bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optogenetic control of receptors reveals distinct roles for actin- and Cdc42-dependent negative signals in chemotactic signal processing
Authors: Bell George R. R. , Rincón Esther , Akdoğan Emel , Collins Sean R.
Published: April 2021

During chemotaxis, neutrophils use cell surface G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) to detect chemoattractant gradients1–4. The downstream signaling system is wired with multiple feedback loops that amplify weak inputs and promote spatial separation of cell front and rear activities1, 5–8. Positive feedback could promote rapid signal spreading9, yet information from the receptors is transmitted with high spatial fidelity, enabling detection of small differences in chemoattractant concentration across the cell1. How the signal transduction network achieves signal amplification while preserving spatial information remains unclear. The GTPase Cdc42 is a cell-front polarity coordinator that is predictive of cell turning, suggesting an important role in spatial processing10. To directly measure information flow from receptors to Cdc42, we paired zebrafish parapinopsina, an optogenetic GPCR that allows reversible ON/OFF receptor control with a spectrally compatible red/far red Cdc42 FRET biosensor. Using this new toolkit, we show that positive and negative signals downstream of G-proteins shape a rapid, dose-dependent Cdc42 response. Furthermore, F-actin and Cdc42 itself provide two distinct negative signals that limit the duration and spatial spread of Cdc42 activation, maintaining output signals local to the originating receptors.
Calculating the divergence time by direct comparison between individuals and the out-group
Authors: Sun Tingting , Liu Qing , Shang Meiqi , Wang Kejian
Published: April 2021

Investigating the divergence time between different populations has been of fundamental interest in evolution biology. In this study, we reanalysed the mitochondrial and Y chromosome DNA of the 1000 Genomes Project, and revealed that most single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are specific to minority and would be classified as low-frequency mutations. Using these polymorphisms, we recalculated the divergence time of different populations by direct comparison between individuals and the out-group.
Fungal jasmonate as a novel morphogenetic signal for pathogenesis
Authors: Liu Yingyao , Pagac Martin , Yang Fan , Patkar Rajesh N. , Naqvi Naweed I.
Published: April 2021

A key question that has remained unanswered is how pathogenic fungi switch from vegetative growth to infection-related morphogenesis during a disease cycle. Here, we identify a fungal oxylipin analogous to the well-known phytohormone jasmonic acid, as the principal morphogenesis signal responsible for such a developmental switch to pathogenicity in the rice-blast fungusMagnaporthe oryzae. We explored the molecular function(s) of such intrinsic jasmonic acid during pathogenic differentiation inM. oryzaeviaOPR1, which encodes a 12-Oxo-phytodienoic Acid Reductase essential for its biosynthesis. Loss ofOPR1led to prolonged vegetative growth, and a delayed initiation and improper development of infection structures inM. oryzae, reminiscent of phenotypes observed in mutants (e.g.pth11Δ andcpkaΔ) that are compromised for cyclic AMP signaling. Genetic- or chemical-complementation completely restored proper germ tube growth and appressorium formation inopr1Δ. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based quantification revealed increased OPDA accumulation and a significant decrease in JA levels in theopr1Δ. Most interestingly, exogenous jasmonic acid also restored appressorium formation in thepth11Δ mutant that lacks G protein/cyclic AMP signaling. Epistasis analysis placed fungal jasmonate upstream of the cyclic AMP signaling in rice blast. Lastly, we show that intrinsic jasmonate orchestrates the cessation of vegetative phase and initiates pathogenic development via a regulatory interaction with the cyclic AMP cascade and redox signaling in rice blast.
Heterogeneous but not random: Cargo degradation in phagosomes is kinetically coupled to their intracellular mobility
Authors: Yu Yanqi , Zhang Zihan , Walpole Glenn F. W. , Yu Yan
Published: April 2021

Immune cells degrade internalized pathogens in phagosomes through sequential biochemical changes. The degradation must be fast enough for effective infection control. The presumption is that each phagosome degrades cargos autonomously with a distinct but stochastic kinetic rate. Here we report that the degradation kinetics of individual phagosomes is not stochastic but coupled to their intracellular motility. By engineering RotSensors that are optically anisotropic, magnetic responsive, and fluorogenic in response to degradation activities in phagosomes, we monitored cargo degradation kinetics in single phagosomes simultaneously with their translational and rotational dynamics. We show that phagosomes that move faster centripetally are more likely to encounter and fuse with lysosomes, thereby acidifying faster and degrading cargos more efficiently. The degradation rates increase nearly linearly with the translational and rotational velocities of phagosomes. Our results indicate that the centripetal motion of phagosomes functions as a clock for controlling the progression of cargo degradation.
Profiling of transcribedcis-regulatory elements in single cells
Authors: Moody Jonathan , Kouno Tsukasa , Suzuki Akari , Shibayama Youtaro , Terao Chikashi , Chang Jen-Chien , López-Redondo Fernando , Yip Chi Wai , Severin Jessica , Suetsugu Hiroyuki , Ando Yoshinari , Yamamoto Kazuhiko , Carninci Piero , Shin Jay W. , Hon Chung-Chau
Published: April 2021

Profiling ofcis-regulatory elements (CREs, mostly promoters and enhancers) in single cells allows the interrogation of the cell-type and cell-state-specific contexts of gene regulation and genetic predisposition to diseases. Here we demonstrate single-cell RNA-5′end-sequencing (sc-end5-seq) methods can detect transcribed CREs (tCREs), enabling simultaneous quantification of gene expression and enhancer activities in a single assay at no extra cost. We showed enhancer RNAs can be detected using sc-end5-seq methods with either random or oligo(dT) priming. To analyze tCREs in single cells, we developedSCAFE(Single Cell Analysis of Five-prime Ends) to identify genuine tCREs and analyze their activities (https://github.com/chung-lab/scafe). As compared to accessible CRE (aCRE, based on chromatin accessibility), tCREs are more accurate in predicting CRE interactions by co-activity, more sensitive in detecting shifts in alternative promoter usage and more enriched in diseases heritability. Our results highlight additional dimensions within sc-end5-seq data which can be used for interrogating gene regulation and disease heritability.
DeepDDS: deep graph neural network with attention mechanism to predict synergistic drug combinations
Authors: Wang Jinxian , Liu Xuejun , Shen Siyuan , Deng Lei , Liu Hui
Published: April 2021

Motivation

Drug combination therapy has become a increasingly promising method in the treatment of cancer. However, the number of possible drug combinations is so huge that it is hard to screen synergistic drug combinations through wet-lab experiments. Therefore, computational screening has become an important way to prioritize drug combinations. Graph neural network have recently shown remarkable performance in the prediction of compound-protein interactions, but it has not been applied to the screening of drug combinations.

Results

In this paper, we proposed a deep learning model based on graph neural networks and attention mechanism to identify drug combinations that can effectively inhibit the viability of specific cancer cells. The feature embeddings of drug molecule structure and gene expression profiles were taken as input to multi-layer feedforward neural network to identify the synergistic drug combinations. We compared DeepDDS with classical machine learning methods and other deep learning-based methods on benchmark data set, and the leave-one-out experimental results showed that DeepDDS achieved better performance than competitive methods. Also, on an independent test set released by well-known pharmaceutical enterprise AstraZeneca, DeepDDS was superior to competitive methods by more than 16% predictive precision. Furthermore, we explored the interpretability of the graph attention network, and found the correlation matrix of atomic features revealed important chemical substructures of drugs. We believed that DeepDDS is an effective tool that prioritized synergistic drug combinations for further wet-lab experiment validation.

Availability and implementation

Source code and data are available athttps://github.com/Sinwang404/DeepDDS/tree/master
Offline knowledge assimilations ensue online obscurity to inspire implicit learning
Authors: Aly Mohamed H. , Abdou Kareem , Okubo-Suzuki Reiko , Nomoto Masanori , Inokuchi Kaoru
Published: April 2021

Passive priming of prior knowledge to assimilate ongoing experiences underlies advanced cognitive processing. However, the necessary neural dynamics of memory assimilation remains elusive. Uninstructed brain could also show boosted creativity, particularly after idling states, yet it remains unclear whether the idling brain can spontaneously spark relevant knowledge assimilations. We established a paradigm that links/separates context-dependent memories according to geometrical similarities. Mice exploring one of four contexts one day before undergoing contextual fear conditioning in a square context showed a gradual fear transfer to pre-exposed geometrically relevant contexts next day, but not after 15 min. Anterior cingulate cortex neurons representing relevant, rather than distinct, memories were significantly co-reactivated during post-conditioning sleep only, before their selective integration next day during testing. Disrupting sleep co-reactivations prevented assimilation while preserving recent memory consolidation. Thus, assimilating pertinent memories during sleep through co-reactivation of their respective engrams represents the neural underpinnings of sleep-triggered implicit cortical learning.
Improved methods and optimized design for CRISPR Cas9 and Cas12a homology-directed repair
Authors: Schubert Mollie S. , Thommandru Bernice , Woodley Jessica , Turk Rolf , Yan Shuqi , Kurgan Gavin , McNeill Matthew S. , Rettig Garrett R.
Published: April 2021

CRISPR-Cas proteins are used to introduce double-stranded breaks (DSBs) at targeted genomic loci. DSBs are repaired by endogenous cellular pathways such as non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homology-directed repair (HDR). Providing a DNA template during repair allows for precise introduction of a desired mutation via the HDR pathway. However, rates of repair by HDR are often slow compared to the more rapid but less accurate NHEJ-mediated repair. Here, we describe comprehensive design considerations and optimized methods for highly efficient HDR using single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN) donor templates for several CRISPR-Cas systems includingS.p.Cas9,S.p.Cas9 D10A nickase, andA.s.Cas12a delivered as ribonucleoprotein complexes with synthetic guide RNAs. Features relating to guide RNA selection, donor strand preference, and incorporation of blocking mutations in the donor template to prevent re-cleavage were investigated and were implemented in a novel online tool for HDR donor template design. Additionally, we employ chemically modified HDR donor templates in combination with a small molecule to boost HDR efficiency up to 10-fold. These findings allow for high frequencies of precise repair utilizing HDR in multiple mammalian cell lines. Tool availability:www.idtdna.com/HDR
Regulation of Brain Primary Cilia Length by MCH Signaling: Evidence from Pharmacological, Genetic, Optogenetic and Chemogenic Manipulations
Authors: Alhassen Wedad , Kobayashi Yuki , Su Jessica , Robbins Brianna , Ngyuen Henry , Myint Thant , Yu Micah , Nauli Surya M. , Saito Yumiko , Alachkar Amal
Published: April 2021

The melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) system is involved in numerous functions including energy homeostasis, food intake, sleep, stress, mood, aggression, reward, maternal behavior, social behavior, and cognition. MCH acts on a G protein-coupled receptor MCHR1, which expresses ubiquitously in the brain and localizes to neuronal primary cilia. Cilia act as cells’ antennas and play crucial roles in cell signaling to detect and transduce external stimuli to regulate cell differentiation and migration. Cilia are highly dynamic in terms of their length and morphology; however, it is not known if cilia length is causally regulated by MCH system activation in-vivo. In the current work, we examined the effects of the activation and inactivation of MCH system on cilia lengths by using different methodologies, including pharmacological (MCHR1 agonist and antagonist GW803430), germline and conditional genetic deletion of MCHR1 and MCH, optogenetic, and chemogenetic (Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADD)) approaches. We found that stimulation of MCH system either directly through MCHR1 activation, or indirectly through optogenetic and chemogenetic- mediated excitation of MCH neurons, causes cilia shortening. Contrarily, inactivation of MCH signaling through pharmacological MCHR1 blockade or through genetic manipulations - germline deletion of MCHR1 and conditional ablation of MCH neurons - induces cilia lengthening. Our study is the first to uncover the causal effects of the MCH system in the regulation of the length of brain neuronal primary cilia. These findings place MCH system at a unique position in the ciliary signaling in physiological and pathological conditions, and implicate cilia MCHR1 as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of pathological conditions characterized by impaired cilia function.
Integrating spatial, phylogenetic, and threat assessment data from frogs and lizards to identify areas for conservation priorities in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Chan Kin Onn , Grismer L. Lee
Published: April 2021

Malaysia is recognized as a megadiverse country and biodiversity hotspot, which necessitates sufficient levels of habitat protection and effective conservation management. However, conservation planning in Malaysia has hitherto relied largely on species distribution data without taking into account the rich evolutionary history of taxa. This represents the first study that integrates spatial and evolutionary approaches to identify important centers of diversity, endemism, and bioregionalization that can be earmarked for conservation priorities in Peninsular Malaysia. Using georeferenced species occurrences, comprehensive phylogenies, and threat assessments of frogs and lizards, we employed a spatial phylogenetics framework that incorporates various diversity metrics including weighted endemism, phylogenetic diversity, phylogenetic endemism, and evolutionary distinctiveness and global endangerment. Ten areas of high conservation value were identified via the intersection of these metrics—northern Perlis, Langkawi Geopark, southern Bintang range, Cameron Highlands, Fraser’s Hill, Benom-Krau complex, Selangor-Genting complex, Endau-Rompin National Park, Seribuat Archipelago (Tioman and Pemanggil Islands), and southern Johor. Of these, Cameron Highlands requires the highest conservation priority based on severe environmental degradation, inadequately protected areas, and high numbers of endangered and evolutionary distinct species. Other areas, especially in the northwestern (states of Kedah and Penang) and northeastern regions (states of Kelantan) were not only identified as areas of high conservation value but also areas of biogeographic importance. Taken together, frogs and lizards demonstrate distinct east-west and north-south patterns of bioregionalization that are largely modulated by mountain ranges.

Article Impact Statement

The first study to use a spatial phylogenetic approach to identify areas for conservation priorities in Malaysia
An artificial cell containing cyanobacteria for endosymbiosis mimicking
Authors: Yang Boyu , Li Shubin , Mu Wei , Wang Zhao , Han Xiaojun
Published: April 2021

The bottom-up constructed artificial cells help to understand the cell working mechanism and provide the evolution clues for organisms. Cyanobacteria are believed to be the ancestors of chloroplasts according to endosymbiosis theory. Herein we demonstrate an artificial cell containing cyanobacteria to mimic endosymbiosis phenomenon. The cyanobacteria sustainably produce glucose molecules by converting light energy into chemical energy. Two downstream “metabolic” pathways starting from glucose molecules are investigated. One involves enzyme cascade reaction to produce H2O2(assisted by glucose oxidase) first, followed by converting Amplex red to resorufin (assisted by horseradish peroxidase). The more biological one involves nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) production in the presence of NAD+and glucose dehydrogenase. Further, NADH molecules are oxidized into NAD+by pyruvate catalyzed by lactate dehydrogenase, meanwhile, lactate is obtained. Therefore, the sustainable cascade cycling of NADH/NAD+is built. The artificial cells built here simulate the endosymbiosis phenomenon, meanwhile pave the way for investigating more complicated sustainable energy supplied metabolism inside artificial cells.
IKKβ signaling mediates metabolic changes in the hypothalamus of a Huntington’s disease mouse model
Authors: Soylu-Kucharz Rana , Khoshnan Ali , Petersén Åsa
Published: April 2021

Background

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. Metabolic changes are associated with HD progression, and underlying mechanisms are not fully known. As the IKKβ/NF-κB pathway is an essential regulator of metabolism, we investigated the involvement of IKKβ, the upstream activator of NF-κB in hypothalamus-specific HD metabolic changes.

Methods

Using viral vectors, we expressed amyloidogenic N-terminal fragments of mutant HTT (mHTT) fragments in the hypothalamus of mice without IKKβ in the CNS (IKKβ-/-) and control mice (IKKβ+/+). We assessed effects on body weight, metabolic hormones, and hypothalamic neuropathology.

Results

Hypothalamic expression of mHTT led to an obese phenotype only in female mice. CNS-specific inactivation of IKKβ prohibited weight gain in females, which was independent of neuroprotection and microglial activation.

Conclusions

The expression of mHTT in the hypothalamus causes metabolic imbalance in a sex-specific fashion, and central inhibition of the IKKβ pathway attenuates the obese phenotype.
Developing a Petri dish test to detect resistance to key herbicides inLolium rigidum
Authors: Perez Martina Badano , Beckie Hugh J , Cawthray Gregory R , Goggin Danica E , Busi Roberto
Published: April 2021

Overreliance on herbicides for weed control is conducive to the evolution of herbicide resistance. Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidumGaud.) is a species that is prone to evolve resistance to a wide range of herbicide modes of action. Rapid detection of herbicide-resistant weed populations in the field can aid farmers to optimize the use of herbicides for their control. The feasibility of a portable agar-based test to rapidly and reliably detect annual ryegrass resistance to key herbicides such as clethodim, glyphosate, pyroxasulfone and trifluralin on-farm was investigated. The three research phases of this study show that: a) easy-to-interpret results are obtained with non-dormant seed from well-characterised susceptible and resistant populations, and resistance is detected as effectively as with traditional dose-response pot-based resistance assays. However, the test may not be suitable for portable use on-farm because of b) the low stability of some herbicides such as trifluralin and clethodim in agar and c) the tendency of seed dormancy in freshly-harvested seeds to confound the results. The agar-based test is best used as a research tool as a complement to confirm results obtained in traditional pot-based resistance screenings. Comprehensive agar test and / or whole-plant resistance tests by herbicide application at the recommended label rate (whole plants grown in pots) are the current benchmark for proactive in- and off-season resistance testing and should be promoted more widely to allow early detection of resistance, optimization of herbicide technology use and deploy appropriate weed management interventions.
Resting-state aperiodic neural dynamics predict individual differences in visuomotor performance and learning
Authors: Immink Maarten A. , Cross Zachariah R. , Chatburn Alex , Baumeister James , Schlesewsky Matthias , Bornkessel-Schlesewsky Ina
Published: April 2021

An emerging body of work has demonstrated that resting-state non-oscillatory, or aperiodic, 1/fneural activity is a functional and behaviorally relevant marker of cognitive function capacity. In the motor domain, previous work has only applied 1/fanalyses to description of action coordination and performance. The value of aperiodic resting-state neural dynamics as a marker of individual visuomotor performance capacity remains unknown. Accordingly, the aim of this work was to investigate if individual 1/fintercept and slope parameters of aperiodic resting-state neural activity predict reaction time and perceptual sensitivity in an immersive virtual reality marksmanship task. The marksmanship task required speeded selection of target stimuli and avoidance of non-target stimuli selection. Motor and perceptual demands were incrementally increased across task blocks and participants performed the task across three training sessions spanning one week. When motor demands were high, steeper individual 1/fslope predicted shorter reaction time. This relationship did not change with practice. Increased 1/fintercept and a steeper 1/fslope were associated with higher perceptual sensitivity, measured asd’. However, this association was only observed under the highest levels of perceptual demand and only in the initial exposure to these conditions. Individuals with a lower 1/fintercept and a shallower 1/fslope demonstrated the greatest gains in perceptual sensitivity from task practice. These findings demonstrate that individual differences in motor and perceptual performance can be accounted for with resting-state aperiodic neural dynamics. The 1/faperiodic parameters are most informative in predicting visuomotor performance under complex and demanding task conditions. In addition to predicting capacity for high visuomotor performance with a novel task, 1/faperiodic parameters might also be useful in predicting which individuals might derive the most improvements from practice.
Missing Value Imputation using XGboost for Label-Free Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics Data
Authors: Song Jian , Yu Changbin
Published: April 2021

The label-free mass spectrometry-based proteomics data inevitably suffer from the problem of missing values. The existence of missing values prevents the downstream analyses which need a complete data matrix. Our motivation is to introduce the state-of-art machine learning algorithm XGboost to realize a method of imputation which can improve the accuracy of imputation. But in practical, XGboost has many parameters need to be tuned to deliver on its potential high performance. Although cross validation may find the best parameters, it is much time-consuming. Alternatively, we empirically determined the parameters to two kinds of base learners of XGboost. To explore the robustness and performance of XGboost based imputation with predetermined parameters, we conducted tests on three benchmark datasets. As a comparative, six common imputation methods were also experimented in terms of normalized root mean squared error and Pearson correlation coefficient. The comparative experimental results indicated that the XGboost based imputation method using the linear base learner is competitive to or out-performs its competitors, including the random forest based imputation, by achieving smaller imputation errors and better structure preservation under the empirical parameters for the three benchmark datasets.
Glial contribution to cyclodextrin-mediated reversal of cholesterol accumulation in murine NPC1-deficient neuronsin vivo
Authors: Barthelemy Amélie , Demais Valérie , Stancu Izabela-Cristina , Vasile Eugeniu , Houben Tom , Reber Michael , Pallottini Valentina , Perraut Martine , Reibel Sophie , Pfrieger Frank W.
Published: April 2021

Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease is a rare and fatal lysosomal storage disorder presenting severe neurovisceral symptoms. Disease-causing mutations in genes encoding eitherNPC1orNPC2protein provoke accumulation of cholesterol and other lipids in specific structures of the endosomal-lysosomal system and degeneration of specific cells, notably neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (CD) emerged as potential therapeutic approach based on animal studies and clinical data, but the mechanism of action on neurons has remained unclear. To address this topicin vivo, we took advantage of the retina as highly accessible part of the (CNS) and intravitreal injections as mode of drug administration. We find that CD enters the endosomal-lysosomal system of neurons and enables the release of lipid-laden lamellar inclusions, which are then removed from the extracellular space by specific types of glial cells. Thus, CD triggers a concerted action of neurons and glial cells to restore lipid homeostasis in the central nervous system.
Dual Dean entrainment with volume ratio modulation for efficient co-encapsulation: Extreme single-cell indexing
Authors: Harrington Jack , Esteban Luis Blay , Butement Jonathan , Vallejo Andres F. , Lane Simon I. R. , Sheth Bhavwanti , Jongen Maaike S. A. , Parker Rachel , Stumpf Patrick S. , Smith Rosanna C. G. , MacArthur Ben D. , Rose-Zerilli Matthew J. J. , Polak Marta E. , Underwood Tim , West Jonathan
Published: April 2021

The future of single cell diversity screens involves ever-larger sample sizes, dictating the need for higher throughput methods with low analytical noise to accurately describe the nature of the cellular system. Current approaches are limited by the Poisson statistic, requiring dilute cell suspensions and associated losses in throughput. In this contribution, we apply Dean entrainment to both cell and bead inputs, defining different volume packets to effect efficient co-encapsulation. Volume ratio scaling was explored to identify optimal conditions. This enabled the co-encapsulation of single cells with reporter beads at rates of ~1 million cells/hour, while increasing assay signal-to-noise with cell multiplet rates of ~2.5% and capturing ~70% of cells. The method, called Pirouette-seq, extends our capacity to investigate biological systems.

TOC Abstract

Pirouette-seq involves cell and reporter bead inertial ordering for efficient co-encapsulation, achieving a throughput of 1 million cells/hour, a 2.5% multiplet rate and a 70% cell capture efficiency.
2-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-N′-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetyl]acetohydrazide
Authors: El-Hiti Gamal A , Abdel-Wahab Bakr F. , Yousif Emad , Hegazy Amany S. , Kariuki Benson M.
Published: April 2021

The complete molecule of the title compound, C16H12Cl4N2O4, is generated by a crystallographic centre of symmetry. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into [010] chains featuring R
2
2(10) loops. The chains are cross-linked by short Cl...N contacts [3.224 (2) Å].
4-Bromo-2-[({2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]ethyl}imino)methyl]phenol
Authors: Samoľová Erika , Dehno Khalaji Aliakbar , Eigner Václav
Published: April 2021

The new title Schiff base compound, C11H15BrN2O2, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21 with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. It was prepared by the condensation reaction of 5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and aminoethylethanolamine. There is an intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond with an S(6) ring motif. Moreover, there are intermolecular C—H...N, C—H...O and Br...O interactions in the crystal structure of the title compound.
An investigation of demand and exchange rate shocks in the tourism sector
Authors: Bozkurt Kurtulus , Armutçuoğlu Tekin Hatice , Can Ergün Zeliha
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study aims to measure the relationship between demand and exchange rate shocks in the tourism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A panel data set is constructed covering the period between 1995 and 2017, and the data set includes the top 26 countries that host 10 million tourists and above in the world as of 2017. The standard errors of the series are used as an indicator of shocks. First, the cross-sectional dependency, stationarity and the homogeneity of the series are examined; second, a panel cointegration analysis is implemented; third, long-term panel cointegration coefficients are analyzed with Dynamic Common Correlated Effects (DCCE) approach; and, finally, Dumitrescu and Hurlin’s (2012) Granger non-causality test is used to detect the causality.

Findings

The preliminary analyses show that the variables are cross-sectional dependent and heterogeneous and are stationary in their first difference; hence, the effects of the shocks are temporary. On the other hand, as a result of the panel cointegration analysis, it is found that both series are cointegrated over the long-term. However, the long-term coefficients estimated with the DCCE approach are found not to be statistically significant. Finally, as a result of the Dumitrescu and Hurlin’s (2012) Granger non-causality test, it is concluded that there is a causality running from exchange rate shocks to demand shocks.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the cointegration between the tourism demand shocks and exchange rates shocks has not been investigated before, and therefore, this study is considered to be a pioneering study that will contribute to the literature.
The experience of regret in small business failure: who’s to blame?
Authors: Quach Sara , Weaven Scott K. , Thaichon Park , Grace Debra , Frazer Lorelle , Brown James R.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Framed within the theoretical domain of attribution theory, this study aims to investigate the antecedents of experienced regret following an entrepreneur’s business failure (defined as firm discontinuance, closure or bankruptcy) and the impact of regret on personal well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

The population of interest was business owners whose businesses had failed within the past five years. The data was collected from 319 failed entrepreneurs using an online survey. Structural equation modelling was used to test the hypotheses presented in this study.

Findings

External attribution, including economic uncertainty and contract restrictions, was positively related to feelings of regret. Considering internal attribution, due diligence had a positive effect on regret whereas customer relationship development ability can reduce feelings of regret. Moreover, prevention-focused entrepreneurs were likely to experience higher levels of regret when engaging in extensive consideration in using information. Finally, regret had a detrimental effect on the entrepreneurs’ well-being.

Research limitations/implications

The research provides fresh perspectives on experienced regret, a relatively unexplored emotion in the entrepreneurship literature. In the context of small business operations, the locus of attribution (associated with business failure) is the key influence on learning following failed business attempts.

Practical implications

This study extends current knowledge of regret in the context of entrepreneurial failure, which has a significant catalytic effect on employment and entrepreneurial mobility.

Originality/value

This research sheds light on how emotional responses are derived from an entrepreneur’s self-assessment of their performance and attribution of blame for failure.
Market reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from emerging markets
Authors: Harjoto Maretno Agus , Rossi Fabrizio
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study examines the market reaction to the World Health Organization (WHO) announcement of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a global pandemic on the emerging equity markets and compares the reaction with developed markets. This study also compares the market reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic with the market reactions to the 2008 global financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Morgan Stanley Capital International daily stock indices data and the Carhart and the GARCH(1,1) models for an event study, the authors examine the cumulative abnormal returns during 30 and 10 trading days and the extended 60 days before and after the WHO pandemic announcement. It also compares the market reactions during the COVID-19 pandemic with the reactions to the Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy announcement during the 2008 global financial crisis.

Findings

This study finds that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significantly greater negative impact to the stock markets in emerging countries than in the developed countries. The negative impact on the emerging markets is more pronounced for firms with small market capitalizations and for growth stocks. The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is stronger in the energy and financial sectors in both emerging and developed markets. The positive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic occurred in healthcare and telecommunications for the emerging markets and information technology for the developed markets. This study also finds that the equity markets in both emerging and developed countries recovered faster from the COVID-19 pandemic relative to the 2008 global financial crisis.

Social implications

Investors' desire to diversify their risks across different countries and sectors in the emerging markets could bring superior returns. The diversification strategies bring critical financial supports to forestall the contagion of COVID-19, to protect lives, and to save the emerging economies, especially for those financially constrained countries that are facing twin health and economic shocks by channeling their investments to countries with weak healthcare systems.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature that examines market reactions to stock market shocks by examining the market reactions to the COVID-19 outbreak on the emerging and developed equity markets across different market capitalizations, valuation and sectors. This study also finds that the markets recovered quicker from the COVID-19 pandemic announcement than during the 2008 global financial crisis.
Identifying occupational therapy outcome measures supportive of recovery-orientated mental health services in Ireland
Authors: Kearns Róisín , Salmon Nancy , Cahill Mairead , Egan Eithne
Published: April 2021

Purpose

No occupational therapy outcome measures have been designed specifically for recovery-orientated services.This paper aims to identify occupational therapy outcome measures relevant to mental health practice and assess them against recovery principles adopted by Irish Mental Health Services.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative review methodology was used to appraise outcome measures against CHIME recovery principles.

Findings

A systematic search across 13 databases identified eight well-established outcome measures commonly used within occupational therapy mental health literature. The included outcome measures were appraised using a recovery alignment tool.

Practical implications

All outcome measures connected to some recovery processes. Those using semi-structured interview formats and notably the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) had the strongest alignment to recovery processes.

Originality/value

This is the first known review which provides some validation that the included outcome measures support recovery processes, yet the measures rely heavily on therapist’s skills for processes to be facilitated. It recommends that ways to better support the process of partnership in occupational therapy mental health outcome measures be explored and further research be undertaken.
Developing brand advocacy through brand activities on Facebook
Authors: Choi Youngtae , Kroff Michael W. , Kim Junga
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how brands’ social media activities (credible content delivery, co-creation and responsiveness) impact brand advocacy. The paper also examines the influence of brand advocacy on purchase intentions of brand advocates and the moderating effect of the amount of time spent on Facebook on the relationship between brand advocacy and purchase intentions. Finally, the moderating effect of brand type (goods vs services) on the relationship between brands’ activities and brand advocacy is explored.

Design/methodology/approach

US adults who use Facebook as their primary social media platform participated in a survey via Amazon Mechanical Turk. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The three brand activities are positively related to users’ advocacy of brands toward other users. Brand advocacy also positively influences purchase intentions of brand advocates. The amount of time spent on Facebook moderates the relationship between brand advocacy and purchase intentions. The brand type moderates the relationship between co-creation and brand advocacy.

Originality/value

This study differs from the existing research, which has typically used a user-oriented perspective (e.g. impact of user motivations) to explain brand advocacy and has not considered the outcome of brand advocacy on the brand advocates’ purchase intentions.
Real cost of flex-offices: discourse and reality
Authors: Nappi Ingrid , Eddial Hajar
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to draw on the field of real estate management to explore the cost of flex-offices as well as the corporate discourse toward it and to identify the possible gap between real estate directors' discourse and the real cost of flex-offices.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper follows the grounded theory approach. Three studies were conducted: 16 semi-structured interviews with real estate actors, categorization of internal corporate documents and a thorough content analysis of the press discourse.

Findings

There is a positive vision as well as a very optimistic outlook on the flex-office on the part of real estate actors and the press. This research shows that reality does not reflect the discourse as 12 hidden costs identified are not currently factored into costs when setting up a flex-office, which can distort the discourse and efficiency. It will be interesting to measure those hidden costs in future research so as to have an objective discourse and a better cost estimate when deploying this kind of workspace.

Originality/value

Contradict the widespread discourse about flex-offices by highlighting the hidden costs that should be taken into consideration to allow managers to make accurate estimates. Although these hidden costs may seem ancillary at first sight, they might have an impact on efficiency.
Corporate real estate management and companies’ success: empirical evidence for a conceptual framework
Authors: Pfnuer Andreas , Seger Julian , Appel-Meulenbroek Rianne
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explain the contribution of Corporate Real Estate Management (CREM) to corporate success and to substantiate it empirically. However, no empirically tested holistic concept classifies and explains the different success contributions of CREM in their mechanisms of action and organisational levels.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a holistic two-dimensional model from existing literature to explain the relationship between CREM decisions and business success, and then tests it empirically using multidimensional data scaling from a telephone company survey (CATI) of 59 CREM managers sampled from the 200 largest German companies.

Findings

The created theoretical model holistically explains CREM success and existence as part of a non-property company, with specific performance drivers on specific organisational levels. The empirical data confirm that both dimensions of the model and, thus the measurement concept for modelling the CREM contribution to business success is robust across sectors and company/portfolio size in Germany.

Originality/value

The empirical confirmation of the conceptual model of CREM success provides novel support for the institutionalisation of the CREM function in companies and the holistic classification of different CREM research directions.
CSR disclosure as a legitimation strategy: evidence from the football industry
Authors: Raimo Nicola , Vitolla Filippo , Nicolò Giuseppe , Tartaglia Polcini Paolo
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The latest developments in the football industry, the commodification of sport, the excessive focus on profitability and the limited attention to social and environmental aspects have caused a legitimation crisis for football clubs. According to the legitimacy theory, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure represents a tool capable of allowing the construction or repair of legitimacy. This study, in line with this theory, aims to analyse the amount of CSR disclosure provided by football clubs and the determinants, related to visibility, of the level of information provided.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a manual content analysis on the corporate websites of the 80 football clubs that qualified for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League group stages for the 2019–2020 year to measure the level of CSR disclosure and subsequently a regression analysis to examine the impact of visibility on the amount of information provided.

Findings

Results reveal that football clubs still disclose relatively little information about sustainability issues, and that sports performance visibility, human capital visibility and social media visibility positively affect the amount of information that football clubs disclose.

Originality/value

This study extends the horizons of CSR disclosure to the football industry which is still little explored in the academic literature. Furthermore, it extends the scope of legitimacy theory, showing how CSR disclosure can be a means for football clubs to obtain or repair legitimacy. Furthermore, this study extends the list of determinants of the level of CSR disclosure, showing that visibility can influence the amount of CSR information.
“Stepping out of the ordinary”: exploring cross-cultural challenges of expatriates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Dousin Oscar , Sulong Rini Suryati
Published: April 2021

Purpose

In the study of expatriation and expatriate adaptation, there are limited studies that focus on issues faced by expatriates working in foreign countries with very distinct cultures. This study aims to explore this idea through the experiences of western expatriates working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Two research questions were posed to examine the cross-cultural issues and challenges faced by expatriates in the KSA, as well as the role of cross-cultural training in expatriate adjustment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was guided by an interpretivism paradigm through a qualitative method by using a semi-structured in-depth interview approach. Interviews were conducted among 12 expatriates from the USA and UK who are currently working in KSA.

Findings

A coding technique and theoretical thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the data. The results of this study highlighted three key themes that had a considerable influence on expatriates’ adjustment, in particular: culture shock, lack of pre-departure training and the demand for an extensive cross-cultural training.

Research limitations/implications

It is acknowledged that the existence of sub-cultures within the KSA would expose the respondents to varying cultural values within the community. Thus, future studies within a similar context should consider the influence of intra-cultural variations.

Originality/value

The findings of the study emphasized on the importance understanding the cultural gap between home and host country and the individual cultural awareness of the expatriate. It calls attention to the need for a tailored and extensive pre-departure, cross-cultural training and a collaborative effort between employees’ and managers to improve expatriates’ motivation and retention.
Mix design of high performance concrete with different mineral additions
Authors: Hadji Tarek , Guettala Salim , Quéneudec Michèle
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the modeling of statistical variation of experimental data using the design of experiments method to optimize the formulation of a high performance concrete (HPC) using materials that are locally available in Algeria. For this, two mineral additions (natural pozzolana and limestone filler [LF]) were used. Both additions are added by substitution of cement up to 25%. To better appreciate the effect of replacing a part of cement by natural pozzolana and LF and to optimize their combined effect on the characteristics of HPC, an effective analytical method is therefore needed to reach the required objective.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental part of the study consisted of substituting a portion of cement by various proportions of these additions to assess their effects on the physico-mechanical characteristics of HPC. A mixture design with three factors and five levels was carried out. The JMP7 software was used to provide mathematical models for the statistical variation of measured values and to perform a statistical analysis. These models made it possible to show the contribution of the three factors and their interactions in the variation of the response.

Findings

The mixture design approach made it possible to visualize the influence of LF and pozzolanic filler (PF) on the physico-mechanical characteristics of HPC, the developed models present good correlation coefficients (R2 = 0.82) for all studied responses. The obtained results indicated that it is quite possible to substitute a part of cement with LF and PF in the formulation of a HPC. Thanks to the complementary effect between the two additions, the workability could be improved and the strengths drop could be avoided in the short, medium and long term. The optimization of mixture design factors based on the mathematical models was carried out to select the appropriate factors combinations; a good agreement between the experimental results and the predicted results was obtained.

Originality/value

The coefficient of PF in Cs28 model is closer to that of LF than in Cs7 model, thanks to the complementary effect between LF and PF at the age of 28 days. It was found that the optimal HPC14 concrete (10%LF–5%PF) provides the best compromise between the three responses. It is also worth noting that the use of these two local materials can reduce the manufacturing costs of HPC and reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. This can be an important economic and environmental alternative.
The interaction between gender and informal social networks: An East Asian perspective
Authors: Georgiadou Andri , Syed Jawad
Published: April 2021

Despite the increasing attention to gender diversity management in recent decades, there is a dearth of studies that provide an East Asian perspective on this topic. We argue that informal social networks have a crucial role in macrosocial and organisational approaches to diversity, such as social attitudes and laws, which in turn may affect organisational routines and practices of diversity management. In this article, we develop a research framework that connects gender diversity approach across macrosocial and organisational levels of analysis. Responding to the call for contextual research, our focus in this article is on how gender diversity management in East Asia is affected by informal social networks at the macrosocial level, namely guanxi in China, yongo in South Korea, and jinmyaku in Japan. Our review posits informal social networks as salient in mediating the shape and effect of institutional mechanisms at the macrosocial level on diversity practices at the organisational level.