bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conserved and diverged mechanisms for RNA target-site recognition by the multi KH-domain Bicaudal C protein
Authors: Dowdle Megan E. , Tonelli Tommaso Pietro , Fox Catherine A. , Sheets Michael D.
Published: July 2022

The Bicaudal-C (Bicc1) multi-KH domain RNA binding protein controls cell fates by binding and repressing the translation of specific target mRNAs. To provide new insights into Bicc1-RNA binding we used quantitative assays to analyze interactions between Xenopus Bicc1 protein and the 32-nt Bicc1 RNA target site from XlCripto-1 mRNA. High-affinity binding by XlBicc1(Kd=34nM) required both a 5’ leader sequence and a 3’loop sequence. Bicc1 proteins from humans (HsBicc1), zebrafish (DrBicc1) and fruit flies (DmBicc1) also bound the XlCripto-1 RNA with high-affinity via an interaction requiring the 5’ leader sequence, providing evidence for a conserved mechanism of RNA recognition by Bicc1. However, in contrast to XlBicc1, each of the other species’ Bicc1s showed a significantly relaxed requirement for the 3’ loop sequence. Analyses of mutant forms of XlBicc1, revealed that the KH1 domain promoted Bicc1’s requirement for the loop sequence via a GXXG-independent mechanism. In addition, a fusion protein comprised of the XlKH1 and the DmBicc1-KH2-KH3 subdomains was sufficient to establish high-affinity, loop-sensitive Bicc1-binding to XlCripto-1 RNA. These data support a model wherein the KH2 domain interacts with the leader sequence via a GXXG-mediated KH-RNA interface, defining the conserved core of the metazoan Bicc1-RNA interaction, while the KH1 domain is required for the formation of a more flexible, secondary protein-RNA interface that allows recognition of the 3’ loop sequence. This secondary interface differs between species and possibly between target mRNAs, establishing the potential for a range of translational repression activities for Bicc1 target mRNAs.
Cortical surface electrical potentials are composed of multiple bandlimited frequency components, including high-gamma
Authors: Livezey Jesse A. , Hwang Ahyeon , Usovich Kseniya , Dougherty Maximilian E. , Chang Edward F. , Bouchard Kristofer E.
Published: July 2022

A common challenge in neuroscience is how to decompose noisy, multi-source signals measured in experiments into biophysically interpretable components. Analysis of cortical surface electrical potentials (CSEPs) measured using electrocorticography arrays (ECoG) typifies this problem. We hypothesized that high frequency (70-1,000 Hz) CSEPs are composed of broadband (i.e., power-law) and bandlimited components with potentially differing biophysical origins. In particular, the high-gamma band (70-150 Hz) has been shown to be highly predictive for encoding and decoding behaviors and stimuli. Despite its demonstrated importance, whether high-gamma is composed of a bandlimited signal is poorly understood. To address this gap, we recorded CSEPs from rat auditory cortex and demonstrate that the evoked CSEPs are composed of multiple distinct frequency components, including high-gamma. We then show, using a novel robust regression method, that at fast timescales and on single trials during speech production, human high-gamma amplitude cannot be explained by a modulating power-law component; thus, high-gamma is band-limited. Furthermore, we show that the power-law component is less predictive of produced speech compared to the raw high-gamma amplitude. Finally, we show that the largest variance component of human ECoG signals is low-frequency and band-limited, not broadband. Together these results demonstrate that there are multiple, band-limited components of high frequency power in cortical surface electrical potentials, including the high-gamma band, which may have different biophysical origins.

Significance Statement

Electrocortigraphy (ECoG) records cortical surface electrical potentials (CSEPs). ECoG is utilized in both humans and animal models to understand distributed cortical processing and for brain machine interfaces. The spectral structure of evoked CSEPs is greatly debated. To address this issue, we recorded from rat auditory cortex using µECoG and human ventral sensory-motor cortex during speech production with high-density ECoG. Using novel analytic approaches, we found that evoked CSEPs are composed of multiple band-limited components, including high-gamma. These results contrast with the dominant thinking in the field that the high-frequency power in ECoG is broadband. Our results raise the possibility that distinct frequency components of ECoG are biomarkers of processing in different cortical layers.
Exosome secretion kinetics are controlled by temperature
Authors: Mahmood Anarkali , Weisgerber Alan W. , Otruba Zdeněk , Palay Max D. , Nguyen Melodie T. , Bills Broderick L. , Knowles Michelle K.
Published: July 2022

When multivesicular endosomes (MVEs) fuse with the plasma membrane, exosomes are released into the extracellular space where they can affect other cells. Whether exosomes regulate cells nearby or further away depends on whether they remain attached to the secreting cell membrane. The regulation and kinetics of exosome secretion are not well characterized, but probes for directly imaging single MVE fusion events have allowed for visualization of the fusion and release process. In particular, the design of an exosome marker with a pH sensitive dye in the middle of the tetraspanin protein CD63 has facilitated studies of individual MVE fusion events. Using TIRF microscopy, single MVE fusion events were measured in A549 cells held at 23-37°C and events were identified using an automated detection algorithm. Stable docking precedes fusion almost all of the time and a decrease in temperature was accompanied by decrease in the rate of content loss and a decrease in the frequency of fusion events. The loss of CD63-pHluorin fluorescence was measured at fusion sites and fit with a single or double exponential decay, with approximately 50% of the events requiring two components and a plateau because the loss of fluorescence was typically incomplete. To interpret the kinetics, fusion events were simulated as a point source release of tethered/untethered exosomes coupled with the membrane diffusion of CD63. The experimentally observed decay required three components in the simulation: 1) free exosomes, 2) CD63 membrane diffusion from the endosomal membrane into the plasma membrane at a rate of 0.038 µm2/s, as measured by FRAP, and 3) tethered exosomes. The final component of the decay arises from exosomes being secreted but tethered to the surface with one tether that has a lifetime of 8 seconds at 37°C and longer at lower temperatures. Simulating with fixed tethers or the absence of tethers fails to replicate the experimental data. This kinetic analysis increases our understanding of exosome secretion and how it is regulated by temperature. Our model suggests that exosome release from the fusion site is incomplete due to post-fusion, membrane attachment.
Regulation of the cell surface expression of classical and non-classical MHC proteins by the human cytomegalovirus UL40 and rhesus cytomegalovirus rh67 proteins
Authors: Brackenridge Simon , Borrow Persephone , McMichael Andrew
Published: July 2022

The signal sequences of the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) UL40 protein, and its rhesus CMV counterpart, Rh67, contain a peptide (VMAPRT[L/V][F/I/L/V]L, VL9) that can be presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) antigen E. The CMV VL9 peptides replace VL9 peptides derived from classical MHC (Ia) signal sequences, which are lost when CMV disrupts MHC Ia expression, as well as antigen processing and presentation. This allows infected cells to maintain surface expression of MHC-E and escape killing by NK cells expressing the inhibitory NKG2A/CD94 receptor. We demonstrate that processing of the Rh67 VL9 peptide mirrors that of UL40, despite the lack of sequence conservation elsewhere in the two proteins. As previously shown for UL40, up-regulation of MHC-E expression by Rh67 only requires its signal sequence, with sequences upstream of VL9 critical for conferring independence from TAP, the Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing. Additionally, we show that processing of both VL9 peptides depends on cleavage of the signal sequences by the host protease Signal Peptide Peptidase. Notably, our results also reveal that the mature UL40 and Rh67 proteins contribute to CMV immune evasion by down-regulating surface expression of MHC Ia. Unexpectedly, while the Rh67 VL9 peptide is resistant to the effects of the Rh67 protein, the UL40 protein is able to counteract up-regulation of MHC-E expression mediated by its own VL9 peptide. This suggests differences in the mechanisms by which the two VL9 peptides up-regulate MHC-E, which may have implications for translating a RhCMV-vectored SIV vaccine to HIV-1 using HCMV as a vector.

IMPORTANCE

Cell surface MHC-E expression, which requires a peptide (VMAPRT[L/V][F/I/L/V]L, “VL9”) from the signal sequences of other MHC class I proteins, prevents cells from being killed by CD94/NKG2A-expressing Natural Killer cells. In cells infected with human CMV, the endogenous VL9 peptide is replaced by one from the signal sequence of the HCMV UL40 protein. We show that processing of the VL9 peptide of Rh67, the rhesus CMV equivalent of UL40, mirrors that of UL40, despite a lack of sequence homology between the two proteins. Of note, we also show that the mature UL40 and Rh67 proteins, which have no previously described function, contribute to CMV immune evasion by reducing classical MHC class I surface expression. Importantly, the mature UL40 protein, but not the mature Rh67 protein, can decrease the up-regulation of MHC-E mediated by its signal sequence VL9 peptide, which may have implications for HCMV as a vaccine vector.
Modeling the Cell Cycle Response to Carbon and Nitrogen deprivation in Caulobacter Populations
Authors: Xu Chunrui , Weston Bronson R. , Cao Yang
Published: July 2022

Caulobacter crescentus inhabits a wide range of aquatic ecosystems, including environments with poor nutrients. It undergoes an asymmetrical cell division cycle, generating a pair of daughter cells with distinct motility and replicative potentials. Caulobacter populations have the flexibility to save energy by halting chromosome replication and reduce intraspecific competition by settling in different places in environments. The control mechanisms underlying Caulobacter cell development have been well studied under nutrient-rich conditions, however, its mechanism of response to stressful changes is not fully understood. Here we present a mathematical model to analyze the starvation responses in Caulobacter. We investigate several known starvation signaling pathways to study how these pathways influence cell cycle development and explain experimental observations of starved Caulobacter populations. We also apply a new parameterization strategy to mathematical modeling of biological systems, whose diverse communities have to be robust with many parameter variations, while still having accurate control to maintain regular cell cycle dynamics. Our model demonstrates that the guanine-based second messenger, c-di-GMP (cdG), plays important roles to immediately arrest the cell cycle of Caulobacter under nutrient deprivation; however, it is not sufficient to cause the robust arrest. Our model suggests there should be unknown pathway(s) reducing the levels of CtrA under starvation condition, which results in a significant delay in cytokinesis of starved stalked Caulobacter cells.
Neural substrates of body ownership and agency during voluntary movement
Authors: Abdulkarim Z , Guterstam A , Hayatou Z , Ehrsson HH
Published: July 2022

Body ownership and the sense of agency are two central aspects of bodily self-consciousness. While multiple neuroimaging studies have investigated the neural correlates of body ownership and agency in isolation, few have investigated their relationship during voluntary movement when such experiences naturally combine. By eliciting the moving rubber hand illusion with active or passive finger movements during functional magnetic resonance imaging, we isolated activations reflecting the sense of body ownership and agency, respectively, as well as their interaction, and assessed their overlap and anatomical segregation. We found that perceived hand ownership was associated with activity in premotor, posterior parietal and cerebellar regions whereas the sense of agency over the hand’s movements was related to activity in the dorsal premotor cortex and superior temporal cortex. Moreover, one section of the dorsal premotor cortex showed overlapping activity for ownership and agency, and somatosensory cortical activity reflected the interaction of ownership and agency with higher activity when both agency and ownership was experienced. We further found that activations previously attributed to agency in the left insular cortex and right temporoparietal junction reflected the synchrony or asynchrony of the visuo-proprioceptive stimuli rather than agency. Collectively, these results identify the neural bases of agency and ownership during voluntary movement. Although the neural representations of these two experiences are largely distinct, there are functional neuroanatomical overlap and interactions during their combination, which has bearing on theories on bodily self-consciousness.
Kv2 conductances are not required for C-bouton mediated enhancement of motoneuron output
Authors: Smith Calvin C. , Brownstone Robert M.
Published: July 2022

Neural motor systems have evolved complex circuits that afford animals a range of behaviours essential for survival. C-bouton synapses arising from cholinergic V0C interneurons amplify motoneuron activity via muscarine type 2 receptors, thus increasing muscle contraction force. Recent work in neonatal mouse motoneurons suggests that delayed rectifier currents carried by post-synaptically clustered KV2.1 channels are crucial to C-bouton amplification. Here we use a motoneuron conditional KV2.1 knockout to show that while KV2.1 modulates maximal firing in neonatal mice, its removal minimally affects either mature motoneuron firing or the enhanced firing rates in response to exogenously applied muscarine. In keeping with this, pharmacological blockade of KV2 currents has minimal electrophysiological effects on mature motoneurons. Furthermore, amplification of electromyography activity during high force tasks was unchanged following KV2.1 deletion. We next show that KV2.2 is also expressed by spinal motoneurons and colocalises with KV2.1 opposite C-boutons. We suggest that the primary function of KV2 proteins – KV2.1 and KV2.2 – is non-conducting in motoneurons, and that KV2.2 can function in the absence of KV2.1, perhaps to ensure the integrity of the synapse.
Wireless Measurements Using Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy to Monitor Fracture Healing
Authors: Fukase Naomasa , Duke Victoria , Lin Monica C. , Stake Ingrid K. , Huard Matt , Huard Johnny , Marmor Meir T. , Maharbiz Michel M. , Ehrhart Nicole P. , Bahney Chelsea S. , Herfat Safa T.
Published: July 2022

There is an unmet need for improved, clinically relevant methods to longitudinally quantify bone healing during fracture care. Here we develop a smart bone plate to wirelessly monitor healing utilizing electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to provide real-time data on tissue com-position within the fracture callus. To validate our technology, we created a 1-mm rabbit tibial defect and fixed the bone with a standard veterinary plate modified with a custom-designed housing that included two impedance sensors capable of wireless transmission. Impedance magnitude and phase measurements were transmitted every 48-hours for up to 10-weeks. Bone healing was assessed by X-ray, μCT, and histomorphometry. Our results indicated the sensors successfully incorporated into the fracture callus and did not impede repair. Electrical impedance, resistance, and reactance increased steadily from weeks 3 to 7—corresponding to the transition from hematoma to cartilage to bone within the fracture gap—then plateaued as the bone began to consolidate. These three electrical readings significantly correlated with traditional measurements of bone healing and successfully distinguished between union and not healed fractures, with the strongest relationship found with impedance magnitude. These results suggest that our EIS smart bone plate can provide continuous and highly sensitive quantitative tissue measurements throughout the course of fracture healing to better guide personalized clinical care.
Effects of wearing FFP2 masks on SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in classrooms
Authors: Jarnig Gerald , Kerbl Reinhold , van Poppel Mireille N.M.
Published: July 2022

Importance

Different mitigation measures are mandated in schools worldwide to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The efficacy of most measures, however, has not been investigated thus far.

Objective

To investigate the usefulness of FFP-2 masks in classrooms to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Design

A retrospective comparative cohort study of infection rates (evaluated by PCR screening in school) in students wearing FFP-2 masks continuously and students in sports classes with limited face mask use.

Setting

A single-center evaluation comparing classes (middle school: age 10-16 years, 4-year high school: age 14-20 years) with a high sports focus (SF), with regular classes during the Delta and Omicron waves (September 2021–April 2022).

Participants

In total, 616 children/families were invited to participate in the comparative evaluation, and 614 (99.7%) followed this invitation by providing relevant information concerning their SARS-CoV-2 infection status. A total of 213 legal guardians (for children < 14 years) and 401 adolescents (≥14 years) reported SARS-CoV-2 infections during the 2021/22 school year.

Main Outcomes and Measures

A comparative analysis of cumulative SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in sports and non-sports classes (the 7-day classroom incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections, and potential secondary infections among school classmates).

Results

Cumulative SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were clearly higher in sports classes (with limited mask use) than in non-sports classes (continuous mask use). After the relaxation of the mitigation measures, students in non-sports classes, however, showed a clear “catch-up” of infections, leading to a higher incidence of infections during this phase. By the end of the observation period (April 30, 2022), only a small difference in cumulative SARS-CoV-2 infection rates (p=0.037, φ=0.09) was detected between classes with a sports focus and those without a sports focus.

Conclusions and Relevance

Wearing FFP2 face masks reduces the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection if strict mitigation measures are applied. Following the relaxation of strict measures, previously “protected” students show a significant “catch-up” infection rate. Thus, continuous face mask use postpones rather than avoids SARS-CoV-2 infection in many cases. Therefore, the advantage of reduced transmission must be carefully balanced against the disadvantages associated with mask wearing throughout schools.
The Role Of Serum Electrolyte Level In Stroke Prognosis
Authors: Taywade Onjal , Chourasiya Neeta , Hiwarkar Monali , Nillawar Anup
Published: July 2022

Background and introduction

Acute stroke is one of the common medical emergencies in India that contribute to mortality as well as morbidity. NIHSS scale is still the best clinical conglomerate for initial evaluation of stroke, while Modified Rankin scale performed at 3 months is a simple scale to gauge long-term neurological deficit. Hyponatremia is a common accompanying electrolyte disturbance with short as well as long-term implications in stroke.

Aim and objectives

With this background, a study with the following objectives was planned: 1. To estimate the incidence of electrolyte disturbance in acute ischemic stroke, 2. To determine the association of electrolyte disturbances with clinical assessment scales like NIHSS scale, ASPECT score, and MRS-3-month score.

Material and Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted on forty-five patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke diagnosed on imaging studies and evaluated for electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-).

Results

55% patients had some or other electrolyte disturbance, hyponatremia(33%) being the most common, while hyperchloremia(15%) was the second. The NIHSS score showed better correlation with MRS score than ASPECT score or electrolyte disturbances.

Conclusion

Hyponatremia was found to be the most common electrolyte disturbance in acute ischemic stroke. This study attempted to underscore the role of electrolyte disturbance in the prognostication of acute stroke. As electrolyte measurement is feasible in low resource settings; its relevance and utility are even more pronounced.
A benchmarking of deep neural network models for cancer subtyping using single point mutations
Authors: Parhami Pouria , Fateh Mansoor , Rezvani Mohsen , Rokny Hamid Alinejad
Published: July 2022

It is now well-known that genetic mutations contribute to development of tumors, in which at least 15% of cancer patients experience a causative genetic abnormality includingDe Novosomatic point mutations. This highlights the importance of identifying responsible mutations and the associated biomarkers (e.g., genes) for early detection in high-risk cancer patients. The next-generation sequencing technologies have provided an excellent opportunity for researchers to study associations betweenDe Novosomatic mutations and cancer progression by identifying cancer subtypes and subtype-specific biomarkers. Simple linear classification models have been used for somatic point mutation-based cancer classification (SMCC); however, because of cancer genetic heterogeneity (ranging from 50% to 80%), high data sparsity, and the small number of cancer samples, the simple linear classifiers resulted in poor cancer subtypes classification. In this study, we have evaluated three advanced deep neural network-based classifiers to find and optimized the best model for cancer subtyping. To address the above-mentioned complexity, we have used pre-processing clustered gene filtering (CGF) and indexed sparsity reduction (ISR), regularization methods, a Global-Max-Pooling layer, and an embedding layer. We have evaluated and optimized the three deep learning models CNN, LSTM, and a hybrid model of CNN+LSTM on publicly available TCGA-DeepGene dataset, a re-formulated subset of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and tested the performance measurement of these models is 10-fold-cross-validation accuracy. Evaluating all the three models using a same criterion on the test dataset revealed that the CNN, LSTM, and CNN+LSTM have 66.45% accuracy, 40.89% accuracy, and 41.20% accuracy in somatic point mutation-based cancer classification. Based on our results, we propose the CNN model for further experiments on cancer subtyping based on DNA mutations.
Myostatin gene deletion alters gut microbiota stimulating fast-twitch glycolytic muscle growth
Authors: Luo Zhao-Bo , Han Shengzhong , Yin Xi-Jun , Liu Hongye , Wang Junxia , Xuan Meifu , Hao Chunyun , Wang Danqi , Liu Yize , Chang Shuangyan , Li Dongxu , Gao Kai , Li Huiling , Quan Biaohu , Quan Lin-Hu , Kang Jin-Dan
Published: July 2022

The host genome may influence the composition of the intestinal microbiota, and intestinal microbiota performs an important role in muscle growth and development. Here, we showed that Myostatin (MSTN), a key factor for muscle growth, deletion alters muscularis, plica, and intestinal barrier in pigs. Mice transplanted with MSTN−/− pig intestinal flora showed increase in the cross-sectional area of myofibers and fast-twitch glycolytic muscle mass. The microbes responsible for the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were enriched in both MSTN−/− pigs and recipient mice, and SCFAs levels were elevated in the colon contents. We demonstrated that valeric acid can stimulate type IIb myofiber growth by activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway via GPR43 and improve muscle atrophy induced by dexamethasone. This is the first study to identify the MSTN gene-gut microbiota-SCFA axis and its regulatory role in fast-twitch glycolytic muscle growth.
Enhanced epithelial to mesenchymal transition and chemoresistance in advanced Retinoblastoma tumors is driven by miR-181a
Authors: Babu Vishnu Suresh , Bisht Anadi , Mallipatna Ashwin , SA Deepak , Dudeja Gagan , Kannan Ramaraj , Shetty Rohit , Heymans Stephane , Guha Nilanjan , Ghosh Arkasubhra
Published: July 2022

Advanced retinoblastoma (Rb) tumors can infiltrate distant tissues and cause a potent threat to vision and life. Through transcriptomic profiling, we discovered key epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and chemotherapy resistance genes at higher expression levels in advanced Rb tumors. Rb-/- tumor cells acquire metastasis-like phenotype through the EMT program that critically contributes to chemoresistance. We demonstrate that prolonged chemo-drug exposure in Rb cells elicits an EMT program through ZEB1 and SNAI2 that further acquires therapeutic resistance through cathepsin L and MDR1 mediated drug efflux mechanisms. Further, 16 significantly differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in patient tumors, of which miR-181a-5p was significantly reduced in advanced Rb tumors and associated with altered EMT and drug resistance genes. Enhancing miR-181a-5p levels in Rb-/- cells and Rb-/- chemo-resistant sublines controls EMT transcription factors ZEB1 and SNAI2 and halts the transition switch, thereby reversing drug resistance. We thus identify miR-181a-5p as a potential therapeutic target for EMT triggered drug-resistant cancers that can halt their invasion and sensitize them to low dose chemotherapy drugs.

Graphical Abstract
Multi-omics analysis reveals the molecular response to heat stress in a “red tide” dinoflagellate
Authors: Dougan Katherine E. , Deng Zhi-Luo , Wöhlbrand Lars , Reuse Carsten , Bunk Boyke , Chen Yibi , Hartlich Juliane , Hiller Karsten , John Uwe , Kalvelage Jana , Mansky Johannes , Neumann-Schaal Meina , Overmann Jörg , Petersen Jörn , Sanchez-Garcia Selene , Schmidt-Hohagen Kerstin , Shah Sarah , Spröer Cathrin , Sztajer Helena , Wang Hui , Bhattacharya Debashish , Rabus Ralf , Jahn Dieter , Chan Cheong Xin , Wagner-Döbler Irene
Published: July 2022

“Red tides” are harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by dinoflagellate microalgae that accumulate toxins lethal to other organisms, including humansviaconsumption of contaminated seafood. Increasingly frequent, HABs are driven by a combination of environmental factors including nutrient enrichment, particularly in warm waters. Here, we present thede novoassembled genome (~4.75 Gbp), transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome fromProrocentrum cordatum, a globally abundant, bloom-forming dinoflagellate. Using axenic algal cultures, we studied the molecular mechanisms that underpin response to temperature stress, which is relevant to current ocean warming trends. We discovered a complementary interplay between RNA editing and exon usage that regulates the expression and functional diversity of biomolecules, reflected by reduction in photosynthesis, central metabolism, and protein synthesis. Our multi-omics analyses uncover the molecular response to heat stress in an important HAB species, which is driven by complex gene structures in a large, high-G+C genome, combined with multi-level transcriptional regulation.
Research and innovation and the role of competition in family owned and managed firms
Authors: Yin Yuping , Crowley Frank , Doran Justin , Du Jun , O'Connor Mari
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This paper examines the innovation behavior of family-owned firms versus non-family-owned firms. The role of internal family governance and the influence of external stimuli (competition) on innovation are also considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The data of 20,995 family and non-family firms across 38 countries are derived from the World Bank Enterprise Survey during the period 2019–2020. Probit models are used to examine the impact of family ownership, family governance, and competition on innovation outcomes.

Findings

Family firms are more likely to make R&D investments, acquire external knowledge, engage in product innovation (including innovations that are new to the market) and process innovation, relative to non-family firms. However, a high propensity of family member involvement in top management positions can reduce innovation. Competition has a negative impact on innovation outcomes for both family and non-family firms, but it has a positive moderating effect on the innovation activities of family firms where a higher level of family member involvement in management is present.

Originality/value

This paper provides novel insights into family firm innovation dynamics by identifying family firms as more innovative than non-family firms for all types of indicators, debunking the idea that family firms are conservative, reluctant to change, and averse to the risks in innovation activities. However, too much family involvement in decision making may stifle some innovation activities in family firms, except in cases where the operating environment is highly competitive; this provides new insights into the ownership-management dynamic of family firms.
Effects of supplier orientation and competitive strategies on ICT firms’ performance
Authors: Celikyay Mehmet , Sonmez Cakir Fatma , Adıguzel Zafer
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between supplier orientation, which is Porter's general competitive strategy, and the market and financial performance in the Turkish Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) sector, taking into account the problems in the supply chain during the pandemic process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative research design where 550 questionnaires were collected from respondents operating in various ICT companies in Turkey to obtain necessary data to test the hypotheses developed for the study. Mediation effect and path analysis were used to analyze the research data. Smart PLS 3.3 version was used for all the mentioned analyzes.

Findings

The results of the analysis revealed that supplier orientation was positively and significantly related to financial and market performance. The findings of this study also showed that Porter’s generic competitive strategies have a mediator role in the relations of supplier orientation, financial and market performance.

Practical implications

These findings contribute to the understanding of the importance of supplier orientation along with competitive strategies to increase market and financial performance in ICT companies, especially during the pandemic process. These findings provide recommendations for researchers, professionals and senior and supply chain managers to apply at their firms.

Originality/value

This is a study that adequately covers the relationship between supplier orientation, general competitive strategies and market and financial performance in the Turkish ICT sector, taking into account the pandemic process.
Share of purchases in B2B: relative customer satisfaction indicators and customer characteristics as main influencers
Authors: Alet Vilaginés Josep
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to identify a new model of relative customer satisfaction translated into share of purchases (SOP) with the best-related metrics.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses an online customer satisfaction survey to clients of a firm and with a comparative valuation with current competitors by customer. The model builds a weighting through a multiple regression analysis, obtaining β for each variable by relating the variables to the SOP, presenting the relative effect of the variables and the best global explanation of the model.

Findings

This new model has good prediction accuracy and shows a clear impact of different relative satisfaction indicators and, to a minor degree, business and relationship characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this model is that it is based on data from only one company, but it should have value in other sectors and provide full insight through its transversal application.

Originality/value

The involved advantages demonstrated better predictability and usefulness to decision-makers and determined how the improvements in customer satisfaction translate into business growth. The study shows that the relative evaluation of satisfaction carries different meanings for customers, while all of them are better than absolute satisfaction. It includes a more understandable indicator than other prior relative indicators, the difference in satisfaction and is more effective. Additionally, it guides how to take advantage of the knowledge of relative customer satisfaction before competitors and demonstrates the courses of action with the potential best results.
Factors influencing the success of telepractice during the COVID‐19 pandemic and preferences for post‐pandemic services: An interview study with clinicians and parents
Authors: Kwok Elaine Yuen Ling , Pozniak Kinga , Cunningham Barbara Jane , Rosenbaum Peter
Published: July 2022

Background

There has been a significant uptake in the use of telepractice during the coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) pandemic. This study explored the experiences of speech and language therapists (SLTs), assistants (SLTAs) and parents with telepractice during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Aims

(1) To identify factors that influenced success of telepractice; and (2) to describe clinicians’ and parents’ preferences for the future mode of service delivery for preschoolers with communication disorders.

Methods & Procedures

The study was conducted in partnership with one publicly funded programme in Ontario, Canada, that offered services to preschoolers with speech, language and communication needs at no cost. SLTs (N = 13), assistants (N = 3) and parents (N = 13) shared their experiences and perspectives during semi‐structured videoconference interviews.

Outcomes & Results

Factors that influenced the success of telepractice were reported in three categories: the setting (i.e., where and how telepractice was being delivered); the nature of telepractice (i.e., the services that were provided via telepractice); and the individuals (i.e., who was involved in telepractice). These factors were reported to interact with each other. As the needs for each child and family are unique, parents and clinicians reported a preference for a hybrid and flexible service delivery model in the future.

Conclusions & Implications

The themes identified in this study can be used by clinicians and managers to consider factors that influence the success of telepractice for children and families.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on the subject?

Studies conducted before the COVID‐19 pandemic showed that telepractice was an effective and acceptable service approach. However, some clinicians and parents reported wanting to resume in‐person visits. The provision of telepractice services to families with children with communication disorders increased significantly during COVID‐19.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

Parents and clinicians shared factors that influenced the success of telepractice during semi‐structured interviews. Factors were identified in three categories: the setting (i.e., where and how telepractice was being delivered); the nature of telepractice (i.e., the services that were provided via telepractice); and the individuals (i.e., who were involved in telepractice). As each child's and family's needs are unique, parents and clinicians reported a preference for a hybrid and flexible service delivery model in the future.

What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?

SLTs and SLT managers can use the factors identified to discuss with parents and decide whether telepractice may be well suited to the needs of each child and family.
THE SCALAR ARRHYTHMIA OF LGBTQ2S SOCIAL INCLUSION POLICIES: An Analysis of the Peripheral Municipalities of a ‘Progressive’ City‐region
Authors: Bain Alison L. , Podmore Julie A.
Published: July 2022

LGBTQ2S municipal governance is a contentious policy domain that is often publicly framed as ‘morality’ or ‘niche’ politics, yet urban sexuality scholars have shown its fundamental dissonance and incommensurability across spatial scales. Within polycentric city‐regions aspiring to ‘progressiveness’, LGBTQ2S‐supportive municipal social inclusion policy is further subject to arrhythmic diffusion. In this article we introduce the neologism of scalar arrhythmia (a biomedical metaphor that parallels the pace of diffusion with the irregularities of a heartbeat) in conjunction with scale‐contingent coalitional moments (spatiotemporal junctures that bring people together to enact social change) to advance an urban social justice agenda. We argue that the analytical vantage point of scalar arrhythmia reveals differences in the longitudinal temporal (a)synchronicities of peripheral municipal inclusion policy diffusion and locates transformative scale‐contingent coalitional moments. Through an analysis of the interplay of diffusion processes and mechanisms across the adjacent peripheral municipalities of Burnaby, New Westminster and Surrey in Canada's Vancouver city‐region, we demonstrate provincial–municipal hierarchical ‘coercion’, core–periphery metropolitan relocation ‘imitation’ and municipal inter‐peripheral contagious ‘competition’. While peripheral patterns of scalar arrhythmia rupture Vancouver's illusive progressive regionalism, the concept offers civic leaders an inventorying opportunity that redirects attention away from cursory LGBTQ2S policy performances towards substantive policy integrations and local innovations.
A rare case of ligature strangulation using a dental unit: Distinguishing suicide from homicide in a death scene investigation
Authors: Lee Geuntae , Hu Kyung‐Seok
Published: July 2022

Ligature strangulation is more common in homicides and is rarely seen in suicides and sexual asphyxia involving neck compression. We report a rare case of a dentist found dead of ligature strangulation next to a dental unit. The ligature was attached to the window frame, wrapped tightly around the neck once with a noose, and tied at the midpoint of the neck and at the head of the dental chair. A death scene and medicolegal investigation suggested suicidal ligature strangulation. The victim was squatting next to the dental unit with the control panel within reach. Pressing Button 1 (the recline button) would have tightened the ligature around the neck. A container containing pink nylon ribbon was found near the victim. The position of the knot at the front of the neck was consistent with suicide. Bloodstain pattern analysis confirmed the longitudinal flow pattern. No other remarkable findings were observed. Nobody had visited the clinic, autopsy found no drugs in his system, and the environment was undisturbed. Homicide was ruled out. According to witnesses, the victim had been in litigation with the owner of the building where his clinic was located. There were no reports of the victim having engaged in any unusual sexual or autoerotic activity. He had not received any death threats. Approximately 1 h before his death, he sent a suicide text message to his wife. Our case highlights the importance of distinguishing between suicide and homicide, especially in cases of ligature strangulation.
Mental health disparities in solitary confinement
Authors: Simes Jessica T. , Western Bruce , Lee Angela
Published: July 2022

Harsh prison conditions have been widely examined for their effects on the mental health of incarcerated people, but few studies have examined whether mental health status exposes individuals to harsh treatment in the penal system. With prisoners confined to their cells for up to 23 hours each day, often being denied visitors or phone calls, solitary confinement is an important case for studying harsh treatment in prisons. Routinely used as punishment for prison infractions, solitary confinement may be subject to the same forces that criminalize the mentally ill in community settings. Analyzing a large administrative data set showing admissions to solitary confinement in state prison, we find high rates of punitive isolation among those with serious mental illness. Disparities by mental health status result from the cumulative effects of prison misconduct charges and disciplinary hearings. We estimate that those with serious mental illness spend three times longer in solitary confinement than similar incarcerated people with no mental health problems. The evidence suggests the stigma of dangerousness follows people into prison, and the criminalization of mental illness accompanies greater severity of incarceration.
Presidential diplomacy meets science diplomacy
Authors: Lawler Diego , Fuentes Miguel
Published: July 2022

In this article, we analyze science diplomacy, for the first time, as a new type of political tool that can influence and nurture the functioning of presidential diplomacy. We conduct this analysis in the context of the global crisis produced by COVID‐19, considering the struggle to obtain both vaccines and the technology to develop them. We discuss the Russian‐Argentine relationship during the pandemic emergency in the Southern Cone. This case provides a valuable framework to make valid recommendations to incorporate and coordinate science diplomacy actions concerning presidential diplomacy.
Serum immunogloblins might be useful predictors of immune‐related adverse events after immune checkpoint inhibitor usage in lung cancer
Authors: Yasuda Manabu , Take Nobuyuki , Shinohara Shinji , Chikaishi Yasuhiro
Published: July 2022

We herein report a 79‐year‐old woman who underwent surgery had recurred non‐small cell lung cancer and developed irAEs following ICI treatment. During ICI treatment, we conducted monthly measurements of the serum antibody levels in this patient, including those which were both tumor‐ (anti‐p53 antibody) and nonspecific (immunoglobulins). Anti‐p53 antibodies and IgM had not increased during ICI treatment, but the serum levels of IgG and IgA had gradually increased before the occurrence of irAEs. These results suggest that monitoring serum immunoglobulin levels might enable the early detection of ICI‐induced immune responses in patients with lung cancer.
Phase II study of S‐1 plus cisplatin with concurrent radiotherapy for locally advanced thymic carcinoma: Results of the LOGIK1605/JART‐1501 study
Authors: Fukuda Minoru , Yamaguchi Masafumi , Yamazaki Takuya , Funaki Soichiro , Mukae Hiroshi , Fukuoka Junya , Nabeshima Kazuki , Tateyama Hisashi , Ashizawa Kazuto , Tomiyama Noriyuki , Hara Masaki , Seto Takashi , Okumura Meinoshin , Sugio Kenji
Published: July 2022

Background

Combination chemotherapy is used to treat advanced thymic carcinoma; however, the effects are insufficient.

Methods

Previously untreated patients with unresectable locally advanced thymic carcinoma received two cycles of 80 mg/m2/day S‐1 orally on days 1–14 plus 60 mg/m2/day cisplatin intravenously on day 1, and concurrent radiotherapy (60 Gy).

Results

Three patients were enrolled into the study. Toxicity and survival were assessable in all patients, but the treatment response was only assessable in one patient. The study was terminated because of poor case recruitment. The patients' characteristics were as follows: male/female = 2/1; PS 0/1 = 2/1; median age (range) = 59 (55–72); and stage III/IV = 2/1. The patient in which the treatment response was assessed exhibited SD (response rate: 0%). In both nonevaluable cases, the second course of chemotherapy was judged to be post‐protocol treatment because it was delayed by ≥14 days, but a CR and PR were achieved after the end of the study, respectively. G4 leukopenia/neutropenia and G3 febrile neutropenia occurred in one patient each (33%). The median time to tumor progression was 17.6 months, and the 1‐, 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐year survival rates were 67, 33, 33, and 33%, respectively. The median overall survival time was not reached, and the 1‐, 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐year survival rates were 100, 67, 67, and 67%, respectively.

Conclusions

Although it was difficult to recruit patients, there was a long‐term survivor >4 years who appeared to have achieved a CR, indicating that such chemoradiotherapy may be effective against locally advanced thymic carcinoma.
Corporate Governance in the #MeToo Era: A Compact, In‐Class Case*
Authors: Sheehan Norman T. , Charbonneau Lynne
Published: July 2022

With the rise of the #MeToo movement, workplace harassment has become an important board issue. Despite this, little has been written on the role that boards, and governance in general, should play in reducing the potential for employee harassment in the workplace. This compact, in‐class teaching case, which is based on an actual employee lawsuit in Canada, fills this gap by reviewing the role of the board in addressing employee workplace harassment. The case takeaways focus on the steps boards should take once they receive an employee harassment complaint, the policies and procedures boards must ensure are in place to protect their employees from workplace harassment, and the options available for students if they encounter workplace harassment in their future careers. The case concludes by reviewing best practices for recruiting board members as well as deciding on the future of the organization's president.
The Effects of Openness of Internal Reporting and Shared Interest with an Employee on Managerial Collusion and Subsequent Cooperation*
Authors: Way Dan
Published: July 2022

Collusion between managers who share private information represents a significant control concern for firms. Prior research suggests that mutual monitoring contracts that incentivize honest reporting do not prevent all collusion, making it important to understand how elements of the control environment may facilitate collusion, as well as how control choices—and collusion itself—affect subsequent behavior within the firm. Results of two experiments show that the frequency of collusion between managers in a repeated‐interaction setting is greatest when one can view the other's reports before making their own (“open internal reporting”) and slack obtained from misreporting is shared with a non‐reporting employee (“shared interest”). Moreover, although open (versus closed) internal reporting increases collusion in a single‐shot setting with or without a residual claimant to managers' budget reports being present, neither openness alone nor shared interest alone increases collusion in a repeated‐interaction setting. Results further suggest that collusion improves managers' perceptions of autonomy and group identification, resulting in greater cooperation on a subsequent task and potentially reducing the costs of some collusion to the extent such cooperation benefits the firm. Finally, open internal reporting worsens managers' perceptions of autonomy and group identification which, for managers who did not previously engage in collusion, leads to less cooperation on a subsequent task. In total, these results highlight to firms that the costs of collusion in repeated‐interaction settings frequently found in practice may be greatest when the common control choices of open internal reporting and shared interest are made in tandem, and that open internal reporting may carry another unintended cost in the form of lower cooperation on other tasks.