bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virulence, Aggressiveness, and Fungicide Sensitivity ofPhytophthora spp. Associated with Soybean in Illinois
Authors: Cerritos-Garcia Daniel G. , Huang Shun-Yuan , Kleczewski Nathan M. , Mideros Santiago X.
Published: July 2022

Phytophthora root and stem rot (PRR), caused byPhytophthora sojae, is one of the most devastating oomycete diseases of soybean in Illinois. Single resistant genes (Rps) are used to manage this pathogen, butP. sojaehas adapted toRpscausing failure of resistance in many regions. In addition toP. sojae, recent reports indicate thatPhytophthora sansomeanacould also cause root rot in soybean. Soil samples and symptomatic plants were collected across 40 Illinois counties between 2016 and 2018.Phytophthora sojae(77%) was more abundant thanP. sansomeana(23%) across Illinois fields. Both species were characterized by virulence, aggressiveness, and fungicide sensitivity. Virulence of all isolates was evaluated using the hypocotyl inoculation technique in 13 soybean differentials. Aggressiveness was evaluated in the greenhouse by inoculating a susceptible cultivar and measuring root and shoot dry weight. On average,P. sojaeisolates were able to cause disease on six soybean differentials.P. sojaewas more aggressive thanP. sansomeana. All isolates were sensitive to azoxystrobin, ethaboxam, mefenoxam, and metalaxyl. The characterization of the population of species associated with PRR will inform management decisions for this disease in Illinois.
Human cartilage progenitor cells from ear, nose, rib, and joint have a robust, stable phenotype for cartilage repair
Authors: Ghavimi Soheila Ali Akbari , Gehret Paul M , Giordano Terri , Smith Kyra W Y , Gottardi Riccardo
Published: July 2022

Background

Cartilage progenitor cells (CPCs) are a small but highly proliferative cell population that resides within cartilage. Joint cartilage CPCs have a high chondrogenic potential and superior cartilage formation characteristics; however, CPCs from other cartilage sources more accessible for translation such as ear, nose, and rib are broadly unexplored. Our study illuminates the differences between CPCs from these four cartilages, their corresponding tissue chondrocyte (CC), and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC).

Methods

CPCs subtypes were isolated from pediatric cartilage via fibronectin selection, immunophenotyped by flow cytometry and compared to MSCs. Trilineage differentiation capacity was assessed via histology and qRT-PCR. Next, triiodothyronine was used to hypertrophically challenge each CPC subset and their corresponding chondrocyte population. After 28 days cartilage pellets were assessed via histology, immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR.

Findings

Each CPC subset possessed a specific immunophenotypic signature with CD56 as a potential common marker. All CPC subsets proliferated 2-fold faster than MSCs and 4-fold faster than CCs. Additionally, CPCs had a substantially reduced propensity for osteogenic differentiation and very limited adipogenic capacity by histology and gene expression. Finally, all CPC subsets resisted the hypertrophic challenge more than the corresponding chondrocyte population marked by less collagen X secretion and downregulation of hypertrophy associated genes.

Interpretation

CPCs represent a promising cell type for cartilage regeneration. The ease of accessibility of the ear and nose CPCs present opportunities for new translational approaches and reduced clinical timelines.

Funding

CHOP Research Institute, Frontier Program in Airway Disorders of CHOP, NIH (R21HL159521), NSF-GRFP (DGE-1845298)
Rhythmic information sampling in the brain during visual recognition
Authors: Caplette Laurent , Jerbi Karim , Gosselin Frédéric
Published: July 2022

When we fixate an object, visual information is continuously received on the retina. Several studies observed behavioral oscillations in perceptual sensitivity across such stimulus time, and these fluctuations have been linked to brain oscillations. However, whether specific brain areas show oscillations across stimulus presentation time (i.e., different time points of the stimulus being more or less processed, in a rhythmic fashion) has not been investigated. Here, we revealed random areas of face images at random moments across time and recorded the brain activity of human participants (both male and female) using magnetoencephalography (MEG) while they performed two recognition tasks. This allowed us to quantify how each snapshot of visual information coming from the stimulus is processed across time and across the brain. Oscillations across stimulus time (rhythmic sampling) were mostly visible in early visual areas, at theta, alpha and low beta frequencies. We also found that they contributed to brain activity more than previously investigated rhythmic processing (oscillations in the processing of a single snapshot of visual information). Non-rhythmic sampling was also visible at later latencies across the visual cortex, either in the form of a transient processing of early stimulus time points or of a sustained processing of the whole stimulus. Our results suggest that successive cycles of ongoing brain oscillations process stimulus information incoming at successive moments. Together, these results advance our understanding of the oscillatory neural dynamics associated with visual processing and show the importance of considering the temporal dimension of stimuli when studying visual recognition.

Significance Statement

Several behavioral studies have observed oscillations in perceptual sensitivity over the duration of stimulus presentation, and these fluctuations have been linked to brain oscillations. However, oscillations across stimulus time in the brain have not been studied. Here, we developed a MEG paradigm to quantify how visual information received at each moment during fixation is processed through time and across the brain. We showed that different snapshots of a stimulus are distinctly processed in many brain areas and that these fluctuations are oscillatory in early visual areas. Oscillations across stimulus time were more prevalent than previously studied oscillations across processing time. These results increase our understanding of how neural oscillations interact with the visual processing of temporal stimuli.
Reconstructing the genetic history of Kra-Dai speakers from Thailand
Authors: Changmai Piya , Kočí Jan , Flegontov Pavel
Published: July 2022

Genetic history of the Thai people and, more generally, speakers of the Kra-Dai languages (also known as Tai-Kadai languages) in Thailand remains a topic of debate. Recently, Kutanan et al.1 analyzed genome-wide genetic data for dozens of present-day human populations from Thailand and surrounding countries and concluded that the Central Thai, Southern Thai, and Malay from Southern Thailand are genetically continuous with Austroasiatic speakers such as Mon, and thus the advent of Kra-Dai and Austronesian languages to Central and Southern Thailand was overwhelmingly a result of cultural rather than genetic diffusion. We re-analyzed the genetic data reported by Kutanan et al.1 using an advanced technique for inferring admixture graph models, using autosomal haplotypes, and other methods. We did not reproduce the results by Kutanan et al.1, and our analyses revealed a more complex picture of the genetic history of Kra-Dai speakers and other populations of Thailand.
Profiling dynamic RNA-protein interactions using small molecule-induced RNA editing
Authors: Seo Kyung W. , Kleiner Ralph E.
Published: July 2022

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) play an important role in biology and characterizing dynamic RNA-protein interactions in their native context is essential for understanding RBP function. Here, we develop targets of RNA-binding proteins identified by editing induced through dimerization (TRIBE-ID), a facile strategy for identifying and quantifying state-specific RNA-protein interactions based upon rapamycin-mediated chemically induced dimerization and RNA editing. We perform TRIBE-ID with G3BP1, an abundant RBP and core component of stress granules, to study transcriptome-wide G3BP1-RNA interactions during normal conditions and upon oxidative stress-induced liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). We quantify editing kinetics in order to infer interaction persistence and show that stress granule formation strengthens preexisting G3BP1-RNA interactions and induces new RNA-protein binding events. Further, we demonstrate that G3BP1 stabilizes its RNA clients in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that stress granules function as RNA storage depots. Finally, we apply our method to characterize small molecule modulators of G3BP1-RNA binding. Taken together, our work provides a general approach to profile RNA-protein binding events with temporal control and illuminates the role of LLPS in organizing G3BP1-RNA interactions in the cell.
Functional and compositional changes in the fecal microbiome of a shorebird during pre-migratory weight gain
Authors: Grond Kirsten , Louyakis Artemis S. , Hird Sarah M.
Published: July 2022

Shorebirds migrate long distances twice annually, which requires intense physiological and morphological adaptations, including the ability to rapidly gain weight via fat deposition at stopover locations. The role of the microbiome in weight gain in avian hosts is unresolved, but there is substantial evidence to support the hypothesis that the microbiome is involved with host weight from mammalian microbiome literature. Here, we collected 100 fecal samples of Ruddy Turnstones to investigate microbiome composition and function during stopover weight gain in Delaware Bay, USA. Using 16S rRNA sequencing on 90 of these samples and metatranscriptomic sequencing on 22, we show that taxonomic composition of the microbiome shifts during weight gain, as do functional aspects of the metatranscriptome. We identified ten genes that are associated with weight class and polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis in the microbiota is significantly increasing as birds gain weight. Our results support that the microbiome is a dynamic feature of host biology that interacts with both the host and the environment and may be involved in the rapid weight gain of shorebirds.
Regional differences in buprenorphine distribution in Pennsylvania from 2010-2020
Authors: Mileto Alden J. , Rinaldi Robert J. , Grampp Steven J. , McCall Kenneth L. , Piper Brian J.
Published: July 2022

Background

Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid frequently used in combination with naloxone for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). Overall buprenorphine distribution has increased nationally; however, pronounced regional differences in this distribution have also been identified. The objective of this study was to analyze buprenorphine distribution by three-digit zip codes in Pennsylvania from 2010-2020.

Methods

Data was extracted from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Automated Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) yearly to gather buprenorphine distribution, in grams per 3-digit zip code, from 2010-2020. After compiling this data, a percent change for each 3-digit zip code was calculated to analyze the change in distribution from 2010-2020. The total weight of buprenorphine distributed for the state of Pennsylvania over the last decade was calculated. The amount of buprenorphine distributed in grams per each 3-digit zip code was compared to their population densities to analyze if there was any association between population and buprenorphine distribution. Zip codes that were outside of a 95% confidence interval were considered significant (p < .05).

Results

Pennsylvania pharmacies and hospitals dispensed 116.3 kg of buprenorphine in 2010. That number increased 217.3% to 369.0 kg in 2020. The 155-zip code (Somerset) experienced the largest increase (885%). In contrast the 190-zip (Philadelphia) experienced the smallest increase (79%). The 155 (Somerset), 169 (Wellsboro), and 177 (Williamsport) zip codes experienced significantly greater elevations relative to the state average.

Conclusion

Our analysis uncovered that buprenorphine distribution in Pennsylvania from 2010-2020 rose 217%. With the increasing awareness of opioid addiction, and the large number of opioid prescriptions in the US, this increase was expected. The zip codes of 155, 169, 177 showed a statistically significant increase in buprenorphine distribution relative to the overall state average. No zip codes displayed a statistically significant decrease in buprenorphine distribution. Interestingly, some of the more densely populated areas in Pennsylvania were at or below the average state increase of 217% (Pittsburgh 150-152 – 228%; Philadelphia 190-191 – 79%; Harrisburg 170-171 – 202%). Furthermore, the statistically significant zip codes of 155, 169, and 177 were among the least densely populated areas of Pennsylvania. Further pharmacoepidemiological research is needed to continue to characterize, and ideally remediate, the pronounced regional variation in buprenorphine distribution.
Automatically producing large morphometric datasets from natural history collection images: a case study of Lepidoptera wing shape
Authors: Ginot Samuel , Debat Vincent
Published: July 2022

Publicly available image data (2D and 3D) from biological specimens is becoming extremely widespread, notably following digitization efforts from natural history institutions worldwide. To deal with this huge amount of data, high-throughput phenotyping methods are being developed by researchers, to extract biologically meaningful data, in correlation with the burgeoning of the field of phenomics. Here we explore the potential of a combination of simple image treatment algorithms, with a geometric morphometrics contour analysis, applicable to strongly standardized images such as collections of Lepidotera. Using a previously manually landmarked dataset ofMorphobutterflies, we show that our automated approach can produce a morphospace similar to that produced by a manual approach. Although the former is more noisy than the latter, it appears to pick up phylogenetic and to some extent ecological signal. Applying then the same approach to a large dataset of images from two different museums, we produce a morphospace containing >5000 specimens, representing 851 species in 24 families of butterflies and moths. The most notable feature of this space is that Sphingidae morphology is clearly separate from the rest, and appears much more constrained. We also show some indirect evidence that at this large interspecific level, potential museum related bias (e.g. inter-user bias in specimen preparation and photography) can be negligible. Altogether, our results suggest that this approach has the potential to produce large-scale analysis of morphology, and could be refined to include more specimens.
CRISPRi-based circuits for genetic computation in plants
Authors: Khan Muhammad Adil , Herring Gabrielle , Oliva Marina , Fourie Elliott , Zhu Jia Yuan , Johnston Benjamin , Pflüger Jahnvi , Swain Tessa , Pflüger Christian , Lloyd James , Secco David , Small Ian , Kidd Brendan , Lister Ryan
Published: July 2022

Synthetic gene circuits can enable new cellular behaviours by integrating multiple input signals into customisable genetic programs. However, gene circuit development in plants has been limited by a lack of orthogonal and modular parts required for their construction. Here, we present a tool-kit of reversible CRISPRi-based gene circuits for use in plants. First, we created a range of engineered repressible promoters of different strengths and used them as integrators for the construction of NOT and NOR gates in Arabidopsis cells. Next, we determined the optimal processing system to express sgRNAs from RNA Pol II promoters to introduce NOR gate programmability and interface it with host regulatory sequences. Finally, we connected multiple NOR gates together in layered arrangements to create OR, NIMPLY, and AND logic functions. Our CRISPRi circuits are orthogonal, compact, reversible, programmable, and modular, providing a new platform for sophisticated and deliberate spatio-temporal control of gene expression in plants.
Detection of genes with differential expression dispersion unravels the role of autophagy in cancer progression
Authors: Priol Christophe Le , Azencott Chloé-Agathe , Gidrol Xavier
Published: July 2022

The majority of gene expression studies focus on the search for genes whose mean expression is different between two or more populations of samples in the so-called “differential expression analysis” approach. However, a difference in variance in gene expression may also be biologically and physiologically relevant. In the classical statistical model used to analyze RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data, the dispersion, which defines the variance, is only considered as a parameter to be estimated prior to identifying a difference in mean expression between conditions of interest. Here, we propose to evaluate two recent methods, MDSeq and DiPhiSeq, which detect differences in both the mean and dispersion in RNA-seq data. We thoroughly investigated the performance of these methods on simulated datasets and characterized parameter settings to reliably detect genes with a differential expression dispersion. We applied both methods to The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets. Interestingly, among the genes with an increased expression dispersion in tumors and without a change in mean expression, we identified some key cellular functions, most of which were related to catabolism and were overrepresented in most of the analyzed cancers. In particular, our results highlight autophagy, whose role in cancerogenesis is context-dependent, illustrating the potential of the differential dispersion approach to gain new insights into biological processes.

Author summary

Gene expression is the process by which genetic information is translated into functional molecules. Transcription is the first step of this process, consisting of synthesizing messenger RNAs. During recent decades, genome-wide transcriptional profiling technologies have made it possible to assess the expression levels of thousands of genes in parallel in a variety of biological contexts. In statistical analyses, the expression of a gene is estimated by counting sequencing reads over a set of samples and is defined by two dimensions: mean and variance. The overwhelming majority of gene expression studies focus on identifying genes whose mean expression significantly changes when comparing samples of different conditions of interest to gain knowledge of biological processes. In this classical approach, the variance is usually considered only as a noise parameter to be estimated before assessing the mean expression. However, finely estimating the variance of expression may be biologically relevant since a modification of this parameter may reflect a change in gene expression regulation. Here, we propose to evaluate the performance of statistical methods that identify such differentially variant genes. We highlighted the potential of this approach by analyzing cancer datasets, thus identifying key cellular functions in tumor progression.
Redundancy in citrate and cis-aconitate transport in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Underhill Simon A.M. , Cabeen Matthew T.
Published: July 2022

Tricarboxylates such as citrate are the preferred carbon sources for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen that causes chronic human infections. However, the membrane transport process for the TCA cycle intermediates citrate and cis-aconitate is poorly characterized. Transport is thought to be controlled by the TctDE two-component system, which mediates transcription of the putative major transporter OpdH. Loss of tctDE has been associated with sensitization to aminoglycosides, possibly linking tricarboxylate transport to enhanced antimicrobial resistance. In this work, we search for previously unidentified transporters of citrate and cis-aconitate using both protein homology and RNA sequencing approaches. We uncover new transporters and show that OpdH is not the major citrate porin; instead, citrate transport primarily relies on the tripartite TctCBA system, which is encoded in the opdH operon. Deletion of tctA causes a growth lag on citrate and loss of growth on cis-aconitate. Combinatorial deletion of newly discovered transporters can fully block citrate utilization. We then characterize transcriptional control of the opdH operon in tctDE mutants and show that loss of tctD blocks citrate utilization due to its inability to express opdH-tctCBA. However, tctE and tctDE mutants evolve heritable adaptations that restore growth on citrate as the sole carbon source.

Author Summary

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium that infects hospitalized patients and is often highly resistant to antibiotic treatment. It preferentially uses small organic acids called tricarboxylates rather than sugars as a source of carbon for growth. The transport of many of these molecules from outside the cell to the interior occurs through unknown channels. In some cases, there may be links between antibiotic uptake and the transport of metabolic molecules, making cross-membrane transport medically important. In this work we examined how the tricarboxylates citrate and cis-aconitate are transported in P. aeruginosa. We then sought to understand how production of proteins that permit citrate and cis-aconitate transport is regulated by a signaling system called TctDE. We identified new transporters for these molecules, clarified the function of a known transport system, and directly tied transporter expression to the presence of an intact TctDE system.
Loss of growth differentiation factor 9 causes an arrest of early folliculogenesis in zebrafish – a novel insight into its action mechanism
Authors: Chen Weiting , Zhai Yue , Zhu Bo , Wu Kun , Fan Yuqin , Zhou Xianqing , Liu Lin , Ge Wei
Published: July 2022

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) is the best characterized growth factor released by the oocyte; however, most information about GDF9 functions comes from studies in the mouse model. In this study, we created a mutant for Gdf9 gene (gdf9-/-) in zebrafish using TALEN approach. The loss of Gdf9 caused a complete arrest of follicle development at primary growth (PG) stage. These follicles eventually degenerated, and all mutant females gradually changed to males through sex reversal, which could be prevented by mutation of the male-promoting gene dmrt1. Interestingly, the phenotypes of gdf9-/- could be rescued by mutation of inhibin α (inha-/-) but not estradiol, suggesting a potential role for the activin-inhibin system in Gdf9 actions. In gdf9 null follicles, activin βAa (inhbaa) expression decreased dramatically; however, its expression rebounded in the double mutant (gdf9-/-;inha-/-). These results clearly indicate that although endocrine hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are important for folliculogenesis, the activation of PG follicles requires intrinsic factors from the oocyte, such as Gdf9, which in turn works on the neighboring follicle cells to trigger follicle activation, probably via activins.
Coupling to short linear motifs creates versatile PME-1 activities in PP2A holoenzyme demethylation and inhibition
Authors: Li Yitong , Balakrishnan Vijaya Kumar , Rowse Michael , Wu Cheng-Guo , Bravos Anastasia Phoebe , Yadav Vikash K , Ivarsson Ylva , Strack Stefan , Novikova Irina V , Xing Yongna
Published: July 2022

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) holoenzymes target broad substrates by recognizing short motifs via regulatory subunits. PP2A methylesterase 1 (PME-1) is a cancer-promoting enzyme and undergoes methylesterase activation upon binding to the PP2A core enzyme. Here we showed that PME-1 readily demethylates different families of PP2A holoenzymes and blocks substrate recognition in vitro. The high-resolution cryo-EM structure of a PP2A-B56 holoenzyme-PME-1 complex reveals that PME-1 disordered regions, including a substrate-mimicking motif, tether to the B56 regulatory subunit at remote sites. They occupy the holoenzyme substrate-binding groove and allow large structural shifts in both holoenzyme and PME-1 to enable multi-partite contacts at structured cores to activate the methylesterase. B56-interface mutations selectively block PME-1 activity toward PP2A-B56 holoenzymes and affect the methylation of a fraction of total cellular PP2A. The B56-interface mutations allow us to uncover B56-specific PME-1 functions in p53 signaling. Our studies reveal multiple mechanisms of PME-1 in suppressing holoenzyme functions and versatile PME-1 activities derived from coupling substrate-mimicking motifs to dynamic structured cores.
A conserved role of Hippo signaling in initiation of the first lineage specification event across mammals
Authors: Gerri Claudia , McCarthy Afshan , Scott Gwen Mei , Regin Marius , Brumm Sophie , Simon Claire S. , Lee Janet , Montesinos Cristina , Hassitt Caroline , Hockenhull Sarah , Hampshire Daniel , Elder Kay , Snell Phil , Christie Leila , Fouladi-Nashta Ali A. , Van de Velde Hilde , Niakan Kathy K.
Published: July 2022

Our understanding of the molecular events driving cell specification in early mammalian development relies mainly on mouse studies, and it remains unclear whether these mechanisms are conserved across mammals, including humans. We have recently shown that the establishment of cell polarity via aPKC is a conserved event in the initiation of the trophectoderm (TE) placental program in mouse, cow, and human embryos. However, the molecular mechanisms transducing cell polarity into cell fate in cow and human embryos is unknown. Here, we have examined the evolutionary conservation of the molecular cascade downstream of aPKC in four different mammalian species: mouse, rat, cow, and human. Surprisingly, by morphokinetic and immunofluorescence analyses, we observe that rat embryos more closely recapitulate human and cow developmental dynamics, in comparison to the mouse. Nevertheless, in all four species, inhibition of the Hippo pathway by targeting LATS kinases is sufficient to drive ectopic TE initiation and downregulation of SOX2, a marker of the inner cell mass. Our comparative embryology approach uncovered intriguing differences as well as similarities in a fundamental developmental process among mammals, reinforcing the importance of cross-species investigations.
CCDC86/Cyclon is a novel Ki-67 interacting protein important for cell division
Authors: Stamatiou Konstantinos , Chmielewska Aldona , Ohta Shinya , Earnshaw William C , Vagnarelli Paola
Published: July 2022

The chromosome periphery is a network of proteins and RNAs that coats the outer surface of mitotic chromosomes. Despite the identification of new components, the functions of this complex compartment are poorly characterised. In this study we identified a novel chromosome periphery-associated protein CCDC86/cyclon. Using a combination of RNAi (RNA interference), microscopy and biochemistry, we studied the functions of CCDC86/cyclon in mitosis. CCDC86/cyclon depletion resulted in partial disorganisation of the chromosome periphery with partial alterations in the localization of Ki-67 and Nucleolin and the formation of abnormal cytoplasmic aggregates. Furthermore, CCDC86/cyclon-depleted cells displayed errors in chromosome alignment, altered spindle length and increased apoptosis. These results suggest that, within the chromosome periphery, different subcomplexes that include CCDC86/cyclon, Nucleolin and B23 are required for mitotic spindle regulation and correct kinetochore-microtubule attachments, thus contributing to chromosome segregation in mitosis. Moreover, we have identified CCDC86/cyclon as a MYC-N regulated gene whose expression levels represent a powerful marker for prognostic outcomes in neuroblastoma.

Summary statement

Here we report the identification of CCDC86/cyclon as novel component of the perichromosomal layer. CCDC86 is important for chromosome segregation and represents a strong prognostic marker for neuroblastoma patients.
Linking medicinal cannabis to autotaxin-lysophosphatic acid signaling
Authors: Eymery Mathias C. , McCarthy Andrew A. , Hausmann Jens
Published: July 2022

Autotaxin is primarily known for the formation of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) from lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). LPA is an important signaling phospholipid that can bind to six G-protein coupled receptors (LPA1-6). The ATX-LPA signaling axis is a critical component in many physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Here, we describe a potent inhibition of Δ9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound of medicinal cannabis and related cannabinoids, on the catalysis of two isoforms of ATX with nanomolar EC50 values. Furthermore, we decipher the binding interface of ATX to THC, and its derivative 9(R)-Δ6a,10a-THC (6a10aTHC), by X-ray crystallography. Cellular experiments confirm this inhibitory effect, revealing a significant reduction of internalized LPA1 in the presence of THC with simultaneous ATX and LPC stimulation. Our results establish a functional interaction of THC with autotaxin-lysophosphatidic acid signaling and highlight novel aspects of medicinal cannabis therapy.
Financial soundness and performance: evidence from commercial banks in Kenya
Authors: Kirimi Peter Njagi , Kariuki Samuel Nduati , Ocharo Kennedy Nyabuto
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The study aims to analyze the effect of financial soundness on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used dynamic panel model to analyze data from commercial banks for the period 2009 to 2020. The study was modeled on the concept of CAMEL approach using five CAMEL variables as financial soundness indicators. Four indicators that is, net interest margin (NIM), earnings per share (EPS), return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) were used as measures of financial performance.

Findings

Generalized method of moments results established that financial soundness had a statistically significant effect on NIM, ROA and ROE. It was also found that asset quality and earning quality had a statistically significant effect on net interest margin. In addition management efficiency had significant effect on ROE. However, the study established that capital adequacy, asset quality, earning quality and liquidity had a statistically insignificant effect on ROA and ROE respectively while capital adequacy, management efficiency and liquidity had statistically insignificant effect on NIM.

Practical implications

Bank managers should put into place effective financial policies to govern changes in CAMEL variables to ensure optimal banks' financial soundness to facilitate positive growth in banks' financial performance.

Originality/value

The current study is modeled on the concept of the CAMEL approach by employing the five CAMEL variables as financial soundness indicators. In addition, the study contributes to local literature by examining banks in a developing economy to provide reliable and relevant information on their differences to monitor their dynamics in financial soundness and financial performance which could not be provided by regional or global studies.
The employee experience (EMX) framework for well-being: an agenda for the future
Authors: Batat Wided
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This conceptual review paper aims to extend the human resource (HR) management literature by introducing a holistic employee experience (EMX) framework to conceptualize the relationship between EMX entities and employee well-being. Thus, the EMX framework stimulates future research in HR and organizational studies by incorporating a transformative impact of experiences designed by organizations on the overall well-being of their employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the customer experience literature in the marketing literature and reviews the existing conceptualizations of the EMX construct in HR management studies, along with other disciplines through an extensive and in-depth analysis of the academic and business literature that examines EMX.

Findings

The EMX framework provides a comprehensive outlook on the relationship between EMX and well-being, where the latter is considered both a driving force and an outcome of the overall EMX. EMX is a multilevel model offering a big-picture view of how the three entities – personal, social and cultural – of the organization referring to different levels of the EMX can affect employees' well-being in terms of their functional, emotional, hedonic and eudaimonic needs.

Research limitations/implications

The EMX framework utilizes a richer definition of the EMX and highlights the need for research that bridges other disciplines and paradigms outside of and within HR management. This research develops the understanding of each component of the EMX framework with the ultimate goal of moving the field towards the EMX approach. This research identifies some unanswered questions related to a new management tool that enhances employee well-being, improves the delivered customer experience and contributes in making the current body of knowledge on the EMX more organized. The analysis of the different issues addressed by the literature suggests avenues for future research.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the HR literature and the emerging research on the EMX by presenting a comprehensive framework that incorporates a holistic understanding of the concept in the HR field. The paper offers scholars and organizations that struggle with engaging employees, a modern and practical perspective – one that helps organizations develop an in-depth understanding of today's workplaces in a globalized context to implement successful and engaging customer and EMXs.
Investigation and optimization of forced convective heat transfer around a tall building using experimental results
Authors: Babakhani Javad , Veysi Farzad
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to investigate the variables affecting heat transfer from the surfaces of a tall building and also the extent of the impact of each of them. Another purpose of this paper is to provide a suitable model for estimating the heat transfer coefficient of the external surfaces of the building according to the impact of variables.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the Taguchi's approach in the design of the experiments was used to reduce the number of experiments. Percent contributions factors into the overall and surface-averaged Nu of a square prism were obtained by the (ANOVA). The change in Nu by changing either of T, P, angle of attack and V were investigated by the (ANOM). The most significant factors affecting the value Nu were also identified to facilitate the design of thermal systems by eliminating the factors imposing no significant effect on the response in the molding phase. The set of conditions under which the air properties remained unchanged was identified. Five correlations were formulated to predict Nu.

Findings

Models used in BES, in which the effects of T, P, A and geometrical effects are not accounted for, are not reliable. The air pressure was found to impose no significant effect on the overall Nu of the considered square prism. Studied in the range of 274–303 K, the air temperature imposed a significant effect on the overall Nu. The results of ANOVA show the significant role of Re to predict Nu of tall buildings.

Originality/value

This article is taken from a doctoral dissertation.
Should Bangladesh join Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)? The gravity explanation of Bangladesh dilemma
Authors: Goswami Gour Gobinda , Khan Farhan , Labiba Kazi , Achol Farhanaj , Saha Tapas Kumar , Zulfikar Aunanna
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The scope of this work is to explore whether Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) would be beneficial to Bangladesh, given Bangladesh's strong ties with India and the west.

Design/methodology/approach

Using extended gravity equation and data from Head and Mayer (2021) and the Direction of Trade Statistic (IMF, 2021) for Bangladesh with its applicable partner countries from 1972 till 2019, the authors attempted to examine the potential impact of joining RCEP while keeping its relationship with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and other existing economic integration schemes intact.

Findings

Using traditional pooled ordinary least squares, two-stage least square and generalized method of moment techniques, it has been revealed that conventional partners in the South led by India are still beneficial to Bangladeshs trading line. Joining RCEP provides ample avenues for trade expansion without replacing the positive effects of SAARC.

Practical implications

Traditional partners from European, American and South Asian trading opportunities are still paying enough dividends to Bangladesh. RCEP is providing a trade-enhancing chance for Bangladesh in the eastern direction. This paper provides a policy suggestion to look east policy of government. A total overhaul of her tax structure through minimizing excessive reliance on import tariff revenue is desired to facilitate her to join RCEP in the future because most of its prospective RCEP partners are import partners.

Originality/value

This is the first and the only study which explores the feasibility of Bangladesh to join the RCEP by using the most recently updated gravity data in a panel framework.

Highlights

Since its inception on November 15, 2020, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has emerged as one of the largest economic integration areas in the world.

As a borderline country between South Asia and RCEP, Bangladesh is in a fix to take a decision either to join or not to join RCEP if they are invited.

This paper used the gravity equation in an extended form by taking Bangladesh with its 197 trading partners’ trade data for 1972–2019.

The findings postulate that the existing relationship with SAARC countries is still beneficial to its welfare, and RCEP is also economically helpful in enhancing its trade.
Transactive memory system and entrepreneurial team performance: the impact of ability to improvise and market competition
Authors: Hu Wei , Ahmed Fawad , Su Yuchao
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Drawing upon the social exchange theory, this study examines the interplay of transactive memory system (TMS) with improvisation and market competition intensity for the impact on entrepreneurship performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the temporal separation technique and used a questionnaire survey to collect data with a final sample of 423 valid responses forming 74 entrepreneurial teams from firms across 6 cities in China.

Findings

The expertise and credibility of the TMS has a significant positive impact on entrepreneurial performance and improvisation which mediates the relationship between the expertise and credibility of the TMS and entrepreneurial performance. The intensity of market competition positively moderates the mediating role of improvisation between the expertise and credibility of the TMS and entrepreneurial performance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on entrepreneurship in emerging economies and entrepreneurial teams. Literature on TMS lacks studies on entrepreneurship performance. The authors' contextualized TMS perspective examines the impact of specific behavior of improvisation and, therefore, holds the promise to offer a novel angle to investigate how exactly TMS impacts entrepreneurship performance while engaging in micro-level processes and entrepreneurial phenomena such as surprises and response to surprises through improvisation. The study adds the context of social exchange theory to performance of entrepreneurial teams.
Fear of COVID-19 and employee engagement: does emotional stability matter?
Authors: Shaheen Sadia , Zulfiqar Sehar , Ahmad Bashir , Ahmad-ur-Rehman Muhammad
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Fear of COVID-19 is a new workplace hazard that has made drastic changes at workplaces globally. Based on the conservation of resource (COR) theory, this research investigates the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and employee engagement. Furthermore, this study examines the moderating role of emotional stability in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and employee engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using self-administrated questionnaires from bank employees located in different cities of Pakistan. PROCESS macro by Hayes et al. (2017) was used to analyze 267 valid responses.

Findings

Consistent with the hypotheses of this study, fear of COVID-19 was negatively associated with employee engagement. In addition, the moderating role of emotional stability was confirmed in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and employee engagement. The findings of this study support the notion that fear of COVID-19 can be considered a workplace stressor that affects employee engagement. By contrast, emotional stability acts as a personal resource with a buffering effect.

Research limitations/implications

This study investigates only the moderating mechanism in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and work engagement. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect the data. For future studies, other sources can be used to reflect the actual situation.

Originality/value

This study is currently relevant because of the sudden occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic that has mentally and emotionally challenged the service employees. Unlike most prior studies, which investigated the impact of fear of COVID-19 on the health sector professionals, this study investigated the impact on the bank employees. Moreover, this study is among the first to provide insights on the role of employee's personality to maintain positive work attitudes during uncertain circumstances from COVID-19.
A large-scale real-world comparative study using pre-COVID lockdown and post-COVID lockdown data on predicting shipment times of therapeutics in e-pharmacy supply chains
Authors: Mariappan Mahesh Babu , Devi Kanniga , Venkataraman Yegnanarayanan , Fosso Wamba Samuel
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a large-scale real-world comparative study using pre-COVID lockdown data versus post-COVID lockdown data on predicting shipment times of therapeutic supplies in e-pharmacy supply chains and show that our proposed methodology is robust to lockdown effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers used organic data of over 5.9 million records of therapeutic shipments, with 2.87 million records collected pre-COVID lockdown and 3.03 million records collected post-COVID lockdown. The researchers built various Machine Learning (ML) classifier models on the two datasets, namely, Random Forest (RF), Extra Trees (XRT), Decision Tree (DT), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), XGBoost (XGB), CatBoost (CB), Linear Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) and the Linear Naïve Bayes (NB). Then, the researchers stacked these base models and built meta models on top of them. Further, the researchers performed a detailed comparison of the performances of ML models on pre-COVID lockdown and post-COVID lockdown datasets.

Findings

The proposed approach attains performance of 93.5% on real-world post-COVID lockdown data and 91.35% on real-world pre-COVID lockdown data. In contrast, the turn-around times (TAT) provided by therapeutic supply logistics providers are 62.91% accurate compared to reality in post-COVID lockdown times and 73.68% accurate compared to reality pre-COVID lockdown times. Hence, it is clear that while the TAT provided by logistics providers has deteriorated in the post-pandemic business climate, the proposed method is robust to handle pandemic lockdown effects on e-pharmacy supply chains.

Research limitations/implications

The implication of the study provides a novel ML-based framework for predicting the shipment times of therapeutics, diagnostics and vaccines, and it is robust to COVID-19 lockdown effects.

Practical implications

E-pharmacy companies can readily adopt the proposed approach to enhance their supply chain management (SCM) capabilities and build resilience during COVID lockdown times.

Originality/value

The present study is one of the first to perform a large-scale real-world comparative analysis on predicting therapeutic supply shipment times in the e-pharmacy supply chain with novel ML ensemble stacking, obtaining robust results in these COVID lockdown times.
Social capital, poverty alleviation and complexity in Africa. Evidence from rural areas
Authors: Scuderi Raffaele , Tesoriere Giuseppe , Fasone Vincenzo , Pedrini Giulio
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The aim is to discuss the role of social capital in alleviating poverty in the rural setting of Africa by viewing it as an individual and collective asset.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use primary data from a survey on rural households living in three different districts in rural Africa. The authors design a social complexity index giving evidence on the poverty alleviation effect of complex patterns of civic participation at district level.

Findings

Results support the view that social capital may mitigate poverty only if a rural household simultaneously participates in a plurality of social communities. Such mitigation is reinforced if she also lives in a socially complex district, whereas on the contrary the social complexity of a district, per se, is not enough to alleviate poverty.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to advance the knowledge of African rural areas and to identify potential developments of poverty policies in Africa based on diversified social capital as a valuable ingredient for poverty alleviation policies. This paper also contributes to the debate on social capital by showing that diversified social capital has a prevailing individual nature rather than a collective one.
Consumer confusion and decision postponement in the online tourism domain: the moderating role of self-efficacy
Authors: Sharma Anuradha , Pandher Jagwinder Singh , Prakash Gyan
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Internet emergence has evolved the business of tourism companies, and every tourism company is available online and provides abundant choices, which causes consumers' confusion. The current study aims to investigate the interaction effect of demographic variables on confusion, decision postponement as a negative consequence of confusion and self-efficacy as a moderator in light of the stimulus organism response (SOR) model. Also, an attempt has been made to integrate the smart technology-based solution to deal with consumers' confusion.

Design/methodology/approach

Three-way ANOVA, Andrew Hayes process, structural equation modelling and random forest algorithm were used to assess the 507 self-filled questionnaire responses for examining consumers' confusion.

Findings

The results reveal that confusion decreases with increased education levels for each gender and age group. Also, for every gender and education level, consumer confusion increases and then decreases. Further, it was observed that self-efficacy effectively moderates the influence of different confusions on decision postponement. An artificial intelligence-enabled predictive model with an accuracy of 71.49% was established, which forecasts the possibility of consumers' decision postponement.

Practical implications

This study offers the comprehension of how the travel site administrators and stakeholders have used artificial intelligence-enabled solution for consumers' confusion and to reduce decision postponement.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' awareness, this is one of the first studies to unveil the interaction effect of demographic factors on confusion, assess the role of self-efficacy as a moderator and provide artificial intelligence-enabled solutions for consumers' confusion.