bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Landscape of human spinal cord cell type diversity at midgestation
Authors: Andersen Jimena , Thom Nicholas , Shadrach Jennifer L. , Chen Xiaoyu , Amin Neal D. , Yoon Se-Jin , Greenleaf William J. , Müller Fabian , Pașca Anca M. , Kaltschmidt Julia A. , Pașca Sergiu
Published: December 2021

Understanding spinal cord generation and assembly is essential to elucidate how motor behavior is controlled and how disorders arise. The cellular landscape of the human spinal cord remains, however, insufficiently explored. Here, we profiled the midgestation human spinal cord with single cell-resolution and discovered, even at this fetal stage, remarkable heterogeneity across and within cell types. Glia displayed diversity related to positional identity along the dorso-ventral and rostro-caudal axes, while astrocytes with specialized transcriptional programs mapped onto distinct histological domains. We discovered a surprisingly early diversification of alpha (α) and gamma (γ) motor neurons that control and modulate contraction of muscle fibers, which was suggestive of accelerated developmental timing in human spinal cord compared to rodents. Together with mapping of disease-related genes, this transcriptional profile of the developing human spinal cord opens new avenues for interrogating the cellular basis of motor control and related disorders in humans.
An automated microfluidic platform integrating functional vascularized organoids-on-chip
Authors: Quintard Clément , Jonsson Gustav , Laporte Camille , Bissardon Caroline , Pitaval Amandine , Werschler Nicolas , Leopoldi Alexandra , Hagelkrüys Astrid , Blandin Pierre , Achard Jean-Luc , Navarro Fabrice , Fouillet Yves , Penninger Josef M. , Gidrol Xavier
Published: December 2021

The development of vascular networks on-chip is crucial for the long-term culture of three-dimensional cell aggregates such as organoids, spheroids, tumoroids, and tissue explants. Despite the rapid advancement of microvascular network systems and organoid technology, vascularizing organoids-on-chips remains a challenge in tissue engineering. Moreover, most existing microfluidic devices poorly reflect the complexity of in vivo flows and require complex technical settings to operate. Considering these constraints, we developed an innovative platform to establish and monitor the formation of endothelial networks around model spheroids of mesenchymal and endothelial cells as well as blood vessel organoids generated from pluripotent stem cells, cultured for up to 15 days on-chip. Importantly, these networks were functional, demonstrating intravascular perfusion within the spheroids or vascular organoids connected to neighbouring endothelial beds. This microphysiological system thus represents a viable organ-on-chip model to vascularize biological tissues and should allow to establish perfusion into organoids using advanced microfluidics.
Deciphering sex-specific miRNAs as heat-recorders in zebrafish
Authors: van Gelderen T.A. , Montfort J. , Álvarez-Dios J.A. , Thermes V. , Piferrer F. , Bobe J. , Ribas L.
Published: December 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression in a wide variety of physiological processes, including those related to the reproductive system. Although in the last decade a plethora of miRNAs has been reported, the miRNA alterations occurred by environmental cues and their biological functions have not yet been elucidated. With the aim to identify epigenetic regulations mediated by miRNAs in the gonads in a climate change scenario, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were subjected to high temperatures during sex differentiation (18-32 days post fertilization, dpf), a treatment that results in male-skewed sex ratios. Once the fish reached adulthood (90 dpf), ovaries and testes were sequenced by high-throughput technologies. About 101 million high-quality reads were obtained from gonadal samples. Analyses of the expression levels of the miRNAs identified a total of 23 and 1 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs in ovaries and testes, respectively, two months after the heat treatment. Most of the identified miRNAs were involved in human sex-related cancer. After retrieving 3’ UTR regions, ~400 predicted targets of the 24 DE miRNAs were obtained, some with reproduction-related functions. Their synteny in the zebrafish genome was, for more than half of them, in the chromosomes 7, 2, 4, 3 and 11 in the ovaries, chromosome 4 being the place where the predicted sex-associated-region (sar) is localized in wild zebrafish. Further, spatial localization in the gonads of two selected miRNAs (miR-122-5p and miR-146-5p) showed exclusive expression in the ovarian germ cells. The present study expands the catalog of sex-specific miRNAs and deciphers, for the first time, thermosensitive miRNAs in the zebrafish gonads that might be used as potential epimarkers to predict environmental past events.
Stable m7G Cap-Distal 5′UTR Hairpin Structure Mediates Distinct 40S and 60S Binding Dynamics
Authors: Wang Hongyun , Gaba Anthony , Qu Xiaohui
Published: December 2021

The 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of diverse mRNAs contains secondary structures that can influence protein synthesis by modulating the initiation step of translation. Studies support the ability of these structures to inhibit 40S subunit recruitment and scanning, but the dynamics of ribosomal subunit interactions with mRNA remain poorly understood. Here, we developed a reconstitutedSaccharomyces cerevisiaecell-free translation system with fluorescently labeled ribosomal subunits. We applied this extract and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to monitor, in real time, individual 40S and 60S interactions with mRNAs containing 5’ UTR hairpin structures with varying thermostability. In comparison to mRNAs containing no or weak 5′UTR hairpins (ΔG >= -5.4 kcal/mol), mRNAs with stable hairpins (ΔG <= -16.5 kcal/mol) showed reduced numbers of 60S recruitment to mRNA, consistent with the expectation of reduced translation efficiency for such mRNAs. Interestingly, such mRNAs showed increased numbers of 40S recruitment events to individual mRNAs but with shortened duration on mRNA. Correlation analysis showed that these unstable 40S binding events were nonproductive for 60S recruitment. Furthermore, although the mRNA sequence is long enough to accommodate multiple 40S, individual mRNAs are predominantly observed to engage with a single 40S at a time, indicating the sequestering of mRNA 5’ end by initiating 40S. Altogether, these observations suggest that stable cap-distal hairpins in 5’ UTR reduce initiation and translation efficiency by destabilizing 40S-mRNA interactions and promoting 40S dissociation from mRNA. The premature 40S dissociation frees mRNA 5′-end accessibility for new initiation events, but the increased rate of 40S recruitment is insufficient to compensate for the reduction of initiation efficiency due to premature 40S dissociation. This study provides the first single-molecule kinetic characterization of 40S/60S interactions with mRNA during cap-dependent initiation and the modulation of such interactions by cap-distal 5’ UTR hairpin structures.
The EBNA2-EBF1 complex promotes oncogenic MYC expression levels and metabolic processes required for cell cycle progression of Epstein-Barr virus-infected B cells
Authors: Beer Sophie , Wange Lucas E. , Zhang Xiang , Kuklik-Roos Cornelia , Enard Wolfgang , Hammerschmidt Wolfgang , Scialdone Antonio , Kempkes Bettina
Published: December 2021

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human tumor virus, which preferentially infects resting human B cells. Upon infection in vitro, EBV activates and immortalizes these cells. The viral latent protein EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) 2 is essential for B cell activation and immortalization; it targets and binds the cellular and ubiquitously expressed DNA binding protein CBF1, thereby transactivating a plethora of viral and cellular genes. In addition, EBNA2 uses its N-terminal dimerization (END) domain to bind early B cell factor (EBF) 1, a pioneer transcription factor specifying the B cell lineage. We found that EBNA2 exploits EBF1 to support key metabolic processes and to foster cell cycle progression of infected B cells in their first cell cycles upon activation. An α1-helix within the END domain was found to promote EBF1 binding. EBV mutants lacking the α1-helix in EBNA2 can infect and activate B cells efficiently, but the activated cells fail to complete the early S phase of their initial cell cycle. Expression of MYC, target genes of MYC and E2F as well as multiple metabolic processes linked to cell cycle progression are impaired in EBVΔα1 infected B cells. Our findings indicate that EBF1 controls B cell activation via EBNA2 and, thus, has a critical role in regulating the cell cycle of EBV infected B cells. This is a function of EBF1 going beyond its well-known contribution to B cell lineage specification.

Significance statement

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects primary B cells and establishes life-long latent infection in these cells. EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) 2 drives early processes of B cell activation and cell cycle entry. The surface of the N-terminal dimerization domain of EBNA2 exposes a five amino acid α-helix (α1) that recruits EBF1 to activate MYC and downstream targets of both MYC and E2F to support critical metabolic processes in infected B cells and to drive them through S phase in the first cell cycle post-infection. Our study demonstrates how EBNA2 exploits EBF1, a key factor of B cell lineage specification to initiate proliferation and high-lights the α1-helix as a potential Achilles heel of the virus at the stage when latent infection is established.
Age-associated B cells are long-lasting effectors that restrain reactivation of latent γHV68
Authors: Mouat Isobel C. , Shanina Iryna , Horwitz Marc S.
Published: December 2021

Age-associated B cells (ABCs; CD19+CD11c+T-bet+) are a unique population that are increased in an array of viral infections, though their role during latent infection is largely unexplored. Here, we use murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68) to demonstrate that ABCs remain elevated long-term during latent infection and express IFNγ and TNF. Using a strain of γHV68 that is cleared following acute infection, we show that ABCs persist in the absence of latent virus, though their expression of IFNγ and TNF is decreased. With a fluorescent virus we demonstrate that ABCs are infected with γHV68 at similar rates to other previously activated B cells. We find that mice without ABCs display defects in anti-viral IgG2a/c antibodies and are more susceptible to γHV68 reactivation when challenged with heterologous infection. Together, these results indicate that ABCs are a persistent effector subset during latent viral infection that restrains γHV68 reactivation.
Narcolepsy and the Dissociation of REM Sleep and Cataplexy through Ambient Temperature Manipulation
Authors: Viberti Bianca , Branca Lisa , Bellini Simone , Bassetti Claudio LA , Adamantidis Antoine , Schmidt Markus
Published: December 2021

Narcolepsy is characterized by increased REM sleep propensity and cataplexy. Although narcolepsy is caused by the selective loss or dysfunction of hypocretin (Hcrt) neurons within the lateral hypothalamus (LH), mechanisms underlying REM sleep propensity and cataplexy remain to be elucidated. We have recently shown that wild type (WT) mice increase REM sleep expression when exposed to thermoneutral ambient temperature (Ta) warming during the light (inactive) phase. We hypothesized that the loss of Hcrt may lead to exaggerated responses with respect to increased REM sleep and cataplexy during Ta warming. To test this hypothesis, Hcrt-KO mice were implanted for chronic sleep recordings and housed in a temperature-controlled cabinet. Sleep-wake expression and both spontaneous cataplexy and food-elicited cataplexy were evaluated at constant Ta and during a Ta manipulation protocol. Here we show several unexpected findings. First, Hcrt-KO mice show opposite circadian patterns with respect to REM sleep responsiveness to thermoneutral Ta warming compared to WT mice. As previous demonstrated, WT mice increased REM sleep when Ta warming is presented during the inactive (light) phase, whereas Hcrt-KO showed a significant decrease in REM sleep expression. In contrast, Hcrt-KO mice increased REM sleep expression upon exposure to Ta warming when presented during the active (dark) phase, a circadian time when WT mice showed no significant changes in REM sleep as a function of Ta. Second, we found that REM sleep and cataplexy can be dissociated through Ta manipulation. Specifically, although Ta warming significantly increased REM sleep expression in Hcrt-KO mice during the active phase, cataplexy bout number and total cataplexy duration significantly decreased. In contrast, cataplexy expression was favoured during Ta cooling when REM sleep expression significantly decreased. Finally, video actigraphy and sleep-wake recordings in Hcrt-KO mice demonstrated that Ta manipulation did not significantly alter waking motor activity patterns or waking or NREM sleep durations. These data suggest that neural circuits gating REM sleep and cataplexy expression can be dissociated with Ta manipulation.

Statement of Significance

Cataplexy and the loss of muscle tone has historically been viewed as a component of REM sleep that inappropriately intrudes into wakefulness. In addition to fragmented sleep, the intrusion of REM-like events into wakefulness has led to the hypothesis that narcolepsy represents a dysregulation of boundary state control. We show that REM sleep and cataplexy can be dissociated during the dark (active) phase through Ta manipulation. Such dissociation may provide clues regarding the cause of boundary state instability in Hcrt-KO mice, as well as provide a new method to interrogate mechanisms of REM sleep and cataplexy.
Molecular probes of spike ectodomain and its subdomains for SARS-CoV-2 variants, Alpha through Omicron
Authors: Teng I-Ting , Nazzari Alexandra F. , Choe Misook , Liu Tracy , de Souza Matheus Oliveira , Petrova Yuliya , Tsybovsky Yaroslav , Wang Shuishu , Zhang Baoshan , Artamonov Mykhaylo , Madan Bharat , Huang Aric , Lopez Acevedo Sheila N. , Pan Xiaoli , Ruckwardt Tracy J. , DeKosky Brandon J. , Mascola John R. , Misasi John , Sullivan Nancy J. , Zhou Tongqing , Kwong Peter D.
Published: December 2021

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread infections have allowed SARS-CoV-2 to evolve in human, leading to the emergence of multiple circulating variants. Some of these variants show increased resistance to vaccines, convalescent plasma, or monoclonal antibodies. In particular, mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike have drawn attention. To facilitate the isolation of neutralizing antibodies and the monitoring the vaccine effectiveness against these variants, we designed and produced biotin-labeled molecular probes of variant SARS-CoV-2 spikes and their subdomains, using a structure-based construct design that incorporated an N-terminal purification tag, a specific amino acid sequence for protease cleavage, the variant spike-based region of interest, and a C-terminal sequence targeted by biotin ligase. These probes could be produced by a single step using in-process biotinylation and purification. We characterized the physical properties and antigenicity of these probes, comprising the N-terminal domain (NTD), the receptor-binding domain (RBD), the RBD and subdomain 1 (RBD-SD1), and the prefusion-stabilized spike ectodomain (S2P) with sequences from SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern or of interest, including variants Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Epsilon, Iota, Kappa, Delta, Lambda, Mu, and Omicron. We functionally validated probes by using yeast expressing a panel of nine SARS-CoV-2 spike-binding antibodies and confirmed sorting capabilities of variant probes using yeast displaying libraries of plasma antibodies from COVID-19 convalescent donors. We deposited these constructs to Addgene to enable their dissemination. Overall, this study describes a matrix of SARS-CoV-2 variant molecular probes that allow for assessment of immune responses, identification of serum antibody specificity, and isolation and characterization of neutralizing antibodies.
Viral population genomics reveals host and infectivity impact on SARS-CoV-2 adaptive landscape
Authors: Gayvert Kaitlyn , Copin Richard , McKay Sheldon , Setliff Ian , Lim Wei Keat , Baum Alina , Kyratsous Christos A. , Atwal Gurinder S.
Published: December 2021

Public health surveillance, drug treatment development, and optimization of immunological interventions all depend on understanding pathogen adaptation, which differ for specific pathogens. SARS-CoV-2 is an exceptionally successful human pathogen, yet complete understanding of the forces driving its evolution is lacking. Here, we leveraged almost four million SARS-CoV-2 sequences originating mostly from non-vaccinated naïve patients to investigate the impact of functional constraints and natural immune pressures on the sequence diversity of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Overall, we showed that the SARS-CoV-2 genome is under strong and intensifying levels of purifying selection with a minority of sites under diversifying pressure. With a particular focus on the spike protein, we showed that sites under selection were critical for protein stability and virus fitness related to increased infectivity and/or reduced neutralization by convalescent sera. We investigated the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 B and T cell epitopes and determined that the currently known T cell epitope sequences were highly conserved. Outside of the spike protein, we observed that mutations under selection in variants of concern can be associated to beneficial outcomes for the virus. Altogether, the results yielded a comprehensive map of all sites under selection across the entirety of SARS-CoV-2 genome, highlighting targets for future studies to better understand the virus spread, evolution and success.
That gut feeling: public perceptions of media coverage and science surrounding probiotic products
Authors: Vijaykumar Santosh , McCready Jemma , Graham Pamela Louise , Morris Daniel
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The authors sought to unpack the paradox between increasing demand for probiotics products against inconclusive scientific evidence about the effectiveness. This paper investigated public understanding of the composition and benefits of probiotic products, measured trust in news media and scientists as sources of information about probiotic products and informational and attitudinal predictors of consumer trust in the news media and scientists.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst a representative sample of 2000 UK consumers. Participants responded to multiple-choice questions and psychometric scales capturing probiotics knowledge, consumption, information seeking behaviour, attitudes to and confidence in the news media and probiotics scientists. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA and hierarchical regression modelling were performed.

Findings

Information exposure to probiotics content was highest from traditional media followed by online channels. Levels of confidence in probiotics scientists were higher than in the news media, even though these levels were highest amongst current consumers and lowest amongst non-consumers. Conflicting information, health consciousness and trust in nutrition stakeholders were identified as important predictors of trust in news media and scientists.

Originality/value

This study provides a large-scale nationally representative overview of public attitudes and sentiments related to probiotic products with a focus on attitudes towards the news media and the scientific establishment. The findings suggest a need for better consumer awareness about the state of science around probiotic products, interventions that could enable consumers to discern conflicting evidence or news reports, and critical skills that can render them more resilient to online misinformation.
Politicised opinion leaders in the younger generation: to meat or not to meat?
Authors: Schulze Maureen , Spiller Achim , Jürkenbeck Kristin
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The consumption of animal-based food products faces several sustainability challenges. To date, however, meat intake plays an important role in everyday food choices. With their ability to change the opinions of a critical mass, opinion leaders in food choices are assumed to play a predominant role in influencing future dietary styles. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify opinion leaders in food choices and their personal meat consumption behaviour as well as their attitude towards policy interventions aiming to meat reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of 1,479 German participants aged between 15 and 29 years who were online surveyed in autumn 2020. A latent profile analysis (LPA) identified three distinct groups of opinion leader in the younger generation labelled “non-opinion leaders”, “weak opinion leaders” and “opinion leaders”. The identified profiles were used to understand opinion leaders and their food choices by using chi-square tests as well as univariate ANOVA with Tukey or Games-Howell post hoc tests.

Findings

Opinion leadership in food choices was associated with a higher interest in meat-reduced dietary styles and with more positive attitudes towards innovative food ideas. Moreover, opinion leaders were associated with politicised food decisions, indicating that their food choices align with their political and social interests.

Originality/value

The results contribute to a better understanding of the development of future dietary styles, provide evidence for a shift towards more sustainable dietary patterns in the near future and highlight that food decisions are no longer solely decisions on an individual basis but rather becoming of political relevance.
Discrete element model calibration based on in situ measurements
Authors: Keppler Istvan , Bablena Adrienn , Salman Nihal D. , Kiss Péter
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Transportation of the measurement samples from their original place to the measurement site causes significant changes in their mechanical properties. The possibility of making in situ measurements helps to create more precise discrete element models.

Design/methodology/approach

The possibility of using in situ modified vane shear test based measurement for the calibration of discrete element models is demonstrated in this work.

Findings

The advantage of employing the adjusted vane test is that the values of in situ measurements can be used for the calibration.

Originality/value

The procedure we present allows us to perform accurate discrete element calibration using data from on-site measurements that can be performed quickly and easily.
Risk assessment and ranking in the developing countries’ construction industry: the case of Jordan
Authors: Hatamleh Muhammad T. , Moynihan Gary P. , Batson Robert G. , Alzarrad Ammar , Ogunrinde Olugbenro
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Risk impedes the success of construction projects in developing countries due to planning in an unpredictable and poorly resourced environment. Hence, the literature suggests that practitioners are not fully aware of how important the risk identification process is. Some of the prior studies identified risks in developing countries without highlighting how they can be beneficial to the practitioners in the industry. Therefore, this study highlights this process and identifies the key risks that affect the Jordanian construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted an exploratory sequential mixed approach, two rounds of face-to-face interviews that were conducted in Jordan among 12 experts followed by a questionnaire randomly distributed to 122 practitioners. This study utilized the relative importance index, coefficient of variation, and Mann–Whitney (U) to analyze the data. Also, the factor analysis technique was used to identify and regroup the risk factors to further understand the correlation among the risks.

Findings

The result revealed an agreement among contractors’ and consultants’ responses toward allocating risks. Furthermore, several risks can be traced back to the project communication management process, highlighting a deficiency in the process. Also, four-factor groups were established, the first group includes the risk of defective design, late decisions making by other project participants and poor coordination with the subcontractor. The second group has only the risk of corruption, including bribery at sites. The third group includes stakeholders’ financial instability and inadequate distribution of responsibilities and risks. The fourth group includes adverse weather conditions and the use of illegal foreign labor.

Originality/value

Some of the prior studies identified risks in developing countries without highlighting how they can be beneficial to the practitioners in the industry.
The relationship between school leaders' ability to manage underprivileged students' needs and the level of achievement of these students
Authors: Alias Bity Salwana , Ishak Mohd Radzi , Nordin Muhammad Nur Asyraf
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The main purpose of this study was to determine school leaders' ability to manage underprivileged students' needs, the level of achievement of these students and the relationship between the two variables.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative methodology comprising a questionnaire instrument was utilized to collect data from 239 underprivileged students attending schools in Kelantan, Malaysia. Descriptive statistics comprising mean values and standard deviations were calculated to determine school leaders' ability to manage underprivileged students' needs and the level of achievement of these students. Inferential statistics comprising a Pearson correlation was calculated to determine the relationship between the two variables.

Findings

School leaders' ability to manage underprivileged students' needs was high, whereas the achievement of underprivileged students was moderate. A weak positive relationship was observed between the two variables.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was limited to 15–16-year-old students in one state in Malaysia. Further research is therefore needed on samples from across Malaysia. This paper enhances knowledge of the relationship between school leaders' ability to manage underprivileged students' needs and the level of achievement of these students. This study also has implications for Maslow's human needs theory.

Practical implications

The implications of the findings for school management practices are that an ability to manage underprivileged students' needs can increase the level of achievement of these students. The findings also indicate that adhering to Sustainable Development Goals, the Malaysian Education Blueprint and the Eleventh Malaysian Plan to ensure quality education for underprivileged students is relevant and should be continued. The findings can also be used as input in training school leaders.

Social implications

The findings suggest that the community needs to take more responsibility for underprivileged students, especially in managing their needs, in order to increase the achievement. The findings can usefully be employed to reduce the social gap between underprivileged and privileged groups.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine the relationship between school leaders' ability to manage underprivileged students' needs and the students' achievement.
Russian and UK Dementia Action Plans: a comparative analysis
Authors: Koberskaya Nadezhda , Kobierskij Bogdan
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to compare two national dementia plans and analyse the approach of each state to the issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Comparative analysis, legal analysis, policy analysis

Findings

Although research is central to both plans, the practical implementation of the Russian and UK plans differs. The Russian action plan on dementia is advisory in nature and does not propose specific programmes for research funding. Two plans have different approach to the role of education and risk factors.

Research limitations/implications

Lack of information on Russian regional strategies does not allow to compare regional differences between two countries.

Originality/value

This study illustrates several weak points in the UK and Russian dementia policies, which should be addressed to tackle the dementia problem in both countries.
Triple vectorial analysis of financial development impact on economic growth: evidence from the Middle East and Central Asia
Authors: El Khoury Rim , Harb Etienne , Nasrallah Nohade
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper provides a state-of-the-art review of the financial development in the Middle East and Central Asia (MECA) and examines its impact on its economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a Panel Data Regression Analysis on a sample of 21 countries in MECA for the period 2008–2018.

Findings

Using the financial development indices and subindices retrieved from IMF, the study finds that the whole region has a below average index compared to other developing regions. However, this hides a great deal of variation across MECA countries. Surprisingly, financial development does not necessarily contribute to economic growth. It seems that some developing countries are still not predisposed to benefit from financial development due to several obstacles.

Practical implications

The authors recommend policymakers and regulators in MECA to promote financial stability and keep inflation in check so that economic agents can reap the fruits of financial development and foster economic growth. Policymakers should also stimulate competition in the financial sector, build skillful human capital, attract foreign direct investments, strengthen supervision and forensic audit and more importantly reinforce the independence of central banks.

Originality/value

The authors mitigate the shortcomings of single indicators as proxies for financial development by using the IMF Financial Development index that captures the depth, access and efficiency of both financial institutions and financial markets. The authors employ lower-middle-, upper-middle and high-income country groups to test the magnitude of income level on the relationship between financial development and economic growth.
Experimental study and computational intelligence on dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity of HNTs based nanolubricant
Authors: Wadi Valéry Tusambila , Özmen Özkan , Caliskan Abdullah , Karamış Mehmet Baki
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) suspended in SAE 5W40 using machine learning methods (MLMs).

Design/methodology/approach

A two-step method with surfactant was selected to prepare nanolubricants in concentrations of 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5 wt%. Thermal conductivity and dynamic viscosity of nanofluids were ascertained over the temperature range of 25–70 °C, with an increment step of 5 °C, using a KD2-Pro analyser device and a digital viscometer MRC VIS-8. Additionally, four different MLMs, including Gaussian process regression (GPR), artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM) and decision tree (DT), were used for predicting dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity by using nanoparticle concentration and temperature as input parameters.

Findings

According to the achieved results, the dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity of nanolubricants mostly increased with the rise of nanoparticle concentration in the base oil. All the proposed models, especially GPR with root mean square error mean values of 0.0047 for dynamic viscosity and 0.0016 for thermal conductivity, basically showed superior ability and stability to estimate the viscosity and thermal conductivity of nanolubricants.

Practical implications

The results of this paper could contribute to optimising the cost and time required for modelling the thermophysical properties of lubricants.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, in this available literature, there is no paper dealing with experimental study and prediction of dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity of HNTs-based nanolubricant using GPR, ANN, SVM and DT.
Predictive view of the value relevance of earnings in India
Authors: Bashir Hajam Abid , Bansal Manish , Kumar Dilip
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the value relevance of earnings in terms of predicting the value variables such as cash flow, capital investment (CI), dividend and stock return under the Indian institutional settings.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used panel Granger causality tests to examine causality relationships among variables and panel data regression models to check the statistical associations between earnings and value variables.

Findings

Based on a data set of 7,280 Bombay Stock Exchange-listed firm-years spanning over ten years from March 2009 to March 2018, the results show higher sensitivity of earnings toward cash flows, CI, divided and stock return and vice-versa. Further, the findings deduced from the empirical results demonstrate that earnings are positively related to value variables. Overall, the results established that earnings are value-relevant and have predictive ability to forecast the value variables that facilitate investors in portfolio valuation. The results are consistent with the predictive view of the value relevance of earnings. Several robustness checks confirm these results.

Originality/value

This study brings new empirical evidence from a distinct capital market, India, and provides a new facet to the value relevance debate in terms of its prediction view. The study is among earlier attempts that jointly measure the ability of earnings in forecasting different value variables by taking a uniform sample of firms at the same period. Hence, the study provides a comprehensive view of the predictive ability of reported earnings.
How does ownership structure affect the financing and dividend decisions of firm?
Authors: Tayachi Tahar , Hunjra Ahmed Imran , Jones Kirsten , Mehmood Rashid , Al-Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Ownership structure deals with internal corporate governance mechanism, which plays important role in minimizing conflict of interests between shareholders and management Ownership structure is an important mechanism that influences the value of firm, financing and dividend decisions. This paper aims to examine the impact of the ownership structures, i.e. managerial ownership, institutional ownership on financing and dividend policy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use panel data of manufacturing firms from both developed and developing countries, and the generalized method of moments (GMM) is applied to analyze the results. The authors collect the data from DataStream for the period of 2010 to 2019.

Findings

The authors find that managerial ownership and ownership concentration have significant and positive effects on debt financing, but they have significant and negative effects on dividend policy. Institutional ownership shows a positive impact on financing decisions and dividend policy for sample firms.

Originality/value

This study fills the gap by proving the policy implications for both firms and investors, as managers prefer debt financing, but at the same time try to ignore dividend payment. Therefore, investors may not invest in firms with a higher proportion of managerial ownership and may choose to invest more in institutional ownership, which lowers the agency cost.
Rules and regulations review on micro-takaful scheme development in Malaysia
Authors: Fikri Sofi Mohd , Naim Asmadi Mohamed , Maamor Selamah , Isa Mohamad Yazid , Ahmad Shahrul Nizam , Shari Wahidah , Muhamed Nurul Aini
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to review the current rules and regulations on micro-takaful in Malaysia to determine whether it addresses the basic principles of micro-takaful. Although the features of the first micro-takaful are slightly different from the customary long-established takaful settings, the rules and regulations remain unchanged following the original guidelines of operating insurance and takaful. Until Perlindungan Tenang makes its first premiere, the rules and regulations on micro-takaful are gaining ground. The dissimilarity of micro-takaful from the original takaful calls for updated guidelines, so that any micro-takaful scheme launched in the market meets the demand and needs of the targeted population.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses content analysis as the best method to review each guideline in the related rules and regulations across several documents such as microinsurance and micro-takaful discussion paper and guidelines on family takaful products.

Findings

Overall, the findings reveal that guidelines on micro-takaful operating in Malaysia support the micro-takaful requirement to be affordable, valuable, accessible, understandable and simplified. Matching the rules and regulations with this population feedback, the extended distribution channel may need further scrutiny due to deficit trust among public members toward insurance and takaful.

Originality/value

The insights presented are of important illumination to achieve long-term sustainability financial protection while preserving human well-being among those underserved.
Measuring tourism success: are we on the brink of a new paradigm?
Authors: Costa Jorge , Varum Celeste , Montenegro Mónica , Gomes João
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The article aims to introduce the strategic question and demonstrate its relevance and reality. It also profiles the articles selected for the annual global trends issue and explains how they illustrate the various angles impacting the adoption of a new paradigm to measure tourism success.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on a review of articles selected to identify commonalities and differences in respect to the evolution of the concepts and methodologies explored in this global trends issue: sustainability, the contribution of tourism to host communities and measures of tourism success. A brief explanation of the positions and proposals presented by authors as well as their key contributions is also presented.

Findings

The tourism industry has traditionally been based on economics and financial return, with the metrics for measuring tourism performance remaining fairly static over the years. These placed a strong emphasis on the number of tourists and their levels of expenditure at the destinations. However, it is interesting to note a clear evolution towards a new perspective for a holistic and balanced approach between the economic, social/cultural and environmental dimensions of sustainable tourism development.

Originality/value

This introductory article sets the scene for an emerging paradigm to measure tourism success, and it highlights the various contributions to the development of sustainable tourism and the challenges faced by the tourism sector, the role of Destination Management Organizations and the need for quality data to support decision-making by public and private organizations.
Do quality incentive payments improve cooperative performance? The case of small French agricultural cooperatives
Authors: Barry Ibrahima , Rousselière Damien
Published: December 2021

Small agricultural cooperatives are increasingly using differentiated payments based on the quality of their members’ products. Such cooperatives make a trade‐off between the return on investment in quality and members’ disengagement from the cooperative. Based on data from the five‐year survey of small French agricultural cooperatives, we analyse the effect of incentive payments on small cooperatives’ performances. We investigate how incentive payments can reduce the problem of free riders and improve these cooperatives’ reputation. Using a quantile regression method, while controlling for the potential endogeneity of incentive payments, we show that quality‐based compensation can rule out cooperative members’ defrauding options. This remuneration has a non‐linear positive effect on small cooperatives’ performances. The results suggest that incentive payments improve small cooperatives’ performances.
Mitochondrial activity as an indicator of scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) adductor muscle in early cold storage
Authors: Yin Zhongzhuan , Tian Yuanyong , Cai Yan , Qi Lin , Yuan Chunhong , Liu Junrong , Xu Tanye
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study was to reveal the role of mitochondria in indicating a change in the freshness of the adductor muscle of Mizuhopecten yessoensis during cold storage and hardening. The adductor muscle hardens after 96 h of cold storage and reaches the maximum degree of hardening in 6 h. In this study, after hardening (102 h), the muscle fiber structure obviously broke and curled, and the sarcomere structure disappeared at 150 h. After hardening (102 h), the morphology of the mitochondria changed, including swelling, cristea breaking and membrane structure disappearance. The arginine phosphate content decreased gradually from the initial 4.618 to 1.306 µmol/g at 48 h, and there was no further obvious change. The ATP content decreased from 6.02 to 1.07 µmol/g in 120 h. The mitochondrial membrane potential (Δφ) was measured by a fluorescence method (JC‐1). The changes in freshness could be divided into three classes according to the Δφ difference between the mitochondria in the adductor muscle after adding ADP and CCCP. Mitochondrial function was complete from 0 to 6 h; mitochondrial function began to decline at 6 to 48 h; and mitochondrial function completely disappeared after 48 h. The results showed that the mitochondrial membrane potential compared with other indicators could more sensitively reflect the changes in freshness during the cold storage hardening process of the adductor muscle.

Practical Application

It is very important to interprete the post‐mortem energy metabolism for controlling the muscle quality of Yesso scallop. The K value which was developed based on ATP‐related compounds is widely used in evaluating the freshness of seafood. Mitochondria is the main sites of cellular energy metabolism and the changes of its structure and activity can sensitively reflect the quality changes in muscle cell. It is expected to develop a more sensitive freshness evaluation index.
Opiine parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and biological control of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Australia: Past, present and future
Authors: Clarke Anthony R. , Harris Colin , Kay Bianca J. , Mainali Bishwo P. , McLay Lucy K. , Strutt Francesca , Cunningham J. Paul
Published: December 2021

Opiine braconids are parasitoids of the immature stages of frugivorous tephritids. The female wasp lays her eggs into the eggs or larvae of the fruit fly host, where the immature wasp develops before emerging as a next‐generation adult from the now dead host pupal case. In support of a new generation of Australian fruit fly parasitoid research, this paper comprehensively reviews what is known about the Australian fruit fly infesting opiines. Based on the most recent taxonomic revision 11 fruit fly infesting opiine species are documented to occur in Australia, but we consider as doubtful the record forDiachasmimorpha longicaudataand consider the record forFopius illusoriusto be tentative without further collections. We identify that the systematics and taxonomy of the Australian native fruit fly infesting opiines are in urgent need of further work. The history of fruit fly biological control in Australia is comprehensively reviewed, including the export of native Australian opiines for fruit fly control elsewhere in the world. Australia was actively involved in three major classical biological control programmes against fruit flies from the turn of the 1900s until the mid‐1960s. Despite the introduction of 11 opiine species, plus numerous other natural enemies, onlyFopius arisanusestablished in eastern Australia, where in South‐east Queensland it can now cause between 30 and 40% mean parasitism. In addition to the exoticF. arisanus, the native speciesDiachasmimorpha kraussiiandDiachasmimorpha tryonialso cause fruit fly parasitism in agriculturally important crops: both species have also been liberated widely outside of Australia for fruit fly control. Other Australian opiines have not been reared from flies infesting commercial crops and appear biologically restricted to the fruits and environs of Australian east‐coast rainforests. The biology literature forD. tryoniandD. kraussiiis comprehensively reviewed, while forF. arisanus, already reviewed elsewhere, key literature only is covered. Forward looking, we consider the potential for inoculative or inundative releases of opiines in areas where they do not currently occur to be good, while conservation biological control may help to increase the impacts of parasitoids in areas where they are already established.
Dietary expansion facilitates the persistence of a large frugivore in fragmented tropical forests
Authors: Magioli Marcelo , Villar Nacho , Jorge Maria Luisa , Biondo Cibele , Keuroghlian Alexine , Bradham Jennifer , Pedrosa Felipe , Costa Vladimir , Moreira Marcelo Zacharias , Ferraz Katia Maria Paschoaletto Micchi de Barros , Galetti Mauro
Published: December 2021

How species persist in fragmented habitats is essential to understanding species resilience in response to increasing anthropogenic pressures. It has been suggested that expansion in dietary niche allows populations to persist in human‐modified landscapes, yet this hypothesis has been poorly tested in highly diverse ecosystems such as tropical forests where frugivory is ubiquitous. Here, we measured dietary niche expansion of a large forest‐dwelling mammal, the white‐lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil, by comparing its diet using stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes. We collected hair of white‐lipped peccaries in three continuous and three fragmented forests and compared δ13C and δ15N values, resource use and isotopic niches among populations and between forest types. We also tested the relationship between isotopic values of the populations and the forest cover percentage. White‐lipped peccaries fed mainly on forest sources (C3 resources), especially in continuous forests, but 28% of the individuals in fragmented sites also incorporated C4 resources to some extent. In fragmented forests, the populations had isotopic niches from 3‐ to 3.6‐fold the size of those in continuous forests. This niche expansion was due to the consumption of food items with higher δ15N values and C4 crops. Differences among populations were larger among fragmented forests, suggesting variable site‐specific strategies to cope with habitat loss. The mean isotopic values of white‐lipped peccary populations were negatively correlated with the loss of forest cover. Some small forest fragments might still retain relatively high habitat quality, and white‐lipped peccaries might be able to capitalize on such variety of resources, shifting their diets from those observed in continuous forests. We suggest that high dietary flexibility and dietary expansion toward consumption of non‐forest resources might facilitate the persistence of large frugivores in fragmented habitats.