bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benzoquinones in the defensive secretion of a bug (Pamillia behrensii): a common chemical trait retrieved in the Heteroptera
Authors: Wagner Julian M. , Naragon Thomas H. , Brückner Adrian
Published: December 2020

Benzoquinones are a phylogenetically widespread compound class within arthropods, appearing in harvestman, millipedes and insects. Whereas the function of benzoquinones as defensive compounds against potential predators and microbes has been well established, the full extent of benzoquinone usage across arthropods, and especially within Insecta, has yet to be established. Adding to the growing list of unique evolutionary origins of benzoquinone employment, we describe in this paper the metathoracic scent gland secretion of the mirid bugPamillia behrensii, which is composed of heptan-2-one, 2-heptyl acetate, 2,3-dimethyl-1-4-benzoquinone, 2,3-dimethyl-1-4-hydroquinone as well as one unknown compound. Similarly, to many other arthropods that use benzoquinones,Pamilliareleases the contents of its gland as a defensive mechanism in response to harassment by other arthropod predators. Morphological investigation of the gland showed that the benzoquinone-producing gland complex ofP. behrensiifollows a similar blueprint to metathoracic scent glands described in other Heteropterans. Overall, our data further underpins the widespread convergent evolution and use of benzoquinones for defense across the Arthropoda, now including the order Hemiptera.
Optogenetic inhibition and activation of Rac and Rap1 using a modified iLID system
Authors: Elston R. Nick , Pablo Michael , Pimenta Frederico M. , Hahn Klaus M. , Watanabe Takashi
Published: December 2020

The small GTPases Rac1 and Rap1 can fulfill multiple cellular functions because their activation kinetics and localization are precisely controlled. To probe the role of their spatio-temporal dynamics, we generated optogenetic tools that activate or inhibit endogenous Rac and Rap1 in living cells. An improved version of the light-induced dimerization (iLID) system was used to control plasma membrane localization of protein domains that specifically activate or inactivate Rap1 and Rac (Tiam1 and Chimerin for Rac, RasGRP2 and Rap1GAP for Rap1). Irradiation yielded a 50-230% increase in the concentration of these domains at the membrane, leading to effects on cell morphodynamics consistent with the known roles of Rac1 and Rap1.
Effects of beta- and gamma-band rhythmic stimulation on motor inhibition
Authors: Leunissen Inge , Van Steenkiste Manon , Heise Kirstin-Friederike , Monteiro Thiago Santos , Dunovan Kyle , Mantini Dante , Coxon James P. , Swinnen Stephan P.
Published: December 2020

Voluntary movements are accompanied by an increase in gamma-band oscillatory activity (60-100Hz) and a strong desynchronization of beta-band activity (13-30Hz) in the motor system at both the cortical and subcortical level. Conversely, successful motor inhibition is associated with increased beta power in a fronto-basal-ganglia network. Intriguingly, gamma activity also increases in response to a stop-signal. In this study, we used transcranial alternating current stimulation to drive beta and gamma oscillations to investigate whether these frequencies are causally related to motor inhibition. We found that 20Hz stimulation targeted at the pre-supplementary motor area enhanced inhibition and increased beta oscillatory activity around the time of the stop-signal in trials directly following stimulation. In contrast, 70Hz stimulation seemed to slow down the braking process, and predominantly affected go task performance. These results demonstrate that the effects of tACS are state-dependent and that especially fronto-central beta activity is a functional marker for successful motor inhibition.
An Extensive Sequence Dataset of Gold-Standard Samples for Benchmarking and Development
Authors: Baid Gunjan , Nattestad Maria , Kolesnikov Alexey , Goel Sidharth , Yang Howard , Chang Pi-Chuan , Carroll Andrew
Published: December 2020

Accurate standards and extensive development datasets are the foundation of technical progress. To facilitate benchmarking and development, we sequence 9 samples, covering the Genome in a Bottle truth sets on multiple instruments (NovaSeq, HiSeqX, HiSeq4000, PacBio Sequel II System) and sample preparations (PCR-Free, PCR-Positive) for both whole genome and multiple exome kits. We benchmark pipelines, quantifying strengths and limitations for sequencing and analysis methods. We identify variability within and between instruments, preparation methods, and analytical pipelines, across various sequencing depths. We discuss the relevance of this variability to downstream analyses, and strategies to reduce variability.
Toward reproducible, scalable, and robust data analysis across multiplex tissue imaging platforms
Authors: Burlingame Erik Ames , Eng Jennifer , Thibault Guillaume , Chin Koei , Gray Joe W. , Chang Young Hwan
Published: December 2020

The emergence of megascale single-cell multiplex tissue imaging (MTI) datasets necessitates reproducible, scalable, and robust tools for cell phenotyping and spatial analysis. We developed open-source, graphics processing unit (GPU)-accelerated tools for intensity normalization, phenotyping, and microenvironment characterization. We deploy the toolkit on a human breast cancer (BC) tissue microarray stained by cyclic immunofluorescence and benchmark our cell phenotypes against a published MTI dataset. Finally, we demonstrate an integrative analysis revealing BC subtype-specific features.
Millisecond-scale molecular dynamics simulation of spike RBD structure reveals evolutionary adaption of SARS-CoV-2 to stably bind ACE2
Authors: Nelson Gard , Buzko Oleksandr , Bassett Aaron , Spilman Patricia , Niazi Kayvan , Rabizadeh Shahrooz , Soon-Shiong Patrick
Published: December 2020

The Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 surface spike (S) protein interacts with host angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to gain entry to host cells and initiate infection1–3. Detailed, accurate understanding of key interactions between S RBD and ACE2 provides critical information that may be leveraged in the development of strategies for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Utilizing the published sequences and cryo-EM structures of both the viral S RBD and ACE24,5, we performedin silicomolecular dynamics (MD) simulations of free S RBD and of its interaction with ACE2 over the exceptionally long durations of 2.9 and 2 milliseconds, respectively, to elucidate the nature and relative affinity of S RBD surface residues for the ACE2 binding region. Our findings reveal that free S RBD has assumed an optimized ACE2 binding-ready conformation, incurring little entropic penalty for binding, an evolutionary adaptation that contributes to its high affinity for the receptor6. We further identified high probability molecular binding interactions that inform both vaccine design and therapeutic development, which may include recombinant ACE2-based spike decoys7and/or allosteric S RBD-ACE2 binding inhibitors8,9to prevent or arrest infection and thus disease.
The connectome predicts resting state functional connectivity across the Drosophila brain
Authors: Turner Maxwell H. , Mann Kevin , Clandinin Thomas R.
Published: December 2020

Connectomic datasets have emerged as invaluable tools for understanding neural circuits in many systems. What constraints does the connectome place on information processing and routing in a large scale neural circuit? For mesoscale brain networks, the relationship between cell and synaptic level connectivity and brain function is not well understood. Here, we use data from the Drosophila connectome in conjunction with whole-brainin vivoimaging to relate structural and functional connectivity in the central brain. We find that functional connectivity is strongly associated with the strength of both direct and indirect anatomical pathways. We also show that some brain regions, including the mushroom body and central complex, show considerably higher functional connectivity to other brain regions than is predicted based on their direct anatomical connections. We find several key topological similarities between mesoscale brain networks in flies and mammals, revealing conserved principles relating brain structure and function.
The MERS-CoV receptor gene is among COVID-19 risk factors inherited from Neandertals
Authors: Zeberg Hugo , Pääbo Svante
Published: December 2020

In the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, two genetic regions derived from Neandertals have been shown to increase and decrease, respectively, the risk of falling severely ill upon infection. Here, we show that 2-8% of people in Eurasia carry a variant promoter region of theDPP4gene inherited from Neandertals. This gene encodes an enzyme that serves as a receptor for the coronavirus MERS-CoV and is currently not believed to be a receptor for SARS-CoV-2. However, the NeandertalDPP4variant doubles the risk to become critically ill in COVID-19.
Building bridges: the hippocampus constructs narrative memories across distant events
Authors: Cohn-Sheehy Brendan I. , Delarazan Angelique I. , Reagh Zachariah M. , Crivelli-Decker Jordan E. , Kim Kamin , Barnett Alexander J. , Zacks Jeffrey M. , Ranganath Charan
Published: December 2020

Life’s events are scattered throughout time, yet we often recall different events in the context of an integrated narrative. Prior research suggests that the hippocampus, which supports memory for past events, can sometimes support integration of overlapping associations or separate events, but the conditions which lead to hippocampus-dependent memory integration are unclear. We used functional brain imaging to test whether the ability to form a larger narrative (narrative coherence) drives hippocampal memory integration. During encoding of fictional stories, the hippocampus supported patterns of activity, including activity at boundaries between events, which were more similar between distant events that formed one coherent narrative, compared with events taken from unrelated narratives. Twenty-four hours later, the hippocampus preferentially supported detailed recall of coherent narrative events, through reinstatement of hippocampal activity patterns from encoding. These findings reveal a key function of the hippocampus: the dynamic integration of events into a narrative structure for memory.
Role of slow temporal dynamics in reliable activity of stochastically driven neurons
Authors: Mokashe Subhadra , Nadkarni Suhita
Published: December 2020

Neuronal networks maintain robust patterns of activity despite a backdrop of noise from various sources. Mutually inhibiting neurons is a standard network motif implicated in rhythm generation. In an elementary network motif of two neurons capable of swapping from an active state to a quiescent state, we ask how different sources of stochasticity alter firing patterns. In this system, the alternating activity occurs via combined action of a calcium-dependent potassium current, sAHP (slow afterhyperpolarization), and a fast GABAergic synapse. We show that simulating extrinsic noise arising from background activity extends the dynamical range of neuronal firing. Extrinsic noise also has the effect of increasing the switching frequency via a faster build-up of sAHP current. We show that switching frequency as a function of input current has a non-monotonic behavior. Interestingly the noise tolerance of this system varies with the input current. It shows maximum robustness to noise at an input current that corresponds to the minimum switching frequency between the neurons. The slow decay time scale of sAHP conductance allows neurons to act as a low-pass filter, attenuate noise, and integrate over ion channel fluctuations. Additionally, we show that the slow inactivation time of the sAHP channel allows the neuron to act as an action potential counter. We propose that this intrinsic property of the current allows the network to maintain rhythmic activity critical for various functions, despite the noise, and operate as a temporal integrator.
Simultaneous Single-Cell Genome and Transcriptome Sequencing of Termite Hindgut Protists Reveals Metabolic and Evolutionary Traits of Their Endosymbionts
Authors: Stephens Michael E. , Benjamino Jacquelynn , Graf Joerg , Gage Daniel J.
Published: December 2020

Different protist species which colonize the hindguts of wood feedingReticulitermestermites are associated with endosymbiotic bacteria belonging to the genusEndomicrobium. In this study, we focused on the endosymbionts of three protist species fromReticulitermes flavipes, which includedPyrsonympha vertens,Trichonympha agilis, andDinenymphaspecies II. Since these protist hosts represented members of difference taxa which colonize different niches within the hindguts of their termite hosts, we investigated if these differences translated to differential gene content and expression in their endosymbionts. Following assembly and comparative genome and transcriptome analyses, we discovered that these endosymbionts differed with respect to possible niche specific traits such carbon metabolism. Our analyses supported that genes related to carbon metabolism were acquired by horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from donor taxa which are present in termite’s hindgut community. In addition, our analyses supported that these endosymbionts have retained and expressed genes related to natural transformation (competence) and recombination. Taken together, the presence of genes acquired by HGT and a putative competence pathway supported that these endosymbionts are not cut-off from gene flow and that competence may be a mechanism by which members of theEndomicrobiumcan acquire new traits.

Importance

The composition and structure of wood, which contains cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, prevents most organisms from using this common food source. Termites are a rare exception among animals, and they rely on a complex microbiome housed in their hindguts to use wood as a source of food. The lower termiteR. flavipeshouses a variety of protist and prokaryotes that are the key players the disassembly of lignocellulose. In this paper we describe the genomes and the gene expression profiles of fiveEndomicrobiumendosymbionts living inside three different protist species fromR. flavipes. Data from these genomes suggest that theseEndomicrobiumspecies have different mechanisms for using both carbon and nitrogen. In addition, they harbor genes that may be used to import free DNA from their environment. This process of DNA-uptake may cntribute to the high levels of horizontal gene transfer often seen in theEndomicrobiumspecies.
Removal of rare amplicon sequence variants from 16S rRNA gene sequence surveys biases the interpretation of community structure data
Authors: Schloss Patrick D.
Published: December 2020

Methods for remediating PCR and sequencing artifacts in 16S rRNA gene sequence collections are in continuous development and have significant ramifications on the inferences that can be drawn. A common approach is to remove rare amplcon sequence variants (ASVs) from datasets. But, the definition of rarity is generally selected without regard for the number of sequences in the samples or the variation in sequencing depth across samples within a study. I analyzed the impact of removing rare ASVs on metrics of alpha and beta diversity using samples collected across 12 published datasets. Removal of rare ASVs significantly decreased the number of ASVs and operational taxonomic units as well as their diversity. Furthermore, their removal increased the variation in community structure between samples. When simulating a known effect size, removal of rare ASVs reduced the power to detect the effect relative to not removing rare ASVs. Removal of rare ASVs did not affect the false detection rate when samples were randomized to simulate a null model. However, the false detection rate increased when rare ASVs were removed using a null distribution and assignment of samples to simulated treatment groups according to their sequencing depth. The false detection rate did not vary when rare ASVs were retained. This analysis demonstrates the problems inherent in removing rare ASVs. Researchers are encouraged to retain rare ASVs, to select approaches that minimize PCR and sequencing artifacts, and to use rarefaction to control for uneven sequencing effort.

Importance

Removing rare amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) from 16S rRNA gene sequence collections is an approach that has grown in popularity for limiting PCR and sequencing artifacts. Yet, it is unclear what impact an abundance-based filter has on downstream analyses. To investigate the effects of removing rare ASVs, I analyzed the community distributions found in the samples of 12 published datasets. Analysis of these data and simulations based on them showed that removal of rare ASVs distorts the representation of microbial communities. This has the effect of artificially making it more difficult to detect differences between treatment groups. Also of concern was the observation that if sequencing depth is confounded with the treatment, then the probability of falsely detecting a difference between the treatment groups increased with the removal of rare ASVs. The practice of removing rare ASVs should stop, lest researcher adversely affect the interpretation of their data.
An In Vivo Method for Diversifying the Functions of Therapeutic Antibodies
Authors: Tian Ming , Cheng Hwei-Ling , Kimble Michael T. , McGovern Kelly , Waddicor Peyton , Chen Yiwei , Cantor Elizabeth , Qiu Mengting , Tuchel Marie-Elen , Dao Mai , Alt Frederick W.
Published: December 2020

V(D)J recombination generates mature B cells that express huge repertoires of primary antibodies as diverse immunoglobulin heavy (IgH) and light chains (IgL) of their B cell antigen receptors (BCRs). Cognate antigen binding to BCR variable region domains activates B cells into the germinal center (GC) reaction in which somatic hypermutation (SHM) modifies primary variable region-encoding sequences, with subsequent selection for mutations that improve antigen-binding affinity, ultimately leading to antibody affinity maturation. Based on these principles, we developed a humanized mouse model approach to diversify an anti-PD1 therapeutic antibody and allow isolation of variants with novel properties. In this approach, component Ig gene segments of the anti-PD1 antibody underwentde novoV(D)J recombination to diversify the anti-PD1 antibody in the primary antibody repertoire in the mouse models. Immunization of these mouse models further modifies the anti-PD1 antibodies through SHM. Known anti-PD1 antibodies block interaction of PD1 with its ligands to alleviate PD1-mediated T cell suppression, thereby boosting anti-tumor T cell responses. By diversifying one such anti-PD1 antibody, we derived many new anti-PD1 antibodies, including anti-PD1 antibodies with the opposite activity of enhancing PD1/ligand interaction. Such antibodies theoretically might suppress deleterious T cell activities in autoimmune diseases. The approach we describe should be generally applicable for diversifying other therapeutic antibodies.

Significance Statement

The immune system is capable of producing enormous varieties of antibodies to counter pathogenic infections. In this study, we devised a method to harness the power of the immune system to produce potentially therapeutic antibodies. As a test, we used this method to generate antibodies against the human PD1 molecule, a negative regulator of T cell activity. Available anti-PD1 therapeutic antibodies inhibit the function of PD1, thereby boosting T cell activity against tumor cells. Through our approach, we diversified one such anti-PD1 antibody in our mouse models. From this work, we obtained multiple new anti-PD1 antibodies, some of which can stimulate, rather than inhibit, PD1 functionin vitro. Such PD1 stimulatory antibodies could potentially be used to suppress pathogenic T cell activities in autoimmune diseases. This method could be used to diversify the functions of other therapeutic antibodies.
BRCA1-BARD1 regulates transcription through modulating topoisomerase IIβ
Authors: Jeong Jaehyeon , Kang Keunsoo , Jo Doo Sin , Cong Anh TQ , Kim Donguk , Cho Dong-Hyung , Schellenberg Matthew J , Calderwood Stuart K. , Chen Benjamin P.C. , Bunch Heeyoun
Published: December 2020

RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent transcription in stimulus-inducible genes requires topoisomerase IIβ (TOP2B)-mediated DNA strand break and the activation of DNA damage response signaling in humans. Here, we report a novel function of thebreastcancer 1 (BRCA1)-BRCA1associatedringdomain1(BARD1) complex, in this process. We found that BRCA1 is phosphorylated at S1524 by the kinases ATM and ATR during gene activation and that this event is essential for productive transcription. Ourin vitrobiochemical analyses showed TOP2B and BARD1 interaction and colocalization in theEGR1transcription start site (TSS) and that the BRCA1-BARD1 complex ubiquitinates TOP2B, which appears to stabilize TOP2B protein in the cell and binding to DNA. Intriguingly, BRCA1 phosphorylation at S1524 controls this interaction. In addition, genomic analyses indicated colocalization between TOP2B and BRCA1 in a large number of protein-coding genes. Together, these findings reveal the novel function of the BRCA1-BARD1 complex in gene expression and in the regulation of TOP2B during Pol II transcription.

Significance Statement

Maintaining genomic integrity against cellular and extracellular genotoxic elements is essential for normal cell growth and function. Recent studies indicated that stimulus-induced transcription provokes topoisomerase IIβ-mediated DNA strand break and DNA damage response signaling, requiring DNA repair to be coupled with transcription. Here, we present a novel role for the BRCA1-BARD1 complex in regulating the transcription of serum-inducible genes and the stability of topoisomerase IIβ. The mechanism involving topoisomerase IIβ ubiquitination by the BRCA1-BARD1 complex and the phosphorylation of BRCA1 S1524 upon transcriptional activation appears to function as a switch to the reaction. Our findings provide the first evidence of functional interaction between the BRCA1-BARD1 complex and topoisomerase IIβ in transcription in humans.
Antiproliferative Effect ofEpilobium parviflorumExtracts on Colorectal Cancer Cell Line HT-29
Authors: Akbudak M. Aydın , Sut Tevhide , Eruygur Nuraniye , Akinci Ersin
Published: December 2020

TheEpilobiumspecies are rich in various active phytochemicals and have seen wide use in folk medicine to treat several diseases. The present study exhibited the antiproliferative activity of aqueous and ethanolicEpilobium parviflorumextracts in a colon cancer cell line, HT-29 cells. Both types of extracts reduced the cell viability of HT-29 cells in a dose-dependent manner. A gene expression analysis of the HT-29 cells demonstrated an increase in apoptotic genes,Caspase-3andCaspase-8. Nuclear fragmentation of the apoptotic cells was also demonstrated through TUNEL assay and immunostaining experiments. On the other hand, the same lethal concentrations of theE. parviflorumextracts did not significantly affect a non-cancerous human fibroblast cell line, BJ cells. Our results confirmed that aqueous and ethanolicE. parviflorumextracts can eliminate proliferation of human colorectal carcinoma cellsin vitro.E. parviflorummay have the potential to become a therapeutic agent against colon cancers.
Further fresh and general traveling wave solutions to some fractional order nonlinear evolution equations in mathematical physics
Authors: Islam Tarikul , Akter Armina
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Fractional order nonlinear evolution equations (FNLEEs) pertaining to conformable fractional derivative are considered to be revealed for well-furnished analytic solutions due to their importance in the nature of real world. In this article, the autors suggest a productive technique, called the rational fractional (DξαG/G)-expansion method, to unravel the nonlinear space-time fractional potential Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (PKP) equation, the nonlinear space-time fractional Sharma–Tasso–Olver (STO) equation and the nonlinear space-time fractional Kolmogorov–Petrovskii–Piskunov (KPP) equation. A fractional complex transformation technique is used to convert the considered equations into the fractional order ordinary differential equation. Then the method is employed to make available their solutions. The constructed solutions in terms of trigonometric function, hyperbolic function and rational function are claimed to be fresh and further general in closed form. These solutions might play important roles to depict the complex physical phenomena arise in physics, mathematical physics and engineering.

Design/methodology/approach

The rational fractional (DξαG/G)-expansion method shows high performance and might be used as a strong tool to unravel any other FNLEEs. This method is of the form U(ξ)=∑i=0nai(DξαG/G)i/∑i=0nbi(DξαG/G)i.

Findings

Achieved fresh and further abundant closed form traveling wave solutions to analyze the inner mechanisms of complex phenomenon in nature world which will bear a significant role in the of research and will be recorded in the literature.

Originality/value

The rational fractional (DξαG/G)-expansion method shows high performance and might be used as a strong tool to unravel any other FNLEEs. This method is newly established and productive.
An evaluation of online architectural design studios during COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Ceylan Salih , Şahin Pınar , Seçmen Serengül , Somer Melek Elif , Süher Kemal H.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

While the COVID-19 outbreak affects all aspects of life in the world, there is also a global impact in the field of education. Within the scope of the measures to control the epidemic, distance education was started shortly after the starting of the spring semester in all primary and secondary schools and universities. In this process, architectural design courses, which are one of the most fundamental courses of architectural education, started to be held in online studios. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the evaluations of architecture students about the online design studio courses carried out during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a qualitative approach to evaluate the ideas of first, second, third and fourth grade students of architectural design studios in the host university. A questionnaire was directed to students in order to see their opinions about the online design studio education.

Findings

Results shows that students think the most prominent benefit of online studios appears in the use of digital tools. Another important result is that if they are equipped with the necessary tools and given the chance to realize themselves, students can work efficiently even in the distance education process.

Originality/value

This study is important in terms of learning the expectations of students from the online process and to identify important issues that should be considered for the next semesters. In addition, this study will serve as a basis for comparative evaluation of architectural education during and after the epidemic. In this context, the study will shed light on future academic research.
A driver or a placebo? The role of financial support in farmer cooperative development in China
Authors: Liang Qiao , Xu Yining , Wang Xinxin , Jin Songqing
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper explores the effect of financial support on farmer cooperative development in the Chinese context, aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of public inputs and draw implications for the sustainable development of cooperatives. The variance of the effect in different sectors, i.e. crop, forestry, husbandry, fishery and services, is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Provincial-level panel data from 2007 to 2017 are used for this study. A linear dynamic panel regression model is estimated using multiple estimation methods, i.e. the generalized method of moments (GMMs), fixed-effect model and ordinary least squares (OLS) are applied.

Findings

The empirical analyses indicate that the role of the government is important for the development of farmer cooperatives but limited in some specific aspects. First, the coverage of financial support is positively associated with the growth of cooperative population and membership size, but the strength of financial support, measured by the total amount of financial support divided by local agricultural gross domestic product (GDP), has no statistically significant effects on the development of cooperatives. Second, financial support does not exhibit significant influence on the revenue of cooperatives. Third, the magnitude of the effect of government support on cooperative development is heterogeneous across different sectors.

Originality/value

The research study adds to the institutional economics literature on the association between institutional environment and organization development by focusing on a particular and an important type of organization, i.e. farmer cooperatives. It is one of the attempts and a most extensive study to empirically investigate the role of financial support in the development of farmer cooperatives.
Financing eco-projects: analysis of factors influencing the success of crowdfunding campaigns
Authors: Prędkiewicz Katarzyna , Kalinowska-Beszczyńska Olga
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This research identifies and explains the key factors influencing the success of crowdfunding campaigns for eco-projects with the objective of detecting the types of eco-projects that may be most successful in raising funds.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examined over 100 crowdfunding platforms (donation, reward and equity types) and selected 41 active eco-projects for further analysis. Data were collected from the selected platforms on ongoing and historical campaigns. The final sample was derived from observations of 139 eco-projects across 11 reward-based crowdfunding platforms. Logit models on variables related to the type of eco-innovation and characteristics of the campaign were used.

Findings

The results suggest that if they are treated as homogenous group eco-projects, they are no different than other types of projects present on a crowdfunding platform. However, variations are observed when they are divided into subcategories. The authors confirm that updates (positive), comments (positive) and targeted amount (negative) have the strongest impact on the success rate of crowdfunding for eco-projects. The authors observed a higher probability of success for projects aimed at saving water resources. Moreover, the findings suggest that emotional narratives do not increase chances of success for crowdfunding of eco-projects.

Originality/value

The authors aim to contribute to the ongoing discussion on whether there is a positive relationship between environmentally focused projects and the success rate. Providing a better understanding of the factors impacting the success rate of eco-projects should help future campaigns' success, contributing to a sustainable society.
Gender and firm innovation - A systematic literature review and future research agenda
Authors: TM Arun , Joseph Rojers P.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper presents a systematic review of 94 research articles in the domain of gender and firm innovation to map the area and infer future research avenues. The literature captured in this review includes seven theoretical, 16 qualitative and 71 quantitative studies from over 50 journals, examining the role of gender in firm innovation in over 100 countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This research utilises a reproducible systematic literature review process to identify prominent theoretical and empirical studies.

Findings

The findings suggest that the area is growing and presents interesting opportunities. However, it is observed that empirical investigations are primarily influenced by literature from the Anglo-Saxon areas and give little attention to contextual intricacies of emerging market countries. Among quantitative studies, three main themes of gender are addressed unevenly. They are Top Management Team (TMT) diversity level, R&D team diversity level and individual entrepreneur level studies. Six interesting research avenues are proposed as a major outcome of the review.

Originality/value

This review is one of the first of its kind to extensively review the literature of gender and firm-level innovation. The review consolidates and widens the understanding of the relationship between gender variables and firm innovation-related variables to advance the discussion in the domain by presenting research gaps and questions gleaned from the articles. To this end, the review presents six promising research avenues in the area of gender and firm innovation.
Entrepreneurial strategy making in tourism organisations: a systematic review and future research agenda
Authors: Kearney Arthur , Harrington Denis , Rajwani Tazeeb
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Using a state of the art CIMO literature review the paper develops a framework of the relationship between strategy making in the small tourism firm context and four performance outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the CIMO literature review method, adapted from the wider management literature to structure and integrate the existing fragmented literature base.

Findings

Premised on the literature review, a framework of the relationship between strategy making and firm performance in context is posited. Emerging from a dominant owner/manager in a deeply embedded context strategy making influences firm performance across four dimensions. The influence is dynamic, continually subject to modification in a changing environment often mediated through emerging technology.

Research limitations/implications

The CIMO method provides an integrated framework of the relationship between strategy making and small firm performance in context hence overcoming limitations of the fragmented nature of the research landscape. Emerging from the review key future research trajectories is posited.

Practical implications

While highlighting the relationship between strategy making and performance, the proposed framework implies owner/managers play the key role in strategy making with opportunities and challenges in modifying existing strategy making emerging from owner/manager embeddedness. Opportunities for improved policy interventions are posited.

Originality/value

The paper applies the systematic review to the relationship between strategy making and the small tourism firm.
Are prison-based therapeutic communities effective? Challenges and considerations
Authors: Richardson Jade , Zini Valentina
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to detail the impact and efficacy of Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service ((HMPPS) Therapeutic Communities (TCs) (both democratic and hierarchical). This paper outlines recent developments in the TC literature, to provide readers with an up-to-date overview of the outcomes of prison-based TC treatment, while highlighting the strengths and challenges of this treatment approach. Trends within the research are discussed, and the authors draw attention to any gaps in the current knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a narrative literature review approach to review the most current literature around the effectiveness of prison-based TCs in HMPPS. Academic literature published predominantly from 2010 onwards is discussed because of limited literature review publications on this topic post-2010. To obtain literature, searches of relevant databases were conducted, and/or clinical leads at prison sites were contacted for relevant publications.

Findings

There is a body of research which demonstrates that TCs are an effective form of treatment for people with an offending history and personality difficulties. Evidence indicates that Democratic TC treatment plays a part in reducing reoffending rates, as well as improving psychological features. Further research is needed in a number of areas, specifically with female offenders and individuals who undertake treatment in hierarchical TCs in the UK. It is also suggested that TC treatment aftercare may help to further the positive outcomes identified.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no up-to-date review of the impact and efficacy of HMPPS TC treatment. This paper reflects on available research within the current context of TC treatment and provides an original overview of the current UK TC practice. It has value in recommending areas for further research and consideration.
Pushing the boundaries: experience-based learning in early phases of graduate sustainability curricula
Authors: Birdman Jodie , Redman Aaron , Lang Daniel J.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate student experiences and the potential impact of experience-based learning (EBL) in the early phase of graduate sustainability programs through the lens of key competencies. The goal is to provide evidence for the improvement of existing and the thorough design of new EBL formats in sustainability programs.

Design/methodology/approach

This comparative case study focuses on the first semester of three graduate sustainability programs at Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Germany and Arizona State University, USA, for two of which EBL was a core feature. The study compares the curricula, the teaching and learning environments and the reported experiences of one student cohort from each of three programs and synthesizes the resulting insights. Student interviews were combined with student self-assessments and supported by in-vivo observations, curriculum designer input, instructor interviews and course materials. MAXQDA was used for data analysis following a grounded theory approach.

Findings

EBL influences students’ reflective capacity, which impacts the development of key competencies in sustainability. Qualitative analysis found four key themes in relation to the students’ learning in EBL settings, namely, discomfort, time-attention relationship, student expectations of instructors and exchange. The intersection of these themes with curricular structure, student dispositions and differing instructor approaches shows how curriculum can either support or interrupt the reflective cycle and thus, holistic learning.

Research limitations/implications

With the focus on the first semester only, the students’ competence development over the course of the entire program cannot be demonstrated. Learning processes within EBL settings are complex and include aspects outside the control of instructors and curriculum designers. This study addresses only a select number of factors influencing students’ learning in EBL settings.

Practical implications

Early engagement with EBL activities can push students to leave their comfort zones and question previous assumptions. Designing curricula to include EBL while encouraging strong intra-cohort connections and creating space for reflection seems to be an effective approach to enable the development of key competencies in sustainability.

Originality/value

This paper investigates the experiences of students in EBL through a key competence lens. The study combines student self-perceptions, instructor reflections and in-vivo observations. Data collection and analysis were conducted by a researcher not affiliated with the programs. These factors make for a unique study design and with data-driven insights on the seldom researched competence-pedagogy-curriculum connection.
Muslims’ travel decision-making to non-Islamic destinations: perspectives from information-seeking models and theory of planned behavior
Authors: Adel Ahmed M. , Dai Xin , Roshdy Rana S. , Yan Chenfeng
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The present research extends the existing literature of halal tourism and Muslims’ travel decision-making by applying information-seeking models and the planned behavior theory to identify the process of decision-making to travel to non-Islamic destinations. This study aims to identify the views of Muslim travelers who traveled before to non-Islamic destinations to evaluate their information search experience and how their travel decision is formed.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews are conducted with a sample of Muslim travelers who visited a non-Islamic destination during the past five years. Data saturation resulted in 17 interviewees from different Islamic destinations, namely, Egypt, Morocco, Sudan and Pakistan.

Findings

Muslim interviewees indicate the relative importance of reference groups compared to the government websites as a source of information. This study concludes some remarkable results regarding the importance of some halal marketing strategies such as halal searchability and availability, halal certification and appraisal, halal at airports and halal hotels. It presents an emergent framework that shows the factors affecting visiting a non-Islamic destination regarding halal issues for Muslim travelers.

Practical implications

It provides destinations’ official tourism managers with various strategies to brand their destinations as Muslim-friendly destinations.

Originality/value

Investigating the process of decision-making of traveling to non-Islamic destinations from Muslim travelers’ perspective is limited. Examining the role of information-seeking behavior in Muslim travelers’ decision-making is scarce.
Effects of leader-member exchange ambivalence on work attitudes: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Dechawatanapaisal Decha
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study examines whether the relationship between ambivalence in leader-member exchange (LMX) and career commitment is influenced by organizational embeddedness as a mediating variable. There is also an investigation of when and to what extent job strain influences the conditional indirect effect between LMX ambivalence on career commitment via the mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 1,134 accountants working in various disciplines. The PROCESS macro and a bootstrapping procedure were used to test and analyze the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The results revealed that the direct relationship between LMX ambivalence and career commitment was partially mediated by organizational embeddedness. In addition, high levels of job strain through organizational embeddedness conditionally make the effects of ambivalence on career commitment stronger.

Practical implications

Organizations should motivate employees to tolerate uncertain situations at work and practice ways of maintaining a positive attitude. Training programs for employees to appreciate ambivalence and for leaders to be more behaviorally consistent and more effective in team communication should be considered.

Originality/value

This research is among the initial attempts to extend relevant knowledge in the fields of LMX quality and organizational embeddedness by identifying an important moderator that amplifies the structural relationship.
What to say and what to do: the determinants of corporate hypocrisy and its negative consequences for the customer–brand relationship
Authors: Jung Sojin , Bhaduri Gargi , Ha-Brookshire Jung E.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to empirically examine the determinants of corporate hypocrisy and to investigate the potential negative impact on the consumer–brand relationship, specifically on trust, switch and resilience intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 (mission: no and yes) × 3 (sustainability activities: perfect, imperfect and no duty) experiment was developed. A total of 548 US consumers were randomly assigned to one of six case conditions and asked to respond to an online survey. The responses were analyzed by both two-way analysis of variance and PROCESS.

Findings

The results showed that respondents who saw clear sustainability goals in the companies’ mission statements had lower levels of corporate hypocrisy than those who did not, and when the mission statements and activities related to corporate sustainability were congruent, the respondents were less likely to elicit corporate hypocrisy than when they were not. Also, consumers showed lower levels of trust when corporate hypocrisy was present, which negatively impacted their switch and resilience intentions.

Originality/value

This study provided empirical evidence demonstrating how and to what extent corporate hypocrisy is formed by varying sustainability goals and activities. These findings urge brand managers to recognize the ripple effect created by a mismatch between their stated sustainability goals and their activities. Also, these findings could provide apparel management with guidelines for formulating and communicating companies’ sustainability goals and activities.
A new risk evaluation methodology based on FMEA, MULTIMOORA, TPOP, and interval-valued hesitant fuzzy linguistic sets with an application to healthcare industry
Authors: Zolfaghari Samaneh , Mousavi Seyed Meysam
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The healthcare system is regarded as one of the most critical service industries. The surgical unit is the heart of hospitals in that any failures directly affect the safety of patients, so they should be managed thoroughly. It is an intricate multi-attributes decision-making problem with uncertainty. Uncertain information in the form of fuzzy sets theory has been applied widely to describe the different aspects of system uncertainty. This study aims to present a new methodology to manage the healthcare system failures due to the multi-attributes decision-making process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study introduces a new risk evaluation methodology by failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) and MULTIMOORA method. Group decision-making process in this methodology is presented under uncertain information in the form of interval-valued hesitant fuzzy linguistic sets (IVHFLSs). IVHFLSs encompass both qualitative and quantitative interpretation of experts to reflect their preferences, as well the ability and flexibility of derivation of linguistic information by several linguistic terms increase. To avoid the different ranking order of MULTIMOORA approaches, a new interval multi-approaches multi-attribute methodology, namely, technique of precise order preference (TPOP), is extended to provide precise ranking order.

Findings

The application and precision of proposed integrated IVHFL-MULTIMOORA methodology with TPOP is examined in a case study of healthcare systems. The results indicate the superiority of proposed methodology to prioritize and assess the failures as well as handling system uncertainty.

Originality/value

This study addresses the challenges of an organization to prioritize potential failures by implementing FMEA method. Moreover, this paper contributes to making the manager's ability in decision-making. The value of this study can be discussed in two aspects. First and foremost, this study provides a new FMEA-based methodology to rank failures precisely. The results prove that the proposed methodology is more robust to changes of different ranking order methods, applied by FMEA. On the other hand, using the capability of IVHFLSs allows collecting accurate information in an ambiguous and uncertain environment.