bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obesity Disrupts Pituitary UPR Leading to NAFLD
Authors: Qian Qingwen , Li Mark , Zhang Zeyuan , Davis Shannon , Rahmouni Kamal , Norris Andrew W. , Cao Huojun , Ding Wen-Xing , Yang Ling
Published: July 2022

Obesity is the major risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), for which effective cures are lacking. Despite the notion that obesity is associated with aberrant levels and action of pituitary hormones that are essential for maintaining hepatic metabolic and inflammatory states, the intrinsic pituitary endocrine abnormalities and their systemic consequences are incompletely defined. By characterizing the impact of diet-induced obesity (DIO) on the pituitary whole tissue and single cell transcriptome, we demonstrated that obesity disrupts pituitary endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis by suppressing the inositol-requiring enzyme-α (IRE1α)-mediated adaptive unfolded protein response (UPR). We further showed that defective pituitary UPR by IRE1α-deletion in the anterior pituitary strikingly augmented obesity-associated systemic metabolic abnormalities, particularly the NAFLD-associated pathologies. Conversely, enhancing the adaptive UPR in the anterior pituitary, by genetic gain-of-function of spliced X-box binding protein 1 (sXBP1), ameliorated the systemic and hepatic metabolic defects observed in mice with pituitary IRE1α deletion. Intriguingly, disruption of the UPR in the pituitary resulted in impaired hepatic UPR, which was in part due to a defective thyroid hormone receptor (THR)-mediated activation of hepatic Xbp1. In contrast, activation of the hepatic THR signaling improved obesity-associated glucose intolerance and attenuated the impaired hepatic ER homeostasis in anterior pituitary-IRE1α deficient mice. Together, our study provides the first insight into disruption of endocrine signaling-mediated inter-organ UPR communication drives obesity-associated hepatic pathologies. Unraveling these connections might uncover new therapeutic targets for NAFLD and other obesity-associated diseases.
Nascent transcription and the associatedcis-regulatory landscape in rice
Authors: Choi Jae Young , Platts Adrian E. , Johary Aurore , Purugganan Michael D. , Joly-Lopez Zoé
Published: July 2022

Background

Plant genomes encode transcripts that require spatio-temporal regulation for proper cellular function, and a large fraction of the regulators can be found in intergenic regions. In animals, distal intergenic regions described as enhancer regions are actively transcribed as enhancer RNAs (eRNAs); the existence of eRNAs in plants has only been fairly recently documented. In this study, we evaluated with high sensitivity the synthesis of eRNAs that arise at genomic elements both distal and proximal to genes by combining PRO-seq with chromatin accessibility, histone modification, and methylation profiles in rice.

Results

We found that regions defined as transcribed intergenic regions are widespread in the rice genome, and many likely harbor transcribed regulatory elements. In addition to displaying evidence of selective constraint, the presence of these transcribed regulatory elements are correlated with an increase in nearby gene expression. We further identified molecular interactions between genic regions and intergenic transcribed regulatory elements using 3D chromosomal contact data, and found that these interactions were both associated with eQTLs as well as promoting transcription. We also compared the profile of accessible chromatin regions to our identified transcribed regulatory elements, and found less overlap than expected. Finally, we also observed that transcribed intergenic regions that overlapped partially or entirely with repetitive elements had a propensity to be enriched for cytosine methylation, and were likely involved in TE silencing rather than promoting gene transcription.

Conclusion

The characterization of eRNAs in the rice genome reveals that many share features of enhancers and are associated with transcription regulation, which could make them compelling candidate enhancer elements.
Muscleblind-like proteins use modular domains to localize RNAs by riding kinesins and docking to membranes
Authors: Hildebrandt Ryan P. , Moss Kathryn R. , Janusz-Kaminska Aleksandra , Knudson Luke A. , Denes Lance T. , Saxena Tanvi , Boggupalli Devi Prasad , Li Zhuangyue , Lin Kun , Bassell Gary J. , Wang Eric T.
Published: July 2022

RNA transport and local translation provide spatial control of gene expression, and RNA binding proteins (RBPs) act as critical adapters in this multi-step process. Muscleblind-like (MBNL) RNA binding proteins, implicated in myotonic dystrophy and cancer, localize RNAs to myoblast membranes and distal neurites through unknown mechanisms. We found that MBNL forms motile and anchored granules in neurons and myoblasts, and selectively associates with kinesins Kif1bα and Kif1c through its zinc finger (ZnF) domains. Other RBPs with similar ZnFs also associate with these kinesins, implicating a motor-RBP specificity code. Live cell imaging and fractionation revealed that membrane anchoring is mediated through the unstructured carboxy-terminal tail of MBNL1. Both kinesin- and membrane-recruitment functions were reconstituted using MBNL-MS2 coat protein fusions. This approach, termed RBP Module Recruitment and Imaging (RBP-MRI), decouples RNA binding, kinesin recruitment, and membrane anchoring functions, while also establishing general strategies for studying multi-functional, modular domains of RBPs.
Mosquito metabolism shapes life-history strategies ofPlasmodiumparasites
Authors: Carrillo-Bustamante Paola , Costa Giulia , Lampe Lena , Levashina Elena A.
Published: July 2022

The life-history of multicellular organisms is a collection of traits determining fitness described by growth, survival, and reproduction. Within-host survival and between-host transmission are key life-history traits of single-celled malaria parasites. Therefore, understanding the evolutionary forces that shape these components is crucial to predict malaria epidemiology, drug resistance, and virulence. The evolutionary strategies ofPlasmodiumparasites have been largely investigated in the vertebrate host. In contrast, very little is known about their adaptation strategies in the mosquito vector, possibly due to the experimental challenges encountered while studying vector-parasite interactions. Mathematical models offer a unique tool to study such complex biological systems, and have been extensively employed in malaria epidemiology. However, all models developed so far do not consider mosquito physiology. Here, we examine the life-history evolution ofPlasmodiumparasites with a novel individual-based model of malaria transmission that includes mosquito metabolism. Specifically, we model the metabolic cascade of resource allocation induced by blood-feeding, as well as the influence of multiple blood meals on parasite development. Our model shows that successful vector-to-human transmission events are rare, and are caused by long-lived mosquitoes. Interestingly, we observe that the life-history strategies of malaria parasites depend on the mosquito metabolic status. In our model, additional resources provided by multiple blood meals benefit selection for parasites with slow or intermediate developmental time. These results challenge the current concept that evolution selects for fast developing parasites to maximize their chances to complete their within-mosquito life cycle. We propose that the long sporogonic cycle observed forPlasmodiumis not a constraint but rather an adaptation to increase transmission potential.
The neoepitope of the complement C5b-9 Membrane Attack Complex is formed by proximity of adjacent ancillary regions of C9
Authors: Bayly-Jones Charles , Tran Ho Bill Hy , Lau Corinna , Leung Eleanor W.W. , D’Andrea Laura , Lupton Christopher J. , Ekkel Susan M. , Venugopal Hariprasad , Whisstock James C. , Mollnes Tom E. , Spicer Bradley A. , Dunstone Michelle A.
Published: July 2022

The terminal C5b-9 complement complex (TCC) exists in two forms; the soluble sC5b-9 and the solid-phase inserted Membrane Attack Complex (MAC). The MAC is responsible for forming large β-barrel channels in the membranes of pathogens and can target cells such as gram-negative bacteria. In addition, off-target MAC assembly on endogenous tissue is associated with inflammatory diseases and cancer. Accordingly, a human C5b-9 specific antibody, aE11, has been developed that detects a neoepitope exposed in C9 when it is incorporated into the C5b-9 complex and in polyC9, but not present in the plasma native C9. For nearly four decades aE11 has been routinely used to study complement, MACrelated inflammation, and pathophysiology. However, the identity of this C9 neoepitope remains unknown. Herein, we determined the cryo-EM structure of aE11 in complex with polyC9 at 3.2 Åresolution. The aE11 binding site revealed that the neoepitope was formed by two separate surfaces on the pore periphery, rather than a conformational change in the protein structure, and is therefore a discontinuous quaternary epitope. These surfaces are contributed by portions of the adjacent TSP1, LDLRA and MACPF domains of two neighbouring C9 protomers. By substituting key antibody interacting residues to the murine orthologue, we validated the unusual binding modality of aE11. Furthermore, our observations indicated that aE11 can recognise a partial epitope in purified monomeric C9, albeit binding was two orders of magnitude weaker. Taken together, our results reveal the basis for MAC recognition by aE11 and that the C9 neoepitope can be formed without substantial conformational rearrangements adding insight into how aE11 is used to quantify MAC formation in disease.
In vitro and in vivo immunogenicity assessment of protein aggregate characteristics
Authors: Thorlaksen Camilla , Schultz Heidi S. , Gammelgaard Simon K. , Jiskoot Wim , Hatzakis Nikos S. , Nielsen Flemming S. , Solberg Helene , Foderà Vito , Bartholdy Christina , Groenning Minna
Published: July 2022

The immunogenicity risk of therapeutic protein aggregates has been extensively investigated over the past decades. While it is established that not all aggregates are equally immunogenic, the specific aggregate characteristics which are most likely to induce an immune response, remain ambiguous. The aim of this study was to perform comprehensive in vitro and in vivo immunogenicity assessment of human insulin aggregates varying in size, structure and chemical modifications, while keeping other morphological characteristics constant. We found that flexible aggregates with highly altered secondary structure were most immunogenic in all setups, while compact aggregates with native-like structure were found to be immunogenic primarily in vivo. Moreover, sub-visible (1-100 µm) aggregates were found to be more immunogenic than sub-micron (0.1-1 µm) aggregates, while chemical modifications (deamidation, ethylation and covalent dimers) were not found to have any measurable impact on immunogenicity. The findings highlight the importance of utilizing aggregates varying in few characteristics for assessment of immunogenicity risk of specific morphological features and provides a universal workflow for reliable particle analysis in biotherapeutics.
Rubisco is evolving for improved catalytic efficiency and CO2assimilation in plants
Authors: Bouvier Jacques W. , Emms David M. , Kelly Steven
Published: July 2022

Rubisco is the primary entry point for carbon into the biosphere. However, rubisco is widely regarded as inefficient leading many to question whether the enzyme can adapt to become a better catalyst. Through a phylogenetic investigation of the molecular and kinetic evolution of Form I rubisco we demonstrate that rubisco is not stagnant. Instead, we demonstraterbcLis among the 1% of slowest evolving genes and enzymes on Earth, accumulating one nucleotide substitution every 0.9 million years and one amino acid mutation every 7.2 million years. Despite this, we demonstrate that rubisco catalysis is continuing to evolve toward improved CO2/O2specificity, carboxylase turnover, and carboxylation efficiency. Consistent with this kinetic adaptation, we reveal that increased rubisco evolution leads to a concomitant improvement in leaf-level CO2assimilation. Thus, rubisco is continually evolving toward improved catalytic efficiency and CO2assimilation in plants.
A yeast-based tool for mammalian DGATs inhibitors screening
Authors: Gajdoš Peter , Ledesma-Amaro Rodrigo , Nicaud Jean-Marc , Rossignol Tristan
Published: July 2022

Dysregulation of lipid metabolism is associated with obesity, metabolic diseases but there is also increasing evidences of a relationship between lipid bodies (LBs) excess and some cancer. LBs synthesis requires diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGATs) which catalyses the last step of triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis, the main storage lipid form in lipid bodies. DGATs and in particular DGAT2, are therefore considered as potential therapeutic targets for the control of these pathologies. Here, the murine and the human DGAT2 were overexpressed in the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica deleted for all DGATs activities, for evaluating the functionality of the enzymes in this heterologous host and to evaluate DGAT activity inhibitors. This work provide evidence that mammalian DGATs expressed in Y. lipolytica is a useful tool for screening chemical libraries to identify potential inhibitors or activators of these enzymes of therapeutic interest.
Selection of rAAV Vectors that Cross the Human Blood-Brain Barrier and Target the Central Nervous System Using a Transwell Model
Authors: Song Ren , Pekrun Katja , Khan Themasap A. , Zhang Feijie , Pasca Sergiu P. , Kay Mark A.
Published: July 2022

A limitation for rAAV-mediated gene transfer into the central nervous system (CNS) is the low penetration of vectors across the human blood-brain barrier (BBB). High doses of intravenously-delivered vector are required to reach the CNS, which has resulted in varying adverse effects. Moreover, selective transduction of various cell types might be important depending on the disorder being treated. To enhance BBB penetration and improve CNS cell selectivity, we screened an AAV capsid-shuffled library using an in vitro transwell BBB system with separate layers of human endothelial cells, primary astrocytes and/or hiPSC-derived cortical neurons. After multiple passages through the transwell, we identified chimeric AAV capsids with enhanced penetration and improved transduction of astrocytes and/or neurons compared to wild-type capsids. We identified the amino acid (aa) from region 451-470 of AAV2 associated with the capsids selected for neurons, and a combination of aa from regions 413-496 of AAV-rh10 and 538-598 of AAV3B/LK03 associated with capsids selected for astrocytes. An siRNA screen identified several genes that affect transcytosis of AAV across the BBB. Our work supports the use of a human transwell system for selecting enhanced AAV capsids targeting the CNS and may allow for unraveling the underlying molecular mechanisms of BBB penetration.
Neurodevelopmental disorder associated mutations in TAOK1 reveal its function as a plasma membrane remodeling kinase
Authors: Beeman Neal , Sapre Tanmay , Ong Shao-En , Yadav Smita
Published: July 2022

Mutations in TAOK1, a serine-threonine kinase encoding gene are strongly associated with both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and neurodevelopmental delay (NDD). However, molecular function of this evolutionarily conserved kinase and the mechanisms through which TAOK1 mutations lead to neuropathology are unknown. Here, we showed that TAOK1 is highly expressed in neurons within the brain, and has a functional role in remodeling the plasma membrane through direct association with phosphoinositides. We characterized four NDD-associated TAOK1 mutations, and demonstrated that these mutations render TAOK1 catalytically dead. Kinase dead TAOK1 mutants were aberrantly trapped in membrane-bound state, which induced exuberant membrane protrusions. Expression of TAOK1 disease mutants in hippocampal neurons led to abnormal growth of the dendritic arbor. The coiled-coil region C-terminal to the kinase domain are predicted to fold into a triple helix. We showed that this triple helix directly bound phospholipids, and was required for both TAOK1 membrane association and induction of aberrant protrusions. Further, TAOK1 mutants were rescued from their membrane-trapped state by exogenous expression of the isolated kinase domain. Utilizing mass-spectrometry, we identified critical residues in the triple helix phosphorylated by TAOK1 that autoregulated its plasma membrane association. These findings define a previously unknown function of TAOK1 as a unique plasma membrane remodeling kinase, and reveal the underlying mechanisms through which TAOK1 dysfunction leads to neurodevelopmental disorders.
Soluble TREM2 and Alzheimer-related biomarker trajectories in the blood of diabetic patients based on their cognitive status
Authors: Satoh-Asahara Noriko , Yamakage Hajime , Tanaka Masashi , Kawasaki Teruaki , Matsuura Sayo , Tatebe Harutsugu , Akiguchi Ichiro , Tokuda Takahiko
Published: July 2022

Aim

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of dementia. We aimed to elucidate the dynamics of blood biomarkers according to the severity of cognitive impairment in patients with DM and to identify useful biomarkers for diabetes-related dementia.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional, nested case-control study of 121 Japanese diabetic and nondiabetic patients with different levels of cognitive functioning. We evaluated participants’ cognitive functions, blood biomarkers related to Alzheimer’s disease, and soluble triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2). We then compared these biomarkers between the DM and non-DM groups and across the different cognitive strata.

Results

Significantly lower levels of serum sTREM2 were observed in the DM than in the non-DM patients. This was true across all the cognitive strata of the two groups, including those with normal cognition. We also found that plasma levels of phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau181) increased with increasing levels of cognitive decline in both the DM and non-DM groups. However, this was accompanied by a decrease in plasma amyloid-β (Aβ)42/Aβ40 ratios in non-DM patients only.

Conclusion

This study revealed novel characteristic trajectories of dementia-related blood biomarkers in diabetes-related dementia, suggesting the pathological involvement of molecular cascades initiated by impaired microglial activation. This results in decreased serum sTREM2, followed by tauopathy without substantial amyloid plaques, reflected by plasma p-tau elevation with no decrease in the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. Our results warrant further research into this molecular cascade to elucidate pathogenetic mechanisms of diabetes-related dementia and establish useful biomarkers.
Three-dimensional visualization of moss rhizoid system by refraction-contrast X-ray micro-computed tomography
Authors: Yamaura Ryohei , Tamaoki Daisuke , Kamachi Hiroyuki , Yamauchi Daisuke , Mineyuki Yoshinobu , Uesugi Kentaro , Hoshino Masato , Suzuki Tomomi , Shimazu Toru , Kasahara Haruo , Kamada Motoshi , Hanba Yuko T. , Kume Atsushi , Fujita Tomomichi , Karahara Ichirou
Published: July 2022

Land plants have two types of shoot-supporting systems, root system and rhizoid system, in vascular plants and bryophytes. However, since the evolutionary origin of the systems are different, how much they exploit common systems or distinct systems to architect their structures are largely unknown. To understand the regulatory mechanism how bryophytes architect rhizoid system responding to an environmental factor, such as gravity, and compare it with the root system of vascular plants, we have developed the methodology to visualize and quantitatively analyze the rhizoid system of the moss, Physcomitrium patens in 3D. The rhizoids having the diameter of 21.3 μm on the average were visualized by refraction-contrast X-ray micro-CT using coherent X-ray optics available at synchrotron radiation facility SPring-8. Three types of shape (ring-shape, line, black circle) observed in tomographic slices of specimens embedded in paraffin were confirmed to be the rhizoids by optical and electron microscopy. Comprehensive automatic segmentation of the rhizoids which appeared in different three form types in tomograms was tested by a method using Canny edge detector or machine learning. Accuracy of output images was evaluated by comparing with the manually-segmented ground truth images using measures such as F1 score and IoU, revealing that the automatic segmentation using the machine learning was more effective than that using Canny edge detector. Thus, machine learning-based skeletonized 3D model revealed quite dense distribution of rhizoids, which was similar to root system architecture in vascular plants. We successfully visualized the moss rhizoid system in 3D for the first time.
Formation and crystallization of TiO2 nanostructures on various surfaces
Authors: Jaffari Ghulam Hassnain , Hussain Tanvir , Iqbal Asad Muhammad , Abbas Yawar
Published: July 2022

A comparative study of the synthesis of TiO2 nanorods on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass, Si, SiO2, Si/Ta, Si/TiN, Si/TiN/Ti and Si/HFO2 substrates by hydrothermal reaction is presented. Detailed analysis on the growth of TiO2 on pre-annealed Si/TiN/Ti and HfO2 (HFO) surfaces is also given. For Si/TiN/Ti, a pre-annealing procedure led to the transformation of Ti to a TiO2 layer which acts as a seed for aligned growth of TiO2 nanorods. In contrast, Si/HFO does not provide a nucleation site for the formation of aligned nanorods. Various samples were prepared by varying the synthesis conditions, i.e. pre- and post-annealing temperatures and hydrothermal reaction time to figure out the optimum conditions which lead to unidirectional and highly aligned nanorods. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to study structural, morphological and optical properties of synthesized samples. It is found that TiO2 nanorods exhibit a rutile phase on the Si/Ti/TiN and Si/HFO substrates, but highly oriented vertical growth of nanorods has been observed only on pre-annealed Si/TiN/Ti substrates. On the other hand, TiO2 nanorods form dandelion-like structures on Si/HFO substrates. Growth of vertically oriented TiO2 nanorods on Si/TiN/Ti is attributed to the TiO2 seed layer which forms after the process of pre-annealing of substrates at a suitable temperature. Variation in hydrothermal reaction time and post-annealing temperature brings further improvement in crystallinity and morphology of nanorods. This work shows that the pre-annealed Si/TiN/Ti substrate is the optimal choice to achieve vertically oriented, highly aligned TiO2 nanorods.
Insights into isostructural and non-isostructural crystals of esters of oleanolic acid and its 11-oxo derivatives
Authors: Langer Dominik , Wicher Barbara , Bendzinska-Berus Wioletta , Bednarczyk-Cwynar Barbara , Tykarska Ewa
Published: July 2022

Synthesis and structural characterization of new esters of oleanolic acid and its 11-oxo derivatives are reported. Compounds crystallize in four isostructural groups, each containing one to four structures. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed that molecules belonging to non-isostructural groups self-associate according to two schemes that describe also supramolecular architectures in crystals of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives. Structural motifs arise as a result of van der Waals forces. Parameters introduced for the analysis of one- and two-dimensional assemblies allow the comparison of motifs in isostructural and non-isostructural crystals, including polymorphs, and a qualitative assessment of differences in molecular self-assembly. One-, two- or three-dimensional similarity has been confirmed by XPac calculations.
Managing brand equity in the brewing sector
Authors: Francioni Barbara , Curina Ilaria , Hegner Sabrina M. , Cioppi Marco , Pencarelli Tonino
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The paper analyzes the effect of country of origin (COO) image, word-of-mouth (WOM) and brand distinctiveness toward overall brand equity (OBE) and its dimensions (brand awareness/associations; perceived quality; brand loyalty) in the brewing sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research has been conducted by adopting the survey technique and structural equation modeling based on a sample of 401 Italian beer consumers.

Findings

Results corroborate a positive effect of (1) COO image and brand distinctiveness on brand awareness/associations, perceived quality and brand loyalty; (2) WOM on perceived quality and brand loyalty; (3) brand awareness/associations and brand loyalty on OBE. Findings also verify the mediating effects of the OBE dimensions on the relationships between the analyzed antecedents (COO image, WOM and brand distinctiveness) and OBE.

Research limitations/implications

Although the selection of a sample composed of Italian students guarantees good research internal validity, findings are not generalizable.

Practical implications

The study offers valuable strategies for brewing firms to reach high levels of brand equity. In particular, it identifies the key role of COO image, WOM, brand distinctiveness and OBE dimensions in realizing careful brand management processes.

Originality/value

The paper focuses on analyzing the influence of COO image on brand equity in the brewing industry, thus enriching an area of investigation that requires further insights within an under-investigated sector.
Constructing interval models using neural networks with non-additive combinations of grey prediction models in tourism demand
Authors: Jiang Peng , Hu Yi-Chung
Published: July 2022

Purpose

In contrast to point forecasts, interval forecasts provide information on future variability. This research thus aimed to develop interval prediction models by addressing two significant issues: (1) a simple average with an additive property is commonly used to derive combined forecasts, but this unreasonably ignores the interaction among sequences used as sources of information, and (2) the time series often does not conform to any statistical assumptions.

Design/methodology/approach

To develop an interval prediction model, the fuzzy integral was applied to nonlinearly combine forecasts generated by a set of grey prediction models, and a sequence including the combined forecasts was then used to construct a neural network. All required parameters relevant to the construction of an interval model were optimally determined by the genetic algorithm.

Findings

The empirical results for tourism demand showed that the proposed non-additive interval model outperformed the other interval prediction models considered.

Practical implications

The private and public sectors in economies with high tourism dependency can benefit from the proposed model by using the forecasts to help them formulate tourism strategies.

Originality/value

In light of the usefulness of combined point forecasts and interval model forecasting, this research contributed to the development of non-additive interval prediction models on the basis of combined forecasts generated by grey prediction models.
The determinants of festival participants' event loyalty: a focus on millennial participants
Authors: Ho Jie Min , Tiew Fidella , Adamu Adamu Abbas
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to determine how different event quality dimensions (i.e. information availability, program content, food, staff service, merchandises, ticketing, facility and convenience) individually affect the satisfaction of millennial festival participants, and how their satisfaction subsequently influence their behavioral intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The research hypotheses were tested with a sample of 272 millennial participants attending the Borneo Jazz Festival held in Miri, Sarawak.

Findings

The results indicated that program content and facility are crucial predictors of millennial participants' level of satisfaction with the event. Furthermore, the level of satisfaction would, in turn, affect their intention to revisit the event and spread positive word-of-mouth.

Research limitations/implications

The results are expected to assist festival planners in managing and designing festivals that can appeal to millennials who make up a significant percentage of tourism market.

Originality/value

The study adds to the knowledge of how music festival environment can yield loyalty amongst millennial festival participants in Sarawak, an Eastern state of Malaysia on the island of Borneo.
An empirical investigation of governance mechanism choices in service outsourcing
Authors: Ye Yuan , Peng Xiaosong (david) , Fan Raymond Lei , Narayanan Arunachalam
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Drawing on transaction cost economics (TCE) theory and organizational information processing theory (OIPT), this study investigates how the alignments between the characteristics of service (i.e. task complexity and measurement ambiguity) and governance mechanisms (i.e. contract specificity and monitoring) can affect service performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a rigorously designed survey to collect data from professionals who manage service outsourcing contracts in various industries. The respondent pool consists of randomly selected members of the Institute of Supply Management (ISM). The authors’ research question is analyzed using 261 completed and useable responses. Structural equation modeling is adopted to examine the data and test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The authors find that both contract specificity and monitoring have a positive impact on supplier performance. Further, for high task complexity services, contract specificity is more effective than monitoring, and for high measurement ambiguity services, the opposite is true. Moreover, the effect of contract specificity is mediated by monitoring.

Practical implications

Service outsourcers should use both contract specificity and monitoring in governing outsourced services and know that the former depends on the latter during execution. Facing resource constraints, they can prioritize crafting detailed contract provisions over implementing monitoring for highly complex services but consider monitoring as the primary governance tool in services whose outcomes are difficult to measure.

Originality/value

This study is the first to couple TCE with OPIT and consider the nature of outsourced services in the choice of governance mechanisms and empirically test the simultaneous effects of contract specificity and monitoring in the context of service outsourcing.
For free or paid? A comparison of doctors' intention to offer consulting services in eHealth
Authors: Chen Jiahe , Hsu Ping-Yu , Chang Yu-Wei , Shiau Wen-Lung , Lan Yi-Chen
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Considering both online and offline service scenarios, this study aims to explore the factors affecting doctors' intention to offer consulting services in eHealth and compare the factors between the free- and paid-service doctors. The theory of reasoned action and social exchange theory are integrated to develop the research model that conceptualizes the role of extrinsic motivations, intrinsic motivations, costs, and attitudes in doctors' behavioral intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was leveraged to analyze 326 valid sample data. To provide robust results, three non-parametric multigroup analysis (MGA) methods, including the PLS-MGA, confidence set, and permutation test approaches, were applied to detect the potential heterogeneity between the free- and paid-service doctors.

Findings

The results with overall samples reveal that anticipated rewards, anticipated associations, anticipated contribution, and perceived fee are all positively related to attitude, which in turn positively influences behavioral intention, and that perceived fee positively moderates the relationship between attitude and behavioral intention. Attitude's full mediation is also confirmed. However, results vary between the two groups of doctors. The three MGA approaches return relatively convergent results, indicating that the effects of anticipated associations and perceived fee on attitude are significantly larger for the paid-service doctors, while that of anticipated rewards is found to be significantly larger for the free-service doctors.

Originality/value

eHealth, as a potential contactless alternative to face-to-face diagnoses, has recently attracted widespread attention, especially during the continued spread of COVID-19. Most existing studies have neglected the underlying heterogeneity between free- and paid-service doctors regarding their motivations to engage in online healthcare activities. This study advances the understanding of doctors' participation in eHealth by emphasizing their motivations derived from both online and offline service scenarios and comparing the differences between free- and paid-service doctors. Besides, horizontally comparing the results by applying diverse MGA approaches enriches empirical evidence for the selection of MGA approaches in PLS-SEM.
Partner selection as a control mechanism in inter-organizational relationships: a meta-model approach
Authors: Desai Hrishikesh
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a meta-model that systematically aggregates and organizes research on “partner selection” in interorganizational relationships (IORs), which is scattered across several disciplines, to help future researchers explore various aspects of this control mechanism in a more consistent manner. This paper also aims at critically reviewing each aspect of this control mechanism examined in the prior literature and identifying important research trends.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducts a comprehensive review and in-depth analysis of the key theoretical and empirical research findings on partner selection in IORs by identifying 172 papers across 46 journals that specifically discuss this control mechanism. A meta-model approach is adopted to review and identify the shortcomings in extant research and provide guidance to future researchers on exploring unanswered research questions. Moreover, maps are constructed using the Luft and Shields’s (2003) approach to graphically present the causal-model forms examined in this topic area.

Findings

This meta-model shows how the research on partner selection in IORs is scattered across different disciplines, resulting in its inconsistent evolution with researchers, in many cases, not being able to effectively synthesize contributions from fields that are not their own or not closely allied. The causal-model forms also enable rapid tracing of what has been researched.

Originality/value

There has been considerable research on control mechanisms in IORs till date. However, “partner selection,” which is an important control mechanism, has received little attention and is often neglected. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first to develop a meta-model to consolidate knowledge on this topic that is important for further advancement of research.
Towards measuring SMEs performance amid the COVID-19 outbreak: exploring the impact of integrated supply chain drivers
Authors: Abdelfattah Fadi , Malik Mustafa , Al Alawi Abrar Mohammed , Sallem Ramzi , Ganguly Anirban
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in Oman. This study analyzes the impact on selected supply chain drivers – facilities, inventory, transportation and sourcing. It further intends to explore whether the supply chain challenges faced by the SME sector in Oman impact their overall performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows the quantitative technique of structural equation modeling to examine the proposed hypotheses. Data were collected electronically from SME managers/owners/entrepreneurs. All items were adopted and measured using a five-point Likert scale. One hundred and four complete and usable responses were received and considered.

Findings

The data was analyzed using SPSS and PLS statistical software. The model has been supported empirically, and the results showed a significant relationship between supply chain drivers and SMEs’ overall performance in Oman, except for supply chain inventory. The results have demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the SMEs’ supply chain drivers in Oman and, consequently, their overall performance.

Practical implications

The results of this research can drive the development and implementation of a supply chain management strategy. This research will help policymakers induce the performance of SMEs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It would further enhance strategic sourcing and supplier performance considering the developed practices associated with the resource-based view.

Originality/value

The originality of the current study lies in its ability to empirically test two models within the Omani SMEs context while considering the supply chain drivers as a single variable or dividing it into four separate independent variables. This study would provide a preview for scholars for such empirical investigation and serve as a reference for policymakers and practitioners to maintain a management system of crises that may protect the SME supply chain drivers.
Boosting innovation through gender and ethnic diversity in management teams
Authors: Quintana-García Cristina , Marchante-Lara Macarena , Benavides-Chicón Carlos G.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study investigates the link between diversity in management and CEO positions and firm innovation. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect that women and ethnic diversity in management and CEO positions have on the development of outstanding innovation in firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducts an empirical analysis to investigate these relationships over time using a large panel database of 1,345 publicly US traded firms.

Findings

Results revealed that gender and ethnic diversity at all levels of management exhibited a robust positive association with superior innovation competence. This finding remains robust when alternative proxies for innovation are employed. In contrast, the authors found that women and ethnic minorities at the CEO level had no significant influence.

Originality/value

Considering an output measure of innovation, the authors explore the effect of gender and ethnic minority groups in management positions as well as at the CEO level, rather than focusing only on top management teams or board of directors. The authors offer new practical insights regarding the manager selection process that are also useful to support public policy initiatives.
The corporate sustainability committee and its relation to corporate environmental performance
Authors: Li Zhongtian , Jia Jing , Chapple Larelle (Ellie)
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether the sustainability committee, a specialized governance mechanism for environmental and social issues, is related to environmental performance. Specifically, the authors consider the presence and effectiveness of the sustainability committee.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of Australian firms (2002–2016), the presence of a sustainability committee and sustainability committee effectiveness (consisting of 12 sustainability committee characteristics) are examined. Firms’ environmental performance is measured by Thomson Reuters Asset4 ratings.

Findings

The authors confirm prior findings of a positive relationship between the presence of a sustainability committee and the firm’s environmental performance. More importantly, sustainability committee effectiveness is found to be positively associated with environmental performance, indicating the active role that the composition and function of the sustainability committee plays in enhancing environmental performance.

Practical implications

The findings are of interest to directors and managers who are interested in improving firms’ environmental performance, in addition to investors and regulators who are concerned about environmental performance.

Originality/value

This study meaningfully expands the extant literature that studies the sustainability committee in at least three ways. First, the authors evidence the effect of an unexplored dimension of committee heterogeneity (sustainability committee effectiveness) by hand-collecting detailed information of sustainability committee members. Second, the authors distinguish from prior studies, in that the authors test the direct relationship between sustainability committee effectiveness and environmental performance. Third, by adopting different robustness tests of endogeneity along with sampling firms in various industries over 15 years, the authors offer more compelling and more comprehensive evidence in this regard. Broadly, the authors enrich the literature on corporate governance and environmental performance.
Aphidophagous ladybird beetles adapt to an aphid symbiont
Authors: Du Xue‐Yong , Yang Huan‐Ying , Gong Sen‐Rui , Zhang Pei‐Fang , Chen Pei‐Tao , Liang Yuan‐Sen , Huang Yu‐Hao , Tang Xue‐Fei , Chen Qiao‐Kui , De Clercq Patrick , Li Hao‐Sen , Pang Hong
Published: July 2022

Bacterial symbionts can play a key role in the interactions between trophic levels. Certain symbionts are known to confer protection against natural enemies of their arthropod hosts. However, whether natural enemies evolve and adapt to prey symbionts is not well understood.

In this study, we found that a free‐living strain of aphid symbiont Serratia symbiotica, SsMj, was the most discriminative biomarker of the aphid feeding in the microbiota of aphidophagous (aphid‐feeding) ladybirds. Moreover, SsMj persisted in the digestive tract of starved ladybirds and did not decay together with ingested aphid materials, suggesting horizontal transmission across trophic levels.

We further found that SsMj did not necessarily exhibit a negative impact on aphidophagous ladybirds of the Coccinellini tribe in contrast with other, non‐aphidophagous, ladybirds. First, starvation did not significantly change SsMj relative abundance or alpha microbiota diversity of an aphidophagous ladybird. Second, diets containing SsMj did not decrease the performance of the aphidophagous ladybirds. Third, infection with SsMj through injection had a minor impact on the survival of aphidophagous ladybirds.

Together, our evidence suggests that the aphid symbiont S. symbiotica can be horizontally transmitted to ladybird predators. At the same time, the group of ladybirds that have adapted to feeding on aphids have also evolved to establish a nearly neutral relationship with S. symbiotica, suggesting adaptation to a prey symbiont.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Developing a morphological awareness intervention through inquiry‐based learning
Authors: Mulder Evelien , van der Graaf Joep , Verhagen Véronique , Mos Maria , Droop Mienke
Published: July 2022

Secondary school students are increasingly exposed to texts containing morphologically complex words. Morphological knowledge may help with understanding those words. Appropriate educational materials to teach morphological awareness (MA) are scarce. A design‐based approach was used to develop an MA‐intervention for Dutch secondary school students. We (1) analysed the aforementioned problem through semi‐structured discussions with teachers and a review of previous MA‐intervention research; (2) developed a prototype of an MA‐intervention in collaboration with teachers; (3) evaluated materials from Step 2 quantitatively through a pilot study with seventh grade students (N = 60) and qualitatively through a semi‐structured discussion with teacher educators (N = 4); and (4) reflected on the proposed design principles. Insights obtained from teachers and the literature were implemented in our MA‐intervention. Students' performance was related to a measure of general language proficiency. Finally, teachers, students, and teacher educators pointed out several strengths and weaknesses of the intervention. The present study highlights the importance of the following design principles: focus on the patterns in morphology in order for students to explicate their morphological knowledge, suitability of the intervention for students with varying levels of language proficiency, and availability of training and background information about MA for teachers. Collaborating with teachers provided indispensable insights into students' needs, knowledge of MA, how MA‐interventions can be implemented and matched to teachers' pedagogical expertise and experience.
Group processes and interoperability: A longitudinal case study analysis of the UK's civil contingency response to Covid‐19
Authors: Radburn Matthew , Stott Clifford , Bryant Rebecca , Morgan Bethan , Tallent Deborah , Davidson Louise
Published: July 2022

Our case study explored a Local Resilience Forum's (LRF) civil contingency response to COVID‐19 in the United Kingdom. We undertook 19 semistructured ethnographic longitudinal interviews, between March 25, 2020 and February 17, 2021, with a Director of a Civil Contingencies Unit and a Chief Fire Officer who both played key roles within their LRF. Within these interviews, we focused on their strategic level decision‐making and how their relationship with national government impacted on local processes and outcomes. Using a form of grounded theory, our data describe the chronological evolution of an increasingly effective localized approach toward outbreak control and a growing resilience in dealing with concurrent emergency incidents. However, we also highlight how national government organizations imposed central control on aspects of the response in ways that undermined or misaligned with local preparedness. Thus, during emergencies, central governments can undermine the principle of subsidiarity and damage the ways in which LRFs can help scaffold local resilience. Our work contributes to the theoretical understanding of the social psychological factors that can shape the behaviour of responder agencies during a prolonged crisis. In particular, the implications of our analysis for advancing our conceptual understanding of strategic decision‐making during emergencies are discussed.
Observations of interference competition between the introduced black rat and native marsupial gliders in Australia
Authors: McGregor Jess , Field Jed , McLean Chris , Beranek Chad , Gould John
Published: July 2022

Introduced rodents, particularly the black rat (Rattus rattus), have caused serious ecological impacts due to their ability to interact with native species as both predators, and by eliciting competitive pressure. However, impacts of black rats upon many Australian mammals have yet to be determined, particularly when those mammals are arboreal. Here, we present novel observations in the form of camera trap footage and photographs of interspecific competition between the introduced black rat and two species of arboreal gliding marsupial (sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) and squirrel gliders (Petaurus norfolcensis)) in urban bushland reserves in New South Wales, Australia. Gliders were found to flee or were prevented from exploiting food resources due to antagonistic posturing and physical attacks by black rats. While interspecific aggression and interference competition between black rats and native mammal species has been demonstrated previously, this appears to be the first observation of such interactions for Australian gliders. Our findings may have implications for the future management of glider populations in urban bushland where they co‐occur with rats; however, further research needs to be undertaken to determine the extent of this potential threat.