bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post-meiotic mechanism of facultative parthenogenesis in gonochoristic whiptail lizard species
Authors: Ho David V. , Tormey Duncan , Odell Aaron , Newton Aracely A. , Schnittker Robert R. , Baumann Diana P. , Neaves William B. , Schroeder Morgan R. , Sigauke Rutendo F. , Barley Anthony J. , Baumann Peter
Published: September 2023

Facultative parthenogenesis (FP) has historically been regarded as rare in vertebrates, but in recent years incidences have been reported in a growing list of fish, reptile, and bird species. Despite the increasing interest in the phenomenon, the underlying mechanism and evolutionary implications have remained unclear. A common finding across many incidences of FP is a high degree of homozygosity at microsatellite loci. This has led to the proposal that first or second polar body fusion following the meiotic divisions restores diploidy and thereby mimics fertilization. Here we show that FP occurring in the gonochoristicAspidoscelisspeciesA. marmoratusandA. arizonaeresults in genome-wide homozygosity, an observation inconsistent with polar body fusion as the underlying mechanism of restoration. Instead, a high-quality reference genome forA. marmoratusand analysis of whole-genome sequencing from multiple FP and control animals reveals that a post-meiotic mechanism gives rise to homozygous animals from haploid, unfertilized oocytes. Contrary to the widely held belief that females need to be isolated from males to undergo FP, females housed with conspecific and heterospecific males produced unfertilized eggs that underwent spontaneous development. In addition, a mixture of offspring arising from fertilized eggs and parthenogenetic development was observed to arise from a single clutch. Strikingly, our data support a mechanism for facultative parthenogenesis that removes all heterozygosity in a single generation. Complete homozygosity exposes the genetic load and explains the high rate of congenital malformations and embryonic mortality associated with FP in many species. Conversely, FP constitutes strong purifying selection as non-functional alleles of all essential genes are purged in a single generation.
Natural variation of immune epitopes reveals intrabacterial antagonism
Authors: Stevens Danielle M. , Moreno-Pérez Alba , Weisberg Alexandra J. , Ramsing Charis , Fliegmann Judith , Zhang Ning , Madrigal Melanie , Martin Gregory , Steinbrenner Adam , Felix Georg , Coaker Gitta
Published: September 2023

Plants and animals detect biomolecules termed Microbe-Associated Molecular Patterns (MAMPs) and induce immunity. Agricultural production is severely impacted by pathogens which can be controlled by transferring immune receptors. However, most studies use a single MAMP epitope and the impact of diverse multi-copy MAMPs on immune induction is unknown. Here we characterized the epitope landscape from five proteinaceous MAMPs across 4,228 plant-associated bacterial genomes. Despite the diversity sampled, natural variation was constrained and experimentally testable. Immune perception in bothArabidopsisand tomato depended on both epitope sequence and copy number variation. For example, Elongation Factor Tu is predominantly single copy and 92% of its epitopes are immunogenic. Conversely, 99.9% of bacterial genomes contain multiple Cold Shock Proteins and 46% carry a non-immunogenic form. We uncovered a new mechanism for immune evasion, intrabacterial antagonism, where a non-immunogenic Cold Shock Protein blocks perception of immunogenic forms encoded in the same genome. These data will lay the foundation for immune receptor deployment and engineering based on natural variation.

Significance Statement

Plants recognize pathogens as non-self using innate immune receptors. Receptors on the cell surface can recognize amino acid epitopes present in pathogen proteins. Despite many papers investigating receptor signaling, the vast majority use a single epitope. Here, we analyzed the natural variation across five different epitopes and experimentally characterized their perception in plants. We highlight the importance of analyzing all epitope copies within a pathogen genome. Through genetic and biochemical analyses, we revealed a mechanism for immune evasion, intrabacterial antagonism, where a non-immunogenic epitope blocks perception of immunogenic forms encoded in a single genome. These data can directly inform disease control strategies by enabling prediction of receptor utility and deployment for current and emerging pathogens.
Spatial Transcriptomics Reveals the Requirement of ADGRG6 in Maintaining Chondrocyte Homeostasis in Mouse Growth Plates
Authors: Bian Fangzhou , Hansen Victoria , Feng Hong Colleen , Chen Yanshi , Gray Ryan S. , Wu Chia-Lung , Liu Zhaoyang
Published: September 2023

The growth plate is essential for maintaining skeletal growth; however, the mechanisms governing postnatal growth plate homeostasis are poorly understood. Here we show that ADGRG6/GPR126, a cartilage-enriched G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), is dispensable for embryonic limb development but is required for postnatal growth plate homeostasis.Adgrg6ablation in osteochondral progenitor cells or postnatal chondrocytes leads to reduced cellularity and impaired maintenance of the resting zone in the growth plate, coupled with increased cell death and reduced cell proliferation.Adgrg6mutant growth plates also exhibit disorganized extracellular matrix structures and dysregulated hypertrophic differentiation. Furthermore, using a novel spatial transcriptomics workflow that applies to FFPE tissue sections of mineralized mouse knee joints, we demonstrate thatAdgrg6ablation leads to reduced SOX9 expression, induced Indian hedgehog (IHH) signaling, and a precocious chondrogenic-to-osteogenic conversion of the growth plate chondrocytes that may be driven by increased POSTN/integrin receptor signaling. We further demonstrated that ADGRG6 regulates the proper formation of the resting zone growth plate by maintaining the PTHrP and SOX9-positive cell populations. Altogether, our findings elucidate the essential role of ADGRG6 in maintaining chondrocyte fate, survival, and homeostasis of the postnatal growth plates.
Tangled up in fibers: How a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase binds its chitin substrate
Authors: Sørensen Henrik Vinther , Montserrat-Canals Mateu , Coder Ayla , Prévost Sylvain , Krueger Susan , Vaaje-Kolstad Gustav , Bjerregaard-Andersen Kaare , Lund Reidar , Krengel Ute
Published: September 2023

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are redox enzymes that bind to and oxidize insoluble carbohydrate substrates, such as chitin or cellulose. This class of enzymes has attracted considerable attention due to their ability to convert biomaterials of high abundance into oligosaccharides that can be useful for producing biofuels and bioplastics. However, processes at the interface between solution and insoluble substrates represent a major challenge to biochemical and structural characterization. Here, we investigated the four-domain LPMO fromVibrio cholerae,N-acetyl glucosamine binding protein A (GbpA), to elucidate how it docks onto its insoluble substrate with its two terminal domains. First, we developed a protocol that allowed GbpA and chitin to form a stable complex in suspension, overcoming incompatibilities of the two binding partners with respect to pH. Using contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), we attempted to isolate the scattering signal from the individual components of the chitin-GbpA complex. After determining the neutron scattering contrast match point for chitin (47% D2O), we characterized the structure of GbpA in complex with chitin by SANS. We found that GbpA binds rapidly to chitin, where it spreads out on the chitin fibers, and smooths them. In some locations, GbpA binding induces the formation of protein-chitin clumps containing hundreds of GbpA molecules. These findings are supported by electron microscopy. Placing our findings into a biological context, we discussed the potential advantages of GbpA secretion and how chitin binding may prepare the ground for microcolony formation by the bacteria.
A paleogenomic investigation of overharvest implications in an endemic wild reindeer subspecies
Authors: Kellner Fabian L. , Moullec Mathilde Le , Ellegaard Martin R. , Rosvold Jørgen , Peeters Bart , Burnett Hamish A. , Pedersen Åshild Ønvik , Brealey Jaelle C. , Dussex Nicolas , Bieker Vanessa C. , Hansen Brage B. , Martin Michael D.
Published: September 2023

Overharvest can severely reduce the abundance and distribution of a species and thereby impact its genetic diversity and threaten its future viability. Overharvest remains an ongoing issue for Arctic mammals, which due to climate change now also confront one of the fastest changing environments on Earth. The high-Arctic Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), endemic to Svalbard, experienced a harvest-induced demographic bottleneck that occurred during the 17-20thcentury. Here we investigate changes in genetic diversity, population structure and gene-specific differentiation during and after this overharvesting event. Using whole-genome shotgun sequencing, we generated the first ancient nuclear (n= 11) and mitochondrial (n= 18) genomes from Svalbard reindeer (up to 4000 BP) and integrated these data with a large collection of modern genome sequences (n= 90), to infer temporal changes. We show that hunting resulted in major genetic changes and restructuring in reindeer populations. Near-extirpation and 400 years of genetic drift have altered the allele frequencies of important genes contributing to diverse biological functions. Median heterozygosity was reduced by 23%, while the mitochondrial genetic diversity was reduced only to a limited extent, likely due to low pre-harvest diversity and a complex post-harvest recolonization process. Such genomic erosion and genetic isolation of populations due to past anthropogenic disturbance will likely play a major role in metapopulation dynamics (i.e., extirpation, recolonization) under further climate change. Our results from a high-arctic case study therefore emphasize the need to understand the long- term interplay of past, current, and future stressors in wildlife conservation.
Transcriptome-wide analysis of primary human endothelial cell responses to 1 hour of protein translation inhibition identify nonsense mediated decay targets and a non-codingSLC11A2exon as an acute biomarker
Authors: Bielowka Adrianna M. , Govani Fatima S. , Patel Dilip , Bernabeu-Herrero Maria E , Li Dongyang , Aldred Micheala A. , Mollet Inês G. , Shovlin Claire L
Published: September 2023

Nonsense mediated decay (NMD) lowers the cellular concentration of spliced RNAs harboring premature termination codons (PTC), and inhibition has been proposed as a potential therapeutic method. Conversely, NMD plays regulatory roles throughout the eukaryotic kingdom, including when protein translation is inhibited acutely as part of the integrated stress response. To define tools for endothelial evaluations of therapeutic NMD inhibition, and quantification of subtle cellular stress states, natural endothelial-expressed targets were examined via whole transcriptome RNA sequencing of primary human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) treated for 1h with cycloheximide, a protein translation and NMD inhibitor. Genes differentially expressed after 1h cycloheximide overlapped with genes differentially expressed many days after NMD-specific knockdown in other cell types. For endothelial cells, customized novel scripts used 255,500 exons in media-treated HMEC and 261,725 exons in cycloheximide-treated HMEC to predict 1h cycloheximide-stabilized exons. RT-PCR and RNASeq validations in other endothelial cells highlighted exon 3B of the iron transporterSLC11A2(also known asNRAMP2/DMT1) as a novel exon in a transcript most consistently stabilized. Exact junctional alignments toSLC11A2exon 3B were confirmed in blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) from 3 donors at mean 5.9% (standard deviation 2.0%) of adjacent constitutive exon expression, increasing 3.7-fold following 1h treatment with cycloheximide. Relevance beyond endothelial cells is supported bySLC11A2’swide expression profiles, genome-wide associations with microcytic anemia, biomarker status for poor prognosis ovarian cancer, and exon 3B sequence in RefSeq non-coding transcript NR_183176.1. The studies contribute understanding to functions affected acutely by NMD/translation inhibition and provide a stimulus for further studies in experimental, stress, and therapeutic settings.
A genetic circuit on a single DNA molecule as autonomous dissipative nanodevice
Authors: Greiss Ferdinand , Lardon Nicolas , Schütz Leonie , Barak Yoav , Daube Shirley S. , Weinhold Elmar , Noireaux Vincent , Bar-Ziv Roy
Published: September 2023

Realizing genetic circuits on single DNA molecules as self-encoded dissipative nanodevices is a major step toward miniaturization of autonomous biological systems. A circuit operating on a single DNA implies that genetically encoded proteins localize during coupled transcriptiontranslation to DNA, but a single-molecule measurement demonstrating this has remained a challenge. Here, we used a genetically encoded fluorescent reporter system with improved spatiotemporal resolution and observed the synthesis of individual proteins tethered to a DNA molecule by transient complexes of RNA polymerase, messenger RNA, and ribosome. Against expectations in dilute cell-free conditions where equilibrium considerations favor dispersion, these nascent proteins linger long enough to regulate cascaded reactions on the same DNA. We rationally designed a pulsatile genetic circuit by encoding an activator and repressor in feedback on the same DNA molecule. Driven by the local synthesis of only several proteins per hour and gene, the circuit dynamics exhibited enhanced variability between individual DNA molecules, and fluctuations with a broad power spectrum. Our results demonstrate that coexpressional localization, as a nonequilibrium process, facilitates single-DNA genetic circuits as dissipative nanodevices, with implications for nanobiotechnology applications and artificial cell design.
Cell Catcher: a new method to extract and preserve live renal cells from urine
Authors: Nazmutdinova Katia , Man Cheuk Yan , Carter Martyn , Beales Philip L , Winyard Paul JD , Walsh Stephen B , Price Karen L , Long David A
Published: September 2023

Patient-specific urine-derived cells are valuable tools for biomedical research and personalised medicine since collection is non-invasive and easily repeated, unlike biopsies. The full potential of urine-derived cells remains untapped, however, due to the short shelf life of samples and necessity for prompt centrifugation. This study aims to address this limitation by evaluating a novel filtration-based Cell Catcher device and comparing its efficiency to centrifugation. We obtained urine from 18 tubulopathy patients and using paired analysis demonstrated that the Cell Catcher device significantly improves the success rate of isolating viable renal cells, and the cell yield. The findings were confirmed in a second independent study, using 44 samples obtained from healthy controls or patients with Bardet-Biedl syndrome or tubulopathies, where colonies were established in 90% of the Cell Catcher-processed samples. Cultured cells displayed a variety of morphologies and expressed markers of podocyte and proximal tubule cells. Collectively, we describe an improved, point-of-care methodology to obtain live patient cells from urine using a filtration technique, with potential personalised medicine applications in nephrology, regenerative medicine, and urological cancers.
Bioluminescent detection of viral surface proteins using branched multivalent protein switches
Authors: Gräwe Alexander , Spruit Cindy M. , de Vries Robert P. , Merkx Maarten
Published: September 2023

Fast and reliable virus diagnostics is key to prevent the spread of viruses in populations. A hallmark of viruses is the presence of multivalent surface proteins, a property that can be harnessed to control conformational switching in sensor proteins. Here, we introduce a new sensor platform (dark-LUX) for the detection of viral surface proteins consisting of a general bioluminescent framework that can be post-translationally functionalized with separately expressed binding domains. The platform relies on 1) plug-and-play bioconjugation of different binding proteins via SpyTag/SpyCatcher technology to create branched protein structures, 2) an optimized turn-on bioluminescent switch based on complementation of the split-luciferase NanoBiT upon target binding and 3) straightforward exploration of the protein linker space. The influenza A virus (IAV) surface proteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) were used as relevant multivalent targets to establish proof of principle and optimize relevant parameters such as linker properties, choice of target binding domains and the optimal combination of the competing NanoBiT components SmBiT and DarkBiT. The sensor framework allows rapid conjugation and exchange of various binding domains including scFvs, nanobodies andde novodesigned binders for a variety of targets, including the construction of a heterobivalent switch that targets the head and stem region of hemagglutinin. The modularity of the platform thus allows straightforward optimization of binding domains and scaffold properties for existing viral targets, and is well suited to quickly adapt bioluminescent sensor proteins to effectively detect newly evolving viral epitopes.
Karyotype instability varies by species and genotype combination in allohexaploidBrassica
Authors: Quezada-Martinez Daniela , Batley Jacqueline , Mason Annaliese S.
Published: September 2023

SyntheticBrassicaallohexaploids (2n = AABBCC) do not exist naturally but can be produced between six different parent species combinations, and can be used to investigate processes of polyploid formation and genome stabilization. In this study, we investigated hybridization potential, accumulation and frequency of copy number variants (CNVs), fertility, and karyotype stability in advanced generations of diverse allohexaploid genotypes belonging to differentBrassicaallohexaploid species combinations (NCJ types:B. napus×B. carinata×B. juncea; junleracea types:B. juncea×B. oleracea; naponigra types:B. napus×B. nigra; and carirapa types:B. rapa×B. carinata). Only 3.2% of allohexaploid plants investigated were euploids, with high frequencies of rearrangements. Significant differences between genotypes and between lineages within parent genotype combinations were found for frequencies of euploids and rearrangements, with one NCJ line showing relatively high karyotype stability. Hybridization between different allohexaploids was mostly achievable, with 0 - 4.6 seeds per flower bud on average, and with strong effects of maternal genotype. Novel hybrids between allohexaploid lineages showed similar fertility and stability to their parents. In the novel hybrid population, a significant correlation was observed between the inheritance of A-genome chromosome fragments (relative to C-genome fragments) and the total number of seeds produced per plant (r= 0.24). Our results suggest that syntheticBrassicaallohexaploids can develop genomic stability, but that this occurs at very low frequencies, and may not always be under selective pressure due to the unpredictable relationship between fertility and genome composition in these hybrid types.

Article Summary

Brassicaplants with three sets of chromosomes (allohexaploids) do not exist in nature, but can be made from combinations between six different species. Here, we compared different combinations to see which are the most genomically stable and fertile, and found major differences between all allohexaploid types as well as one putatively stable line. Crosses between allohexaploid types could also be achieved in most cases, although hybrids were not more stable or fertile than their parents.
Supramolecular interactions in some organic hydrated 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidinium carboxylate and sulfate salts
Authors: Sangavi Marimuthu , Kumaraguru Narayanasamy , McMillen Colin D. , Butcher Ray J.
Published: September 2023

Four salts, namely, 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidinium 6-chloronicotinate dihydrate, C4H8N5
+·C6H3ClNO2
−·2H2O, (I), 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidinediium pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate dihydrate, C4H9N5
2+·C7H3NO4
2−·2H2O, (II), 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidinediium sulfate monohydrate, C4H9N5
2+·SO4
2−·H2O, (III), and 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidinium 3,5-dinitrobenzoate dihydrate, C4H8N5
+·C7H3N2O6
−·2H2O, (IV), were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction techniques. Proton transfer from the corresponding acid to the pyrimidine base has occurred in all four crystal structures. Of the four salts, two [(I) and (IV)] exist as monoprotonated bases and two [(II) and (III)] exist as diprotonated bases. In all four crystal structures, the acid interacts with the pyrimidine base through N—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating an R
2
2(8) ring motif. The sulfate group mimics the role of the carboxylate anions. The water molecules present in compounds (I)–(IV) form water-mediated large ring motifs. The formation of water-mediated interactions in these crystal structures can be used as a model in the study of the hydration of nucleobases. Water molecules play an important role in building supramolecular structures. In addition to these strong hydrogen-bonding interactions, some of the crystal structures are further enriched by aromatic π–π stacking interactions [(I) and (II)].
Counter-accounting and social transformation: Yaṉangu way
Authors: Norris Ellie , Kutubi Shawgat , Greenland Steven , Wallace Ruth
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study explores citizen activism in the articulation of a politicised counter-account of Aboriginal rights. It aims to uncover the enabling factors for a successful challenge to established political norms and the obstacles to the fullest expression of a radical imagining.

Design/methodology/approach

Laclau and Mouffe's theory of hegemony and discourse is used to frame the movement's success in challenging the prevailing system of urbanised healthcare delivery. Empirical materials were collected through extensive ethnographic fieldwork.

Findings

The findings from this longitudinal study identify the factors that predominantly influence the transformational success of an Yaṉangu social movement, such as the institutionalisation of group identity, articulation of a discourse connected to Aboriginal rights to self-determination, demonstration of an alternative imaginary and creation of strong external alliances.

Originality/value

This study offers a rich empirical analysis of counter-accounting in action, drawing on Aboriginal governance traditions of non-confrontational discourse and collective accountability to conceptualise agonistic engagement. These findings contribute to the practical and theoretical construction of democratic accounting and successful citizen activism.
Corrosion property of Al alloys subjected to surface severe plastic deformation: a review
Authors: Chen Jiabo , Guo Xiaokai , Liu Hao , Lv Xuantong , Fan Shichuan , Wu Liankui , Cao Fahe , Sun Qingqing
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to discuss the influences of surface severe plastic deformation (S2PD) on the electrochemical corrosion, pitting corrosion, intergranular corrosion, stress corrosion cracking of aluminum (Al) alloys and attempt to correlate the microstructural/compositional changes with the performances.

Design/methodology/approach

This study provides a novel gradient design of structure/composition caused by S2PD for the purpose of enhancing Al alloys’ corrosion resistance.

Findings

S2PD has a significant effect on corrosion behavior of Al alloys through tuning the grain size, residual stress, composition, grain boundary phase and second phase particle distribution.

Originality/value

Although Al alloys are known to form a protective Al2O3 film, corrosion is a major challenge for the longevity of Al structures across numerous industries, especially for the infrastructures made of high-strength Al alloys. Traditional strategies of improving corrosion resistance of Al alloys heavily relied on alloying and coatings. In this review, gradient design of structure/composition caused by S2PD provides a novel strategy for corrosion protection of Al alloys, especially in the enhancement of localized corrosion resistance.
Who generates your video ads? The matching effect of short-form video sources and destination types on visit intention
Authors: Li Hui , Tu Xinxin
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Short-form videos have gradually become important marketing tools for tourist destinations. However, chaotic sources and homogenized content have led to poor user experiences. Taking Kulangsu and Xi'an City Wall in China as examples, this study explored the influence of matching short-form video sources with destination types on user engagement and visit intention.

Design/methodology/approach

This study selected three short-form videos from different sources for each destination on TikTok and conducted an empirical research using a 3 × 2 experimental design to examine the proposed research model.

Findings

The results showed that the matching effect between short-form video sources and destination types will positively affect user engagement and visit intention. (1) the short-form videos with user-generated content (UGC) or professional user-generated content (PUGC) in hedonic destinations can obtain higher user engagement and visit intention; (2) the short-form videos with professionally generated content (PGC) or PUGC in utilitarian destinations can obtain higher user engagement and visit intention and (3) perceived credibility and perceived usefulness played mediating roles in these interactions.

Originality/value

This study considers short-form video sources as antecedent variables influencing user engagement and visit intention and confirms the matching effect between short-form video sources and tourism destination types. The findings will help researchers and marketers better understand the impact of short-form video on destination marketing.
The relationship between career satisfaction and organizational commitment: evidence from the Kuwaiti banking sector
Authors: Baidoun Nizar , Anderson Valerie Anne
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Grounded in social cognitive career theory (SCCT), this study aims to examine the influence of contextual factors on the relationship between career satisfaction and organizational commitment, within the banking sector in Kuwait.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a cross-sectional design analyzing a self-report questionnaire (N = 278).

Findings

This study investigates affective, normative and continuance commitment in relation to career satisfaction, within the banking sector in Kuwait. Findings indicate a positive relationship between career satisfaction and all of affective, normative and continuance commitment; although the relationship that appears to be the strongest is between career satisfaction and normative commitment.

Research limitations/implications

The single site, cross-sectional approach is a limitation. The data were collected before the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research into career satisfaction and organizational commitment in different sectors is necessary and a replication of this study in a post-COVID context would also be valuable.

Practical implications

Human resource development (HRD) policies in contexts such as Kuwait should prioritize career progression initiatives to enhance career satisfaction and contribute to increased organizational commitment. More attention is necessary to organizational HRD career planning and development policies and processes. Effective line manager development programs to equip managers to provide feedback and constructive performance management are recommended, as is the organizational provision of career counseling and guidance to support career development policies and processes.

Originality/value

This study combines the use of established constructs with an SCCT theoretical lends to contribute new theorization of the relationship between career satisfaction and organizational commitment in non-Western cultural contexts. It challenges assumptions in current theorization of the relationship between career satisfaction and commitment that privilege affective commitment over other dimensions.
Impact of socioeconomic prosperity and race on crowdfunding success
Authors: Koh Yoon , Mao-Clark Xiaodan , DeFranco Agnes
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Prior research treated entrepreneurs’ actions as purely opportunistic and voluntary, excluding social and economic systems’ influence on entrepreneurial actions. However, the applications of communication strategies, project management and social network are anchored in socioeconomic systems in which the entrepreneurs are rooted. To address the gap, this study aims to articulate – through the prism of institutional theory – how restaurant crowdfunding (CF) success is affected by socioeconomic prosperity according to entrepreneurs’ race and geographic area.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study analyzed 2,008 restaurant CF projects launched in the USA through the Kickstarter platform from 2010 to 2020. By conducting one-way analysis of variance and multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression models, this study examined the relative socioeconomic prosperity and CF success according to the race of the restaurant entrepreneurs. The study also examined how socioeconomic prosperity affected CF success and how that relationship was moderated by the entrepreneurs’ level of restaurant experience.

Findings

This study finds that relative socioeconomic prosperity and CF success does differ according to race. Also in the CF context, lower socioeconomic prosperity does impede fundraising success. While the level of restaurant experience significantly increased an entrepreneur’s CF success, the impact was not so significant as to overcome the impact of socioeconomic prosperity.

Research limitations/implications

Drawing on institutional theory, this study examines the impact of socioeconomic prosperity on CF project outcomes. By uncovering the significant impact of socioeconomic systems on CF success, this study fills the research gap. Previous studies have generally treated minority entrepreneurs as an aggregated form. The authors’ results extend the literature by including major ethnic groups – whites, African Americans and Asians.

Practical implications

The findings of the current study show restaurant entrepreneurs can raise the likelihood of CF success by doing two things: first, accumulate experience in the restaurant industry; second, use their CF websites to highlight testimonials about the value of that experience. Federal, state and local governments can institute policies to help improve racial minorities’ socioeconomic conditions and thereby promote startups’ fundraising success.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to examine unexplored institutional effect on CF outcomes. It examines how and why socioeconomic factors affect minority entrepreneurs’ funding success. It compares the prosperity and CF success of white, African American and Asian entrepreneurs.
What are the factors of parental incarceration that may increase risk of poor emotional and mental health in children of prisoners?
Authors: Thorne Matthew Charles , de Viggiani Nick , Plugge Emma
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Globally millions of children have a parent who is imprisoned. Research suggests that this has an adverse impact on the child and imprisonment of a parent is considered to be an adverse childhood experience (ACE). Parental incarceration will not only affect the child but the entire household and may result in further ACEs such as household dysfunction and parental separation making this group of children particularly vulnerable. This scoping review aims to adopt an international perspective to comprehensively examine the extent range and nature of literature both published and grey relating to parental incarceration and the potential impact on children’s emotional and mental health.

Design/methodology/approach

In this scoping review, the five stages identified by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) were used including identifying the research question, identifying relevant studies, study selection, charting data, collating, summarising and reporting results. In addition, the included studies were appraised for quality using methodology-specific tools. A critical narrative synthesis was adopted to present findings and discussion.

Findings

Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the included studies, eight were retrieved from peer-reviewed journals and one from grey literature searching. Five categories with subcategories were identified affecting children’s mental health: 1) Relationships: parent and incarcerated child relationship; facilitators and barriers to maintaining contact; 2) Family structure; maternal or paternal incarceration; living arrangements during parental incarceration; 3) Children’s emotions: emotional recognition and regulation; resilience; 4) Prison stigma: social stigma; shame and secrecy; 5) Structural disadvantages: poverty; race/ethnicity.

Originality/value

This scoping review has highlighted how the imprisonment of a parent negatively affects their children’s emotional and mental health. Factors negatively impacting children’s emotional and mental health are interrelated and complex. Further research is required, including differences between paternal and maternal incarceration; impact of gender and age of child; poverty as an ACE and prison exacerbating this; and effects of ethnicity and race. An important policy direction is in developing an effective way of capturing the parental status of a prisoner to ensure that the child and family receive needed support.
Understanding young Chinese customers’ perceptions of unsafe city image restoration after Covid-19 outbreak
Authors: Li Chang (Cherise) , Agyeiwaah Elizabeth , Imboden Alain , Lee Younghee Maria
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to uncover marketing strategies to restore a positive image in times of pandemic crisis to bring tourists back to a popularly affected tourism city in China, Wuhan in Hubei Province. The paper argues that the process of restoring city image requires understanding the perceptions of Generation Z, a segment of the population who have a high propensity to travel after COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a constructivist grounded theory approach to explore the perspectives of China’s Generation Z consumers of Wuhan’s future image to restart tourism. The data is collected through semi-structured interview of 29 respondents and analyzed with the initial, focused and theoretical coding process.

Findings

Start by narrowing the gap between projected and perceived image, the findings suggest that Generation Z could be pulled to visit Wuhan city through four core products such as dark tourism activities, special-interest leisure, heroism and storytelling.

Originality/value

The destination image restoration framework after health-related crisis is creatively proposed. It combines the analysis of crisis and urban characteristics from the perspective of the target audience (Generation Z) and provides specific strategies to restore the tourism city image from cognitive, affective and conative dimensions. Significantly, two novel characteristics of Generation Z (i.e. lighthearted and patriotic) emerge in addition to the typical features of this generational cohort. This study also found a high preference for a technologically oriented type of attraction that reverses the morbid COVID-19 memories into an entertainment tool.
Simulation of the impact of a wine supply management tool: a potential implementation of a climatic reserve in Switzerland
Authors: Mondoux Alexandre , Christinet Bastien , Fenal Roxane , Viret Olivier
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to identify the economic impact of a potential implementation of a Climatic Reserve for the Swiss predominant white grape variety (Chasselas) vinified in the AOC (controlled designation of origin) category. The Climatic Reserve would imply the possibility of harvesting an additional quantity of grapes whose commercialization in wine would be delayed until it is approved by the relevant authority.

Design/methodology/approach

The impact of a potential implementation of this wine supply management tool is simulated through an innovative method that combines the vector autoregressive (VAR) model to estimate the influence of the previous consumptions and productions on the current consumption and linear regression [ordinary least square (OLS) method] to estimate the price elasticity to measure the evolution of the price depending on the simulated consumption. The VAR model is based on state-level data about production, stocks, and consumption (all the channels of distribution combined), while the OLS regression for estimating price elasticity uses the retail market data (Nielsen Panel). With the sales and price variables on a monthly frequency design, the latter represents about 40% of the wine market in Switzerland.

Findings

According to simulations carried out at the level of a region from the canton of Vaud in Switzerland (2000–2018), the increase in turnover linked to the release of the Climatic Reserve would be +3.1% for the indigenous white grape variety Chasselas.

Originality/value

The Climatic Reserve is a wine supply management tool that could complement the existing yield restriction, which does not significantly influence the quantities sold, according to previous studies. Our paper contributes to the literature by demonstrating the economic advantage of this supply management tool to deal with the increasingly frequent climatic hazards in wine production and market. The methodology could be applied to other wine regions (contexts) or other agricultural sectors.
How does cultural tightness-looseness affect attitudes toward a local vs foreign brand transgression?
Authors: Ge Jiaye , Jo Myung-Soo , Sarigollu Emine
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine how cultural tightness at the national level and individual level influences consumer attitudes toward a brand's wrongdoing depending on the brand's country of origin and severity of the transgression.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing data from two tight-culture countries (China and South Korea) and a loose-culture country (the USA), two experiments were conducted to examine the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The authors found that although consumers across cultures universally punish strong (vs weak) transgressions more severely, consumers in a tight-culture country, China, are more forgiving of a local (vs foreign) brand in both strong and weak transgression conditions, and forgiveness is higher for the strong transgression. Moreover, this buffering effect observed for Chinese consumers is stronger for those with high personal cultural tightness in the strong transgression condition. However, it emerges only in the weak transgression condition for South Korea, another tight-culture country. As hypothesized, no buffering effect for a local brand was found in a loose-culture country, the USA. Consumers from a loose culture assess transgression severity independently, and the punishment is harsher for strong transgressions than for weak transgressions.

Originality/value

This study fills a research gap by revealing that consumers from tight (vs loose) cultures would react differently to brands following a transgression depending on the brand's country of origin. It provides implications by examining how national-level and individual-level cultural tightness jointly affect post-transgression attitudes. It also presents a more nuanced perspective that the local brand's buffering effect is contingent on the degree of tightness and severity of transgression, even in similar culturally tight countries.
The effect of board diversity and tenure on environmental performance. Evidence from family and non-family firms
Authors: Gavana Giovanna , Gottardo Pietro , Moisello Anna Maria
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of structural and demographic board diversity as well as board tenure on family firms' environmental performance, by analyzing the differences between family and non-family businesses and within family firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Tobit regressions are applied to investigate the effect of independent directors, CEO non-duality, board gender diversity and board tenure on environmental performance. The study also controls for other board and firm characteristics, as well as for time, industry and country-fixed effects. In doing so, the authors rely on a sample of non-financial listed firms from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal over the period 2014–2021.

Findings

The authors find that women on the board positively influence environmental performance and this effect is significant only in family firms, although board tenure negatively moderates the relationship. Board independence significantly affects environmental performance only in non-family firms. A strong presence of family directors has a negative effect on family firms' environmental performance, especially when directors' turnover is low.

Originality/value

This paper examines the unexplored relationship between structural board diversity and environmental performance in family companies. This study provides empirical evidence on the association between gender diversity and family firms' environmental performance focusing for the first time on a European setting. Moreover, this study provides evidence of a different effect of board tenure in family and non-family businesses.
Cultivating resilience for sustainable service ecosystems in turbulent times: evidence from primary health care
Authors: McColl-Kennedy Janet R. , Breidbach Christoph F. , Green Teegan , Zaki Mohamed , Gain Alexandria M. , van Driel Mieke L.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how and why some service ecosystems are more resilient and, consequently, more sustainable than others during turbulent times, and how resilience can be cultivated to enable pathways to service ecosystem sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

This work integrates disparate literature from multiple service and sustainability literature streams, iterating through constant comparison with findings from 44 semistructured interviews conducted in the context of primary health care clinic service ecosystems.

Findings

The authors offer a novel conceptual framework comprising pillars (shared worldview, individual actor well-being and multiactor interactions), changing practices to cultivate resilience through resilience levers (orchestrators, individual actor effort, actor inclusivity and digitaltech–humanness approach), and pathways to service ecosystem sustainability (volume vs value, volume to value, volume and value). The authors demonstrate that service ecosystems need to change practices, integrating resources differently in response to the turbulent environment, emphasizing the importance of a shared worldview across the ecosystem and assessing different pathways to sustainability.

Originality/value

This paper offers new insights into the important intersection of service marketing, sustainability and health care. The authors provide guidance to practitioners aiming to cultivate resilience in service ecosystems to achieve pathways to sustainability in primary health care clinics. Finally, implications for theory are discussed, and directions to guide future service research offered.
Relational positionism: a constructive interpretation of morality in Luhmann's social systems theory
Authors: Bombaerts Gunter
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to summarize three Luhmannian critiques on morality, illustrate new roles for morality and add constructive interpretations.

Design/methodology/approach

Luhmann has recently been described as downright negative toward morality, resulting in a refusal to use ethics as a sociologist, thus leading to a limited use of his theory in moral issues. A constructive interpretation could support a more functional use of morality in social system theory.

Findings

First, Luhmann signals that morality can no longer fulfill its integrative function in society but also that society has recourse to moral sensitivity. Second, Luhmann describes how anxiety is crucial in modern morality and indicates which role risk and danger could play. The author builds further on this and proposes the concept of “social system attention” that can provide answers to individual and organizational anxiety. The author proposes that institutionalized socialization can support an integrative morality. Third, Luhmann states that ethics today is nothing more than a utopia but also that the interdiction of moral self-exemption is an essential element. The author adds that a relational ontology for social systems theory can avoid ethics as utopia.

Practical implications

This article is a programmatic plea to further elaborate morality from a system theory perspective in which meaning is relationally positioned.

Originality/value

This article could potentially provide a more functional application of morality in social systems, thus leading to improvements of attempts of ethical decision-making. The originality of the approach lies in the interpretation of basic assumptions of Luhmann social system theory that are not core to his theory.
Modeling of voltage-limiting kinetics in two-layer varistor–posistor structures
Authors: Tonkoshkur Alexander Sergeevich , Ivanchenko Alexander Vladimirovich
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to model the dependences of the output voltage, temperature, current and electrical power dissipation of a voltage limiter based on a two-layer varistor–posistor structure on time and analysis the influence of operating modes and design parameters of such a limiter on these characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

The behavior of the limiting voltage, temperature and other parameters of the voltage limiter when an input constant overvoltage is applied is studied by the simulation method. The voltage limiter was a two-layer construction. One layer was a zinc oxide ceramic varistor. The second layer was a posistor polymer composite with a nanocarbon filler of PolySwitch technology.

Findings

The output voltage across the varistor layer decreases and reaches some fixed value related to its breakdown voltage after applying a constant overvoltage to the structure over time. The temperature of the structure increases to some steady state value, while the current decreases significantly. The amplitude of the transient current pulse increases, its duration and energy of the transient process decrease with increasing overvoltage. An increase in the internal resistance of the overvoltage source can cause a decrease in the amplitude and an increase in the duration of transient currents.

Originality/value

The ranges of values for the activation energy of conduction of the varistor layer in weak electric fields, the intensity of heat exchange between the structure under study and the environment are determined to ensure the stable operation of this structure as a voltage limiter. The results obtained make it possible to select the necessary parameters of the indicated structures to ensure the required operating modes of the voltage limiter for various applications.