bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MechRNA: prediction of lncRNA mechanisms from RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions
Authors: Gawronski Alexander R. , Uhl Michael , Zhang Yajia , Lin Yen-Yi , Niknafs Yashar S. , Ramnarine Varune R. , Malik Rohit , Feng Felix , Chinnaiyan Arul M. , Collins Colin C. , Sahinalp S. Cenk , Backofen Rolf
Published: March 2018

Motivation

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are defined as transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that do not get translated into proteins. Often these transcripts are processed (spliced, capped, polyadenylated) and some are known to have important biological functions. However, most lncRNAs have unknown or poorly understood functions. Nevertheless, because of their potential role in cancer, lncRNAs are receiving a lot of attention, and the need for computational tools to predict their possible mechanisms of action is more than ever. Fundamentally, most of the known lncRNA mechanisms involve RNA-RNA and/or RNA-protein interactions. Through accurate predictions of each kind of interaction and integration of these predictions, it is possible to elucidate potential mechanisms for a given lncRNA.

Approach

Here we introduce MechRNA, a pipeline for corroborating RNA-RNA interaction prediction and protein binding prediction for identifying possible lncRNA mechanisms involving specific targets or on a transcriptome-wide scale. The first stage uses a version of IntaRNA2 with added functionality for efficient prediction of RNA-RNA interactions with very long input sequences, allowing for large-scale analysis of lncRNA interactions with little or no loss of optimality. The second stage integrates protein binding information pre-computed by GraphProt, for both the lncRNA and the target. The final stage involves inferring the most likely mechanism for each lncRNA/target pair. This is achieved by generating candidate mechanisms from the predicted interactions, the relative locations of these interactions and correlation data, followed by selection of the most likely mechanistic explanation using a combined p-value.

Results

We applied MechRNA on a number of recently identified cancer-related lncRNAs (PCAT1, PCAT29, ARLnc1) and also on two well-studied lncRNAs (PCA3 and 7SL). This led to the identification of hundreds of high confidence potential targets for each lncRNA and corresponding mechanisms. These predictions include the known competitive mechanism of 7SL with HuR for binding on the tumor suppressor TP53, as well as mechanisms expanding what is known about PCAT1 and ARLn1 and their targets BRCA2 and AR, respectively. For PCAT1-BRCA2, the mechanism involves competitive binding with HuR, which we confirmed using HuR immunoprecipitation assays.

Availability

MechRNA is available for download athttps://bitbucket.org/compbio/mechrna

Contact

backofen@informatik.uni-freiburg.de,cenksahi@indiana.edu

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available atBioinformaticsonline.
A specific, glycomimetic Langerin ligand for human Langerhans cell targeting
Authors: Wamhoff Eike-Christian , Schulze Jessica , Bellmann Lydia , Bachem Gunnar , Fuchsberger Felix F. , Rademacher Juliane , Hermann Martin , Del Frari Barbara , van Dalen Rob , Hartmann David , van Sorge Nina M. , Seitz Oliver , Stoitzner Patrizia , Rademacher Christoph
Published: March 2018

Langerhans cells are a subset of dendritic cells residing in the epidermis of the human skin. As such, they are key mediators of immune regulation and have emerged as prime targets for novel transcutaneous cancer vaccines. Importantly, the induction of protective T cell immunity by these vaccines requires the efficient and specific delivery of both tumor-associated antigens and adjuvants. Langerhans cells uniquely express Langerin (CD207), an endocytic C-type lectin receptor. Here, we report the discovery of a specific, glycomimetic Langerin ligand employing a heparin-inspired design strategy that integrated NMR spectroscopy and molecular docking. The conjugation of these glycomimetics to liposomes enabled the specific and efficient targeting of Langerhans cells in the human skin. This delivery platform provides superior versatility and scalability over antibody-based approaches and thus addresses current limitations of dendritic cell-based immunotherapies.
A novel pollen-tracking method: using quantum dots as pollen labels
Authors: Minnaar Corneile , Anderson Bruce
Published: March 2018

To understand the evolution of flowers and mating systems in animal-pollinated plants, we have to directly address the function for which flowers evolved—the movement of pollen from anthers to stigmas. However, despite a long history of making significant advances in our understanding natural selection and evolution, the field of pollination biology has largely studied pollen movement indirectly (e.g., pollen analogues or paternity assignment to seeds) due to a lack of suitable pollen tracking methods. Here, we develop and test a novel pollen-tracking technique using quantum dots as pollen-grain labels. Quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals so small in size that they behave like artificial atoms. When exposed to UV light, they emit extremely bright light in a range of different colours. Their photostability, broad excitation range, and customisable binding-li-gands make quantum dots ideal bio-labels. We tested the suitability of CuInSexS2-x/ZnS (core/shell) quantum dots with oleic acid (zinc-oleate complex) ligands as pollen-grain labels. We found that quantum dots attach to pollen grains of four different species even after agitation in a polar solvent, suggesting that the oleic acid ligands on quantum dots bind to pollenkitt surrounding pollen grains. We also showed that most pollen grains within anthers of the same four species are labelled with quantum dots after applying sufficient quantum-dot solution to anthers. To test whether quantum-dot pollen-labels influenced pollen transport, we conducted pollen transfer trials on Sparaxis villosa (Iridaceae) using captively reared honeybees. We found no difference in pollen transport between labelled and unlabelled pollen grains. Our experiments therefore demonstrate the potential for quantum dots to be used as easily applied pollen labels, which allow subsequent tracking of the fates of pollen grains in the field. The ability to track pollen grain movement in situ, may finally allow us to address an historically neglected aspect of plant reproductive ecology and evolution.
Mutation of Ebola Virus Matrix Protein Cysteine Residues Increases Binding to Phosphatidylserine through Increased Flexibility of a Lipid Binding Loop
Authors: Johnson Kristen A. , Bhattarai Nisha , Budicini Melissa R. , Shirey Carolyn M. , Baker Sarah Catherine B. , Gerstman Bernard S. , Chapagain Prem P. , Stahelin Robert V.
Published: March 2018

The Ebola virus (EBOV) is a genetically simple negative sense RNA virus with only 7 genes yet it causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. The matrix protein VP40 of EBOV is the main driver of viral budding through binding to host plasma membrane lipids and formation of the filamentous, pleomorphic virus particles. To better understand this dynamic and complex process we have asked what the role of two highly conserved cysteine residues are in the C-terminal domain of VP40. Here we report that the mutation of Cys311to alanine increases VP40 membrane binding affinity for phosphatidylserine containing membranes. C311A has a significant increase in binding to PS compared to WT, has longer virus like particles, and displays evidence of increased budding. C314A also has an increase in PS binding compared to WT, however to a lesser extent. The double Cys mutant shares the phenotypes of the single mutants with increased binding to PS. Computational studies demonstrate these Cys residues, Cys311in particular, restrain a loop segment containing Lys residues that interact with the plasma membrane. Mutation of Cys311promotes membrane binding loop flexibility, alters internal VP40 H-bonding, and increases PS binding. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence of mutations that increase VP40 affinity for biological membranes and the length of EBOV virus like particles. Together, our findings indicate these residues are important for membrane dynamics at the plasma membrane via the interaction with phosphatidylserine.
Cellulose biosynthesis inhibition reduces cell cycle activity in a nitrate reductase- and cytokinin-dependent manner
Authors: Gigli-Bisceglia Nora , Engelsdorf Timo , Strnad Miroslav , Vaahtera Lauri , Jamoune Amel , Alipanah Leila , Novák Ondřej , Hejatko Jan , Hamann Thorsten
Published: March 2018

During growth, development and defense, cell wall integrity needs to be coordinated with cell cycle activity. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, coordination is mediated by the cell wall integrity maintenance mechanism. In plants, little is known how coordination is achieved.

Here we investigated coordination between plant cell wall and cell cycle activity in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings by studying the impact of cell wall damage (CWD, caused by cellulose biosynthesis inhibition) on cell cycle gene expression, growth, phytohormone (jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, cytokinins) and lignin accumulation.

We found root growth and cell cycle gene expression are reduced by CWD in an osmo-sensitive manner. trans-zeatin application suppressed the CWD effect on gene expression. Quantification of cytokinins revealed CWD-induced, osmo-sensitive changes in several cytokinins. Expression of CYTOKININ OXIDASE2/DEHYDROGENASE (CKX2) and CKX3, encoding cytokinin-degrading enzymes, was elevated in CWD-exposed seedlings. Genetic studies implicated NITRATE REDUCTASE1/2 (NIA1/2) in the response to CWD. In nia1/2 seedlings CWD induced neither expression of CKX2/3 and cell cycle genes nor accumulation of jasmonic acid, salicylic acid and lignin.

This suggests that CWD causes increased CKX2/3 expression through a NIA1/2-mediated process. Increased CKX expression seems to cause changes in cytokinin levels, leading to reduced cell cycle gene expression.
Sex-specific changes in the aphid DNA methylation landscape
Authors: Mathers Thomas C. , Mugford Sam T. , Percival-Alwyn Lawrence , Chen Yazhou , Kaithakottil Gemy , Swarbreck David , Hogenhout Saskia A. , van Oosterhout Cock
Published: March 2018

Aphids present an ideal system to study epigenetics as they can produce diverse, but genetically identical, morphs in response to environmental stimuli. Here, using whole genome bisulphite sequencing and transcriptome sequencing of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), we present the first detailed analysis of cytosine methylation in an aphid and investigate differences in the methylation and transcriptional landscapes of male and asexual female morphs. We find that methylation primarily occurs in a CG dinucleotide (CpG) context and that exons are highly enriched for methylated CpGs, particularly at the 3’ end of genes. Methylation is positively associated with gene expression, and methylated genes are more stably expressed than un-methylated genes. Male and asexual female morphs have distinct methylation profiles. Strikingly, these profiles are divergent between the sex chromosome and the autosomes; autosomal genes are hypo-methylated in males compared to asexual females, whereas genes belonging to the sex chromosome, which is haploid in males, are hyper-methylated. Overall, we find correlated changes in methylation and gene expression between males and asexual females, and this correlation is particularly strong for genes located on the sex chromosome. Our results suggest that differential methylation of sex-biased genes plays a role in M. persicae sexual differentiation.
Hyperexcitable phenotypes in iPSC-derived neurons from patients with 15q11-q13 duplication syndrome, a genetic form of autism
Authors: Fink James J. , Schreiner Jeremy D. , Bloom Judy E. , Baker Dylan S. , Robinson Tiwanna M. , Lieberman Richard , Loew Leslie M. , Chamberlain Stormy J. , Levine Eric S.
Published: March 2018

Chromosome 15q11-q13 duplication syndrome (Dup15q) is a neurogenetic disorder caused by duplications of the maternal copy of this region. In addition to hypotonia, motor deficits, and language impairments, Dup15q patients commonly meet the criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and have a high prevalence of seizures. Here, we explored mechanisms of hyperexcitability in neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from Dup15q patients. Maturation of resting membrane potential in Dup15q-derived neurons was similar to neurons from unaffected control subjects, but Dup15q neurons had delayed action potential maturation and increased synaptic event frequency and amplitude. Dup15q neurons also showed impairments in activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and homeostatic synaptic scaling. Finally, Dup15q neurons showed an increased frequency of spontaneous action potential firing compared to control neurons, in part due to disruption of KCNQ2 channels. Together these data point to multiple mechanisms underlying hyperexcitability that may provide new targets for the treatment of seizures and other phenotypes associated with Dup15q.
The Transcriptional landscape of Streptococcus pneumoniae reveals a complex operon architecture and abundant riboregulation critical for growth and virulence
Authors: Warrier Indu , Ram-Mohan Nikhil , Zhu Zeyu , Hazery Ariana , Meyer Michelle M , Opijnen Tim van
Published: March 2018

Efficient and highly organized transcription initiation and termination is fundamental to an organism’s ability to survive, proliferate, and quickly respond to its environment. Over the last decade, our simplistic outlook of bacterial transcriptional regulation and architecture has evolved to include stimulus-responsive regulation by untranslated RNA and the formation of alternate transcriptional units. In this study, we map the transcriptional landscape of the bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae by applying a combination of high-throughput RNA-sequencing techniques. Our study reveals a complex transcriptome wherein environment-respondent alternate transcriptional units are observed within operons stemming from internal transcription start sites (TSS) and transcription terminators (TTS) suggesting that more fine-tuning of regulation occurs than previously thought. Additionally, we identify many putative cis-regulatory RNA elements and riboswitches within 5’-untranslated regions (5’-UTR) of genes. By integrating TSSs and TTSs with independently collected RNA-Seq datasets from a variety of conditions, we establish the response of these regulators to changes in growth conditions and validate several of them. Furthermore, to determine the importance of ribo-regulation by 5’-UTR elements for in vivo virulence, we show that the pyrR regulatory element is essential for survival, successful colonization and infection in mice suggesting that such RNA elements are potential drug targets. Importantly, we show that our approach of combining high-throughput sequencing with in vivo experiments can reconstruct a global understanding of regulation, but also pave the way for discovery of compounds that target (ribo-) regulators to mitigate virulence and antibiotic resistance.
Profiling of pluripotency factors in individual stem cells and early embryos
Authors: Hainer Sarah J. , Bošković Ana , Rando Oliver J. , Fazzio Thomas G.
Published: March 2018

Major cell fate decisions are governed by sequence-specific transcription factors (TFs) that act in small cell populations within developing embryos. To understand how TFs regulate cell fate it is important to identify their genomic binding sites in these populations. However, current methods cannot profile TFs genome-wide at or near the single cell level. Here we adapt the CUT&RUN method to profile chromatin proteins in low cell numbers, mapping TF-DNA interactions in single cells and individual pre-implantation embryos for the first time. Using this method, we demonstrate that the pluripotency TF NANOG is significantly more dependent on the SWI/SNF family ATPase BRG1 for association with its genomic targets in vivo than in cultured cells—a finding that could not have been made using traditional approaches. Ultra-low input CUT&RUN (uliCUT&RUN) enables interrogation of TF binding from low cell numbers, with broad applicability to rare cell populations of importance in development or disease.
Click-xylosides overcome neurotoxic effects of reactive astrocytes and promote neuronal growth in a cell culture model of brain injury
Authors: Vimal Swarup , Kuberan Balagurunathan
Published: March 2018

Astrocytes, upon activation in response to brain injury, play a critical role in protecting neurons by limiting inflammation through the excessive secretion of many soluble factors, such as, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). Unfortunately, excessive CSPGs paradoxically prohibit neuronal recovery and growth, and eventually constitute a scar tissue. Many studies have attempted to overcome this barrier through various molecular approaches including the removal of inhibitory CSPGs by applying chondroitinase enzymes. In this study, we examined whether click-xylosides, which serve as primers of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) biosynthesis, can compete with endogenous inhibitory CSPGs for GAG assembly by serving as decoy molecules and thereby potentially reverse reactive astrocyte mediated neuronal growth inhibition. We investigated the axonal growth of hippocampal neurons in the presence of xyloside treated and untreated reactive astrocyte-conditioned media as a model recapitulating brain injury. Click-xylosides were found to interfere with the GAG biosynthetic machinery in astrocytes and reduced the amount of secreted inhibitory CSPGs by competing with endogenous assembly sites. The extent of underglycosylation was directly related to the outgrowth of hippocampal neurons. Overall, this study suggests that click-xylosides are promising therapeutic agents to treat CNS injuries and warrants further in vivo investigations.
Aversive conditioning in oddball paradigm modulates multisensory integration, attention and emotional processing
Authors: Pavlov Yuri G. , Kotchoubey Boris
Published: March 2018

The nature of cortical plasticity in the course of learning is one of the most intriguing questions of the modern cognitive neuroscience. Aversive conditioning is a type of associative learning produced by continuous pairing of neutral and aversive stimuli. Aversive conditioning and electroencephalography together provide a good framework for expanding our knowledge about fast learning-related cortical changes. In our experiment we tested a novel paradigm to study associative learning where aversive conditioning was combined with passive oddball. We employed conditioned auditory neutral stimuli and unconditioned aversive electrical shocks and used time-frequency, connectivity and event-related potentials (ERP) analyses to explore their interaction. First, we observed changes in the cortical activity in the form of conditioning-induced multisensory integration. The integration manifested itself in (1) desynchronization of lower beta activity in the contralateral to expected electrical shocks hemisphere and (2) enhanced functional connectivity between auditory and somatosensory cortex in the gamma frequency band. Second, we found a larger amplitude of P3a and the late posterior positivity (LPP) components of ERP to conditioned stimuli, which may be related to increased attentional and emotional significance of these stimuli. Our results reproduced and extended previous findings about multisensory integration in classical conditioning and demonstrated the improved discriminability of ERP responses through incorporation of the oddball paradigm in associative learning.
A comprehensive automated pipeline for human microbiome sampling, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatics processing
Authors: Hugerth LW , Seifert M , Pennhag AAL , Du J , Hamsten MC , Schuppe-Koistinen I , Engstrand L
Published: March 2018

The advent of affordable high-throughput DNA sequencing has opened up a golden age of studies in the human microbiome. In order to understand the role of the human microbiota, standardized methods for large-scale, population-level studies are needed to avoid underpowered or poorly designed studies. The biggest bottlenecks to population-level microbiomics are sample collection, storage and DNA extraction. Here, we describe a flexible automated approach to process intestinal biopsies, fecal samples and vaginal swabs from sample collection to OTU table. We have evaluated storage conditions, DNA extraction methods, PCR strategies and bioinformatic pipelines for these three sample types, and present here a set of guidelines and best practices for each of these steps.
Phosphoserine acidic cluster motifs in the cytoplasmic domains of transmembrane proteins bind distinct basic regions on the μ subunits of clathrin adaptor protein complexes
Authors: Singh Rajendra , Stoneham Charlotte , Lim Christopher , Jia Xiaofei , Guenaga Javier , Wyatt Richard , Wertheim Joel O. , Xiong Yong , Guatelli John
Published: March 2018

Protein trafficking in the endosomal system involves the recognition of specific signals within the cytoplasmic domains (CDs) of transmembrane proteins by clathrin adaptors. One such signal is the phosphoserine acidic cluster (PSAC), the prototype of which is in the endoprotease Furin. How PSACs are recognized by clathrin adaptors has been controversial. We reported previously that HIV-1 Vpu, which modulates cellular immunoreceptors, contains a PSAC that binds to the µ subunits of clathrin adaptor protein (AP) complexes. Here, we show that the CD of Furin binds the µ subunits of AP-1 and AP-2 in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Moreover, we identify a PSAC in a cytoplasmic loop of the cellular transmembrane Serinc3, an inhibitor of the infectivity of retroviruses. The two serines within the PSAC of Serinc3 are phosphorylated by casein kinase II and mediate interaction with the µ subunits in vitro. The sites of these serines vary among mammals in a manner consistent with host-pathogen conflict, yet the Serinc3-PSAC seems dispensible for anti-HIV activity and for counteraction by HIV-1 Nef. The CDs of Vpu, Furin, and the PSAC-containing loop of Serinc3 each bind the μ subunit of AP-2 (µ2) with similar affinities, but they appear to utilize different basic regions on µ2. The Serinc3 loop requires a region previously reported to bind the acidic plasma membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate. These data suggest that the PSACs within different proteins recognize different basic regions on the µ surface, providing the potential to inhibit the activity of viral proteins without necessarily affecting cellular protein trafficking.
Direct derivation (DD) of weight fractions of individual crystalline phases from observed intensities and chemical composition data: incorporation of the DD method into the whole-powder-pattern fitting procedure
Authors: Toraya Hideo
Published: March 2018

A formula for quantitative phase analysis (QPA), called the intensity–composition (IC) formula, can be used for deriving weight fractions of individual crystalline phases in a mixture from sets of observed integrated intensities, measured in a wide 2θ range, with chemical composition data [Toraya (2016).J. Appl. Cryst.49, 1508–1516; Toraya (2017).J. Appl. Cryst.50, 820–829]. In this study, the IC formula has been incorporated into the whole-powder-pattern fitting (WPPF) procedure to conduct QPA. The fitting function for calculating the profile intensity at each step of the scattering angle consists of three sub-functions that represent the individual component diffraction patterns. The first sub-function calculates the diffraction pattern using a set of integrated intensities, the parameter values of which are determined by the least-squares fitting of the whole-powder pattern as is usually done by the whole-powder-pattern decomposition (WPPD) method. The second sub-function uses a set of integrated intensity parameters, which are preliminarily prepared by WPPD or may be calculated from a crystal structure model. These intensity parameters, multiplied by a scale factor, are fixed at their original values while the scale factor is adjusted in WPPF. The third sub-function uses an observed or calculated diffraction pattern multiplied by a scale factor. This diffraction pattern can be fitted directly by adjusting the scale factor. Therefore, one can fit patterns consisting of heavily broadened and degraded diffraction lines, like those of clay minerals, without being concerned with the problem of peak overlap in decomposing the diffraction pattern. The IC formula uses the total sums of the intensities under the diffraction patterns of individual phases as observed data sets; therefore, it can equally treat these intensity data sets irrespective of differences in the profile models used by the three sub-functions. The three sub-functions can arbitrarily be chosen and linearly combined, and then they can simultaneously be fitted to the observed diffraction pattern of a target mixture. The capability of the above method has been demonstrated with QPA of mixtures consisting of α-quartz, albite and kaolinite. Theories of currently used QPA techniques are reviewed from a viewpoint of the present theory and they can be interpreted as being based on the same principle, whereby the total observed intensities of individual phases are divided by the standard reference intensity per unit weight.
Abusive supervision: a framework of developmental solutions to this workplace menace
Authors: Pradhan Sajeet , Jena Lalatendu Kesari
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a preventive framework that will neutralize the pernicious effects of abusive supervision in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the extant literature, the study takes an exploratory viewpoint of the harmful effects of abusive supervision on subordinates and offers intervention strategies that will provide both preemptive measures and reactive recourse for the victim.

Findings

As abusive supervision cannot be completely eradicated from workplace, the study offers a preventive framework (based on the stress and health management models of Parkes and Sparkes, 1998; Quick, 1999) that will counter abusive supervision at different points in time and through different interventions (psychosocial and socio-technical).

Originality/value

The paper is the first of its kind as it offers a comprehensive solution (both proactive and reactive) to the problems associated with abusive supervision. Previous studies have purely focused on various coping mechanisms for the victim.
Cross-border branching in the Latin American banking sector
Authors: Fávero Luiz Paulo Lopes , dos Santos Marco Aurélio , Serra Ricardo Goulart
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Branching is not the only way for foreign banks to enter a national market, and it is impractical when there are informational and cultural barriers and asymmetries among countries. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the determinants of cross-border branching in the Latin American banking sector, a region with regulatory disparity and political and economic instability, offering elements to a grounded strategic decision.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses data from six Latin American countries. To account for the preponderance of zero counts, classes of zero-inflated models are applied (Poisson, negative binomial, and mixed). Model fit indicators obtained from differences between observed and estimated counts are used for comparisons, considering branches in each region established by banks from every other foreign region of the sample.

Findings

Branching by foreign banks is positively correlated with the population, GDP per capita, household disposable income, and economic freedom score of the host country. The opposite holds for the unemployment rate and entry regulations of the host country.

Originality/value

Few paper address cross-border banking in emerging economies. This paper analyzes cross-border branching in Latin America in the context of the current financial integration and bank strategy. Econometrically, its pioneering design allows modeling of inflation of zeros, over-dispersion, and the multilevel data structure. This design allowed testing of a novel country-level variable: the host country’s economic freedom score.
Profiling emerging market investors: a segmentation approach
Authors: Kumar Satish , Goyal Nisha , Basu Rituparna
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to obtain a market-oriented approach to segment individual investors in terms of their attitudes and behaviour towards investment. It also attempts to understand the impact of certain demographic variables like gender, age and education on the behaviour of individual investors in the emerging urban Indian market.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was used to obtain a total of 340 valid responses which were collected from March 2016 to August 2016. Factor analysis was used to explore the components. Based on these components, cluster analysis was used to identify different subgroups. Statistical techniques, namely, t-test, analysis of variance and Fisher’s least significant difference test were used to examine the impact of demographic variables.

Findings

Factor analysis displayed five components, namely, interest in financial matters, anxiety for money, logical decisions, concern for future and spending tendency. Cluster analysis indicates that individuals can be divided into five clusters based on these components. It further substantiates that gender and education have a significant association with each subgroup.

Research limitations/implications

Individual investor segments that were identified and profiled may provide an opportunity for advisors, financial analysts, organisations and investors to improve investment decision making. In this way, financial service firms can identify and provide services based on group-specific needs.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to segment Indian investors into different homogeneous groups based on their attitude and behaviour towards financial matters.
Intention to use e-banking services in the Jordanian commercial banks
Authors: Yaseen Saad Ghaleb , El Qirem Ihab Ali
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the essential factors influencing the adoption and use of e-banking services as perceived by customers of the Jordanian commercial banks.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adapts and modifies the unified theory of acceptance and use of the technology model. Modifications were made to explain intention to use e-banking services.

Findings

The modified model explained 0.887 of behavior intention variance and 0.516 percent of the intended degree of e-banking services use variance. Three constructs are found to be good predictors: effort expectancy (EE), social influence, and perceived e-banking services quality. Performance expectancy and hedonic motivation are not significant predictors. However, all three predictors were significantly moderated by age only.

Research limitations/implications

As with any research in the field of IT adoption and consumer behavior, researchers should take into consideration the generalization of their empirical findings. The generalization could be enhanced if future research uses the Jordanian baking sector which includes Jordanian and non-Jordanian banks. Finally, the current research findings are based on the cross-sectional research method. Taking this fact into consideration, the relation between intention and actual use may raise questions. One solution is to study intention and actual use at different points in time by conducting longitudinal research to access and test the research hypotheses.

Practical implications

Managers need to focus on promoting e-banking services in terms of consumer’s EE, social influence, and e-banking service quality. Since young consumers are early adopters, Jordanian banks need to introduce added entertainment values for youth and extra convenience for older consumers.

Originality/value

The main contributions revolve around developing a better understanding of the essential factors influencing the adoption and use of e-banking services. This research incorporates a new variable: perceived e-banking quality. Thus, the proposed model provides better explanatory power than previous research.
Modelling local autonomy and dependence through cooperative relations
Authors: Medir Tejado Lluís , Pano Esther
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Given the spread of multi-level governance tools, interaction between local and regional governments has become an important mechanism for service delivery and the implementation of public policies. The purpose of this paper is to empirically test a model of cooperative relations affecting local governments and thus having impact on local autonomy and dependence.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes previous typologies as a starting point to theoretically build and empirically test a model of cooperative relations based on two selected indicators: the degree of autonomy-dependence and the degree of rigidity-flexibility of the cooperative system. In a second step, the authors stimulate the model numerically to match real data on it coming from South European local governments to assess the functioning of the theory in a concrete space and time.

Findings

The combination of the aforementioned concepts, creates a four-option theoretical model that describes four possible situations where cooperative intergovernmental relations can be empirically placed.

Originality/value

This paper points out the need to incorporate empirical studies to trace the characteristics and evolution of the cooperative relations between local governments and upper tiers. This is particularly relevant if the authors are referring to mechanisms that can vary through time. In the current big and open data era, this empirical process will become easier and more affordable. In this context, local government studies benefit from particular features that improve the operation of this kind of analysis: large “N” configuration (a large number of units to be included) and a reasonable equivalence in concepts and bodies that allows comparability.
Does local autonomy facilitate local government reform initiatives? Evidence from Switzerland
Authors: Keuffer Nicolas
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate to what extent the initiatives of local governments to launch modernisation processes are facilitated by local autonomy, which is increasingly important in both the theory and practice of public policy and management.

Design/methodology/approach

Local government reforms are distinguished according to the institutional structure at which they are directed and local autonomy is assessed as a multidimensional concept. Drawing on a multilevel analysis of the Swiss case, this paper combines data stemming from a survey conducted at the local tier with secondary data from the regional tier.

Findings

The main empirical findings are threefold. First, when local governments undertake managerial or political reform initiatives, their autonomy with respect to higher levels of government matters. Second, it is not local autonomy but rather the perception of structural problems that is the force driving territorial reforms. Third, it is not the autonomy enjoyed by local governmentsvis-à-vislocal factors, but rather the pressures stemming from that context that may lead to reforms.

Originality/value

By adopting a comparative approach to local autonomy, this paper shows that local governments which have sufficient latitude for local policy making are likely to take initiatives to improve service delivery in accordance with local preferences.
Local government modernization in Albania
Authors: Guga Elona
Published: March 2018

Purpose

An attempt will be made to shed light on the course and pattern of the decentralization process by analyzing the historical development of local government and the territorial-administrative reform of 2015-2020 in Albania and the factors that have been shaping it. The scope is to understand the impact of the reform elements on the subnational governments and in general their overall impact on the government. The purpose of this paper is to fill the gap in the existing literature for Albania and at offering some insights on the administrative-territorial reform. Furthermore, it will contribute to the current debate on fiscal decentralization in South Eastern European (SEE) countries and the public management model implemented after the last reforms.

Design/methodology/approach

The first section analyzes the historical development of local government reforms from the 1990s to today and will help to identify if there is instrumentalism advocacy. The second section explains the determinants of the local government’s fiscal autonomy in Albania of the period from 2003 to 2016. Three indicators are used as proxies for fiscal decentralization: the proportion of subnational expenditure over national expenditure, of total subnational revenues over total revenues of central government and the indicator of own subnational revenues over total revenues of the central government. The data from the budget and the revised budgets are then compared.

Findings

Despite Albania’s commitment to decentralize its government functions, there is still work to do. The territorial and administrative reform has not generated the expected results. Almost 90 percent of the revenues still come from the central government’s unconditional transfers. Therefore, the Albanian Government should build capacities and skills, and train the employees of each level of government that currently benefit from international assistance.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis represents a single case study on the territorial-administrative reform in Albania. Its implementation started in 2015 and it is probably too early to discuss outcomes. However, it might be useful to analyze the first results after a two-and-a-half-year period of implementation of reforms. Despite contributing to the existing gap in the literature, additional research will be necessary to better understand the decentralization process not only in Albania, but in all SEE countries.

Practical implications

It is necessary to first understand the lack of initial output, as well as the various challenges faced, in order to take the corrective measures on time.

Originality/value

This paper discusses in detail the reform adopted and the progress made by the Albanian local government units. The reform attempts to develop better relationships between the central and local governments and hence improve their service delivery, transparency and accountability. This paper is the first one that is attempting to analyze the initial output of the territorial-administrative reform of 2015-2020.
The role of TPLs in innovative logistics solutions in importation
Authors: Vitorino Razzera Alessandra , Machado Marcelo André
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of third-party logistics providers (TPLs) in providing innovative logistics solutions for Brazilian importations.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study has been conducted in which four logistics service providers are interviewed on the topic of innovation in importation logistics. The collected data (interviews, brochures and presentations) were triangulated and analyzed.

Findings

The collected data highlight the integrating role of TPLs in providing innovative logistics solutions of the technological nature, in addition to drivers, which involve communication, trust, logistics and institutional actions.

Research limitations/implications

This study, instead of focusing on procedural issues, intended to focus on two important theoretical and practical drivers: innovation in the importation process and strengthening of intangible factors. It is known that trading conditions and geographical proximity have an impact in importation, but they have not been discussed here because of the subject delimitation of the present study. Regarding the implications of the present study, no specific theoretical reference has been found on the subject in terms of the importation process but is rather related to information technology, which is then presented.

Practical implications

This study focuses on the fundamental role of TPLs in the development of innovative logistics solutions in importation.

Social implications

The fundamental role of TPLs in the development of innovative logistics solutions in importation is based on trust and relationship, internal and external to the organization.

Originality/value

This study, instead of focusing on procedural issues, intends to focus on two important theoretical and practical drivers – innovation in the importation process and strengthening of intangible factors – suggesting that a change of mind-set and a differentiated background in importation logistics are developed by TPLs.
Archaeological site of Bat-Oman, management and public perception
Authors: Benkari Naima
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the physical context of the necropolis of Bat, look at its management by the Omani Ministry of Heritage and Culture (MHC), and discusse the challenges it is facing. It will also shed light on how the site of Bat is perceived by the local community and visitors.

Design/methodology/approach

The archaeological complex of Bat, al-Khutm, and al-Ayn was listed by the UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1988. Despite this classification, relatively little attention has been given to the management of this site. The author conducted interviews with representatives of the MHC in order to understand how this site is being managed, and the author uploaded an online public questionnaire to learn how the population is being educated about the importance of this heritage.

Findings

The results of this investigation revealed a surprisingly high level of public awareness about the importance of this site to the country socially, and economically. In spite of this awareness, the site is not visited frequently because it is not adequately equipped: a situation that was clearly outlined by the respondents. Suggestions were proposed in order to better integrate this site into the local development plans and the socio-economic growth of the whole region.

Originality/value

The originality of this research is that it took the site of investigation an archaeological site listed by the UNESCO for its outstanding universal value and contrary to what is expected, this site was “forgotten” in all development and management plans executed by the local and central government for almost two decades. It is also the first research about a site in Oman to address such issues and use these methods.
Does organizational climate moderate the relationship between job stress and intent to stay?
Authors: Vong Louis Tze-Ngai , Ngan Henrique Fátima Boyol , Lo Patrick Chun-Pong
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating influence of organizational climate in the relationship between job stress and intent to stay.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has used a non-probability sampling design for data collection. A semi-structured questionnaire has been prepared and a street survey has been carried out at popular public places in Macau.

Findings

This study shows that stressful employees working in organizations characterized by unsupportive organizational climate had far less desire to stay with the organization than those working in organizations with supportive organizational climate.

Research limitations/implications

Street intercept survey is a technique of convenience sampling. This makes it difficult to generalize the study’s findings to the entire population.

Originality/value

Few studies to date have paid attention to the influence of organizational climate between job stress and intent to stay. The multi-industry context from which the data are collected suggests that the results and findings are useful to managers and practitioners from across a broad range of business sectors.
SEC staff issues guidance on Rule 14a-8 calling for board involvement in evaluating shareholder proposals
Authors: Parrino Richard J. , Dye Alan , Bahn Alex
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper examines a legal bulletin issued by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in November 2017 that provides significant new guidance to SEC-reporting companies on the application of the “ordinary business” and “economic relevance” exceptions in Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Rule 14a-8 governs an SEC-reporting company’s obligation to include shareholder proposals in its proxy materials for a shareholder meeting.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides in-depth analysis of the new interpretive guidance against the background of continuing controversy between companies and shareholder-proponents over the bases on which companies should be permitted to exclude from their proxy materials proposals that proponents believe raise social, ethical or other policy issues that are appropriate for shareholder action.

Findings

In acting on a company’s request to exclude a proposal, the SEC staff must make difficult judgments regarding the connection between policy issues reflected in the proposal and the company’s business operations, which the company’s directors and officers seek to conduct free of inappropriate shareholder oversight. In the new guidance, the staff calls for assistance in making these judgments by soliciting greater board-level involvement in the exclusion determination and encouraging the company in its no-action submission to discuss the board’s analysis and decision-making process. Greater board participation should encourage a more probing assessment of the considerations weighed in these determinations.

Originality/value

This paper provides expert guidance on a major new SEC disclosure requirement from experienced securities lawyers.
MSRB publishes 2017 compliance advisory for broker-dealers
Authors: Anderson Scott R. , Audette James , Poorbaugh Kate S.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

To summarize the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s 2017 Compliance Advisory for brokers, dealers and municipal securities dealers.

Design/methodology/approach

Summarizes several Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) rules that the Compliance Advisory highlights as presenting key compliance risks for brokers, dealers and municipal securities dealers. Discusses the factors included in the Compliance Advisory that dealers should consider when evaluating compliance procedures and controls.

Findings

By highlighting some key compliance risks and providing considerations tailored to those risks, the Compliance Advisory can be used as a tool to aid dealers in developing and assessing effective compliance programs.

Practical implications

Dealers should consider reviewing their firm’s existing compliance policies and procedures in light of the considerations discussed in the Compliance Advisory.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from experienced securities and financial services regulatory lawyers.