bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The prolyl hydroxylase PHD3 maintains β-cell glucose metabolism during fatty acid excess
Authors: Nasteska Daniela , Cuozzo Federica , Thakker Alpesh , Bakar Rula Bany , Westbrook Rebecca , Akerman Ildem , Cantley James , Tennant Daniel A. , Hodson David J.
Published: May 2020

The alpha ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase, prolyl-4-hydroxylase 3 (PHD3), is a hypoxia-inducible factor target that uses molecular oxygen to hydroxylate proline. While PHD3 has been reported to influence cancer cell metabolism and liver insulin sensitivity, relatively little is known about effects of this highly conserved enzyme in insulin-secreting β-cells. Here, we show that deletion of PHD3 specifically in β-cells (βPHD3KO) is associated with impaired glucose homeostasis in mice fed high fat diet. In the early stages of dietary fat excess, βPHD3KO islets energetically rewire, leading to defects in the management of pyruvate fate and a shift away from glycolysis. However, βPHD3KO islets are able to maintain oxidative phosphorylation and insulin secretion by increasing utilization of fatty acids to supply the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This nutrient-sensing switch cannot be sustained and βPHD3KO islets begin to show signs of failure in response to prolonged metabolic stress, including impaired glucose-stimulated ATP/ADP rises, Ca2+fluxes and insulin secretion. Thus, PHD3 might be a pivotal component of the β-cell glucose metabolism machinery by suppressing the use of fatty acids as a primary fuel source, under obesogenic and insulin resistant states.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Prolyl-4-hydroxylase 3 (PHD3) is involved in the oxygen-dependent regulation of cell phenotype. A number of recent studies have shown that PHD3 might operate at the interface between oxygen availability and metabolism. To understand how PHD3 influences insulin secretion, which depends on intact glucose metabolism, we generated mice lacking PHD3 specifically in pancreatic β-cells. These mice, termed βPHD3KO, are apparently normal until fed high fat diet at which point their β-cells switch to fatty acids as a fuel source. This switch cannot be tolerated and β-cells in βPHD3KO mice eventually fail. Thus, PHD3 maintains glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in β-cells during states of fatty acid excess, such as diabetes and obesity.
Establishment of a stable transgenicg6pdM1315-1443zebrafish line with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
Authors: Shang Lu-Jun , Song Jin , Xia Hai-Xiong , Tuo Yuan-Yuan , Ren Ping-Ping , Wu Xi-Jun , Zhou Yan-Hua , Jin Jiao , Ye Chuan , He Zhi-Xu , Shu Li-Ping
Published: May 2020

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common inherited enzymopathy in humans and is associated with a predisposition to hemolysis. However, there are few animal models to that adequately mimic associated human disease states that could be used to evaluate strategies to address clinical syndromes attributable to G6PD deficiency. In the present study, we aimed to establish a stable transgenic zebrafish model of G6PD deficiency that recapitulates the clinical manifestations of G6PD deficiency. We incorporated a stable transgene of G6PD lacking nucleotides from 1315 to 1443 denotedTg(zgata1:g6pdM1315-1443-egfp). Functional analysis showed thatTg(zgata1:g6pdM1315-1443-egfp) transgenic zebrafish demonstrate a decrease in g6pd activity, reduced GSH levels and hemoglobin content, and increases in pericardial edema in response to α-naphthol exposure, similar to human subjects with G6PD deficiency. We detected no other significant phenotypic abnormalities compared to controls. Taken together, these observations indicate that theTg(zgata1:g6pdM1315-1443-egfp) zebrafish line mirrors key clinical manifestations of G6PD deficiency in humans. This model may facilitate mechanistic studies and promote translational research related to G6PD deficiency.
Systematic mutational analysis of epitope-grafted ED3’s immunogenicity reveals a DENV3-DENV4 bi-serospecific ED3 mutant
Authors: Sultana Mamtaz , Hasan Nazmul , Mahib Mamunur R. , Kulkarni Manjiri R. , Kuroda Yutaka , Islam Mohammad M.
Published: May 2020

Dengue viruses are classified into four serotypes (DENV1∼4), and the severe forms of dengue disease, the dengue hemorrhagic fever and shock syndrome, are caused by sero-cross-reacting antibodies. However, the residue determinants of the serospecificity and sero-cross-reactivity are yet to be identified. Here, we report an epitope grafting mutational analysis of the serospecificity and cross-serospecificity of the envelope protein domain 3 (ED3; 107 residues, ∼11.6kDa), which contains two major putative epitopes of DENVs. To this end, we constructed ED3 from DENV3 (3ED3) and DENV4 (4ED3), and six epitope-grafted variants, where we transferred epitope 1 (L304I, K305D, V309M, and S310A) and/or epitope 2 (D383N, K384S, K387T, and N389H) of 4ED3 onto 3ED3 and vice versa. Mice immunization using 3ED3 and 4ED3 generated serotype-specific antisera, as expected. Similarly, most epitope-grafted ED3s produced antisera serospecific to the template ED3 with little or no cross-recognition of ED3 of the serotype from which the epitopes were taken. This result indicated that a mere grafting of the epitope was not sufficient to transfer serospecificity, contrary to our expectations. However, one epitope grafted ED3 mutant, where epitope 1 of 3ED3 was grafted onto 4ED3 (4ED3epi1), generated antisera that was serospecific to both 4ED3 and 3ED3. The 4ED3epi1is thus a chimeric ED3 that produces antisera possessing serospecificity to both 3ED3 and 4ED3. The 4ED3epi1provides a unique tool for analyzing serospecificity and cross-reactivity in dengue, and we hope it will serve as a template for trivalent and eventually tetravalent antisera.
The mistletoeStruthanthus flexicaulisreduces dominance and increases diversity of plants in campo rupestre
Authors: França Monteiro Graziella , Barbosa Milton , Antonini Yasmine , de Oliveira Passos Marcela Fortes , Novais Samuel , Fernandes G. Wilson
Published: May 2020

The interaction between hemiparasites and their host plants is an important structuring mechanism for plant communities. The mistletoeStruthanthus flexicaulis(Loranthaceae) is widely distributed in the campo rupestre ecosystem and likely has an important role in structuring the communities of which its hosts are part. The main goals of this study were to investigate the effects of parasitism byS. flexicaulison host plants in a degraded area of campo rupestre and to determine how parasitism affects characteristics of the structure of this plant community over time. We found that parasitized plants had smaller crowns and branch growth, and suffered lower mortality compared to non-parasitized plants. Parasitism byS. flexicaulisdecreased dominance and increased the diversity and evenness of plants in the community over time. Parasitism leads to competition with the host for water and nutrients, which may decrease the performance of the host and, consequently, leading to host death. The high mortality of the most abundant plant species led to a restructured woody plant community. These results reinforce the importance of parasitic plants as key species for maintaining species diversity in plant communities.
Queuine is a nutritional regulator ofEntamoeba histolyticaresponse to oxidative stress and a virulence attenuator
Authors: Nagaraja Shruti , Cai Maggi W. , Sun Jingjing , Varet Hugo , Sarid Lotem , Trebicz-Geffen Meirav , Shaulov Yana , Mazumdar Mohit , Legendre Rachel , Coppée Jean-Yves , Begley Thomas J. , Dedon Peter C. , Gourinath Samudrala , Guillen Nancy , Saito-Nakano Yumiko , Shimokawa Chikako , Hisaeda Hajime , Ankri Serge
Published: May 2020

Queuosine is a naturally occurring modified ribonucleoside found in the first position of the anticodon of the transfer RNAs for Asp, Asn, His and Tyr. Eukaryotes lack pathways to synthesize queuine, the nucleobase precursor to queuosine, and must obtain it from diet or gut microbiota. Here we describe the effects of queuine on the physiology of the eukaryotic parasite,Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amebic dysentery. Queuine is efficiently incorporated intoE. histolyticatRNAs by a tRNA-guanine transglycosylase (EhTGT) and this incorporation stimulates the methylation of C38in tRNAAspGUC. Queuine protects the parasite against oxidative stress (OS) and antagonizes the negative effect that oxidation has on translation by inducing the expression of genes involved in OS response, such as heat shock protein 70 (Hsp 70), antioxidant enzymes, and enzymes involved in DNA repair. On the other hand, queuine impairsE. histolyticavirulence by downregulating the expression of genes previously associated with virulence, including cysteine proteases, cytoskeletal proteins, and small GTPases. Silencing of EhTGT prevents incorporation of queuine into tRNAs and strongly impairs methylation of C38in tRNAAspGUC, parasite growth, resistance to OS, and cytopathic activity. Overall, our data reveal that queuine plays a dual role in promoting OS resistance and reducing parasite virulence.

Importance

Entamoeba histolyticais a unicellular parasite that causes amebiasis. The parasite resides in the colon and feeds on the colonic microbiota. The gut flora is implicated in the onset of symptomatic amebiasis due to alterations in the composition of the bacteria. These bacteria modulate the physiology of the parasite and affect the virulence of the parasite through unknown mechanisms. Queuine, a modified nucleobase of queuosine, is exclusively produced by the gut bacteria and leads to tRNA modification at the anticodon loops of specific tRNAs. We found that queuine induces a mild oxidative stress resistance in the parasite and attenuates its virulence. Our study highlights the importance of bacterially derived products in shaping the physiology of the parasite. The fact that queuine inhibits the virulence ofE. histolyticamay lead to new strategies for preventing and/or treating amebiasis by providing to the host queuine directly or via probiotics.
Mechanochemical control of epidermal stem cell divisions by B-plexins
Authors: Jiang Chen , Javed Ahsan , Kaiser Laura , Nava Michele M. , Zhao Dandan , Brandt Dominique T. , Fernández-Baldovinos Javier , Zhou Luping , Höß Carsten , Sawmynaden Kovilen , Oleksy Arkadiusz , Matthews David , Weinstein Lee S. , Gröne Hermann-Josef , Niessen Carien M. , Offermanns Stefan , Wickström Sara A. , Worzfeld Thomas
Published: May 2020

The precise spatiotemporal control of cell proliferation is key to the morphogenesis of epithelial tissues. Epithelial cell divisions lead to tissue crowding and local changes in force distribution, which in turn suppress the rate of cell divisions. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this mechanical feedback are largely unclear. Here, we identify a critical requirement of B-plexin transmembrane receptors in the response to crowding-induced mechanical forces during embryonic skin development. Epidermal stem cells lacking B-plexins fail to sense mechanical compression, resulting in disinhibition of the transcriptional coactivator YAP, hyperproliferation, and tissue overgrowth. Mechanistically, we show that B-plexins mediate mechanoresponses to crowding through stabilization of adhesive cell junctions and lowering of cortical stiffness. Finally, we provide evidence that the B-plexin-dependent mechanochemical feedback is also pathophysiologically relevant to limit tumor growth in basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. Our data uncover a central role of B-plexins in mechanosensation to couple cell density and cell division in development and disease.
Developmental Patterning of Irritability Enhances Prediction of Psychopathology in Pre-adolescence: Improving RDoC with Developmental Science
Authors: Damme Katherine S. F. , Wakschlag Lauren S. , Briggs-Gowan Margaret J. , Norton Elizabeth S. , Mittal Vijay A.
Published: May 2020

Research has demonstrated the transdiagnostic importance of irritability in psychopathology pathways but the contribution of developmentally-unfolding patterns has only recently been explored. To address this question, irritability patterns of 110 youth from a large and diverse early childhood cohort were assessed at preschool age and at school age (∼2.5 years later) with a dimensional irritability scale designed to capture the normal:abnormal spectrum. Participants then returned at Pre-adolescence (∼6 years later) for an assessment with a structured clinical interview (internalizing/externalizing symptoms) and a magnetic resonance imaging scan. When only preschool age irritability was considered, this was a transdiagnostic predictor of internalizing and externalizing symptoms. However, a model including both preschool and school age irritability provided a more nuanced picture. A high preschool and decreasing school age profile of irritability predicted elevated pre-adolescenceinternalizingsymptoms, potentially reflecting emerging coping/internalizing behavior in pre-adolescence. In contrast, a stable irritability profile across these timepoints predicted increased pre-adolescenceexternalizingsymptoms. Further, preschool irritability (a period of rapid growth) did not predict pre-adolescent gray matter volume abnormality, an indicator of transdiagnostic clinical risk. However, irritability at school age (when gray matter volume growth is largely finished) demonstrated an interactive effect among regions; increased school age irritability predicted reduced volume in pre-adolescence emotional regions (e.g., amygdala, medial orbitofrontal cortex) and increased volume in other regions (e.g., cerebellum). Expanding the impact of RDoC’s approach yielding transdiagnostic phenotypes and multiple units of analysis, a developmentally informed approach provides critical new insights into the complex unfolding of mechanisms underlying emerging psychopathology.
Cdonmutation and fetal alcohol converge on Nodal signaling in a mouse model of holoprosencephaly
Authors: Hong Mingi , Christ Annabel , Christa Anna , Willnow Thomas E. , Krauss Robert S.
Published: May 2020

Holoprosencephaly (HPE), a defect in midline patterning of the forebrain and midface, arises ~1 in 250 conceptions. It is associated with predisposing mutations in the Nodal and Hedgehog (HH) pathways, with penetrance and expressivity graded by genetic and environmental modifiers, via poorly understood mechanisms. CDON is a multifunctional co-receptor, including for the HH pathway. In mice,Cdonmutation synergizes with fetal alcohol exposure, producing HPE phenotypes closely resembling those seen in humans. We report here that, unexpectedly, Nodal, not HH, signaling is the point of synergistic interaction betweenCdonmutation and fetal alcohol. Window-of-sensitivity, genetic, and in vitro findings are consistent with a model whereby brief exposure ofCdonmutant embryos to ethanol during gastrulation transiently and partially inhibits Nodal pathway activity, with consequent effects on downstream HH signaling during midline patterning. These results illuminate mechanisms of gene-environment interaction in a multifactorial model of a common birth defect.
Profiling the effect of nafcillin on HA-MRSA D592 using bacteriological and physiological media
Authors: Seif Yara , Poudel Saugat , Tsunemoto Hannah , Szubin Richard , Meehan Michael J , Olson Connor , Rajput Akanksha , Alarcon Geovanni , Lamsa Anne , Dillon Nicholas , Vrbanac Alison , Sugie Joseph , Daesh Samira , Monk Jonathan , Dorrestein Pieter , Knight Rob , Pogliano Joe , Feist Adam , Palsson Bernhard , Nizet Victor
Published: May 2020

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading human pathogen associated with both hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections. The bacterium has steadily gained resistance to β-lactams and other important first-line antibiotics culminating in its categorization as an urgent threat by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Observations of a varying response to antimicrobial exposure as a function of media type has revealed that clinical susceptibility testing performed in standard bacteriological media might not adequately represent pharmacological responses in the patient. Such observations have encouraged research designed to identify media types that more closely mimic the in vivo environment. In this study, we examine the response of a hospital-acquired USA100 lineage methicillin-resistant, vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (MRSA/VISA) strain (D592) to nafcillin in a bacteriological compared to a more physiological tissue culture-based medium. We performed multi-dimensional analysis including growth and bacterial cytological profiling, RNA sequencing, and exo-metabolomics measurements (both HPLC and LC/MS) to shed light on the media-dependent activity of the commonly prescribed β-lactam antibiotic nafcillin.
Isolation and characterization of multi-protein complexes enriched in the K-Cl co-transporter 2 from brain plasma membranes
Authors: Smalley Joshua L. , Kontou Georgina , Choi Catherine , Ren Qiu , Albrecht David , Abiraman Krithika , Rodriguez Santos Miguel A. , Bope Christopher E. , Deeb Tarek Z. , Davies Paul A. , Brandon Nicholas J. , Moss Stephen J.
Published: May 2020

Kcc2 plays a critical role in determining the efficacy of synaptic inhibition, however, the cellular mechanism neurons use to regulate its membrane trafficking, stability and activity are ill-defined. To address these issues, we used affinity purification to isolate stable multi-protein complexes of Kcc2 from the plasma membrane of murine forebrain. We resolved these using Blue-native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) coupled to LC-MS/MS. Purified Kcc2 migrated as distinct molecular species of 300, 600 and 800 kDa following BN-PAGE. In excess of 90% coverage of the soluble N and C-termini of Kcc2 was obtained. The 300kDa species largely contained Kcc2, which is consistent with a dimeric quaternary structure for this transporter. Intriguingly, lower levels of Kcc1 were also found in this species suggesting the existence of “mixed” Kcc2/Kcc1 heterodimers. The 600 and 800 kDa species represented stable multi-protein complexes of Kcc2. We identified a set of novel structural, ion transporting and signaling protein interactors, that are present at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses, consistent with the proposed association of Kcc2. These included spectrins, ankyrins, and the IP3 receptor. We also identified interactors more directly associated with phosphorylation; Akap5 and Lmtk3. Finally, we used LC-MS/MS on highly purified endogenous plasma membrane Kcc2 to detect phosphorylation sites. We detected 11 sites with high confidence, including known and novel sites. Collectively our experiments demonstrate that Kcc2 is associated with components of the neuronal cytoskeleton and signaling molecules that may act to regulate transporter membrane trafficking, stability, and activity.
Decoupling transcription factor expression and activity enables dimmer-switch gene regulation
Authors: Ricci-Tam C. , Wang J. , Ben-Zion I. , Palme J. , Li A. , Savir Y. , Springer M.
Published: May 2020

Our mechanistic understanding of how gene regulatory networks can achieve complex biological responses is limited. We find that the galactose-responsive pathway inS. cerevisiaehas a complex behavior - the decision to induce is controlled independently from the induction level, resembling a mechanical dimmer-switch. Surprisingly, this behavior is not achieved directly through chromatin regulation or combinatorial control at galactose-responsive promoters. Instead, this behavior is achieved by hierarchical regulation of the expression and catalytic activity of a single transcription factor. This genetic motif allows evolution to independently act on both properties, providing a means to tune both resource allocation strategies in dynamic multi-input environments on both physiological and evolutionary time-scales. Hierarchical regulation is ubiquitous and thus dimmer-switch regulation is likely a key feature of many biological systems.
Sexual Dimorphism in Telomere Length in Childhood Autism
Authors: Panahi Yasin , Moghaddam Fahimeh Salasar , Babaei Khadijeh , Eftekhar Mohammad , Badv Reza Shervin , Eskandari Mohammad Reza , Vafaee-Shahi Mohammad , Pezeshk Hamid , Pedram Mehrdad
Published: May 2020

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are lifelong heterogeneous set of neurodevelopmental conditions with strikingly profound male prevalence. Differences in sex biology and hormones are thought to play key roles in ASD prevalence and outcome, but the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for ASD sex-differential risk are not well understood. Two recent studies reported a significant association between shortened telomere length (TL) and autistic children. However, the role of gender bias has been overlooked. Here, we carefully examined the status of average TL among nonsyndromic male and female children with autism, and we also took a close look at the data from earlier reports. A total of 58 children were recruited for this project, including 24 apparently nonsyndromic autistic children (14 males and 10 females), their healthy siblings (n = 10), and 24 sex-, age, and location-matched healthy controls. Relative TLs (RTL) were assessed by the monochrom multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MMQPCR) technique, using genomic DNA extracted from saliva samples. Data analysis showed that gender and age had strong impacts on average RTLs among the study groups. In a sex stratified manner, autistic male children had significantly shorter average RTL than their female counterparts. Only male children with autism showed a homogeneous pattern of shorter RTLs compared with their respective healthy controls. Our findings are indicative of a sexually dimorphic pattern of TL in childhood autism. The data presented here have important implications for the role of telomere biology in the molecular mechanisms responsible for ASD male bias prevalence and etiology.
Absence of receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) reduces inflammation and extends survival in the hSOD1G93Amouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Lee John D , McDonald Tanya S , Fung Jenny NT , Woodruff Trent M
Published: May 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and rapidly progressing motor neuron degenerative disease that is without effective treatment. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a major component of the innate immune system that has been implicated in ALS pathogenesis. However, the contribution of RAGE signaling to the neuroinflammation that underlies ALS neurodegeneration remains unknown. The present study therefore generated SOD1G93Amice lacking RAGE, and compared them to SOD1G93Atransgenic ALS mice in respect to disease progression (i.e. body weight, survival and muscle strength), neuroinflammation and denervation markers in the spinal cord and tibialis anterior muscle. We found that complete absence of RAGE signaling exerted a protective effect on SOD1G93Apathology, slowing disease progression and significantly extending survival by ∼3 weeks, and improving motor function (rotarod and grip strength). This was associated with reduced microgliosis, cytokines, innate immune factors (complement, TLRs, inflammasomes), and oxidative stress in the spinal cord, and a reduction of denervation markers in the tibialis anterior muscle. We also documented that RAGE mRNA expression was significantly increased in the spinal cord and muscles of preclinical SOD1 and TDP43 models of ALS, supporting a widespread involvement for RAGE in ALS pathology. In summary, our results indicate that RAGE signalling drives neuroinflammation and contributes to neurodegeneration in ALS, and highlights RAGE as a potential immune therapeutic target for ALS.
Purification of Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus 2 (rAAV2) by Heparin Column Affinity Chromatography
Authors: Auricchio Alberto , Sena-Esteves Miguel , Gao Guangping
Published: May 2020

This protocol describes a simple single-step column purification (SSCP) of rAAV2 by gravity flow based on its affinity to heparin, without ultracentrifugation.
Detecting β-Galactosidase-Labeled Cells
Authors: Rodig Scott J.
Published: May 2020

β-Galactosidase has been used extensively both as a label in enzyme immunoassays and for immunocytochemistry. One good substrate is 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-d-galactopyranoside (X-gal), which gives an intense blue product. The product is stable and insoluble in alcohol as well as H2O.
Repetitive Immunization at Multiple Sites (RIMMS) of Mice, Rats, and Hamsters
Authors: Greenfield Edward A.
Published: May 2020

The repetitive immunization at multiple sites (RIMMS) protocol capitalizes on the animal's innate immune system, which is genetically preprogrammed to recognize many antigens. By repetitively immunizing the animal, B cells that recognize the antigen are kept continuously expanding until the lymph nodes are harvested for hybridoma generation. This is a good method for making a more diverse repertoire of antibodies or antibodies directed against conformational epitopes.
Improved Jaya algorithm-based FOPID/PID for AVR system
Authors: Bhookya Jailsingh , Jatoth Ravi Kumar
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to get the optimal controller parameters of fractional order proportional integral derivative (FOPID)/proportional integral derivative (PID) i.e. Kp, Ki, Kd, λ and µ for designing controller in automatic voltage regulator (AVR) system.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel method is proposed to get the optimal controller parameters for designing controller in AVR system using improved Jaya algorithm (IJA). The time domain objective and regular integral error objectives are used to design the controller to estimate the performance of the AVR system based on optimal tuning FOPID/PID controller.

Findings

The proposed method captures time domain objective of the FOPID/PID controller design and demonstrates effective transient response and better control action. The efficient tuning of FOPID controller results in high superiority of control efforts.

Practical implications

The simulations of IJA-based FOPID/PID controller design method are performed in MatLab tool and compared with several methods in the recent state of the art and the same are observed to be robust for the AVR system.

Originality/value

The developed optimal FOPID/PID controller tuning using IJA optimization method is totally a new approach for the AVR system in the literature.
Red & Yellow: the business of education
Authors: Robertson Jeandri , Ferreira Caitlin Candice , Duncan Sherese , Nath Atanu
Published: May 2020

Learning outcomes

Students learn to evaluate a firm’s growth strategies with the aim of establishing long-term business sustainability. Students will examine the impact of external macro-environmental factors that influence firm growth in an emerging market context. Using this case, students will learn how to apply a resource-based view to a firm’s offering by comparing and identifying the competitive advantage of the internal resources of the firm. Using this case, students can apply the principle of strategic fit by strategically analyzing the opportunities and threats in the external environment, while taking into account the firm’s internal strengths and weaknesses.

Case overview/synopsis

This case outlines the strategic, macro-environmental and marketing challenges that the Cape Town-based private higher education institution, Red & Yellow Creative School of Business, faced as it entered its 25th year of existence. In 2019, Red & Yellow had its roots in industry and had done well historically to cement that bond through the creation of successful alumni and the constant innovation of its higher education offering. Two weeks before having to present a detailed five-year growth strategy plan to the board of directors, Rob Stokes, the Director and Chairman of Red & Yellow, was faced with a multitude of decisions pertaining to the sustainable growth of the school. Recent growth patterns showed that programs with lower profit margins, such as classroom-based full-time programs, had experienced double-digit growth while student numbers for higher gross profit offerings, such as online and executive education programs had started to decline. Another challenge that the school faced was the need for its students to future-proof their careers in a world where artificial intelligence and machine learning threatened their careers and jobs. As such, Red & Yellow was confronted with one central strategic problem: How to grow strategically in the short term while developing a sustainable and scalable growth strategy for the school in the long term.

Complexity academic level

This case could work well as part of an executive education course, as well as a strategic management course for master’s degree or Master of Business Administration students.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Amtek Auto debacle: financial statement analysis
Authors: Pandey Asheesh
Published: May 2020

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are as follows: developing an understanding of financial statement analysis among students; students would be able to calculate various ratios, understand their meaning and interpret them to take a financial decision; and exploring the relationship between financial leverage and risk.

Case overview/synopsis

Amtek Auto is a leading auto-components manufacturer established in 1988 which entered into bankruptcy in through the order of Reserve Bank of India in 2017. The company started with a humble beginning and later on the promoter decided to expand exponentially both through organic as well as inorganic growth in past 15 years. To grow a company kept on taking debt which made it riskier and deteriorated its financial position over a period. The case covers a 10-year timeline from 2008 to 2017. It gives an opportunity to analyze its financial statements to understand how its decisions shaped its performance

Complexity academic level

The case aims for students to take a comprehensive view of the financial statement analysis of Amtek Auto including the following: vertical and horizontal analysis; comprehensive ratio analysis including liquidity, profitability, leverage and turnover ratios with special emphasis on debt as a double-edged sword; analysis of Armtek Auto’s financial performance over a period of 10 years.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 1: Accounting and Finance.
Social media visibility, investor diversity and trading consensus
Authors: Hasan Rajib , Wang Weiwei
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of Facebook users' responses to corporate Facebook posts on investor diversity and trading consensus.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collect publicly available data on corporate Facebook posts and user responses to such posts. They use the OLS regression framework to analyze the effects of such Facebook activities on institutional ownership percentage and trading consensus among investors.

Findings

The authors find that Facebook users' responses to corporate Facebook posts reduce large institutional investors' ownership. Their interpretation for this finding is that such Facebook activities increase the visibility of the companies across a more diverse group of investors. This increased visibility especially makes information more accessible to smaller investors so that they are attracted to invest more in these companies. They also find that Facebook activities increase the buy-sell consensus among investors, indicating that the information disseminated through social media reduces the disagreements among investors.

Research limitations/implications

This paper examines the effects of user reactions to all kinds of corporate Facebook posts without separately identifying the types of posts such as advertising, financial information and corporate news. Future research may try to identify the differential effects of specific types of posts and reactions on investor diversity.

Practical implications

The results suggest that social media has become a new and effective supplement to traditional disclosure channels in making information available to all investors in the capital market.

Originality/value

This paper is among the first to document the effects of corporate disclosures on social media in changing investor composition and reducing the information gap among investors.
The HESFS for higher education funding, employment and sustainability
Authors: Son-Turan Semen
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a higher education funding and employment system that obviates barriers to sustainable development and helps engrain the notion of sustainability into the institutional framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The “Higher Education Sustainability First System” (HESFS) is a conceptual model that builds upon ideas from previous literature. Its theoretical basis draws on a joint value creation framework from the stakeholder theory and business model perspectives.

Findings

A holistic three-pillar approach that offers multiple value propositions is needed to engage the stakeholders to collaborate for the coherent functioning of the HESFS. This will enable the establishment of a viable innovative financial model and the institution of a sustainability-focused student employment program that are facilitated by a robust sustainable infrastructure. Several sustainable development goals may be furthered in the process.

Research limitations/implications

The applicability of a part or entire HESFS depends on the characteristics of the higher education institution and the level of its maturity in a sustainable development process. Although its different constituents have been empirically validated in literature, the HESFS model could be applied in a case study to determine its potential feasibility.

Practical implications

The HESFS may inspire policymakers, businesses and higher education institutions to forge alliances to devise innovative resources of funding and engage in employment partnerships that can lead to progress in sustainable development. It may particularly be useful for institutions in developing and less developed countries, where inequality and high youth unemployment rates prevail.

Originality/value

By focusing on an under-researched topic through a multitheoretical perspective, this study contributes to theories pertaining to stakeholder engagement and business models.
An experimental study on the tribological performance of water-lubricated journal bearings with three different materials
Authors: Han Yanfeng , Yin Lei , Xiang Guo , Zhou Guangwu , Chen Haizhou , Zheng Xiaolin
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The tribological behavior, i.e. friction coefficient and wear rate, and vibration characteristics of the water-lubricated bearing was investigated. The water-lubricated bearing is made of three different materials, i.e. polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), polyimide (PI) and nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR).

Design/methodology/approach

The tribological behavior was investigated experimentally on a specially designed test rig. Three vibration sensors were used to record the vibration of the bearing.

Findings

The results indicated that the variation of friction coefficient with rotation speed agrees well with the trend of Stribeck curve. The tested friction coefficient of rubber bearing is higher than that of the other two bearings whether it is in the state of mixed-lubrication or hydrodynamic lubrication, and which causing a larger wear rate in rubber bearing. The PEEK bearing exhibits the best tribological properties due to it has smaller friction coefficient and wear rate. However, it can be found that the rubber bearing gives the minimum vibration acceleration, which means that the rubber bearing has the most potential to improve the stability of water-lubricated bearing rotor system.

Originality/value

In this study, a group of experiment studies conducted on a specially designed test rig. The comprehensive performance, including friction coefficient, vibration acceleration and wear rate, of water-lubricated bearing with three different materials, i.e. PEEK, PI and NBR, was compared systematically. The experiment research may offer a reference for the selection of material in water-lubricated bearing in specific operating conditions.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-10-2019-0447/
Developing a marketing framework for the bottom of the pyramid consumers
Authors: Mathur Mahima , Mehta Ritu , Swami Sanjeev
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper develops a comprehensive marketing framework that firms could use as a foundation for developing a successful business model that ensures sustainability in BOP markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a qualitative research approach based on semi-structured in-depth interviews with founders or senior managers of Indian firms who have been successfully operating in the Indian BOP market. The data is then systematically coded and categorized with the help of software to get better insights.

Findings

The findings of the paper indicate that although the traditional 4As of marketing are important, they do not explain the success of firms adequately. Based on the findings of the interviews, we propose an 8A model that comprises the original 4As along with adaptability, assistance, action innovation and accelerating scale.

Practical implications

The proposed 8A framework would be useful for domestic and multi-national firms aiming to make a foray into the Indian BOP market.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature on the BOP market by identifying the factors important for succeeding in the BOP market. It builds on the 4A model to propose 8As marketing framework in the context of BOP markets.
Financial C.R.I.M.Es in small businesses: causes and consequences
Authors: Othman Radiah , Laswad Fawzi , Berkahn Matthew
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the causes and consequences of financial crimes perpetrated against New Zealand small businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

A random sample of 200 court cases was selected from 2010 to 2017. A total of 12 cases involving 14 small businesses were analysed.

Findings

The results reveal that financial crime is a systemic problem and involves people with diverse demographics, and the victims are not restricted to any specific type of small business. The offenders are mostly middle-level managers. The length of offence varied from 1 year to 12.5 years. Most of them funnelled the stolen money into their personal accounts. The common motive is “keeping up appearance”. The management placed immense trust in their employees and did not vet candidates before employment. The losses suffered by small entities ranged from $6,000 to $590,000 and liquidated one business. The severity of the actual court cases indicates the necessity of an employee screening as the first line of defence in these businesses.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample of court cases is a limitation, but the study contributes to the fraud auditing literature by examining actual court cases involving small businesses. Small businesses as victims of employee fraud and their lack of internal controls are known but under-researched to promote thought about fraud risk severity in these businesses.

Originality/value

The C.R.I.M.E model has yet been tested on fraud cases involving small businesses.
Services under new management: the myth of a fresh start
Authors: Jones Tim , Myrden Susan E. , Dacin Peter
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the consumer-side effects of “under new management” (UNM) signs. The authors integrate cue-utilization theory and relevance theory to guide hypotheses about the conditions under which these signs are and are not beneficial.

Design/methodology/approach

Two consumer-based experiments were used to examine the quality and reputation effects of restaurants signaling a management change on potential and existing customers.

Findings

The results suggest that positive and negative effects are possible. The direction of these effects is contingent upon consumers’ prior experience, type of service (i.e. search/experience) and the relevance of the signal.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to one industry (i.e. restaurants) and examines the effects of market signals on perceived quality and reputation. In addition, this research brought forth the notion of “signal relevance” and suggested that it may be explicitly tied to attributions. However, this assertion must examine multiple signals (relevant/irrelevant) and their contingent effects on consumer perceptions.

Practical implications

The findings advise businesses to use caution when using signals such as an “UNM” sign, as they appear to have different effects depending on the experience of the consumer with the service and the relevance of the signal.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature on cue utilization theory to understand the effects of marketplace cues on consumer perceptions. It contributes to marketing theory and practice by proposing a model of cue effects based on prior customer experience, type of service and cue relevance.
Do foreign banks in India respond to global monetary policy shocks? A SVAR analysis
Authors: Shareef Ameen Omar , Prabheesh K.P.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role of foreign banks in transmitting global monetary policy shocks to India. Further, the authors try to explore the international bank lending channel and analyze the impact of global monetary policy on Indian macroeconomic variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a structural break unit root test and structural vector autoregression on monthly data from 1998 to 2018.

Findings

The study finds that the global monetary policy is significantly determining foreign banks’ lending in India; the evidence of a portfolio re-balancing channel in the process of global monetary policy transmission to the Indian economy; the exchange rate is significantly explaining the foreign bank credit dynamism in India; and evidence of international monetary policy spillover to the Indian economy.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt to analyze the role of foreign banks in the transmission of global monetary policy shocks to India, where the literature availability is limited. The finding of ineffective domestic monetary policy on foreign bank lending opens the need for an in-depth and diversified analysis of the role of foreign banks in the transmission of domestic monetary policy.
Driving engagement with the employee experience
Authors: Tucker Elissa
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to define the employee experience as a concept, give an overview of how employers are using it as an engagement approach and discuss two examples of how leading organizations are leveraging more advanced applications of the employee experience to drive better engagement outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

In 2019, APQC surveyed 231 HR professionals responsible for the engagement strategy at organizations with more than 1,000 employees and greater than US$500m in revenue. The survey results represent employers from 30 industries and 34 headquarters countries.

Findings

Most employers have made the employee experience part of their employee engagement strategy. Employers reporting the best outcomes from their engagement strategy are significantly more likely to train leaders, managers and HR on the employee experience concept and leverage critical elements from the employee experience design methodology.

Originality/value

This paper explains the reasons for the growing popularity of the employee experience, discusses its potential as a method for employee engagement and concludes with an overview and examples of the steps involved in employee experience design.
Integrating rock physics laboratory data and modelling to improve uplift characterization methodology
Authors: Torset Sondre , Holt Rune M. , Duffaut Kenneth
Published: May 2020

Modelling changes in elastic wave velocities in sediments and rocks as they undergo burial and uplift can reveal aspects of their burial history. This has implications in the petroleum risking procedures, as aspects such as hydrocarbon maturation and reservoir quality are key ingredients. Previous modelling for such a purpose assumes constant velocity and porosity during uplift after the cessation of cementation. Laboratory data of a synthetic sandstone formed under stress, and subjected to loading and unloading cycles are used to test this assumption. The experimental P‐wave velocities show a clear increase in stress dependence during the uplift simulation. Besides, the P‐wave anisotropy transforms from negative to positive. These observations are combined to make an updated modelling workflow to mimic the experimental results better. The modelling is conducted in different phases. Loading before cementation is modelled using a triaxial granular medium theory. For the laboratory data, a novel anisotropic formulation of the patchy cement model captures the observed trends. A modified crack model incorporates the stress sensitivity seen during the unloading that simulates uplift. The results of the integrated rock physics workflow mimic the laboratory data very well. A conceptual field example using the rock physics workflow illustrates how the exclusion of the stress dependence during uplift can lead to an underestimation of the exhumation magnitude.
Offset dependence of overburden time‐shifts from ultrasonic data
Authors: Bakk Audun , Holt Rune M. , Bauer Andreas , Dupuy Bastien , Romdhane Anouar
Published: May 2020

Depletion or injection into a reservoir implies stress changes and strains in the reservoir and its surroundings. This may lead to measurable time‐shifts for seismic waves propagating in the subsurface. To better understand the offset dependence of time‐shifts in the overburden, we have systematically quantified the time‐shifts of three different overburden shales in controlled laboratory tests. These experiments may be viewed as an analogue to the time‐shifts recorded from seismic field surveys. For a range of different stress paths, defined as the ratio between the horizontal and the vertical stress changes, the changes of the P‐wave velocities in different directions were measured such that the offset dependence of time‐shifts for different stress paths could be studied. The time‐shifts are stress path dependent, which is particularly pronounced at large offsets. For all stress paths, the time‐shifts exhibit a linearly decreasing trend with increasing offset, that is, a negative offset gradient. At zero offset, for which the ray path is normal to the bedding, the time‐shifts are similar for all investigated stress paths. The isotropic stress path is associated with the smallest offset gradient of the time‐shifts. In contrast, the constant‐mean‐stress path shows the largest gradient with a flip in the polarity of the time‐shifts for the largest offsets. The separate contributions from the strain and velocity changes to the time‐shifts were also quantified. The time‐shifts for the isotropic stress path are dominated by the contribution from velocity changes at all offsets. In contrast, the strain contributes significantly to the time‐shifts at small offsets for the constant‐mean‐stress path. This shows that the offset dependence in pre‐stack seismic data may be a key to understand the changes of subsurface stresses, pore pressure and strain upon depletion or injection. To utilize this knowledge from laboratory experiments, calibrated rock physics models and correlations are needed to constrain the seismic time‐shifts and to obtain an adequately updated geological model reflecting the true anisotropic nature of the subsurface. This may have important implications for improved recovery and safety, particularly in mature fields.