bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural Basis for Cytoplasmic Dynein-1 Regulation by Lis1
Authors: Gillies John P. , Reimer Janice M. , Karasmanis Eva P. , Lahiri Indrajit , Htet Zaw Min , Leschziner Andres E. , Reck-Peterson Samara L.
Published: June 2021

The lissencephaly 1 gene, LIS1, is mutated in patients with the neurodevelopmental disease lissencephaly. The Lis1 protein is conserved from fungi to mammals and is a key regulator of cytoplasmic dynein-1, the major minus-end-directed microtubule motor in many eukaryotes. Lis1 is the only dynein regulator that binds directly to dynein’s motor domain, and by doing so alters dynein’s mechanochemistry. Lis1 is required for the formation of fully active dynein complexes, which also contain essential cofactors: dynactin and an activating adaptor. Here, we report the first high-resolution structure of the yeast dynein–Lis1 complex. Our 3.1Å structure reveals, in molecular detail, the major contacts between dynein and Lis1 and between Lis1’s ß-propellers. Structure-guided mutations in Lis1 and dynein show that these contacts are required for Lis1’s ability to form fully active human dynein complexes and to regulate yeast dynein’s mechanochemistry and in vivo function. We present a model for the conserved role of Lis1 in regulating dynein from yeast to humans.
Skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration in a model of age-related osteoarthritis is impaired after dietary rapamycin
Authors: Elliehausen Christian J. , Minton Dennis M. , Nichol Alexander D. , Konopka Adam R.
Published: June 2021

A decline in skeletal muscle mitochondrial function is associated with the loss of skeletal muscle size and function during knee osteoarthritis (OA). We have recently reported that the 12-weeks of dietary rapamycin (Rap, 14ppm), with or without metformin (Met, 1000ppm), increased plasma glucose and OA severity in male Dunkin Hartley (DH) guinea pigs, a model of naturally occurring, age-related OA. The purpose of the current study was to determine if increased OA severity after dietary Rap and Rap+Met was accompanied by impaired skeletal muscle mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial respiration and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) emissions were evaluated in permeabilized muscle fibers via high-resolution respirometry and fluorometry using either a saturating bolus or titration of ADP. Rap and Rap+Met decreased complex I (CI)-linked respiration and increased ADP sensitivity, consistent with previous findings in patients with end-stage OA. Rap also tended to decrease mitochondrial H2O2 emissions, however, this was no longer apparent after normalizing to respiration. The decrease in CI-linked respiration was accompanied with lower CI protein abundance. This is the first inquiry into how lifespan extending treatments Rap and Rap+Met can influence skeletal muscle mitochondria in a model of age-related OA. Collectively, our data suggest that Rap with or without Met inhibits CI-linked capacity and increases ADP sensitivity in DH guinea pigs that have greater OA severity.
p53 mutations exhibit sex specific gain-of-function activity in gliomagenesis
Authors: Rockwell Nathan , Yang Wei , Warrington Nicole , Griffith Malachi , Griffith Obi , Gurnett Christina , Cohen Barak , Baldridge Dustin , Rubin Joshua
Published: June 2021

The tumor suppressor TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in cancer. Most TP53 mutations are missense mutations in the DNA-binding domain, which in addition to loss of canonical p53 activity, frequently confer gain-of-function (GOF) aberrant transcriptional activity through mutant p53 localization to non-canonical genes. GOF phenotypes differ by mutation and cell identity and are reported to include increased proliferation, migration, metabolic reprogramming, and therapy resistance. We found that several recurring p53 mutations exhibit a sex-bias in patients with glioblastoma (GBM). In vitro and in vivo analysis of three mutations, p53R172H, p53Y202C, and p53Y217C revealed sex differences in each mutation’s ability to transform primary mouse astrocytes. p53R172H exhibited a far greater ability to transform female astrocytes than males, p53Y202C transformed both male and female astrocytes with a small male bias, and p53Y217C only exhibited GOF transformation effects in male astrocytes. These phenotypic differences reflect an interaction between sex and GOF mutation to drive unique gene expression patterns in cancer pathways. We found that mutant p53 exhibits sex and mutation specific aberrant genomic localization to the transcriptional start sites of upregulated genes, whose promoter regions were enriched for different sets of transcription factor DNA-binding motifs. Together, our data establish a novel paradigm for sex specific mutant p53 GOF activity in GBM with implications for all cancer.
The YcnI protein from Bacillus subtilis contains a copper-binding domain
Authors: Damle Madhura S. , Peters Stephen C. , Szalai Veronika A. , Fisher Oriana S.
Published: June 2021

Bacteria require a precise balance of copper ions to ensure that essential cuproproteins are fully metalated while also avoiding copper-induced toxicity. The Gram positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis maintains appropriate copper homeostasis in part through its ycn operon. The ycn operon comprises genes encoding three proteins: the putative copper importer YcnJ, the copper-dependent transcriptional repressor YcnK, and the uncharacterized DUF1775 domain-containing YcnI. DUF1775 domains are found across bacterial phylogeny and bioinformatics analyses indicate that they frequently neighbor domains implicated in copper homeostasis and transport. Here, we investigated whether YcnI can interact with copper and, using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) find that it can bind a single Cu(II) ion. We determine the structure of both the apo and copper-bound forms of the protein by X-ray crystallography, uncovering a copper binding site featuring a unique mono-histidine brace ligand set that is highly conserved among DUF1775 domains. These data suggest a possible role for YcnI as a copper chaperone and that DUF1775 domains in other bacterial species may also function in copper homeostasis.
Reduced-Order Modeling and the Physics Governing Flapping Wing Fluid-Structure Interaction
Authors: Schwab Ryan , Johnson Erick , Jankauski Mark
Published: June 2021

Flapping, flexible insect wings deform during flight from aerodynamic and inertial forces. This deformation is believed to enhance aerodynamic and energetic performance. However, the predictive models used to describe flapping wing fluid-structure interaction (FSI) often rely on high fidelity computational solvers such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA). Such models require lengthy solution times and may obscure the physical insights available to analytical models. In this work, we develop a reduced order model (ROM) of a wing experiencing single-degree-of-freedom flapping. The ROM is based on deformable blade element theory and the assumed mode method. We compare the ROM to a high-fidelity CFD/FEA model and a simple experiment comprised of a mechanical flapper actuating a paper wing. Across a range of flapping-to-natural frequency ratios relevant to flying insects, the ROM predicts wingtip deflection five orders of magnitude faster than the CFD/FEA model. Both models are resolved to predict wingtip deflection within 30% of experimentally measured values. The ROM is then used to identify how the physical forces acting on the wing scale relative to one another. We show that, in addition to inertial and aerodynamic forces, added mass and aerodynamic damping influence wing deformation nontrivially.
In situ treatment of H. pylori infection in mice stomach with bioengineered probiotic bacteria releasing guided Antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Choudhury Ankan , Ortiz Patrick , Kearney Christopher M.
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Targeted therapies seek to selectively eliminate a pathogen without disrupting the resident microbial community. This is even more important when a pathogen like H. pylori resides in stomach, a sensitive microbial ecosystem. Using a probiotic like Lactococcus lactis and bioengineering it to release a guided Antimicrobial Peptide (AMP) targeted towards the pathogen offers a pathway to specifically knock-out the deleterious species and not disturbing the stomach microbiome.

Results

Three AMPs, Alyteserin, CRAMP and Laterosporulin, were genetically fused to a guiding peptide MM1, which selectively binds to Vacuolating Toxin A (VacA) of H. pylori and cloned into an excretory vector pTKR inside L. lactis. The probiotics were then fed to mice infected with H. pylori, both as a therapeutic and prophylactic measure, and the samples were collected using a novel gavage method and analyzed using qPCR and Illumina sequencing of the extracted stomach samples over a 10-day period. Microbiome analysis with Next-Gen sequencing also revealed a dysbiosis created by H. pylori, determined by creating a Correlation network model with the relative abundances of taxa across the samples, and this dysbiosis was palliated by the bioengineered probiotics which preserved and boosted key microbiome species and reducing the load of deleterious ones. The bioengineered probiotic also significantly improved the OTU diversity compared to antibiotics and L. lactis cloned with empty vector, with gAMP-L. lactis faring the best.

Conclusions

Probiotics bioengineered to excrete guided AMPs can be a novel and useful approach for combating pathogens without endangering the natural microbial flora. Given the wealth of AMPs and guiding ligands, both natural and synthetic, this approach can be adapted to develop a diverse array of chimeric guided AMPs and can be cloned into probiotics to create a safe and effective alternative to conventional chemical antibiotics.
Phytochemical Nrf2 activator attenuates skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired proteostasis in a preclinical model of musculoskeletal aging
Authors: Musci Robert V. , Andrie Kendra M. , Walsh Maureen A. , Valenti Zackary J. , Afzali Maryam F. , Johnson Taylor , Kail Thomas E. , Martinez Richard , Nguyen Tessa , Sanford Joseph L. , Murrell Meredith D. , McCord Joe M. , Hybertson Brooks M. , Miller Benjamin F. , Zhang Qian , Javors Martin A. , Santangelo Kelly S. , Hamilton Karyn L.
Published: June 2021

Musculoskeletal dysfunction is an age-related syndrome associated with impaired mitochondrial function and proteostasis. However, few interventions have tested targeting two drivers of musculoskeletal decline. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that stimulates transcription of cytoprotective genes and improves mitochondrial function. We hypothesized daily treatment with a Nrf2 activator in Hartley guinea pigs, a model of age-related musculoskeletal dysfunction, attenuates the progression of skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired proteostasis, preserving musculoskeletal function. We treated 2-month- and 5-month-old male and female Hartley guinea pigs for 3 and 10 months, respectively, with the phytochemical Nrf2 activator PB125 (Nrf2a). Longitudinal assessments of voluntary mobility were measured using Any-Maze™ open-field enclosure monitoring. Cumulative skeletal muscle protein synthesis rates were measured using deuterium oxide over the final 30 days of treatment. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption in permeabilized soleus muscles was measured using ex vivo high resolution respirometry. In both sexes, Nrf2a 1) increased electron transfer system capacity; 2) attenuated the disease/age-related decline in coupled and uncoupled mitochondrial respiration; and 3) attenuated declines in protein synthesis in the myofibrillar, mitochondrial, and cytosolic subfractions of the soleus. These improvements were not associated with statistically significant prolonged maintenance of voluntary mobility in guinea pigs. Collectively, these results demonstrate that treatment with an oral Nrf2 activator contributes to maintenance of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and proteostasis in a pre-clinical model of musculoskeletal decline. Further investigation is necessary to determine if these improvements are also accompanied by slowed progression of other aspects of musculoskeletal decline.
Cell-matrix adhesion contributes to permeability control in human colon organoids
Authors: Varani James , McClintock Shannon D. , Aslam Muhammad N.
Published: June 2021

Background and aims

Cell-cell adhesion structures (desmosomes and, especially, tight junctions) are known to play important roles in control of transepithelial permeability in the colon. The involvement of cell-matrix interactions in permeability control is less clear. The goals of the present study were to: i) determine if disruption of colon epithelial cell interactions with the extracellular matrix alters permeability control and ii) determine if increasing the elaboration of protein components of cell-matrix adhesion complexes improves permeability control and mitigates the effects of cell-matrix disruption.

Methods

Human colon organoids were interrogated for transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) under control conditions (0.25 mM calcium) and in the presence of Aquamin®, a multi-mineral product, at a level providing 1.5 mM calcium. The effects of Aquamin® on cell-matrix adhesion protein expression were determined in a proteomic screen and by Western blotting. In parallel, TEER was assessed in the presence of a function-blocking antibody directed at an epitope in the C-terminal region of laminin α3 chain.

Results

Treatment of colon organoids with Aquamin® increased the expression of multiple basement membrane and hemidesmosomal proteins as well as keratin 8 and 18. TEER values were higher in the presence of Aquamin® than they were under control conditions. Anti-laminin antibody reduced TEER values under all conditions but was most effective in the absence of Aquamin®, where laminin expression was low and TEER values were lower to begin with.

Conclusions

These findings provide evidence that cell-matrix interactions contribute to permeability control in the colon. They suggest that the elaboration of proteins important to cell-matrix interactions can be increased in human colon organoids by exposure to a multi-mineral natural product. Increasing the elaboration of such proteins may help to mitigate the consequences of disrupting cell-matrix interactions on permeability control.
Developmental Regulation of Homeostatic Plasticity in Mouse Primary Visual Cortex
Authors: Wen Wei , Turrigiano Gina G.
Published: June 2021

Homeostatic plasticity maintains network stability by adjusting excitation, inhibition, or the intrinsic excitability of neurons, but the developmental regulation and coordination of these distinct forms of homeostatic plasticity remains poorly understood. A major contributor to this information gap is the lack of a uniform paradigm for chronically manipulating activity at different developmental stages. To overcome this limitation, we utilized Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) to directly suppress neuronal activity in layer (L) 2/3 of mouse primary visual cortex (V1) at two important developmental timepoints: the classic visual system critical period (CP, P24-29), and adulthood (P45-55). We show that 24 hours of DREADD-mediated activity suppression simultaneously induces excitatory synaptic scaling up and intrinsic homeostatic plasticity in L2/3 pyramidal neurons during the CP, consistent with previous observations using prolonged visual deprivation. Importantly, manipulations known to block these forms of homeostatic plasticity when induced pharmacologically or via visual deprivation also prevented DREADD-induced homeostatic plasticity. We next used the same paradigm to suppress activity in adult animals. Surprisingly, while excitatory synaptic scaling persisted into adulthood, intrinsic homeostatic plasticity was completely absent. Finally, we found that homeostatic changes in quantal inhibitory input onto L2/3 pyramidal neurons were absent during the CP but present in adults. Thus, the same population of neurons can express distinct sets of homeostatic plasticity mechanisms at different development stages. Our findings suggest that homeostatic forms of plasticity can be recruited in a modular manner according to the evolving needs of a developing neural circuit.

Significance statement

Developing brain circuits are subject to dramatic changes in inputs that could destabilize activity if left uncompensated. This compensation is achieved through a set of homeostatic plasticity mechanisms that provide slow, negative feedback adjustments to excitability. Given that circuits are subject to very different destabilizing forces during distinct developmental stages, the forms of homeostatic plasticity present in the network must be tuned to these evolving needs. Here we developed a method to induce comparable homeostatic compensation during distinct developmental windows, and found that neurons in the juvenile and mature brain engage strikingly different forms of homeostatic plasticity. Thus, homeostatic mechanisms can be recruited in a modular manner according to the developmental needs of the circuit.
A panel of KSHV mutants in the polycistronic kaposin locus for precise analysis of individual protein products
Authors: Kleer Mariel , MacNeil Grant , Pringle Eric S. , Corcoran Jennifer A.
Published: June 2021

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the cause of several human cancers including the endothelial cell (EC) malignancy, Kaposi’s sarcoma. Unique KSHV genes absent from other human herpesvirus genomes, the “K-genes”, are important for KSHV replication and pathogenesis. Among these, the kaposin transcript is highly expressed in all phases of infection, but its complex polycistronic nature has hindered functional analysis to date. At least three proteins are produced from the kaposin transcript: Kaposin A (KapA), B (KapB), and C (KapC). To determine the relative contributions of kaposin proteins during KSHV infection, we created a collection of mutant viruses unable to produce kaposin proteins individually or in combination. Kaposin-deficient latent iSLK cell lines displayed reduced viral genome copy number and often exhibited small LANA nuclear bodies; despite this, all were capable of progeny virion production. Primary infection with ΔKapB virus revealed decreased LANA expression and viral genome copy number, yet providing KapB protein in trans failed to complement these defects, suggesting a requirement for the kaposin locus in cis. Our previous work showed that KapB was sufficient to recapitulate the elevated proinflammatory cytokine transcripts associated with KS via the disassembly of RNA granules called processing bodies (PBs). We now show that KapB is necessary for PB disassembly during latent KSHV infection. These findings demonstrate that our panel of kaposin-deficient viruses enables precise analysis of the respective contributions of individual kaposin proteins to KSHV replication. Moreover, our mutagenesis approach serves as a guide for the functional analysis of other complex multicistronic viral loci.

Importance

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) expresses high levels of the kaposin transcript during both latent and lytic phases of replication. Due to its repetitive, GC-rich nature and polycistronic coding capacity, until now no reagents existed to permit a methodical analysis of the role of individual kaposin proteins in KSHV replication. We report the creation of a panel of recombinant viruses and matched producer cell lines that delete kaposin proteins individually or in combination. We demonstrate the utility of this panel by confirming the requirement of one kaposin translation product to a key KSHV latency phenotype. This study describes a new panel of molecular tools for the KSHV field to enable precise analysis of the roles of individual kaposin proteins during KSHV infection.
A quantitative gibberellin signalling biosensor reveals a role for gibberellins in internode specification at the shoot apical meristem
Authors: Shi Bihai , Felipo-Benavent Amelia , Cerutti Guillaume , Galvan-Ampudia Carlos , Jilli Lucas , Brunoud Geraldine , Mutterer Jérome , Vallet Elody , Sakvarelidze-Achard Lali , Davière Jean-Michel , Navarro-Galiano Alejandro , Walia Ankit , Lazary Shani , Legrand Jonathan , Weinstain Roy , Jones Alexander M. , Prat Salomé , Achard Patrick , Vernoux Teva
Published: June 2021

Growth at the shoot apical meristem (SAM) is essential for shoot architecture construction. The phytohormones gibberellins (GA) play a pivotal role in coordinating plant growth, but their role in the SAM remains mostly unknown. Here, we developed a ratiometric GA signalling biosensor by engineering one of the DELLA proteins, to suppress its master regulatory function in GA transcriptional responses while preserving its degradation upon GA sensing. We demonstrate that this novel degradation-based biosensor accurately reports on cellular changes in GA levels and perception during development. We used this biosensor to map GA signalling activity in the SAM. We show that high GA signalling is found primarily in cells located between organ primordia that are the precursors of internodes. By gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we further demonstrate that GAs regulate cell division plane orientation to establish the typical cellular organisation of internodes, thus contributing to internode specification in the SAM.
Extrusion and solid-state fermentation with Aspergillus oryzae on the phenolic compounds and radical scavenging activity of pecan nut (Carya illinoinensis) shell
Authors: Villasante Juliana , Espinosa-Ramírez Johanan , Pérez-Carrillo Esther , Heredia-Olea Erick , Almajano MariaPilar
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) has been highlighted as an alternative to obtain valuable compounds using agro-industrial wastes as a substrate. The present study evaluated the impact of extrusion combined with SSF on the production of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity using pecan nut shell (PWS) as a substrate.

Design/methodology/approach

PWS and extruded pecan nut shell (PWSE) were fermented for 120 h at 30°C using Aspergillus oryzae (A. oryzae). Samples were withdrawn from incubator at 6 h, 12 h and then every 12 h until 120 h fermentation. PWS and PWSE samples were extracted. The total phenolic content (TPC) and radical scavenging activity (RSA) extracts were characterized from the resulting extracts.

Findings

The use of PWSE yielded higher A. oryzae biomass and at a higher rate after 120 h of fermentation (PWS 75.74% vs PWSE 87.50%). In general, the TPC and the RSA increased with fermentation time. However, the PWSE yielded significantly higher (p < 0.05) TPC and RSA values after SSF in comparison to the nonextruded PWS. Condensed tannins showed different trends depending on the fermented substrate. Overall, results showed that the extrusion pretreatment joint with the SSF represents a good alternative to raise the phenolic content and antiradical activity of lignocellulosic materials such as PWSs.

Originality/value

This study offers valuable information that may be used by the pecan walnut industry to valorize the shell coproduct as a substrate to produce functional ingredients or fungal enzymes.
Assessment of the effects of supervisor behaviour, safety motivation and perceived job insecurity on underground miner’s safety citizenship behaviour
Authors: Quansah Prince Ewudzie , Zhu Yongyue , Obeng Anthony Frank
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of mining supervisor behaviour, safety motivation and perceived job insecurity on Ghanaian underground miner’s safety citizenship behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors proposed a conceptual framework that tested supervisor behaviour as an independent variable, safety motivation as a mediator variable, perceived job insecurity as a moderator variable and safety citizenship behaviour as a dependent variable. The authors tested the hypothesized relationships using 351 valid responses collected through a structured questionnaire using hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

Results revealed that both components of supervisor behaviour significantly influenced safety motivation and safety citizenship behaviour. Furthermore, safety motivation could mediate the relationships between both components of supervisor behaviour and safety citizenship behaviour. Also, perceived job insecurity failed to moderate the relationship between safety motivation and safety citizenship behaviour.

Originality/value

This current study is vital for managerial practices. The complex conceptual framework also contributes to offering different ways of understanding how supervisors’ behaviours can catalyze improvement or worsen safety outcomes.
The impact of learning in a diversified environment: social and cognitive development of international students for global mind-set
Authors: Khalid Muhammad Saifullah , Zhanyong Qi , Bibi Jannat
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to assess the socio-cognitive transformation and subject knowledge development of international students studying in China's universities with diverse learning environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was collected through on-line survey and quantitative approach was adopted on a Likert scale to assess students' cognitive and social development as a responsible mind-set, ethical awareness, understanding cultural diversity and subject knowledge development. The assessment scale consisted of 25 statements to cover the foundational indicators that represent socio-cognitive transformation. The questionnaire was pilot tested for internal consistency by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. Furthermore, exploratory factor analysis was applied to ensure the traits of the construct intended to measure. A total of 316 participants responded to the survey. With descriptive statistics, X2 of association and Friedman’s two-way analysis of variance by rank was applied to test the hypothesis.

Findings

This study argues that diverse learning environment has positive impact on learners’ socio-cognitive transformation. It enhances students' capability to understand cultural values to accept diversity and awareness about global community issues and also subject knowledge skill development.

Originality/value

In the current century, study abroad programs have increased the mobility of international students, and the role of higher education institutions has become immense, multifaceted and dynamic. Universities are taking a position to play a considerable role in creating learning opportunities for awareness of societal issues and transform social behavior. Studying abroad programs is a growing concept in response to learners' cogitative and socialized transformation. There is an absence of research conducted to explore the impact of a diverse cultural environment on the socio-cognitive transformation of international students. Therefore, the current study focused on exploring the cognitive and societal development of international students studying in China.
Examining the dark side of human resource analytics: an empirical investigation using the privacy calculus approach
Authors: Chatterjee Sheshadri , Chaudhuri Ranjan , Vrontis Demetris , Siachou Evangelia
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the negative consequences of human resource analytics applications using the privacy calculus approach.

Design/methodology/approach

By using the existing literature and privacy calculus theory, a theoretical model has been developed. This model helps to examine the benefits and risks associated with HR analytics applications. The theoretical model was validated using the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique with 315 respondents from different organizations.

Findings

HR analytics provides multiple benefits to employees and organizations. But employee privacy may be compromised due to unauthorized access to employee data. There are also security concerns about the uncontrolled use of these applications. Tracking employees without their consent increases the risk. The study suggests that appropriate regulation is necessary for using HR analytics.

Research limitations/implications

This study is based on cross-sectional data from a specific region. A longitudinal study would have provided more comprehensive results. This study considers five predictors, including other boundary conditions that could enhance the model’s explanative power. Also, data from other countries could improve the proposed model.

Practical implications

The proposed model is useful for HR practitioners and other policymakers in organizations. Appropriate regulations are important for HR analytics applications. The study also highlights various employee privacy and security-related issues emerging from HR analytics applications. The study also discusses the role of leadership support for the appropriate usage of HR analytics.

Originality/value

Only a few research studies have explored the issues of HR analytics and its consequences. The proposed theoretical model is the first to consider the negative consequence of HR analytics through privacy calculus theory. In this perspective, the research is considered to be novel.
Multicultural leaders from emerging markets: transforming international acquisitions and corporate social responsibility
Authors: Park Kathleen , Wallace Frederick
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence and advantages of leadership multiculturalism on global strategy development through cross-border mergers and acquisitions (CBA) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) from emerging market multinational companies (EMNCs) expanding into emerged markets. The key contribution of asymmetric multiculturalism is a novel finding based on inductive research. We fill a gap by further linking business leader characteristics and corporate strategic actions and examining how multicultural business leaders from emerging markets can be highly effective at CBA and CSR.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on in-depth interviews, observations and documentary evidence analyzed with iterative coding, construct definition and thematic development to understand how leadership multiculturalism affects CBA and CSR in an EMNC over time.

Findings

The new construct of leadership asymmetric multiculturalism describes strategic advantages accruing to leaders from developing markets who are culturally fluent in both emerging and emerged market milieus. The construct contributes to emergent research on the rise of multicultural leaders and their strategic advantages and delineates a pathway toward identifying advantages of emerging over emerged market business leaders.

Research limitations/implications

The research addresses specific CBA and CSR strategies within one emerging market region and EMNC. Future research should further articulate and validate the key construct of asymmetric multiculturalism, further examine its sources, draw more explicit comparisons with data from emerged market leaders, and explore the applicability of these findings to strategic actions and advantages in both emerging and emerged markets.

Practical implications

Emerging market corporate leaders should identify and develop pertinent aspects of their own asymmetric multiculturalism in enacting CBA and CSR strategy with respect to EMNCs and firms from developed markets. Emerged market leaders should become more aware of and cultivate their own multiculturalism.

Social implications

Asymmetric multiculturalism can be accompanied by heightened awareness of global citizenship — including codes of ethics, environmental challenges, community outreach and fair labor practices — which, in tandem with CBA, can strengthen emerging market firms’ performance and reinforce their global stature and reputation.

Originality/value

Asymmetric multiculturalism is a new explanatory construct in the sociological, economic and management disciplines. Emerging markets corporate leaders utilize their multicultural competence to accelerate global CBA and CSR activity and advance strategic opportunities for their firms. The identification of advantages deriving from emerging market leadership capabilities is an unusual finding given the more typical emphasis on the privileges of emerged market leaders and firms.
Social media analytics for end-users' expectation management in information systems development projects
Authors: Banerjee Snehasish , Singh Jyoti Prakash , Dwivedi Yogesh K. , Rana Nripendra P.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study, an exploratory research, aims to investigate social media users' expectations of information systems (IS) products that are conceived but not yet launched. It specifically analyses social media data from Twitter about forthcoming smartphones and smartwatches from Apple and Samsung, two firms known for their innovative gadgets.

Design/methodology/approach

Tweets related to the following four forthcoming IS products were retrieved from 1st January 2020 to 30th September 2020: (1) Apple iPhone 12 (6,125 tweets), (2) Apple Watch 6 (553 tweets), (3) Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 2 (923 tweets) and (4) Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 3 (207 tweets). These 7,808 tweets were analysed using a combination of the Natural Language Processing Toolkit (NLTK) and sentiment analysis (SentiWordNet).

Findings

The online community was quite vocal about topics such as design, camera and hardware specifications. For all the forthcoming gadgets, the proportion of positive tweets exceeded that of negative tweets. The most prevalent sentiment expressed in Apple-related tweets was neutral, but in Samsung-related tweets was positive. Additionally, it was found that the proportion of tweets echoing negative sentiment was lower for Apple compared with Samsung.

Originality/value

This paper is the earliest empirical work to examine the degree to which social media chatter can be used by project managers for IS development projects, specifically for the purpose of end-users' expectation management.
Early career teacher educators' dispositions toward sustainability and accountability for sustainability issues: a case from teachers colleges in Turkey
Authors: Öztürk Mustafa , Pizmony-Levy Oren
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the dispositions of early career teacher educators as young academics toward sustainability and accountability for sustainability issues. Through their interpretations, concerns, awareness and ownership of sustainability, the study portrays how a global phenomenon is articulated specifically within the local context of teachers colleges in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was designed as a survey, and the data were collected through a cross-sectional online questionnaire. The sample (n = 72) was limited, through purposeful sampling, to early career teacher educators teaching and being trained in well-established Turkish teachers colleges to become prospective faculty members of newly founded teachers colleges across the country. The data were analyzed primarily through quantitative methods. For the analyses, STATA software was used to perform descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

The general results indicated that the participants were highly concerned about sustainability problems. However, their concerns were not reflected to the same degree on their perceived awareness and ownership of education for sustainable development (ESD). Hunger and poverty, loss of biodiversity, climate change and epidemic diseases were all perceived to be urgent more in the global context. On the other hand, unemployment, refugees and terrorism were perceived to be locally urgent problems. Different agencies within the community were addressed to be accountable for different types of sustainability problems. The accountability for economic, environmental and societal problems were mainly placed on governments. Additionally, individuals/families and educators were held more accountable for environmental issues, while corporations and super powers were held more accountable for economic issues. As for societal issues, educators, individuals/families and non-governmental organizations were addressed to be more responsible.

Originality/value

The significance of the study is mainly twofold. If sustainable development is conceptualized with a futuristic viewpoint that attaches a great importance to next generations' needs, focusing on the dispositions of early career teacher educators as young academics is a reasonable way of addressing the current gaps and eliminating the future inefficacies. Building on the assumption that ESD would remain imperfect without the commitment of teacher educators who have the potential to bring changes in educational systems and shape knowledge and skills of future teachers, in turn future generations; this study becomes even more valuable as it includes specifically the academicians in the field of teacher education.
The role of openness in collaborative innovation in industrial networks: historical and contemporary cases
Authors: Laage-Hellman Jens , Lind Frida , Perna Andrea
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role and meaning of openness for the purpose of enhancing the understanding of collaborative innovation from an industrial network perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical framework is based on the Industrial Network Approach, and the concepts of activity links, resource ties and actor bonds are used as a starting point for capturing the content and dynamics of the interaction. The empirical part consists of five case studies: two historical and three contemporary cases dealing with collaborative innovation projects. The cases are analyzed with regard to openness in business relationships and their connections in the network.

Findings

The main contribution is a conceptualization of openness in business relationships and relationship connections. The paper describes various forms and contents of openness – and closeness. It is postulated that the concept of openness can be used as an analytical tool for digging deeper into relationship and network-related issues of relevance to firms’ behavior in the context of collaborative innovation. Openness, as it is defined in this paper, is also put forward as an explanation of why (or why not) collaborative innovation projects become successful.

Originality/value

The conceptualization of openness differs from openness as it is commonly described in the open innovation literature. There, openness is the opposite of closeness, that is, a pattern where the innovation activities take place internally within the company. In this paper, openness, instead, has to do with how firms interact with other network actors in the context of collaborative innovation.
Fairness and behavioral intentions in discrete B2B transactions: a study of small business firms
Authors: Cassia Fabio , Haugland Sven A. , Magno Francesca
Published: June 2021

Purpose

While studies about business-to-business (B2B) relationships have mainly addressed buyer–supplier long-term exchanges, focusing on social outcomes such as trust, commitment and cooperation, there is little research that explores the social outcomes which stem from short-term B2B transactions. The purpose of this paper is to explain buyers’ intention to renew a contract after discrete and time-delimited transactions by suggesting a model that complements social exchange theory with theories of fairness. In detail, this study aims to determine how evaluations of economic and social outcomes are complemented by both procedural fairness and distributive fairness.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses are tested in the social couponing industry with a survey of a sample of 199 firms purchasing advertising services from daily deal websites. Data are analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM).

Findings

The findings reveal direct effects of procedural fairness on social outcomes (satisfaction) and distributive fairness on the intention to renew a contract, negative moderating effect of procedural fairness on the relationship between economic outcomes (campaign effectiveness) and social outcomes (satisfaction).

Research limitations/implications

In discrete, time-delimited transactions, high levels of procedural fairness may partially compensate for low levels of economic outcomes and prevent a reduction in social outcomes. Hence, when economic outcomes are influenced largely by external, uncontrollable conditions, the buyer seems to appreciate the supplier’s efforts to behave fairly.

Practical implications

Social outcomes matter even in discrete transactions and considerations of fairness should be integrated in the management of discrete transactions. Sharing economic outcomes fairly is not sufficient to secure the buyer’s intention to renew the contract.

Originality/value

This study proposes and tests a model that complements social exchange theory with theories of fairness and explains contract renewal in discrete, time-delimited transactions, encompassing both economic outcomes and social outcomes.
Preferences for deferred annuities in the Japanese retirement market
Authors: Kitamura Tomoki , Nakashima Kunio
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Deferred annuities, which offer longevity insurance with relatively low premiums, are a potential payout option in defined contribution (DC) pension plans in Japan. This study aims to measure individual preferences for these annuities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts stated choice experiments using an original internet survey. This methodology provides a decision-making scenario similar to that faced by individuals when making real retirement saving decisions. Subjective valuations of deferred, immediate and term annuities are compared.

Findings

This study finds that male individuals have an insignificant preference for deferred annuities – the benefits of which begin at an advanced age. On average, deferred annuities are considered a gamble, betting against life and individuals who are married and have higher financial assets tend to value them less.

Originality/value

While previous studies, based on theory and simulations, have found that deferred annuities should be included in individual retirement assets, this study examines annuity preferences from the demand side (i.e. DC plan participants) –an approach that has not been addressed in the literature.
The impact of COVID-19 on office space utilization and real-estate: a case study about teleworking in Israel as new normal
Authors: Naor Michael , Pinto Gavriel David , Hakakian Amir Israel , Jacobs Akiva
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether the shift to teleworking during COVID-19 pandemic is going to diminish the need to procure/rent extensive office space and how this emerging trend impacts the real-estate market in Israel.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodologies used in this study include triangulation of Google search engine, survey and post hoc case study analysis.

Findings

The analysis indicates a decline both in procuring office space and its price per square meter. Employee productivity while teleworking remains relatively high despite home distractions. Interestingly, the survey results forecast a continuous shift to hybrid work mode after the pandemic.

Practical implications

The study introduces the development of numerous innovative Israeli technologies to allow a gradual return to work in public places.

Social implications

As the coronavirus outburst, business sectors were forced by government regulations to change the way of employment extensively, specifically, teleworking has become an integral part of the routine to accommodate social distance. The study provides insights into the impact of teleworking on gender and ethnic diversity in the Israeli workplace.

Originality/value

Israel provides a unique bedrock for investigation because of its status as a start-up nation with both high skilled workforce and advanced information technology infrastructure. The study enlightens an Israeli perspective on how a small size country with a high-density population succeeds to deal with coronavirus by teleworking coupled with strict government enforcement of social distance.
Market incidence of carbon information disclosure in the oil and gas industry: the mediating role of financial analysts and governance
Authors: Cormier Denis , Beauchamp Charlotte
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to assess the informativeness of carbon emission data for the stock markets and the mediating role played by financial analysts and the quality of the governance on this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Relying on structural equation modelling, the authors assess the relation between embedded CO2disclosure or CO2emissions disclosure and the stock market valuation (Tobin Q), considering the mediating roles played by financial analysts (external monitoring) and corporate governance (internal monitoring).

Findings

Results based on a sample of North American firms in the oil and gas industry are the following. The disclosure of embedded CO2is negatively associated with a firm’s market value, but this association is mediated by analyst following and corporate governance. The disclosure of yearly CO2emissions is also negatively related to stock market value, while corporate governance mediates this negative impact, and analysts following does not. Considering that yearly CO2emissions represent short-term environmental risks, whereas embedded CO2represents long-term environmental risks, it appears important to consider embedded CO2when studying the impact of carbon disclosure on firm value. The authors also show that a firm’s environmental performance (measured by Carbon Disclosure Project – CDP) is positively associated with two mediating variables (i.e. analyst following and corporate governance).

Originality/value

The study results suggest that CO2emissions information is less relevant than embedded CO2in attracting financial analysts when they are assessing a firm’s value because it represents short-term environmental risks, whereas embedded CO2represents long-term environmental risks. Therefore, the authors consider important to include embedded CO2when studying the impact of environmental disclosure on a firm’s value.