bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher Variability in Fungi Compared to Bacteria in the Foraging Honey Bee Gut
Authors: Decker Leslie E. , San Juan Priscilla A. , Warren Magdalena L. , Duckworth Cory E. , Gao Cheng , Fukami Tadashi
Published: October 2020

Microbial communities in the honey bee gut have emerged as a model system to understand the effects of host-associated microbes on animals and plants. The specific distribution patterns of bacterial associates among honey bee gut regions remains a key finding within the field. The mid- and hindgut of foraging bees house a deterministic set of core species that affect host health. In contrast, the crop, or honey stomach, contains a more diverse set of bacteria that is highly variable in composition among individual bees. Whether this contrast between the two gut regions also applies to fungi, another major group of gut-associated microbes, remains unclear despite their potential influence on host health. In honey bees caught foraging at four sites across the San Francisco Peninsula, we found that fungi were much less distinct in species composition between the crop and the mid- and hindgut than bacteria. Unlike bacteria, fungi were highly variable in composition throughout the gut, and much of this variation was attributable to bee collection site. These patterns suggest that the fungi may be passengers rather than functionally significant gut symbionts. However, many of the fungi we found in the bees have been recognized as plant pathogens. Assuming that some fungi remain viable after passage through the gut, the distribution patterns we report here point to the potential importance of honey bees as vectors of fungal pathogens and suggest a more prominent role of honey bees in plant pathogen transmission than generally thought.

Importance (Nontechnical explanation of why the work was undertaken)

Along with bacteria, fungi make up a significant portion of animal- and plant-associated microbial communities. However, we have only begun to describe these fungi, much less examine their effects on most animals and plants. The honey bee,Apis mellifera, has emerged as a model system for studying host-associated microbes. Honey bees contain well-characterized bacteria specialized to inhabit different regions of the gut. Fungi also exist in the honey bee gut, but their composition and function remain largely undescribed. Here we show that, unlike bacteria, fungi vary substantially in species composition throughout the honey bee gut, contingent on where the bees are sampled. This observation suggests that fungi may be transient passengers and therefore unimportant as gut symbionts. However, our findings also indicate that honey bees could be major vectors of infectious plant diseases as many of the fungi we found in the honey bee gut are recognized as plant pathogens.
Stability of the Retinoid X Receptor-alpha Homodimer in the Presence and Absence of Rexinoid and Coactivator Peptide
Authors: Yang Zhengrong , Muccio Donald D. , Melo Nathalia , Atigadda Venkatram R. , Renfrow Matthew B.
Published: October 2020

Differential scanning calorimetry and differential scanning fluorimetry were used to measure the thermal stability of human retinoid X receptor-alpha ligand binding domain (RXRα LBD) homodimer in the absence or presence of rexinoid and coactivator peptide, GRIP-1. Theapo-RXRα LBD homodimer displayed a single thermal unfolding transition with aTmof 58.7 °C and an unfolding enthalpy (ΔH) of 673 kJ/mol (12.5 J/g), much lower than average value (35 J/g) of small globular proteins. Using a heat capacity change (ΔCp) of 15 kJ/(mol·K) determined by measurements at different pH values, the free energy of unfolding (ΔG) of the native state was 33 kJ/mol at 37 °C. Rexinoid binding to theapo-homodimer increasedTmby 5 to 9 °C, and increased the ΔGof the native homodimer by 12 to 20 kJ/mol at 37 °C, consistent with the nanomolar dissociation constant (Kd) of the rexinoids. The increase in ΔGwas the result of a more favorable entropic change due to interactions between the rexinoid and hydrophobic residues in the binding pocket, with the larger increases caused by rexinoids containing larger hydrophobic end groups. GRIP-1 binding toholo-homodimers containing rexinoid resulted in additional increases in ΔGof 14 kJ/mol, a value same for all three rexinoids. Binding of rexinoid and GRIP-1 resulted in a combined 50% increase in unfolding enthalpy, consistent with reduced structural fluidity and more compact folding observed in other published structural studies. Thermodynamic analysis thus provided a quantitative evaluation of the interactions between RXR and its agonist and coactivator.
×Pseudorhiza nieschalkii(Senghas) P.F.Hunt nothosubsp.siculorumH.Kertész & N.Anghelescu, 2020 AN INTERGENERIC ORCHID HYBRID NEW TO SCIENCE FOUND IN TERRA SICULORUM, ROMANIA
Authors: Anghelescu Nora Eugenia D. G. , Kertész Hajnalka , Constantin Nicoleta , Simon-Gruiţa Alexandra , Duţă Cornescu Georgiana , Pojoga Maria D. , Georgescu Mihaela I. , Petra Sorina A. , Toma Florin
Published: October 2020

We describe the first reported intergeneric hybrid to naturally occur between two subspecies belonging to different genera,Dactylorhiza fuchsiisubsp.sooana(genusDactylorhiza) andPseudorchis albidasubsp.tricuspis(genusPseudorchis), as× Pseudorhiza nieschalkii(Senghas) P.F.Hunt nothosubsp.siculorumH.Kertész & N.Anghelescu, 2020. The hybrid was found and digitally photographed for the first time by Hajnalka Kertész in June, 2020, within Terra Siculorum, in one of the Natura 2000 protected areas, known as Harghita Mădăraş, ROSCI00090. Following detailed morphometric analysis using 67 characters and molecular karyological analyses, we identified this unique specimen as an intergeneric hybrid, new to science. The hybrid, an F1generation plant, most likely representing a single intergeneric pollination event, is phenotypically intermediate between its parental species in most of the characters scored, but it significantly closely resemblesPseudorchis albidasubsp.tricuspisparent. Since the parental species occurred in near proximity (1-10 meters distance), we suggest that the production of this hybrid required a minimum travel distance of ca 1-10 meters, by the pollinators and frequent exchange of pollen between the parental species was very likely. The parental species and the hybrid, which display a considerable synchronicity in their flowering time, overlap in pollinator community, sharing various species of Hymenopterans and Dipterans, very abundant in the heathland. This Terra Siculorum hybrid is thus best described as a rarely occurring intergeneric hybrid that shows strongPseudorchis albidasubsp.tricuspisparental dominance in inheritance patterns.
Human motor units in microfluidic devices are impaired by FUS mutations and improved by HDAC6 inhibition
Authors: Dittlau Katarina Stoklund , Krasnow Emily N. , Fumagalli Laura , Vandoorne Tijs , Baatsen Pieter , Kerstens Axelle , Giacomazzi Giorgia , Pavie Benjamin , Sampaolesi Maurilio , Van Damme Philip , Van Den Bosch Ludo
Published: October 2020

Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) ensure proper communication between motor neurons and muscle through the release of neurotransmitters. In motor neuron disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), NMJs degenerate resulting in muscle atrophy, paralysis and respiratory failure. The aim of this study was to establish a versatile and reproduciblein vitromodel of a human motor unit to study the effect of ALS-causing mutations. Therefore, we generated a co-culture of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons and human primary mesoangioblast-derived myotubes in microfluidic devices. A chemotactic and volumetric gradient facilitated the growth of motor neuron neurites through microgrooves resulting in the interaction with myotubes and the formation of NMJs. We observed that ALS-causingFUSmutations resulted in a reduced neurite outgrowth and in a decreased NMJ number. Interestingly, the selective HDAC6 inhibitor, Tubastatin A, improved the neurite outgrowth and the NMJ morphology ofFUS-ALS co-cultures, further prompting HDAC6 inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy for ALS.
Structural basis for the inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase by favipiravir-RTP
Authors: Naydenova Katerina , Muir Kyle W. , Wu Long-Fei , Zhang Ziguo , Coscia Francesca , Peet Mathew J. , Castro-Hartmann Pablo , Qian Pu , Sader Kasim , Dent Kyle , Kimanius Dari , Sutherland John D. , Löwe Jan , Barford David , Russo Christopher J.
Published: October 2020

The RNA polymerase inhibitor, favipiravir, is currently in clinical trials as a treatment for infection with SARS-CoV-2, despite limited information about the molecular basis for its activity. Here we report the structure of favipiravir ribonucleoside triphosphate (favipiravir-RTP) in complex with the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) bound to a template:primer RNA duplex, determined by electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) to a resolution of 2.5 Å. The structure shows clear evidence for the inhibitor at the catalytic site of the enzyme, and resolves the conformation of key side chains and ions surrounding the binding pocket. Polymerase activity assays indicate that the inhibitor is weakly incorporated into the RNA primer strand, and suppresses RNA replication in the presence of natural nucleotides. The structure reveals an unusual, non-productive binding mode of favipiravir-RTP at the catalytic site of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp which explains its low rate of incorporation into the RNA primer strand. Together, these findings inform current and future efforts to develop polymerase inhibitors for SARS coronaviruses.
Limb-clasping, cognitive deficit and increased vulnerability to kainic acid - induced seizures in neuronal GPI anchor deficiency mouse models
Authors: Kandasamy Lenin C. , Tsukamoto Mina , Banov Vitaliy , Tsetsegee Sambuu , Nagasawa Yutaro , Kato Mitsuhiro , Matsumoto Naomichi , Takeda Junji , Itohara Shigeyoshi , Ogawa Sonoko , Young Larry J. , Zhang Qi
Published: October 2020

Post-translational modification of a protein with glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) is a conserved mechanism exists in all eukaryotes. Thus far, more than 150 human GPI anchored proteins have been discovered and about 30 enzymes have been reported to be involved in the biosynthesis and maturation of mammalian GPI. Phosphatidylinositol glycan biosynthesis class A protein (PIGA) catalyzes the very first step of GPI anchor biosynthesis. Patients carrying a mutation of thePIGAgene usually suffer from intractable epilepsy and intellectual developmental disorder. We generated three mouse models with PIGA deficits specifically in telencephalon excitatory neurons (Ex-M-cko), inhibitory neurons (In-M-cko), or thalamic neurons (Th-H-cko), respectively. Both Ex-M-cko and In-M-cko mice showed impaired long-term fear memory and were more susceptible to kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures. In addition, In-M-cko demonstrated a severe limb-clasping phenotype. Hippocampal synapse changes were observed in Ex-M-cko mice. OurPigaconditional knockout mouse models provide powerful tools to understand the cell-type specific mechanisms underlying inherited GPI deficiency and to test different therapeutic modalities.
Insect wing extract: A novel source for green synthesis of nanoparticles of antioxidant and antimicrobial potential
Authors: Jakinala Parameshwar , Lingampally Nageshwar , Hameeda Bee , Sayyed R. Z. , Khan M Yahya , Elsayed Elsayed Ahmed , El Enshasy Hesham
Published: October 2020

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most widely synthesized and used nanoparticles (NPs). AgNPs have been traditionally synthesized from plant extracts, cobwebs, microorganisms, etc. However, their synthesis from wing extracts of common insect;Mang maowhich is abundantly available in most of the Asian countries has not been explored yet. We report the synthesis of AgNPs fromM. maowings extract and its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The synthesized AgNPs were spherical, 40–60 nm in size and revealed strong absorption plasmon band around at 430 nm. Highly crystalline nature of these particles as determined by Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray diffraction further confirmed the presence of AgNPs. Hydrodynamic size and zeta potential of AgNPs were observed to be 43.9 nm and −7.12 mV, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence of characteristic amide proteins and aromatic functional groups. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of fatty acids in the wings extract that may be responsible for biosynthesis and stabilization of AgNPs. Further, SDS-PAGE of the insect wing extract protein showed the molecular weight of 49 kDa.M. maosilver nanoparticles (MMAgNPs) exhibit strong antioxidant, broad-range antibacterial and antifungal activities, which signifies their biomedical and agricultural potential.
Asymmetry in Histone Rotation in Forced Unwrapping and Force Quench Rewrapping in a Nucleosome
Authors: Reddy Govardhan , Thirumalai D.
Published: October 2020

Nucleosomes, the building blocks of chromosomes, are also transcription regulators. Single molecule pulling experiments have shown that nucleosomes unwrap in two major stages, releasing nearly equal length of DNA in each stage. The first stage, attributed to the rupture of the outer turn is reversible, occurs at low forces (≈ (3 - 5) pNs) whereas in the second stage the inner turn ruptures irreversibly at high forces (between ≈ (9 - 15) or higher) pNs. We show that Brownian dynamics simulations using the Self-Organized Polymer model of the nucleosome capture the experimental findings, thus permitting us to discern the molecular details of the structural changes not only in DNA but also in the Histone Protein Core (HPC). Upon unwrapping of the outer turn, which is independent of the pulling direction, there is a transition from 1.6 turns to 1.0 turn DNA wound around the HPC. In contrast, the rupture of the inner turn, leading to less than 0.5 turn DNA around the HPC, depends on the pulling direction, and is controlled by energetic and kinetic barriers. The latter arises because the mechanical force has to produce sufficient torque to rotate (in an almost directed manner) the HPC by 180°. In contrast, during the rewrapping process, HPC rotation is stochastic, with the quenched force fQ playing no role. Interestingly, if fQ = 0 the HPC rotation is not required for rewrapping because the DNA ends are unconstrained. The assembly of the outer wrap upon force quench, as assessed by the decrease in the end-to-end distance (Ree) of the DNA, nearly coincides with the increase in Ree as force is increased, confirming the reversible nature of the 1.6 turns to 1.0 turn transition. The asymmetry in HPC rotation during unwrapping and rewrapping accounts for the observed hysteresis in the stretch-release cycles in single molecule pulling experiments. Experiments that could validate the prediction that HPC rotation, which gives rise to the kinetic barrier in the unwrapping process, are proposed.
The polymicrogyria-associatedGPR56promoter preferentially drives gene expression in developing GABAergic neurons in common marmosets
Authors: Murayama Ayako Y , Kuwako Ken-ichiro , Okahara Junko , Bae Byoung-Il , Okuno Misako , Mashiko Hiromi , Shimogori Tomomi , Walsh Christopher A , Sasaki Erika , Okano Hideyuki
Published: October 2020

GPR56, a member of the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor family, is abundantly expressed in cells of the developing cerebral cortex, including neural progenitor cells and developing neurons. The humanGPR56gene has multiple presumptive promoters that drive the expression of the GPR56 protein in distinct patterns. Similar to coding mutations of the humanGPR56gene that may cause GPR56 dysfunction, a 15-bp homozygous deletion in the cis-regulatory element upstream of the noncoding exon 1 ofGPR56(e1m) leads to the cerebral cortex malformation and epilepsy. To clarify the expression profile of thee1mpromoter-driven GPR56 in primate brain, we generated a transgenic marmoset line in which EGFP is expressed under the control of the human minimale1mpromoter. In contrast to the endogenous GPR56 protein, which is highly enriched in the ventricular zone of the cerebral cortex, EGFP is mostly expressed in developing neurons in the transgenic fetal brain. Furthermore, EGFP is predominantly expressed in GABAergic neurons, whereas the total GPR56 protein is evenly expressed in both GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons, suggesting the GABAergic neuron-preferential activity of the minimale1mpromoter. These results indicate a possible pathogenic role for GABAergic neuron in the cerebral cortex of patients withGPR56mutations.
Muc2 mucin limitsListeria monocytogenesdissemination and modulates its population dynamics
Authors: Zhang Ting , Sasabe Jumpei , Sit Brandon , Waldor Matthew K.
Published: October 2020

The mucin Muc2 is a major constituent of the mucus layer that covers the intestinal epithelium and creates a barrier between epithelial cells and luminal commensal or pathogenic microorganisms. The Gram-positive food-borne pathogenListeria monocytogenescan cause enteritis and also disseminate from the intestine to give rise to systemic disease.L. monocytogenescan bind to intestinal Muc2, but the influence of the Muc2 mucin barrier onL. monocytogenesintestinal colonization and systemic dissemination has not been explored. Here, we used an orogastricL. monocytogenesinfection model to investigate the role of Muc2 in host defense againstL. monocytogenes. Compared to wild-type mice, we found that Muc2-/-mice exhibited heightened susceptibility to orogastric challenge withL. monocytogenes, with higher mortality, elevated colonic pathology, and increased pathogen burdens in both the intestinal tract and distal organs. In contrast,L. monocytogenesburdens were equivalent in wild-type and Muc2-/-animals when the pathogen was administered intraperitoneally, suggesting that systemic immune defects do not explain the heightened pathogen dissemination observed with oral infection route. Using a barcodedL. monocytogeneslibrary to measure intra-host pathogen population dynamics, we found that Muc2-/-animals had larger pathogen founding population sizes in the intestine and distal sites than observed in wild-type animals. Comparisons of barcode frequencies revealed that, in the absence of Muc2, the colon becomes the major source for seeding the internal organs. Together, our findings reveal that Muc2 limitsL. monocytogenesdissemination from the intestinal tract and modulates its population dynamics during infection.
Executive function supports single-shot endowment of value to arbitrary transient goals
Authors: McDougle Samuel D. , Ballard Ian C. , Baribault Beth , Bishop Sonia J. , Collins Anne G.E.
Published: October 2020

People often learn from the outcomes of their actions, even when these outcomes do not involve material rewards or punishments. How does our brain provide this flexibility? We combined behavior, computational modeling, and functional neuroimaging to probe whether learning from transient goals harnesses the same circuitry that supports learning from secondary reinforcers. Behavior and neuroimaging revealed that “one-shot” transient goals (abstract fractal images seen once) can act as a substitute for rewards during instrumental learning, and produce reliable reward-like signals in dopaminergic reward circuits. Moreover, we found evidence that prefrontal correlates of executive control may play a role in shaping these responses in reward circuits. These results suggest that learning from abstract goal outcomes is supported by an interplay between high-level representations in prefrontal cortex and low-level responses in subcortical reward circuits. This interaction may allow humans to perform reinforcement learning over flexible, arbitrarily abstract reward functions.
Antisense oligonucleotides targeting alpha-synuclein reduce pre-formed fibril-induced Lewy pathology and improve some domains of cognitive and motor performance
Authors: Boutros Sydney Weber , Raber Jacob , Unni Vivek K.
Published: October 2020

Alpha-synuclein (αsyn) is a small protein involved in neurodegenerative diseases known as synucleinopathies. The phosphorylated form (psyn) is the primary component of protein aggregates known as Lewy bodies (LBs), which are the hallmark of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Synucleinopathies might spread in a prion-like fashion, leading to a progressive emergence of symptoms over time. αsyn pre-formed fibrils (PFFs) induce LB-like pathology in wild-type (WT) mice, but there are remaining questions about the progressive “spreading” of pathology and the cognitive and behavioral effects. Here, we induced LB-like pathology in the bilateral motor cortex of WT mice and assessed behavioral and cognitive performance. As there are no long-term effective treatments for synucleinopathies, and no therapies slow or reduce the spreading of LBs, we also assessed the effects of a mouse αsyn-targeted antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) on pathology and behavioral and cognitive performance starting 5 weeks after ASO treatment. At 3 months post-PFF injection (mpi), mice injected with PFFs showed cognitive impairments and mild motor impairments. At 6 mpi, PFF-injected mice showed further cognitive and motor impairments that were partially ameliorated by the ASO. ASO treatment also reduced LB-like pathology, and pathology was significantly correlated with cognitive measures. However, the particular mouse ASO used in these assays was also associated with some possible off-target effects, defined as effects not involving lowering of αsyn, such as a decline in body weight. These results add to what is known about the progressive nature of the PFF model of synucleinopathies. These data also support the therapeutic potential of ASOs to improve Lewy pathology and associated behavioral and cognitive phenotypes.
Genomic properties of variably methylated retrotransposons in mouse
Authors: Elmer Jessica L. , Hay Amir D. , Kessler Noah J. , Bertozzi Tessa M. , Ainscough Eve , Ferguson-Smith Anne C.
Published: October 2020

Transposable elements (TEs) are enriched in cytosine methylation, preventing their mobility within the genome. We previously identified a genome-wide repertoire of candidate intracisternal A particle (IAP) TEs in mice that exhibit inter-individual variability in this methylation (VM-IAPs) with implications for genome function. Here we validate these metastable epialleles and discover a novel class that exhibit tissue specificity (tsVM-IAPs) in addition to those with uniform methylation in all tissues (constitutive- or cVM-IAPs); both types have the potential to regulate genes incis. Screening for variable methylation at other TEs shows that this phenomenon is largely limited to IAPs, which are amongst the youngest and most active endogenous retroviruses. We identify sequences enriched within cVM-IAPs, but determine that these are not sufficient to confer epigenetic variability. CTCF is enriched at VM-IAPs with binding inversely correlated with DNA methylation. We uncover dynamic physical interactions between cVM-IAPs with low methylation ranges and other genomic loci, suggesting that VM-IAPs have the potential for long-range regulation. Our findings indicate that a recently evolved interplay between genetic sequence, CTCF binding, and DNA methylation at young TEs can result in inter-individual variability in transcriptional outcomes with implications for phenotypic variation.
Low-dose in situ prelocation of protein microcrystals by 2D X-ray phase-contrast imaging for serial crystallography
Authors: Martiel Isabelle , Huang Chia-Ying , Villanueva-Perez Pablo , Panepucci Ezequiel , Basu Shibom , Caffrey Martin , Pedrini Bill , Bunk Oliver , Stampanoni Marco , Wang Meitian
Published: October 2020

Serial protein crystallography has emerged as a powerful method of data collection on small crystals from challenging targets, such as membrane proteins. Multiple microcrystals need to be located on large and often flat mounts while exposing them to an X-ray dose that is as low as possible. A crystal-prelocation method is demonstrated here using low-dose 2D full-field propagation-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging at the X-ray imaging beamline TOMCAT at the Swiss Light Source (SLS). This imaging step provides microcrystal coordinates for automated serial data collection at a microfocus macromolecular crystallography beamline on samples with an essentially flat geometry. This prelocation method was applied to microcrystals of a soluble protein and a membrane protein, grown in a commonly used double-sandwich in situ crystallization plate. The inner sandwiches of thin plastic film enclosing the microcrystals in lipid cubic phase were flash cooled and imaged at TOMCAT. Based on the obtained crystal coordinates, both still and rotation wedge serial data were collected automatically at the SLS PXI beamline, yielding in both cases a high indexing rate. This workflow can be easily implemented at many synchrotron facilities using existing equipment, or potentially integrated as an online technique in the next-generation macromolecular crystallography beamline, and thus benefit a number of dose-sensitive challenging protein targets.
Promoting effectiveness of “working from home”: findings from Hong Kong working population under COVID-19
Authors: Wong Ada Hiu Kan , Cheung Joyce Oiwun , Chen Ziguang
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Working-from-home (WFH) practice has been adopted by many companies of a variety of industries in a diverse manner; however, it is not until the recent outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic WFH gains worldwide popularity. With so many different views out there and based on work–family balance theory, this study aims to find out the factors which affect peoples' WFH effectiveness and whether they want the extended WFH practice when the pandemic crisis is over.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopted an online survey approach by posting questionnaires on the university website and different social media channels to collect views from full-time Hong Kong workers who have had WFH experience during the coronavirus outbreak. A total of 1,976 effective responses were collected for the data analysis.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that WFH effectiveness is improved by personal and family well-being but reduced by environmental and resource constraints. When workers are experiencing higher WFH effectiveness, they have a higher preference for WFH even after the pandemic; the female workers preferred WFH twice per week, while the male workers more often preferred WFH once per week. Finally, workers from the management and the self-employed levels demonstrated a lower preference for WFH, compared to the front-line and middle-grade workers.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils to provide a timely reflection on workers' post-pandemic WFH preference, the factors affecting their WFH effectiveness and the demographic differences inducing to the differentiated preferences.
The association between corporate governance mechanisms and compliance with IFRS mandatory disclosure requirements: evidence from 12 African countries
Authors: Mnif Yosra , Borgi Hela
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between two corporate governance (CG) mechanisms, namely, the board of directors and the audit committee (AC) and the compliance level with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) mandatory disclosure requirements across 12 African countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a self-constructed checklist of 140 items to measure the compliance with IFRS mandatory disclosure requirements (here after, COMP) of 202 non-financial listed firms during the 2012–2016 period. This paper applies panel regressions.

Findings

The findings reveal that CG mechanisms play an important role in enhancing compliance with IFRS in the African context. The results show that board independence, AC independence and the number of meetings held by the AC are positively associated with COMP. Regarding expertize, this paper find that AC industry expertise along with accounting financial expertise is associated with a higher level of COMP than accounting financial expertize alone. These results show the importance of the CG mechanisms to enforce African companies to fully comply with IFRS required disclosures.

Practical implications

The findings should give a signal to supervisory authorities that more effort is necessary to enforce IFRS across African countries if the introduction of IFRS is to bring the expected benefits to investors and other users. Hence, the lack of full compliance should remain a concern for regulators, professional accounting bodies and policymakers.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by providing further insights that, within the African region an understudied context, extend current understanding of the association between CG mechanisms and COMP.
Multiculturalism in Singapore and Malaysia: approaches and outcomes
Authors: Kuah Adrian T.H. , Kim Chang H. , Le Queux Stéphane
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper examines cases of multiculturalism in Singapore and Malaysia. Through causal sociocultural mechanisms, the authors observe how two countries in proximity, with shared histories and demographic profiles, achieve differing outcomes in regard to social cohesion and competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs case-centric process tracing (CPT) to build a “plausible” explanation of causal mechanisms that can contribute to social cohesion and competitiveness. The authors adopt a common analytical framework to distil the nuances of generalizability and a cross-case analysis in order to ascertain factors that enable multiculturalism.

Findings

Different causal mechanisms result in diverging outcomes in the two countries. In managing multiculturalism, Singapore has pursued policy actions emphasizing “integration and pragmatism,” while Malaysia has followed a model of “separation and preferentialism.” Judging by a selected number of established indicators, Singapore's multiculturalism outcomes seem more successful than that of Malaysia in respect to areas of national competitiveness and interethnic tolerance.

Practical implications

This paper sheds insights on the policy actions that promoted multicultural integration. The process tracing approach is found to be a useful tool in helping policymakers understand how intrinsic mechanisms can contribute to more/less desirable socioeconomic outcomes.

Originality/value

Together with the evidence using the CPT approach, the paper draws attention to multiculturalism evolving through distinctive sets of public policy. The authors ultimately suggest that such policies can be paralleled to the function played by institutions in leading to “varieties of capitalism” and have an impact on achieving cohesive and competitive societies.
Inferred respect: a critical ingredient in customer satisfaction
Authors: Ashworth Laurence , Bourassa Maureen A.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to address the following question: Do consumer inferences of respect (disrespect) contribute to satisfaction (dissatisfaction)? The research question is explored over two studies. The first aimed to test whether respect spontaneously emerged as an important component of consumer satisfaction. The second aimed to examine whether perceptions of respect could explain consumers’ satisfaction response beyond traditional antecedents of satisfaction (i.e. product and service factors, expectations).

Design/methodology/approach

The first (pilot) study examined whether respect/disrespect spontaneously emerged in written descriptions of highly satisfactory/dissatisfactory experiences (n = 356). The second (main) study used a survey methodology to test whether perceptions of respect could explain customer satisfaction beyond traditional antecedents (n = 2,641 plus n = 398).

Findings

Drawing on theories from social psychology and organizational justice, the current study argues that perceived respect, as inferred by customers from elements of their interactions with organizations, may also be critically involved in the satisfaction response.

Research limitations/implications

Conceptually, the findings place respect as a central antecedent among satisfaction determinants.

Practical implications

Practically, this research underscores the importance of enacting respect and avoiding actions that communicate disrespect because of their effect on satisfaction.

Originality/value

Customer satisfaction is critically important to organizations and so a great deal of research or work has sought to understand its causes – traditionally product performance, service quality and expectations. This current work, or This current research argues that inferred respect, as an indicator of the extent to which people perceive they are valued, should have an important, and general, influence on satisfaction that goes beyond what traditional determinants of satisfaction can explain.
Subsidiarity as secret of success: “Hidden Champion” SMEs and subsidiarity as winning HRM configuration in interdisciplinary case studies
Authors: Mear Fred , Werner Richard A.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper contributes to the theory of the relationship between human resource management (HRM) and innovation at small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by conducting a conceptual analysis of the question why Germany boasts by far the highest number of “Hidden Champion” SMEs. This is done by case studies from the army and public financial management of aid disbursal in developing countries. Implications for HRM at SMEs are discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual analysis using case studies.

Findings

Contributing towards filling the gap concerning theoretical underpinnings of the link between HRM and innovation, we suggest that interdisciplinary work from relevant organisational case studies indicates that the concept of institutional design to provide motivational incentives may be relevant, especially concerning high performance systems with bundles of HRM practices. Specifically, the fundamental principle of subsidiarity is found to be important.

Research limitations/implications

The research is broadly applicable to organisations of all kinds, as the diverse case studies indicate. We point towards tentative implications for the firms that account for the majority of the work force, namely SMEs, and among them the most successful ones, the so-called “Hidden Champions”.

Practical implications

HR managers can improve motivation, performance and innovation by decentralising decision-making as far as possible, while ensuring the overall organisational goals are well understood and shared, and resources are dedicated to train and educate staff. Additionally, the conception of rank-order competitions complements the institutional design.

Social implications

Greater productivity and material performance as well as greater job satisfaction via larger autonomy and decision-making power on the local level can be achieved by the application of subsidiarity as key HRM configuration. This can be employed at SMEs, as discussed, but also other organisations. Further, the principle of subsidiarity and the greater emphasis on staff training and education may help reduce inequality.

Originality/value

Our paper contributes towards filling the gap in the literature on the link between HRM and innovation, by identifying the role of subsidiarity. We introduce an interdisciplinary perspective, with contributions from economics and psychology, among others. We also contribute to the history of HRM.
Study on the joint mechanical properties of steel structure buildings
Authors: Chen Jiaqiang
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The main supporting frame of steel structure buildings is steel, and the beam-column joints of the steel structure directly affect the stability and strength of the supporting frame.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper briefly introduced the beam-column joints which are used for ensuring the stability of buildings in the steel structure building, selected the fabricated beam-column joints which were different from the traditional welding methods, tested the fabricated beam-column joints with the reaction frame and jack and detected the influence of the thickness and length of the splice plate on the mechanical properties of joints.

Findings

The results showed that the joint stress and the displacement in the vertical direction increased under greater load no matter which kind of fabricated joint was used; under the same load, the thickness and length of the splice significantly affected the mechanical properties of joints, and the larger the thickness and length, the smaller the joint stress and displacement in the vertical direction.

Originality/value

To sum up, increasing the thickness or length of the splice plate of the fabricated joint can effectively improve the mechanical properties of joints.
Cognitive dysfunction in older prisoners in Germany: a cross-sectional pilot study
Authors: Verhülsdonk Sandra , Folkerts Ann-Kristin , Höft Barbara , Supprian Tillmann , Kessler Josef , Kalbe Elke
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to collect the first empirical data on the cognitive state of elderly prisoners in Germany and to examine associations between cognitive function and sociodemographic, clinical and incarceration characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

All prisoners aged 60 years and older of five prisons in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, were asked to participate. The cognitive screening instruments mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the DemTect were used to assess global cognition. Executive functions were tested with the trail making test and the frontal-assessment-battery. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess participants’ affective state.

Findings

The sample of this study consisted of 58 prisoners with a mean age of 65.52 years (standard deviation = 6.03); 82.8% are male. Using the MMSE with age- and education-corrected z-scores, 36.9% of the prisoners showed marginal or impaired global cognition scores. Using the DemTect, 41.4% of the prisoners were classified as being cognitively impaired. Up to 40% of the prisoners showed deficits in executive functioning and around 60% of the prisoners showed depressive symptoms. The correlation analysis revealed significant associations between cognitive scores and age (rho = –0.335, p = 0.014), education (rho = 0.309, p = 0.020), sentence duration (rho = 0.409, p = 0.007) and duration of current incarceration (rho = 0.302, p = 0.043). The DemTect total score was significantly associated with the PHQ-9 (rho = –0.335, p = 0.016).

Practical implications

A large group of the prisoners showed a higher prevalence of cognitive dysfunction than that observed in same-age people who are not incarcerated. Taken together, there is an urgent need for an adequate management of older cognitively impaired prisoners including routine cognitive testing and guidelines-oriented treatment of cognitive symptoms.

Originality/value

This study has several strengths. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study examining the cognitive and affective state in a German prison population. The authors considered female and male prisoners, as well as different prison settings, representing a realistic prison sample. The authors used several neuropsychological instruments to get a more detailed insight into the older prisoners’ cognitive status while trying to consider the economy of time and possible attention deficits to prevent dropouts during testing.
The effects of anchoring on backers' pledge in reward-based crowdfunding: evidence from Taiwanese market
Authors: Kuo Ying-Feng , Lin Cheng-Han , Hou Jian-Ren
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Crowdfunding allows enterprises or individuals to collect funds from numerous other individuals. This study applies the anchoring effect and range theory in reward-based crowdfunding to explore how different pledge option designs affect the backers' final pledge amount. Moreover, this study examines whether showing the current average amount pledged in the fundraising process has an anchoring effect on the subsequent backers' pledge amount.

Design/methodology/approach

Online experiments were conducted, and data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test and Spearman rank correlation analysis.

Findings

Results show that among the three pledge option designs, employing the “bolstering range offer” has the highest backing amount. However, presenting the current average amount pledged in the fundraising process has a reversed anchoring effect on subsequent backers' pledge amount only in the case of a crowdfunding project in the physical goods category with a “point offer.”

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, no reward-based crowdfunding platform has yet provided the pledge option design of a “bolstering range offer.” This study reveals that the “bolstering range offer” can significantly increase the amount pledged. This study extends the crowdfunding research area to crowdfunding success and suggests a novel way to set up pledges.
Strategic agility and the effects of firm age and environmental turbulence
Authors: Reed Jonathan H.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this empirical paper is to operationalize the Doz and Kosonen (2010) model of strategic agility, consisting of three dimensions and 15 subfactors and to test its relationship with firm performance under multiple contingencies.

Design/methodology/approach

A CEO-level survey is conducted to collect a sample of 73 firms from three industries in the US state of Florida. Factor analysis and convergence with similar criterion are used to validate the strategic agility construct. Multiple regression is used to test hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The findings support construct validity of Doz and Kosonen's model. Moreover, firm age and environmental turbulence are found to be important contingency factors. Environmental turbulence is found to moderate the relationship between firm age and strategic agility. Firm age and environmental turbulence are found to jointly moderate the relationship between strategic agility and firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

It is evident that firms may benefit from strategic agility depending on their age and environment. The results encourage future longitudinal research addressing causality.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to research by validating a more comprehensive model of strategic agility and identifying contingency factors that help to explain prior mixed results on the relationship between strategic agility and performance.
A theory of information overload applied to perfectly efficient financial markets
Authors: Pernagallo Giuseppe , Torrisi Benedetto
Published: October 2020

Purpose

In the era of big data investors deal every day with a huge flow of information. Given a model populated by economic agents with limited computational capacity, the paper shows how “too much” information could cause financial markets to depart from the assumption of informational efficiency. The purpose of the paper is to show that as information increases, at some point the efficient market hypothesis ceases to be true. In general, the hypothesis cannot be maintained if the use of the maximum amount of information is not optimal for investors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a model of cognitive heterogeneity to show the inadequacy of the notion of market efficiency in the modern society of big data.

Findings

Theorem 1 proves that as information grows, agents' processing capacities do not, so at some point there will be an amount of information that no one can fully use. The introduction of computer-based processing techniques can restore efficiency, however, also machines are bounded. This means that as the amount of information increases, even in the presence of non-human techniques, at some point it will no longer be possible to process further information.

Practical implications

This paper explains why investors very often prefer heuristics to complex strategies.

Originality/value

This is, to the authors’ knowledge, the first model that uses information overload to prove informational inefficiency. This paper links big data to informational efficiency, whereas Theorem 1 proves that the old notion of efficiency is not well-founded because it relies on unlimited processing capacities of economic agents.
The effect of family history of hypertension and polymorphism of the ACE gene (rs1799752) on cardiac autonomic modulation in adolescents
Authors: Dias‐Filho Carlos Alberto Alves , Soares Nivaldo de Jesus Silva , Bomfim Maria Rosa Quaresma , José Dias Carlos , Vidal Flavia Castello Branco , Magalhães Bruna Cruz , Ferreira Andressa Coelho , Monteiro Sally Cristina Moutinho , Salvador Emanuel Péricles , de Barros Carlos Castilho , Correia Poliana Espíndola , Rodrigues Bruno , Mostarda Cristiano Teixeira
Published: October 2020

This study aims to analyze the behaviour of cardiac autonomic modulation in adolescents with a family history of hypertension along with polymorphism of the ACE gene (rs1799752). The study involved 141 adolescents, with a mean age of 14.89, divided into the following six groups: offspring of normotensive parents (ONP): DD, DI and II; and offspring of hypertensive parents (OHP): DD, DI and II. Blood pressure, body composition, family history of hypertension, sleep disorder, and sexual maturation were assessed for the groups' characterization. Afterwards, an electrocardiogram was performed, and oral mucosal cells were collected to analyze heart rate variability and genotypic research of angiotensin‐converting enzyme. The main finding of this study was the decrease of vagal action in group OHP (genotype DD) relative to group ONP (genotype II): LF (%), 54.25 ± 3.14 vs 39.33 ± 3.80; HF (%), 45.74 ± 3.14 vs 60.66 ± 3.80; LF/HF, 1.48 ± 0.23 vs 0.68 ± 0.19. The results also showed changes in the variable diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in OHP (genotype DI) to ONP (genotype II) groups: 72.99 ± 2.33 vs 63.27 ± 1.72; and OHP (genotype DI) to ONP (genotype DD) groups. Adolescents with genotype DD and a family history of arterial hypertension present chances in cardiac autonomic modulation, the cardiac parasympathetic modulation is lower in these adolescents in comparison to participants of ONP + II group.