bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immune activation by a multigene family of lectins with variable tandem repeats in oriental river prawn (
Macrobrachium nipponense
)
Authors: Huang Ying , Huang Xin , Zhou Xuming , Wang Jialin , Zhang Ruidong , Ma Futong , Wang Kaiqiang , Zhang Zhuoxing , Dai Xiaoling , Cao Xueying , Zhang Chao , Han Keke , Ren Qian
Published: September 2020

Genomic regions with repeated sequences are unstable and prone to rapid DNA diversification. However, the role of tandem repeats within the coding region is not fully characterized. Here, we have identified a new hypervariable C-type lectin gene family with different numbers of tandem repeats (Rlecs; R means repeat) in oriental river prawn (
Macrobrachium nipponense
)
.
Two types of repeat units (33 or 30 bp) are identified in the second exon, and the number of repeat units vary from 1 to 9. Rlecs can be classified into 15 types through phylogenetic analysis. The amino acid sequences in the same type of Rlec are highly conservative outside the repeat regions. The main differences among the Rlec types are evident in exon 5. A variable number of tandem repeats in Rlecs may be produced by slip mispairing during gene replication. Alternative splicing contributes to the multiplicity of forms in this lectin gene family, and different types of Rlecs vary in terms of tissue distribution, expression quantity and response to bacterial challenge. These variations suggest that Rlecs have functional diversity. The results of experiments on sugar binding, microbial inhibition and clearance, regulation of antimicrobial peptide gene expression and prophenoloxidase activation indicate that the function of Rlecs with the motif of YRSKDD in innate immunity is enhanced when the number of tandem repeats increases. Our results suggest that Rlecs undergo gene expansion through gene duplication and alternative splicing, which ultimately leads to functional diversity.
Thylakoid membrane reorganizations revealed by small-angle neutron scattering of
Monstera deliciosa
leaves associated with non-photochemical quenching
Authors: Ünnep Renáta , Paul Suman , Zsiros Ottó , Kovács László , Székely Noémi K. , Steinbach Gábor , Appavou Marie-Sousai , Porcar Lionel , Holzwarth Alfred R. , Garab Győző , Nagy Gergely
Published: September 2020

Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) is an important photoprotective mechanism in plants and algae. Although the process is extensively studied, little is known about its relationship with ultrastructural changes of the thylakoid membranes. In order to better understand this relationship, we studied the effects of illumination on the organization of thylakoid membranes in
Monstera deliciosa
leaves. This evergreen species is known to exhibit very large NPQ and to possess giant grana with dozens of stacked thylakoids. It is thus ideally suited for small-angle neutron scattering measurements (SANS)—a non-invasive technique, which is capable of providing spatially and statistically averaged information on the periodicity of the thylakoid membranes and their rapid reorganizations
in vivo
. We show that NPQ-inducing illumination causes a strong decrease in the periodic order of granum thylakoid membranes. Development of NPQ and light-induced ultrastructural changes, as well as the relaxation processes, follow similar kinetic patterns. Surprisingly, whereas NPQ is suppressed by diuron, it impedes only the relaxation of the structural changes and not its formation, suggesting that structural changes do not cause but enable NPQ. We also demonstrate that the diminishment of SANS peak does not originate from light-induced redistribution and reorientation of chloroplasts inside the cells.
Metabolomics of human fasting: new insights about old questions
Authors: Kondoh Hiroshi , Teruya Takayuki , Yanagida Mitsuhiro
Published: September 2020

Since ancient days, human fasting has been performed for religious or political reasons. More recently, fasting has been employed as an effective therapy for weight reduction by obese people, and numerous studies have investigated the physiology of fasting by obese subjects. Well-established fasting markers (butyrates, BCAAs and carnitines) were considered essential energy substitutes after glycogen storage depletion. However, a recently developed metabolomic approach has unravelled previously unappreciated aspects of fasting. Surprisingly, one-third (44) of 120 metabolites investigated increase during 58 h of fasting, including antioxidative metabolites (carnosine, ophthalmic acid, ergothioneine and urates) and metabolites of entire pathways, such as the pentose phosphate pathway. Signalling metabolites (3-hydroxybutyrate and 2-oxoglutarate) and purines/pyrimidines may also serve as transcriptional modulators. Thus, prolonged fasting activates both global catabolism and anabolism, reprogramming metabolic homeostasis.
Cognitive decline heralds onset of symptomatic inherited prion disease
Authors: Mole Joseph , Mead Simon , Rudge Peter , Nihat Akin , Tzehow Mok , Collinge John , Caine Diana
Published: September 2020

The clinical effectiveness of any disease-modifying treatment for prion disease, as for other neurodegenerative disorders, will depend on early treatment before damage to neural tissue is irrevocable. Thus, there is a need to identify markers which predict disease onset in healthy at-risk individuals. Whilst imaging and neurophysiological biomarkers have shown limited use in this regard, we recently reported progressive neurophysiological changes in healthy people with the inherited prion disease mutation P102L (Rudge et al, Brain 2019). We have also previously demonstrated a signature pattern of fronto-parietal dysfunction in mild prion disease (Caine et al., 2015; 2018). Here we address whether these cognitive features anticipate the onset of symptoms in a unique sample of patients with inherited prion disease. In the cross-sectional analysis, we analysed the performance of patients at three time points in the course of disease onset: prior to symptoms (n = 27), onset of subjective symptoms without positive clinical findings (n = 8) and symptomatic with positive clinical findings (n = 24). In the longitudinal analysis, we analysed data from twenty four patients who were presymptomatic at the time of recruitment and were followed up over a period of up to seventeen years, of whom sixteen remained healthy and eight converted to become symptomatic. In the cross-sectional analysis, the key finding was that, relative to a group of 25 healthy non-gene carrier controls, patients with subjective symptoms but without positive clinical findings were impaired on a smaller but very similar set of tests (Trail Making Test part A, Stroop Test, Performance IQ, gesture repetition, figure recall) to those previously found to be impaired in mild prion disease (Caine et al., 2015; 2018). In the longitudinal analysis, Trail Making Test parts A and B, Stroop test and Performance IQ scores significantly discriminated between patients who remained presymptomatic and those who converted, even before the converters reached criteria for formal diagnosis. Notably, performance on the Stroop test significantly discriminated between presymptomatic patients and converters before the onset of clinical symptoms (AUC = .83 (95% CI, 0.62-1.00), p =.009). Thus, we report here, for the first time, neuropsychological abnormalities in healthy patients prior to either symptom onset or clinical diagnosis of IPD. This constitutes an important component of an evolving profile of clinical and biomarker abnormalities in this crucial group for preventive medicine.
Flushing of stagnant premise water systems after the COVID-19 shutdown can reduce infection risk by Legionella and Mycobacterium spp
Authors: Hozalski Raymond M. , LaPara Timothy M. , Zhao Xiaotian , Kim Taegyu , Waak Michael B. , Burch Tucker , McCarty Michael
Published: September 2020

The unprecedented widespread closing of buildings due to the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed water to stagnate in premise plumbing systems, creating conditions that may facilitate the growth of opportunistic pathogens. In this study, we flushed and collected samples from showers in buildings that had been unoccupied for approximately two months and quantified Legionella pneumophila using a commercial cultivation-based assay. In addition, all bacteria, Legionella spp., L. pneumophila, L. pneumophila serogroup 1, non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) were analyzed using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Despite low or negligible total chlorine in the stagnant pre-flush water samples, L. pneumophila were not detected by either method; Legionella spp., NTM, and MAC, however, were widespread. Using quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), estimated risks of clinical illness from exposure to legionella and MAC via showering were generally low, but the risk of subclinical infection via Legionella spp. could exceed a 10-7 daily risk threshold if just a small fraction (≥0.1 %) of those legionellae detected by qPCR are highly infectious. Flushing cold and hot water lines rapidly restored a total chlorine (as chloramine) residual and decreased all bacterial gene targets to building inlet water levels within 30 min. Following flushing, the chlorine residual rapidly dissipated and bacterial gene targets rebounded, approaching pre-flush concentrations after 6 to 7 days of stagnation. These results suggest that stagnant water in premise plumbing may contain elevated levels of opportunistic pathogens; flushing, however, can rapidly improve water quality and reduce the health risk but the improvement will be short-lived if building disuse persists.
SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater settled solids is associated with COVID-19 cases in a large urban sewershed
Authors: Graham Katherine E. , Loeb Stephanie K. , Wolfe Marlene K. , Catoe David , Sinnott-Armstrong Nasa , Kim Sooyeol , Yamahara Kevan M. , Sassoubre Lauren M. , Mendoza Lorelay M. , Roldan-Hernandez Laura , Li Linlin , Wigginton Krista R. , Boehm Alexandria B.
Published: September 2020

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) may be useful for informing public health response to viral diseases like COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. We quantified SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater influent and primary settled solids in two wastewater treatment plants to inform the pre-analytical and analytical approaches, and to assess whether influent or solids harbored more viral targets. The primary settled solids samples resulted in higher SARS-CoV-2 detection frequencies than the corresponding influent samples. Likewise, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was more readily detected in solids using one-step digital droplet (dd)RT-PCR than with two-step RT-QPCR and two-step ddRT-PCR, likely owing to reduced inhibition with the one-step ddRT-PCR assay. We subsequently analyzed a longitudinal time series of 89 settled solids samples from a single plant for SARS-CoV-2 RNA as well as coronavirus recovery (bovine coronavirus) and fecal strength (pepper mild mottle virus, PMMoV) controls. SARS-CoV-2 RNA targets N1 and N2 concentrations correlate positively and significantly with COVID-19 clinical confirmed case counts in the sewershed. Together, the results demonstrate that measuring SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in settled solids may be a more sensitive approach than measuring SARs-CoV-2 in influent.

Abstract Figure
Analysis of actin and focal adhesion organisation in U2OS cells on polymer nanostructures
Authors: Vinje Jakob , Guadagno Noemi Antonella , Progida Cinzia , Sikorski Pawel
Published: September 2020

Cells in their natural environment are embedded in a complex surrounding consisting of biochemical and biomechanical cues directing cell properties and cell behaviour. Nonetheless,in vitrocell studies are typically performed on flat surfaces, with clear differences from the more complex situation cells experiencein vivo. To increase the physiological relevance of these studies, a number of advanced cellular substrates forin vitrostudies have been applied. One of these approaches include flat surfaces decorated with vertically aligned nanostructures.

In this work, we explore how U2OS cells are affected by arrays of polymer nanopillars fabricated on flat glass surfaces. We focus on describing changes to the organisation of the actin cytoskeleton and in the location, number and shape of focal adhesions. From our findings we identify that the cells can be categorised into different regimes based on their spreading and adhesion behaviour on nanopillars. A quantitative analysis suggests that cells seeded on dense nanopillar arrays are suspended on top of the pillars with focal adhesions forming closer to the cell periphery compared to flat surfaces or sparse pillar arrays. This change is analogous to similar responses for cells seeded on soft substrates.

Overall, we show that the combination of high throughput nanofabrication, advanced optical microscopy, molecular biology tools to visualise cellular processes and data analysis can be used to investigate how cells interact with nanostructured surfaces and will in the future help to create culture substrates that induce particular cell function.
Rapid evolution of mammalian HERC6 and independent duplication of a chimeric HERC5/6 gene in rodents and bats suggest an overlooked role of HERCs in antiviral innate immunity
Authors: Jacquet Stéphanie , Pontier Dominique , Etienne Lucie
Published: September 2020

The antiviral innate immunity in mammals has evolved very rapidly in response to pathogen selective pressure. Studying the evolutionary diversification of mammalian antiviral defenses is of main importance to better understand our innate immune repertoire. The small HERC proteins are part of a multigene family including interferon-inducible antiviral effectors. Notably, HERC5 inhibits divergent viruses through the conjugation of ISG15 to diverse proteins-termed as ISGylation. Though HERC6 is the most closely-related protein of HERC5, it lacks the ISGylation function in humans. Interestingly, HERC6 is the main E3-ligase of ISG15 in mice, suggesting adaptive changes in HERC6 with implications in the innate immunity. Therefore, HERC5 and HERC6 have probably diversified through complex evolutionary history in mammals, and such characterization would require an extensive survey of mammalian evolution. Here, we performed mammalian-wide and lineage-specific phylogenetic and genomic analyses of HERC5 and HERC6. We used 83 orthologous sequences from bats, rodents, primates, artiodactyls and carnivores – the top five representative groups of mammalian evolution and the main hosts of viral diversity. We found that mammalian HERC5 has been under weak and differential positive selection in mammals, with only primate HERC5 showing evidences of pathogen-driven selection. In contrast, HERC6 has been under strong and recurrent adaptive evolution in mammals, suggesting past genetic arms-races with viral pathogens. Importantly, we found accelerated evolution in the HERC6 spacer domain, suggesting that it might be a pathogen-mammal interface, targeting a viral protein and/or being the target of virus antagonists. Finally, we identified a HERC5/6 chimeric gene that arose from independent duplication in rodent and bat lineages and encodes for a conserved HERC5 N-terminal domain and divergent HERC6 spacer and HECT domains. This duplicated chimeric gene highlights adaptations that potentially contribute to rodent and bat antiviral innate immunity. Altogether, we found major genetic innovations in mammalian HERC5 and HERC6. Our findings open new research avenues on the functions of HERC6 and HERC5/6 in mammals, and on their implication in antiviral innate immunity.
A Hierarchical 3D-motion Learning Framework for Animal Spontaneous Behavior Mapping
Authors: Huang Kang , Han Yaning , Chen Ke , Pan Hongli , Zhao Gaoyang , Yi Wenling , Li Xiaoxi , Liu Siyuan , Wang Liping , Wei Pengfei
Published: September 2020

Animal behavior usually has a hierarchical structure and dynamics. Therefore, to understand how the neural system coordinates with behaviors, neuroscientists need a quantitative description of the hierarchical dynamics of different behaviors. However, the recent end-to-end machine-learning-based methods for behavior analysis mostly focus on recognizing behavioral identities on a static timescale or based on limited observations. These approaches usually lose rich dynamic information on cross-scale behaviors. Inspired by the natural structure of animal behaviors, we addressed this challenge by proposing a novel parallel and multi-layered framework to learn the hierarchical dynamics and generate an objective metric to map the behavior into the feature space. In addition, we characterized the animal 3D kinematics with our low-cost and efficient multi-view 3D animal motion-capture system. Finally, we demonstrated that this framework could monitor spontaneous behavior and automatically identify the behavioral phenotypes of the transgenic animal disease model. The extensive experiment results suggest that our framework has a wide range of applications, including animal disease model phenotyping and the relationships modeling between the neural circuits and behavior.
Transcriptional Control Of Calmodulin By CAMTA Regulates Neural Excitability
Authors: Vuong-Brender Thanh T. K. , Flynn Sean M. , de Bono Mario
Published: September 2020

Calmodulin (CaM) is the major calcium ion (Ca2+) sensor in many biological processes, regulating for example the CaM kinases, calcineurin, and many ion channels. CaM levels are limiting in cells compared to its myriad targets, but how CaM levels are controlled is poorly understood. We find that CaM abundance in theC. elegansandDrosophilanervous systems is controlled by the CaM-binding transcription activator, CAMTA.C. elegansCAMTA (CAMT-1), like its fly and mammalian orthologues, is expressed widely in the nervous system.camt-1mutants display pleiotropic behavioural defects and altered Ca2+signaling in neurons. Using FACS-RNA Seq we profile multiple neural types incamt-1mutants and find all exhibit reduced CaM mRNA compared to controls. Supplementing CaM levels using a transgene rescuescamt-1mutant phenotypes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) data show that CAMT-1 binds several sites in the calmodulin promoter. CRISPR-mediated deletion of these sites shows they redundantly regulate calmodulin expression. We also find that CaM can feed back to inhibit its own expression by a mechanism that depends on CaM binding sites on CAMT-1. This work uncovers a mechanism that can both activate and inhibit CaM expression in the nervous system, and controls Ca2+homeostasis, neuronal excitability and behavior.
The Coronavirus Network Explorer: Mining a large-scale knowledge graph for effects of SARS-CoV-2 on host cell function
Authors: Krämer Andreas , Billaud Jean-Noël , Tugendreich Stuart , Shiftman Dan , Jones Martin , Green Jeff
Published: September 2020

Building on recent work that identified human host proteins that interact with SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins in the context of an affinity-purification mass spectrometry screen, we use a machine learning-based approach to connect the viral proteins to relevant biological functions and diseases in a large-scale knowledge graph derived from the biomedical literature. Our aim is to explore how SARS-CoV-2 could interfere with various host cell functions, and also to identify additional drug targets amongst the host genes that could potentially be modulated against COVID-19. Results are presented in the form of interactive network visualizations, that allow exploration of underlying experimental evidence. A selection of networks is discussed in the context of recent clinical observations.
Interacting effects of frontal lobe neuroanatomy and working memory capacity to older listeners’ speech recognition in noise
Authors: Giroud Nathalie , Keller Matthias , Meyer Martin
Published: September 2020

Many older adults are struggling with understanding spoken language, particularly when background noise interferes with comprehension. In the present study, we investigated a potential interaction between two well-known factors associated with greater speech-in-noise (SiN) reception thresholds in older adults, namely a) lower working memory capacity and b) age-related structural decline of frontal lobe regions.

In a sample of older adults (N=25) and younger controls (N=13) with normal pure-tone thresholds, SiN reception thresholds and working memory capacity were assessed. Furthermore, T1-weighted structural MR-images were recorded to analyze neuroanatomical traits (i.e., cortical thickness (CT) and cortical surface area (CSA)) of the cortex.

As expected, the older group showed greater SiN reception thresholds compared to the younger group. We also found consistent age-related atrophy (i.e., lower CT) in brain regions associated with SiN recognition namely the superior temporal lobe bilaterally, the right inferior frontal and precentral gyrus, as well as the left superior frontal gyrus. Those older participants with greater atrophy in these brain regions also showed greater SiN reception thresholds. Interestingly, the association between CT in the left superior frontal gyrus and SiN reception thresholds was moderated by individual working memory capacity. Older adults with greater working memory capacity benefitted more strongly from thicker frontal lobe regions when it comes to improve SiN recognition.

Overall, our results fit well into the literature showing that age-related structural decline in auditory- and cognition-related brain areas is associated with greater SiN reception thresholds in older adults. However, we highlight that this association changes as a function of individual working memory capacity. We therefore believe that future interventions to improve SiN recognition in older adults should take into account the role of the frontal lobe as well as individual working memory capacity.

Highlights

Speech-in-noise (SiN) reception thresholds are significantly increased with higher age, independently of pure-tone hearing loss

Greater SiN reception thresholds are associated with cortical thinning in several auditory-, linguistic-, and cognitive-related brain areas, irrespective of pure-tone hearing loss

Greater cortical thinning in the left superior frontal lobe is detrimental for SiN recognition in older, but not younger adults

Older adults with greater working memory capacity benefit more strongly from structural integrity of left superior frontal lobe for SiN recognition
Methylotrophy, alkane-degradation, and pigment production as defining features of the globally distributed yet-uncultured phylum Binatota
Authors: Murphy Chelsea L. , Dunfield Peter F. , Sheremet Andriy , Spear John R. , Stepanauskas Ramunas , Woyke Tanja , Elshahed Mostafa S. , Youssef Noha H.
Published: September 2020

The recent leveraging of genome-resolved metagenomics has opened a treasure trove of genomes from novel uncultured microbial lineages, yet left many clades undescribed. We here present a global analysis of genomes belonging to the Binatota (UBP10), a globally distributed, yet-uncharacterized bacterial phylum. All orders in the Binatota encoded the capacity for aerobic methylotrophy using methanol, methylamine, sulfomethanes, chloromethanes, and potentially methane as substrates. Methylotrophy in the Binatota was characterized by order-specific substrate degradation preferences, as well as extensive metabolic versatility, i.e. the utilization of diverse sets of genes, pathways and combinations to achieve a specific metabolic goal. The genomes also encoded an arsenal of alkane hydroxylases and monooxygenases, potentially enabling growth on a wide range of alkanes and fatty acids. Pigmentation is inferred from a complete pathway for carotenoids (lycopene, β and γ carotenes, xanthins, chlorobactenes, and spheroidenes) production. Further, the majority of genes involved in bacteriochlorophylla,c, anddbiosynthesis were identified; although absence of key genes and failure to identify a photosynthetic reaction center precludes proposing phototrophic capacities. Analysis of 16S rRNA databases showed Binatota’s preferences to terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, hydrocarbon-rich habitats, and sponges supporting their suggested potential role in mitigating methanol and methane emissions, alkanes degradation, and nutritional symbiosis with sponges. Our results expand the lists of methylotrophic, aerobic alkane degrading, and pigment-producing lineages. We also highlight the consistent encountering of incomplete biosynthetic pathways and gene shrapnel in microbial genomes, a phenomenon necessitating careful assessment when assigning putative functions based on a set-threshold of pathway completion.
Investigating cortical buffering effects of acute moderate and light intensity exercise: a cTBS study targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Authors: Manocchio Felicia , Lowe Cassandra J. , Hall Peter A.
Published: September 2020

Background

The beneficial effects of both single-session bouts of aerobic exercise and therapeutic exercise interventions on the cortical regions associated with executive functions (i.e., prefrontal cortex (PFC)) have been well documented. However, it remains unclear whether aerobic exercise can be used to offset temporary fluctuations in cortical activity.

Objective

The current study sought to determine whether a single session of moderate intensity aerobic exercise can offset the attenuating effects of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC).

Methods

Twenty-two right-handed participants between 18-30 years completed a 20 minute session of light intensity (10% heart rate reserve (HRR)) and moderate intensity (50% HRR) exercise in a counterbalanced order. Following each exercise session, participants received active cTBS to the left dlPFC. Changes in executive functions were quantified using a flanker paradigm employed at baseline, post-exercise and post-cTBS time points. Additionally, EEG methodologies were used to measure changes in inhibitory control specific event-related potential components (i.e., P3 and N2) in response to the flanker task.

Results

Behavioural results from the flanker task revealed a significant improvement in task performance following an acute bout of moderate intensity exercise. Furthermore, the effect of cTBS in both light and moderate intensity conditions were non significant Similarly, EEG data from P3 and N2 ERP components revealed no changes to amplitude across time and condition. P3 latency data revealed a significant effect of time in the light intensity condition, such that latency was faster following cTBS. Similarly, latency data within the N2 ERP component revealed a significant effect of time on congruent trials in the light intensity condition; N2 latency was faster following cTBS.

Conclusion

The current study revealed that light and moderate intensity exercise may provide a buffer to cTBS-induced attenuation of the dlPFC. This study provides empirical and theoretical implications on the potential for exercise to promote cognitive control.
Polycomb represses a gene network controlling puberty via modulation of histone demethylaseKdm6bexpression
Authors: Wright Hollis , Aylwin Carlos F. , Toro Carlos A. , Ojeda Sergio R. , Lomniczi Alejandro
Published: September 2020

Female puberty is subject to Polycomb Group (PcG)-dependent transcriptional repression.Kiss1, a puberty-activating gene, is a key target of this silencing mechanism. Using a gain-of-function approach and a systems biology strategy we now show that EED, an essential PcG component, acts in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus to alter the functional organization of a gene network involved in the stimulatory control of puberty. A central node of this network isKdm6b, which encodes an enzyme that erases the PcG-dependent histone modification H3K27me3.Kiss1is a first neighbor in the network; genes encoding glutamatergic receptors and potassium channels are second neighbors. By repressingKdm6bexpression, EED increases H3K27me3 abundance at these gene promoters, reducing gene expression throughout a gene network controlling puberty activation. These results indicate thatKdm6brepression is a basic mechanism used by PcG to modulate the biological output of puberty-activating gene networks.
Short-sale refinancing and earnings response coefficient: evidence from China
Authors: Liu Tingli , Jiang Ying , Hao Lizhong
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Although short selling has been legalized in China for nearly 10 years, due to the existence of short-sale constraints, its impact on corporate governance of listed companies remains unclear. This paper aims to examine the impact of short-sale refinancing on earnings quality after the short-selling constraints have been released. The authors further explore whether this impact is subject to the nature of property rights and shareholding structures.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a sample of A-share firms in China for the period 2014–2016. The authors use earnings response coefficients (ERC) as a proxy for earnings quality. To empirically examine this issue, a matching sample is generated by using propensity score matching method (PSM) to reduce sample selection bias.

Findings

This study provides evidence that deregulation of short selling has positive external effect on corporate governance. The results indicate that the potential short-selling opportunities can effectively suppress earnings manipulation and improve earnings quality. However, the impact of short selling on earnings quality varies for companies with different nature of property rights and shareholding structure.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the relationship between short selling and earnings quality in the unique setting of short-sale refinancing. This study provides new evidence on the impact of short selling at the micro level and calls for further deregulation of short selling. In addition, this study contributes to existing studies on short-sale refinancing by examining an emerging market.
From driver assistance to fully-autonomous: examining consumer acceptance of autonomous vehicle technologies
Authors: Erskine Michael A. , Brooks Stoney , Greer Timothy H. , Apigian Charles
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to inform researchers who are examining the adoption of autonomous vehicle technology and to provide marketing insights for developers and manufacturers of such vehicles and their ancillary technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study assesses consumer attitudes and behavioral intentions regarding autonomous vehicles (AV) by applying the consumer version of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2). We validate the model through a behavioral research study (n= 1,154).

Findings

The findings suggest that attitude toward AV is primarily formed through performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and hedonic motivation. Furthermore, the level of autonomy has limited effects on attitude.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine attitudes toward AV through the theoretical lens of UTAUT2. Additionally, this study provides insights into consumer perceptions and the corresponding effects on attitude by moderating the level of autonomy.
Journal of entrepreneurship in emerging economies (JEEE): reflecting on the past five years while thinking about the future
Authors: Chan Wen Li , Mustafa Michael James
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of studies published in theJournal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies(JEEE) between 2014 and 2019. The review also provides suggestions for future research in JEEE.

Design/methodology/approach

Integrative literature of 90 empirical and conceptual articles published in JEEE between 2014 and 2019. The selected articles were analyzed using content analysis.

Findings

Analysis of the 90 published articles shows that JEEE has covered a number of relevant topics related to entrepreneurship and innovation in emerging economies. In particular, scholars have adopted a variety of methods to describe such activities in emerging economies. The review also highlights the lack of comparative studies in JEEE and studies, which significantly take into account or focus on the emerging economy context.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that future scholars wishing to submit to JEEE should consider taking a more detailed account of the emerging context.

Originality/value

Since its first publication in 2014, this study represents the first review of articles found in JEEE. Specifically, the study provides a platform for future scholars wishing to submit to JEEE to take stock of the studies in the journal, thus giving them a better understanding of the field. The study also provides directions regarding areas of possible future research, which might be of interest to scholars wishing to submit to JEEE.
Organizational learning culture and business intelligence systems of health-care organizations in an emerging economy
Authors: Arefin Md. Shamsul , Hoque Md. Rakibul , Rasul Tareq
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the role of business intelligence systems (BIS) in the relationship between organizational learning culture and organizational performance in the health-care context.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was applied to identify the hypothesized relationships. Data were obtained from a survey of 217 mid- and top-level managers of health-care organizations in Bangladesh. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings attest to the effectiveness of the mediating role of BIS in the relationship between organizational learning culture and organizational performance within health-care organizations. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are also discussed.

Research limitations/implications

The study data were collected from a single country, which made generalization difficult. Further research should be carried out to replicate the present study with different organizational cultural variables and organizational outcomes, such as patient satisfaction.

Practical implications

This study provides a clear direction for hospital managers to invest more resources in an effective learning culture, to be positively mediated by BIS and to eventually enhance their hospitals’ performance. In addition, this study also suggests that hospital managers should focus on building a knowledge-based learning culture, to effectively use the information provided by BIS.

Originality/value

Despite the prior study on the applications of BIS and their value to an organization, little is known about the impact of organizational learning culture on BIS in health-care organizations. The findings give support to the argument that organizational learning culture plays an important role in BIS that, in turn, affects business performance.
How management control systems enable and constrain integrated thinking
Authors: Dimes Ruth , de Villiers Charl
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how management control systems (MCS) can enable and constrain the successful adoption of integrated thinking in an organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a case study approach, involving in-depth interviews and documentary evidence.

Findings

The case study organisation perceived trust to be critical to the successful adoption of integrated thinking, and informal social controls with strong endorsement from senior management frequently substituted for more formal technical controls in helping to develop a trust-based organisational culture. These cultural changes improved collaboration and brought economic benefits by encouraging outcome-based decision-making rather than capital-based decision-making, thereby enabling employees to identify and address poorly performing projects earlier. However, established performance measurement systems geared towards reporting and rewarding accounting profits created tension, constraining the potential benefits of integrated thinking by reinforcing business unit protectionism.

Practical implications

Integrated thinking can be seen as a form of management with the potential to improve organisational outcomes. An improved understanding of factors that might enable or constrain integrated thinking could facilitate its spread.

Originality/value

Despite several calls for research on the practical implementation of integrated thinking, this has not been studied extensively. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the firsts to contribute to a better understanding of the role of MCS in the successful implementation of integrated thinking in an organisation. The study also contributes to the MCS literature.
The effect of vibratory conditioning on tensile strength and microstructure of 1018 mild steel
Authors: Bade Venkata Suresh , P. Srinivasa Rao , P. Govinda Rao
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the prominence of mechanical excitations at the time of welding. In the past years, the process of welding technology has expanded its influence in manufacturing. The crucial drawback of conventional welding is prompted by internal stresses and distortions, which is the focal reason for weld defects. These weld defects can be diminished by the process called post-weld heat treatment (PWHT), which consumes more working hours and needs skilled workers. To replace these PWHT processes, mechanical vibrations are introduced during the process of welding to diminish these weld defects.

Design/methodology/approach

In the current research, the mechanical vibrations are transferred to weld-pool through vibro-motor and DC motor connected to the electrode. As per standards, the tensile test specimens were prepared for welding with different voltages of vibro-motor and DC motor respectively. The weld joints were tested for tensile strength and analyzed the microstructure at the fusion zone.

Findings

Melt-ability at fusion zone of 1018 mild steel was investigated by the single-stroke intense heat process of fusion welding. It is observed that the mechanical vibrations technique has a profound influence on the enhancement of the fusion zone characteristics and grain structure. The peak value of the tensile strength is observed at 100 s of vibration, 190 V of vibro-motor voltage and 18 V of electrode voltage. The tensile strength of the welded joints with vibrations is increased up to 22.64% when it is compared with conventional welding. The enhancement of the tensile strength of the weld bead was obtained because of the formation of fine grain structure. So, mechanical vibrations are identified as the most convenient method for improving the mild steel alloys weld quality.

Originality/value

A novel approach called mechanical vibrations during the process of welding is implemented for fusion zone refinement.
Acoustic localization and tracking of a multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle using an array with few microphones
Authors: Blanchard T. , Thomas J.-H. , Raoof K.
Published: September 2020

In recent years, the current technological improvements of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have made drones more difficult to locate using optical or radio-based systems. However, the sound emitted by UAV motorization and the aerodynamic whistling of the UAVs can be exploited using a microphone array and an adequate real time signal processing algorithm. The proposed method takes advantage of the characteristics of the sound emitted by the UAV. The intrinsic harmonic structure of the emitted sound is exploited by a pitch detection algorithm coupled with zero-phase selective bandpass filtering to detect the fundamental of the signal and to extract its specific harmonics. Although three-dimensional position errors are less when signals are filtered within the antenna bandwidth, experimental measurements show that accurate estimates with only a few selected harmonics in the signal can be obtained with the localization process. Kalman filtering is used to smooth the estimates.
Stabilizing near-field acoustic levitation: Investigation of non-linear restoring force generated by asymmetric gas squeeze film
Authors: Liu Yuanyuan , Shi Minghui , Feng Kai , Sepahvand Kian K. , Marburg Steffen
Published: September 2020

The instability of a floating object is the main factor preventing near-field acoustic levitation (NAFL) from being widely used in the manufacture of micro-electro-mechanical systems. Therefore, investigating the restoring force due to the generation mechanisms of NAFL is necessary to ensure the stable levitation of the floating object. This study presents a theoretical analysis to evaluate the restoring force based on the gas-film-lubrication theory. The gas-film pressure between the reflector and the radiator is expressed in the form of the dimensionless Reynolds equation in a cylindrical coordinate system, which is solved by an eight-point discrete grid method due to the discontinuous gas-film distribution. An experimental rig is constructed to measure the restoring force at various eccentricities, which can be used to support the developed numerical model. The theoretical results show that the restoring force increases with an increment in eccentricity, which agrees with experimental results. Furthermore, theoretical prediction results indicate that the restoring force increases when the amplitude of the radiator and weight of the levitator increases, which indicates higher system stability. The results of the radiator vibration mode on the restoring force show that the restoring force is the largest in the first-order mode.
Quantitative genetic screening reveals a Ragulator-FLCN feedback loop that regulates the mTORC1 pathway
Authors: De Zan Erica , van Stiphout Ruud , Gapp Bianca V. , Blomen Vincent A. , Brummelkamp Thijn R. , Nijman Sebastian M.B.
Published: September 2020

A genetic screen in haploid human cells reveals context-specific regulators of the mTORC1 pathway.
Application of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors MPK472 and KSK64 as a Potential Treatment Option for
Acanthamoeba
Keratitis
Authors: Lee Hae-Ahm , Park So-Min , Chu Ki-Back , Quan Fu-Shi , Kurz Thomas , Pflieger Marc , Moon Eun-Kyung
Published: September 2020

Treatment of
Acanthamoeba
keratitis (AK) is difficult because
Acanthamoeba
cysts are resistant to drugs, and as such, successful treatment requires an effective approach that inhibits cyst formation. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) are involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptotic cell death. In this study, the effects of HDACis such as MPK472 and KSK64 on
Acanthamoeba castellanii
trophozoites and cysts were observed. MPK472 and KSK64 showed at least 60% amoebicidal activity against
Acanthamoeba
trophozoites at a concentration of 10 μM upon 8 h of treatment.
Reovirus σ1 Conformational Flexibility Modulates the Efficiency of Host Cell Attachment
Authors: Diller Julia R. , Halloran Sean R. , Koehler Melanie , dos Santos Natividade Rita , Alsteens David , Stehle Thilo , Dermody Terence S. , Ogden Kristen M.
Published: September 2020

Nonenveloped virus entry is an incompletely understood process. For reovirus, the functional significance of conformational rearrangements in the attachment protein, σ1, that occur during entry and particle uncoating are unknown. We engineered and characterized reoviruses containing cysteine mutations that cross-link σ1 monomers in nonreducing conditions. We found that the introduction of a cysteine pair in the receptor-binding domain of σ1 yielded a virus that replicates with faster kinetics than the parental virus and forms larger plaques. Using functional assays, we found that cross-linking the σ1 receptor-binding domain modulates reovirus attachment but not uncoating or transcription. These data suggest that σ1 conformational rearrangements mediate the efficiency of reovirus host cell binding.
Werner Syndrome Protein (WRN) Regulates Cell Proliferation and the Human Papillomavirus 16 Life Cycle during Epithelial Differentiation
Authors: James Claire D. , Das Dipon , Morgan Ethan L. , Otoa Raymonde , Macdonald Andrew , Morgan Iain M.
Published: September 2020

HPV16 is the major human viral carcinogen, responsible for around 3 to 4% of all cancers worldwide. Our understanding of how the viral replication machinery interacts with host factors to control/activate the DNA damage response to promote the viral life cycle remains incomplete. Recently, we demonstrated a SIRT1-WRN axis that controls HPV16 replication, and here we demonstrate that this axis persists in clinical cervical lesions induced by HPV16. Here, we describe the effects of WRN depletion on cellular differentiation with or without HPV16; WRN depletion results in enhanced proliferation and DNA damage irrespective of HPV16 status. Also, WRN is a restriction factor for the viral life cycle since replication is disrupted in the absence of WRN. Future studies will focus on enhancing our understanding of how WRN regulates viral replication. Our goal is to ultimately identify cellular factors essential for HPV16 replication that can be targeted for therapeutic gain.
Syn-collisional magmatic record of Indian steep subduction by 50 Ma
Authors: Qi Yue , Hawkesworth Chris J. , Wang Qiang , Wyman Derek A. , Li Zheng-Xiang , Dong Han , Ma Tao , Chen Fukun , Hu Wan-Long , Zhang Xiu-Zheng
Published: September 2020

Subduction of Indian continental lithosphere during the Asia-India collision played an important role in the formation and evolution of the Himalaya-Tibetan orogen. However, the geometry of early Indian continental subduction remains debated. Given that the Indian continent is characterized by enriched isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr > 0.730, εNd(t) < −10), relative to those in subducted oceanic materials (87Sr/86Sr < 0.704, εNd(t) ≈ +8), changes in the composition of magmatic rocks with time, in particular their radiogenic isotope ratios, is used to constrain the timing and nature of continental subduction. This study reports the field relations, zircon U-Pb ages and geochemical composition of a syn-collisional batholith that crosscuts the central Indus-Yarlung Zangbu suture in the Saga area of southern Tibet. Zircon U/Pb ages for the batholith mainly range from 50 to 46 Ma. Samples from the Lopu Range batholith have enriched zircon Hf (εHf(t) = −0.4 to −8.6) and whole rock 87Sr/86Sri = 0.7094–0.7121 and εNd(t) = −7.3 to −9.8, suggesting that they were derived from a mixture of juvenile Gangdese and isotopically enriched Indian crustal materials. This result indicates that subduction of Indian crustal rocks occurred before 50 Ma in the central Himalaya. The geochemical composition and distribution of high volume ca. 51 Ma magmatism in the Gangdese belt, combined with thermal models of the subduction zone, suggests a steepening of the subducted Indian continental lithosphere occurred between the onset of India-Asia collision (59 Ma) and 46 Ma in the central-eastern Himalaya.