bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New evidence concerning the genome designations of the AC(DC) tetraploidAvenaspecies
Authors: Yan Honghai , Ren Zichao , Deng Di , Yang Kehan , Yang Chuang , Zhou Pingping , Wight Charlene , Ren Changzhong , Peng Yuanying
Published: October 2020

The tetraploidAvenaspecies in the sectionPachycarpaBaum, includingA. insularis, A. maroccana, andA. murphyi, are thought to be involved in the evolution of hexaploid oats; however, their genome designations are still being debated. Repetitive DNA sequences play an important role in genome structuring and evolution, so understanding the chromosomal organization and distribution of these sequences inAvenaspecies could provide valuable information concerning genome evolution in this genus. In this study, the chromosomal organizations and distributions of six repetitive DNA sequences (including three SSR motifs (TTC, AAC, CAG), one 5S rRNA gene fragment, and two oat A and C genome specific repeats) were investigated using non-denaturing fluorescence in situ hybridization (ND-FISH) in the three tetraploid species mentioned above and in two hexaploid oat species. Preferential distribution of the SSRs in centromeric regions was seen in the A and D genomes, whereas few signals were detected in the C genomes. Some intergenomic translocations were observed in the tetraploids; such translocations were also detected between the C and D genomes in the hexaploids. These results provide robust evidence for the presence of the D genome in all three tetraploids, strongly suggesting that the genomic constitution of these species is DC and not AC, as had been thought previously.
Proton-Dependent Inhibition, Inverted Voltage Activation, and Slow Gating of CLC-0 Chloride Channel
Authors: Kwon Hwoi Chan , Yu Yawei , Fairclough Robert H. , Chen Tsung-Yu
Published: October 2020

CLC-0, a prototype Cl−channel in the CLC family, employs two gating mechanisms that control its ion-permeation pore: fast gating and slow gating. The negatively-charged sidechain of a pore glutamate residue, E166, is known to be the fast gate, and the swinging of this sidechain opens or closes the pore of CLC-0 on the millisecond time scale. The other gating mechanism, slow gating, operates with much slower kinetics in the range of seconds to tens or even hundreds of seconds, and it is thought to involve still-unknown conformational rearrangements. Here, we find that low intracellular pH (pHi) facilitates the closure of the CLC-0’s slow gate, thus generating current inhibition. The rate of low pHi-induced current inhibition increases with intracellular H+concentration ([H+]i)—the time constants of current inhibition by low pHi= 4.5, 5.5 and 6 are roughly 0.1, 1 and 10 sec, respectively, at room temperature. In comparison, the time constant of the slow gate closure at pHi= 7.4 at room temperature is hundreds of seconds. The inhibition by low pHiis significantly less prominent in mutants favoring the slow-gate open state (such as C212S and Y512A), further supporting the fact that intracellular H+enhances the slow-gate closure in CLC-0. A fast inhibition by low pHicauses an apparent inverted voltage-dependent activation in the wild-type CLC-0, a behavior similar to those in some channel mutants such as V490W in which only membrane hyperpolarization can open the channel. Interestingly, when V490W mutation is constructed in the background of C212S or Y512A mutation, the inverted voltage-dependent activation disappears. We propose that the slow kinetics of CLC-0’s slow-gate closure may be due to low [H+]irather than due to the proposed large conformational change of the channel protein. Our results also suggest that the inverted voltage-dependent opening observed in some mutant channels may result from fast closure of the slow gate by the mutations.
Social Information use Shapes the Coevolution of Sociality and Virulence
Authors: Ashby Ben , Farine Damien R
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Social contacts can facilitate the spread of both survival-related information and infectious diseases, but little is known about how these processes combine to shape host and parasite evolution. Here, we use a theoretical model that captures both infection and information transmission processes to investigate how host sociality (contact effort) and parasite virulence (disease-associated mortality rate) (co)evolve. We show that selection for sociality (and in turn, virulence) depends on both the intrinsic costs and benefits of social information and infection as well as their relative prevalence in the population. Specifically, greater sociality and lower virulence evolve when the risk of infection is either low or high and social information is neither very common nor too rare. Lower sociality and higher virulence evolve when the prevalence patterns are reversed. When infection and social information are both at moderate levels in the population, the direction of selection depends on the relative costs and benefits of being infected or informed. We also show that sociality varies inversely with virulence, and that parasites may be unable to prevent runaway selection for higher contact efforts. Together, these findings provide new insights for our understanding of group living and how apparently opposing ecological processes can influence the evolution of sociality and virulence in a range of ways.
Transferrin receptor (Tfr1) ablation in satellite cells impacts skeletal muscle regeneration through the activation of ferroptosis
Authors: Ding Hongrong , Chen Shujie , Pan Xiaohan , Dai Xiaoshuang , Pan Guihua , Li Ze , Mai Xudong , Tian Ye , Zhang Susu , Liu Bingdong , Cao Guangchao , Yao Zhicheng , Yao Xiangping , Gao Liang , Yang Li , Chen Xiaoyan , Sun Jia , Chen Hong , Han Mulan , Yin Yulong , Xu Guohuan , Li Huijun , Wu Weidong , Chen Zheng , Lin Jingchao , Xiang Liping , Lu Yan , Zhu Xiao , Xie Liwei
Published: October 2020

Satellite cells (SCs) are critical to the postnatal development and skeletal muscle regeneration. Inactivation of SCs is linked with the skeletal muscle loss. Leveraging on the RNAseq screening, transferrin receptor (Tfr1) is identified to be associated with muscle/SC ageing and the declined regeneration potential. Muscle-specific deletion ofTfr1results in the growth retardation, metabolic disorder and lethality, shedding light on the importance of Tfr1 in skeletal muscle physiology. Here, our investigation reported that conditional SC-ablation ofTfr1leads to the SCs inactivation and skeletal muscle regeneration defects, followed by the labile iron accumulation,de novolipogenesis via fibroadipogenic progenitors (FAPs) and Gpx4/Nrf2-mediated ROS-scavenger defects. These abnormal phenomena, such as Hmox1-mediated myoglobin degradation, Tfr1-Slc39a14 functional switch and the activation of unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis pathway are orchestrated with the occurrence of ferroptosis in skeletal muscle. Ferroptosis may further prevent SC proliferation and skeletal muscle regeneration. Ferrostatin-1, a ferroptosis inhibitor could not rescue Tfr1-ablation induced ferroptosis. However, intramuscular administration of lentivirus expressing Tfr1 could partially reduce labile iron accumulation, decreasede novolipogenesis and promote skeletal muscle regeneration. Most importantly, Tfr1/Slc39a14 functional switch, labile iron accumulation and fatty acid biosynthesis are recapitulated in aged skeletal muscle of rodents, indicating that ferroptosis occurs in the skeletal muscles of aged rodents. The present study also bridges the gap between pathogenesis of iron and functional defects in the skeletal muscle, providing mechanistic information to develop anti-aging strategies.

One Sentence Summary

Conditional ablation ofTfr1in satellite cells (SCs) results in the SC inactivation, skeletal muscle regeneration defects, labile iron accumulation, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, leading to the activation of ferroptosis, which is recapitulated in skeletal muscles of aged rodents to be a new cell death form identified in skeletal muscle and sheds light on the development of novel anti-ageing strategies.
Transmission of SARS-COV-2 from China to Europe and West Africa: a detailed phylogenetic analysis
Authors: Wruck Wasco , Adjaye James
Published: October 2020

Background

SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the Covid-19 pandemic emerged in December 2019 in China and raised fears that it could overwhelm healthcare systems worldwide. In June 2020, all African countries registered human infections with SARS-CoV-2.

The virus is mutating steadily and this is monitored by a well curated database of viral nucleotide sequences from samples taken from infected individual thus enabling phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic associations.

Methods

We downloaded from the GISAID database, SARS-CoV-2 sequences established from four West African countries Ghana, Gambia, Senegal and Nigeria and then performed phylogenetic analysis employing the nextstrain pipeline. Based on mutations found within the sequences we calculated and visualized statistics characterizing clades according to the GISAID nomenclature.

Results

We found country-specific patterns of viral clades: the later Europe-associated G-clades predominantly in Senegal and Gambia, and combinations of the earlier (L, S, V) and later clades in Ghana and Nigeria. Contrary to our expectations, the later Europe-associated G-clades emerged before the earlier clades. Detailed analysis of distinct samples showed that some of the earlier clades might have circulated latently and some reflect migration routes via Mali and Tunisia.

Conclusions

The distinct patterns of viral clades in the West African countries point at its emergence from Europe and China via Asia and Europe. The observation that the later clades emerged before the earlier clades could be simply due to founder effects or due to latent circulation of the earlier clades. Only a marginal correlation of the G-clades associated with the D614G mutation could be identified with the relatively low case fatality (0.6-3.2).

Key messages

Ghana and Nigeria have a combination of earlier (L, V, S) and later Europe-associated G-clades of SARS-CoV-2, therefore pointing to multiple introductions while in Senegal and Gambia Europe-associated G-clades predominate pointing to introductions mainly from Europe.

Surprisingly, the later G-clades emerged before the earlier clades (L, V, S)

Detailed phylogenetic analysis points at latent circulation of earlier clades before the first registered cases.

Phylogenetic analysis of some cases points at migration routes to Europe via Tunisia, Egypt and Mali.

A marginal correlation of r=0.28 between the percentage of the D614G mutation defining the G-clades and case-fatality can be detected.
Plasmodium falciparumAtg18 localizes to the food vacuole via interaction with the multi-drug resistance protein 1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate
Authors: Sudhakar Renu , Das Divya , Thanumalayan Subramanian , Gorde Somesh , Sijwali Puran Singh
Published: October 2020

Autophagy is a lysosome-dependent degradative process involving over 35 Atg proteins. The autophagy repertoire in malaria parasites is limited and does not appear to be a major degradative process. To better understand the autophagy process, we investigatedPlasmodium falciparumAtg18 (PfAtg18), a PROPPIN family protein, whose members likeS. cerevisiaeAtg18 (ScAtg18) and human WIPI2 are essential for autophagy. Wild type and mutant PfAtg18 were expressed inP. falciparumand assessed for localization, the effect of various inhibitors and antimalarials on PfAtg18 localization, and identification of PfAtg18-interacting proteins. PfAtg18 is expressed in asexual erythrocytic stages and localized to the food vacuole, which was also observed with otherPlasmodiumAtg18 proteins, indicating that food vacuole localization is a conserved feature. Interaction of PfAtg18 with the food vacuole-associated PI3P is essential for localization, as PfAtg18 mutants of PI3P-binding motifs neither bound PI3P nor localized to the food vacuole. Interestingly, ScAtg18 showed complete cytoplasmic localization despite binding with PI3P, indicating additional requirement for PfAtg18 localization. The food vacuole multi-drug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) was consistently identified in the PfAtg18 immunoprecipitate, and also interacted with PfAtg18. In contrast to PfAtg18, ScAtg18 did not interact with the MDR1, which, in addition to PI3P, could play a critical role in localization of PfAtg18. Chloroquine and amodiaquine greatly affected PfAtg18 localization, suggesting that these quinolines target PfAtg18 or the proteins that might be involved in its localization. Thus, PI3P and MDR1are critical mediators of PfAtg18 localization, and PfAtg18 may modulate MDR1 activity.
Native cyclase-associated protein and actin fromXenopus laevisoocytes form a 4:4 complex with a tripartite structure
Authors: Kodera Noriyuki , Abe Hiroshi , Ono Shoichiro
Published: October 2020

Cyclase-associated protein (CAP) is a conserved actin-binding protein that regulates multiple aspects of actin filament dynamics, including polymerization, depolymerization, filament severing, and nucleotide exchange. Intriguingly, CAP has been isolated from different cells and tissues as an equimolar complex with actin, and previous studies have shown that a CAP-actin complex contains six molecules each of CAP and actin. Here, we successfully isolated a complex ofXenopuscyclase-associated protein 1 (XCAP1) and actin from oocyte extracts and demonstrated that the complex contained four molecules each of XCAP1 and actin. The XCAP1-actin complex remained stable as a single population of 340 kDa in hydrodynamic analysis using gel filtration or analytical ultracentrifugation. Examination of the XCAP1-actin complex by high-speed atomic force microscopy revealed a tripartite structure: a middle globular domain and two globular arms. The two arms were connected with the middle globular domain by a flexible linker and observed in two states with different heights, presumably representing the presence or absence of G-actin. We hypothesize that the middle globular domain corresponds to a tetramer of the N-terminal helical-folded domain of XCAP1, and that each arm in the high state corresponds to a hetero-tetramer containing a dimer of the C-terminal CARP domain of XCAP1 and two G-actin molecules. This novel configuration of a CAP-actin complex may represent a functionally important aspect of this complex.
Splice-switching of the insulin receptor in rhabdomyosarcoma: Rescuing theIR-Bisoform for better treatment options
Authors: Khurshid Safiya , Montes Matias , Comiskey Daniel F. , Shane Brianne , Matsa Eleftheria , Brown Chelsea , Bid Hemant Kumar , Wang Ruoning , Houghton Peter , Rigo Frank , Chandler Dawn
Published: October 2020

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive pediatric tumor with poor prognosis for metastasis and recurrent disease. Large scale sequencing endeavors demonstrate that RMS tumors have limited mutations and a dearth of driver mutations that are precisely targetable. However, IGF2 signaling is known to be grossly altered in RMS. The IGF2 signalling molecule binds both its innate IGF1 receptor as well as the insulin-receptor-variant-A (IR-A) with high affinity. Mitogenic and proliferative signalling via the canonical IGF2 pathway is therefore augmented byIR-A. The insulin receptor (IR) which is a transmembrane tyrosine-kinase receptor exists in two alternatively spliced isoforms,IR-AandIR-B. In this study, we show that RMS patients express increasedIR-Acompared to control tissues that express predominantly theIR-Bisoform. We also found thatHif1ais significantly increased in RMS tumors, portraying their hypoxic phenotype. Furthermore, the alternative-splicing ofIRadapts to produce moreIR-Ain response to hypoxic stress. Upon examining the pre-mRNA structure of the gene, we identified a hypoxia-responsive-element, which is also the binding site for the RNA-binding proteinCUG-BP1. We designed Splice-Switching-Oligonucleotides (SSO) against this binding site to decrease the levels ofIR-Ain RMS cell-lines and consequently rescue theIR-Bexpression levels. SSO treatment resulted in significant reductions in proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. Our data show promising insight into how impeding the IGF-2 pathway by reducingIR-Aexpression mitigates tumor growth. Our data reveal that RMS tumors useIRalternative-splicing as yet another survival strategy which can be exploited as therapeutic intervention in conjunction with already established anti-IGF-1 receptor therapies.
Genetic or toxicant induced disruption of vesicular monoamine storage and global metabolic profiling inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Bradner Joshua M. , Kalia Vrinda , Lau Fion K. , Sharma Monica , Bucher Meghan L. , Johnson Michelle , Chen Merry , Walker Douglas I. , Jones Dean P. , Miller Gary W.
Published: October 2020

The proper storage and release of monoamines contributes to a wide range of neuronal activity. Here, we examine the effects of altered vesicular monoamine transport in the nematodeC. elegans. The genecat-1is responsible for the encoding of the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) inC. elegansand is analogous to the mammalian vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2). Our laboratory has previously shown that reduced VMAT2 activity confers vulnerability on catecholamine neurons in mice. The purpose of this paper was to determine whether this function is conserved and to determine the impact of reduced VMAT activity inC. elegans. Here we show that deletion ofcat-1/VMAT increases sensitivity to the neurotoxicant 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) as measured by enhanced degeneration of dopamine neurons. Reducedcat-1/VMAT also induces changes in dopamine-mediated behaviors. High-resolution mass spectrometry-based metabolomics in the whole organism reveals changes in amino acid metabolism, including tyrosine metabolism in thecat-1/VMAT mutants. Treatment with MPP+disrupted tryptophan metabolism. Both conditions altered glycerophospholipid metabolism, suggesting a convergent pathway of neuronal dysfunction. Our results demonstrate the evolutionarily conserved nature of monoamine function inC. elegansand further suggest that HRMS-based metabolomics can be used in this model to study environmental and genetic contributors to complex human disease
SARS-CoV-2 proteins and anti-COVID-19 drugs induce lytic reactivation of an oncogenic virus
Authors: Chen Jungang , Dai Lu , Barrett Lindsey , Post Steven R. , Qin Zhiqiang
Published: October 2020

An outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), a respiratory disease, has infected over 34,000,000 people since the end of 2019, killed over 1,000,000, and caused worldwide social and economic disruption. Due to the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection to host cells and its pathogenesis remain largely unclear, there are currently no antiviral drugs with proven efficacy nor are there vaccines for its prevention. Besides severe respiratory and systematic symptoms, several comorbidities may also increase risk of fatal disease outcome. Therefore, it is required to investigate the impacts of COVID-19 on pre-existing diseases of patients, such as cancer and other infectious diseases. In the current study, we have reported that SARS-CoV-2 encoded proteins and some anti-COVID-19 drugs currently used are able to induce lytic reactivation of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), one of major human oncogenic viruses through manipulation of intracellular signaling pathways. Our data indicate that those KSHV+ patients especially in endemic areas exposure to COVID-19 or undergoing the treatment may have increased risks to develop virus-associated cancers, even after they have fully recovered from COVID-19.
The X-linked intellectual disability gene product and E3 ubiquitin ligase KLHL15 degrades doublecortin proteins to constrain neuronal dendritogenesis
Authors: Song Jianing , Merrill Ronald A. , Usachev Andrew Y. , Strack Stefan
Published: October 2020

Proper brain development and function requires finely controlled mechanisms for protein turnover and disruption of genes involved in proteostasis is a common cause of neurodevelopmental disorders. Kelch-like 15 (KLHL15) is a substrate adaptor for cullin3 (Cul3)-containing E3 ubiquitin ligases andKLHL15gene mutations were recently described as a cause of severe X-linked intellectual disability. Here, we used a bioinformatics approach to identify a family of neuronal microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) as KLHL15 substrates, which are themselves critical for early brain development. We biochemically validated doublecortin (DCX), also an X-linked disease gene, and doublecortin-like kinases 1 and 2 (DCLK1/2) asbona fideKLHL15 interactors and mapped KLHL15 interaction regions to their tandem DCX domains. Shared with two previously identified KLHL15 substrates, a FRY tripeptide at the C-terminal edge of the second DCX domain is necessary for KLHL15-mediated ubiquitination of DCX and DCLK1/2 and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Conversely, silencing endogenous KLHL15 markedly stabilizes these DCX domain-containing proteins and prolongs their half-life. Functionally, overexpression of KLHL15 in the presence of wild-type DCX reduces dendritic complexity of cultured hippocampal neurons, whereas neurons expressing FRY-mutant DCX are resistant to KLHL15. Collectively, our findings highlight the critical importance of the E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor KLHL15 in proteostasis of neuronal MAPs and identify a regulatory network important for development of the mammalian nervous system.
Silencing of ATP synthase β reduces phytoplasma multiplication in the leafhopper vectorEuscelidius variegatus
Authors: Galetto Luciana , Abbà Simona , Rossi Marika , Ripamonti Matteo , Palmano Sabrina , Bosco Domenico , Marzachì Cristina
Published: October 2020

The leafhopperEuscelidius variegatusis a natural vector of the chrysanthemum yellows phytoplasma (CYp) and a laboratory vector of the Flavescence dorée phytoplasma (FDp). Previous studies indicated a crucial role for insect ATP synthase α and β subunits during phytoplasma infection of the vector species. Gene silencing of ATP synthase β was obtained by injection of specific dsRNAs inE. variegatus.Here we present the systemic and long-lasting nature of such silencing, its effects on the small RNA profile, the significant reduction of the corresponding protein expression, and the impact on phytoplasma acquisition capability. The specific transcript expression was silenced at least up to 37 days post injection with an average reduction of 100 times in insects injected with dsRNAs targeting ATP synthase β (dsATP) compared with those injected with dsRNAs targeting green fluorescent protein (dsGFP), used as negative controls. Insects injected either with dsATP or dsGFP successfully acquired CYp and FDp during feeding on infected plants. However, the average phytoplasma amount in dsATP insects was significantly lower than that measured in dsGFP specimens, indicating a probable reduction of the pathogen multiplication rate when ATP synthase β was silenced. The role of the insect ATP synthase β during phytoplasma infection process is discussed.
Parametric cognitive load reveals hidden costs in the neural processing of perfectly intelligible degraded speech
Authors: Ritz Harrison , Wild Conor , Johnsrude Ingrid
Published: October 2020

Speech is often degraded by environmental noise or hearing impairment. People can compensate for degradation, but this requires cognitive effort. Previous research has identified frontotemporal networks involved in effortful perception, but materials in these works were also less intelligible, and so it is not clear whether activity reflected effort or intelligibility differences. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess the degree to which spoken sentences were processed under distraction, and whether this depended on speech quality even when intelligibility of degraded speech was matched to that of clear speech (i.e., 100%). On each trial, participants either attended to a sentence, or to a concurrent multiple object tracking (MOT) task that imposed parametric cognitive load. Activity in bilateral anterior insula reflected task demands: during the MOT task, activity increased as cognitive load increased, and during speech listening, activity increased as speech became more degraded. In marked contrast, activity in bilateral anterior temporal cortex was speech-selective, and gated by attention when speech was degraded. In this region, performance of the MOT task with a trivial load blocked processing of degraded speech whereas processing of clear speech was unaffected. As load increased, responses to clear speech in these areas declined, consistent with reduced capacity to process it. This result dissociates cognitive control from speech processing: substantially less cognitive control is required to process clear speech than is required to understand even very mildly degraded, 100% intelligible, speech. Perceptual and control systems clearly interact dynamically during real-world speech comprehension.

Significance Statement

Speech is often perfectly intelligible even when degraded, e.g., by background sound, phone transmission, or hearing loss. How does degradation alter cognitive demands? Here, we use fMRI to demonstrate a novel and critical role for cognitive control in the processing of mildly degraded but perfectly intelligible speech. We compare speech that is matched for intelligibility but differs in putative control demands, dissociating cognitive control from speech processing. We also impose a parametric cognitive load during perception, dissociating processes that depend on tasks from those that depend on available capacity. Our findings distinguish between frontal and temporal contributions to speech perception and reveal a hidden cost to processing mildly degraded speech, underscoring the importance of cognitive control for everyday speech comprehension.
Online education during COVID-19: perception of academic stress and emotional intelligence coping strategies among college students
Authors: Chandra Yamini
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the government around the world has closed all the educational institutions to control the spread of disease, which is creating a direct impact on students, educators and institutions. The sudden shift from the physical classroom to virtual space is creating a disruption among students. The purpose of this study was to analyze the perception of academic stress experienced by students during current online education and coping strategies using emotional intelligence adopted by them.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a purposive sampling method, data were collected on a sample of 94 students pursuing undergraduation and postgraduation from two Indian cities, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai. The survey was conducted using two online questionnaires, Perceptions of Academic Stress Scale and Emotional Intelligence Scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics with chi-square analysis. A telephonic discussion was also conducted with some respondents to understand different coping strategies used by them to handle the stress.

Findings

The findings indicated significant differences were observed between the fear of academic failure and online and home environment among male and female students. Many of them have started diverting themselves to various creative activities and taking up courses that are helping them to learn new technical skills. By using emotional intelligence and distancing from boredom and depressive thoughts, students were trying to cope with negative effects arising from the current pandemic situation.

Research limitations/implications

This research study will be beneficial to educators, scholars, students, parents and will add a contribution to its field. However, the key factors studied were limited to a small sample from selected institutions and cities, which cannot be used to generalize to a large population.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper will be useful to assess the key challenges of online education especially at the time when it is the only option.

Social implications

The findings of this paper will be beneficial to understand the academic stress experienced by students and how a cultural and educational modification will be implemented.

Originality/value

This research study was conducted during the lockdown in India (April–May 2020), and the results derived through it are original in nature.
Impact of contexts, resource types and perceptions on information management within the personal domain among college students
Authors: Syn Sue Yeon , Sinn Donghee , Kim Sujin
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how college students' personal information behaviors were impacted by contexts, resource types and perceptions of personal information management.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an online survey, a total of 1,194 valid responses were collected from college students. The three contexts used for this study include academic, health and personal digital history. Specific scenarios, along with sets of resource types, were provided for each context.

Findings

The findings show that college students' perceptions and contexts strongly influence their activities related to personal information, and that resource types impact their activities depending on the context in which the resource types are situated. The findings of this study provide evidence of how varying factors influence personal information behaviors at different levels. Information professionals need to design their services and programs in a way that is cognizant of the factors that influence users and the challenges that users meet with in different contexts and resource types.

Originality/value

The findings of this study contribute to personal information research by providing an understanding of how context, perceptions and resource types intertwiningly influence personal information behaviors. This study provides an insight into widely accepted patterns and perceptions of personal information behavior with particular information resource types and within specific contexts.
Multidisciplinarity in internal communication and the challenges ahead
Authors: Araújo Milena , Miranda Sandra
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Considering the impact internal communication has on the performance of organizations, studies about internal communication are revisited in order to generate a deeper understanding about the disciplines that shape the topic and the main trends influencing both the academic and professional fields.

Design/methodology/approach

Departing from a communicational background, the authors integrate dispersed contributions from disciplines such as organizational communication, public relations, corporate communication and marketing communications, to the literature on internal communication.

Findings

The significant role played by internal communication is supported by scholars with different theoretical backgrounds. Despite the clear differences between disciplines, the defense of a strategized internal communication and a focus on the employee is widely accepted.

Practical implications

Both scholars and practitioners will need to keep adapting to a reality where: internal communication practices are not only managerial but also dependent on the inputs of the employees; the ability to listen and collect feedback is sacred, and internal communication plans are expected to be strategically implemented and measured.

Originality/value

By showing the plurality of disciplines that influence internal communication, a strategized multidisciplinary focus on the topic is encouraged.
A qualitative approach to investigate emergency preparedness state for the built environment in the UAE
Authors: Rashid Alteneiji Hamdan , Ahmed Vian , Saboor Sara
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Emergency preparedness (EP) is one of the crucial phases of the disaster management cycle for the built environment. The body of knowledge, therefore, reports on different preparedness standards adopted by developed countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA), Canada, Japan and Australia. Other countries, however, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (in the absence of its preparedness framework), have long adapted the UK preparedness standards. This has called for this study to investigate the state of EP practices in the UAE to identify the limitations and challenges it has been facing during its preparedness phase when adopting the UK preparedness standards.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative methods of data collection and documentation with the content analysis were adopted to identify the barriers faced by the preparedness phase of emergency management (EM) in the UAE. A Pilot study was therefore conducted to validate eight key elements of the EP phase identified from the literature. The state of EP phase and the extent to which the eight key elements of EP elements were practiced and the barriers in their implementation in the UAE were explored through interviews at federal (National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority) and local levels (local team of crisis and emergency management).

Findings

The study identified eight key elements of the EP phase and the associated barriers related to their implementation in the UAE. The barriers were ranked based on their severity by interviewing experts at both federal and local levels.

Practical implications

This paper addresses the need to investigate the state of the EP phase, its key elements and the barriers faced during its implementation in the UAE.

Originality/value

Due to the absence of any EP frameworks or systems in the UAE, this paper aims to validate the EP elements identified by adopting a qualitative approach.
Exploring talent management in practice: an Arab country-specific empirical investigation
Authors: Tlaiss Hayfaa
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Despite the proliferation of studies on talent management (TM), few studies focus on the perspectives of human resource management (HRM) representatives. Furthermore, there is a dearth of studies that explore talent philosophies and TM in practice in private organizations in emerging economies, such as those of the Arab Middle East (AME) region. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to explore talent philosophies and TM in practice in the country-specific context of Lebanon.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was exploratory in nature and followed a qualitative interpretive methodology. It capitalized on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with HRM representatives.

Findings

The findings of this study indicated relative consensus in talent philosophies across organizations in four industries; talent was largely perceived as exclusive, despite disagreements on whether it was stable or developable. Differences were identified in terms of how TM was understood in organizations and also how it was executed in practice in terms of talent identification and recruitment, training and development, performance assessment and talent retention.

Originality/value

This study is the first to empirically explore talent philosophies and TM in practice in the context of Lebanon. It is also among the few studies to extend the use of institutional theory (IT) to talent philosophies and TM practices. The originality of this study is also derived from its focus on the practices of HRM departments through using feedback from HRM representatives.
Graduate employability post-COVID-19: the case of a Malaysian public university
Authors: Kamaruddin Muhammad Iqmal Hisham , Ahmad Azuan , Husain Mohd Asri , Abd Hamid Saffa Nasuha
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study presents an effort to identify and understand the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the graduate employability (GE) of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) final year students. It examines the readiness of USIM's final year students to the internship during the lockdown period, the readiness to join GE programs and also employment prospects in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was employed, and 1,445 USIM final year students participated in this study.

Findings

The findings reveal that USIM final year students are ready to perform their internship even during the lockdown period. Besides, the students are also ready to join GE programs conducted by USIM, even while COVID-19 pandemic still currently occurs. Meanwhile, for the employment prospects in the future, results show that they believed that the employment prospects in the future after COVID-19 is low. In addition, academic background and internship areas exacerbate COVID-19's impact on the perceptions of USIM final year students on the employment prospects in the future.

Originality/value

This study is believed to be a pioneering study in identifying the impact of COVID-19 on the GE. It also contributes by identifying students' readiness to perform their internship during lockdown period via work from home (WFH) approach as well as their perceptions on the employment prospects in the future.
Stair step geometry compliance with standard specifications for safety and usability: a study of selected university buildings in Ghana
Authors: Agyefi-Mensah Stephen , Kpamma Zoya Evans , Hagan Daniel Ebo
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Compliance with standard specifications in stairway design and construction, particularly the step geometry, is imperative for the safety and usability of stairs. The purpose of this study, was to assess the compliance of stair step geometry parameters with standard specifications in selected public buildings in Ghana. Specifically, the study investigated the prevalence of deviations in step geometry parameters from standard provisions; how significant these deviations are in comparison, and by theoretical association, the potential risk of accidents.

Design/methodology/approach

Field measurement of the geometric parameters of a total of 1954 steps in 204 flights of stairs within 28 university buildings was undertaken using a calibrated Multi Digit Pro + digital spirit level and a tape measure following the Nose-to-Nose Method. The results were analyzed using in Microsoft Excel 2016 and Minitab 18 and interpreted based on mean values, one-samplet-test and percentages.

Findings

Although some parameters generally complied with standard specifications, dimensional inconsistencies in risers and treads of adjacent steps were most prevalent, and significantly at margins far above standard specifications. The findings of the study show the unique limitation of the step geometry design requirements specified in the current Ghana National Building Code and the National Building Regulation, and by association, the potential risk of accidents and discomfort in the use of stairs in public buildings such as those on university campuses.

Practical implications

The observed deviations in the dimensions of risers and treads point to a lack of strict compliance with standard specifications in the design and construction of stairs. Apart from engaging skilled artisans, and intensifying supervision in stair construction, development control authorities in Ghana need to strengthen inspection of stairs during construction to ensure and enforce compliance.

Originality/value

Findings of the study provide insight into stairway design, as well as stair safety and usability in a developing world context, and allows for a more comprehensive study of stair-related accidents and discomfort associated with stairs in public buildings as a basis for the review of standards and codes in Ghana and other developing countries.
Classroom wall color: a multiple variance analysis on social stress and concentration in learning environments
Authors: Pourbagher Somayeh , Azemati Hamid Reza , Saleh Sedgh Pour Bahram
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Social stress is a psychological and biological pressure that stems from one's relationship with others in social environments, which has become the most serious humanitarian issue today. Learning environments are one of the most important environments for reducing or increasing social stress and concentration. This study aims to investigate the effect of classroom wall color on students' stress and concentration in four common types of classrooms.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is a survey of 275 university students with an age range of 20–24. The methodology is a combination of quantitative and qualitative research. Data analysis was performed by multiple variance analysis and the internal reliability of the questionnaire was calculated based on Cronbach's alpha.

Findings

Results show that classroom wall color has a significant effect on student stress and concentration. In class type one, wall color had an effect of 10.4% on stress and concentration; in the second type, this variable had an effect of 8.8%, also in the third type it had an effect of 7.3% and 8.8% in the fourth type.

Originality/value

It can be concluded that wall color has an effective role in understanding the level of stress and concentration of users in the classrooms, and considering this factor in designing classrooms improves students' behavior and the quality of education in learning environments.
Does one project success measure fit all? An empirical investigation of Brazilian projects
Authors: Castro Marcela Souto , Bahli Bouchaib , Barcaui Andre , Figueiredo Ronnie
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to identify and accumulate knowledge on the existing developments on project success measures. The authors aim to contribute to this debate by providing both researchers and project management professionals with reliable contemporary project success criteria that permit generalization for a proper assessment regardless of the type and context of the project.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 264 Brazilian project managers from a range of industries, sectors of activities and business areas with different levels of experience. Data analysis was performed using the R software package.

Findings

In this research, the authors propose a general performance measure of project success where different projects can grade differently using the same scale. The data analysis validated five constructs of the developed model in the Brazilian setting.

Originality/value

Most of the actual project success measures used in project management literature have been tested in a specific industry or sector. Combinations of the type of project, industry, sector, project nature, stakeholders and other variables make each project unique. Thus, any effort to find a context-specific tool of measure will be an endless endeavor. To fill this gap, more general project success criteria need to be explored to offer a common point of comparison between projects. This is the motivation of the present study.
Economic freedom, competition and bank stability in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Sarpong-Kumankoma Emmanuel , Abor Joshua Yindenaba , Aboagye Anthony Q. Q. , Amidu Mohammed
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the potential implications of economic freedom and competition for bank stability.

Design/methodology/approach

Using system generalized method of moments and data from 139 banks across 11 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries during the period 2006–2012, this study considers whether the degree of economic freedom affects the relationship between competition and bank stability.

Findings

The results show evidence of the competition-fragility hypothesis in SSA banking, but suggests that beyond a setting threshold, increases in market power may also be damaging to bank stability. Financial freedom has a negative effect on bank stability, suggesting that banks operating in environments with greater financial freedom generally tend to be less stable or more risky. The authors also find evidence of a conditional effect of economic freedom on the competition–stability relationship, implying that bank failure is more likely to occur in countries with greater economic freedom, but with low competition in the banking sector.

Practical implications

The results suggests to policy makers that a moderate level of competition and economic freedom may be the appropriate policy to ensure the stability of banks.

Originality/value

The study provides insight on the competition–bank stability relationship, by providing new empirical evidence on the effect of economic freedom, which has not been previously considered.
A new model to monitor very small effects of a polynomial profile
Authors: Atashgar Karim , Abbassi Leila
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Different real cases indicate that the quality of a process is better monitored by a functional relationship rather than the traditional statistical process control (SPC) methods. This approach is referred to as profile monitoring. A serious objective in profile monitoring is the sensitivity of a model to very small changes of the process. The rapid progress of the precision manufacturing also indicates the importance of identifying very small shift types of a process/product profile curve. This sensitivity allows one to identify the fault of a process sooner compared to the case of lack of the capability.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposed a new method to monitor very small shift types of a polynomial profile for phase II of the SPC. The proposed method was named as MGWMA-PF. The performance capability of the proposed approach was evaluated through several numerical examples. A real case study was also used to investigate the capability of the proposed model.

Findings

The results addressed that the proposed method was capable of detecting very small shift types effectively. The numerical report based on the average run length (ARL) term revealed the more sensitivity of the proposed model compared to other existing methods of the literature.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new method to monitor very small shift types of a polynomial profile for phase II of the SPC. The proposed method provides detecting a very small change manifested itself to the process.
Can financial inclusion reduce the presence of corruption? Evidence from selected countries in Africa
Authors: Ajide Folorunsho M.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of financial inclusion (FI) on control of corruption in selected African countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs secondary data spanning over a period of 2005–2016. These data are sourced from IMF's International Financial Statistics, World Bank Development Indicators, Global Financial Development Database, Transparency International and International Country Risk Guide. The author uses Sarma (2008) approach to construct the FI index for 13 countries in Africa. The author applies random effect, robust least square and instrumental variable (IV) estimations to examine the impact of FI on control of corruption in Africa.

Findings

The author finds that financial inclusion improves the control of corruption. The author tests for possible FI threshold to avoid the case of extreme FI in Africa. The results show that there is a threshold level if reached, FI would have negative impacts in the control of corruption. This may likely happen mainly due to weak institutions in Africa. The results are robust to alternative proxy for control of corruption and various alternative estimation techniques.

Practical implications

The finding indicates that FI can serve as part of toolkits for reducing corruption in Africa.

Originality/value

This study stresses the important role of FI in the economic system. It is the first paper that empirically suggests the role of FI in controlling corruption in Africa.