bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination of the Systemin peptide with the beneficial fungus Trichoderma afroharzianum T22 improves plant defense responses against pests and diseases
Authors: Maria Aprile Anna , Mariangela Coppola , David Turrà , Stefania Vitale , Pasquale Cascone , Gianfranco Diretto , Alessia Fiore , Valeria Castaldi , Alessadra Romanelli , Concetta Avitabile , Emilio Guerrieri , Lois Woo Sheridan , Rosa Rao
Published: March 2022

Trichoderma spp. are among the most widely used plant beneficial fungi in agriculture. A novel approach to enhance their effectiveness in plant defense is to use the fungi in combination with bioactive molecules including plant-derived compounds. Here, we show that plant treatment with Trichoderma afroharzianum (strain T22) and Systemin (Sys), a tomato plant peptide active in triggering plant defense, confers protection against the fungal pathogens Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis cinerea and the insect pest Tuta absoluta. The observed defensive response was associated with increased accumulation of metabolites and transcripts involved in the Jasmonic acid (JA) pathway. Our findings suggest that the innovative combination of T. afroharzianum T22 and Sys can result in a more effective and robust control of different biotic stress agents.
Sexual selection moderates heat stress response in males and females
Authors: Moiron Maria , Winkler Lennart , Martin Oliver Yves , Janicke Tim
Published: March 2022

A widespread effect of climate change is the displacement of organisms from their thermal optima. The associated thermal stress imposed by climate change has been argued to have a particularly strong impact on male reproduction but evidence for this postulated sex-specific stress response is equivocal. One important factor that may explain intra- and interspecific variation in stress responses is sexual selection, which is predicted to magnify negative effects of stress. Nevertheless, empirical studies exploring the interplay of sexual selection and heat stress are still scarce. We tested experimentally for an interaction between sexual selection and thermal stress in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum by contrasting heat responses in male and female reproductive success between setups of enforced monogamy versus polygamy. We found that polygamy magnifies detrimental effects of heat stress in males but relaxes the observed negative effects in females. Our results suggest that sexual selection can reverse sex differences in thermal sensitivity, and may therefore alter sex-specific selection on alleles associated with heat tolerance. We argue that these findings have important implications for predicting the role of sexual selection for the adaptation to current global warming and increased frequency of extreme climatic events.
LINE-1 retrotransposon activation intrinsic to interneuron development
Authors: Bodea Gabriela O. , Botto Juan M. , Ferreiro Maria E. , Sanchez-Luque Francisco J. , de los Rios Barreda Jose , Rasmussen Jay , Rahman Muhammed A. , Fenlon Laura R. , Jansz Natasha , Gubert Carolina , Gerdes Patricia , Bodea Liviu-Gabriel , Ajjikuttira Prabha , Da Costa Guevara Darwin J. , Cumner Linda , Bell Charles C. , Kozulin Peter , Billon Victor , Morell Santiago , Kempen Marie-Jeanne H.C. , Love Chloe J. , Saha Karabi , Palmer Lucy M. , Ewing Adam D. , Jhaveri Dhanisha J. , Richardson Sandra R. , Hannan Anthony J. , Faulkner Geoffrey J.
Published: March 2022

Retrotransposons are a reservoir of cis-regulatory innovation1–3. Developmental programs that activate these elements could, in principle, manifest in lineage-specific retrotransposition. Somatic LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposon insertions have been detected in human and non-human primate neurons4–7. It is however unknown whether L1 is mobile in only some neuronal lineages, or therein regulates neurodevelopmental genes. Here, we report programmed L1 activation by SOX6, a transcription factor critical for parvalbumin (PV) interneuron development8–10. PV+neurons permit L1 mobilizationin vitroandin vivo, harbor unmethylated L1 promoters, and express full-length L1 mRNAs and proteins. Via nanopore long-read sequencing, we identify unmethylated L1 promoters proximal to PV+neuron genes. One such L1, which promotes transcription of a novel CAPS2 gene isoform, significantly enhances neuron morphological complexity when phenotypedin vitro. These data highlight the contribution made by L1 cis-regulatory elements to PV+neuron development and transcriptome diversity, uncovered due to L1 mobility in this milieu.
RAD52 underlies the synthetic-lethal relationship between BRCA1/2 and 53BP1 deficiencies and DNA polymerase theta loss
Authors: Starowicz Katarzyna , Ronson George , Anthony Elizabeth , Clarke Lucy , Garvin Alexander J. , Beggs Andrew D , Whalley Celina M , Edmonds Matthew , Beesley James , Morris Joanna R
Published: March 2022

Introductory paragraph

Cells lacking several DNA repair proteins, including those promoting homologous recombination (HR), are sensitive to polymerase theta (Polθ) repression1–4. Polθ drives theta-mediated end joining (TMEJ) and suppresses HR but what mediates its synthetic lethal relationships is unclear. Here we examine murine Brca1C61G/C61G 53bp1-/-cells and find they are largely HR proficient by using RNF168 and RAD52. They exhibit no more TMEJ than 53bp1-/- cells yet are more sensitive to targeting of Polθ. We find that RAD52 recruitment to damaged chromatin is increased following Polθ depletion. RAD52 accumulation and cellular sensitivity to Polθ repression can be curbed by the RAD51-binding regions of BARD1 and BRCA2, and sensitivity of BRCA1/2 depleted cells to Polθ repression is suppressed by RAD52 inhibition. 53bp1-/- cells exhibit a smaller increase in RAD52 recruitment following Polθ repression and also become resistant to Polθ repression following RAD52 inhibition. Thus, RAD52 mediates sensitivity to targeting Polθ in these contexts.
SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins uptake mediated by lipid raft ganglioside GM1 in human cerebrovascular cells
Authors: McQuaid Conor , Solorzano Alexander , Dickerson Ian , Deane Rashid
Published: March 2022

While there is clinical evidence of neurological manifestation in coronavirus disease-19, it’s unclear whether this is due to differential severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uptake from blood by cells of the cerebrovasculature. SARS-CoV-2 and its spike protein (SP) interact with the endothelium but the roles of extracellular peptidase domain on angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptors (ACE2) and ACE2 independent pathways (such as glycans) are not fully elucidated. In addition, for SARS-CoV-2 to enter the brain parenchyma from blood it has to cross several cell types, including the endothelium, pericytes and vascular smooth muscle. Since SARS-CoV-2 interacts with host cells via it SP at the entry point of it life cycle, we used fluorescently labelled SP (SP-555) (wild type and mutants) to model viral behaviour, in vitro, for these cell types (endothelial, pericytes and vascular smooth muscle) to explore pathways of viral entry into brain from blood. There was differential SP uptake by these cell types. The endothelial cells had the least uptake, which may limit SP uptake into brain from blood. Uptake was mediated by ACE2, but it was dependent on SP interaction with ganglioside GM1 in the lipid raft. Mutation sites, N501Yand E484K and D614G, as seen in variants of interest, were differentially taken up by these cell types. There was greater uptake but neutralization with anti-ACE2 and anti-GM1antibodies was less effective. Our data suggested that GM1/lipid raft is an important entry point of SARS-CoV-2 into these cells since inhibition of SP uptake with both anti-ACE2 and anti-GM1 together was similar to that with only anti-GM1, and both ACE2 and GM1 are within the lipid raft region of plasma membrane. Thus, GM1 is a potential SARS-CoV-2 and therapeutic target at the cerebrovasculature.
In-silico method for predicting infectious strains of Influenza A virus from its genome and protein sequences
Authors: Roy Trinita , Sharma Khushal , Dhall Anjali , Patiyal Sumeet , Raghava Gajendra P. S.
Published: March 2022

Influenza A is a contagious viral disease responsible for four pandemics in the past and a major public health concern. Being zoonotic in nature, the virus can cross the species barrier and transmit from wild aquatic bird reservoirs to humans via intermediate hosts. Virus gradually undergoes host adaptive mutations in their genome and proteins, resulting in different strain s/vari ants which might spread virus from avians/mammals to humans. In this study, we have developed an in-silico models to identify infectious strains of Influenza A virus, which has the potential of getting transmitted to humans, from its whole genome/proteins. Firstly, machine learning based models were developed for predicting infectious strains using composition of 15 proteins of virus. Random Forest based model of protein Hemagglutinin, achieved maximum AUC 0.98 on validation data using dipeptide composition. Secondly, we obtained maximum AUC of 0.99 on validation dataset using one-hot-encoding features of each protein of virus. Thirdly, models build on DNA composition of whole genome of Influenza A, achieved maximum AUC 0.98 on validation dataset. Finally, a web-based service, named “FluSPred”(https://webs.iiitd.edu.in/raghava/fluspred/) has been developed which incorporate best 16 models (15 proteins and one based on genome) for prediction of infectious strains of virus. In addition, we provided standalone software for the prediction and scanning of infectious strains at large-scale (e.g., metagenomics) from genomic/proteomic data. We anticipate this tool will help researchers in prioritize high-risk viral strains of novel influenza virus possesses the capability to spread human to human, thereby being useful for pandemic preparedness and disease surveillance.

Key Points

Influenza A is a contagious viral disease responsible for four pandemics.

Virus can cross species barrier and infect human beings.

In silico models developed for predicting human infectious strains of virus.

Models developed were build using 15 proteins and whole genome datasets.

Webserver and standalone package for predicting and scanning of high-risk viral strains.
Liguleless narrow and narrow odd dwarf act in overlapping pathways to regulate maize development & physiology
Authors: Abraham-Juárez María Jazmín , Busche Michael , Anderson Alyssa A. , Lunde China , Winders Jeremy , Christensen Shawn A. , Hunter Charles T. , Hake Sarah , Brunkard Jacob O.
Published: March 2022

narrow odd dwarf (nod) and Liguleless narrow (Lgn) are pleiotropic maize mutants that both encode plasma membrane proteins, cause similar developmental patterning defects, and constitutively induce stress signaling pathways. To investigate how these mutants coordinate maize development and physiology, we screened for protein interactors of NOD by affinity purification. LGN was identified by this screen as a strong candidate interactor, and we confirmed the NOD-LGN molecular interaction through orthogonal experiments. We further demonstrated that LGN, a receptor-like kinase, can phosphorylate NOD in vitro, hinting that they could act in intersecting signal transduction pathways. To test this hypothesis, we generated Lgn-R;nod mutants in two backgrounds (B73 and A619) and found that these mutations enhance each other, causing more severe developmental defects than either single mutation on its own, with phenotypes including very narrow leaves, increased tillering, and failure of the main shoot. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of the single and double mutants in the two genetic backgrounds revealed widespread induction of pathogen defense genes and a shift in resource allocation away from primary metabolism in favor of specialized metabolism. These effects were similar in each single mutant and heightened in the double mutant, leading us to conclude that NOD and LGN act cumulatively in overlapping signaling pathways to coordinate growth-defense tradeoffs in maize.
Ultrabithorax modifies a regulatory network of genes essential for butterfly eyespot development in a wing sector-specific manner
Authors: Matsuoka Yuji , Monteiro Antónia
Published: March 2022

Nymphalid butterfly species often have a different number of eyespots in forewings and hindwings but how the hindwing identity gene, Ultrabithorax (Ubx), drives this asymmetry, is not fully understood. It is also unclear why eyespot serial homologs originated initially only in hindwings. To address these questions, we examined a three-gene regulatory network (GRN) for eyespot development in the hindwings of Bicyclus anynana butterflies, and compared it to the same network previously described for forewings. We also examined how Ubx interacted with each of these three eyespot-essential genes. We found similar genetic interactions between the three genes in fore and hindwings, but we discovered three regulatory differences: Antennapedia (Antp) merely enhances spalt (sal) expression in the eyespot foci in hindwings but is not essential for sal activation, as in forewings; Ubx up- regulates Antp in all hindwing eyespot foci but represses Antp outside these wing regions and; Ubx is regulating sal expression in a wing-sector specific manner, i.e., it does not affect sal expression in the wing sectors that contain eyespots in both fore and hindwings, but it positively regulates sal expression in the sectors that have hindwing-specific eyespots. These results suggest that Ubx, or its downstream targets, might have paid a role in the origin of eyespots, restricted initially to hindwings, via the positive regulation of sal, an essential gene for eyespot development. We propose that Antp got co-opted into the eyespot GRN at a later stage by coming under Ubx regulation. This Hox gene redundancy, together with a novel positive feedback loop between sal and Antp, might have allowed Antp to functionally replace Ubx in forewings and lead to the origin of forewing eyespots. Outside the eyespot focal regions, we discovered that Ubx is up-regulated by Distal-less along the wing margin. We propose a model for how the regulatory connections between these genes might have evolved to produce wing- and sector-specific variation in eyespot number.
Complete chloroplast genomes and phylogeny in three Euterpe palms (E. edulis, E. oleraceae and E. precatoria) from different Brazilian biomes
Authors: Francisconi Ana Flávia , dos Santos Luiz Augusto Cauz , Morales Marroquín Jonathan Andre , van den Berg Cássio , Alves-Pereira Alessandro , Delmondes de Alencar Luciano , Picanço-Rodrigues Doriane , Zanello Cesar Augusto , Ferreira Costa Marcones , Gomes Lopes Maria Teresa , Veasey Elizabeth Ann , Zucchi Maria Imaculada
Published: March 2022

The Brazilian palm fruits and hearts-of-palm of Euterpe edulis, E. oleracea and E. precatoria are an important source for agro-industrial production, but overexploitation requires conservation strategies to maintain genetic diversity. Chloroplast genomes have conserved sequences, which are useful to explore evolutionary questions. Besides the plastid DNA, genome skimming allows the identification of other genomic resources, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), providing information about the genetic diversity of species. We sequenced the chloroplast genome and identified gene content in the three Euterpe species. We performed comparative analyses, described the polymorphisms among the chloroplast genome sequences (repeats, indels and SNPs) and performed a phylogenomic inference based on 55 palm species chloroplast genomes. Finally, using the remaining data from genome skimming, the nuclear and mitochondrial reads, we identified SNPs and estimated the genetic diversity among these Euterpe species. The Euterpe chloroplast genomes varied from 159,232 to 159,275 bp and presented a conserved quadripartite structure with high synteny with other palms. In a pairwise comparison, we found a greater number of insertions/deletions (indels = 93 and 103) and SNPs (284 and 254) between E. edulis/E. oleracea and E. edulis/E. precatoria when compared to E. oleracea/E. precatoria (58 indels and 114 SNPs). Also, the phylogeny indicated a closer relationship between E. oleracea/E. precatoria. The nuclear and mitochondrial genome analyses identified 1,077 SNPs and high divergence among species (FST = 0.77), especially between E. edulis and E. precatoria (FST = 0.86). These results showed that, despite the few structural differences among the chloroplast genomes of these Euterpe palms, a differentiation between E. edulis and the other Euterpe species can be identified by point mutations. This study not only brings new knowledge about the evolution of Euterpe chloroplast genomes, but also these new resources open the way for future phylogenomic inferences and comparative analyses within Arecaceae.
Project Titli – product development for women at the bottom of the pyramid
Authors: Chatterjee Debabrata , Kaur Jasleen
Published: March 2022

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are as follows: Understand the concept and characteristics of Bottom of Pyramid (BoP) markets; understand the concept and characteristics of frugal innovations; understand the Design Thinking approach to product design and how it might be useful to develop frugal innovations for BoP markets.

Case overview/Synopsis

The case details the journey of a group of students at a premier engineering college in India. The group aimed to develop and implement a social innovation that addressed a serious and important health issue – menstrual hygiene practices among urban slum dwellers in India. The case begins with how a chance visit to an NGO inspired a pair of students to take up this issue, how the project unfolded at their college, the challenges faced in their journey and, finally, an outcome that was only a partial success. It raises important questions of challenges that are specific to bottom of pyramid markets in emerging economies. The case can provide a context for discussions on approaching frugal innovations from a Design Thinking perspective.

Complexity academic level

This case can be used in social innovation courses/modules at an undergraduate or graduate level in social innovation and social entrepreneurship courses. The case is best positioned towards the beginning of the course as an overview of the process of Social Innovation, and to discuss the relevance of concepts of BoP markets and frugal innovation.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 7: Management Science.
Perceptions of empowerment and motivation as outcomes of a continuing vocational education and training (CVET) programme for adults
Authors: Mara Liviu-Catalin , Cascón-Pereira Rosalía , Brunet Icart Ignasi
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The focus of this study is to explore the perceptions of motivation for further training and empowerment in future jobs of participants in different training activities under a public programme implemented in Catalonia (Spain), which delivers continuing vocational education and training (CVET) courses for unemployed and for active workers alike.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a mixed methodology approach to study the motivation and empowerment perceived in the sample of participants. From an online survey of 281 participants in a CVET programme from the network of public centres that implement the programme in Catalonia, the authors analysed quantitatively the responses and then applied an inductive analysis for the responses related to motivation and empowerment perceived by the participants.

Findings

Results show that the participation in this CVET programme has influenced positively the perception of motivation of the majority of participants to enrol in further education or training (80.43%), while at the other end of the spectrum, 18.86% of the participants reported low or no motivation to participate in further education or training. Regarding the empowerment towards their future workplace, 59.43% of participants perceived a high empowerment, while 37.37% reported feeling low-empowered or disempowered.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies that takes interest in studying a CVET public programme and its potential impact in generating perceptions of motivation for further education or training and empowerment in the participants. Moreover, its implementation was possible due to the collaboration of the public administration, which disseminated the survey to their students.
To stream or not to stream? Exploring factors influencing impulsive consumption through gastronomy livestreaming
Authors: Yu Cheng , Cheah Jun-Hwa , Liu Yide
Published: March 2022

Purpose

In China, the practice of livestreaming while shopping has evolved from a form of entertainment into a new business strategy. In recent years, the gastronomy industry has also adopted livestreaming as a means of online promotion. Based on the stimulus–organism–response theoretical model, this study aims to investigate the effects of gastronomy livestreaming on viewers’ impulsive consumption by considering gamification, perceived professionalism and telepresence as causative factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a survey of gastronomy livestreaming viewers that received 1,093 responses. The effects of gamification, perceived professionalism and telepresence were then analyzed using partial least squares-path modeling and necessary condition analysis.

Findings

This study finds that gamification, perceived professionalism and telepresence are sufficient conditions for explaining impulsive consumption. Innovativeness mediates the relationships between these factors and impulsive consumption. Furthermore, gamification and innovativeness represent necessary conditions for impulsive consumption.

Practical implications

The findings of this study contribute to an enhanced understanding of livestreaming in the gastronomy industry. Based on these findings, managers in the gastronomy industry can use more interactive gamification activities and enhance telepresence to increase viewers’ impulsive consumption during livestreaming sessions.

Originality/value

This study identifies the modalities through which gastronomy livestreaming can stimulate impulsive consumption. This is an early study to investigate the effect of experiences of gamification, perceived professionalism and telepresence on viewers’ impulsive consumption in the context of gastronomy livestreaming. In addition, this early study investigates the effect of gastronomy livestreaming innovativeness on impulsive consumption.
New trends in digital marketing emergence during pandemic times
Authors: Alsukaini Ali Khalaf Mohammed , Sumra Kalsoom , Khan Ruqia , Awan Tahir Mumtaz
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study relies on an integrated model to study the role of instant mobile messaging apps in the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping different forms of businesses; one of them is digital marketing. Many aspects of digital marketing augmented in response to the consequences of the virus. A comparative study between Pakistan and Iraq is conducted to investigate the resistors of innovation with the mediation of intention toward actual system usage. It examines the behavioral intentions and actual behavior of individuals in response to the resistance toward innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 800 responses were collected through a convenient sampling method from individuals residing in Pakistan and Iraq in the first wave of COVID-19. The data was analyzed through covariance-based structural equation modeling; SPSS and Smart PLS 3.0 were used as efficient data analysis tools in the study.

Findings

The results inferred that individuals are faced with resistance to innovation when they adopt innovative technology. It was inferred that technology adoption is not poised through image both in Pakistan and Iraq. Intention toward actual behavior was determined to be a potential mediator, which enhances the stature of the integrated model.

Originality/value

The significance of this study considering practical and theoretical implications is incorporated for marketer’s policymakers and consumers, along with recommendations for future research.
From market driving to market shaping: impact of a language shift
Authors: Pels Jaqueline , Mele Cristina , Spano Maria
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Prior research acknowledges the lack of theorizing of markets within marketing. This paper aims to capture the emerging themes linked to different conceptualizations of the market and provide a language system for theorizing the market.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper conducts a bibliometric analysis of 177 articles and 22 keywords and adopts Mele et al.’s (2015) market conceptualization to interpret the results.

Findings

The bibliometric analysis detects five thematic clusters: market driving, market exchange, market shaping, market practices and macro-marketing. Based on their degrees of relevance and development, these are arranged into two groups. The analysis of these two language systems shows a shift toward a more comprehensive conversation on how the market is conceptualized. The authors synthesize this shift under the expression “from market driving to market shaping.”

Research limitations/implications

The comparison of the two language systems allows the argument that market is a complex concept and that to understand it necessitates a rich set of terms.

Practical implications

The different ways of conceptualizing the market mean that managers face a choice when analyzing their market situations (what language system to use). This choice will be consequential for their subsequent actions.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the identification of two rival language systems and narratives: market driving and market shaping.
Global research on community-based enterprise: a bibliometric portrait
Authors: Pradhan Suchisweta , Samanta Sasmita
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of scholarly literature on community-based enterprise (CBE) through a bibliometric analysis and to comprehend the qualitative dimensions of research in this specific field.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on scholarly papers indexed in Scopus from 1990 to 2021. The bibliometric analysis focuses on journals, documents, writers, organizations and countries. VOSviewer is used for network visualization mapping of citation, co-citation, bibliographic coupling and co-occurrence of keywords.

Findings

The analysis of the bibliometric aspects of CBE literature reveals an upward trend in publication of CBE documents, with a significant increase of research productivity in the past few years. This behaviour shows that CBE is becoming increasingly popular among academics and practitioners. The document “Toward a theory of community based enterprise” by Ana Maria Peredo is the most cited document. USA has so far published the maximum number of documents in this field.

Practical implications

This study provides an overview of the current state of research in the subject as well as the primary themes explored in this burgeoning discipline, with the potential to help the researchers identify new topics and gaps that need to be investigated further.

Originality/value

This work contributes to the literature by conducting a bibliometric analysis that has not yet been explored. It gives an overview of the field’s organization as well as specifics on the major issues explored in this discipline.
Face-to-face with the new normal: libraries' readiness and perspectives toward the changing service environment
Authors: Abrigo Christine , Torres Efren
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore how library management in academic and school institutions has been adapting to the changes brought about by the global COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses how their priorities have shifted in reinventing their strategic plans and innovative library responses; and their readiness to meet new expectations to support their communities, as necessitated by the changes.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing the change readiness concept as a framework, it encompasses inquiry into the library management's response to the changes in the service and work environments at the onset of change, while in the process of adapting to the current changes, and readiness to the perceived changes in the next normal future service environment. Quantitative design was employed for this study, and self-selection strategy as a non-probability sampling technique was used in collecting data from respondents. Target respondents were head librarians. An online questionnaire was used as instrument for data gathering, which was tested valid and reliable.

Findings

Findings reveal that respondents have achieved quite a lot in preparing to adapt to change and generally agree that they are ready to deal with the perceived, future-wise changes in all aspects.

Research limitations/implications

The study was open to all types of libraries as subjects; however, one-person libraries were excluded. Being self-selected, the respondent group for this study is not a true representative of the target population. Data analysis was strictly based on the gathered results.

Practical implications

The study offers insights on the value of integrating measures pertinent to the emergence of new roles and needs in the changing service environment.

Originality/value

The results of the study are seen to have a potential contribution to the library organization's growth as they oversee their operations, prospectively.
Impact of executive compensation on corporate tax aggressiveness: evidence from India
Authors: Arora Taruntej Singh , Gill Suveera
Published: March 2022

Purpose

There is growing empirical evidence in context of the developed countries that greater tax aggressiveness of companies is associated with higher incentives to their executives. However, the same cannot be extended to emerging economies like India due to their distinct compensation practices. The present study, therefore, aims to bridge this gap by exploring the relationship between executive compensation and corporate tax aggressiveness in context of the Indian economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises a subset of the S&P BSE 500 Index companies for FY 2014–15 through 2018–19. A fixed effects panel model has been used to discern the impact of executive compensation on corporate tax aggressiveness with and without the moderating effect of a proxy for corporate governance strength.

Findings

The econometric analysis evinces a significant negative impact of the fixed executive compensation on tax aggressiveness, specifically with the moderation of corporate governance strength which was found to have a positive effect on the said relation. In addition, no significant relationship was observed between variable compensation and tax aggressiveness. These results were robust to an alternate specification of the corporate governance strength proxy as well as the system generalised method of moments estimation employed to deal with endogeneity.

Originality/value

The study provides insights on a poor interest alignment between shareholders and managers in India owing to an insignificant amount of variable pay in the total executive compensation.
On-demand service platform operations management: a literature review and research agendas
Authors: Yan Xiaoyu , Liu Weihua , Shi Victor , Liu Tingting
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The literature review aims to facilitate a broader understanding of on-demand service platform operations management and proposes potential research directions for scholars.

Design/methodology/approach

This study searches four databases for relevant literature on on-demand service platform operations management and selects 72 papers for this review. According to the research context, the literature can be divided into research on “a single platform” and research on “multiple platforms”. According to the research methods, the literature can be classified into “Mathematical Models”, “Empirical Studies”, “Multiple Methods” and “Literature Review”. Through comparative analysis, we identify research gaps and propose five future research agendas.

Findings

This paper proposes five research agendas for future research on on-demand service platform operations management. First, research can be done to combine classic research problems in the field of operations management with platform characteristics. Second, both the dynamic and steady-state issues of on-demand service platforms can be further explored. Third, research employing mathematical models and empirical analysis simultaneously can be more fruitful. Fourth, more research efforts on the various interactions among two or more platforms can be pursued. Last but not least, it is worthwhile to examine new models and paths that have emerged during the latest development of the platform economy.

Originality/value

Through categorizing the literature into two research contexts as well as classifying it according to four research methods, this article clearly shows the research progresses made so far in on-demand service platform operations management and provides future research directions.
The role of chelating agent on the structure and up-conversion property of NaLuF4:Yb,Tm as security ink phosphor
Authors: Bastani Saeed , Jalili Mojtaba , Ghahari Mehdi , Banihashem Parand
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of trisodium nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) on the physical and luminescence emission properties of NaLuF4:Yb, Tm Upconversion (UC) particles and compared with trisodium citrate (CA). Upconversion materials have been remarkably considered in many applications in the past decades. However, the morphology of the UC particles affects their emission properties, depending on the synthesis situation.

Design/methodology/approach

The UC particles were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. Properties such as crystal phase, particle morphology, particle size, smoothness and uniformity of particle surface and their emission intensity in the UV–Vis region were studied.

Findings

Observations showed that pH is an essential factor in determining the crystalline phase. In addition, quality factors affect the morphology, particle size and surface smoothness of crystalline facets. It was also found that the UC particles synthesized in the presence of trisodium NTA have a much higher emission intensity than those synthesized in the presence of CA. The use of UC particles in security inks to maintain the brand was also investigated.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, for the first time, the effect of trisodium NTA as a chelating agent was investigated on morphology and UC intensity of NaLuF4:Yb,Tm phosphor.
Inside the black box of institutional investors in an emerging market: the role of sell side analyst outputs
Authors: Chaudhury Arit , Sahoo Seshadev , Dawar Varun
Published: March 2022

Purpose

In the backdrop of emerging market setting of India, this study aims to attempt to identify how Institutional investors use sell side analyst outputs for their decision-making processes in light of inherent biases in their forecasts and recommendations. The study also conceptualizes the role of internal buy side teams in the process and try to figure out the key attributes and services provided by sell side analysts, which provide maximum value to the investors.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is centered upon in-depth semi-structured interviews of ten institutional investors from top Indian asset management companies covering a wide range of topics tied back to theoretical explanations. The data collected was transcribed, coded and analyzed using content analysis to ensure a systematic synthesis of point of view.

Findings

The findings show that internal analyst teams of institutional investors play a dominant role in terms of validation of sell side analysts’ outputs (given the inherent biases in sell side analyst forecasts). Further, the engagement of sell side analysts by the investors are determined not only through profitable recommendations but also on the basis of soundness of the investment rationale along with other services provided. Finally, this study puts into perspective, the critical role of analyst industry knowledge and access to company management (as opposed to analyst pedigree and forecast accuracy) for institutional investors decision-making.

Practical implications

The findings of the paper have profound implications for various stakeholders such as companies, sell side analysts, policy makers, researchers and students of finance in terms of detailed understanding of investment processes of institutional investors in the context of emerging markets like India, which have a different legal and regulatory set-up compared to developed markets. The authors also provide a critical perspective through an intriguing paradox that exists between finance theory and its relevance for actual practitioners.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in India which look inside the “black box” of institutional investors and their decision-making process, especially with respect to how they use sell side outputs.
Money creation and commercial banks’ money lending activity through the accounting treatment: stakeholders’ perceptions in Malaysia
Authors: Hossain Md Shamim , Abdul Latiff Ahmed Razman , Hisham Bin Osman Mohammad Noor
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore stakeholders’ perceptions on money creation and the impact of the accounting treatment for commercial banks’ money lending activity in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A phenomenological approach was used to examine the stakeholders’ perceptions through experience-sharing. A semi-structured interview approach was used to collect the data. Ten individuals from different stakeholder groups have been interviewed with their prior consent. For the data analysis, the current study adopted the inductive thematic approach.

Findings

Perceptions on money creation are influenced by the informants’ understanding and awareness of the research issue. Informants have agreed on the accounting treatment (debit loan and credit deposits) but explained the impact of this accounting treatment differently. The accounting treatment creates an opportunity for the commercial banks to create money as they want, and hence, the excess created money can create inflation and threat for the potential financial crisis. On the contrary, it is argued that money creation results from the systematic approach of the fractional reserve banking (FRB) in Malaysia. In addition, this money creation is not a threat to the economy as long as there is a strong controlling role of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

Research limitations/implications

Stakeholders’ perception indicates that awareness of the research issue can be a cause of crucial consequence for money lending activity. Moreover, this study may stimulate the chief regulatory body such as BNM, the central bank of Malaysia, to be more cautious in controlling the commercial banks’ money lending activity to prevent the potential future crisis. Furthermore, findings may help to explain the conflicting concept between the textbook explanation for FRB and current commercial banks’ money lending practice through the accounting treatment.

Originality/value

Monitoring and controlling of money creation and commercial banks’ money lending activity by BNM can be benefited from the stakeholders’ perceptions on this research issue. Because this is the first time study of the stakeholders’ perceptions on money creation and commercial banks’ money lending activity in Malaysia and hence, findings of this study may be worked as the input in the process of monitoring and controlling the money creation activity in Malaysia.
Racial profiling and Section 163 traffic stops: is there cause for concern?
Authors: Adams-Guppy Julie Rachel , Simpson Paul
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the issue of potential disproportionality and racial profiling in s.163 traffic stops under the Road Traffic Act 1988, in light of recent media attention and referral of cases to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the law, procedural use and reports of racial profiling in s.163 traffic stops within a context of research which presents a history of disproportionate use of police tactics against ethnic minorities and black people in particular. An international perspective is evaluated as a potential framework for analysing the role of ethnicity in traffic stops in England and Wales.

Findings

There is an absence of systematically recorded data on s.163 stops. There are also significant contextual differences between traffic and street stop searches. For these reasons, doubt is cast over the legitimacy of institutionalised racism generalisations and arguments are presented against the extrapolation from street stop searches to s.163 traffic stops.

Research limitations/implications

Implications for future research which take operational procedures and priorities into account, along with the realities of the context in which s.163 stops occur, are discussed. Importantly, the role of ethnicity may only become apparent after a traffic stop has been executed, and hence research is required into how ethnicity may mediate the interaction between police officer and driver.

Practical implications

Implications for the implementation of a national procedural requirement to record s.163 stops and the collection of evidence of racial profiling are highlighted.

Originality/value

This paper highlights practical implications for future policy, leadership and police culture considerations.
COVID-19 outbreak in India: age-wise analysis of patients
Authors: Kumar Rajan
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to indicate the current situation of the COVID-19 outbreak in India, the world's second-most populous country. India reported its first COVID-19 case in the southern province of Kerala in late January 2020. Since then, the outbreak has spread to other provinces and union territories, with the highest number of cases reported in Maharashtra province as of 24 May 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the age- and gender-wise analysis of COVID-19 patients in Maharashtra province and the whole nation.

Findings

It shows that 75% of them belong to the age group of 21–60 years and the age above 50 years has a very high fatality rate of 14.52% in Maharashtra. This analysis also shows that 76% of COVID-19 cases are in males in the nation. The data indicates that in the nation, 75.3% of the deaths are in the age group over 60 years and 86% of cases of death had diabetes-related comorbidity, hypertension, chronic kidney problems and heart problems. In India, the case-fatality rate, which estimates the proportion of deaths among identified confirmed cases, is 2.93% as of 24 May, which is significantly less than that many countries.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first attempt to indicate the current situation of the COVID-19 outbreak in India based on age and gender.
A systemic supervisory methodology and approach used during COVID times: Collective cut‐outs – a gift from the left hand
Authors: Adams Joanne , Baxter Melissa
Published: March 2022

This paper sets out to explore the use of a systemic reflexive exercise called “Collective Cut‐Outs”, detailing its methodology and usefulness with “frontline” mental health practitioners within supervision and teaching contexts. We draw on the use of storytelling, image, creativity and the usefulness of the left hand (right brain) in clinical mental health contexts and focus on its value in reflexive supervisory groups. We also aim to give voice to the experiences of “frontline” Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) clinicians in an inner‐city mental health team during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The Collective Cut‐Out exercise and its methodology provide a framework to help facilitate reflexive spaces that promote mindful group exercise and the subsequent expression of personal and professional resonance. The subjects of clinical challenge and collective resilience are also brought forth. We offer a case study in the second part of the paper, outlining the use of the exercise in a reflexive group supervisory context. The team in focus have kindly given us, the authors, permission to use their experiences and “cut‐outs”. We have either adapted or removed identifiable information from the writing to protect and respect the identity of the team and individuals involved.
Hysteria as a Shape‐Shifting Forensic Psychiatric Diagnosis in the Netherlands c. 1885–1960
Authors: Ruberg Willemijn
Published: March 2022

Based on criminal court cases found in archives and newspapers, this article traces how the diagnosis of hysteria functioned in trials and Dutch forensic psychiatric practice c. 1885–1960. Informed by Science and Technology Studies and praxiography, hysteria is studied as a ‘fire object'. It can make multiple relations with gender, which can be absent or present. This approach asks whether and how gender is important regarding hysteria. Gender only ‘stuck’ to hysteria in certain situations. In rape cases, hysteria took the form of lying and was connected to women. Although a woman's hysteria could be used as a reason to exonerate the male perpetrator's crime of murder, a man's hysteria never served to exculpate a female perpetrator of a crime. Signs on the body appeared to be very significant but did not suffice for a clear diagnosis. Inconsistencies during the psychiatric examination of the body therefore needed to be coordinated by pointing to other bodily symptoms, personal life stories, academic literature or logical reasoning. To analyse the ways hysteria functioned as a versatile fire object in the courtroom and pre‐trial investigation alerts us to hysteria's shapeshifting potential that might explain the power of the hysteria label in twentieth‐century medicine and culture.