bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rescuing epileptic and behavioral alterations in a Dravet syndrome mouse model by inhibiting eukaryotic eEF2K
Authors: Beretta Stefania , Ponzoni Luisa , Gritti Laura , Scalmani Paolo , Mantegazza Massimo , Sala Mariaelvina , Verpelli Chiara , Sala Carlo
Published: July 2021

Dravet Syndrome is a severe childhood pharmacoresistant epileptic disorder caused mainly by mutations in the SCN1A gene, which encodes for the α1 subunit of the type I voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV1.1), that cause imbalance between excitation and inhibition in the brain. We recently found that eEF2K knock out mice displayed enhanced GABAergic transmission and tonic inhibition and were less susceptible to epileptic seizures. In Scn1a+/- mice, a mouse model of the Dravet syndrome, we found that the activity of eEF2K/eEF2 pathway was enhanced. Then, we demonstrated that both genetic deletion and pharmacological inhibition of eEF2K were able to reduce the epileptic phenotype of Scn1a+/- mice. Interestingly we also found that motor coordination defect, memory impairments, and stereotyped behavior of the Scn1a+/- mice were reverted by eEF2K deletion. The analysis of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) suggested that the rescue of the pathological phenotype was driven by the potentiation of GABAergic synapses. Our data indicate that pharmacological inhibition of eEF2K could represent a novel therapeutic intervention for treating epilepsy and related comorbidities in the Dravet syndrome.
FANCD2 and RAD51 recombinase directly inhibit DNA2 nuclease at stalled replication forks and FANCD2 acts as a novel RAD51 mediator in strand exchange to promote genome stability
Authors: Liu Wenpeng , Polaczek Piotr , Roubal Ivan , Meng Yuan , Choe Won-chae , Caron Marie-Christine , Sedgeman Carl A. , Xi Yu , Liu Changwei , Wu Qiong , Zheng Li , Masson Jean-Yves , Shen Binghui , Campbell Judith L.
Published: July 2021

FANCD2 protein, a key coordinator and effector of the interstrand crosslink repair pathway, is also required to prevent excessive nascent strand degradation at hydroxyurea-induced stalled forks. The RAD51 recombinase has also been implicated in regulation of resection at stalled replication forks. The mechanistic contributions of these proteins to fork protection are not well understood. Here, we used purified FANCD2 and RAD51 to study how each protein regulates DNA resection at stalled forks. We showed that FANCD2 inhibits fork degradation in two ways: 1) the N-terminal domain of FANCD2 inhibits DNA2 nuclease activity by directly binding to DNA2. 2) independent of dimerization with FANCI, FANCD2 itself stabilizes RAD51 filaments to inhibit multiple nucleases, including DNA2, MRE11, and EXO1. Unexpectedly, we uncovered a new FANCD2 function: by stabilizing RAD51 filaments, FANCD2 acts as a “RAD51 modulator” to stimulate the strand exchange activity of RAD51. Our work biochemically explains non-canonical mechanisms by which FANCD2 and RAD51 protect stalled forks. We propose a model in which the strand exchange activity of FANCD2 provides a simple molecular explanation for genetic interactions between FANCD2 and the BRCA2 mediator in the FA/BRCA pathway of fork protection
Profiling chromatin accessibility in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples
Authors: Polavarapu Vamsi Krishna , Xing Pengwei , Zhang Hua , Zhao Miao , Mathot Lucy , Zhao Linxuan , Rosen Gabriela , Swartling Fredrik J. , Sjöblom Tobias , Chen Xingqi
Published: July 2021

Archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples are the global standard format for preservation of the majority of biopsies in both basic research and translational cancer studies, and profiling chromatin accessibility in the archived FFPE tissues is fundamental to understanding gene regulation. Accurate mapping of chromatin accessibility from FFPE specimens is challenging because of the high degree of DNA damage. Here, we first showed that standard ATAC-seq can be applied to purified FFPE nuclei but yields lower library complexity and a smaller proportion of long DNA fragments. We then present FFPE-ATAC, the first highly sensitive method for decoding chromatin accessibility in FFPE tissues that combines Tn5-mediated transposition and T7 in vitro transcription. The FFPE-ATAC generates high-quality chromatin accessibility profiles with 500 nuclei from a single FFPE tissue section, enables the dissection of chromatin profiles from the regions of interest with the aid of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and reveals disease-associated chromatin regulation from the human colorectal cancer FFPE tissue archived for more than 10 years. In summary, the approach allows decoding of the chromatin states that regulate gene expression in archival FFPE tissues, thereby permitting investigators, to better understand epigenetic regulation in cancer and precision medicine.
Multiplexed identification of RAS paralog imbalance as a driver of lung cancer growth
Authors: Tang Rui , Shuldiner Emily G. , Kelly Marcus , Murray Christopher W. , Hebert Jess D. , Andrejka Laura , Tsai Min K. , Hughes Nicholas W. , Parker Mitchell I , Cai Hongchen , Li Yao-Cheng , Wahl Geoffrey M. , Dunbrack Roland L. , Jackson Peter K. , Petrov Dmitri A. , Winslow Monte M.
Published: July 2021

Oncogenic KRAS mutations occur in approximately 30% of lung adenocarcinoma. Despite several decades of effort, oncogenic KRAS-driven lung cancer remains difficult to treat, and our understanding of the positive and negative regulators of RAS signaling is incomplete. To uncover the functional impact of diverse KRAS-interacting proteins on lung cancer growth in vivo, we used multiplexed somatic CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing in genetically engineered mouse models with tumor barcoding and high-throughput barcode sequencing. Through a series of CRISPR/Cas9 screens in autochthonous lung tumors, we identified HRAS and NRAS as key suppressors of KRASG12D-driven tumor growth in vivo and confirmed these effects in oncogenic KRAS-driven human lung cancer cell lines. Mechanistically, RAS paralogs interact with oncogenic KRAS, suppress KRAS-KRAS interactions, and reduce downstream ERK signaling. HRAS mutations identified in KRAS-driven human tumors partially abolished this effect. Comparison of the tumor-suppressive effects of HRAS and NRAS in KRAS- and BRAF-driven lung cancer models confirmed that RAS paralogs are specific suppressors of oncogenic KRAS-driven lung cancer in vivo. Our study outlines a technological avenue to uncover positive and negative regulators of oncogenic KRAS-driven cancer in a multiplexed manner in vivo and highlights the role of RAS paralog imbalance in oncogenic KRAS-driven lung cancer.
Structure and Mechanism of Hedgehog Acyl Transferase
Authors: Coupland Claire E. , Andrei Sebastian A. , Ansell T. Bertie , Carrique Loic , Kumar Pramod , Sefer Lea , Schwab Rebekka A , Byrne Eamon F.X. , Pardon Els , Steyaert Jan , Magee Anthony I. , Lanyon-Hogg Thomas. , Sansom Mark S. P. , Tate Edward W. , Siebold Christian
Published: July 2021

The iconic Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) morphogen pathway is a fundamental orchestrator of embryonic development and stem cell maintenance, and is implicated in cancers in various organs. A key step in signalling is transfer of a palmitate group to the N-terminal cysteine residue of SHH, catalysed by the multi-pass transmembrane enzyme Hedgehog acyltransferase (HHAT) resident in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, we present the high-resolution cryo-EM structure of HHAT bound to substrate analogue palmityl-coenzyme A and a SHH mimetic megabody. Surprisingly, we identified a heme group bound to an HHAT cysteine residue and show that this modification is essential for HHAT structure and function. A structure of HHAT bound to potent small molecule inhibitor IMP-1575 revealed conformational changes in the active site which occlude substrate binding. Our multidisciplinary analysis provides a detailed view of the novel mechanism by which HHAT adapts the membrane environment to transfer a long chain fatty acid across the ER membrane from cytosolic acyl-CoA to a luminal protein substrate. This structure of a member of the protein-substrate membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT) superfamily provides a blueprint for other protein substrate MBOATs, such as WNT morphogen acyltransferase Porcupine and ghrelin O-acyltransferase GOAT, and a template for future drug discovery.
Unsupervised characterization of dynamic functional connectivity reveals age-associated differences in temporal stability and connectivity states during rest and task
Authors: Sastry Nisha Chetana , Roy Dipanjan , Banerjee Arpan
Published: July 2021

Understanding brain functions as an outcome of underlying neuro-cognitive network mechanisms in rest and task requires accurate spatiotemporal characterization of the relevant functional brain networks. Recent endeavours of the Neuroimaging community to develop the notion of dynamic functional connectivity is a step in this direction. A key goal is to detect what are the important events in time that delimits how one functional brain network defined by known patterns of correlated brain activity transitions into a “new” network. Such characterization can also lead to more accurate conceptual realization of brain states, thereby, defined in terms of time-resolved correlations. Nonetheless, identifying the canonical temporal window over which dynamic functional connectivity is operational is currently based on an ad-hoc selection of sliding windows that can certainly lead to spurious results. Here, we introduce a data-driven unsupervised approach to characterize the high dimensional dynamic functional connectivity into dynamics of lower dimensional patterns. The whole-brain dynamic functional connectivity states bearing functional significance for task or rest can be explored through the temporal correlations, both short and long range. The present study investigates the stability of such short- and long-range temporal correlations to explore the dynamic network mechanisms across resting state, movie viewing and sensorimotor action tasks requiring varied degrees of attention. As an outcome of applying our methods to the fMRI data of a healthy ageing cohort we could quantify whole-brain temporal dynamics which indicates naturalistic movie watching task is closer to resting state than the sensorimotor task. Our analysis also revealed an overall trend of highest short range temporal network stability in the sensorimotor task, followed by naturalistic movie watching task and resting state that remains similar in both young and old adults. However, the stability of neurocognitive networks in the resting state in young adults is higher than their older counterparts. Thus, healthy ageing related differences in quantification of network stability along task and rest provides a blueprint of how our approach can be used for cohort studies of mental health and neurological disorders.
A Mouse Model of Brittle Cornea Syndrome caused by mutation in Zfp469
Authors: Stanton Chloe M. , Findlay Amy S. , Drake Camilla , Mustafa Mohammad Z. , Gautier Philippe , McKie Lisa , Jackson Ian J. , Vitart Veronique
Published: July 2021

Brittle Cornea Syndrome (BCS) is a rare recessive condition characterised by extreme thinning of the cornea and sclera. BCS results from loss-of-function mutations in the poorly understood genes ZNF469 or PRDM5. In order to determine the function of ZNF469 and to elucidate pathogenic mechanisms, we used genome editing to recapitulate a human ZNF469 BCS mutation in the orthologous mouse gene, Zfp469. Ophthalmic phenotyping showed that homozygous Zfp469 mutation causes significant central and peripheral corneal thinning arising from reduced stromal thickness. Expression of key components of the corneal stroma in primary keratocytes from Zfp469BCS/BCS mice is affected, including decreased Col1a1 and Col1a2 expression. This alters the type I:type V collagen ratio and results in collagen fibrils with smaller diameter and increased fibril density in homozygous mutant corneas, correlating with decreased biomechanical strength in the cornea. Cell-derived matrices generated by primary keratocytes show reduced deposition of type I collagen offering an in vitro model for stromal dysfunction. Work remains to determine whether modulating ZNF469 activity will have therapeutic benefit in BCS or in conditions such as keratoconus where the cornea thins progressively.

Summary statement

A mouse model of Brittle Cornea Syndrome was created to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying pathology of this rare connective tissue disorder in which extremely thin corneas rupture, causing irreversible blindness.
Transcranial photoacoustic characterization of neurovascular physiology during early-stage photothrombotic stroke in neonatal piglets in vivo
Authors: Kang Jeeun , Liu Xiuyun , Cao Suyi , Zeiler Steven R. , Graham Ernest M. , Boctor Emad M. , Koehler Raymond C.
Published: July 2021

Perinatal ischemic stroke is estimated to occur in 1/2300–1/5000 live births, but early differential diagnosis from global hypoxia-ischemia is often difficult. In this study, we tested the ability of a hand-held transcranial photoacoustic (PA) imaging to non-invasively detect a focal photothrombotic stroke (PTS) within 2 hours of stroke onset in a gyrencephalic piglet brain. 17 stroke lesions of approximately 1-cm2 area were introduced randomly in anterior or posterior cortex via the light/dye PTS technique in anesthetized neonatal piglets (n = 11). The contralateral non-ischemic region served as control tissue for discrimination contrast for the PA hemoglobin metrics: HbO2 saturation, total hemoglobin (tHb), and individual quantities of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2 and HbR). The PA-derived tissue HbO2 saturation at 2 hours yielded a significant separation between control and affected regions-of-interest (p < 0.0001), which were well matched with 24-hr post-stroke cerebral infarction confirmed in the triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC)-stained image. The quantity of HbO2 also displayed a significant contrast (p = 0.021), whereas tHb and HbR did not. The analysis on receiver operating characteristic curves and multivariate data analysis also agreed with the results above. This study shows that a hand-held transcranial PA neuroimaging can detect a regional thrombotic stroke in cerebral cortex of a neonatal piglet. In particular, we conclude that the HbO2 saturation metric can be used alone to identify regional stroke lesions. The lack of change in tHb may be related to arbitrary hand-held imaging configuration and/or entrapment of red blood cells within the thrombotic stroke.
Non-invasive imaging of gene expression and protein secretion dynamics in living mice: identification of ectopic prothrombin expression as driver of thrombosis in cancer
Authors: Nourse Jamie , Tokalov Sergey , Khokhar Shazad , Khan Essak , Schott Lina K. , Hinz Lisa , Eder Ludwig , Arnold-Schild Danielle , Satrapa Johanna , Lackner Karl J. , Cate Hugo Ten , Probst Hans Christian , Danckwardt Sven
Published: July 2021

The topology of gene expression and protein localization is a crucial characteristic of life, where the spatiotemporal dynamic of secretory proteins instruct higher order organization, including the orchestration of developmental and adaptive programs. However tools to non-invasively interrogate the fate of secretory proteins in vivo are scarce. Here we introduce a genetic tagging strategy for in vivo imaging of the secretion and expression dynamics of secretory proteins in living animals. Applying this to a prototypical liver-derived secretory protein, we demonstrate that this approach, combined with optical in-vivo imaging, uncovers extrahepatic prothrombin expression in multiple novel anatomical sites (including testes, placenta, brain, kidney, heart and lymphatic system) and in emerging tumors, resulting in significant amounts of tumor-derived prothrombin in the blood with procoagulant properties. Syngeneic cell lines from this mouse model enable unravelling regulatory mechanisms in high resolution, and in a scalable format ex vivo. Beyond discovering new functions of proteins in a targeted manner, this model allows identifying rheostats in the cross-talk between gene expression and availability of a secretory protein. It is also a valuable resource for uncovering novel (tissue-specific) therapeutic vulnerabilities.
Pyroptosis-dependent and -independent cross-priming of CD8+ T cells by intestinal epithelial cell-derived antigen
Authors: Deets Katherine A. , Nichols Randilea D. , Rauch Isabella , Vance Russell E.
Published: July 2021

The innate immune system detects pathogens and initiates adaptive immune responses. Inflammasomes are central components of the innate immune system, but whether inflammasomes provide sufficient signals to activate adaptive immunity is unclear. In intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), inflammasomes activate a lytic form of cell death called pyroptosis, leading to epithelial cell expulsion and the release of cytokines. Here we employed a genetic system to show that simultaneous antigen expression and inflammasome activation specifically in IECs is sufficient to activate CD8+ T cells. By genetic elimination of direct T cell priming by IECs, we found that IEC-derived antigens are cross-presented to CD8+ T cells. However, activation of CD8+ T cells by IEC-derived antigen only partially depended on IEC pyroptosis. In the absence of inflammasome activation, cross-priming of CD8+ T cells required Batf3+ dendritic cells (cDC1), whereas cross-priming in the presence of pyroptosis did not. These data suggest the existence of parallel pyroptosis-dependent and pyroptosis-independent but cDC1-dependent pathways for cross-presentation of IEC-derived antigens.
MLKL D144K mutation activates the necroptotic activity of the N-terminal MLKL domain
Authors: Hrovat-Schaale Katja , Kalič-Prolinšek Maruša , Hadži San , Lah Jurij , Gunčar Gregor
Published: July 2021

Mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) is an essential effector protein of necroptotic cell death. The four-helix bundle domain (4HB) presented by the first 125 amino acids of the N-terminal domain is sufficient for its necroptotic activity. However, it has been proposed that the subsequent helix H6 of the brace region has a regulatory effect on its necroptotic activity. How the brace region restrains the necroptotic activity of the N-terminal domain of MLKL is currently unknown. Here, we demonstrate the importance of helix H6 to constrain the necroptotic activity. A single amino acid mutation D144K was able to activate the necroptotic activity of the N-terminal domain of MLKL by removing helix H6 away from 4HB domain. This enabled protein’s oligomerization and membrane translocation. Moreover, a biophysical comparison revealed that helix H6 becomes partially unstructured due to D144K mutation, leading to a lower overall thermodynamic stability of the mutant protein compared to the wild type.
Legionella pneumophila targets autophagosomes and promotes host autophagy during late infection
Authors: Noll Rebecca R. , Pike Colleen M. , Lehman Stephanie S. , Williamson Chad D. , Neunuebel M. Ramona
Published: July 2021

Autophagy is a fundamental eukaryotic process that mediates clearance of unwanted molecules and facilitates nutrient release. The bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila establishes an intracellular niche within phagocytes by manipulating host cellular processes, such as autophagy. Effector proteins translocated by L. pneumophila’s Dot/Icm type IV secretion system have been shown to suppress autophagy. However evidence suggests that overall inhibition of autophagy may be detrimental to the bacterium. As autophagy contributes to cellular homeostasis and nutrient acquisition, L. pneumophila may translocate effectors that promote autophagy for these benefits. Here, we show that effector protein Lpg2411 binds phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate lipids and preferentially binds autophagosomes. Translocated Lpg2411 accumulates late during infection and co-localizes with the autophagy receptor p62 and ubiquitin. Furthermore, autophagy is inhibited to a greater extent in host cells infected with a mutant strain lacking Lpg2411 compared to those infected with wild-type L. pneumophila, indicating that Lpg2411 stimulates autophagy to support the bacterium’s intracellular lifestyle.

Legionella pneumophila translocates several effector proteins that inhibit autophagic processes. In this study, we find that the effector protein Lpg2411 targets autophagosomes during late stages of infection and promotes autophagy.
The molecular appearance of native TRPM7 channel complexes identified by high-resolution proteomics
Authors: Kollewe Astrid , Chubanov Vladimir , Tseung Fong Tsuen , Haupt Alexander , Müller Catrin Swantje , Bildl Wolfgang , Schulte Uwe , Nicke Annette , Fakler Bernd , Gudermann Thomas
Published: July 2021

The transient receptor potential melastatin-subfamily member 7 (TRPM7) is a ubiquitously expressed membrane protein consisting of ion channel and protein kinase domains. TRPM7 plays a fundamental role in the cellular uptake of divalent cations such as Zn2+, Mg2+ and Ca2+, and thus shapes cellular excitability, plasticity and metabolic activity. The molecular appearance and operation of TRPM7 channel complexes in native tissues have remained unresolved. Here, we investigated the subunit composition of endogenous TRPM7 channels in rodent brain by multi-epitope affinity purification and high-resolution quantitative MS analysis. We found that native TRPM7 channels are high molecular-weight multi-protein complexes that contain the putative metal transporter proteins CNNM1-4 and a small G-protein ARL15. Heterologous reconstitution experiments confirmed the formation of TRPM7/CNNM/ARL15 ternary complexes and indicated that ARL15 effectively and specifically impacts TRPM7 channel activity. These results open up new avenues towards a mechanistic understanding of the cellular regulation and function of TRPM7 channels.

Impact Statement

High-resolution proteomics in conjunction with biochemical and electrophysiological experiments revealed that the channel-kinase TRPM7 in the rodent brain forms macromolecular complexes containing the metal transporters CNNM1-4 and a small G protein ARL15.
Functional diversity increases the efficacy of phage combinations
Authors: Wright Rosanna C. T. , Friman Ville-Petri , Smith Margaret C. M. , Brockhurst Michael A.
Published: July 2021

Phage therapy is a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics for treating bacterial infections. Such phage-based therapeutics typically contain multiple phages, but how the efficacy of phage combinations scales with phage richness, identity and functional traits is unclear. Here, we experimentally tested the efficacy of 827 unique phage combinations ranging in phage richness from 1 to 12 phages. The efficacy of phage combinations increased with phage richness. However, complementarity between functionally diverse phages allowed efficacy to be maximised at lower levels of phage richness in functionally diverse combinations. These findings suggest that phage functional diversity is the key property of effective phage combinations, enabling the design of simple but effective phage therapies that overcome the practical and regulatory hurdles that limit development of more diverse phage therapy cocktails.
Characterizing nucleotide variation and expansion dynamics in human-specific variable number tandem repeats
Authors: Course Meredith M. , Sulovari Arvis , Gudsnuk Kathryn , Eichler Evan E. , Valdmanis Paul N.
Published: July 2021

There are more than 55,000 variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) in the human genome, notable for both their striking polymorphism and mutability. Despite their role in human evolution and genomic variation, they have yet to be studied collectively and in detail, partially owing to their large size, variability, and predominant location in noncoding regions. Here, we examine 467 VNTRs that are human-specific expansions, unique to one location in the genome, and not associated with retrotransposons. We leverage publicly available long-read genomes, including from the Human Genome Structural Variant Consortium, to ascertain the exact nucleotide composition of these VNTRs and compare their composition of alleles. We then confirm repeat unit composition in more than 3000 short-read samples from the 1000 Genomes Project. Our analysis reveals that these VNTRs contain highly structured repeat motif organization, modified by frequent deletion and duplication events. Although overall VNTR compositions tend to remain similar between 1000 Genomes Project superpopulations, we describe a notable exception with substantial differences in repeat composition (in PCBP3), as well as several VNTRs that are significantly different in length between superpopulations (in ART1, PROP1, DYNC2I1, and LOC102723906). We also observe that most of these VNTRs are expanded in archaic human genomes, yet remain stable in length between single generations. Collectively, our findings indicate that repeat motif variability, repeat composition, and repeat length are all informative modalities to consider when characterizing VNTRs and their contribution to genomic variation.
Whistleblowing and accounting for the public interest: a call for new directions
Authors: Quayle Annette
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to generate new research directions at the intersection of accounting, whistleblowing and publicness: defined as the attainment of public goals, interests and values.

Design/methodology/approach

A problematising review is used to challenge and rethink the existing accounting and whistleblowing literature by incorporating readings from the public interest and public value literature. The paper draws on the work of Dewey (1927), Bozeman (2007) and Benington (2009) to open up new ways of theorising relations between accounting, whistleblowing and publicness.

Findings

Firstly, the paper develops a public interest theoretical framework which shows whistleblowing is a public value activity that moves organisational wrongdoing into the public sphere where it is subject to democratic debate and dialogue required to reconcile the public's interests with what the public values. Secondly, this framework provides one answer to continuing questions in the literature of how to define accountings relationship to the public interest. Finally, the paper suggests this conceptual framework be used to stimulate debate on whether and how one should expand existing accounting and accountability knowledge boundaries to incorporate the broader social, political and moral concerns highlighted by whistleblowers acting in the public interest.

Originality/value

Accounting and whistleblowing research has ignored the theoretical implications of whistleblowing in the public interest. The paper shows how accounting and accountability can respond to the challenges of a shifting and intangible public interest by providing a conceptual framework to guide current and future theoretical questions of how accounting is connected to the public interest.
Unveiling the veiled: Wikipedia collaborating with academic libraries in Africa in creating visibility for African women through Art+Feminism Wikipedia edit-a-thon
Authors: Ukwoma Scholastica Chizoma , Osadebe Ngozi Eunice , Okafor Victoria Nwamaka , Ezeani Chinwe Nwogo
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to show that digital literacy can serve as a tool for effecting social change and highlights the achievements of an academic library in digital content creation using the Wikipedia platform.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted qualitative research method, Interview and document analysis were used for data gathering. Data gathered were analysed using content (conceptual) analysis.

Findings

Findings showed that the library has created or edited digital content for various categories of women, such as women in academia, industry and politics. These entries have received more than eight million views over a period of two years, which shows that the entries are being utilised. However, the editing exercise had been confronted with challenges such as accessing reliable citations in terms of the notability and verifiability policy of Wikipedia amongst others.

Practical implications

Currently, people rely more on online resources for their research, leaving physical library resources unused. Even, more students start their research online using Wikipedia. Thus, libraries could create visibility for their physical material using regularly visited sites like Wikipedia and its sister projects such as Wikidata; otherwise, these physical materials will remain invisible to the people that needed them.

Originality/value

Contributing to Wikipedia by creating a new entry or editing an existing one can help students to deepen their knowledge about a subject; Wikipedia editing may serve as an avenue for improving information literacy skills. Drawing from the theory of cyberfeminism as used in the study, information and communications technology has the potential to empower women and transform gender relations.
Jindal panther: the creation of a brand
Authors: Tapar Archit Vinod , Bhattacharjee Somraj , Kumar Jitender
Published: July 2021

Learning outcomes

The case focuses on the importance of the brand-building process, which takes place in B2B companies. Commodity companies focus a lot on the sales and distribution aspect of their marketing strategies but do not emphasize the importance of developing their brands. At the end of the discussion, the participants would be able: to examine the steps involved in conceptualizing the brand identity for an existing product in a highly competitive B2B market, as per Kapferer’s Brand Identity Matrix. To understand the steps involved in the journey of internal and external brand-building processes in B2B. To analyze the various challenges and issues faced by large organizations dealing in the metals and commodity business.

Case overview/synopsis

The case discusses a marketing challenge faced by Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) in launching a new brand of thermomechanical treatment (TMT) products in the market. Traditionally, the company had focused on the sales and distribution aspect of their marketing strategies but did not emphasize the importance of developing their brands. This case is based upon the challenges faced in the creation of a new brand identity for JSPL’s TMT products by the protagonist, Mr Paras Sharma (who is the brand custodian and manager in this case).

Complexity academic level

Postgraduate/Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Masters in Management Studies, Executive MBA.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
Netflix in India: expanding to success
Authors: Nafees Lubna , Mehdi Mokhalles , Gupta Rakesh , Kalia Shalini , Banerjee Sayan , Kapoor Shivani
Published: July 2021

Learning outcomes

After completing the case, students should be able to understand: the importance and uniqueness of the individual market and developing a suitable marketing strategy. The concept of value creation and learn the importance of developing the right value proposition to compete and succeed in a market. The target audience and how to create the right marketing mix. Competition in a digital landscape and the importance of developing an appropriate strategy to counter its rivals and position the brand effectively.

Case overview/synopsis

During his visit to India in December 2019, Netflix’s founder and chief executive officer Reed Hastings talked about a series of steps the company had taken in the recent past to successfully face stiff competition and move towards achieving its stated target of 100 million viewers. These steps involved significant changes in their marketing mix such as reworking their pricing, developing a rich portfolio of Indian content and building various partnerships. Since Netflix’s launch in India (December 2016), it faced fierce competition from players such as Hotstar and Amazon Prime, both of whom had developed a rich portfolio of Indian content and adopted a very aggressive pricing strategy thus, making these changes essential. At the time of their launch, Netflix had set a very ambitious target of gaining 100 million viewers within five years (by 2021) while adopting a premium pricing strategy and positioning themselves uniquely based on their international content. They quickly learned that they would have to reevaluate their approach if they wanted to achieve their target on time. The changes announced by Hastings were an effort in that direction. The moot question was whether these steps would help Netflix India reach its goal. This challenge was further compounded by an almost 40% hike in data tariffs by three major wireless carriers considering most Indians watched over-the-top media content on their mobile phones.

Complexity academic level

The case is designed for undergraduates, as well as for fundamental marketing courses in the Master of Business Administration and other graduate level programmes. It can be taught in the Principles of Marketing, Marketing Strategy and International Marketing courses. It is ideal for topics such as understanding the operation of a digital business in a new market, customer value creation and value drivers, brand and brand positioning, product promotion, strategies for business growth and expansion, fighting competition in a digital landscape.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
End of life analysis of solar photovoltaic panel: roadmap for developing economies
Authors: Ndzibah Emmanuel , Andrea Pinilla-De La Cruz Giovanna , Shamsuzzoha Ahm
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework for handling end of life (henceforth EoL) scenarios of solar photovoltaic (solar PV) panels, which includes different options available to businesses and end-users, as well as promoting the collaboration between government and all relevant stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts purposeful sampling, secondary data and content analysis to develop an appropriate conceptual framework that helps to create awareness of the appropriate options for dealing with the EoL cases of solar PV panels.

Findings

From the data analysis, it is revealed that reuse, repair and recycling of solar PV panels can ensure value creation, public-private partnership and a solution for education in sustainability, and thus, prolonging the useful life cycle of the products.

Research limitations/implications

This paper limits the analysis on developing economies and the use of selected literature based on the recycling of solar PV panels.

Originality/value

This paper is an initial attempt to create an awareness by identifying, analyzing and educating the stakeholders to handle appropriately any EoL scenario of solar PV panels.
Determinants of willingness to pay for traditional bundles: a study from India
Authors: Patel Shivan Sanjay , Pandey Shivendra Kumar , Sharma Dheeraj
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The present research aims to identify critical antecedents of willingness to pay (WTP) for traditional bundles (those comprising only goods or services) in an emerging market context. Further, it differentiates the relative importance of the determinants of customers' WTP according to the bundle type.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from Indian customers. The paper uses conjoint analysis with an orthogonal design. The experimental conditions were manipulated using vignettes.

Findings

The results indicated that purchase autonomy was considered the most important driver for customer's WTP in the case of traditional bundles. Quality variability, overall bundle quality and complementarity followed autonomy in the order of importance. Moreover, the interaction effects of autonomy and complementarity with bundle type significantly influenced the customer's WTP. Customers had a higher WTP for services bundle in high autonomy and goods bundle in high complementarity situations.

Practical implications

Retailers should allow customers to buy either the entire bundle or its components separately, irrespective of the type of traditional bundle. They should try to make bundles whose perceived quality varies significantly in the target customers. Retailers should try to keep complementary components in the goods-only bundle.

Originality/value

The present study extends the relationship of the WTP with its antecedents to traditional bundles. Earlier studies have only studied these relationships for hybrid (combination of goods and services) bundles. With the current study results, retailers can bundle traditional bundles (goods only and services only).
Social marketing, shock advertising and risky consumption behavior
Authors: Mukattash Ibrahim Lewis , Dandis Ala' Omar , Thomas Robert , Nusair Mohammad B. , Mukattash Tareq Lewis
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The overall objective of this research is to “explore whether shock advertising has a long-lasting positive effect on the smoking cessation among smoking Jordanians in a country where smoking is a deep-rooted social norm.”

Design/methodology/approach

This research is an exploratory qualitative research. A purposeful sampling technique was used to select participants from a mall intercept and randomly divided into groups of seven. Each group was interviewed in two different focus group sessions (four weeks apart). All focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings

A total of 41 participants took part in the focus group session. Most participants were smokers or second-hand smokers. “Three overarching themes were generated from the focus groups: previous anti-smoking campaign experience, shock advertising (SA) impact and drawbacks of SA. All participants reported that they have never been exposed to shocking adverts, and the shock appeal has never been applied in any of the anti-smoking or health awareness campaigns in Jordan. This research revealed that incorporating images of children with a mixture of emotional and fear appeals is effective in targeting Jordanian parents' negative consumptive behaviors, which may harm other individuals, especially children. Moreover, most participants commented that the effects of shock adverts would be very short term and would not likely change behaviors”.

Originality/value

This research contributes both “theoretically and practically to the value and effectiveness of shock advertising. This research area is overlooked in MENA countries, particularly Jordan”.
Bibliometric analyses on the emergence and present growth of humanistic management
Authors: Koon Vui-Yee
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In recent years, scientific research on humanistic perspectives and their impact on management has grown exponentially. This study aims to explore the overview and its essential features of humanism management and its precursors (i.e., humanism). Bibliometric findings on the advent and current developmental patterns of humanistic management publications are described.

Design/methodology/approach

Terminology confusions (e.g. humanism philosophy vs humanistic management) are identified and addressed in bibliometric analyses using the 160 peer-reviewed articles on humanism in management for the duration between 2000 and 2020. Four metrics such as citation analysis, co-citations, bibliographic coupling and keywords co-occurrences are measured.

Findings

This study presents a new methodological approach by identifying the most significant authors, articles and journals and determining the three thematic clusters, such as empirical humanism research, humanistic in practice and humanism philosophy.

Originality/value

While humanistic business management is a discipline in its infancy, the attention of management researchers has expanded considerably in recent years as numerous literature streams emerge. The three keywords that appeared the most in the analysis are human (18), humanistic (17), and human dignity (16), and these keywords seem to consist mainly of three thematic clusters. Studies on humanistic management have progressed from an earlier focus on philosophy subjects (oldest keywords) to more practical studies on humanistic management, leadership, and dignity.
Unprepared industry meet pandemic: COVID-19 and the South Africa construction industry
Authors: Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis , Aghimien Douglas Omoregie , Thwala Wellington Didibhuku , Ngozwana Moleboheng Ntebo
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to determine the responses of construction organisations to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its associated lockdown and the impact on the South African construction industry (SACI).

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a quantitative survey with responses sought from 825 contracting organisation’s representatives drawn from the database of the construction industry development board. The data gathered were analysed using percentage, mean item score and one-samplet-test. The reliability of the research instrument was also tested using the Cronbach alpha test.

Findings

Findings revealed that most construction organisations implemented a complete travel ban and halting all business operations on sites and offices in a bid to curb the spread of the virus. Furthermore, whilst most construction organisations envisage significant disruption in their project delivery, the problem of job losses was regarded as a short, medium and long-term impact of the pandemic. Loss of revenue, a decline in the economy and business interruption are also some of the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the SACI.

Originality/value

The study’s findings give practical insights on the potential impact of the pandemic on the construction industry and the possible approach needed to help cushion the effect on the industry.
Stock market reactions to voluntary integrated reporting
Authors: Nakajima Yuzuka , Inaba Yushi
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of voluntary adoption of integrated reporting on the stock prices of firms in Japan.

Design/methodology/approach

The event study methodology was used to analyze the stock market reactions to voluntary integrated report (IR) publication. Abnormal returns were estimated for 1,602 observations of 490 firms publishing IRs in Japan using the market model. The t-test, the Boehmer et al., 1991 test and the generalized sign test examined the significance of the cumulative average abnormal returns (CAARs).

Findings

The study reveals that the stock market reacts positively to voluntary IR publication by firms, especially in 2019 and 2015. Additionally, it reveals a tendency for higher CAARs around IR publication dates than around corporate social responsibility report publication dates, especially in 2016 and 2015.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study include the possibility of self-selection bias and omitted variable bias.

Practical implications

This study suggests that firms can earn higher abnormal returns in the stock market through environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure in IRs, corroborating the recently rising investor interest in voluntary integrated reporting in Japan.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on the value relevance of voluntary adoption of integrated reporting by providing evidence of firms achieving significantly positive abnormal returns around voluntary IR publication dates. There is no published analysis on this topic using multitudes of sample firms using the event study methodology.
Corporate governance and integrated reporting: evidence of French companies
Authors: Hichri Abir
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to draw on the agency theory to examine the relationship between corporate governance and integrated reporting on a sample of 120 listed French companies making up the SBF 120 Index during the period 2016–2019.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted in the present study consists of the hypothetico-deductive approach. Thus, as part of this quantitative approach, the authors aim at investigating the hypotheses concerning the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on integrated reporting. Moreover, the applied data are analyzed using the multiple linear regressions.

Findings

The finding of this study is that the cognitive diversity and audit committees have a positive and significant effect on integrated reporting. However, the chief executive officer’s duality and the board’s size have a positive and non-significant effect on integrated reporting.

Originality/value

In fact, this study contributes to the literature on the practices of integrated reporting. Faced with the rarity of studies linking the corporate governance mechanisms and the integrated reporting, this study makes a huge contribution to the determinants of integrated reporting.
Integrated sustainable urban planning: a new agenda for future urban planning in Malaysia
Authors: Rasoolimanesh S. Mostafa , Badarulzaman Nurwati , Abdullah Aldrin , Behrang Mohsen
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an integrated urban planning framework to achieve sustainable urban development (SUD) in the Malaysian context.

Design/methodology/approach

In the course of developing this framework, this paper reviews the related literature and Malaysian policies, programs and plans.

Findings

The findings highlight the importance of developing an integrated urban planning framework with respect to the processes, content and outcomes to achieve SUD in the Malaysian context. Successful SUD planning should be participatory and based on building consensus. Moreover, the content of the plan should include economic growth, social inclusion and development and environmental protection components.

Originality/value

This study makes a valuable theoretical contribution to the SUD and urban planning literature by proposing an urban planning framework for the promotion of SUD. In addition, this study has a number of practical implications for the Government of Malaysia and local authorities aiming to facilitate SUD.
Consumers with vulnerabilities: in-store satisfaction of visually impaired and legally blind
Authors: Celik Asiye Ayben , Yakut Enis
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper, focusing on the visually impaired and legally blind consumer, is to explore the relationship between the perceived consumer vulnerability on customer satisfaction and the effect of satisfaction on the intention of repurchase and recommendation as the determinants of store loyalty in an apparel store context.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted on 216 visually impaired and legally blind consumers in the province of Manisa, Turkey, concerning their apparel shopping store experiences to examine how the perceived vulnerability influences visually impaired and legally blind consumers’ satisfaction, recommendation and repurchase intentions. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results of the study revealed that as the visually impaired and legally blind consumers perceive themselves more vulnerable, they become more satisfied with the store, and that the more they are satisfied with the store, the more their intention to recommend that store and purchase intention from that store increases. However, the authors’ investigation showed no significant differences between the consumers who were born blind and who became blind later in their life.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature by extending the understanding of visually impaired and legally blind consumers’ perceived vulnerability in the brick-and-mortar stores and demonstrates how it is related to satisfaction as a major driver of post-purchase intentions like recommendation and repurchase. It also exhibits the fact that blind consumers – both congenitally blind and subsequently blind – cope with this vulnerability through their own solutions to go on their lives, and they do not perceive themselves as vulnerable, as it is perceived by the able-bodied.