bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lysosomal vesiculophagy terminates STING signalling
Authors: Kuchitsu Yoshihiko , Mukai Kojiro , Takaada Yuki , Shinojima Ayumi , Hamano Shiori , Uematsu Rei , Ogawa Emari , Suzuki Takehiro , Dohmae Naoshi , Uemura Takefumi , Arai Hiroyuki , Waguri Satoshi , Taguchi Tomohiko
Published: March 2022

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is essential for the type I interferon response against a variety of DNA pathogens1,2. Upon emergence of cytosolic DNA, STING translocates from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi where STING activates the downstream kinase TBK1, then to lysosome through recycling endosomes (REs) for its degradation3–6. Although the molecular machinery of STING activation is extensively studied and defined7, the one underlying STING degradation has not yet been fully elucidated. Here we show an unanticipated mechanism termed “lysosomal vesiculophagy” dictates STING degradation. Airyscan super-resolution microscopy and correlative light/electron microscopy show that a cluster of STING-positive vesicles of an RE origin are directly encapsulated into lysosome. Screening of mammalianVpsgenes, the yeast homologues of which regulate Golgi-to-vacuole transport8, shows that the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) is essential for the STING encapsulation into lysosome. Knockdown of Tsg101 and Vps4, components of ESCRT9, results in the accumulation of STING vesicles in the cytosol, leading to the sustained type I interferon response. STING undergoes ubiquitination at REs and degradation of STING requires the ubiquitin-binding domain of Tsg101, ensuring the selective degradation of activated STING. Our results reveal a novel mode of autophagy that prevents hyperactivation of innate immune signalling and provide insights into the ER-Golgi-REs-lysosomes pathway for degradation of transmembrane proteins.
Identification of Microbial Flora and Isolation of Functional Strains Related to the Degradation of Domestic Waste
Authors: Huang Tianyi , Liu Xinyi , Zong Yeqing
Published: March 2022

A large amount of food waste is currently generated due to rapid global population growth, which results in environmental pollution and economical burdens for waste disposal. Composting is one of the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective methods for food waste treatment. This study aims to give insight into microbial community structure and functional strains of household food waste compost, which might optimize the composting process and help increase food waste treatment efficiency. The microbial community is characterized via 16S rRNA sequencing. The dominant microbes are assigned to the three phyla of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, and the main fungi are assigned to the phylum of Ascomycota. We isolated some functional microbes from the compost microbiota, including Alcaligenes faecalis, Paenochrobactrum glaciei, Lysinibacillus fusiformis, and Proteus terrae. Moreover, we detected lipase and cellulase activities in the compost liquid. However, the measured lipase and cellulase activity is low, and further enhancement of the lipase activity in the food waste compost might increase waste treatment ability. Therefore, we isolated a cellulase and lipase harboring Bacillus cereus strain from municipal a wastewater treatment plant. The B. cereus strain have high-level lipase activity, which could be used for food waste treatment in the future.
A Novel High-Throughput Single B-Cell Cloning Platform for Isolation and Characterization of High-Affinity and potent SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies
Authors: Parashar Paritosh , Prabhakar B , Swain Sonali , Adhikari Nisha , Aryan Punit , Singh Anupama , Kwatra Mohit
Published: March 2022

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that are specific to SARS-CoV-2 can be useful in diagnosing, preventing, and treating the coronavirus (COVID-19) illness. Strategies for the high-throughput and rapid isolation of these potent neutralizing antibodies are critical toward the development of therapeutically targeting COVID-19 as well as other infectious diseases. In the present study, a single B-cell cloning method was used to screen SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) specific, high affinity, and neutralizing mAbs from patients’ blood samples. An RBD-specific antibody, SAR03, was discovered that showed high binding (ELISA and SPR) and neutralizing activity (competitive ELISA and pseudovirus-based reporter assay) against Sars-CoV-2. Mechanistic studies on human cells revealed that SAR03 competes with the ACE-2 receptor for binding with the RBD domain (S1 subunit) present in the spike protein of Sars-CoV-2. This study highlights the potential of the single B cell cloning method for the rapid and efficient screening of high-affinity and effective neutralizing antibodies for Sars-CoV-2 and other emerging infectious diseases.

Highlights

Single B-cell cloning is a high-throughput and efficient method of generating high affinity neutralizing antibodies

Single B-cell cloning method was used to screen SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) specific, high affinity, and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies from patient’s blood samples.

An RBD-specific antibody, SAR03, was discovered that showed high binding and neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2.
Glucagon Receptor Signaling at White Adipose Tissue Does Not Regulate Lipolysis
Authors: Vasileva Anastasiia , Marx Tyler , Beaudry Jacqueline L. , Stern Jennifer H.
Published: March 2022

Objective

Although the physiologic role of glucagon receptor signaling in the liver is well defined, the impact of glucagon receptor (Gcgr) signaling at white adipose tissue (WAT) continues to be debated. While numerous studies propose glucagon stimulates WAT lipolysis, we lack evidence that physiological concentrations of glucagon regulate WAT lipolysis. Glucagon receptor antagonists are proposed as a treatment to lower blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes, yet concerns on how these treatments may affect lipid homeostasis have led to questions regarding the potential safety and efficacy of such therapeutics. Tight regulation of adipose tissue lipolysis is critical for whole body lipid homeostasis. In turn, we used WAT Gcgr knockout mice to determine if glucagon regulates lipolysis at WAT in the mouse.

Methods

We assessed the effects of fasting and acute exogenous glucagon administration in wildtype C57BL/6J and GcgrAdipocyte+/+ vs GcgrAdipocyte-/- mice. Using an ex vivo lipolysis protocol, we further examined the direct effects of glucagon on physiologically (fasted) and pharmacologically stimulated lipolysis.

Results

Adipocyte Gcgr expression did not affect fasting induced lipolysis or hepatic lipid accumulation in lean or diet induced obese (DIO) mice. Acute glucagon administration did not affect serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), leptin, or adiponectin concentration, but did increase serum glucose and FGF21, regardless of genotype. Glucagon did not affect ex vivo lipolysis in explants from either GcgrAdipocyte+/+ or GcgrAdipocyte-/- mice. Gcgr expression did not affect fasting-induced or isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis from WAT explants. Moreover, glucagon receptor signaling at WAT does not affect body weight or glucose homeostasis in lean or DIO mice.

Conclusions

We have established that glucagon does not regulate WAT lipolysis, either directly or indirectly. Unlike the crucial role of hepatic glucagon receptor signaling in maintaining glucose and lipid homeostasis, we observed no metabolic consequence of WAT glucagon receptor deletion.
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone inhibits PCSK9, augments LDLR recycling and enhances the effect of atorvastatin
Authors: Devasani Karan , Majumdar Anuradha , Jhonsa Dimple , Kaul Rachna
Published: March 2022

High fat diet intake or statin therapy are known to increase the expression of PCSK9, a key factor involved in the lipid metabolism. Inhibition of PCSK9 is a potential novel strategy for treatment of CVD. Aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of PQQ and atorvastatin on PCSK9 expression in high fat, 10% fructose diet (HFFD) fed rats. Rats received HFFD for 10 weeks followed by treatment of 5 weeks with ATS 10 or 20 mg/kg, PQQ 10 or 20 mg/kg, p.o. per se or in combinations. The effect of the treatments on serum lipid profile, transaminases and PCSK9 concentrations was estimated. Hepatic expressions of PCSK9 and LDLR were quantified by real time quantitative Polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting analysis. Compared with the positive control, rats receiving PQQ and ATS showed significant decrease in serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, non-HDL and atherogenic index. Further, drug treatment resulted in decreased serum ALT and AST levels (P < 0.0001). PQQ in combination with atorvastatin reduced serum PCSK9 levels (P < 0.0001) while downregulating the hepatic expression of PCSK9 (P < 0.0001) and increasing the expression of LDL-R (P < 0.001) and rescuing its degradation. PQQ along with atorvastatin prevented the LDLR degradation that was induced in the HFFD fed rats by decreasing PCSK9 expression. The results support an improvement in cholesterol management by adding PQQ to statin treatment.

Graphical abstract
Multiple forward scattering reduces the measured scattering coefficient of blood in visible-light optical coherence tomography
Authors: Fang Raymond , Rubinoff Ian , Zhang Hao F.
Published: March 2022

Optical properties of blood encode oxygen-dependent information. Noninvasive optical detection of these properties is increasingly desirable to extract biomarkers for tissue health. Recently, visible-light optical coherence tomography (vis-OCT) demonstrated retinal oxygen saturation (sO2) measurements using the depth-resolved spectrum of blood. Such measurements rely on differences between the absorption and scattering coefficients of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. However, there is still broad disagreement, both theoretically and experimentally, on how vis-OCT measures blood’s scattering coefficient. Incorrect assumptions of blood’s optical properties can add additional uncertainties or biases into vis-OCT’s sO2 model. Using Monte Carlo simulation of a retinal vessel, we determined that vis-OCT almost exclusively detects multiple-scattered photons in blood. Meanwhile, photons mostly forward scatter in blood within the visible spectral range, allowing photons to maintain ballistic paths and penetrate deeply, leading to a reduction in the measured scattering coefficient. We defined a scattering scaling factor (SSF) to account for such a reduction and found that SSF varied with measurement conditions, such as numerical aperture, depth resolution, and depth selection. We further experimentally validated SSF in ex vivo blood phantoms pre-set sO2 levels and in the human retina, both of which agreed well with our simulation.
The impact of social and environmental extremes on cholera time varying reproduction number in Nigeria
Authors: Charnley Gina E C , Yennan Sebastian , Ochu Chinwe , Kelman Ilan , Gaythorpe Katy A M , Murray Kris A
Published: March 2022

Nigeria currently reports the second highest number of cholera cases in Africa, with numerous socioeconomic and environmental risk factors. Less investigated are the role of extreme events, despite recent work showing their potential importance. To address this gap, we used a machine learning approach to understand the risks and thresholds for cholera outbreaks and extreme events, taking into consideration pre-existing vulnerabilities. We estimated time varying reproductive number (R) from cholera incidence in Nigeria and used a machine learning approach to evaluate its association with extreme events (conflict, flood, drought) and pre-existing vulnerabilities (poverty, sanitation, healthcare). We then created a traffic-light system for cholera outbreak risk, using three hypothetical traffic-light scenarios (Red, Amber and Green) and used this to predict R. The system highlighted potential extreme events and socioeconomic thresholds for outbreaks to occur. We found that reducing poverty and increasing access to sanitation lessened vulnerability to increased cholera risk caused by extreme events (monthly conflicts and the Palmers Drought Severity Index). The main limitation is the underreporting of cholera globally and the potential number of cholera cases missed in the data used here. Increasing access to sanitation and decreasing poverty reduced the impact of extreme events in terms of cholera outbreak risk. The results here therefore add further evidence of the need for sustainable development for disaster prevention and mitigation and to improve health and quality of life.
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike H655Y mutation is responsible for enhancement of the endosomal entry pathway and reduction of cell surface entry pathways
Authors: Yamamoto Mizuki , Tomita Keiko , Hirayama Youko , Inoue Jun-ichiro , Kawaguchi Yasushi , Gohda Jin
Published: March 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant reportedly displays decreased usage of the cell surface entry pathway mediated by the host transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and increased usage of the endosomal entry pathway mediated by cathepsin B/L. These differences result in different cell tropisms and low fusogenicity from other SARS-CoV-2 variants. Recent studies have revealed that host metalloproteases are also involved in cell surface entry and fusogenic activity of SARS-CoV-2, independent of TMPRSS2. However, the involvement of metalloproteinase-mediated cell entry and fusogenicity in Omicron infections has not been investigated. Here, we report that Omicron infection is less sensitive to the metalloproteinase inhibitor marimastat, like the TMPRSS2 inhibitor nafamostat, and is more sensitive to the cathepsin B/L inhibitor E-64d than infections with wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and other variants. The findings indicate that Omicron preferentially utilizes the endosomal pathway rather than cell surface pathways for entry. Moreover, the Omicron variant also displays poor syncytia formation mediated by metalloproteinases, even when the S cleavage status mediated by fusion-like proteases is unchanged. Intriguingly, the pseudovirus assay showed that a single mutation, H655Y, of the Omicron spike (S) is responsible for the preferential entry pathway usage without affecting the S cleavage status. These findings suggest that the Omicron variant has altered entry properties and fusogenicity, probably through the H655Y mutation in its S protein, leading to modulations of tissue and cell tropism, and reduced pathogenicity.

Author summary

Recent studies have suggested that the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant displays altered cell tropism and fusogenicity, in addition to immune escape. However, comprehensive analyses of the usage of viral entry pathways in Omicron variant have not been performed. Here, we used protease inhibitors to block each viral entry pathway mediated by the three host proteases (cathepsin B/L, TMPRSS2, and metalloproteinases) in various cell types. The results clearly indicated that Omicron exhibits enhanced cathepsin B/L-dependent endosome entry and reduced metalloproteinase-dependent and TMPRSS2-dependent cell surface entry. Furthermore, the H655Y mutation of Omicron S determines the relative usage of the three entry pathways without affecting S cleavage by the host furin-like proteases. Comparative data among SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron, may clarify the biological and pathological phenotypes of Omicron but increase the understanding of disease progression in infections with other SARS-CoV-2 variants.
PiSpy: An Affordable, Accessible, and Flexible Imaging Platform for the Automated Observation of Organismal Biology and Behavior
Authors: Morris Benjamin I. , Kittredge Marcy J. , Casey Bea , Meng Owen , Chagas André Maia , Lamparter Matt , Thul Thomas , Pask Gregory M.
Published: March 2022

A great deal of understanding can be gleaned from direct observation of organismal growth, development, and behavior. However, direct observation can be time consuming and influence the organism through unintentional stimuli. Additionally, video capturing equipment can often be prohibitively expensive, difficult to modify to one’s specific needs, and may come with unnecessary features. Here, we describe the PiSpy, a low-cost, automated video acquisition platform that uses a Raspberry Pi computer and camera to record video or images at specified time intervals or when externally triggered. All settings and controls, such as programmable light cycling, are accessible to users with no programming experience through an easy-to-use graphical user interface. Importantly, the entire PiSpy system can be assembled for less than $100 using laser-cut and 3D-printed components. We demonstrate the broad applications and flexibility of the PiSpy across a range of model and non-model organisms. Designs, instructions, and code can be accessed through an online repository, where a global community of PiSpy users can also contribute their own unique customizations and help grow the community of open-source research solutions.
BIN1 regulates actin-membrane interactions during IRSp53-dependent filopodia formation
Authors: Picas Laura , André-Arpin Charlotte , Comunale Franck , Bousquet Hugo , Tsai Feng-Ching , Rico Félix , Maiuri Paolo , Pernier Julien , Bodin Stéphane , Nicot Anne-Sophie , Laporte Jocelyn , Bassereau Patricia , Goud Bruno , Gauthier-Rouvière Cécile , Miserey Stéphanie
Published: March 2022

Amphiphysin 2 (BIN1) is a membrane and actin remodeling protein mutated in congenital and adult centronuclear myopathies. Here, we report an unexpected function of this N-BAR domain protein BIN1 in filopodia formation. We demonstrated that BIN1 expression is necessary and sufficient to induce filopodia formation. BIN1 is present at the base of forming filopodia and all along filopodia, where it colocalizes with F-actin. We identify that BIN1-mediated filopodia formation requires IRSp53, which allows its localization at negatively-curved membrane topologies. Our results show that BIN1 bundles actin in vitro. Finally, we identify that BIN1 regulates the membrane-to-cortex architecture and functions as a molecular platform to recruit actin-binding proteins, dynamin and ezrin, to promote filopodia formation.
Observations of phase changes in monoolein during high viscous injection
Authors: Wells Daniel J. , Berntsen Peter , Balaur Eugeniu , Kewish Cameron M. , Adams Patrick , Aquila Andrew , Binns Jack , Boutet Sébastien , Broomhall Hayden , Caleman Carl , Christofferson Andrew , Conn Charlotte E. , Dahlqvist Caroline , Flueckiger Leonie , Gian Roque Francisco , Greaves Tamar L. , Hejazian Majid , Hunter Mark , Hadian Jazi Marjan , Jönsson H. Olof , Pathirannahalage Sachini Kadaoluwa , Kirian Richard A. , Kozlov Alex , Kurta Ruslan P. , Marman Hugh , Mendez Derek , Morgan Andrew , Nugent Keith , Oberthuer Dominik , Quiney Harry , Reinhardt Juliane , Saha Saumitra , Sellberg Jonas A. , Sierra Raymond , Wiedorn Max , Abbey Brian , Martin Andrew V. , Darmanin Connie
Published: March 2022

Serial crystallography of membrane proteins often employs high-viscosity injectors (HVIs) to deliver micrometre-sized crystals to the X-ray beam. Typically, the carrier medium is a lipidic cubic phase (LCP) media, which can also be used to nucleate and grow the crystals. However, despite the fact that the LCP is widely used with HVIs, the potential impact of the injection process on the LCP structure has not been reported and hence is not yet well understood. The self-assembled structure of the LCP can be affected by pressure, dehydration and temperature changes, all of which occur during continuous flow injection. These changes to the LCP structure may in turn impact the results of X-ray diffraction measurements from membrane protein crystals. To investigate the influence of HVIs on the structure of the LCP we conducted a study of the phase changes in monoolein/water and monoolein/buffer mixtures during continuous flow injection, at both atmospheric pressure and under vacuum. The reservoir pressure in the HVI was tracked to determine if there is any correlation with the phase behaviour of the LCP. The results indicated that, even though the reservoir pressure underwent (at times) significant variation, this did not appear to correlate with observed phase changes in the sample stream or correspond to shifts in the LCP lattice parameter. During vacuum injection, there was a three-way coexistence of the gyroid cubic phase, diamond cubic phase and lamellar phase. During injection at atmospheric pressure, the coexistence of a cubic phase and lamellar phase in the monoolein/water mixtures was also observed. The degree to which the lamellar phase is formed was found to be strongly dependent on the co-flowing gas conditions used to stabilize the LCP stream. A combination of laboratory-based optical polarization microscopy and simulation studies was used to investigate these observations.
Strategic flexibility or persistence? Examining the survival path of export enterprises under COVID-19
Authors: Chen Wanyi , Jin Rong , Xie Yuchuan
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The rising uncertainties in the macroeconomic environment exacerbate the challenges firms face in the export market. This study aims to explore which strategy is suitable for export enterprises to develop sustainably under COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the sample data of China’s A-stock listed manufacturing firms from 2010 to 2020, this study applies a survival analysis method to explore the impact of strategic flexibility on export firm survival. Furthermore, this study uses the difference-in-difference model to test the relationship between strategic flexibility and firms’ profits in the context of the pandemic.

Findings

The results show that strategic flexibility can increase firms’ survival time, improving dynamic production and innovation capabilities, which is favorable for their sustainable development. Meanwhile, after the spread of COVID-19, firms with strategic flexibility have higher profits than those without. This influence mechanism mainly involves exploring new markets that can improve the company revenue and the coordination capabilities of the supply chain; this reduces corporate costs.

Originality/value

This study expands relevant research on the factors affecting the survival of export enterprises and supplements research on the economic consequences of firms’ strategic flexibility; this also enriches the dynamic capability theory. Additionally, it provides important implications for firms to enhance strategic flexibility and recommends government implementation of policies that encourage the domestic sales of commodities originally produced for exports under COVID-19.
Urban search and rescue (USAR) simulation in earthquake environments using queuing theory: estimating the appropriate number of rescue teams
Authors: Hooshangi Navid , Mahdizadeh Gharakhanlou Navid , Ghaffari-Razin Seyyed Reza
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The duration of an urban search and rescue (USAR) operation directly depends on the number of rescue teams involved. The purpose of this paper is to simplify the earthquake environment and determine the initial number of rescuers in earthquake emergencies in USAR operation.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed methodology, four primary steps were considered: evaluation of buildings damage and the number of injured people by exerting geospatial information system (GIS) analyses; determining service time by means of task allocation; designing the simulation model (queuing theory); and calculation of survival rate and comparison with the time of rescue operations.

Findings

The calculation of buildings damage for an earthquake with 6.6 Richter in Tehran’s District One indicated that 18% of buildings are subjected to the high damage risk. The number of injured people calculated was 28,856. According to the calculated survival rate, rescue operations in the region must be completed within 22.33 h to save 75% of the casualties. Finally, the design of the queue model indicated that at least 2,300 rescue teams were required to provide the calculated survival rate.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is an innovative approach for determining an appropriate number of rescue teams by considering the queuing theory. The results showed that the integration of GIS and the simulation of queuing theory could be a helpful tool in natural disaster management, especially in terms of rapid vulnerability assessment in urban districts, the adequacy and appropriateness of the emergency services.
Boundary-spanning leadership as a necessity for academic administrators
Authors: Nazarzadeh Zare Mohsen , Ghoraishi Khorasgani Maryam Sadat
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The present study aimed to investigate the perceptions of academic administrators of the characteristics and strategies of a boundary-spanner leader.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the authors adopted a qualitative approach and a descriptive phenomenology method. The participants of the study consisted of academic administrators in the public universities, and research institutions in Iran, of whom 17 academic administrators were selected as participants of the study purposefully and based on the criterion of having at least 4 years of management experience. To collect the data, the authors conducted semistructured interviews and performed a Colaizzi content analysis for data analysis.

Findings

The findings showed that perceptions of academic administrators of the characteristics and strategies of a boundary-spanner leader can be classified into six main categories; cognitive skills, relationship skills, professional skills, boundaries management strategies, common boundaries creation strategy and new boundaries discovery strategy.

Originality/value

This study builds upon the existing literature on boundary-spanning leaders in higher education through a new cultural context and lens. Because research to date has privileged institutional contexts predominantly in the USA and the United Kingdom, this study contributes an additional understanding of boundary-spanning leadership in Iranian higher educational contexts. This study also provides a common foundation and shared framework from which cross-national collaborations may be examined and further cultivated.
Purchasing realized absorptive capacity as the gateway to sustainable supply chain management
Authors: Difrancesco Rita Maria , Luzzini Davide , Patrucco Andrea S.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Companies' ability to build sustainable supply chains and achieve strategic sustainability objectives largely depends on their supply network characteristics and the nature of the relationships with strategic suppliers. This poses the question of how purchasing departments can help to translate this sustainability commitment into performance benefits. The authors focus the attention on buyer-supplier information sharing practices and study how the availability of information interplays with the purchasing realized absorptive capacity (PRAC) to positively impact performance (operational, environmental and social).

Design/methodology/approach

The study collected data from 305 procurement executives in four European countries and tested the hypotheses empirically using structural equation modeling. Mediation analysis is used to test the effect of PRAC on the relationship between buyer-supplier information sharing and performance.

Findings

The results show that increasing buyer-supplier information sharing is sufficient to obtain a positive impact on operational performance. To improve purchasing sustainability performance, companies need to develop their PRAC to adequately transform and exploit external information and identify opportunities in the environmental and social areas. Thanks to these purchasing capabilities, organizations can overcome potential trade-offs between different performance dimensions.

Originality/value

In the context of collaborative buyer-supplier relationships, this study is one of the first to propose purchasing knowledge management capabilities (i.e. PRAC) as a key factor to improve multiple performance dimensions. Additionally, it captures different sustainability aspects, concluding that organizations can improve purchasing operational, environmental and social performances by implementing appropriate information sharing mechanisms with suppliers and developing their PRAC.
Strategic information sharing in supply chain with value-perceived consumers
Authors: Tai Pham Duc , Anderson Malcolm Ringland , Hien Duc Truong Ton , Thai Tung Quang , Yuan Xue-Ming
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Information sharing is one of essential collaboration methods for building effective system-level disruption responses and communication for supply chain resilience. However, supply chain members are often reluctant to share the members' business information for fear of losing competitiveness. To facilitate the cooperation among these members, the supply chain members' should be made aware of the value of information. As a result, the purpose of this paper is to quantify the benefit of information sharing and evaluate its magnitude under various factors.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, information sharing is measured in a two-stage supply chain containing a manufacturer and a retailer. A demand function is constructed as a linear combination of a first-order autoregressive [AR(1)] process, the retail and reference prices. The values of information sharing are quantified for four scenarios: (1) no information sharing, (2) full information sharing, (3) limited information sharing and (4) partial information sharing. Based on the four scenarios, the conditions for valuable information sharing are determined. In addition, the impact of several demand parameters on the usefulness of information sharing is analyzed.

Findings

When the demand function is a pure AR(1) process (i.e. there is no impact from the retail and reference prices), information sharing is always valuable regardless of the autoregressive coefficient. Under the influence of the retail price and consumer behavior via the reference price, information sharing is not always beneficial. The boundaries for useful information sharing are analytically constructed. In addition to full information sharing, this study also quantifies the value of information under a partial sharing scheme. The results indicate that the information is more valuable as long as the information is inducible.

Originality/value

This study highlights several specific conditions for a beneficial information sharing agreement in consideration of consumer behaviors. These conditions enable supply chain members to design a sustainable partnership.
The long-run equilibrium in the context of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lipieta Agnieszka , Lipieta Artur
Published: March 2022

Purpose

A serious problem in the pandemic days is that in this period many firms face difficulties with remaining on the market. It causes that the entrepreneurs do not undertake activities which could result in introducing innovations. In this context, the authors examine new mechanisms which lead competitive economy to the long-run equilibrium under the assumption that producers are change-averse.

Design/methodology/approach

The results have the form of theorems with rigorous proofs and provide the ideas on the way of developing the economic policy in respect of firms in the pandemic days.

Findings

As a result, the authors justify that in some cases it is worth leading an economic sector or a whole economy to the long-run equilibrium state.

Originality/value

The authors show that there exists a mechanism in the sense of Hurwicz which transforms the economy into an economic system being in the long-run equilibrium as well as the authors determine optimal mechanisms, under the criterion of distance minimization, in some subsets of the mechanisms designed.
Exploring patient's intention towards e-health consultation using an extended UTAUT model
Authors: Dash Ajitabh , Sahoo Anjan Kumar
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This research explores the factors that influence patients' willingness to seek digital health advice in developing countries like India by extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) with perceived risk (PR) and trust.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses proposed for this study. The primary data for this study were acquired from 578 respondents using a judgmental sampling procedure.

Findings

Results of this investigation reflected a positive and significant connexion of the intention of a patient towards e-health consultation with effort expectancy (EE), performance expectancy (PE), trust and social influence (SI); conversely, factors like facilitating condition (FC) and PR are not significantly connected with the same.

Originality/value

The findings of this study will not only add to the existing literature on the behavioral intention (BI) by introducing new dimensions in the context of digital health consultation, but they will also aid service providers in developing strategies to encourage the use of e-health consultation services in emerging economies such as India.
Accounting as rhetorical devices during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Australian universities
Authors: Hoque Zahirul , Mai Kate , Ozdil Esin
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper has two purposes. First, it aims to explore how Australian universities used calculative rhetoric and practices through accounting numbers to persuade employees and legitimize their financial recovery plans to alleviate the financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, it aims to analyze how the accounting-based solutions were legitimized through a well-blended pathos, logos and ethos rhetoric.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on a rhetorical theory of diffusion, we employed a qualitative research design within all 37 Australian public universities involving Internet-based documentary analysis.

Findings

This study finds that in an urgent crisis like the fiscal crisis caused by COVID-19, universities again found rescue in accounting tools, in particular budgets, as a rhetorical device to justify their operational and strategic choices such as job-cuts, programs closures and staff pay-cuts. However, in this crisis, the same old accounting-based solutions were even more quickly to be accepted by being delivered in management’s colorful blending of pathos–logos–ethos rhetoric.

Research limitations/implications

While this study is constrained to Australian public universities’ financial responses, its findings have implications for university decision-makers and higher education policymakers across the globe when it comes to university management using calculative devices in persuading employees to work their way through financial hardship caused by an extreme health crisis-like COVID-19 pandemic.

Originality/value

This study adds more evidence that the use of budgets as a calculative tool continues to play a key role in organizations in the construction, mobilization and preservation of certain strategic and operational choices during volatilities. Especially, the same way of creating calculative-based solutions can be communicated via the colorful blending of different rhetoric to make it acceptable.
Gender differences in use of suicide crisis hotlines: a scoping review of current literature
Authors: Krishnamurti Lauren Sealy , Monteith Lindsey L. , McCoy Ian , Dichter Melissa E.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Little is known about the gender profile of callers to crisis hotlines, despite distinct gender differences in suicide risk and behavior. The authors assessed current knowledge of the role of caller gender in the use of crisis hotlines for suicide, specifically whether there are differences in frequency, reason for call and caller outcomes by gender.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a scoping literature review of peer-reviewed studies published since 2000 in Medline, PubMed and PsychInfo, examining a total of 18 articles based on 16 studies.

Findings

Overall, women represent a higher percentage of calls to crisis hotlines worldwide, despite men having higher rates of suicide. Primary reasons for calling hotlines were the same for men and women, regardless of geography or culture. When gender differences in reason for call were reported, they were consistent with literature documenting gender differences in the prevalence of risk factors for suicide, including higher rates of substance use among men and higher instances of domestic violence/abuse among women.

Research limitations/implications

There was variability in the studies the authors examined. This review was limited to research on crisis telephone hotlines and did not include text or chat services. Due to data reporting, the findings are constrained to reporting on a male/female gender binary.

Originality/value

Findings on gender differences in crisis line use suggest a need for continued research in this area to determine how to best meet the needs of callers of all genders.
Strip intercropping of wheat and oilseed rape enhances biodiversity and biological pest control in a conventionally managed farm scenario
Authors: Alarcón‐Segura Viviana , Grass Ingo , Breustedt Gunnar , Rohlfs Marko , Tscharntke Teja
Published: March 2022

Conventional agriculture in the global north is typically characterized by large monocultures, commonly managed with high levels of pesticide or fertilizer input and mechanization. Strip intercropping, that is, diversifying cropland by growing strips of different crops using conventional machinery, may be a viable strategy to promote natural predator diversity and associated biological pest control in such conventional farming systems.

We tested the influence of strip intercropping of conventionally managed winter wheat with oilseed rape, using common machinery with 27–36 m broad strips, on arthropod predator diversity and biological pest control. We characterized spider and carabid beetle communities, calculated pest aphid and pollen beetle densities and recorded parasitism rates for both crops (number of mummified aphids on wheat and number of parasitized pollen beetle larvae on oilseed rape).

We observed a significant reduction in the densities of wheat aphids (50% decrease) and pollen beetle larvae (20% decrease) in strip intercropping areas compared to monocultures. Parasitism rates of wheat aphids increased significantly from 10% in monocultures to 25% in strip intercropping areas. The number of parasitized pollen beetle larvae did not show the same pattern but was higher towards the centre of the oilseed rape strip. Overall, the composition of predator communities benefited from the close neighbourhood of the two crop species in the strips, as carabid beetles were more abundant in oilseed rape and spiders were more abundant in wheat fields. Overall, strip intercropping reduced the dominance of one predator group and allowed for an equal representation of both spiders and carabid beetles in the mixture.

Synthesis and applications. Our study presents evidence of the benefits of adopting strip intercropping with relatively large strips (adapted to existing machinery) for natural predator diversity and biological pest control in a large‐scale conventionally managed farm scenario. Wheat–oilseed rape strip intercropping reduced pest densities, increased parasitism of wheat aphids and promoted equal representation of natural predator groups well beyond the areas of monoculture. Overall, by reducing the area dedicated to only one crop, the implementation of strip intercropping adapted to mechanized agricultural scenarios can be used to increase crop heterogeneity at regional scales and enhance biodiversity and biological control, even in simplified landscapes dominated by large‐scale conventional agriculture.
Common ownership and stock price crash risk: Evidence from China
Authors: Jiang Ping , Ma Yunbiao , Shi Beibei
Published: March 2022

This study examines whether common ownership affects stock price crash risk (SPCR). Using 3,159 companies listed in China between 2006 and 2019, this paper finds that companies with common ownership are associated with lower SPCR. This finding can be explained by the monitoring effect of common ownership which holds that common ownership can curb the hoarding of bad news by managers and thereby reduces SPCR. We further show that the effect is more evident when common owners hold a relatively larger number of same‐industry firms, when common owners hold more shares, and for state‐owned‐enterprises. Moreover, this paper also demonstrates how common ownership facilitates effective monitoring and finds that common ownership reduces earnings management and increases accounting conservatism in firms. Our evidence suggests that common ownership serves as an effective form of monitoring by constraining managers' opportunistic behaviour, thereby reducing SPCR.
Strategies for Climate Change Post COP26
Authors: Bloomfield Jon , Steward Fred
Published: March 2022

Despite the many disappointments of the UN COP26 conference, both public awareness of global warming and the profile of the environmental movements seeking to halt it have gained political momentum. Climate denialists are in retreat. After four decades in absentia, government intervention is back. The need to tackle climate change is increasingly recognised across the political, business and civic spectrum. This article assesses these developments and argues that such is the scale and urgency of the climate emergency that the time is ripe for cross‐ideological ‘green new deal’ coalitions to emerge. The article proposes a policy framework that can bring together a range of political and social forces in a common endeavour over a protracted period of time. The new German coalition agreement, with its strategic focus on an ecological, social market economy, offers a signpost to the way ahead.
Making a drama out of a mental health crisis
Authors: Williams Emma
Published: March 2022

A recent production of Romeo and Juliet at the Globe Theatre in London has foregrounded the themes of mental health and a sick society. My essay begins by exploring the controversial reception of the 2021 production. But Shakespeare's play has a number of key features that are undecidable, by design. These are directly relevant to the kinds of things we are concerned with when it comes to mental health. Perhaps the critics of the 2021 production are therefore missing a trick … And are there not lessons for the mental health of young people today to be taken from the fact that romance seems to have withdrawn from the world of this contemporary Romeo and Juliet?
Property market liquidity and REIT liquidity
Authors: Downs David H. , Zhu Bing
Published: March 2022

This study examines the asset–stock liquidity relationship for firms with location‐specific assets. Using a sample of real estate investment trusts (REITs), we extend the concept of asset liquidity to include information based on local property market turnover. Our findings confirm that holding more cash increases REIT stock liquidity. More importantly, we find a positive relation between property market liquidity and REIT stock liquidity. This relation is stronger for REITs with lower growth opportunities, less information advantage, and greater financial constraints. Our findings also provide evidence that managers can actively influence stock liquidity through asset structure.
Dysfunctional telomeres through mitostress‐induced cGAS/STING activation to aggravate immune senescence and viral pneumonia
Authors: Lv Nianyin , Zhao Yufang , Liu Xiaoyi , Ye Lusha , Liang Zihao , Kang Yanhua , Dong Yeping , Wang Wei , Kolliputi Narasaiah , Shi Liyun
Published: March 2022

Disproportionately high incidence and mortality of respiratory infection such as influenza A virus (IAV) and SARS‐CoV‐2 have been evidenced in the elderly, but the role and the mechanism of age‐associated immune deregulation in disease exacerbation are not well defined. Using a late generation of mice deficient in telomerase RNA (Terc−/−), we herein demonstrated that aged mice were exquisitely susceptible to respiratory viral infection, with excessive inflammation and increased mortality. Furthermore, we identified the cGAS/STING pathway, which was essentially induced by the leaked mitochondrial DNA, as a biologically relevant mechanism contributing to exaggerated inflammation in Terc−/− mice following viral infection. Innate immune cells, mainly, macrophages with shortened telomeres, exhibited hallmarks of cellular senescence, mitochondrial distress, and aberrant activation of STING and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways, which predisposed mice to severe viral pneumonia during commonly mild infections. Application of STING inhibitor and, more importantly, senolytic agent, reduced the burden of stressed macrophages, improved mitochondrial integrity, and suppressed STING activation, thereby conferring the protection for Terc−/− mice against respiratory infection. Together, the findings expand our understanding of innate immune senescence and reveal the potential of the senolytics as a promising treatment to alleviate the symptom of viral pneumonia, particularly for the older population.
Alcohol dependence decreases functional activation of the caudate nucleus during model‐based decision processes
Authors: Magrabi Amadeus , Beck Anne , Schad Daniel J. , Lett Tristram A. , Stoppel Christian M. , Charlet Katrin , Kiefer Falk , Heinz Andreas , Walter Henrik
Published: March 2022

Background

Impaired decision making, a key characteristic of alcohol dependence (AD), manifests in continuous alcohol consumption despite severe negative consequences. The neural basis of this impairment in individuals with AD and differences with known neural decision mechanisms among healthy subjects are not fully understood. In particular, it is unclear whether the choice behavior among individuals with AD is based on a general impairment of decision mechanisms or is mainly explained by altered value attribution, with an overly high subjective value attributed to alcohol‐related stimuli.

Methods

Here, we use a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) monetary reward task to compare the neural processes of model‐based decision making and value computation between AD individuals (n = 32) and healthy controls (n = 32). During fMRI, participants evaluated monetary offers with respect to dynamically changing constraints and different levels of uncertainty.

Results

Individuals with AD showed lower activation associated with model‐based decision processes in the caudate nucleus than controls, but there were no group differences in value‐related neural activity or task performance.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the role of the caudate nucleus in impaired model‐based decisions of alcohol‐dependent individuals.