredoxin (CARDO-F) and ferredoxin reductase (CARDO-R), is a Rieske nonheme iron oxygenase (RO). ROs are classified into five subclasses (IA, IB, IIA, IIB and III) based on their number of constituents and the nature of their redox centres. In this study, two types of crystal structure (type I and type II) were resolved of the class III CARDO-R from Janthinobacterium sp. J3 (CARDO-RJ3). Superimposition of the type I and type II structures revealed the absence of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) in the type II structure along with significant conformational changes to the FAD-binding domain and the C-terminus, including movements to fill the space in which FAD had been located. Docking simulation of NADH into the FAD-bound form of CARDO-RJ3 suggested that shifts of the residues at the C-terminus caused the nicotinamide moiety to approach the N5 atom of FAD, which might facilitate electron transfer between the redox centres. Differences in domain arrangement were found compared with RO reductases from the ferredoxin–NADP reductase family, suggesting that these differences correspond to differences in the structures of their redox partners ferredoxin and terminal oxygenase. The results of docking simulations with the redox partner class III CARDO-F from Pseudomonas resinovorans CA10 suggested that complex formation suitable for efficient electron transfer is stabilized by electrostatic attraction and complementary shapes of the interacting regions.
Century plus journeys: using career crafting to explore the career success of pioneer women accountants
Authors: Vidwans Mohini P. , Whiting Rosalind H.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the struggle for entry and career success of the early pioneer women accountants in Great Britain and its former colonies the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

A career crafting matrix guides the analysis of historical information available on five pioneer women accountants in order to understand their success in gaining entry into the profession and their subsequent careers.

Findings

Despite an exclusionary environment, career crafting efforts coupled with family and organizational support enabled these women to become one of the first female accountants in their respective countries. Their struggles were not personal but much broader—seeking social, political, economic and professional empowerment for women.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to utilize the career crafting matrix developed from current female accountants' careers to explore careers of pioneering female accountants. It adds to the limited literature on women actors in accounting and may provide insight into approaching current forms of difference and discrimination.
Perceived food safety and food defense responsibility for farmers, transporters, retailers and consumers
Authors: Larson Ronald B.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Contaminated food is a major source of illnesses around the world. This research seeks to learn how people assign responsibility for two food contamination risks and how they allocate costs to reduce these risks to four members of the food supply chain. The aims are to identify differences between countries and test options to control for cultural differences.

Design/methodology/approach

A random sample of online panellists from six countries (N = 6,090) was surveyed on how they assigned responsibility for controlling natural and accidental food contamination (traditional food safety) and for controlling intentional contamination (food defense) to farmers, transporters/distributors, retailer grocery stores/restaurants and consumers. They were also asked how they would allocate food safety and defense costs to the four groups. Differences between countries were tested with dummy variables and cultural measures.

Findings

In nearly every country, respondents assigned the least responsibility and allocated the smallest cost shares to consumers. In multivariate models, responsibility and cost-share results differed, suggesting that preferences varied by country and that respondents did not allocate costs the same way they assessed responsibility. The food safety and defense models also differed, implying that the respondents believed the two sources of contamination represented different risks.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine how adults allocate the responsibility and costs for food safety and defense to farmers, transporters/distributors, retailer grocery stores/restaurants and consumers. Other research did not differentiate between these two food risks. This study also compared Hofstede's cultural measures with the recently developed Minkov's cultural measures.
Board processes revisited: an exploration of the relationship between board processes, board role performance and board effectiveness in comparable European listed companies
Authors: Jansen Peter AM
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the relationships between board processes, board role performance and board effectiveness for a cross-country (UK and Romania) sample of comparable European listed companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design is quantitative in nature and based on the survey method, a self-administered questionnaire which was send to 342 chairmen of selected Romanian and British listed companies and which contains validated statements measured through a seven-point Likert-type scale and grouped in validated constructs.

Findings

This study found further empirical evidence that board processes are stronger determinants of board effectiveness than board characteristics and that board roles mediate the relationship between board processes and board effectiveness. It further confirmed the relevance of the three board processes mentioned by Forbes and Milliken (1999) in their seminal work on board decision-making.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this study is the relatively small number of responses (55), which indicates a reduced reliability and generalizability of the results. However, several steps were taken to assure the homogeneity of the sample, starting with a unique data set of firms of comparable size and industry representation.

Practical implications

This study is useful to board directors and chairmen of listed companies, as it can help them to better understand and manage board behaviour.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the limited body of research that investigates specific board process constructs derived from the small team literature and their effect on board effectiveness.
HPC in business: the impact of corporate digital responsibility on building digital trust and responsible corporate digital governance
Authors: Jelovac Dejan , Ljubojević Čedomir , Ljubojević Ljubomir
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The implementation of high performance computing (HPC) in business (especially small and medium-sized enterprises) is accompanied with mistrust to a certain extent, which has imposed the need for building of digital trust (DTrust) among stakeholders. The purpose of the present paper is to find out the ways on how to build and maintain such trust.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis and critical reflection on previous research dealing with phenomena of digital transformation (DT), HPC, corporate digital responsibility (CDR) and DTrust have enabled the authors to design their own conceptual model as the answer to the research questions of how, and in what way, CDR influences DTrust.

Findings

The authors have determined that the previous researches pointed to the existence of the correlation between CDR and DTrust although they did not elaborate on this explicitly. It was shown that the DT itself directly influences trust and sustainability. The indirect influence DT has via CDR was the task the authors undertook through designing a new conceptual model within whose frame the authors separately presented the influence of total CDR on DTrust as well as of the specific CDR dimensions on the particular dimensions of DTrust.

Originality/value

The authors tried to offer the conceptual model that exactly determines the relation of individual dimensions of the processed phenomena by analyzing theoretical and empirical researches carried out so far, and eo ipso shed more light on their mutual relation. The authors firmly believe that this paper offers a useful frame for further empirical researches.
Sounds like a broken record: preservation and access of audio-visual records at the South African broadcasting corporation radio
Authors: Ngoasheng Cyril , Ngoepe Mpho , Marutha Ngoako Solomon
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Audio-visual records produced by public broadcasters play a role in preserving the history, culture and language of a country. The records are used by broadcasters to repeat and support programmes on air. The formats that carry these records such as tapes and compact discs are fragile and have a short life span. This is compounded by evolving technologies and results in obsolete playback equipment, which can result in records not being accessible. This study aims to explore the preservation and access of audio-visual records at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) radio in Limpopo regional offices.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data were collected through interviews from purposively selected participants in three radio stations of the SABC in the Limpopo province which are Munghana Lonene FM, Phalaphala FM and Thobela FM. The interview data were augmented through participant observation.

Findings

The findings revealed that the SABC radio archive was preserving audio-visual records in obsolete formats such as long plays and cassettes, which also lacked playback equipment. These formats were not properly arranged and were kept in a storage area that was not monitored for decaying and security. It was further established that the radio stations were using IONA technology for retrieval of and access to records while the news division within the radio stations were relying on Electronic News Production System. As audio-visual materials were not catalogued, it proved difficult for users to access these records.

Practical implications

This study adds value to the existing theoretical and conceptual issues that form the ongoing discourse on the preservation of and access to audio-visual records which are often neglected in the developing countries. The study also laid the groundwork for further investigation of the audio-visual records at broadcasting corporations. This is prompted by the findings which established that valuable information has been lost and continues to be lost due to poor management of audio-visual records. Therefore, a further study on migration of content from analogue to digital for the purpose of continuous preservation is recommended.

Originality/value

The study triangulated data collection tools including interviews and participant observation. The context was on the national broadcaster and the focus was on the preservation of and access to audio-visual records for the radio.
Factors affecting organizational adoption and acceptance of computer-based security awareness training tools
Authors: Dahabiyeh Laila
Published: June 2021

Purpose

As insiders remain to be a main reason behind security breaches, effective information security awareness campaigns become critical in protecting organizations from security incidents. The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that influence organizational adoption and acceptance of computer-based security awareness training tools.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses content analysis of online reviews of the top ten computer-based security awareness training tools that received Gartner peer insights Customers’ Choice 2019 award.

Findings

This study identifies nine critical adoption and success factors. These are synthesized into a conceptual framework based on the technology–organization–environment framework. The findings reveal that technological, organizational and environmental factors come into play in adoption decisions but with varying degrees of importance.

Practical implications

This study highlights key factors that technology vendors should take into consideration when designing computer-based security awareness training tools to increase adoption rates.

Originality/value

This research offers a novel contribution to the literature on information security awareness delivery methods by identifying key factors that influence organizational adoption and acceptance of computer-based security awareness training tools. Those factors were identified using content analysis of online reviews, which is a new methodological approach to the information security awareness literature.
Risk analysis and mitigation for the city gas distribution projects
Authors: Rawat Atul , Gupta Sumeet , Rao T. Joji
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to identify the operational and financial risks associated with the city gas distribution project in India and suggest appropriate strategies to mitigate them.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims to identify the operational and financial risks associated with the city gas distribution project in India and suggest appropriate strategies to mitigate them. The survey data is evaluated using factor analysis to understand the latent structure of the critical risk factors. Second, the author uses Situation, Actor and Process–Learning, Action and Performance framework to suggest the mitigation strategies for the identified operational and financial risk factors.

Findings

The research identified five critical risk factors and suggested 39 mitigation strategies to address operational and risk factors impacting CGD projects. The findings of this research will enable the CGD companies to formulate long-term strategies for their business and adopt proactive measures to mitigate the operational and financial risks causing delay and increasing project costs. This study also highlights the importance of government support in developing a conducive environment for CGD industry to thrive.

Originality/value

The CGD projects are critical for natural gas growth in India’s energy mix. The project delay leads to a rise in the total cost involved and increases the payback period for the CGD companies. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this research is first of its kind that identifies the critical operational and financial risks affecting CGD projects in India and suggests the mitigating strategies for them.
Islamic financial literacy scale: an amendment in the sphere of contemporary financial literacy
Authors: Dinc Yusuf , Çetin Mehmet , Bulut Mehmet , Jahangir Rashed
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to develop a valid and reliable Islamic financial literacy (IFL) scale that can capture all the segments of the Islamic financial sectors and which could be considered applicable for all jurisdictions across the globe.

Design/methodology/approach

To build the measure, this study followed a scale development process by collecting 698 a priori items from 81 respondents. Later, it generated an item pool through the analysis of the items with experts and gave the last form (40 items) to 287 respondents in Turkey with another IFL scale that is frequently used in the literature and a scale assessing religiosity. With explanatory factor analysis, the scale demonstrates a four-factor construct with 20 items. This construct provides good fit indexes and reliability scores.

Findings

Results of the correlation analysis and comparison of the fit indexes of alternative structures provided supportive evidence for discriminant and convergent validity of the scale and its sub-dimensions. As a result, an applicable scale is developed for countries where Islamic financial institutions are operating and where they are not.

Originality/value

One of the strengths of this study is that it represents a comprehensive scale development for the entire Islamic financial system, including banking, takāful (Islamic insurance) and fund management. In addition, the attempt to design an IFL scale applicable to any economy or individual is a pioneering attempt in the literature.
(Dis)Innovative digital strategy in professional sport: examining sponsor leveraging through social media
Authors: Mastromartino Brandon , Naraine Michael L.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of social media strategies of sport organizations when an unexpected absence of relevant content occurs. The study explored the typologies of Instagram posts of NHL teams and measured engagement of social media content that was not planned in advance.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods approach was utilized through a content analysis of 12 NHL team social media feeds. 502 (n = 502) posts were examined from the period of March 12 – May 26 during which the NHL season was suddenly paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Typologies of posts were identified through a qualitative coding process and ANOVA tests were conducted to examine the effectiveness of each typology in engaging consumers.

Findings

This study found that social media strategies of the sampled NHL teams is evidence of disinnovation with digital, as opposed to the previously conceptualized innovative properties that these activities bear. Therefore, in order to achieve the consumer engagement outcomes sought to build stronger relationships with fans and deliver on the expected leveraging capabilities for sponsors, sport marketers must reconsider their current, imbalanced approach and whether the more inherently interactive content should be balanced with entertaining content that requires organic consumer engagement.

Originality/value

This study offers a unique application of UGT, highlighting that social media in a sport context is not just about gratifying consumers, but preventing diminishing engagement and exploitation of users through overuse of sponsorship-laced content.
Market orientation and capacity for change in higher education performance in Indonesia
Authors: Sukoco Badri Munir , Choirunnisa Zuyyinna , Mudzakkir Mohammad Fakhruddin , Nasution Reza Ashari , Susanto Ely , Usman Indrianawati
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Changes are inevitable and organisations should develop their organisational capacity for change (OCC) to survive. This paper aims to test the effect of market orientation on OCC (learning, process and context), as well as the impact of OCC on organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a survey of 314 heads of study programmes in Indonesia’s highest-ranked universities to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results of this research demonstrate that OCC is determined by customer orientation and cross-functional coordination (market orientation), while competitor orientation influences the learning dimension of OCC. Moreover, only the context dimension of OCC positively influences organisational performance in addition to serving as a mediator between market orientation (customer orientation and cross-functional coordination) and organisational performance, whereas competitor orientation positively influences organisational performance.

Originality/value

This paper empirically tested the three dimensions of OCC (learning, process and context) that had previously been discussed only conceptually. Furthermore, the organisation should be market-oriented to possess the capacity for change. Finally, the paper proposes and demonstrates that organisational context (culture) plays a significant role in OCC in developing organisational performance.
Logistics as a value in e-commerce and its influence on satisfaction in industries: a multilevel analysis
Authors: Kawa Arkadiusz , Światowiec-Szczepańska Justyna
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the components of logistics value and examine their influence on customer satisfaction in e-commerce. This study investigates the moderation effect between those two variables using the overall service level in the different industries of e-commerce.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 592 correctly filled questionnaires from telephone and web interviews (computer-assisted telephone interviews and computer-assisted web interviews) were scrutinized. Hierarchical linear modeling (as a part of a wider group of multilevel modeling studies) was used to verify the dependencies between variables from an organization and industry levels.

Findings

The logistics factors indicated and described in the paper differently affect the value for the customer. This value is subjective and dynamic. For this reason, the online seller should develop a system to create a sustainable value proposition. It is plausible due to the possibility of choosing the type of delivery, date of collection and change thereof, as well as that of returning the product. Because of all this, the customer decides on the way of the order execution and creates the value chain.

Research limitations/implications

The developed model is aimed at identifying universal relationships that create the customer satisfaction mechanism for the logistics value. However, this may result in other aspects of customer satisfaction being neglected. The authors are aware that the creation of value by a company in e-commerce must be approached in a systematic manner.

Practical implications

The results obtained and the representativeness of the surveyed sample of companies lead to the formulation of implications for business practice. The conclusions of the research definitely indicate a need to build awareness of logistics value and its influence on customer satisfaction through the service level in the industry. Because of the identified components of the logistics value and industry characteristics, managers of online retailers can better run their businesses, increase customer satisfaction, and thus improve their performance.

Originality/value

It is the first study that concerns e-commerce in individual industries, with particular emphasis on logistics and its impact on customer satisfaction.
System transformation in palliative and end of life care: developing a model for excellence
Authors: Hewison Alistair , Hodges Emma , Balasubramanian Sundaravadivel , Swani Tina
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to report how the palliative and end of life care community in one region of England worked together to create a new model for integrated palliative and end of life care to respond to the challenges of changing demography, the need to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions of people nearing the end of life and to improve the quality of provision in line with current policy.

Design/methodology/approach

A co-production approach to system transformation was adopted involving 73 members of the palliative and end of life care community in one region of England.

Findings

A new model for the delivery of integrated palliative and end of life care services was produced. The breadth of membership of the co-production working party and constructive/collaborative working helped ensure a viable model was produced.

Practical implications

Although systems’ thinking perspectives can help address the challenges of large-scale transformation because they focus on promoting the value of relationships, recognise the nuances of context and the need to understand system behaviour over time, the potential for systems to benefit from this approach is limited by the complexity of the processes involved and the sheer number of issues to be addressed in practical terms by policy makers and change leaders.

Originality/value

The paper explores the contribution that theories of large-scale transformation can make to the design of palliative and end of life care services in health and social care.