bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A single-cell analysis of the molecular lineage of chordate embryogenesis
Authors: Zhang Tengjiao , Xu Yichi , Imai Kaoru , Fei Teng , Wang Guilin , Dong Bo , Yu Tianwei , Satou Yutaka , Shi Weiyang , Bao Zhirong
Published: March 2020

In multicellular organisms, a single zygote develops along divergent lineages to produce distinct cell types. What governs these processes is central to the understanding of cell fate specification and stem cell engineering. Here we used the protochordate modelCiona savignyito determine gene expression profiles of every cell of single embryos from fertilization through the onset of gastrulation and provided a comprehensive map of chordate early embryonic lineage specification. We identified 47 cell types across 8 developmental stages up to the 110-cell stage in wild type embryos and 8 fate transformations at the 64-cell stage upon FGF-MAPK inhibition. The identities of all cell types were evidenced byin situexpression pattern of marker genes and expected number of cells based on the invariant lineage. We found that, for the majority of asymmetrical cell divisions, the bipotent mother cell shows predominantly the gene signature of one of the daughter fates, with the other daughter being induced by subsequent signaling. Our data further indicated that the asymmetric segregation of mitochondria in some of these divisions does not depend on the concurrent fate inducing FGF-MAPK signaling. In the notochord, which is an evolutionary novelty of chordates, the convergence of cell fate from two disparate lineages revealed modular structure in the gene regulatory network beyond the known master regulator T/Brachyury. Comparison to single cell transcriptomes of the early mouse embryo showed a clear match of cell types at the tissue level and supported the hypothesis of developmental-genetic toolkit. This study provides a high-resolution single cell dataset to understand chordate embryogenesis and the relationship between fate trajectories and the cell lineage.

Highlights

Transcriptome profiles of 47 cell types across 8 stages in early chordate embryo

Bipotent mother in asymmetric division shows the default daughter fate

Modular structure of the notochord GRN beyond the known function of T

Invariant lineage and manual cell isolation provide truth to trajectory analysis
RPA-PCR couple: an approach to expedite plant diagnostics and overcome PCR inhibitors
Authors: Munawar Mustafa , Martin Frank , Toljamo Anna , Kokko Harri , Oksanen Elina
Published: March 2020

Plant diseases are often diagnosed by the method of DNA extraction followed by PCR. DNA extraction from plant tissue can be a recalcitrant and lengthy process, and sometimes ends up with inhibitors that reduce PCR amplification efficiency. Here we present a unique approach, ‘RPA-PCR couple’, to exclude the DNA extraction step from the standard plant diagnostic process. The process crudely macerates plant tissue in water for a few minutes, and then transfers the macerate supernatant to a Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) reaction. Following an incubation of 20 minutes at 39 °C, the RPA reaction can be directly utilized in PCR amplification. In RPA-PCR couple, the RPA reaction is run at slower reaction kinetics to promotes amplification of long amplicons and the slower reaction kinetics are achieved by lowering RPA components concentrations. In this proof of concept study, we targetedPhytophthoraintergenic mitochondrial spacer betweenatp9andnad9genes and the two commonPhytophthorapathogens of strawberry:P. fragariaeandP. cactorum. We presented coupling of RPA with real time TaqMan and SYBR Green PCR assays, and conventional PCR amplification aimed at Sanger sequencing. We found the RPA-PCR couple specific and capable of detecting as low as 10 fg ofPhytophthoragenomic DNA. Moreover, comparing RPA-PCR couple with the routine method of DNA extraction followed by PCR generated comparable results for the field samples. The idea of RPA-PCR couple to exclude DNA extraction may have vast application in different fields such as clinical diagnostics, food inspection and soil sciences.
MicroRNA-214 prevents pulmonary angiogenesis and alveolarization in neonatal rats with hyperoxia-mediated impairment of lung development by blocking PlGF-dependent STAT3 signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Zhi-Qun , Li Xiao-Xia , Li Jing , Hong Hui , Huang Xian-Mei
Published: March 2020

In recent years, the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in pulmonary diseases have been widely studied and researched. However, the molecular mechanism by which miR-214 affects bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains elusive and merits further exploration. Hence, this study aims to clarify the function of miR-214 in pulmonary angiogenesis and alveolarization in preterm infants with BPD. BPD neonatal rat model was induced by hyperoxia, and pulmonary epithelial cells were isolated from rats and exposed to hyperoxia. Gain- or loss-of-function experiments were performed in BPD neonatal rats and hyperoxic pulmonary epithelial cells. MiR-214 and PlGF expression in BPD neonatal rats, and eNOS, Bcl-2, c-myc, Survivin, α-SMA and E-cadherin expression in hyperoxic pulmonary epithelial cells were detected using RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. The interaction between PlGF and miR-214 was identified using dual luciferase reporter gene assay and RIP assay. ELISA was adopted to assess IL-1β, TNF-a, IL-6, ICAM-1 and Flt-1 expression in rats. Decreased miR-214 expression and elevated PlGF expression were evident in the lung tissues of neonatal rats with BPD. PlGF was a target of miR-214, and miR-214 downregulated PlGF to inactivate the STAT3 signaling pathway. miR-214 overexpression or PlGF silencing decreased apoptosis of hyperoxic pulmonary epithelial cells and declined pulmonary angiogenesis and alveolarization in BPD neonatal rats. Collectively, miR-214 can protects against pulmonary angiogenesis and alveolarization in preterm infants with BPD by suppressing PlGF and blocking STAT3 signaling pathway.
CREB non-autonomously regulates Reproductive Aging through Hedgehog/Patched Signalling
Authors: Templeman Nicole M. , Cota Vanessa , Keyes William , Kaletsky Rachel , Murphy Coleen T
Published: March 2020

Evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways are crucial for adjusting growth, reproduction, and cell maintenance in response to altered environmental conditions or energy balance. However, we have an incomplete understanding of the signaling networks and mechanistic changes that coordinate physiological changes across tissues. We found that loss of the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) transcription factor significantly slows Caenorhabditis elegans reproductive decline, an early hallmark of aging in many animals. Our results indicate that CREB acts downstream of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) Sma/Mab pathway in the hypodermis to control reproductive aging, and that it does so by regulating a Hedgehog-related signaling factor, WRT-10. Overexpression of hypodermal wrt-10 is sufficient to delay reproductive decline and oocyte quality deterioration, potentially acting via Patched-related receptors in the germline. This TGF-beta/CREB/WRT-10 signaling axis allows a key metabolic tissue to communicate with the reproductive system to regulate oocyte quality and the rate of reproductive decline.
Evidence from combined analysis of single cell RNA-Seq and ATAC-Seq data of regulatory toggles operating in native and iPS-derived murine retina
Authors: Georges Anouk , Lavergne Arnaud , Mandai Michiko , Lepiemme Fanny , Karim Latifa , Demeulenaere Loic , Aguilar Diego , Schyns Michael , Dupont Sébastien , Nguyen Laurent , Rakic Jean-Marie , Takahashi Masayo , Georges Michel , Takeda Haruko
Published: March 2020

We report the generation and analysis of single-cell RNA-Seq data (> 38,000 cells) from native and iPSC-derived murine retina at four matched developmental stages spanning the emergence of the major retinal cell types. We combine information from temporal sampling, visualization of 3D UMAP manifolds, pseudo-time and RNA velocity analyses, to show that iPSC-derived 3D retinal aggregates broadly recapitulate the native developmental trajectories. However, we show relaxation of spatial and temporal transcriptome control, premature emergence and dominance of photoreceptor precursor cells, and susceptibility of dynamically regulated pathways and transcription factors to culture conditions in iPSC-derived retina. We generate bulk ATAC-Seq data for native and iPSC-derived murine retina identifying ∼125,000 peaks. We combine single-cell RNA-Seq with ATAC-Seq information and obtain evidence that approximately half the transcription factors that are dynamically regulated during retinal development may act as repressors rather than activators. We propose that sets of activators and repressors with cell-type specific expression constitute “regulatory toggles” that lock cells in distinct transcriptome states underlying differentiation. We provide evidence supporting our hypothesis from the analysis of publicly available single-cell ATAC-Seq data for adult mouse retina. We identify subtle but noteworthy differences in the operation of such toggles between native and iPSC-derived retina particularly for the Etv1, Etv5, Hes1 and Zbtb7a group of transcription factors.
Topological defects in the nematic order of actin fibers as organization centers ofHydramorphogenesis
Authors: Maroudas-Sacks Yonit , Garion Liora , Shani-Zerbib Lital , Livshits Anton , Braun Erez , Keren Kinneret
Published: March 2020

Animal morphogenesis arises from the complex interplay between multiple mechanical and biochemical processes with mutual feedback. Developing an effective, coarse-grained description of morphogenesis is essential for understanding how these processes are coordinated across scales to form robust, functional outcomes. Here we show that the nematic order of the supra-cellular actin fibers in regeneratingHydradefines a slowly-varying field, whose dynamics provide an effective description of the morphogenesis process. We show that topological defects in this field, which are long-lived yet display rich dynamics, act as organization centers with morphological features developing at defect sites. These observations suggest that the nematic orientation field can be considered a “mechanical morphogen” whose dynamics, in conjugation with various biochemical and mechanical signaling processes, result in the robust emergence of functional patterns during morphogenesis.
Ultrasonic Spatial Target Localization Using Artificial Pinnae of Brown Long-eared Bat
Authors: Zhang Sen , Ma Xin , Dong Zheng , Zhou Weidong
Published: March 2020

Echolocating bats locate a target by echolocation and their performance is related to the shape of the binaural conformation in bats. In this study, we developed an artificial sonar system based on the vertical sound localization characteristics of the brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus). First, using the finite element method, we found that the beam of the first side lobe formed by a pinna constructed according to that in the brown long-eared bat shifted in an almost linear manner in the vertical direction as the frequency changed from 30 kHz to 60 kHz. We established a model of the relationship between the time-frequency features of the echo emitted by brown long-eared bats and the spatial direction by using the pre-trained neural network. We also developed a majority vote-based method called sliding window cumulative peak estimation (SWCPE) to optimize the outputs from the neural network. In addition, an L-shaped pinna structure was designed to simultaneously estimate the azimuth and elevation. Our field experiments indicated that the binaural conformation and relative binaural orientation both played vital roles in spatial target localization by these bats. Accurate echolocation can be achieved using a simple binaural sonar device even without binaural time difference information.
Calcium-Binding Proteins are Altered in the Cerebellum in Schizophrenia
Authors: Vidal-Domènech Francisco , Riquelme Gemma , Pinacho Raquel , Rodriguez-Mias Ricard , Vera América , Monje Alfonso , Ferrer Isidre , Callado Luis F. , Meana J. Javier , Villén Judit , Ramos Belén
Published: March 2020

Alterations in the cortico-cerebellar-thalamic-cortical circuit might underlie the diversity of symptoms in schizophrenia. However, molecular changes in cerebellar neuronal circuits, part of this network, have not yet been fully determined. Using LC-MS/MS, we screened altered candidates in pooled grey matter of cerebellum from schizophrenia subjects who committed suicide (n=4) and healthy individuals (n=4). Further validation by immunoblotting of three selected candidates was performed in two cohorts comprising schizophrenia (n=20), non-schizophrenia suicide (n=6) and healthy controls (n=21). We found 99 significantly altered proteins, 31 of them previously reported in other brain areas by proteomic studies. Transport function was the most enriched category, while cell communication was the most prevalent function. For validation, we selected the vacuolar proton pump subunit 1 (VPP1), from transport, and two EF-hand calcium-binding proteins, calmodulin and parvalbumin from cell communication. All candidates showed significant changes in schizophrenia (n=7) compared to controls (n=7). VPP1 was altered in the non-schizophrenia suicide group and increased levels of parvalbumin were linked to antipsychotics. Further validation in an independent cohort of non-suicidal chronic schizophrenia subjects (n=13) and non-psychiatric controls (n=14) showed that parvalbumin was increased while calmodulin was decrease in schizophrenia. Our findings provide evidence of an dysregulation of calcium-binding proteins in the cerebellum in schizophrenia, suggesting an impact on normal calcium-dependent synaptic functioning of cerebellar circuits. Our study also links VPP1 to suicide behaviours, suggesting a possible impairment in vesicle neurotransmitter refilling and release in these phenotypes.
Shark movements in the Revillagigedo Archipelago and connectivity with the Eastern Tropical Pacific
Authors: Lara-Lizardi Frida , Hoyos-Padilla Mauricio , Hearn Alex , Klimley A. Peter , Galván-Magaña Felipe , Arauz Randall , Bessudo Sandra , Castro Eleazar , Clua Eric , Espinoza Eduardo , Fischer Chris , Peñaherrera-Palma César , Steiner Todd , Ketchum James T.
Published: March 2020

Long-distance movements of sharks within and between islands pose substantial challenges for resource managers working with highly migratory species. When no-take zones do not cover the critical areas that sharks use as part of their lifecycle, exposure to fishing activities can be significant. Shark movements between the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) have been studied for several years, however little is known about the strength of connectivity between these islands. We analyzed the extensive MigraMar ultrasonic telemetry dataset to assess how Galapagos sharks (Carcharhinus galapagensis) and silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis) use different islands as stepping-stones during their migrations within the Revillagigedo National Park and other ETP islands. Of the 66 sharks monitored, 63.5% moved within the same island, 25.4% between two islands or more and only 10.1% across different MPAs. AC. falciformistagged in Roca Partida Island, Revillagigedo, travelled to Clipperton Atoll and another one tagged in Darwin Island travelled to the atoll on two different years. The largest movement ofC. galapagensiswas accomplished by a shark tagged at Socorro Island, Revillagigedo, later detected at Clipperton and finally recorded in Darwin Island, Galapagos. This last path was in fact, one of the longest movements ever recorded for the species. Although long-distance dispersion was not common, our results highlight the need for co-operation between different countries to ensure adequate protection for sharks in the form of swimways and other conservation tools in the ETP.
Podocyte-specific knockout of the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) results in differential protection depending on the model of immune-mediated kidney disease
Authors: Dylewski James , Tonsawan Pantipa , Garcia Gabriela , Lewis Linda , Blaine Judith
Published: March 2020

Podocytes have been proposed to be antigen presenting cells (APCs). In traditional APCs, the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is required for antigen presentation and global knockout of FcRn protects against immune-mediated kidney disease. Since podocytes express FcRn, we sought to determine whether the absence of podocyte FcRn ameliorates immune-mediated disease. We examined MHCII and costimulatory markers expression in cultured wild type (WT) and FcRn knockout (KO) podocytes. Interferon gamma (IFNγ) induced MHCII expression in both WT and KO podocytes but did not change CD80 expression. Neither WT nor KO expressed CD86 or inducible costimulatory ligand (ICOSL) at baseline or with IFNγ. Using an antigen presentation assay, WT podocytes but not KO treated with immune complexes induced a modest increase in IL-2. Induction of the anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) model resulted in a significant decrease in glomerular crescents in podocyte-specific FcRn knockout mouse (podFcRn KO) versus controls but the overall percentage of crescents was low. To examine the effects of the podocyte-specific FcRn knockout in a model with a longer autologous phase, we used the nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NTS) model. We found that the podFcRn KO mice had significantly reduced crescent formation and glomerulosclerosis compared to control mice. This study demonstrates that lack of podocyte FcRn is protective in immune mediated kidney disease that is dependent on an autologous phase. This study also highlights the difference between the anti-GBM model and NTS model of disease.
Time-controlled Multichannel Dynamic Traction Imaging of Biaxially Stretched Adherent Cells
Authors: Horvath Aron N. , Ziegler Andreas A. , Gerhard Stephan , Holenstein Claude N. , Beyeler Benjamin , Snedeker Jess G. , Silvan Unai
Published: March 2020

Here, a dynamic traction force microscopy method is described which enables sub-second temporal resolution imaging of transient subcellular events secondary to extrinsic stretch of adherent single cells. The system employs a novel tracking approach with minimal computational overhead to compensate substrate-based stretch-induced motion/drift of stretched single cells in real time, allowing capture of biophysical phenomena on multiple channels by fluorescent multichannel imaging on a single camera, thus avoiding the need for beam splitting with associated loss of light. The potential impact of the technique is demonstrated by characterizing transient subcellular forces and corresponding nuclear deformations in equibiaxial stretching experiments, uncovering a high frequency strain-rate dependent response in the transfer of substrate strains to the nucleus.
Robust differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into endothelial cells via temporal modulation of ETV2 with modified mRNA
Authors: Wang Kai , Lin Ruei-Zeng , Hong Xuechong , Ng Alex H. , Lee Chin Nien , Neumeyer Joseph , Wang Gang , Wang Xi , Ma Minglin , Pu William T. , Church George M. , Melero-Martin Juan M.
Published: March 2020

Human induced pluripotent stem cell (h-iPSC)–derived endothelial cells (h-iECs) have become a valuable tool in regenerative medicine. However, current differentiation protocols remain inefficient and lack reliability. Here, we describe a method for rapid, consistent, and highly efficient generation of h-iECs. The protocol entails the delivery of modified mRNA encoding the transcription factorETV2at the intermediate mesodermal stage of differentiation. This approach reproducibly differentiated thirteen diverse h-iPSC lines into h-iECs with exceedingly high efficiency. In contrast, standard differentiation methods that relied on endogenousETV2were inefficient and notably inconsistent. Our h-iECs were functionally competent in many respects, including the ability to form perfused vascular networksin vivo. Importantly, timely activation ofETV2was critical, and bypassing the mesodermal stage produced putative h-iECs with reduced expansion potential and inability to form functional vessels. Our protocol has broad applications and could reliably provide an unlimited number of h-iECs for vascular therapies.
Dissection of theFgf8regulatory landscape byin vivoCRISPR-editing reveals extensive inter- and intra-enhancer redundancy
Authors: Hörnblad A. , Langenfeld K. , Bastide S. , Langa Vives F. , Spitz F.
Published: March 2020

Developmental genes are often regulated by multiple elements with overlapping activity. Yet, in most cases, the relative function of those elements and their contribution to endogenous gene expression remain uncharacterized. Illustrating this situation, distinct sets of enhancers have been proposed to directFgf8in the limb apical ectodermal ridge (AER) and the midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB). Usingin vivoCRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering, we functionally dissect this complex regulatory ensemble and demonstrate two distinct regulatory logics. In the AER, the control ofFgf8expression appears extremely distributed between different enhancers. In contrast, in the MHB, one of the three active enhancers is essential while the other two are dispensable. Further dissection of the essential MHB enhancer revealed another layer of redundancy and identified two sub-parts required independently forFgf8expression and formation of midbrain and cerebellar structures. Interestingly, cross-species transgenic analysis of this enhancer suggests changes of the organisation of this essential regulatory node in the vertebrate lineage.
Framing sustainable development challenges: accounting for SDG-15 in the UK
Authors: Sobkowiak Madlen , Cuckston Thomas , Thomson Ian
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This research seeks to explain how a national government becomes capable of constructing an account of its biodiversity performance that is aimed at enabling formulation of policy in pursuit of SDG 15: Life on Land.

Design/methodology/approach

The research examines a case study of the construction of the UK government's annual biodiversity report. The case is analysed to explain the process of framing a space in which the SDG-15 challenge of halting biodiversity loss is rendered calculable, such that the government can see and understand its own performance in relation to this challenge.

Findings

The construction of UK government's annual biodiversity report relies upon data collected through non-governmental conservation efforts, statistical expertise of a small project group within the government and a governmental structure that drives ongoing evolution of the indicators as actors strive to make these useful for policy formulation.

Originality/value

The analysis problematises the SDG approach to accounting for sustainable development, whereby performance indicators have been centrally agreed and universally imposed upon all signatory governments. The analysis suggests that capacity-building efforts for national governments may need to be broader than that envisaged by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Exploring experiential indicators in flight training organization: a case study
Authors: Atasoy Vehbi Emrah , Ekici Selcuk
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an approach to evaluate the establishment requirements of an flight training organization (FTO) through indicators that are not included in the regulations from the viewpoint of “acquired indicators from FTO experience” (AIs-FTOE).

Design/methodology/approach

Although the establishment requirements of an FTO can be determined through regulations, it was realized that the pilot training process can be achieved in a safe, sustainable and economical manner through indicators that are not included in the regulations. These indicators were obtained through experience in the operation process of the FTOs. In this study, the indicators (obtained from the regulations and experiences) affecting the efficiency of FTOs, that were or would be operational, were determined, and the effects of the indicators on the organization were examined and presented in detail. The case study was carried out in the Department of Flight Training (ETU-P) of Eskişehir Technical University which has an FTO.

Findings

In accordance with the results, the necessity indicators were defined, and the indicators that were not included in the regulations were called as AIs-FTOE. Identified AIs-FTOEs were classified into three main headings: natural and artificial obstacles, meteorological conditions and physical and technological resources. Detailed indicator data results were presented after examinations.

Practical implications

When literature on FTOs was examined, it was seen that there is a need to identify and classify indicators that affect the efficiency of FTOs. To the authors’ knowledge, this study will be the first in the literature that presented information based on an active FTO in detail. Thus, the AIs-FTOEs identified in this study will serve as a roadmap for the FTOs to be established and are to be used as parameters to evaluate efficiency for the established ones.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this paper will be the first paper in the literature describing the indicators that can be evaluated in terms of efficiency, sustainability and economy of FTOs.
The business-to-business inside sales force: roles, configurations and research agenda
Authors: Sleep Stefan , Dixon Andrea L. , DeCarlo Thomas , Lam Son K.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the changing nature of the inside sales role and the individual capabilities required for success. Additionally, it examines the influence of organizational structure on inside sales force capabilities. Although business-to-business firms are investing heavily in inside sales forces, academic research lags behind this evolution.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a two-study qualitative approach, the authors examine contemporary inside sales forces’ responsibilities and operational configurations. Study 1 uses a cross-industry sample of sales leaders and professionals to examine roles and responsibilities. Study 2 used the second sample of sales leaders and professionals to explore the impact of various organizational configurations.

Findings

The study identifies important differences between inside and outside salespeople in terms of job demands and resources; inside salespeople’s greater reliance on sales technology and analytics than outside counterparts; and existing control systems’ failure to provide resources and incentives to match with inside salespeople’s increasing strategic benefits and job demands. The study also explores four distinct inside–outside configurations. The differences among these configurations help to explain the distinct benefits and costs of each configuration regarding the company, customer and intra sales force processes, which, in turn, determine inside salespeople’s strategic benefits and job demands.

Research limitations/implications

The authors discuss the theoretical implications of these findings for research on the evolving roles and capabilities of the inside sales force; antecedents and consequences of firms’ choice of inside–outside sales force configurations; and the impact of technology and the inside sales force. They propose a research agenda that includes a series of specific future research questions.

Practical implications

This study informs managers of the unique role of the inside sales force and how it differs from their outside counterpart. The results inform managers of the issues inherent to various inside sales configurations, helping them determine, which configuration best addresses their customers’ needs.

Originality/value

This research provides a detailed, updated account of the differences between inside and outside sales forces and the benefits/costs of major inside–outside sales force configurations. Drawing from job demands-resources, organizational structure and strategy-context fit theories, the authors develop research propositions about the underlying structural differences of inside-outside sales force configurations; how these differences drive the inside sales force’s increasing strategic benefits and job demands; and organizational choice of inside sales force configurations. A research agenda is then presented.
Experimental investigation on Stribeck curves of different elastic modulus materials under oil and water lubrication conditions
Authors: Zhang Hua , Zhou Guangwu , Zhong Ping , Wu Kepeng , Ding Xingwu
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of friction coefficient of materials with different elastic modulus on the variation of velocity and load under water lubrication and oil lubrication conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Low-viscosity lubricating oil and water were used as lubricants to test the friction performance of the ball-disc contact friction pair in the lubrication state on the universal micro-tribometer multi-functional friction and wear test system.

Findings

In the same speed range, the lubrication states from soft to rigid materials are not necessarily similar to each other. Generally, the material with low elastic modulus is suitable in low-viscosity lubricant environments, while the material with high elastic modulus has relatively smaller friction coefficients in oil-lubricated environments compared with water lubrication. However, the coefficients of polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylen and polyoxymethylene are exceeded by rubber’s coefficients under water lubrication in the same experiment environments, and their lubrication states are not affected by lubricants. The friction coefficient of the friction pair decreases with the increase of loads; however, it does not apply to all materials. The friction coefficients of materials with smaller elastic modulus such as rubber under high loads are rather large. Therefore, the elastic modulus of the material under high loads is a factor to be considered.

Originality/value

The Stribeck curves study of the ball-disk contact friction pair comprising soft and rigid materials, whose elastic modulus is from hundreds of GPa to a few of MPa, was carried out. The influence of different speeds, loads and lubricants on the friction coefficient of the friction pair was revealed, which provided a research basis for the selection and matching of friction pair materials.
The undeserving rich: can they be redeemed? Policy options for curbing illegal wealth
Authors: Gilsinan James F. , Fisher James E. , Islam Muhammad , Ordower Henry M. , Shahin Wassim
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of various policy options for curbing the accumulation of illegal wealth and suggest ways to close the increasing wealth inequality gap.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins with a historical/literary analysis of the place of wealth in American Society and the ambivalent cultural attitudes toward wealth. Different policy approaches that seek to limit wealth inequality and the illegal accumulation of wealth are then examined. Finally, the current policy climate in the USA is reviewed to determine the likelihood of meaningful reform.

Findings

In Europe, the BASEL accords show promise for curbing the illegal accumulation of wealth by politically exposed persons. In the USA, tax reform efforts can close the wealth gap, but the current political landscape makes meaningful reform challenging particularly given the increasing use of “dark” money to influence elections.

Research limitations/implications

Because financial reform is a moving target in both Europe and the USA, subject to the ebb and flow of political forces, it is difficult to predict what major reforms will be possible.

Practical implications

Without meaningful reform, an increase in populist movements can be expected (e.g. Brexit and Trump) with an overall, long-term negative impact on democratic capitalism.

Social implications

The wealth gap and the sense that the system is rigged against the common people will result in increasing political turmoil.

Originality/value

Combining literary/historical analysis with the analysis of current policy interventions provides a set of tools not usually used in the examination of financial crimes.
The strategic interplay in academia: administrators versus students
Authors: Islam Md. Sariful , Afrin Sonia , Das Debasish Kumar , Ahsan Md. Nasif
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to study students' strategic behaviors for increasing their job prospect in response to university administrators' moves for lifting up institutional reputation in the academia.

Design/methodology/approach

A Stackelberg differential game is used to study this strategic interplay between administrators and students. In this game, an administrator maximizes institutional quality to build university reputation while student maximizes grades to increase their job prospects. Therefore, administrators being the leader move first while students set strategies for maximizing their objective function by following administrators' move.

Findings

The study produces several distinctive results by analyzing administrator–students’ strategic interactions. First, university administrators need to be sufficiently more impatient for building reputation by improving institutional quality than students’ impatience for increasing their job prospects to have feasible solutions. Second, students attempt to increase academic grades for making them more marketable in response to administrators’ additional efforts for increasing their students’ job prospects. Third, exogenous increase in university reputation improves institutional quality and students’ job prospects without affecting their academic grades. However, increase in job prospects motivates students to increase their grades. Fourth, administrators’ too much impatience for increasing university reputation could inflate students’ grade, reduce job prospect and degrade institutional quality. Fifth, an exogenous rise in students’ impatience improves institutional quality and students’ job prospects but reduces students’ grades. Finally, the exogenous increase in opportunity cost of securing good grade degrades institutional quality, thus reducing further job prospects. Therefore, administrators’ positive but moderate impatience for reputation will improve students’ academic performances, institutional quality and job prospects.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to analyze students’ strategic responses for improving their job prospects in response to administrators’ actions for enhancing university reputation. It helps administrators to design an effective framework for building university reputation in the academic market through improving institutional quality and expanding job markets for their students.
Development of pulse-based probiotics by fermentation using Fiti sachets for the developing world
Authors: Le Toby , Hekmat Sharareh
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to determine the probiotic potential ofLactobacillus rhamnosusGR-1 from Fiti sachets, in four widely consumed pulses, namely, black-eyed pea, pigeon pea, kabuli chickpea and desi chickpea. The secondary objective was to determine the viability of the fermented pulses during 21 days of storage at 4°C.

Design/methodology/approach

Each pulse sample was mixed with a Fiti sachet (one gram of freeze-dried consortium ofLactobacillus rhamnosusGR-1 andStreptococcus thermophilusC106) and fermented for up to 120 h. To assess the samples’ storage potential, they were refrigerated at 4°C for 21 days. Microbial enumerations and pH measurements were collected during fermentation and storage to determine the viability and fermentation potential ofLactobacillus rhamnosusGR-1 and Fiti, respectively.

Findings

There was a significant (p= 0.01) difference in mean microbial counts in all pulse samples throughout fermentation. At 24 h of fermentation, the mean bacterial count ofLactobacillus rhamnosusGR-1 in black-eyed pea, pigeon pea, kabuli chickpea and desi chickpea were 1.32 × 109 ± 0.11, 1.01 × 109 ± 0.16, 1.52 × 109 ± 0.14 and 0.80 × 109 ± 0.05 CFU/mL, respectively. Fermentation of pigeon pea, kabuli chickpea and desi chickpea at 48 h yielded the highest bacterial count forLactobacillus rhamnosusGR-1 while black-eyed pea reached its highest bacterial count at 72 h of fermentation. The bacterial concentration of all pulse samples remained at around 109CFU/mL during the refrigeration period of 21 days at 4°C. Furthermore, the pH of all pulse samples were below 4.6 during both fermentation and refrigerated storage.

Originality/value

Since 2004, the Fiti initiative has economically empowered hundreds of women in East Africa by teaching them how to produce and sell probiotic yogurt containingLactobacillus rhamnosusGR-1. As a result, Fiti probiotic yogurt was made accessible to vulnerable populations in East Africa who face malnutrition, infectious diseases and environmental toxins. Because of recent climatic changes, milk has become more expensive and inaccessible for local communities. Furthermore, this study found that black-eyed pea, pigeon pea, kabuli chickpea and desi chickpea can be viable and non-diary probiotic alternatives to the Fiti probiotic yogurt in Eastern Africa. This is also the first study of its kind to provide preliminary evidence showing pulses as non-dairy alternatives to Fiti probiotic yogurt.
Lure of country of origin: an exploratory study of ex-host country nationals in India
Authors: Varma Arup , Tung Rosalie
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The present study was designed to investigate the factors that prompt ex-host country nationals (EHCNs) to return to their country of origin, specifically, India. In order to identify specific factors that guide the decision to return, we examined several categories of reasons why members of the Indian diaspora who have lived/worked abroad may choose to return to India.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 98 executives from Southern India, this exploratory study sheds light on the emerging phenomenon of “brain circulation” advanced by Saxenian (2005) where highly qualified professionals (human talent, in short) ply between their country of origin (COO) and country of residency (COR). The authors investigate (i) their overall impression of their COO, (ii) the reasons they believe their company transferred them to India in the event of company-sponsored relocations, (iii) the impediments they face in performing their jobs in their COO, and (iv) their level of satisfaction with various aspects of their assignment, whether company-sponsored or self-initiated assignments.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that EHCNs were driven by several unique factors in their decision to return to their COO, including (i) quality of life, (ii) better career opportunities, (iii) remuneration and (iv) family reasons.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study should help scholars develop theoretical models that can help explain the factors that determine the decision-making process of EHCNs related to returning to their COO. Furthermore, while our study was conducted in India, the factors guiding the decisions of the EHCNs are clearly universal, such as quality of life and opportunities for self.

Practical implications

Overall, the EHCNs in our sample were happy with their decision to return to live and work in India, thus suggesting that it would not be very problematic for the Indian government to attract them to return home to satisfy the growing demand for human talent associated with inward and outward foreign direct investment to/from India.

Originality/value

Given the Indian government's continuing efforts to attract qualified EHCNs to return to India and contribute to the growth of the economy, our study offers specific insights into what motivates individuals to return to their COO.
Exploratory study
Authors: Nienaber Hester , Martins Nico
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Employee engagement recently emerged as a promising mechanism to improve organisational effectiveness and accordingly reduce the performance gap. This paper empirically demonstrates which employee engagement dimension(s) act as the strongest dimension to enhance the levels of employee engagement and consequently organisational effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative approach, specifically a survey design, using a questionnaire to collect data. Regression analysis was applied to predict the impact of the employee engagement dimensions on the level of employee engagement in organisations and the impact of online/social media, as part of communication, on employee engagement.

Findings

The statistical analyses indicate that the dimensions organisational strategy and implementation, organisational commitment and team commitment are significant predictors of employee engagement. On-line/social media has a negative effect on employee engagement. However, according to the results, communication in organisations can be improved, especially by using online/social media more effectively.

Research limitations/implications

This includes low response rate from some groups.

Practical implications

The importance of secondary general management tasks, particularly motivation and communication, in mobilising employees to cooperate in pursuing organisational goals, became apparent. This study reflects the adverse effect of a lack of leadership and management skills, and ineffective use of online/social media on organisational performance, as reported in academic and practitioner research. Regardless, practitioners can apply the levers of motivation, via structural dimensions of organisation, to activate psychological presence which drives employee engagement and in turn facilitates strategy implementation and consequently organisational effectiveness. Scholars can modify their research agendas by investigating the “(un)availability” of human resources to improve organisational effectiveness.

Social implications

The costs of disengaged employees are high, in terms of productivity losses and the performance gap, with adverse consequences for society.

Originality/value

Employee engagement as a driver of strategy implementation is an overlooked area of research. This study offers a better explanation of employee engagement as a mechanism to improve strategy implementation, thus reducing the performance gap, and consequently waste. Employee engagement engenders employee support to pursue organisational goals, in a coordinated system of cooperation, and is produced by the structural dimensions of organisation, the parameters within which psychological presence is activated. Psychological presence drives employee engagement which enables employees to be available to implement strategy to achieve organisational goals and thus organisational effectiveness. Engagement at a broader level than individual is significant.
Natural hybridization and introgression of Abies firma and Abies homolepis along the altitudinal gradient and genetic insights into the origin of Abies umbellata
Authors: Aizawa Mineaki , Iwaizumi Masakazu G.
Published: March 2020

Two Japanese fir species (Pinaceae), Abies firma and A. homolepis, comprise the majority of the temperate forest vegetation zones of Japan. Their vertical distributions are exclusively segregated: A. firma occurs in low elevations and A. homolepis occurs in elevated regions; they contact each other at an altitude of around 1,000–1,100 m. Around the contact zone, A. umbellata is described as a tree with shoots of A. homolepis. It has the greenish cones of A. firma instead of the violet A. homolepis cones. An albinism hypothesis and a hybrid hypothesis were proposed to explain the origin of A. umbellata, provoking long debates. Therefore, we examined a total of 78 A. firma and A. homolepis trees (including an A. umbellata tree) along the altitudinal gradient in two study sites using 13 nuclear microsatellites and a species‐specific chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) marker and examined morphologies of shoots and cone scales. Finally, we tested the two hypotheses. The genetic analyses revealed that shoot morphologies of A. homolepis and A. firma correspond mostly to the genetic identity of the species, whereas nine trees with intermediate shoot morphologies and two trees (including the A. umbellata tree) with A. homolepis shoots were genetically intermediate, indicating natural hybrids of A. firma and A. homolepis. These 11 hybrids occur in the narrow altitude ranges of their contact zones. The genetic analyses also suggested that hybrid backcrosses with parental species occur. These results support the hybrid hypothesis and suggest that the natural hybrids should taxonomically be classified as A. × umbellata.
Expert judgements and community values: preference heterogeneity for protecting river ecology in Western Australia
Authors: Rogers Abbie A. , Burton Michael P. , Cleland Jonelle A. , Rolfe John C. , Meeuwig Jessica J. , Pannell David J.
Published: March 2020

Western Australia's Swan River is a complex asset providing environmental, recreational and commercial benefits. Agencies responsible for its management rely extensively on advice from experts, whose preferences may or may not align with those of the community. Using a choice experiment, we compared public and expert preferences for managing the river's ecology and tested the application of budget‐reallocation and personal‐cost payment vehicles. The results indicate that the budget‐reallocation method is a suitable payment vehicle for public and expert samples, although there are some differences to the more traditional personal‐cost vehicles because of different trade‐offs involved. Modelling revealed heterogeneity in preferences. Expert and public preferences were statistically different from one another at the mean, but a significant amount of heterogeneity existed in the populations sampled. The differences in preferences across both public and expert groups suggest that the measurement of public values for the environment is still an important part of the management process, even when experts are providing advice.
Managers’ Resources for Authentic Leadership – a Multi‐study Exploration of Positive Psychological Capacities and Ethical Organizational Climates
Authors: Fladerer Martin P. , Braun Susanne
Published: March 2020

While authentic leadership is highly valued in today's business world, managers do not necessarily have the resources to attain it. Building on conservation of resources theory, we propose a conceptual model to address how personal and contextual resources predict authentic leadership. Study 1 analyses the day‐to‐day variability in managers’ positive psychological capacities as personal resources in relation to changes in authentic leadership. In addition, it tests ethical organizational climates as stable, contextual resources for authentic leadership. In Study 2, we replicate our results on the between‐person level and extend the research model by exploring promotion focus as a link in the relationship between personal resources and authentic leadership. Evidence from an experience sampling study with 89 managers surveyed daily on 10 consecutive working days (Study 1) and a field survey of 130 managers at two points in time (Study 2) supports the hypothesized role of personal resources and promotion focus for authentic leadership. In both studies, only principled but not benevolent ethical organizational climates emerged as a contextual resource for authentic leadership. We discuss the implications for current management research and practice.