bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clair3-RNA: A deep learning-based small variant caller for long-read RNA sequencing data
Authors: Zheng Zhenxian , Yu Xian , Chen Lei , Lee Yan-Lam , Xin Cheng , Wong Angel On Ki , Jain Miten , Kesharwani Rupesh K , Sedlazeck Fritz J , Luo Ruibang
Published: November 2024

Variant calling using long-read RNA sequencing (lrRNA-seq) can be applied to diverse tasks, such as capturing full-length isoforms and gene expression profiling. It poses challenges, however, due to higher error rates than DNA data, the complexities of transcript diversity, RNA editing events, etc. In this paper, we propose Clair3-RNA, the first deep learning-based variant caller tailored for lrRNA-seq data. Clair3-RNA leverages the strengths of the Clair series pipelines and incorporates several techniques optimized for lrRNA-seq data, such as uneven coverage normalization, refinement of training materials, editing site discovery, and the incorporation of phasing haplotype to enhance variant-calling performance. Clair3-RNA is available for various platforms, including PacBio and ONT complementary DNA sequencing (cDNA), and ONT direct RNA sequencing (dRNA). Our results demonstrated that Clair3-RNA achieved a ~91% SNP F1-score on the ONT platform using the latest ONT SQK-RNA004 kit (dRNA004) and a ~92% SNP F1-score in PacBio Iso-Seq and MAS-Seq for variants supported by at least four reads. The performance reached a ~95% and ~96% F1-score for ONT and PacBio, respectively, with at least ten supporting reads and disregarding the zygosity. With read phased, the performance reached ~97% for ONT and ~98% for PacBio. Extensive evaluation of various GIAB samples demonstrated that Clair3-RNA consistently outperformed existing callers and is capable of distinguishing RNA high-quality editing sites from variants accurately. Clair3-RNA is open-source and available at (https://github.com/HKU-BAL/Clair3-RNA).
HG-DCM: History Guided Deep Compartmental Model for Early Stage Pandemic Forecasting
Authors: Wei Ziming , Li Michael Lingzhi
Published: November 2024

We introduce the History-Guided Deep Compartmental Model (HG-DCM), a novel framework for early-stage pandemic forecasting that synergizes deep learning with compartmental modeling to harness the strengths of both interpretability and predictive capacity. HG-DCM employs a Residual Convolutional Neural Network (RCNN) to learn temporal patterns from historical and current pandemic data while incorporating epidemiological and demographic metadata to infer interpretable parameters for a compartmental model to forecast future pandemic growth. Experimental results on early-stage COVID-19 and Monkeypox forecasting tasks demonstrate that HG-DCM outperforms both standard compartmental models (e.g., DELPHI) and standalone deep neural networks (e.g., GRU) in predictive accuracy and stability, particularly with limited data. By effectively integrating historical pandemic insights, HG-DCM offers a scalable approach for interpretable and accurate forecasting, laying the groundwork for future real-time pandemic modeling applications.
Effectiveness and safety of psychosocial interventions for the treatment of cannabis use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Halicka Monika , Parkhouse Thomas L , Webster Katie , Spiga Francesca , Hines Lindsey A , Freeman Tom P , Sanghera Sabina , Dawson Sarah , Paterson Craig , Savović Jelena , Higgins Julian PT , Caldwell Deborah M
Published: November 2024

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for cannabis use disorder (CUD).

Design

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs; PROSPERO protocol CRD42024553382). We searched databases (MEDLINE/PsycInfo/Cochrane CENTRAL) to 12-Jun-2024. We assessed results using Risk of Bias 2 and conducted meta-analyses where possible.

Setting

Inpatient/outpatient/community-based.

Participants

Individuals with CUD aged ≥16 years.

Interventions

Psychosocial interventions lasting >4 sessions, delivered in real time.

Measurements

Primary outcomes were continuous- and point-abstinence, withdrawal intensity, treatment completion and adverse events.

Findings

We included 22 RCTs (3,304 participants). At the end of treatment, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) increased point abstinence (odds ratio [OR]=18.27, 95% confidence interval [9.00; 37.07]), and continuous abstinence (OR=2.72 [1.20; 6.19]), but reduced treatment completion (OR=0.53 [0.35; 0.85]) versus inactive/nonspecific comparators. Dialectical behavioural/acceptance and commitment therapy increased point abstinence versus inactive/nonspecific comparators (OR=4.34 [1.74; 10.80]). The effect of CBT plus affect management versus CBT on point abstinence was OR=7.85 [0.38; 163.52]. The effect of CBT plus abstinence-based contingency management versus CBT on point abstinence was OR=3.78 [0.83; 17.25], and on continuous abstinence OR=1.81 [0.61; 5.41]. For CBT plus abstinence-contingency management versus CBT plus attendance-contingency management, the effect on point abstinence was OR=1.61 [0.72; 3.60], and on continuous abstinence OR=2.04 [0.75; 5.58]. The effect of community reinforcement on point abstinence was OR=0.29 [0.04; 1.90] versus CBT, and on continuous abstinence OR=47.36 [16.00; 140.21] versus nonspecific comparator. Interventions other than CBT may not affect treatment completion. No adverse events were reported. No study reported withdrawal intensity. Two economic evaluations reported higher costs for more complex psychosocial interventions and contingency management.

Conclusions

Cognitive-behavioural and dialectical behavioural/acceptance and commitment therapies may increase abstinence relative to inactive/nonspecific comparators. The conclusions remain tentative due to low to very low certainty of evidence and small number of studies.
Integrating spatial transcriptomics and snRNA-seq data enhances differential gene expression analysis results of AD-related phenotypes
Authors: Tang Shizhen , Liu Shihan , Buchman Aron S. , Bennett David A. , De Jager Philip L. , Hu Jian , Yang Jingjing
Published: November 2024

Background

Spatial transcriptomics (ST) data provide spatially-informed gene expression for studying complex diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Existing studies using ST data to identify genes with spatially-informed differential gene expression (DGE) of complex diseases have limited power due to small sample sizes. Conversely, single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) data offer larger sample sizes for studying cell-type specific (CTS) DGE but lack spatial information. In this study, we integrated ST and snRNA-seq data to enhance the power of spatially-informed CTS DGE analysis of AD-related phenotypes.

Method

First, we utilized the recently developed deep learning toolCelEryto infer the spatial location of ∼1.5M cells from snRNA-seq data profiled from dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) tissue of436postmortem brains in the ROS/MAP cohorts. Spatial locations of six cortical layers that have distinct anatomical structures and biological functions were inferred. Second, we conducted cortical-layer specific (CLS) and CTS DGE analyses for three quantitative AD-related phenotypes –– β-amyloid, tangle density, and cognitive decline. CLS-CTS DGE analyses were conducted based on linear mixed regression models with pseudo-bulk scRNA-seq data and inferred cortical layer locations.

Results

We identified 450 potential CLS-CTS significant genes with nominal p-values<10-4, including 258 for β-amyloid, 122 for tangle density, and 127 for cognitive decline. Majority of these identified genes, including the ones having known associations with AD (e.g.,APOE,KCNIP3, andCTSD), cannot be detected by traditional CTS DGE analyses without considering spatial information. We also identified 8 genes shared across all three phenotypes, 21 between β-amyloid and tangle density, 10 between cognitive decline and tangle density, and 10 between β-amyloid and cognitive density. Particularly, Gene Set Enrichment Analyses with the CLS-CTS DGE results of microglia in cortical layer-6 of β-amyloid identified 12 significant AD-related pathways.

Conclusion

Incorporating spatial information with snRNA-seq data detected significant genes and pathways for AD-related phenotypes that would not be identified by traditional CTS DGE analyses. These identified CLS-CTS significant genes not only help illustrate the pathogenesis of AD, but also provide potential CLS-CTS targets for developing therapeutics of AD.
Enhanced antifungal activity of NK-92 cells againstCandida albicansmediated by a mannan-specific chimeric antigen receptor
Authors: de Campos Gabriela Yamazaki , Guimarães Júlia Garcia , Machado Michele Procópio , Oliveira Brito Patrícia Kellen Martins , Shin Ben , Di Maio Antonio , dos Santos Douglas , Palma Patricia Vianna Bonini , dos Reis Thaila Fernanda , Goldman Gustavo Henrique , Palma Angelina S. , Matthews Steve J. , Feizi Ten , Liu Yan , da Silva Thiago Aparecido
Published: November 2024

Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) offer promising prospects for innovative cell-based therapies against invasive fungal infections such as invasive candidiasis. Here, we have developed four CARs targetingCandida albicanswith distinct single-chain variable fragments (scFvs): scFv3-CAR, scFv5-CAR, scFv12-CAR, and scFvκ3-1-CAR. In T cells, scFv5-CAR induced IL-2 expression in response toC. albicanshyphae, while scFv3-CAR and scFv12-CAR did not mediate cell activation againstC. albicans. Notably, scFvκ3-1-CAR mediated the strongest cell activation againstC. albicansyeast, hyphae, and other clinically relevantCandidaspecies. scFvκ3-1-CAR-NK-92 cells exhibited elevated IFN-γ and CD107a expression, reducingC. albicansviability. NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice treated with scFvκ3-1-CAR-NK-92 cells had reducedC. albicansburden in the kidney 24 hours postinfection. We showed that scFvκ3-1-CAR targetsC. albicansmannan but no other glycans in glycan microarray screening analyses. These findings reveal the scFvκ3-1-CAR potential as a therapeutic strategy for treatingCandidaspp. by modifying peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Importance

Recent studies on novel immunotherapies, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, have shown promising results in preclinical models against invasive fungal infections (IFIs). However, the application of CAR technology in natural killer (NK) cells for treating IFIs remains unexplored. NK cells play a key role in early fungal clearance due to their antifungal activity mediated by granzymes, perforins, and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. This study is the first to demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of CAR-modified NK cells targetingCandidaspp. We provided proof-of-concept data showing that CAR-expressing NK cells exhibit enhanced activation and antifungal effects against clinically relevantCandidaspecies by targeting mannan in the fungal cell wall. These findings are significant as they open new avenues for developing CAR-NK-based therapies to treat invasive candidiasis – a severe infection with limited treatment options and high mortality rates, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
GABA and glycine synaptic release on axotomized motoneuron cell bodies promotes motor axon regeneration
Authors: Wood Ryan L. , Calvo Paula M. , McCallum William M. , English Arthur W. , Alvarez Francisco J.
Published: November 2024

Motor axon regeneration after traumatic nerve injuries is a slow process that adversely influences patient outcomes because muscle reinnervation delays result in irreversible muscle atrophy and suboptimal axon regeneration. This advocates for investigating methods to accelerate motor axon growth. Electrical nerve stimulation and exercise both enhance motor axon regeneration in rodents and patients, but these interventions cannot always be easily implemented. A roadblock to uncover novel therapeutic approaches based on the effects of activity is the lack of understanding of the synaptic drives responsible for activity-mediated facilitation of axon regeneration. We hypothesized that the relevant excitatory inputs facilitating axon regrowth originate in GABA/glycine synapses which become depolarizing after downregulation of the potassium chloride cotransporter 2 in motoneurons following axotomy. To test this, we injected tetanus toxin (TeTx) in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of mice to block the release of GABA/glycine specifically on TA motoneurons. Thereafter, we axotomized all sciatic motoneurons by nerve crush and analyzed the time-courses of muscle reinnervation in TeTx- treated (TA) and untreated (lateral gastrocnemius, LG) motoneurons. Muscle reinnervation was slower in TA motoneurons with blocked GABA/glycine synapses, as measured by recovery of M- responses and anatomical reinnervation of neuromuscular junctions. Post-hoc immunohistochemistry confirmed the removal of the vesicular associated membrane proteins 1 and 2 by TeTx activity, specifically from inhibitory synapses. These proteins are necessary for exocytotic release of neurotransmitters. Therefore, we conclude that GABA/glycine neurotransmission on regenerating motoneurons facilitates axon growth and muscle reinnervation and discuss possible interventions to modulate these inputs on regenerating motoneurons.
Identification of TAP2 protein variants resistant to inhibition by the HSV1 ICP47 protein
Authors: Nagy Gregory , Presley Rebecca , Dhar Shruti , Jeon Hyeongseon , Moreira Lynn , Tull Olivia , Gupta Arkobrato , Chung Dongjun , Tsichlis Philip N. , Parvin Jeffrey D.
Published: November 2024

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 evades the host immune system by expressing a protein, ICP47, that binds to and inhibits the heterodimeric Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing (TAP). We screened a library of 1786 variants in TAP2, one of the components of the TAP heterodimer, and identified 39 variants that were resistant to inhibition by ICP47. Of these 39 variants, five were individually tested, and three (T257I, S274H, and T244R) were confirmed to be significantly resistant to inhibition by ICP47. This resistance to inhibition did not extend to the Epstein Barr Virus BNLF2a protein, another viral factor known to inhibit antigen presentation by targeting TAP. These three residues localize close to the binding site of ICP47, on the 3D structure of TAP, but only Ser274 is spatially close to the antigenic peptide binding site of TAP. These results functionally resolve the TAP2 residues required for peptide binding from those required for ICP47 binding and identify TAP2 residues whose targeting with small molecule inhibitors could effectively prevent Herpes virus downregulation of antigen processing.

AUTHOR SUMMARY

T cells detect virus infected cells via viral peptides in complex with the major histocompatibility complex type I (MHC-I) on the cell surface. Herpes Simplex Virus 1 expression of the ICP47 protein allows the virus to evade detection and clearance of infected cells by host T cells. ICP47 binds to the TAP1/TAP2 protein complex and prevents the loading of antigenic peptides onto the MHC-I protein complex and thereby blocks the antigen processing. In this study, we screened for and identified variants of TAP2 with single amino acid substitutions that are no longer inhibited by ICP47. TAP2 proteins with the identified amino acid substitutions functioned normally in antigen processing even in the presence of ICP47. Results from this study create the potential strategy for drugs that target the identified portions of the TAP2 protein and block ICP47 inhibition of antigen processing while retaining normal TAP1/TAP2 function and thus suggest a new antiviral therapeutic approach for herpes virus infections.
Targeted activation of microglial PPARδ reprograms immunometabolism and enhances insulin sensitivity in diet-induced obesity
Authors: Jiao Han , Cázarez-Márquez Fernando , Guo Shanshan , Kalsbeek Andries , Krammer Gertjan , Yi Chun-Xia
Published: November 2024

Microglia play a crucial role in maintaining neuronal health through phagocytosis, a function that becomes compromised during diet-induced obesity and is associated with altered lipid metabolism. Previous research demonstrated that disrupting lipid metabolism in microglia, such as through lipoprotein lipase deficiency, impairs their phagocytic function and exacerbates obesity, glucose dysregulation, and hypothalamic neuron dysfunction. This study investigated whether enhancing lipid metabolism via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) activation could counteract obesity-related metabolic disturbances. Thermal proteome profiling identified GW0742 as the most potent PPARδ ligand among those tested. GW0742 enhanced microglial phagocytosis, reduced inflammation, and shifted energy metabolism towards glycolysis over oxidative phosphorylation. Targeted delivery of GW0742 using nanoparticles (NPs-GW0742) to microglia in the mediobasal hypothalamus of obese rats significantly improved insulin sensitivity without affecting body weight or food intake. Enhanced microglial activation was evidenced by increased soma size and coverage. These findings underscore the importance of microglial lipid metabolism in systemic glucose regulation and highlight the potential of PPARδ-targeted therapies to mitigate hypothalamic inflammation and improve metabolic health in obesity.
CD40 ligation-induced ERK activation promotes autophagy which leads to enhanced radiosensitivity in cervical carcinoma cells
Authors: Liu Baocai , Zhang Yadong , Wang Quan , Wang Qian , Wang Zhixin , Feng Li
Published: November 2024

CD40, a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, plays an important role not only in the immune system, but also in tumor progression. CD40 ligation reportedly promotes autophagy in immune cells. However, the effects of CD40 ligation on autophagy and its mechanism in solid tumor cells are still unclear. In this study, we find that CD40 ligation promotes autophagosome formation, and consequently promotes autophagic flux in cervical cancer cells. Mechanically, this effect relies on that ERK contributes to CD40 ligation-induced ATG13 upregulation by p53. Furthermore, we demonstrates that CD40 ligation-induced autophagy increases the radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells. Taken together, our results provide new evidence for involvement of the CD40 pathway in autophagy and radiotherapy in cervical cancer cells.
Inter- and Intrahemispheric Sources of Vestibular Signals to V1
Authors: Bouvier Guy , Sanzeni Alessandro , Hamada Elizabeth , Brunel Nicolas , Scanziani Massimo
Published: November 2024

Head movements are sensed by the vestibular organs. Unlike classical senses, signals from vestibular organs are not conveyed to a dedicated cortical area but are broadcast throughout the cortex. Surprisingly, the routes taken by vestibular signals to reach the cortex are still largely uncharted. Here we show that the primary visual cortex (V1) receives real-time head movement signals — direction, velocity, and acceleration — from the ipsilateral pulvinar and contralateral visual cortex. The ipsilateral pulvinar provides the main head movement signal, with a bias toward contraversive movements (e.g. clockwise movements in left V1). Conversely, the contralateral visual cortex provides head movement signals during ipsiversive movements. Crucially, head movement variables encoded in V1 are already encoded in the pulvinar, suggesting that those variables are computed subcortically. Thus, the convergence of inter- and intrahemispheric signals endows V1 with a rich representation of the animal’s head movements.
Microglia-Dependent and Independent Modulation of Brain Lipid Metabolism in Alzheimer’s Disease Revealed by Pharmacological and Genetic Microglial Depletion
Authors: Xu Ziying , Shabestari Sepideh Kiani , Barannikov Savannah , Bieniek Kevin F. , Blurton-Jones Mathew , Palavicini Juan Pablo , Han Xianlin
Published: November 2024

Abnormal lipid metabolism in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was first documented by Alois Alzheimer in his early observations of patients with a then unrecognized brain disease, which he noted was characterized by a significant presence of “adipose inclusions” or “lipoid granules”. Despite this early recognition, until recently the significance of abnormal lipid metabolism in AD has been largely overlooked by the scientific community for decades, highlighting a critical gap in our understanding of this complex disease. In the past decade, numerous loci and genes with genome-wide significant evidence of affecting AD risk have been reported. Notably, a significant portion of these AD risk genes are either preferentially or exclusively expressed by microglia in the brain and/or code for enzymes that directly or indirectly regulate lipid metabolism. This suggests a major, yet uncharacterized, role of microglia in modulating brain lipid metabolism under AD pathological conditions. In our study, we dissected microglia-dependent and independent regulation of lipid metabolism in an AD-like mouse model of amyloidosis, 5xFAD, taking advantage of pharmacological and genetic interventions to eliminate microglia. Using multidimensional mass spectrometry-based shotgun lipidomics (MDMS-SL), we identified overt changes in a number of AD-associated lipids (ADALs) in postmortem patient brains and mouse models of amyloidosis. This included bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate (BMP), a lipid class enriched in endosomal/lysosomal compartments, and the two most abundant classes of lysophospholipids: lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), which are commonly associated with inflammation. Our findings revealed that microglial depletion prevented the accumulation of arachidonic acid-containing BMP species, which are associated with lysosomal activation induced by amyloidosis via a mechanism that involves progranulin, coded by AD risk geneGRN, as shown by targeted transcriptomics, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence. Surprisingly, AD-associated LPC and LPE accumulation was not driven by microglia. Instead, LPC accumulation correlated with astrocytic activation, while LPE accumulation seems to be associated with oxidative stress. In summary, we uncovered novel microglia-dependent and independent mechanisms that drive lipid dysregulation in AD. These findings may be mechanistically linked with the early glial lipoid deposits described by Dr. Alzheimer.

Abstract Figure

Graphical Abstract.
Neural evidence for decision-making underlying attractive serial dependence
Authors: Shan Jiangang , Hajonides Jasper E. , Myers Nicholas E.
Published: November 2024

Recall of stimuli is biased by stimulus history, variously manifested as an attractive bias toward or repulsive bias from previous stimuli (i.e., serial dependence). It is unclear when attractive vs repulsive biases arise and if they share neural mechanisms. A recent model of attractive serial dependence proposes a two-stage process in which adaptation causes a repulsive bias during encoding that is later counteracted by an attractive bias at the decision-making stage in a Bayesian-inference-like manner. Neural evidence exists for a repulsive bias at encoding, but evidence for the attractive bias during the response period has been more elusive. We recently [1] showed that while different stimuli in trial history exerted different (attractive or repulsive) serial biases on behavioral reports, during encoding the neural representation of the current item was always repulsively biased. Here we assessed whether this discrepancy between neural and behavioral effects is resolved during subsequent decision-making. Multivariate decoding of magnetoencephalography data during working memory recall showed a neural distinction between attractive and repulsive biases: an attractive neural bias emerged only late in recall. But stimuli that created a repulsive bias on behavior led to a repulsive neural bias early in the recall phase, suggesting that it had already been incorporated earlier. Our results suggest that attractive (but not repulsive) serial dependence arises during decision-making, and that priors that influence post-perceptual decision-making are updated by the previous trial’s target, but not by other stimuli.
Evidence for dual roles of histone H3 lysine 4 in antagonizing Polycomb group function and promoting target gene expression
Authors: Anyetei-Anum Cyril S. , Leatham-Jensen Mary P. , Fox Geoffrey C. , Smith B. Rutledge , Chirasani Venkat R. , Krajewski Krzysztof , Strahl Brian D. , Dowen Jill M. , Matera A. Gregory , Duronio Robert J. , McKay Daniel J.
Published: November 2024

Tight control over cell identity gene expression is necessary for proper adult form and function. The opposing activities of Polycomb and trithorax complexes determine the on/off state of cell identity genes such as the Hox factors. Polycomb group complexes repress target genes, whereas trithorax group complexes are required for their expression. Although trithorax and its orthologs function as methyltransferases specific to histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4), there is no direct evidence that H3K4 regulates Polycomb group target genes in vivo. Using histone gene replacement inDrosophila, we provide evidence of two key roles for replication-dependent histone H3.2K4 in Polycomb target gene control. First, we found that H3.2K4 mutants mimic H3.2K4me3 in antagonizing methyltransferase activity of the PRC2 Polycomb group complex. Second, we found that H3.2K4 is also required for proper activation of Polycomb targets. We conclude that H3.2K4 directly regulates Polycomb target gene expression.
Network model for magnetic higher-order topological phases
Authors: Liu Hui , Moghaddam Ali G. , Varjas Daniel , Fulga Ion Cosma
Published: November 2024

We propose a network-model realization of magnetic higher-order topological phases (HOTPs) in the presence of the combined space-time symmetry C4T—the product of a fourfold rotation and time-reversal symmetry. We show that the system possesses two types of HOTPs. The first type, analogous to Floquet topology, generates a total of eight corner modes at 0 or π eigenphase, while the second type, hidden behind a weak topological phase, yields a unique phase with eight corner modes at ±π/2 eigenphase (after gapping out the counterpropagating edge states), arising from the product of particle-hole and phase-rotation symmetry. By using a bulk Z4 topological index (Q), we found both HOTPs have Q=2, whereas Q=0 for the trivial and the conventional weak topological phase. Together with a Z2 topological index associated with the reflection matrix, we are able to fully distinguish all phases. Our work motivates further studies on magnetic topological phases and symmetry-protected 2π/n boundary modes, as well as suggesting that such phases may find their experimental realization in coupled-ring-resonator networks.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Value-based education in NEP 2020: fostering ethical and moral growth through Dharma
Authors: Isser Suyasha Singh , Raj Nihal , Tomar Mayank , Marwaha Sanjana Sharma , Shastri Swati
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The research examines how the principle of Dharma can be included in the Indian National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The study seeks to know how Dharma as an educational framework can be infused with contemporary education to promote moral and ethical development as well as intellectual growth among students in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses qualitative analysis of NEP 2020 documents and literature related to Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and the concept of Dharma. It analyses the philosophical bases behind NEP including traditional texts like Vedas, Upanishads, among others. Moreover, this study also evaluates how current Dharma teachings are implemented into curriculum by assessing its present status of incorporation as a part of Indian Knowledge System.

Findings

This research has found that national educational reforms have considered many traditional Indian beliefs and values, but they have not done enough when it comes to incorporating Indian Knowledge System and the concept of Dharma into practice through the curriculum. The paper advocates for a system that is grounded on morals, thus blending the current learning standards with cultural heritage. These findings call for continuous endeavouring in order to embed ethical and moral dimensions of Dharma across all levels within India’s education systems.

Practical implications

The integration of Dharma and IKS in education can enhance the development of well-rounded individuals who are not only intellectually competent but also ethically and morally grounded. This strong foundation of Dharma will also act as a personal and professional guide. Educators and policymakers can use these insights to design curricula that promote holistic growth, aligning with both global educational standards and cultural values.

Originality/value

This paper examines the philosophical and ethical foundation of NEP 2020 instead of only considering its pedagogical and skill-enhancement characteristics, thereby giving a fresh viewpoint. It contributes to the discussion on educational reforms in India by highlighting how present educational needs should be linked with traditional values. The research shows that the concept of dharma can help learners develop holistically so that they can meet present-day problems without losing touch with timeless morals.
A bibliometric analysis on the role of corporate governance in micro, small and medium enterprises
Authors: Gora Kapil , Yadav Mahender
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse the existing research on the significance of corporate governance in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to identify significant contributors, emerging trends and prospective future research areas.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors perform a bibliometric analysis using a data set of 343 papers extracted from the Scopus database. R-studio software was used for performance analysis, while VOSviewer software was used for scientific mapping.

Findings

The study’s findings demonstrate that the research has attracted the attention of academics, which has led to a major rise in research over the previous two decades. “Corporate Ownership and Control” is the top contributing journal with the publication of 16 articles. The USA and UK are the top most productive countries. Simon Fraser University of Canada is the most contributing institution. Moreover, this study has identified four major themes: corporate governance assistance to small and medium enterprises, the role of corporate governance in society and management, family ownership and its importance in entrepreneurship, corporate governance issues, family firms and firm performance. Furthermore, the paper also defines the future research scope in each theme.

Originality/value

This study serves as a guide by mapping and analysing the intellectual structure of the corporate governance of MSMEs’ publications. Through this research, the authors better understand the academicians, managers, entrepreneurs and regulators about the condition of entrepreneurship and how they help businesses improve their performance. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to thoroughly analyse the literature on the role of corporate governance in MSMEs using bibliometrics.
GREEN WATECH: low-cost technology for wastewater treatment
Authors: Agarwal Manish , Anirudhan Anil , Dutta Sanjib
Published: November 2024

Learning outcomes

After completion of the case study, the students will be able to discuss how social entrepreneurs identify problems and convert them into opportunities, analyze the challenges faced by social entrepreneurs in setting up and growing a new venture and formulate an expansion strategy for a startup.

Case overview/synopsis

Over 2.6 billion people worldwide needed access to sanitation services, and most of them stayed in rural areas. Lack of access to sanitation had several negative consequences. In the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, sanitation was one of the major challenges, with 66 million people still lacking basic sanitation facilities. Additionally, a very small proportion of the wastewater was properly treated. This lack of access to sanitation was a major barrier to economic development and poverty reduction. Out of the 17 most water-stressed countries in the world, 11 were in the MENA region. About 15 million people in rural Morocco did not have a proper and sustainable sanitation system. However, there was an enormous opportunity to use wastewater as a resource. The global market for wastewater treatment services was valued at US$53bn in 2021, and it was expected to grow to more than US$71bn by 2026. Two Moroccan scientists – Dr Salma Bougarrani and Dr Lahbib Latrach, who were born and brought up in Morocco and had seen the wastewater problem very closely, decided to help the people at the bottom of pyramid (BoP) after completing their PhD in environment and water treatment technologies and multisoil-layering technology. They founded GREEN WATECH, a social enterprise, in 2018, which provided a low-cost, efficient and practical solution for wastewater management in the rural areas of Morocco. GREEN WATECH won many awards and cash prizes for its product and business plan. The company had already reached five regions of Morocco and positively impacted the lives of thousands of Moroccans. The founders were planning to expand to areas in the rest of Morocco and other African and Middle East countries. GREEN WATECH had the potential to significantly impact the lives of people in rural areas and help improve wastewater management systems in developing countries through its patented technology. However, the founders faced several challenges in making their dream a reality. They needed a bigger team to expand to different locations and countries but were finding it difficult to get the right people. They also needed funds to expand their geographical reach but found it tough to get investors as they were still unable to break even. It remained to be seen how the founders of GREEN WATECH would achieve their expansion goals and help people at the BoP in other developing countries.

Complexity academic level

This case study is suited to the Master of Business Administration/Master of Science and executive program.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Do markets react to dividend announcements and sharia compliance? Evidence from organisation of Islamic cooperation countries
Authors: Taufik Muhammad , Handayani Wuri
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the market reaction to dividend announcements and sharia compliance based on the Islamic stock indexes of Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan by scrutinising investors’ interpretations, behaviour (traditional, rational, religious or ethical) and preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

Event study methodology (ESM) was used to analyse 31 days around the event date. The research period spanned 2011–2018, during which 282 observed dividend announcements were tested using a t-test, and there were 4,960 cases of sharia compliance in the data panel.

Findings

Indonesian investors react to earnings surprises as bad news while bypassing dividend announcements, thus classifying their behaviour as rational. Meanwhile, investors in Malaysia and Pakistan respond to dividend announcements as bad news while bypassing earnings surprises, thus classifying their behaviour as traditional. Surprisingly, sharia compliance does not affect abnormal returns. These results imply that investors prefer a profit motive rather than sharia compliance.

Practical implications

To perpetrate positive reactions, companies need to increase earnings (Indonesia), nominal dividends (Malaysia) and delay dividend announcements (Pakistan). Also, tax regulators need to evaluate dividend tax and capital gains tax.

Social implications

Investors cannot solely rely on Islamic stock lists, while regulators and firms must be transparent and accountable regarding sharia compliance ratio.

Originality/value

There is a dearth of research on market reaction in Islamic stock indexes. This study adheres to critical assumptions of ESM: controlling the confounding effects and ensuring market efficiency. These assumptions lead to the proposal of mandatory and advisory sharia compliance, evaluation of ratios using a staple scale and examination of differences in dividend tax rates. An extended tax preference theory is also proposed to contribute to the body of knowledge.
AI-empowered KM processes for decision-making: empirical evidence from worldwide organisations
Authors: Leoni Luna , Gueli Ginetta , Ardolino Marco , Panizzon Mateus , Gupta Shivam
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to provide empirical evidence on adopting artificial intelligence (AI), including generative AI, in knowledge management (KM) processes and its impact on organisational decision-making. Specifically, the study addresses three key research questions: RQ1: How is (generative) AI adopted within KM processes in organisations? RQ2: What factors influence the adoption of AI in these processes, either facilitating or inhibiting it? RQ3: How does AI adoption in KM processes affect organisational decision-making?

Design/methodology/approach

An explorative investigation has been conducted through semi-structured interviews with KM and AI experts from a worldwide sample of 52 mostly private, large and for-profit organisations. Interviews have been analysed through a mixed thematic analysis.

Findings

The study provides an original framework in which the three investigated concepts are interconnected according to a dual relationship: linear and retroactive and 20 factors affecting AI adoption within KM processes.

Practical implications

The provided model guides managers in improving their organisational decision-making through AI adoption in KM processes. Moreover, according to the rational decision-making model, the authors propose a six-step systematic procedure for managers.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that simultaneously addresses AI, KM and decision-making and provides an integrated framework showing the relationships between them, allowing organisations to better and practically understand how to ameliorate their decision-making through AI adoption in KM processes.
Exploring tourists’ pro-environmental behavior: a bibliometric analysis over two decades (1999–2023)
Authors: Carvajal-Trujillo Elena , Pérez-Gálvez Jesús Claudio , Orts-Cardador Jaime Jose
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The main objective of this article is to visualize the structure and trends of pro-environmental behavior (PEB) between 1999 and 2023 through mapping and in-depth analysis. The aim is to analyze PEB, which has received considerable academic attention in recent years due to its key role in the conservation of the environment and the protection of local communities in tourist destinations. This paper provides an important summary of the recent research that has explored the role that tourists have in protecting the environment through PEB.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a visual analysis of 2005 scholarly articles between the years 1999 and 2023 related to PEB. Using the knowledge mapping based on VOSviewer it presents the current status of research, which includes the analysis of citation analysis, co-citation analysis, co-citation network and longitudinal analysis.

Findings

PEB is an emerging topic due to its relevance to protecting the environment in the context of travel. The citation and co-citation analysis show the relevance of the behavior of tourists with regard to protecting the environment. The co-word analysis highlights the current significance of research concerning green hotels and the destination image of environmentally responsible destinations.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on the current research progress of PEB in the context of tourism through a comprehensive analysis (citation, co-citation and co-word). In addition, we provide theories and factors that have been previously used to study PEB in the context of tourism. The findings contribute to a broad and diverse understanding of the concept of PEB, which can provide important insights for policymakers in formulating management strategies and policies aimed at reducing environmental impacts in destinations.
Sustainability in the chocolate industry: a scoping review of accounting journals and the development of a research agenda
Authors: Harris Claire , Perkiss Stephanie , Tanima Farzana Aman
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Chocolate production and cocoa supply chains are rife with social and environmental challenges. Chocolate companies commonly make claims that their products are “sustainable”, giving little guidance on what this means. The aim of this paper is to conduct a scoping review to synthesise the accounting literature related to the chocolate industry and sustainability and develop a research agenda for accounting scholarship.

Design/methodology/approach

The scoping review followed Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) five-stage framework for a scoping review. Nineteen accounting journals were searched for literature on “chocolate OR cocoa AND sustainability” from 2000 to 2023. A total of 171 papers were identified through the search, of which 18 were deemed relevant and included for thematic analysis. The themes are analysed using a conceptual framework on accountability.

Findings

Analysis of the relevant literature revealed three distinct perspectives on sustainability in the chocolate industry. These include critique on the problems related to top-down accountability approaches in the chocolate industry; that accountability mechanisms have fallen short in managing sustainability challenges; and that sustainability interventions are driven by profit motives. The themes further reveal a lack of accountability in the industry for marginalised voices.

Originality/value

The scoping review methodology used in this study offers insights into the diverse perspectives on sustainability in the chocolate industry. This research adds valuable knowledge to the field by uncovering nuanced issues around accountability and sustainability and highlighting the need for future research for accountability for sustainable chocolate production.
Political legitimacy after the pits: Corruption narratives and labour power in a former coalmining town in England
Authors: Hilhorst Sacha
Published: November 2024

This article examines the erosion of political legitimacy in ex‐mining towns in England. Political sociologists and political scientists have long taken an interest in the politics of coalmining areas, which were characterised by high strike rates and militant left values. More recently, the question of legitimacy in these areas has resurfaced, as now‐deindustrialised pit towns register unusually high levels of political discontent and disengagement compared to areas with similar economic and demographic profiles. In interviews and group discussions with 93 residents of the former mining town of Mansfield, England, I find that many express ideas that profoundly challenge the system of representative democracy in its current form, with almost one in three participants understanding politics primarily through the frame of corruption. Drawing on an emergent literature which casts corruption talk as a moralised discourse of political in/exclusion, I argue that the corruption frame is best understood as the inversion of a now‐defunct symbolic economy. As workers in pit towns no longer received the same tokens of care from their representatives, reflecting their reduced power, many came to understand the political system as corrupt and illegitimate.
Perceived Employer Psychological Contract Fulfillment of New‐Generation Employees in China: Scale Development and Validity
Authors: Gu Qinxuan , Gao Han
Published: November 2024

Existing psychological contract (PC) research has paid inadequate attention to specific cohorts like new‐generation employees and their perceptions of employers' psychological contract fulfillment (PCF). Individuals' expectations and perceptions of employer obligations may differ contingent on age and life experience in different societal contexts. We explore the construct of perceived employer PCF among new‐generation employees in China through one pilot study and two formal studies. The pilot study shows that new‐generation employees' PCF generally differs from that of previous generations. In Study 1, we use qualitative and quantitative methods to develop a perceived employer PCF scale and find five dimensions: Employee care, positive culture and climate, empowering employees, salary and benefit satisfaction, growth and development. In Study 2, establishment of validity confirms the factor structure of Study 1, indicating the proposed measurement is valid. Our findings have significant implications for research and practice for new‐generation employees in China.
Responding to nonemergency calls for service via video: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gates Stewart , Ariel Barak , Assaraf Noy
Published: November 2024

Research summary

We tested the effectiveness of virtual response in policing as an alternative to the traditional physical presence of officers to nonemergency calls for service. We randomly assigned 1059 eligible calls to either virtual or in‐person responses. We estimated the results in terms of waiting time, criminal justice outcomes, cost efficiency, and victim satisfaction based on a representative sample of telephone interviews. We found significant improvements across all measures when using a virtual response, including reduced victim waiting times, greater odds of arrest and charges, and enhanced perceptions of procedural justice, satisfaction, trust, and confidence in the police service. We found no adverse effects on victims due to the lack of physical presence.

Research implications

These findings suggest that, as with e‐health services, law enforcement can benefit from a cost–beneficial virtual response to nonemergency calls for service. We encourage its consideration as a mass deployment option in policing, as well as a basis for future experimental replications.
Long‐term follow‐up of anti‐TNF treatment in adult and pediatric DADA2 patients: Insights from real‐world data
Authors: Ayan Gizem , Basaran Ozge , Firlatan Busra , Kilic Levent , Bilginer Yelda , Alikasifoglu Mehmet , Karadag Omer , Ozen Seza
Published: November 2024

Background/Purpose

Our objective was to investigate real‐world outcomes and treatment strategies in individuals affected by DADA2 using over 10‐year period real‐life experience.

Methods

This descriptive analysis encompassed all adult/pediatric patients with DADA2 from our Vasculitis Research Center prospective database. Patients on anti‐TNF therapy have been specifically examined, analyzing the treatment's duration, indications, and outcomes. Treatment responses were based on physicians' assessments and categorized as full response (symptom‐free with normal acute phase reactants) or partial/no response.

Results

Totally 32 patients (Adult/Childhood age: 19/13) were analyzed. Anti‐TNF agents were prescribed to 27 of the 32 patients. Over a median follow‐up of 58 months on anti‐TNF therapy, 10 patients (35.7%) exhibited a complete response, predominantly in cases with nervous system or skin involvement. Partial responses were observed in the other 10 patients (35.7%). Currently, 20/ 27 patients remain on anti‐TNF treatment. Among the seven who are not on anti‐TNF now: five died (four of them with a late diagnosis, one could not continue due to cardiomyopathy), one refused treatment and one had a cure after bone marrow transplantation. We have become aware that four patients increased their dose interval and one returned to the normal interval after an increase in CRP. The first patient was diagnosed in 2013 and over the last 10 years, 6/32 (18.8%) of the patients died.

Conclusion

Anti‐TNF treatment is beneficial for vasculitic and inflammatory lesions. The clinical course of patients is diverse, especially if the diagnosis is delayed, with a mortality rate of up to 20% over a 10‐year period.