bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relict groups of spiny frogs indicate Late Paleogene-Early Neogene trans-Tibet dispersal of thermophile faunal elements
Authors: Hofmann Sylvia , Jablonski Daniel , Litvinchuk Spartak , Masroor Rafaqat , Schmidt Joachim
Published: February 2021

Background

The Himalaya-Tibet orogen (HTO) presents an outstanding geologically active formation that contributed to, and fostered, modern Asian biodiversity. However, our concepts of the historical biogeography of its biota are far from conclusive, as are uplift scenarios for the different parts of the HTO. Here, we revisited our previously published data set of the tribe Paini extending it with sequence data from the most western Himalayan spiny frogsAllopaaandChrysopaaand using them as an indirect indicator for the paleoecological development of Tibet.

Methods

We obtained sequence data of two mitochondrial loci (16S rRNA, COI) and one nuclear marker (Rag1) fromAllopaasamples from Kashmir Himalaya as well asChrysopaasequence data from the Hindu Kush available from GenBank to complement our previous data set. A Maximum likelihood and dated Bayesian gene tree were generated based on the concatenated data set. To resolve the inconsistent placement ofAllopaa,we performed different topology tests.

Results

Consistent with previous results, the Southeast Asian genusQuasipaais sister to all other spiny frogs. The results further reveal a basal placement ofChrysopaarelative toAllopaaandNanoranawith an estimated age ofca.26 Mya. Based on the topology tests, the phylogenetic position ofAllopaaas a sister clade toChaparanaseems to be most likely, resulting in a paraphyletic genusNanoranaand a separation from the latter clade around 20 Mya. Both, the placements ofChrysopaaandAllopaasupport the presence of basal Paini lineages in the far north western part of the HTO, which is diametrically opposite end of the HTO with respect to the ancestral area of spiny frogs in Southeast Asia. These striking distributional patterns can be most parsimoniously explained by trans-Tibet dispersal during the late Oligocene (subtropicalChrysopaa) respectively early Miocene (warm temperateAllopaa).Within spiny frogs, only members of the monophyleticNanorana+Paaclade are adapted to the colder temperate climates, indicating that high-altitude environments did not dominate in the HTO beforeca.15 Mya. Our results are consistent with fossil records suggesting that large parts of Tibet were characterized by subtropical to warm temperate climates at least until the early Miocene.
Integrating genomics and multi-platform metabolomics enables metabolite QTL detection in breeding-relevant apple germplasm
Authors: Bilbrey Emma A. , Williamson Kathryn , Hatzakis Emmanuel , Miller Diane Doud , Fresnedo-Ramírez Jonathan , Cooperstone Jessica L.
Published: February 2021

Research Conducted

Apple (Malus × domestica) has commercial and nutritional value, but breeding constraints of tree crops limit varietal improvement. Marker-assisted selection minimizes these drawbacks, but breeders lack applications for targeting fruit phytochemicals. To understand genotype-phytochemical associations in apples, we have developed a high-throughput integration strategy for genomic and multi-platform metabolomics data.

Methods

124 apple genotypes, including members of three pedigree-connected breeding families alongside diverse cultivars and wild selections, were genotyped and phenotyped. Metabolite genome-wide association studies (mGWAS) were conducted with 10,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms and phenotypic data acquired via LC-MS and 1H NMR untargeted metabolomics. Putative metabolite quantitative trait loci (mQTL) were then validated via pedigree-based analyses (PBA).

Key Results

Using our developed method, 519, 726, and 177 putative mQTL were detected in LC-MS positive and negative ionization modes and NMR, respectively. mQTL were indicated on each chromosome, with hotspots on linkage groups 16 and 17. A chlorogenic acid mQTL was discovered on chromosome 17 via mGWAS and validated with a two-step PBA, enabling discovery of novel candidate gene-metabolite relationships.

Main Conclusion

Complementary data from three metabolomics approaches and dual genomics analyses increased confidence in validity of compound annotation and mQTL detection. Our platform demonstrates the utility of multi-omics integration to advance data-driven, phytochemicalbased plant breeding.
Glycine receptor α3K governs mobility and conductance of L/K splice variant heteropentamers
Authors: Lemmens Veerle , Thevelein Bart , Kankowski Svenja , Mizuno Hideaki , Meier Jochen C. , Rocha Susana , Brône Bert , Hendrix Jelle
Published: February 2021

Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are ligand-gated pentameric chloride channels in the central nervous system. GlyR-α3 is a possible target for chronic pain treatment and temporal lobe epilepsy. Alternative splicing into K or L variants determines the subcellular fate and function of GlyR-α3, yet it remains to be shown whether its different splice variants can functionally co-assemble, and what the properties of such heteropentamers would be. Here, we subjected GlyR-α3 to a combined fluorescence microscopy and electrophysiology analysis. We employ masked Pearson’s and dual-color spatiotemporal correlation analysis to prove that GlyR-α3 splice variants heteropentamerize, adopting the mobility of the K variant. Fluorescence-based single-subunit counting experiments revealed a variable and concentration ratio dependent hetero-stoichiometry. Via single-channel on-cell patch clamp we show heteropentameric conductances resemble those of the α3K splice variant. Our data are compatible with a model where α3 heteropentamerization fine-tunes mobility and activity of GlyR α3 channels, which is important to understand and tackle α3 related diseases.

The glycine receptor α3 is key to the central nervous system’s physiology and involved in chronic pain and epilepsy. In this paper, Lemmens et al. reveal and functionally characterize α3 splice variant heteropentamerization via advanced single-molecule fluorescence image analysis.

Declarations

Funding

We acknowledge the UHasselt Advanced Optical Microscopy Centre (AOMC). Prof. Em. Marcel Ameloot, the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, project G0H3716N) and the province of Limburg (Belgium) (tUL Impuls II) are acknowledged for funding the microscopy hardware. V. Lemmens is grateful for a doctoral scholarship from the UHasselt (17DOC11BOF) and KU Leuven (C14/16/053) Special Research Funds (BOF).

Conflicts of interest / competing interests

No conflicts of interest apply.

Ethics approval

Not applicable

Availability of data and material

All data and material are available upon request.

Code availability

Fluctuation imaging and co-localization analyses were performed in the software package PAM [71]. The software is available as source code, requiring MATLAB to run, or as pre-compiled standalone distributions for Windows or MacOS athttp://www.cup.uni-muenchen.de/pc/lamb/software/pam.htmlor hosted in Git repositories underhttp://www.gitlab.com/PAM-PIE/PAMandhttp://www.gitlab.com/PAM-PIE/PAMcompiled. A detailed user manual is available athttp://pam.readthedocs.io.

Author contributions

Conceptualization Meier J.C., Brône B. and Hendrix J.; Investigation and formal analysis Lemmens V. and Thevelein B.; Software development Hendrix J.; Writing the original draft Lemmens V., Thevelein B and Hendrix, J.; Review and editing by all authors.
A covalently crosslinked bioink for multi-materials drop-on-demand 3D bioprinting of three-dimensional cell cultures
Authors: Utama Robert H. , Tan Vincent T. G. , Tjandra Kristel C. , Sexton Andrew , Nguyen Duyen H. T. , O’Mahony Aidan P. , Ribeiro Julio C. C. , Kavallaris Maria , Gooding J. Justin
Published: February 2021

In vitro three-dimensional (3D) cell models have been accepted to better recapitulate aspects of in vivo organ environment than 2D cell culture. Currently, the production of these complex in vitro 3D cell models with multiple cell types and microenvironments remains challenging and prone to human error. Here we report a versatile bioink comprised of a 4-arm PEG based polymer with distal maleimide derivatives as the main ink component and a bis-thiol species as the activator that crosslinks the polymer to form the hydrogel in less than a second. The rapid gelation makes the polymer system compatible with 3D bioprinting. The ink is combined with a drop-on-demand 3D bioprinting platform consisting of eight independently addressable nozzles and high-throughput printing logic for creating complex 3D cell culture models. The combination of multiple nozzles and fast printing logic enables the rapid preparation of many complex 3D structures comprising multiple hydrogel environments in the one structure in a standard 96-well plate format. The platform compatibility for biological applications was validated using pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer (PDAC) cells with their phenotypic responses controlled by tuning the hydrogel microenvironment.
TKTDsimulation.jl and tktdjl2r: innovative packages for High Performance Computing of survival predictions in support of environmental risk assessment under time-variable scenarios
Authors: Baudrot Virgile , Charles Sandrine
Published: February 2021

Predictive environmental risk scenarios are today of major interest for environmental risk assessment as they provide plausible and consistent descriptions of possible effects of chemicalin natura. In particular, they can be used for predictions of the future as consistent descriptions of pathways towards desired targets to protect. One single scenario would therefore be meaningless, as it could not capture all the variability and uncertainty involved in natural phenomenon combined with socio-economical events. A set of environmental risk scenarios is then a key asset to address sustainable and collaborative decision making associated with appropriate actions.

Toxicokinetics-Toxicodynamics (TKTD) models are increasingly used for the assessment and the prediction of environmental risk assessment due to chemical products. This mechanistic modelling approach offers many advantages as the possibility to perform simulations under non-observed realistic situations with time-variable exposure profiles embedded in environmental risk scenarios. TKTD simulations can also be linked with other types of models (e.g., Individual Based Model) within a pipeline of computing inference as for example Bayesian inference or Machine Learning. To handle such challenges within the particular framework of TKTD models for survival, we present an innovative simulation tool written in the new programming language Julia, calledTKTDsimulations.jl. Given that TKTD models for survival usually require high performance computing due to the numerical integration of differential equations, our tool strongly benefits from Julia’s facilities, in particular a code that is fast to compile and easy to maintain. In addition, to ease the link with the already developed R-packagemorsededicated to the statistical handling of ecotoxicity data, we also developed a new R-package, calledtktdjl2r, interfacingmorsewith our new simulation toolTKTDsimulations.jlthat considerably faster predictions with the corresponding ready-to-usemorsefunctions.
Sharing happy stories increases interpersonal closeness mediated by enhancing interpersonal brain synchronization
Authors: Xie Enhui , Yin Qing , Li Keshuang , Nastase Samuel A. , Zhang Ruqian , Wang Ning , Li Xianchun
Published: February 2021

Our lives revolve around sharing stories with others. Expressing emotion (i.e., happy and sad) is an essential characteristic of sharing stories and could enhance the similarity of story comprehension across speaker–listener pairs. The Emotions as Social Information Model (EASI) suggests that emotional communication may influence interpersonal closeness, but the effect of sharing emotional (happy/sad) stories on interpersonal closeness remains poorly understood. Here, one speaker watched emotional videos and communicated the content of the videos to thirty-two listeners (happy/sad/neutral group). Both speaker and listeners’ neural activities were recorded using EEG. After listening, we assessed the interpersonal closeness between the speaker and listeners. Compared to the sad group, sharing happy stories showed a better recall quality and a higher rating of interpersonal closeness.

Meanwhile, the happy group showed higher interpersonal brain synchronization (IBS) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and temporal cortex (specifically TPJ) than the sad group. Moreover, such IBS mediated the relationship between the quality of sharing stories and interpersonal closeness, and happy emotion moderated this mediation model. The magnitude of IBS differentiated high interpersonal closeness from low interpersonal closeness. Exploratory analysis using support vector regression showed that the IBS could also predict the ratings of interpersonal closeness in left-out subjects. These results suggest that IBS could serve as an indicator of whether sharing emotional stories facilitate interpersonal closeness. These findings improve our understanding of sharing emotional information among individuals that guide behaviors during interpersonal interactions.
Evolving a new efficient mode of fructose utilization for improved bioproduction inCorynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Krahn Irene , Bonder Daniel , Torregrosa Lucia , Stoppel Dominik , Krause Jens P. , Rosenfeldt Natalie , Meiswinkel Tobias M. , Seibold Gerd M. , Wendisch Volker F. , Lindner Steffen N.
Published: February 2021

Fructose utilization inCorynebacterium glutamicumstarts with its uptake and concomitant phosphorylation via the phosphotransferase system (PTS) to yield intracellular fructose 1-phosphate, which enters glycolysis upon ATP dependent phosphorylation to fructose 1,6-bisphosphate by 1-phosphofructokinase. This is known to result in a significantly reduced oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (oxPPP) flux on fructose (~10 %) compared to glucose (~60 %). Consequently, the biosynthesis of NADPH demanding products, e.g. L-lysine, byC. glutamicumis largely decreased, when fructose is the only carbon source. Previous works reported that fructose is partially utilized via the glucose specific PTS presumably generating fructose 6-phosphate. This closer proximity to the entry point of the oxPPP might increase oxPPP flux and consequently NADPH availability. Here, we generated deletion strains either lacking in the fructose-specific PTS or 1-phosphofructokinase activity. We used these strains in short-term evolution experiments on fructose minimal medium and isolated mutant strains, which regained the ability of fast growth on fructose as a sole carbon source. In these fructose mutants, the deletion of the glucose specific PTS, as well as the 6-phosphofructokinase gene, abolished growth, unequivocally showing fructose phosphorylation via glucose specific PTS to fructose 6-phosphate. Gene sequencing revealed three independent amino acid substitutions in PtsG (M260V, M260T, P318S). These three PtsG variants mediated faster fructose uptake and utilization compared to native PtsG. In-depth analysis of the effects of fructose utilization via these PtsG variants revealed significantly increased biomass formation, reduced side-product accumulation, and increased L-lysine production by 50 %.
Structural basis of drug recognition by the multidrug transporter ABCG2
Authors: Kowal Julia , Ni Dongchun , Jackson Scott M , Manolaridis Ioannis , Stahlberg Henning , Locher Kaspar P
Published: February 2021

ABCG2 is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter whose function affects the pharmacokinetics of drugs and contributes to multidrug resistance of cancer cells. While its interaction with the endogenous substrate estrone-3-sulfate (E1S) has been elucidated at a structural level, the recognition and recruitment of exogenous compounds is not understood at sufficiently high resolution. Here we present three cryo-EM structures of nanodisc-reconstituted, human ABCG2 bound to anticancer drugs tariquidar, topotecan and mitoxantrone. To enable structural insight at high resolution, we used Fab fragments of the ABCG2-specific monoclonal antibody 5D3, which binds to the external side of the transporter but does not interfere with drug-induced stimulation of ATPase activity. We observed that the binding pocket of ABCG2 can accommodate a single tariquidar molecule in a C-shaped conformation, similar to one of the two tariquidar molecules bound to ABCB1, where tariquidar acts as an inhibitor. We also found single copies of topotecan and mitoxantrone bound between key phenylalanine residues. Mutagenesis experiments confirmed the functional importance of two residues in the binding pocket, F439 and N436. Using 3D variability analyses, we found a correlation between substrate binding and reduced dynamics of the nucleotide binding domains (NBDs), suggesting a structural explanation for drug-induced ATPase stimulation. Our findings provide insight into how ABCG2 differentiates between inhibitors and substrates and may guide a rational design of new modulators and substrates.
Mosquito Larvae (Culex spp.) Startle Responses to Vibration Stimuli
Authors: Harrison Ellie R. , Budenberg William J.
Published: February 2021

We explored startle responses ofCulex spp.larvae to varying frequencies and durations of vibrations, before investigating habituation (a behavioural learning phenomenon). The startle response consists of a rapid movement to permit escape from a potentially dangerous stimulus. We used the automated Zantiks MWP_vb unit to analyse larval startle responses through the built-in live video tracking. Set within the unit’s controlled environmental chamber, we recorded distance travelled by the larvae. These results were used to optimise the vibration startle response for use in habituation studies. Repeated vibrations appeared to reduce larvae startle responses, although further analysis is required to confirm habituation. This study not only provides an insight into the learning ability of mosquito larvae, but demonstrates the ease, replicability and control conferred by the automated unit. Furthermore, this method is applicable to many other organisms and shows potential for more sophisticated environmental effect testing, such as behavioural toxicology.
The cryo-EM structure of the neurofibromin dimer reveals the molecular basis for von Recklinghausen disease
Authors: Lupton Christopher J. , Bayly-Jones Charles , D’Andrea Laura , Huang Cheng , Schittenhelm Ralf B. , Venugopal Hari , Whisstock James C. , Halls Michelle L. , Ellisdon Andrew M.
Published: February 2021

Neurofibromin (NF1) is a tumour suppressor mutated in neurofibromatosis type 1 (von Recklinghausen disease), one of the most common human genetic diseases(1). NF1 regulates cellular growth through suppressing the Rat Sarcoma (RAS) pathway and, accordingly, mutations in this protein drive numerous cancers, including melanoma, ovarian, breast and brain cancer(2, 3). Currently, however, the molecular basis for NF1 function remains to be understood. Here we address this problem and use cryogenic Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM) to determine the structure of fulllength NF1. The 640 kDa NF1 homodimer forms an extraordinary lemniscate (∞) shaped molecule that is ~30 nm in length and ~ 10 nm wide. Each NF1 monomer comprises an N-terminal HEAT-repeat domain (N-HEAT), a guanosine triphosphatase activating protein (GAP)-related domain (GRD), a Sec14 homologous and pleckstrin homologous module (SEC-PH), and a C-terminal HEAT domain (C-HEAT). The core NF1 scaffold is formed via a head-to-tail dimer of the N- and C-HEAT domains. This platform, which is responsible for interacting with more than 10 regulatory binding partners, comprises an extraordinary array of over 150 α-helices. Analysis of these EM data revealed that the GRD and SEC-PH domain are highly mobile with respect to the core scaffold and could not initially be accurately placed in electron density. Strikingly, however, using 3D variability analysis we were able to identify a significant subpopulation of NF1 particles and determine the complete NF1 structure to 5.6 Å resolution. These data revealed that the catalytic GRD and lipid binding SEC-PH domain are positioned against the core scaffold in a closed, autoinhibited conformation. We postulate that interaction with the plasma membrane may release the closed conformation in order to promote RAS inactivation. Our structural data further allow us to map the location of disease-associated NF1 variants and provide a long sought-after structural explanation for the extreme susceptibility of the molecule to loss-of-function mutations. Finally, it is suggested that approaches to combat NF1-linked diseases may include release of the autoinhibited state in order to improve NF1 catalytic efficiency.
Alzheimer’s-like remodeling of neuronal ryanodine receptor in COVID-19
Authors: Reiken Steve , Dridi Haikel , Sittenfeld Leah , Liu Xiaoping , Marks Andrew R
Published: February 2021

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2 involves multiple organs including cardiovascular, pulmonary and central nervous system. Understanding how SARS-CoV-2 infection afflicts diverse organ systems remains challenging1,2. Particularly vexing has been the problem posed by persistent organ dysfunction known as “long COVID,” which includes cognitive impairment3. Here we provide evidence linking SARS-CoV-2 infection to activation of TGF-ß signaling and oxidative overload. One consequence is oxidation of the ryanodine receptor/calcium (Ca2+) release channels (RyR) on the endo/sarcoplasmic (ER/SR) reticuli in heart, lung and brains of patients who succumbed to COVID-19. This depletes the channels of the stabilizing subunit calstabin2 causing them to leak Ca2+which can promote heart failure4,5, pulmonary insufficiency6and cognitive and behavioral defects7–9.Ex-vivotreatment of heart, lung, and brain tissues from COVID-19 patients using a Rycal drug (ARM210)10prevented calstabin2 loss and fixed the channel leak. Of particular interest is that neuropathological pathways activated downstream of leaky RyR2 channels in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) patients were activated in COVID-19 patients. Thus, leaky RyR2 Ca2+channels may play a role in COVID-19 pathophysiology and could be a therapeutic target for amelioration of some comorbidities associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Interacting rhythms enhance sensitivity of target detection in a fronto-parietal computational model of visual attention
Authors: Aussel Amélie , Fiebelkorn Ian C. , Kastner Sabine , Kopell Nancy J. , Pittman-Polletta Benjamin R.
Published: February 2021

Even during sustained attention, enhanced processing of attended stimuli waxes and wanes rhythmically, with periods of enhanced and relatively diminished visual processing (and subsequent target detection) alternating at 4 or 8 Hz in a sustained visual attention task. These alternating attentional states occur alongside alternating dynamical states, in which lateral intraparietal cortex (LIP), the frontal eye field (FEF), and the mediodorsal pulvinar (mdPul) exhibit different activity and functional connectivity atα, β, andγfrequencies—rhythms associated with visual processing, working memory, and motor suppression. To assess whether and how these multiple interacting rhythms contribute to periodicity in attention, we propose a detailed computational model of FEF and LIP. When driven byθ-rhythmic inputs simulating experimentally-observed mdPul activity, this model reproduced the rhythmic dynamics and behavioral consequences of observed attentional states, revealing that the frequencies and mechanisms of the observed rhythms allow for peak sensitivity in visual target detection while maintaining functional flexibility.
A roadmap for sustainability assessment in the food supply chain
Authors: León Bravo Verónica , Moretto Antonella , Caniato Federico
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To develop a roadmap of sustainability practices and assessment mechanisms to advance in the sustainable supply chain (SSC) performance assessment in the food supply chain. The analysis is grounded on the contingency and stakeholder theories.

Design/methodology/approach

The study follows a multiple case study approach analyzing the sustainability practices implementation and assessment across different supply chain stages in the food industry in Italy. The set of cases comprises 12 companies in the fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV), and seven companies in the “Balsamic Vinegar of Modena” (BVM) supply chains.

Findings

The sustainability practices and assessment in each company in both supply chains according to their objectives are identified. Different stakeholder pressures for sustainability implementation and assessment are analyzed. The contingency factors that foster sustainability assessment are outlined as well. Finally, the study develops a roadmap with five levels of progress considering the groups of practices implemented and the type of assessment applied.

Practical implications

The roadmap is a decision-making tool for planning and monitoring progress on SSC performance along five possible levels of progress. While identifying the assessment mechanisms implemented for different kind of sustainability practices, companies can develop a strategy according to their aims and capabilities and stakeholder's expectations.

Originality/value

The novelties in this study are threefold. First, the roadmap with five levels of progress. Second, investigating two different food supply chains that allowed for a broader view regarding sustainability practices and assessment. Third, the adoption of stakeholder and contingency theories in SSC studies.
Certification label and fresh organic produce category in an emerging country: an experimental study on consumer trust and purchase intention
Authors: Watanabe Eluiza Alberto de Morais , Alfinito Solange , Barbirato Luisa Lourenço
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Organic food consumption is growing, increasing the need for studies investigating the importance of organic certification labels in emerging countries. The research aims to identify the influence of certification labels and fresh organic produce categories (greenery, vegetable or fruit) on consumer trust and purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

An online experimental survey 3 × 3 was administered among 349 Brazilian consumers. Certification label and fresh organic produce category were designated as independent variables and manipulated to explore consumer trust and purchase intention. The authors performed a multivariate covariance analysis (MANCOVA) to analyze the data.

Findings

Results show that the certification label does not directly affect the dependent variables. It acts as a moderator and indirectly affects both consumer trust and purchase intention. Moreover, depending on the fresh organic produce category considered (greenery, vegetable or fruit), consumer trust changes. Sociodemographic characteristics, age and household income are also important. Finally, the greater the purchase frequency (the main predictor of the model), the greater the purchase intention and consumer trust.

Originality/value

The study contributes to deepen and expand studies involving organic food and to pave the way for future studies that aim to investigate the importance of certification labels of organic foods for consumers.
Emerging social and business trends associated with the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Yeganeh Hamid
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify, classify and study emerging social and business trends associated with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

By adopting the meta-synthesis method, the study scrutinizes, synthesizes and interprets the findings from a pool of publications. This approach results in identifying 53 key ideas that are classified under nine dominant trends.

Findings

The study identifies and examines nine major trends caused and intensified by the Covid-19 pandemic, i.e. the rise of authoritarianism, the new era of corporate welfare, deep imbalances in public finances, exacerbated inequalities, higher risks of poverty and famine, the dominance of giant corporations, the increasing influence of big tech, the accelerated innovation and the fluidity of work and organizations. The paper suggests that these trends are the continuation of the past three decades’ transformations, are contributing to the rising concentration of power and wealth and are leading to a new type of globalization marked by high connectivity and low tangibility.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper resides in adopting a multidisciplinary approach to analyzing various social and business dimensions of a complex phenomenon. While the study should not be viewed as a comprehensive investigation, it offers a groundwork for further research on Covid-19.
Digital services adapted by libraries in Mexico to COVID-19 pandemic: a critical review
Authors: Ortega-Martínez Eugenia de los Ángeles , Pacheco-Mendoza Josmel , García Meléndez Héctor Eduardo , Ortiz-Díaz Erik Miguel , Saavedra-Alamillas César
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze to what extent the strategic actions implemented by the libraries contribute to the containment of the pandemic caused by COVID-19, without compromising the quality of library services for their learning communities.

Design/methodology/approach

The research has a mixed methodology: qualitative and quantitative with a technique of documentary review and statistical analysis of data through FanPage Karma software. The documents are public and are part of the teaching programs of the universities, webinars and courses given through accounts and official sites of the Mexican Federal Government, social networks, as well as groups of experts in national and international librarianship.

Findings

The research documents and describes the library services that have emerged in libraries since the quarantine and isolation period established by the Ministry of Public Education. It also shows the strategic actions adopted by universities (their advantages and disadvantages) and the digital competencies of the library professionals to meet the information demands of their communities. Additionally, actions implemented to provide a rapid response are discussed so that they can later be improved to have a comprehensive framework for improving quality in the remote library service.

Originality/value

This research contributes value to the field by critically analyzing libraries’ distance services, their innovations and the necessary professional competences required to achieve the institutional academic goals. Additionally, relevant services in the digital context are described.
Three-dimensional tooth profile design method of harmonic drive considering the deformation difference of the flexspline
Authors: Li Yangfan , Zhang Yingjie , Zhang Ning , Xu Bingchao
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to improve the meshing effect of the gear teeth. It is recommended to analyze the deformation difference between the inner and outer surfaces of the flexspline. The purpose of this paper is to modify the profile of the flexspline based on the deformation difference to improve the transmission accuracy and operating life of the harmonic drive.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, ring theory is used to calculate the deformation difference of the inner and outer surfaces of the flexspline, and the actual tooth profile of the flexspline is corrected based on the deformation difference. Then, the flexspline is divided into multiple sections along the axial direction, so that the three-dimensional tooth profile of the flexspline is modified to improve the gear tooth meshing effect.

Findings

This paper proves the effect of the deformation difference between the inner and outer surfaces of the flexspline on the tooth backlash, which affects the transmission accuracy and life of the harmonic drive. It is recommended to modify the tooth profile of the flexspline based on the deformation difference, so as to ensure the tooth meshing effect.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new way for the optimization of the three-dimensional tooth profile design of the harmonic drive.
Incubating innovation in university settings: building entrepreneurial mindsets in the future generation of innovative emerging market leaders
Authors: Bodolica Virginia , Spraggon Martin
Published: February 2021

Purpose

One of the most discernible initiatives of entrepreneurial universities constitutes the launch of innovation centers, where students and alumni can incubate their business ideas and collaborate on innovative projects with the purpose of converting them into start-up ventures. While incubators and accelerators are quintessential in Western academic contexts, educational institutions in emerging economies are lagging behind in the preparation of future-ready business leaders via the establishment of hubs that stimulate entrepreneurial intention and diffusion of innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

In this conceptual paper, the authors seek to contribute to the development of entrepreneurial education ecosystems in less advanced regions of the world through the activation of university-based centers of innovation. The authors rely on a general review of the specialized literature to identify best practice insights pertaining to curriculum design and draw on the combined expertise of the authors’ research team in delivering entrepreneurship and innovation (under)graduate courses and executive education programs in emerging countries.

Findings

The authors conceptualize the mission, vision and curriculum of an innovation hub that can be adopted by any institution of higher education from transitional and emerging market settings to build powerful entrepreneurial mindsets in the future generation of innovative leaders. The proposed innovation hub curriculum incorporates a number of practically relevant and learning boosting activities, including the “So, You Think You Can Innovate?” competition, networking events and guest speakers and training seminars and workshops.

Originality/value

To keep up with changing industry dynamics and secure the relevance of their programs, institutions of higher education in emerging economies need to embrace entrepreneurial models of instruction. They ought to allocate temporal, physical and mental spaces and infrastructure to students to facilitate the generation of innovative concepts and encourage them toward commercialization.
A segmented machine learning modeling approach of social media for predicting occupancy
Authors: Ampountolas Apostolos , Legg Mark P.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to predict hotel demand through text analysis by investigating keyword series to increase demand predictions’ precision. To do so, this paper presents a framework for modeling hotel demand that incorporates machine learning techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical forecasting is conducted by introducing a segmented machine learning approach of leveraging hierarchical clustering tied to machine learning and deep learning techniques. These features allow the model to yield more precise estimates. This study evaluates an extensive range of social media–derived words with the most significant probability of gradually establishing an understanding of an optimal outcome. Analyzes were performed on a major hotel chain in an urban market setting within the USA.

Findings

The findings indicate that while traditional methods, being the naïve approach and ARIMA models, struggled with forecasting accuracy, segmented boosting methods (XGBoost) leveraging social media predict hotel occupancy with greater precision for all examined time horizons. Additionally, the segmented learning approach improved the forecasts’ stability and robustness while mitigating common overfitting issues within a highly dimensional data set.

Research limitations/implications

Incorporating social media into a segmented learning framework can augment the current generation of forecasting methods’ accuracy. Moreover, the segmented learning approach mitigates the negative effects of market shifts (e.g. COVID-19) that can reduce in-production forecasts’ life-cycles. The ability to be more robust to market deviations will allow hospitality firms to minimize development time.

Originality/value

The results are expected to generate insights by providing revenue managers with an instrument for predicting demand.
Is HOA capitalized in housing price? Evidence from Chongqing, China
Authors: Deng Feng
Published: February 2021

Purpose

International research has found that Homeowners Association (HOA) is capitalized in housing price in the West. Is that result applicable in Chinese cities? In China there is also widespread applause for HOA. Will that leave trail in the housing market? This paper aims to answer these questions by presenting empirical evidence from 113 private gated communities in Chongqing, China.

Design/methodology/approach

The data set comes from three different sources including a telephone survey. The research methodology includes hedonic models with an endogenous dummy variable of the presence of HOA in a community.

Findings

HOA is not capitalized in housing price.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical finding helps to explain why about 80% of private communities in big Chinese cities have not formed an HOA.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study on HOA capitalization in housing price in China.
Foreign ownership and cost of debt financing: evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Tran Quoc Trung
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of foreign ownership on cost of debt financing in an emerging stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

Cost of debt is a function of foreign ownership. Control variables include state ownership, firm profitability, financial leverage, Tobin's Q, asset growth, firm size and asset tangibility. The research sample includes 3,263 observations from 405 firms listed in Vietnamese stock market during the period 2009–2017.

Findings

The authors find that foreign ownership negatively affects cost of debt and this effect is stronger in non-state-owned enterprises and financially constrained firms.

Originality/value

Prior research shows that ownership structure is a key determinant of debt financing cost in many developed markets. This paper contributes to the literature of emerging market finance by showing that foreign ownership reduces cost of debt financing.
Application of Kaizen-Kata methodology to improve operational problem processes. A case study in a service organization
Authors: Suárez-Barraza Manuel F. , Miguel-Dávila José Angel , Morales-Contreras Manuel Francisco
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore, study, analyze and implement Kaizen–Kata methodology in a service food organization (first-level restaurant), facing challenges in different operational processes that affect and influence the case company performance and customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The service organization implemented Kaizen–Kata methodology to improve one operational problem process. A case-study approach was used in this research to understand the effects of the Kaizen–Kata methodology in solving problems in their operational service process. Different Kaizen–Kata techniques and tools (histograms, Pareto chart and Ishikawa diagram) using the Plan, Do, Check, Act improvement cycle framework were used.

Findings

Successful implementation of the proposed methodology reduced the main impact of the problem’s effects (customer’s complaints, process reworking, extra-cost, delays, among others). The effects of the problem were reduced on average by 70%. Some Kaizen–Kata routines were identified in a service process environment.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the research is that this work is a just one-case study. A main generalization is not possible, because it involves a company within a company.

Practical implications

Some other service companies can use the Kaizen–Kata methodology to solve any kind of operational problem within their processes. Service managers can learn about the methodology to apply and improve their operational performance and handle customer’s complaints.

Originality/value

A continuous improvement manufacturing methodology was imported to apply in an operational service process. The Kaizen–Kata methodology contributed significantly to reduce delays, handle customer’s complaints, process reworking and deal with extra costs, among other operational problems’ effects. In addition to that, in the literature, most of the Kaizen applications are in manufacturing companies. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this was the first study of applied Kaizen–Kata in a service organization (a fast-food restaurant).
We-intention to continue playing mobile multiplayer games: the role of social play habit
Authors: Li Mengjun , Suh Ayoung
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop and test a theoretical model that accounts for an individual's we-intention to continue playing a mobile multiplayer game.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on habit-intention and habit formation theories, this study conceptualizes social play habit as a determinant of the we-intention to continue playing and identifies its antecedents. The proposed model was tested through a survey of 277 players of Honor of Kings, a popular mobile multiplayer game.

Findings

The results indicate that developing social play habit is critical to the formation of a we-intention to continue playing in the context of mobile multiplayer games. The results also suggest that technological (social features embedded in the game) and individual (desire for co-play and privacy concerns) factors jointly influence social play habit.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the literature on we-intention by conceptualizing social play habit and verifying its role in facilitating a shared intention to continue playing mobile multiplayer games. Our work responds to the call for understanding the mechanism by which multiple people form a shared intention to continue using an information technology at a collective level. Our findings provide significant insights into the design of information technologies for collaboration.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to extend the literature on gaming habits by considering other players' involvement. Specifically, our study shifts researchers' attention from gaming habits characterized by individual properties to social gaming habits characterized by communal properties.
Lessons for green management from the Hispanic Civil Rights movement: a pseudo-gap analysis
Authors: Pane Haden Stephanie , Randolph-Seng Brandon , Hasan Md. Kamrul , Williams Alex , Hayek Mario
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Although green management has gained legitimacy as a sustainable business practice, little is known about the elements that will lead to the long-term success of the movement. To identify these elements, this study aims to review the existing literature on social movements and analyzes archival data from a specific social undertaking, the Hispanic Civil Rights movement in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

A historiographical approach was used in which systematic combining used abductive logic to developed a provisional framework based on the interpretation of secondary sources of data concerning the Hispanic Civil Rights movement. Subsequently, an ethnomethodologically informed interpretation of primary data based on the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) archives refined the provisional framework.

Findings

The authors identified common elements that are critical to the success of social movements, as supported by both secondary data on the Hispanic Civil Rights movement and primary data based on the LULAC archives. These elements consist of: ideology, identity, mobilization, goals, leadership and integration. Using these results, a pseudo-gap analysis approach was completed by systematically comparing the interpretive data with current knowledge of the green management movement to identify the missing gaps and to offer guidance for further development of green management as a contemporary movement.

Social implications

Applying the lessons learned from social movements will help the development and prosperity of the green movement in current business organizations. Such applications are important, given that local and global environmental crises can have profound implications on ecosystems, economics and social systems.

Originality/value

Social movements are an important means by which societal concerns such as injustices are addressed. By identifying the important elements needed for the green management movement to be successful in the long term, managers will know where to put their efforts. Such actions may help environmental awareness in business organizations to become more than a fad or marketing tool.
Dispersed knowledge management in ecosystems
Authors: Gomes Leonardo Augusto de Vasconcelos , de Faria Aline Mariane , Borini Felipe Mendes , Flechas Chaparro Ximena Alejandra , dos Santos Matheus Graciani , Gurgel Amaral Guilherme Soares
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Accessing and sharing dispersed knowledge in ecosystems is neither easy nor automatic. In ecosystems, focal firms should purposely create the right conditions and act to deal with dispersed knowledge. This study aims to investigate how focal firms manage dispersed knowledge in ecosystems characterized by a set of autonomous, heterogeneous, yet interdependent actors involved in experimentation under uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a conceptual framework based on preceding literature, this study conducted a broad qualitative case study of 6 firms and 12 projects, with 43 semi-structured interviews to identify the patterns of actions associated with dispersed knowledge management (KM) in ecosystems. This paper combines coding and multiple case comparisons to examine the processes and strategies used by the firms to strategically manage dispersed knowledge in ecosystems.

Findings

This paper proposes a framework that articulates a new type of orchestration (dispersed knowledge orchestration) and offers a new set of dispersed knowledge strategies (transfer, modularity and circular) for ecosystems.

Practical implications

Innovation and knowledge managers play the roles of dispersed knowledge orchestrators. The study offers guidance on how focal firms should carefully use a particular set of approaches (e.g. integrative theorization) including a portfolio of dispersed knowledge strategies in ecosystems.

Originality/value

Current literature on KM and ecosystem management offers a limited understanding of how organizations manage dispersed knowledge in ecosystems. The research provides three major original contributions. First, the framework contributes to broadening the current understanding of ecosystem orchestration by identifying the micro-foundations of dispersed knowledge orchestration: integrative theorization, nurturing distributed sensemaking and a new chapter for ecosystem governance (i.e. dispersed knowledge governance). Moreover, the framework proposes a new type of strategy, the dispersed knowledge strategy. Finally, by exploring the interplay between the micro-foundations of dispersed knowledge orchestration and dispersed knowledge strategy, the results contribute to a multi-level approach in the field.