bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased SERCA2a sub-cellular heterogeneity in right-ventricular heart failure inhibits excitation-contraction coupling and modulates arrhythmogenic dynamics
Authors: Holmes M. , Hurley M. E. , Sheard T. M. D. , Benson A. P. , Jayasinghe I. , Colman M. A.
Published: October 2022

The intracellular calcium handling system of cardiomyocytes is responsible for controlling excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) and has been linked to pro-arrhythmogenic cellular phenomena in conditions such as heart failure (HF). SERCA2a, responsible for intracellular uptake, is a primary regulator of calcium homeostasis, and remodelling of its function has been proposed as a causal factor underlying cellular and tissue dysfunction in disease. Whereas adaptations to the global (i.e. whole-cell) expression of SERCA2a have been previously investigated in the context of multiple diseases, the role of its spatial profile in the sub-cellular volume has yet to be elucidated. We present an approach to characterize the sub-cellular heterogeneity of SERCA2a and apply this approach to quantify adaptations to the length-scale of heterogeneity (the distance over which expression is correlated) associated with right-ventricular (RV)-HF. These characterizations informed simulations to predict the functional implications of this heterogeneity, and its remodelling in disease, on ECC, the dynamics of calcium-transient alternans and the emergence of spontaneous triggered activity. Image analysis reveals that RV-HF is associated with an increase in length-scale and its inter-cellular variability; simulations predict that this increase in length-scale can reduce ECC and critically modulate the vulnerability to both alternans and triggered activity.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The cardiomyocyte: new revelations on the interplay between architecture and function in growth, health, and disease’.
Functional remodelling of perinuclear mitochondria alters nucleoplasmic Ca
2+
signalling in heart failure
Authors: Voglhuber Julia , Holzer Michael , Radulović Snježana , Thai Phung N. , Djalinac Natasa , Matzer Ingrid , Wallner Markus , Bugger Heiko , Zirlik Andreas , Leitinger Gerd , Dedkova Elena N. , Bers Donald M. , Ljubojevic-Holzer Senka
Published: October 2022

Mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes is a hallmark of heart failure development. Although initial studies recognized the importance of different mitochondrial subpopulations, there is a striking lack of direct comparison of intrafibrillar (IF) versus perinuclear (PN) mitochondria during the development of HF. Here, we use multiple approaches to examine the morphology and functional properties of IF versus PN mitochondria in pressure overload-induced cardiac remodelling in mice, and in non-failing and failing human cardiomyocytes. We demonstrate that PN mitochondria from failing cardiomyocytes are more susceptible to depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species generation and impairment in Ca
2+
uptake compared with IF mitochondria at baseline and under physiological stress protocol. We also demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, that under normal conditions PN mitochondrial Ca
2+
uptake shapes nucleoplasmic Ca
2+
transients (CaTs) and limits nucleoplasmic Ca
2+
loading. The loss of PN mitochondrial Ca
2+
buffering capacity translates into increased nucleoplasmic CaTs and may explain disproportionate rise in nucleoplasmic [Ca
2+
] in failing cardiomyocytes at increased stimulation frequencies. Therefore, a previously unidentified benefit of restoring the mitochondrial Ca
2+
uptake may be normalization of nuclear Ca
2+
signalling and alleviation of altered excitation–transcription, which could be an important therapeutic approach to prevent adverse cardiac remodelling.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The cardiomyocyte: new revelations on the interplay between architecture and function in growth, health, and disease’.
Three-dimensional remodelling of the cellular energy distribution system during postnatal heart development
Authors: Kim Yuho , Ajayi Peter T. , Bleck Christopher K. E. , Glancy Brian
Published: October 2022

The heart meets the high energy demands of constant muscle contraction and calcium cycling primarily through the conversion of fatty acids into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by a large volume of mitochondria. As such, the spatial relationships among lipid droplets (LDs), mitochondria, the sarcotubular system and the contractile apparatus are critical to the efficient distribution of energy within the cardiomyocyte. However, the connectivity among components of the cardiac cellular energy distribution system during postnatal development remains unclear. Here, we use volume electron microscopy to demonstrate that the sarcomere branches uniting the myofibrillar network occur more than twice as frequently during early postnatal development as in mature cardiomyocytes. Moreover, we show that the mitochondrial networks arranged in parallel to the contractile apparatus are composed of larger, more compact mitochondria with greater connectivity to adjacent mitochondria in mature as compared with early postnatal cardiomyocytes. Finally, we find that connectivity among mitochondria, LDs and the sarcotubular network is greater in developing than in mature muscles. These data suggest that physical connectivity among cellular structures may facilitate the communication needed to coordinate developmental processes within the cardiac muscle cell.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The cardiomyocyte: new revelations on the interplay between architecture and function in growth, health, and disease’.
Effects of altered cellular ultrastructure on energy metabolism in diabetic cardiomyopathy: an
in silico
study
Authors: Ghosh Shouryadipta , Guglielmi Giovanni , Orfanidis Ioannis , Spill Fabian , Hickey Anthony , Hanssen Eric , Rajagopal Vijay
Published: October 2022

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of heart failure in diabetes. At the cellular level, diabetic cardiomyopathy leads to altered mitochondrial energy metabolism and cardiomyocyte ultrastructure. We combined electron microscopy (EM) and computational modelling to understand the impact of diabetes-induced ultrastructural changes on cardiac bioenergetics. We collected transverse micrographs of multiple control and type I diabetic rat cardiomyocytes using EM. Micrographs were converted to finite-element meshes, and bioenergetics was simulated over them using a biophysical model. The simulations also incorporated depressed mitochondrial capacity for oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and creatine kinase (CK) reactions to simulate diabetes-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Analysis of micrographs revealed a 14% decline in mitochondrial area fraction in diabetic cardiomyocytes, and an irregular arrangement of mitochondria and myofibrils. Simulations predicted that this irregular arrangement, coupled with the depressed activity of mitochondrial CK enzymes, leads to large spatial variation in adenosine diphosphate (ADP)/adenosine triphosphate (ATP) ratio profile of diabetic cardiomyocytes. However, when spatially averaged, myofibrillar ADP/ATP ratios of a cardiomyocyte do not change with diabetes. Instead, average concentration of inorganic phosphate rises by 40% owing to lower mitochondrial area fraction and dysfunction in OXPHOS. These simulations indicate that a disorganized cellular ultrastructure negatively impacts metabolite transport in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The cardiomyocyte: new revelations on the interplay between architecture and function in growth, health, and disease’.
How cytoskeletal proteins regulate mitochondrial energetics in cell physiology and diseases
Authors: Solomon Tanya , Rajendran Megha , Rostovtseva Tatiana , Hool Livia
Published: October 2022

Mitochondria are ubiquitous organelles that play a pivotal role in the supply of energy through the production of adenosine triphosphate in all eukaryotic cells. The importance of mitochondria in cells is demonstrated in the poor survival outcomes observed in patients with defects in mitochondrial gene or RNA expression. Studies have identified that mitochondria are influenced by the cell's cytoskeletal environment. This is evident in pathological conditions such as cardiomyopathy where the cytoskeleton is in disarray and leads to alterations in mitochondrial oxygen consumption and electron transport. In cancer, reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton is critical for trans-differentiation of epithelial-like cells into motile mesenchymal-like cells that promotes cancer progression. The cytoskeleton is critical to the shape and elongation of neurons, facilitating communication during development and nerve signalling. Although it is recognized that cytoskeletal proteins physically tether mitochondria, it is not well understood how cytoskeletal proteins alter mitochondrial function. Since end-stage disease frequently involves poor energy production, understanding the role of the cytoskeleton in the progression of chronic pathology may enable the development of therapeutics to improve energy production and consumption and slow disease progression.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The cardiomyocyte: new revelations on the interplay between architecture and function in growth, health, and disease’.
Sarcomere maturation: function acquisition, molecular mechanism, and interplay with other organelles
Authors: Ahmed Razan E. , Tokuyama Takeshi , Anzai Tatsuya , Chanthra Nawin , Uosaki Hideki
Published: October 2022

During postnatal cardiac development, cardiomyocytes mature and turn into adult ones. Hence, all cellular properties, including morphology, structure, physiology and metabolism, are changed. One of the most important aspects is the contractile apparatus, of which the minimum unit is known as a sarcomere. Sarcomere maturation is evident by enhanced sarcomere alignment, ultrastructural organization and myofibrillar isoform switching. Any maturation process failure may result in cardiomyopathy. Sarcomere function is intricately related to other organelles, and the growing evidence suggests reciprocal regulation of sarcomere and mitochondria on their maturation. Herein, we summarize the molecular mechanism that regulates sarcomere maturation and the interplay between sarcomere and other organelles in cardiomyocyte maturation.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The cardiomyocyte: new revelations on the interplay between architecture and function in growth, health, and disease’.
Simultaneous assessment of radial and axial myocyte mechanics by combining atomic force microscopy and carbon fibre techniques
Authors: Peyronnet Rémi , Desai Aesha , Edelmann Jan-Christoph , Cameron Breanne A. , Emig Ramona , Kohl Peter , Dean Delphine
Published: October 2022

Cardiomyocytes sense and shape their mechanical environment, contributing to its dynamics by their passive and active mechanical properties. While axial forces generated by contracting cardiomyocytes have been amply investigated, the corresponding radial mechanics remain poorly characterized. Our aim is to simultaneously monitor passive and active forces, both axially and radially, in cardiomyocytes freshly isolated from adult mouse ventricles. To do so, we combine a carbon fibre (CF) set-up with a custom-made atomic force microscope (AFM). CF allows us to apply stretch and to record passive and active forces in the axial direction. The AFM, modified for frontal access to fit in CF, is used to characterize radial cell mechanics. We show that stretch increases the radial elastic modulus of cardiomyocytes. We further find that during contraction, cardiomyocytes generate radial forces that are reduced, but not abolished, when cells are forced to contract near isometrically. Radial forces may contribute to ventricular wall thickening during contraction, together with the dynamic re-orientation of cells and sheetlets in the myocardium. This new approach for characterizing cell mechanics allows one to obtain a more detailed picture of the balance of axial and radial mechanics in cardiomyocytes at rest, during stretch, and during contraction.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The cardiomyocyte: new revelations on the interplay between architecture and function in growth, health, and disease’.
Avian cardiomyocyte architecture and what it reveals about the evolution of the vertebrate heart
Authors: Shiels Holly A.
Published: October 2022

Bird cardiomyocytes are long, thin and lack transverse (t)-tubules, which is akin to the cardiomyocyte morphology of ectothermic non-avian reptiles, who are typified by low maximum heart rates and low pressure development. However, birds can achieve greater contractile rates and developed pressures than mammals, whose wide cardiomyocytes contain a dense t-tubular network allowing for uniform excitation–contraction coupling and strong contractile force. To address this apparent paradox, this paper functionally links recent electrophysiological studies on bird cardiomyocytes with decades of ultrastructure measurements. It shows that it is the strong transsarcolemmal Ca2+influx via the L-type Ca2+current (ICaL) and the high gain of Ca2+-induced Ca2+release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), coupled with an internal SR Ca2+release relay system, that facilitates the strong fast contractions in the long thin bird cardiomyocytes, without the need for t-tubules. The maintenance of an elongated myocyte morphology following the post-hatch transition from ectothermy to endothermy in birds is discussed in relation to cardiac load, myocyte ploidy, and cardiac regeneration potential in adult cardiomyocytes. Overall, the paper shows how little we know about cellular Ca2+dynamics in the bird heart and suggests how increased research efforts in this area would provide vital information in our quest to understand the role of myocyte architecture in the evolution of the vertebrate heart.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The cardiomyocyte: new revelations on the interplay between architecture and function in growth, health, and disease’. Please see glossary at the end of the paper for definitions of specialized terms.
Regulation of cardiomyocyte adhesion and mechanosignalling through distinct nanoscale behaviour of integrin ligands mimicking healthy or fibrotic extracellular matrix
Authors: Hawkes William , Marhuenda Emilie , Reynolds Paul , O'Neill Caoimhe , Pandey Pragati , Samuel Wilson Darren Graham , Freeley Mark , Huang Da , Hu Junquiang , Gondarenko Sasha , Hone James , Gadegaard Nikolaj , Palma Matteo , Iskratsch Thomas
Published: October 2022

The stiffness of the cardiovascular environment changes during ageing and in disease and contributes to disease incidence and progression. Changing collagen expression and cross-linking regulate the rigidity of the cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM). Additionally, basal lamina glycoproteins, especially laminin and fibronectin regulate cardiomyocyte adhesion formation, mechanics and mechanosignalling. Laminin is abundant in the healthy heart, but fibronectin is increasingly expressed in the fibrotic heart. ECM receptors are co-regulated with the changing ECM. Owing to differences in integrin dynamics, clustering and downstream adhesion formation this is expected to ultimately influence cardiomyocyte mechanosignalling; however, details remain elusive. Here, we sought to investigate how different cardiomyocyte integrin/ligand combinations affect adhesion formation, traction forces and mechanosignalling, using a combination of uniformly coated surfaces with defined stiffness, polydimethylsiloxane nanopillars, micropatterning and specifically designed bionanoarrays for precise ligand presentation. Thereby we found that the adhesion nanoscale organization, signalling and traction force generation of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (which express both laminin and fibronectin binding integrins) are strongly dependent on the integrin/ligand combination. Together our data indicate that the presence of fibronectin in combination with the enhanced stiffness in fibrotic areas will strongly impact on the cardiomyocyte behaviour and influence disease progression.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The cardiomyocyte: new revelations on the interplay between architecture and function in growth, health, and disease’.
Development of skin sebum medium and inhibition of lipase activity in Cutibacterium acnes by oleic acid
Authors: Nakase Keisuke , Momose Misato , Yukawa Tomoko , Nakaminami Hidemasa
Published: October 2022

Cutibacterium acnes

is associated with the exacerbated inflammation of acne vulgaris, which occurs through the immune induction and pathogenicity factor production. Sebum, which is not present in the growth medium currently used to study acne, is present in acne pustules in differing concentrations among the pathological stages, such as the initial formation and inflammatory phase. To evaluate the effect of

C. acnes

on inflammation exacerbation in acne pustules in vitro, we developed an skin sebum medium containing artificial sebum and studied the growth and pathogenicity factor production of

C. acnes

in the skin sebum medium.

The growth and lipase activity of

C. acnes

ATCC11828 were tested using skin sebum medium containing different sebum concentrations. Only lipase activity decreased in the skin sebum medium culture containing 0.5 % sebum when compared with that without sebum, while both growth and lipase activity decreased in cultures with 1.0 % sebum. Therefore, the growth and lipase activity of

C. acnes

changed in the presence of sebum. Furthermore, when the growth and lipase activity of

C. acnes

were tested in skin sebum medium containing sebum components, unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic acid and triolein, led to a decrease in lipase activity without inducing a change in growth. In the presence of oleic acid, C. acnes lipase activity decreased noncompetitively in a concentration-dependent manner.

Our data showed that

C. acnes

growth and lipase activity changed upon sebum addition to the skin sebum medium, and acne inflammation caused by

C. acnes

needs to be studied under conditions similar to those in acne pustules.
OXA-66 structure and oligomerisation of OXAAb enzymes
Authors: Takebayashi Yuiko , Henderson Sara R. , Chirgadze Dimitri Y. , Warburton Philip J. , Evans Benjamin A.
Published: October 2022

The OXA β-lactamases are responsible for hydrolysing β-lactam antibiotics and contribute to the multidrug-resistant phenotype of several major human pathogens. The OXAAb enzymes are intrinsic to

Acinetobacter baumannii

and can confer resistance to carbapenem antibiotics. Here we determined the structure of the most prevalent OXAAb enzyme, OXA-66. The structure of OXA-66 was solved at a resolution of 2.1 Å and found to be very similar to the structure of OXA-51, the only other OXAAb enzyme that has had its structure solved. Our data contained one molecule per asymmetric unit, and analysis of positions responsible for dimer formation in other OXA enzymes suggest that OXA-66 likely exists as a monomer.
Description and genomic characterization of Jiella flava sp. nov., isolated from Acrostichum aureum
Authors: Chen Ming-Sheng , Pu Xiu-Long , Weng Ming-Dan , Chen Li , Zhu Lan-Ying , Tuo Li
Published: October 2022

Two endophytic bacteria, designated strains CQZ9-1T and MQZ9-1, were isolated from semi-mangrove plant Acrostichum aureum collected from Maowei Sea Mangrove Nature Reserve in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, PR China. The two strains possessed almost identical 16S rRNA gene sequences (99.7 %). The average nucleotide identity (ANI), average amino acid identity (AAI) and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between the two strains were 100 %, indicating that they represented the same species. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strains CQZ9-1T, MQZ9-1 and the most closely related type strains,

Jiella mangrovi

KSK16Y-1T,

Jiella sonneratiae

MQZ13P-4T and

Jiella endophytica

CBS 5Q-3T were 98.0–98.1, 97.3–97.4 and 97.3–97.4 %, respectively. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and genome sequences indicated that CQZ9-1T and MQZ9-1 formed a distinct lineage with

J. endophytica

CBS5Q-3T,

Jiella pacifica

40Bstr34T,

J. mangrovi

KSK16Y-1T,

J. sonneratiae

MQZ13P-4T,

Jiella aquimaris

JCM 30119T and

J. aquimaris

22II-16-19i. The draft genomes of strains CQZ9-1T and MQZ9-1 were 4  162  933 bp and 4  164  266 bp in size, respectively, and their DNA G+C contents were both 63.8 %. Comparative genome analysis of the two strains and the type strains of related species revealed ANI, AAI and dDDH values below the cut-off levels of 95-96, 95.5 and 70 %, respectively. The ubiquinone detected in CQZ9-1T was Q-10. The major cellular fatty acid of strains CQZ9-1T and MQZ9-1 was found to be C18:1ω7c. Combined data from phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic studies indicated that CQZ9-1T and MQZ9-1 represent a novel species of the genus

Jiella

, for which the name Jiella flava sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CQZ9-1T (= CGMCC 1.18725T = JCM 34331T).
Topic modeling for multi-omic integration in the human gut microbiome and implications for Autism
Authors: Tataru Christine , Peras Marie , Rutherford Erica , Dunlap Kaiti , Yin Xiaochen , Chrisman Brianna S. , DeSantis Todd Z. , Wall Dennis P. , Iwai Shoko , David Maude M.
Published: October 2022

While healthy gut microbiomes are critical to human health, pertinent microbial processes remain largely undefined, partially due to differential bias among profiling techniques. By simultaneously integrating multiple profiling methods, multi-omic analysis can define generalizable microbial pro-cesses, and is especially useful in understanding complex conditions such as Autism. Challenges with integrating heterogeneous data produced by multiple profiling methods can be overcome using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), a promising natural language processing technique that identifies topics in heterogeneous documents.

In this study, we apply LDA to multi-omic microbial data (16S rRNA amplicon, shotgun metagenomic, shotgun metatranscriptomic, and untargeted metabolomic profiling) from the stool of 81 children with and without Autism. We identify topics, or microbial processes, that summarize complex phenomena occurring within gut microbial communities. We then subset stool samples by topic distribution, and identify metabolites, specifically neurotransmitter precursors and fatty acid derivatives, that differ significantly between children with and without Autism. We identify clusters of topics, deemed “cross-omic topics”, which we hypothesize are representative of generalizable microbial processes observable regardless of profiling method. Interpreting topics, we find each represents a particular diet, and we heuristically label each cross-omic topic as: healthy/general function, age-associated function, transcriptional regulation, and opportunistic pathogenesis.
Recording and Analysis of Mosquito Acoustic-Related Mating Behavior
Authors: Pantoja-Sánchez Hoover , League Garrett P. , Harrington Laura C. , Alfonso-Parra Catalina
Published: October 2022

In mosquitoes, courtship and mating sounds are produced by the movement of the wings during flight. These sounds, usually referred to as flight tones, have been studied using tethered and free-flying individuals. Here, we describe a general approach for recording and analyzing mosquito acoustic-related mating behaviors that can be broadly adapted to a variety of experimental designs.
Cognitive differences between readers attentive and inattentive to task-related information: an eye-tracking study
Authors: Chen Jing , Zhang Lu , Qian Wenhai
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Attentive to task-related information is the prerequisite for task completion. Comparing the cognition between attentive readers (AR) and inattentive readers (IAR) is of great value for improving reading services which has seldom been studied. To explore their cognitive differences, this study investigates the effectiveness, efficiency and cognitive resource allocation strategy by eye-tracking technology.

Design/methodology/approach

A controlled user study of two types of task, fact-finding (FF) and content understanding (CU) tasks was conducted to collect data including answer for task, fixation duration (FD), fixation count (FC), fixation duration proportion (FDP), and fixation count proportion (FCP). 24 participants were placed into AR or IAR group according to their fixation duration on paragraphs related to task.

Findings

Two types of cognitive resource allocation strategies, question-oriented (QO) and navigation-assistant (NA) were identified according to the differences in FDP and FCP. In FF task, although QO strategy was applied by the two groups, AR group was significantly more effective and efficient. In CU task, although the two groups were similar in effectiveness and efficiency, AR group promoted their strategies to NA while IAR group sticked to applying QO strategy. Furthermore, an interesting phenomenon “win by uncertainty”, which implies IAR group may get correct answer through uncertain means, such as clue, domain knowledge or guess, rather than task-related information, was observed.

Originality/value

This study takes a deep insight into cognition from the prospect of attentive and inattentive to task-related information. Identifying indicators about cognition helps to distinguish attentive and inattentive readers in various tasks automatically. The cognitive resource allocation strategy applied by readers sheds new light on reading skill training. A typical reading phenomenon “win by uncertainty” was found and defined. Understanding the phenomenon is of great value for satisfying reader information need and enhancing their deep learning.
Hedge fund activism and internal control weaknesses
Authors: Folsom David , Hasan Iftekhar , Shen Yinjie (Victor) , Zhou Fuzhao
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to investigate the associations between hedge fund activism and corporate internal control weaknesses.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors identify hedge fund activism events using 13D filings and news search. After matching with internal control related information from Audit Analytics, the authors utilize ordinary least square (OLS) and propensity score matching (PSM) to analyze the data.

Findings

The authors find that after hedge fund activism, target firms report additional internal control weaknesses, and these identified internal control weaknesses are remediated in subsequent years, leading to better financial-reporting quality.

Originality/value

The findings indicate that both managers and activists have incentives to develop a stronger internal control environment after targeting.
Higher education leadership and curricular design in industry 5.0 environment: a cursory glance
Authors: Bakir Ali , Dahlan Mohanad
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To offer an insight into post-COVID-19 Industry 5.0 environment, educational responses that are being made by Higher Education institutions (HEIs), and leadership qualities that appear to be effective in this environment. Also, to develop a conceptual model of causal relationships between the identified constructs in producing educational curricular outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Interpretative review was conducted identifying, analyzing and synthesizing the relevant literature on the relationships between post-COVID-19 Industry 5.0 environment, HEI’s leadership characteristics, their decision-making bases and curricular design outcomes.

Findings

The literature showed that in unpredictable post-COVID-19 Industry 5.0 environment, thriving HEIs are found to have leaders who are perceptive, visionary and agile with effective communication and navigation skills; embracing change culture; and able to learn from concrete experiences. Responding to the pandemic and Industry 5.0’s disruptive technology, these leaders are accelerating university–industry engagement and developing more flexible, student-centered, work-based curricula. Synthesis of the literature resulted in developing a conceptual model that shows that environmental turbulence is likely to influence curriculum design through leaders’ decision bases, and that leaders’ characteristics and industry engagement may interact with leaders’ decision bases to strengthen this influence.

Originality/value

A different lens was offered of the type of leadership that is seen to be effective in the turbulent and HE post-COVID-19 Industry 5.0 environment, and a novel conceptual model of relationships was developed which has potential impacts for HE leadership theory and practice.
Seizing opportunities in Europe: a roadmap for efficient big data implementation in Spanish SMEs
Authors: Sanchez-Hughet Carla , Aramendia-Muneta Maria Elena , Erro-Garcés Amaya
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to seize the potential of Big Data in their marketing strategies to leverage a competitive advantage in the rising digital marketplace and lead the post-pandemic economic recovery. However, Spanish SMEs have had serious difficulties in working with Big Data.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a roadmap is designed to pave the way for a successful Big Data implementation.

Findings

SMEs with updated information on how to access the historic funding opportunities might profit to this opportunity. It not only generates financing opportunities for SMEs but also grants continuity to their strategies by offering the most profitable techniques by which they can efficiently analyse data and gain consumer insights, thus overcoming the many problems they face when working with Big Data as well as helping them to monetise their marketing strategies.

Originality/value

The main advantage of this research is its innovative approach to business strategy as it provides. The value added by this paper lies in its holistic and updated approach to supporting SMEs’ Big Data strategies.
Product competitiveness analysis from the perspective of customer perceived helpfulness: a novel method of information fusion research
Authors: Wang Zheng , Ji Ying , Zhang Tao , Li Yuanming , Wang Lun , Qu Shaojian
Published: October 2022

Purpose

With the continuous development of online shopping, analyzing the competitiveness of products in the fierce market competition is becoming increasingly crucial to position their own product development. However, the information overload brought by the network development makes it getting difficult to obtain the accurate competitiveness information. Therefore, competitiveness analysis research to combine with the perceived helpfulness study needs urgent solution. Furthermore, deviations exist in the three common methods of perceived helpfulness research. Finally, the traditional information fusion analysis only analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of products in competitiveness analysis without taking account of the competitive environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study puts forward a novel prediction model of perceived helpfulness in conjunction of unsupervised learning and sentiment analysis techniques, to conduct the comparison with pros and cons of congeneric products.

Findings

This paper adopts Wilcoxon test to demonstrate the significant rectification of our competitiveness analysis to the traditional methods. It is noted that the positive reviews of the products in this study impact more on product word of mouth and competitiveness than negative ones.

Originality/value

To sum up, the results of this study benefit businesses in locating their dynamic market position with competitors in practice and exploring new method for long-term development strategic planning.
Negative eWOM and perceived credibility: a potent mix in consumer relationships
Authors: Izogo Ernest Emeka , Jayawardhena Chanaka , Karjaluoto Heikki
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Based on the foundations of the schema theory, the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) and customer experience literature, this research examines how the interplay between a consumer's previous shopping experience(s) and perceived credibility of negative online word-of-mouth (PCNWOM) leads to improved consumer–firm relationship quality (RQ).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors utilised series of scenario-based experiments (N = 918) to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The authors show that a focal customer's previous shopping experiences attenuate the perceived credibility of negative word-of-mouth on social media by other customers, which in turn weakens consumer–firm RQ. The authors also show that positive and negative perceptual experiences are asymmetric.

Research limitations/implications

First, the online shopping experiences described in the experimental scenarios were generic and did not refer to any particular product/service. Thus, calibrating products and services into categories, and studying how product type differences impact online shopping experiences warrant further research.

Practical implications

From a practical perspective, the authors demonstrate that not only does enhancing consumer–firm relationship quality demand meticulous integration of consumers' website and social media experiences but also in positive vs negative perception scenarios, RQ wane as review frequency increases.

Originality/value

The authors contribute significant insight into the existing literature by specifically adopting the premise that consumers' previous online shopping experience(s) will influence how credibly they will perceive negative online WOM posted on social media.
Rethinking investors' herding behavior under the conditions of reward-based crowdfunding platform
Authors: Zhu Zujun , Liu Junzhe , Zhang Mengru
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Reward-based crowdfunding, an emerging financing channel for SMEs, has attracted significant attention from scholars and practitioners. Scholars have mostly explored investors’ herding behavior in platforms to better understand investors’ decision-making mechanisms and management of funding projects. However, current evidence is inconsistent regarding herding behavior during the funding process. This study proposes prior funding performances have a nonlinear effect on subsequent funding performance and that this nonlinear relationship is conditional on competition intensity and information disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on objective data collected from a dominant reward-based crowdfunding platform in China, this study follows a panel ordinary least squares (OLS) model to estimate the effects of prior funding performance on the subsequent funding performance and the moderating role of environmental factors (i.e. competition intensity and information disclosure) in a given platform.

Findings

The results show prior funding performance had an inverted U-shaped effect on subsequent performance; this inverted U-shaped relationship was attenuated when the number of interactive messages was larger and competition was more intense, and it was strengthened when information updates were more frequent.

Originality/value

The effects of prior funding performance on subsequent performance at different stages of the fundraising process and under different platform environments remains unclear. The authors revisit the varying viewpoints in existing research and propose that the enhancement and substitution effects of prior funding performance are dominant at different funding stages. Overall, the results of this study highlight that the crowdfunding platform environment may become a boundary condition for investors' herding behavior.
Communication strategies: encouraging healthy diets for on-the-go consumption
Authors: Jebarajakirthy Charles , Das Manish , Rundle-Thiele Sharyn , Ahmadi Hormoz
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Unhealthy (vice) on-the-go (OTG) dietary practices result in potentially serious health consequences. However, research on encouraging healthy eating intentions for OTG consumption is scarce. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the role of message framing and source expertise in encouraging the healthy eating intention for OTG consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

Two scenario-based experiments were conducted. Study 1 collected data from 136 Australian OTG consumers to examine the effectiveness of message framing (gain vs loss) in encouraging healthy OTG consumption. Study 2 collected data from 178 Australian OTG consumers to examine the interaction effects of message framing and source credibility on encouraging healthy OTG consumption.

Findings

Gain-framed messages were more effective than loss-framed messages in encouraging healthy eating for OTG consumption. This difference would be significant only if the gain-framed messages were from a high expert source rather than from a low expert source.

Research limitations/implications

The study is a cross-sectional survey of Australian OTG consumers. Replicating this study in other countries may generalise the study’s findings.

Practical implications

Practically, this study provides insights to marketers and other relevant stakeholders to design effective advertising messages to encourage healthy eating for OTG consumption.

Originality/value

This is the pioneering study investigating the impact of message framing and source credibility in encouraging healthy eating for OTG consumption.
Technology attachment, e-Attitude, perceived value, and behavioral intentions towards Uber-ridesharing services: the role of hedonic, utilitarian, epistemic, and symbolic value
Authors: Hasan Abdulla Al-Towfiq
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The study aims to empirically test the effects of antecedents on behavioral intentions towards Uber-ridesharing services. The antecedents are perceived value (hedonic, utilitarian, epistemic, and symbolic value), e-Attitude, and technology attachment (smartphone use, Internet use, and e-Involvement). Moreover, the study explores the mediating effect of three-dimensional perceived value (hedonic, utilitarian, and epistemic value) and e-Attitude; and the moderating effect of symbolic value on behavioral intentions towards Uber-ridesharing services.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed survey (75% Google Form, 25% face to face) was conducted in Bangladesh to collect data from customers who had previously participated in Uber-ridesharing services, one of the largest ridesharing platforms in Bangladesh. Subsequently, data were analyzed based on the structural equation modeling technique using SmartPLS 3.3.3.

Findings

The study findings revealed that hedonic value, utilitarian value, epistemic value, symbolic value, e-Attitude, smartphone use, internet use, e-Involvement had a direct significant positive impact on behavioral intentions. Also, e-Attitude significantly impacted hedonic, utilitarian, and epistemic value. In addition, Smartphone use, internet use, and e-Involvement significantly influenced e-Attitude. Moreover, the study findings revealed that hedonic, utilitarian, and epistemic value partially mediates between e-Attitude and behavioral intentions; and e-Attitude partially mediates between Smartphone use, Internet use, and e-Involvement and hedonic, utilitarian, and epistemic value and behavioral intentions. Furthermore, the results indicate that epistemic value significantly moderates the relationship between hedonic, utilitarian, and epistemic value and behavioral intentions.

Practical implications

This study uncovers some insightful findings for ridesharing services providers and managers helping to build customers' positive behavioral intentions towards Uber-ridesharing services. In particular, practitioners can improve cost-efficiency, hedonic and symbolic aspects, availability of rides of Uber-ridesharing services. Moreover, the ridesharing services managers should adopt technology-based service opportunities.

Originality/value

The study enriches sharing economy literature, especially ridesharing services, exploring the direct effect of epistemic value, e-Attitude, smartphone use, Internet use, and e-Involvement on behavioral intentions. Moreover, this study presents smartphone use, Internet use, and e-Involvement as new antecedents of e-Attitude and behavioral intentions. Furthermore, the study explores the mediating effect of hedonic, utilitarian, and epistemic value and e-Attitude; and the moderating effect of symbolic value in Uber-ridesharing service perspective.
Examining energy poverty in Chinese households: An Engel curve approach
Authors: Shafiullah Muhammad , Jiao Zhilun , Shahbaz Muhammad , Dong Kangyin
Published: October 2022

This article is first to model energy poverty in Chinese households using an Engel curve approach. To analyse the determinants of energy poverty and energy expenditures across households, we avail the 2015 wave of the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS). Possible presence of endogeneity is accounted for in the model specification as well as by using the Lewbel heteroscedasticity identified endogenous variables estimator. In addition, we are the first to scrutinise disparity and discrimination by conducting the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition of energy poverty model by gender, ethnicity, region (Eastern vs. non‐Eastern provinces), and urbanisation status (rural vs. urban residents). Our analysis shows: (i) education is the key determinant of various energy poverty measures and energy expenditure shares across Chinese households; (ii) other determinants including fossil fuel mix and electricity price discrimination are found to worsen energy poverty, on average. However, fossil fuel mix is found to increase expenditure share of total energy, electricity, and coal and decrease that of biomass; and (iii) the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition analyses show no statistically significant gender or ethnic discrimination in energy poverty rates. However, there is substantial divide between Eastern and non‐Eastern provinces and between rural and urban households—with these groups also discriminated against when accessing clean cooking fuels and technologies. The Blinder–Oaxaca results also generally support the logistic and the Lewbel energy poverty model findings.
Impact of government policy responses of COVID‐19 pandemic on stock market liquidity for Australian companies
Authors: Kassamany Talie , Zgheib Bernard
Published: October 2022

This study investigates the impact of government policy responses of COVID‐19 pandemic on stock market liquidity for listed Australian companies and for 11 different industries separately. A quantitative deductive approach is used for a sample of 1,452 companies with a total of 292,164 firm‐day observations over a period from January 25, 2020 to December 31, 2020 during the outbreak of COVID‐19. Univariate and multivariate (two‐way cluster‐robust panel regression) analysis were conducted. Data were collected from the Oxford COVID‐19 Government Response Tracker, Worldmeter, Refinitiv Workspace and Datastream. Our findings indicate that the influences of the six out of seven stringency policy responses reduced Australian equity market liquidity. However, public information campaigns enhanced market liquidity and hence trading activity. Among the 11 industries, our analysis shows that the non‐pharmaceutical interventions by the Australian government have significant and positive effects on four industries: Consumer non‐cyclicals, healthcare, financial and technology. However, the worse effects were depicted in the industrial (transportation) and energy industries. This study is important for investors, policymakers and regulators to understand the diverse effects of government policy responses of COVID‐19 on stock market liquidity to enhance financial stability. Moreover, understanding this effect is particularly important to decision‐makers such as portfolio and fund managers to manage their portfolios and trading activities during extreme turbulence times, such as COVID‐19. Unlike previous studies that focus on country analysis, this study examines on firm basis the impact of government interventions on stock market liquidity in a well developed Australian stock market.
Navigating the uncertainties of next‐generation sequencing in the genetics clinic
Authors: Kuiper Janneke M. L. , Borry Pascal , Vears Danya F. , Van Esch Hilde , Van Hoyweghen Ine
Published: October 2022

This study explores the different manifestations and navigations of uncertainty in the practice of diagnostic next‐generation sequencing (NGS) testing. Drawing upon multi‐sited fieldwork conducted at a large Centre for Human Genetics in Belgium, we analyse how uncertainty takes shape and is managed in the different steps of the diagnostic process: starting from the testing offer, to the analysis in the lab, the multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs) and ending with the consultation with the patient. Building on interviews with genetic healthcare professionals and their patients and observations in consultations and MDTs, our empirical work underlines the duality of uncertainty as both burdensome and productive. Building on the existing literature on uncertainty in medicine and NGS, our analysis shows the ontological politics at play in the everyday uncertainty work in this CHG. We show how the, at times, contrasting ways of dealing with uncertainty lead to friction but also result in constructive negotiation and collaboration between actors, making use of multiple types of evidence and expertise. By not only minimising but also sustaining or inviting uncertainty, genetic healthcare professionals are able to advance the practices around NGS in a way that matches their multidisciplinary understandings, considerations and more normative stances.
Prolonged length of stay is associated with reduced hand hygiene compliance in the emergency department: A single centre retrospective study
Authors: Tsao Henry , Macdonald Rachel , Dwyer Damien , Harper Tracey , Rutz Dominik , Sutherland John
Published: October 2022

Objective

To examine whether patient flow factors in the ED such as prolonged length of stay are associated with hand hygiene (HH) compliance.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study at an urban district hospital utilising available data from January 2018 to December 2021. Compliance to the World Health Organization five moments of HH expressed as percentage of total moments observed were collated every 2 months. Patient flow measures including proportion of patients referred or discharged within 4 h (LOS4), proportion of patients with ED length of stay >24 h (LOS24) and total number of patient presentations, were obtained for each 2‐month periods. The association between these patient flow measures and HH compliance was examined using Pearson's correlation (P < 0.05).

Results

The results showed a moderate and significant association between rates of HH compliance and LOS24 (r = −0.48, P = 0.025). That is, lower proportion of patients with ED length of stay >24 h was associated with improved HH compliance. There was no significant correlation between HH compliance and LOS4 (r = 0.38, P = 0.085) or total number of ED presentations (r = −0.30, P = 0.17).

Conclusions

The findings show that prolonged ED length of stay may explain, at least partly, lower rates of HH compliance. Improvements in ED HH compliance should also include strategies that enhance patient flow.