bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Convergence of monosynaptic inputs from neurons in the brainstem and forebrain on parabrachial neurons that project to the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus
Authors: Kirouac Gilbert J. , Li Sa , Li Shuanghong
Published: February 2022

The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) projects to areas of the forebrain involved in behavior. Homeostatic challenges and salient cues activate the PVT and evidence shows that the PVT regulates appetitive and aversive responses. The brainstem is a source of afferents to the PVT and the present study was done to determine if the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB) is a relay for inputs to the PVT. Retrograde tracing experiments with cholera toxin B (CTB) demonstrate that the LPB contains more PVT projecting neurons than other regions of the brainstem including the catecholamine cell groups. The hypothesis that the LPB is a relay for brainstem signals to the PVT was assessed using an intersectional monosynaptic rabies tracing approach. Sources of inputs included the reticular formation, periaqueductal gray (PAG), nucleus cuneiformis, superior and inferior colliculi, and the LPB. Distinctive clusters of input cells to LPB-PVT projecting neurons were also found in the dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTDL) and the lateral central nucleus of the amygdala (CeL). Anterograde viral tracing demonstrates that LPB-PVT neurons densely innervate all of the PVT in addition to providing collateral innervation to the preoptic area, lateral hypothalamus, zona incerta and PAG but not the BSTDL and CeL. The paper discusses the anatomical evidence that suggests that the PVT is part of a network of interconnected neurons involved in arousal, homeostasis, and the regulation of behavioral states with forebrain regions potentially providing descending modulation or gating of signals relayed from the LPB to the PVT.
Vitronectin mediates survival of human WJ-MSCs under inflammatory temperature stress via cell cycle arrest
Authors: Goyal Umesh , Khader C Ashiq , Ta Malancha
Published: February 2022

Due to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory capabilities, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being widely used in cell-based therapies for the treatment of a wide spectrum of inflammatory disorders. Despite their promises, substantial cell loss post transplantation leads to compromised therapeutic benefits in clinical trials, which remains a challenge to overcome. Inflammatory microenvironment comprises the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines, elevated temperature, etc., which could hamper MSC viability following transplantation. Thus, identifying the underlying molecular factors controlling survival mechanism under such stress conditions, thereby, improving MSC survival becomes important for optimising MSC-based therapy. Also, since MSCs from different origins have significantly varied biology, choosing the appropriate MSC source could be crucial in determining the fate of transplanted MSCs in stressful milieu.

As extracellular matrix (ECM) components can mediate cell survival signals, in the present study, we have evaluated the role of ECM matricellular protein, vitronectin (VTN), in the survival of human umbilical cord-derived Wharton’s Jelly MSCs (WJ-MSCs) under the condition of inflammatory temperature stress. On exposure to 40°C, WJ-MSCs underwent cell cycle arrest with no significant change in viability status, along with an induction in VTN expression both at mRNA and protein levels. Interestingly, inhibition of pro-survival signalling pathways, ERK or PI3K, at 40°C led to further upregulation in VTN expression without any significant impact on viability or cell cycle arrest status. However, on knocking down VTN in WJ-MSCs at 40°C, decrease in viable population along with reversal of cell cycle arrest were noted. Moreover, inhibition of pro-survival pathways ERK or PI3K, in VTN knocked down WJ-MSCs at 40°C, led to a dramatic reduction in the viable population accompanied with reversal in cell cycle arrest.

Altogether, our findings highlighted the protective role of VTN in mediating survival of WJ-MSCs under inflammatory temperature stress condition, by possibly involving autophagy as an underlying mechanism.
Regional and cell type-specific afferent and efferent projections of the mouse claustrum
Authors: Wang Quanxin , Wang Yun , Xie Peng , Kuo Hsien-Chi , Hirokawa Karla E , Naeemi Maitham , Yao Shenqin , Ouellette Ben , Mallory Matt , Lesnar Phil , Kuang Xiuli , Li Yaoyao , Ye Min , Chen Chao , Xiong Wei , Ahmadinia Leila , El-Hifnawi Laila , Cetin Ali , Harris Julie A , Zeng Hongkui , Koch Christof
Published: February 2022

The claustrum (CLA) is a conspicuous subcortical structure interconnected with cortical and subcortical regions. However, its regional anatomy and cell-type-specific connections in the mouse remain largely undetermined. Here, we accurately delineated the boundary of the mouse CLA and quantitatively investigated its inputs and outputs brain-wide using anterograde and retrograde viral tracing and fully reconstructed single claustral principal neurons. At a population level, the CLA reciprocally connects with all isocortical modules. It also receives inputs from at least 35 subcortical structures but sends projections back to only a few of them. We found that cell types projecting to the CLA are differentiated by cortical areas and layers. We classified single CLA principal neurons into at least 9 cell types that innervate the diverse sets of functionally linked cortical targets. Axons of interneurons within the CLA arborize along almost its entire anteroposterior extent. Together, this detailed wiring diagram of the cell-type-specific connections of the mouse CLA lays a foundation for studying its functions.
Functional definition of thyroid hormone response elements based on a synthetic STARR-seq screen
Authors: Flamant Frédéric , Guyot Romain
Published: February 2022

When bound to thyroid hormone, the nuclear receptor TRα1 activates the transcription of a number of genes in many cell types. It mainly acts by binding DNA as an heterodimer with RXRs at specific response elements related to the DR4 consensus sequence. However, the number of DR4-like elements in the genome exceed by far the number of occupied sites, indicating that minor variations in nucleotides composition deeply influence the DNA-binding capacity and transactivation activity of TRα1. An improved protocol of synthetic STARR-seq was used to quantitatively assess the transcriptional activity of thousands of synthetic sites in parallel. This functional screen highlights a strong correlation between the affinity of the heterodimers for DNA and their capacity to mediate the thyroid hormone response.
Single-cell analysis of skeletal muscle macrophages reveals age-associated functional subpopulations
Authors: Krasniewski Linda K. , Chakraborty Papiya , Cui Chang-Yi , Mazan-Mamczarz Krystyna , Dunn Christopher , Piao Yulan , Fan Jinshui , Shi Changyou , Wallace Tonya , Nguyen Cuong , Rathbun Isabelle A. , Munk Rachel , Tsitsipatis Dimitrios , De Supriyo , Sen Payel , Ferrucci Luigi , Gorospe Myriam
Published: February 2022

Tissue-resident macrophages represent a group of highly responsive innate immune cells that acquire diverse functions by polarizing towards distinct subgroups. The subgroups of macrophages that reside in skeletal muscle (SKM) and their changes during aging are poorly characterized. By single-cell transcriptomic analysis, we found that mouse SKM macrophages primarily comprise two large populations, “healing” LYVE1+ and “proinflammatory” LYVE1-macrophages. SKM macrophages were further classified into four functional subgroups based on the expression levels of another cell-surface marker, MHCII: LYVE1+/MHCII-lo (similar to alternatively activated M2), LYVE1-/MHCII-hi (similar to classically activated M1), and two new subgroups, LYVE1+/MHCII-hi and LYVE1-/MHCII-lo. Notably, the new subgroup LYVE1+/MHCII-hi had traits of both M2 and M1 macrophages, while the other new subgroup, LYVE1-/MHCII-lo, expressed high levels of mRNAs encoding cytotoxicity proteins. Flow cytometric analysis validated the presence of the four macrophage subgroups in SKM. In old SKM, LYVE1-macrophages were more abundant than LYVE1+ macrophages. Furthermore, complementary unsupervised classification revealed the emergence of specific macrophage subclusters expressing abundant proinflammatory markers, including S100a8 and S100a9 in aged SKM. In sum, our study has identified dynamically polarized mouse SKM macrophages and further uncovered the contribution of specific macrophage subpopulations to the proinflammatory status in old SKM.
Neutral sphingomyelinase 1 regulates cellular fitness at the level of ER stress and cell cycle
Authors: Choezom Dolma , Gross Julia Christina
Published: February 2022

Neutral sphingomyelinase 1 (nSMase1) belongs to the sphingomyelinase enzyme family that hydrolyzes sphingomyelin to produce signaling active lipid ceramide and phosphorylcholine. The molecular characterization and biological function of nSMase1 remain poorly studied. Here, we report that nSMase1 (gene name: SMPD2) knockdown reduces LAMP1 at the mRNA levels and is required for initiating a full-potential unfolded protein response under ER stress. Additionally, SMPD2 KD dramatically reduces the global protein translation rate. We further show that SMPD2 KD cells are arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and that two important cell cycle regulating processes - PI3K/Akt pathway and Wnt signaling pathway are altered. Taken together, we propose a role for nSMase1 in buffering ER stress and modulating cellular fitness via cell cycle regulation.
HREM, RNAseq and cell-cycle analyses reveal the role of the G2/M-regulatory protein, Wee1, on the survivability of chicken embryos during diapause.
Authors: Pokhrel Narayan , Genin Olga , Sela-Donenfeld Dalit , Cinnamon Yuval
Published: February 2022

Avian blastoderm can enter into diapause when kept at low temperatures, and successfully re-sume development (SRD) when re-incubated in body-temperature. These abilities, which are largely affected by the temperature and duration of the diapause, are poorly understood at the cellular and molecular level. To determine how temperature affects embryonic morphology during diapause, High-Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM) analysis was utilized. While blastoderms diapausing at 12oC for 28 days presented typical cytoarchitecture, similar to non-diapaused embryos, at 18oC much thicker blastoderms with higher cell-number were ob-served. RNAseq was conducted to discover the genes underlying these phenotypes, revealing differentially-expressed cell-cycle regulatory genes. Amongst them, Wee1, a negative-regulator of G2/M transition, was highly expressed at 12oC compared to 18oC. This finding suggested that cells at 12oC are arrested at the G2/M phase, as supported by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation (BrdU) assay and phosho-histone-H3 (pH3) immuno-staining. Inhibition of Wee1 during dia-pause at 12oC resulted in cell-cycle progression beyond the G2/M and augmented tissue volume, resembling the morphology of 18oC-diapaused embryos. These findings suggest that diapause at low temperatures leads to Wee1 upregulation which arrests the cell-cycle at the G2/M phase, promoting the perseverance of embryonic cytoarchitecture and future SRD. In contrast, Wee1 is not up-regulated during diapause at higher temperature, leading to continuous proliferation and maladaptive morphology associated with poor survivability. Combining HREM-based analysis with RNAseq and molecular manipulations, we present a novel mechanism that regulates the ability of diapaused-avian embryos to maintain their cytoarchitecture via cell-cycle arrest, which enables their SRD.
Toxoplasma gondii’s basal complex: the other apicomplexan business end is multifunctional
Authors: Gubbels Marc-Jan , Ferguson David J. P. , Saha Sudeshna , Romano Julia D. , Chavan Suyog , Primo Vincent A. , Michaud Cynthia , Coppens Isabelle , Engelberg Klemens
Published: February 2022

The Apicomplexa are famously named for their apical complex, a constellation of organelles at their apical end dedicated to invasion of their host cells. In contrast, at the other end of the cell, the basal complex (BC) has been in the limelight since it is much less prominent and specific functions were not immediately obvious. However, in the past decade a staggering array of functions have been associated with the BC, and strides have been made in understanding its structure. Here, these collective insights are supplemented with new data to provide an overview of the understanding of the BC in Toxoplasma gondii. The emerging picture is that the BC is a dynamic and multifunctional complex, with a series of (putative) functions. The BC has multiple roles in cell division: it is the site where building blocks are added to the cytoskeleton scaffold; it exerts a two-step stretch and constriction mechanism as contractile ring; and it is key in organelle division. Furthermore, the BC has numerous putative roles in ‘import’, such as the recycling of mother cell remnants, the acquisition of host-derived vesicles, possibly the uptake of lipids derived from the extracellular medium, and the endocytosis of micronemal proteins. The latter process ties the BC to motility, whereas an additional role in motility is conferred by Myosin C. Furthermore, the BC acts on the assembly and/or function of the intravacuolar network, which may directly or indirectly contribute to the establishment of chronic tissue cysts. Here we provide experimental support for molecules acting in several of these processes, and identify several new BC proteins critical to maintaining the cytoplasmic bridge between divided parasites. However, the dispensable nature of many BC components leaves many questions unanswered regarding its function. In conclusion, the BC in T. gondii is a dynamic and multifunctional structure at the posterior end of the parasite.
Galaxy-SynBioCAD: Automated Pipeline for Synthetic Biology Design and Engineering
Authors: Hérisson Joan , Duigou Thomas , du Lac Melchior , Bazi-Kabbaj Kenza , Azad Mahnaz Sabeti , Buldum Gizem , Telle Olivier , El-Moubayed Yorgo , Carbonell Pablo , Swainston Neil , Zulkower Valentin , Kushwaha Manish , Baldwin Geoff S. , Faulon Jean-Loup
Published: February 2022

We introduce the Galaxy-SynBioCAD portal, the first toolshed for synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and industrial biotechnology. The tools and workflows currently shared on the portal enables one to build libraries of strains producing desired chemical targets covering an end-to-end metabolic pathway design and engineering process from the selection of strains and targets, the design of DNA parts to be assembled, to the generation of scripts driving liquid handlers for plasmid assembly and strain transformations. Standard formats like SBML and SBOL are used throughout to enforce the compatibility of the tools. In a study carried out at four different sites, we illustrate the link between pathway design and engineering with the building of a library ofE. colilycopene-producing strains. We also benchmarked our workflows on literature and expert validated pathways. Overall, we find an 83% success rate in retrieving the validated pathways among the top 10 pathways generated by the workflows.
Multiscale Modeling of Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly and its Dimorphism
Authors: Mohajerani Farzaneh , Tyukodi Botond , Schlicksup Christopher J. , Hadden-Perilla Jodi A. , Zlotnick Adam , Hagan Michael F.
Published: February 2022

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is an endemic, chronic virus that leads to 800,000 deaths per year. Central to the HBV lifecycle, the viral core has a protein capsid assembled from many copies of a single protein. The capsid protein adopts different (quasi-equivalent) conformations to form icosahedral capsids containing 180 or 240 proteins,T=3 orT=4 respectively in Caspar-Klug nomenclature. HBV capsid assembly has become an important target for new antivirals; nonetheless the assembly pathways and mechanisms that control HBV dimorphism remain unclear. We describe computer simulations of HBV assembly, using a coarse-grained model that has parameters learned from all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of a complete HBV capsid, and yet is computationally tractable. Dynamical simulations with the resulting model reproduce experimental observations of HBV assembly pathways and products. By constructing Markov state models and employing transition path theory, we identify pathways leading toT=3,T=4, and other experimentally observed capsid morphologies. The analysis identifies factors that control this polymorphism, in particular, the conformational free energy landscape of the capsid proteins and their interactions.
BET-independent MLV integration is retargeted in vivo and selects distinct genomic elements for lymphomagenesis
Authors: Nombela Ivan , Michiels Martine , Looveren Dominique Van , Marcelis Lukas , Ashkar Sara el , Belle Siska Van , Bruggemans Anne , Tousseyn Thomas , Schwaller Jürg , Christ Frauke , Gijsbers Rik , Rijck Jan De , Debyser Zeger
Published: February 2022

Moloney murine leukemia virus (MLV) infects BALB/c mice and induces T-cell lymphoma in mice. Retroviral integration is mediated by the interaction of the MLV integrase (IN) with members of the bromodomain and extra-terminal motif (BET) protein family (BRD2, BRD3 and BRD4). Introduction of the W390A mutation in MLV IN abolishes BET interaction. Here we compared the replication of W390A MLV and WT MLV in adult BALB/c mice to study the role of BET proteins in replication, integration and tumorigenesis in vivo. Comparing WT and W390A MLV infection revealed similar viral loads in blood, thymus and spleen cells. Interestingly, W390A MLV integration was retargeted away from GC-enriched genomic regions. However, both WT MLV and W390A MLV developed T cell lymphoma after a similar latency represented by an enlarged thymus and spleen and multi-organ tumor infiltration. Integration site sequencing from splenic tumor cells revealed clonal expansion in all WT MLV- and W390A MLV-infected mice. However, the integration profile of W390A MLV and WT MLV differed significantly. Integrations were enriched in enhancers and promoters but compared to WT, W390A MLV integrated less frequently into enhancers and more into oncogene bodies, such as Notch1 and Ppp1r16b. We conclude that host factors direct MLV in vivo integration site selection. Although, BET proteins target WT MLV integration preferentially towards enhancers and promoters, insertional lymphomagenesis can occur independently from BET, likely due to the intrinsically strong enhancer/promoter of the MLV LTR.
Transertion is used for localized expression and assembly of Vibrio parahaemolyticus T3SS2
Authors: Kaval Karan Gautam , Chimalapati Suneeta , Siegel Sara , Rodriguez Nalleli Garcia , Dalia Ankur B. , Orth Kim
Published: February 2022

Using environmental cues, bacteria commit to the assembly of transmembrane complexes such as the type III secretion system 2 (T3SS2), a membrane-bound, syringe-like secretory apparatus used during infection to inject host cells with virulence factors. Here we report Vibrio parahaemolyticus uses transertion, localized transcription, translation, and membrane insertion, to assemble its T3SS2. Upon binding bile acids, the membrane bound receptor and transcription factor VtrA/VtrC captures the T3SS2 pathogenicity island at the inner membrane. Activated VtrA/VtrC induces production of VtrB, the membrane bound master T3SS2 transcriptional regulator. VtrB then induces the membrane-proximal T3SS2 genes to undergo transertion for assembly of the membrane inserted secretion machinery. Transertion is a process that can be used for the efficient assembly of membrane-bound molecular complexes in response to extracellular signals.

One-Sentence Summary

Localized transcription, translation, and membrane insertion of multi-protein complexes in bacteria in response to host cues.
AN IMAGING FLOW CYTOMETRY-BASED METHODOLOGY FOR THE ANALYSIS OF SINGLE EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES IN UNPROCESSED HUMAN PLASMA
Authors: Woud Wouter W. , van der Pol Edwin , Mul Erik , Hoogduijn Martin J. , Baan Carla C. , Boer Karin , Merino Ana
Published: February 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tissue-specific particles released by cells containing valuable diagnostic information in the form of various biomolecules. To rule out selection bias or introduction of artefacts caused by EV isolation techniques, we present a clinically feasible, imaging flow cytometry (IFCM)–based methodology to phenotype and determine the concentration of EVs with a diameter ≤400 nm in human platelet-poor plasma (PPP)withoutprior isolation of EVs.

Instrument calibration (both size and fluorescence) were performed with commercial polystyrene beads. Detergent treatment of EVs was performed to discriminate true vesicular events from artefacts. Using a combination of markers (CFSE & Tetraspanins, or CD9 & CD31) we found that >90% of double-positive fluorescent events represented single EVs.

Through this work, we provide a framework that will allow the application of IFCM for EV analysis in peripheral blood plasma in a plethora of experimental and potentially diagnostic settings. Additionally, this direct approach for EV analysis will enable researchers to explore new corners of EV as cellular messengers in healthy and pathological conditions.
COVID-19 and privacy: a European dilemma
Authors: Renda Andrea
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims at discussing the options available to governments when it comes to the use of technology to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an opinion piece, based on very recent developments (COVID-19), and based on a well-known trade-off between privacy and state surveillance, especially in times of crisis that threaten the survival of a nation.

Findings

The main finding is that technology alone will not help, and there are several reasons to doubt that the recently proposed European system to track the contagion in a privacy-preserving way (pan-European privacy preserving proximity tracing [PEPP-PT]) would be a fully effective solution.

Research limitations/implications

This is a short paper, which is very dependent on current developments. It was written in a very short time, so the level of depth in the references to the literature and the caselaw is limited. The main implication is that this paper is very far from the final word in the analysis of the interplay between technology and society, especially in democratic countries.

Practical implications

There is a need to ensure that the temporary measures that will be adopted during the pandemic do not extend to the post-COVID-19 period.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is a very fresh debate; the paper is thus original and proposes one of the first structured comments to the PEPP-PT and DP-3T conceptual designs.
Framework proposal for BIM implementation in Brazilian construction and development companies
Authors: Sena Tito Ceci de , Fabricio Márcio Minto
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study proposes a framework for collaborative building information modeling BIM implementation in construction and development companies in the Brazilian architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) market. The study addresses aspects concerning BIM collaboration, levels of adoption and maturity, classification of BIM objects and use of tools.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conclusions are based on a bibliographic review and on active participation in a BIM implementation process conducted with two construction and development companies that participated in the study, which allowed examining the practical problems of the elaboration of BIM in various technical specialties, and the proposition of a framework to help overcome these limitations.

Findings

The research identified the importance of adopting standardized methods to develop models, establishing common classifications for objects to allow the use by different stakeholders on 3D, 4D and 5D processes, in a context that information is scattered and, in many cases, divergent across different companies and even different areas from the same company.

Originality/value

The study presents a practical set of methods and tools to be used within a context common to the Brazilian AEC market, on which construction and development companies are responsible for the management of the design and construction phase of a building. The recommendations of the research take into account the shortage of nationwide frameworks and classification standards, so it contributes to filling some gaps of current literature that cover theoretical aspects of guidance documents for BIM implementation but do not detail specific practical applications within a determined context. The limitations of the framework proposed are its focus on establishing context-specific guidelines, which may not be suitable universally.
Corporate governance and corporate social responsibility: new evidence from China
Authors: Aboud Ahmed , Yang Xinming
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of corporate governance on corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance, paying particular attention to modern Chinese businesses. Particularly, it examines how ownership concentration, boards of directors and boards of supervisors affect the quality of CSR performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs the regression analysis using a sample from listed companies in Shanghai and Stock Exchanges covering 2014 until 2018.

Findings

Using a sample of listed companies in Shanghai and Stock Exchanges, the empirical evidence, A-share listed companies between 2014 and 2018, this empirical investigation demonstrates that corporate governance does indeed have a significant effect on CSR. However, various types of corporate governance mechanisms have differing effects on CSR. The authors find that ownership concentration has a positive impact on CSR performance, while the size of a company’s board of supervisors has a positive impact on CSR performance. By doing so, the authors provide practical implications to users, and regulatory authorities to make better decisions

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing literature by examining the impact of corporate governance on a company’s abilities to meet its CSR objectives in China. Much of the empirical studies on this issue are centred on the Western world, notably Western Europe and the USA.
The effect of generalist CEOs on social novelty in the restaurant industry
Authors: Park Sungbeen , Lee Seoki
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Through the lens of the upper echelons theory, this study aims to investigate how generalist chief executive officers (CEOs) affect social novelty. This paper also explores the moderating effect of CEO power on the relationship between generalist CEOs and social novelty.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses generalized estimating equation models and robust standard errors by firm to correct for autoregressive disturbances within clusters in the data.

Findings

Restaurant firms with generalist CEOs are likely to feature gender diversity and member change in the top management structure. This positive effect of a generalist CEO on top management team’s (TMT) structure is enhanced by the CEO’s power over board members.

Practical implications

This study presents important evidence that CEOs’ characteristics largely influence the gender heterogeneity and dynamic of the TMT, which in turn promote and shape innovative initiatives and actions.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first to investigate the effect of CEOs’ human capital on the way in which the TMT is composed and characterized in the restaurant sector.
Cocreating food experience “delivered” from iconic local restaurants
Authors: Leung Xi Yu , Wang Xingyu , Levitt Jamie Alexander , Lu Lu
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore an emerging phenomenon – gourmet meal kits delivered to out-of-towners from iconic local restaurants. This study explores the interplay of goal framing and basic needs and their effects on customer intentions. This study also examines the underlying mechanism of experience cocreation and the moderating effect of food involvement.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a framework that combines the self-determination theory (SDT) and customer experience cocreation. Two online experimental studies involving 478 US consumers were conducted to examine the underlying mechanism of customers’ decision-making on purchasing gourmet meal kits (Study 1) and visiting destination restaurants after receiving the meal kit (Study 2).

Findings

Intrinsic goal-framing leads to stronger intentions to purchase gourmet meal kits and to visit destination restaurants that sell meal kits. In contrast, extrinsic goal-framing enhances the positive influence of perceived relatedness and competence on behavioral intentions. The effects of goal framing and basic needs on behavioral intentions are moderated by food involvement and mediated by experience cocreation to varying degrees.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to empirically examine an emerging business model – delivering restaurants’ food experiences to out-of-towners. The study also expands the application of the SDT by incorporating customer cocreation as the underlying mechanism.
SaaS or not: optimal versioning strategy of releasing enterprise software
Authors: Sun Yangyang , Dang Chuangyin , Feng Gengzhong
Published: February 2022

Purpose

With the rapid development of cloud computing, most software firms face the significant choice of whether they should change the versioning strategy of enterprise software from releasing the on-premise version to the software-as-a-service (SaaS) version. Data being generated and hosted on SaaS vendors' servers brings multiple effects. It enables customers to enjoy the flexibility of accessing data and using the software remotely, named the “portability” effect. However, on the other hand, the cumulative data resources on the cloud also provide a clear target for external attacks, leading to the concern of information security. Considering these, the authors hope to offer insights for software firms by exploring the strategy selection problem.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking the portability effect and security risks of the SaaS licensing model into account, the authors develop a two-period model to figure out the market segmentation and identify the feasible conditions for employing three alternative strategies. Comparative statics analyses are conducted to explore the influencing mechanism of exogenous factors on strategy selection. The authors also discuss the strategy selection in the presence of the network effect and the security loss faced by users of on-premise software.

Findings

One significant finding is that the on-premise strategy can be excluded when the potential loss from security risks is small. Under this circumstance, the dual version strategy is optimal provided that the increase of customer valuation caused by portability effect is below a threshold. Otherwise, the SaaS strategy generates the highest profit. When the potential loss from security risks turns large, the on-premise strategy, the dual version strategy and the SaaS strategy are the optimal options in order as the portability effect on customer valuation gets stronger.

Originality/value

Previous literature has insufficiently addressed the versioning issue of enterprise software. In this paper, the distinctive features of the SaaS model are considered, and differentiated results compared with previous work are obtained. The research results provide guidelines for software firms in deciding their product releases in the future.
Linking servicescape and experiencescape: creating a collective focus for the service industry
Authors: Kandampully Jay , Bilgihan Anil , Amer Sally Mohamed
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review what one knows – and does not know about servicescape and experiencescape. The paper provides a comprehensive conceptualization, discussion of the servicescape and experiencescape and calls for the need for a collective focus of servicescape and experiencescape for the service industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper analyzes multiple literature studies related to servicescape, experiencescape and other related concepts such as service quality and customer experience for building a comprehensive framework that draws knowledge from both servicescape and experiencescape in an effort to create a collective focus.

Findings

Prior research on the components of servicescape and experiencescape raises more questions than answers. The findings of this study highlight the importance of technology as one of the key components of experiencescape to motivate customers to engage in the consumption environment. Furthermore, the proposed conceptual framework provides a detailed discussion and highlights the importance of using servicescape and experiencescape concepts together as a collective framework to bring about greater benefits to the service industry. The proposed framework suggests that these concepts are not only collective but also interrelated.

Research limitations/implications

Technology is not a tool but an important partner for the firm to create the experience. It can bring together marketing, management and operations within the organization to collectively focus on the customer. Collectively designed servicescape and experiencescape will create lasting memories and emotional connections with customers.

Practical implications

Service organizations can develop smart experiencescapes that positively influence customer value cocreation and heighten customer experience by utilizing technology. Managers are advised to understand consumers' emphasis on technological personalization, aesthetics, functionality, interactivity and social presence while participating in cocreation. Technologies may improve the experience by incorporating real-time and less-restrained interactions between consumers and the service organization.

Originality/value

This paper synthesizes insights from the extant literature related to servicescape, service quality, customer experience and experiencescape. Further, it helps to extend the current understanding of experiencescape and calls for the need to incorporate technology as one of the key experience components in the experiencescape concept. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance and the need to bring these two concepts together with a collective focus to enhance value for the customer. Thus, it is argued here that the collective focus of servicescape and experiencescape in the service industry will create new opportunities for further research and practical applications.
Customer interaction strategy, brand purpose and brand communities
Authors: Calder Bobby J.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Customer interactions are integral to service brands. Indeed, many product brands have added services in order to create more opportunity for customer interaction. This paper deals with the strategic use of customer interactions to build a strong brand. Customer interaction strategy has evolved considerably beyond traditional sales and advertising in how customer interactions are conducted. Yet the Pareto rule (e.g. 80% of sales from 20% of customers) continues to guide who brands interact with. Conventional wisdom is that firms should target heavy users or customers high on the recency, frequency and monetary (RFM) value of purchases. The purpose of this conceptual paper is to examine how brands can use brand purpose and brand communities to target light users and even nonuser stakeholders as well.

Design/methodology/approach

There is reason to hypothesize that brands can go beyond the heavy user limit of targeting customer interactions by developing brands around purpose. Purpose can be based on engagement with personal goals or values or on societal values about doing good for others. Brand purpose can be reinforced by either life purpose brand communities or societal purpose brand communities.

Findings

The paper reviews findings in the brand interaction, brand purpose and brand communities literature.

Research limitations/implications

The two types of brand purposes and brand communities offer the possibility of growing a brand by targeting customer interactions at light users and nonuser stakeholders.

Practical implications

There are important future research issues to be addressed, but this approach could increase the value of brands to consumers and extend the life cycle of brands for organizations.

Social implications

Furthermore, the concept of societal brand purpose could allow firms to focus on creating shareholder value as well as addressing social and environmental problems.

Originality/value

This paper broadens the current conception of customer interaction strategy and is thus relevant to relationship and experience marketing.
Remarkable recoveries: an interpretation of recovery narratives using the CHIME model
Authors: Hurst Robert , Carson Jerome , Shahama Aishath , Kay Hollie , Nabb Courtney , Prescott Julie
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the 16 published non-student Recovery Heroes and Remarkable Lives accounts published in Mental Health and Social Inclusion, using the connection, hope, identity, meaning and empowerment (CHIME) framework.

Design/methodology/approach

All 16 accounts were rated independently by four researchers and evaluated in terms of whether each account met the five criteria for the CHIME model.

Findings

All accounts met the criteria for the CHIME model, with the exception of one, which still met four of the five criteria. Evidence was presented which suggests that the model can be extended to creativity, connectedness, hope, identity, meaning and empowerment (C-CHIME), to incorporate creativity.

Research limitations/implications

While a certain level of subjectivity is required in deciding how each account meets the CHIME criteria, there were high levels of inter-rater reliability within the research team. Creativity had a central place in all the accounts.

Practical implications

The revised C-CHIME model can be used by practitioners to examine accounts of recovery in a more focussed manner and may also help in devising recovery action plans.

Social implications

The recovery model privileges both professional and lived experience perspectives on recovery. The current review highlights how much we can benefit from the wisdom contained in first person accounts.

Originality/value

This review adds to the existing literature and highlights the importance of creativity for mental health recovery.
High ownership concentration and income shifting in multinational groups
Authors: Medioli Alice , Azzali Stefano , Mazza Tatiana
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Prior literature shows that income shifting is widely performed by multinational groups, but no research as yet has studied alignment between controlling and minority interests on tax avoidance in multinational groups with high ownership concentration. This study aims to analyze the effect of high ownership concentration on cross-jurisdictional tax-motivated income shifting.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypotheses, this study focuses on European multinational groups. Data are collected on European parent firms and each subsidiary. The model considers the natural logarithm of profit before tax and tax incentive.

Findings

Findings show that subsidiaries shift income for tax avoidance purposes. The alignment of shareholders’ interests and ownership concentration leads to higher levels of tax avoidance through subsidiaries’ infra-group transactions. High ownership concentration decreases the influence of minority interests and allows parent company shareholders to choose a tax avoidance strategy more freely.

Practical implications

The results suggest that taxation levels need to be harmonized to reduce the incentive for tax avoidance and the incentive of governments to reduce their statutory tax rate, to shift profits inwards and reduce outward flow. Without international coordination, this approach may lead to the unevenness of legislative frameworks around the world, and bring significant disadvantages for some countries, influencing economic growth and business development.

Originality/value

This study extends prior findings showing that tax-motivated income shifting as a method of tax avoidance in European multinational groups is stronger in groups with high levels of ownership concentration. This means that managers have the incentive to shift income between subsidiaries for tax and ownership benefits in favor of the parent company’s shareholders and against minority interests.
Scale dependence of landscape heterogeneity effects on plant invasions
Authors: Kotowska Dorota , Pärt Tomas , Skórka Piotr , Auffret Alistair G. , Żmihorski Michał
Published: February 2022

Invasive alien species are among the most concerning threats to native biodiversity world‐wide, and the level of landscape heterogeneity is considered to affect spatial patterns of their occurrence and spread. However, as previous studies on these associations report contrasting results, the role of landscape heterogeneity on its susceptibility to invasions remains poorly understood. Landscape heterogeneity is usually described by two measures: configuration and composition. Both measures may differently affect invasive species and these impacts may be additionally scale dependent. Nevertheless, their relative contribution to invasion patterns is poorly known.

We investigated the effect of two landscape heterogeneity components: configuration (edge density) and composition (number and evenness of land cover types) measured at different spatial scales (from within 0.25 to 5 km of the studied locations) on the local abundance of one of the most invasive alien plant species in Europe, the North American goldenrods (Solidago canadensis and S. gigantea). Using publicly available geospatial environmental data and a novel method based on remote analysis of Google Street View images, we collected and analysed large dataset on goldenrod occurrence along 1,347 roadside transects in agricultural landscapes of Poland.

Both the compositional and configurational heterogeneity were positively associated with the local abundance of goldenrods, however, the effect size of these relationships was dependent on spatial scale. While abundance–heterogeneity associations were most pronounced at the largest spatial scale for compositional heterogeneity, the pattern was the opposite for configurational heterogeneity.

Synthesis and applications. Landscape heterogeneity is a clear correlate of plant invasion potential, with occurrences of invasive plants generally higher in more heterogeneous landscapes. However, scale dependence of this association means that researchers and practitioners may miss the association if only concentrating on a single spatial scale. While increasing heterogeneity of rural landscapes is widely introduced as a way to promote farmland biodiversity, we show that it may also support invasive plants, and thus conflict with original goals of biodiversity‐oriented strategies. Therefore, we suggest implementing regular management and eradication schemes in most heterogeneous landscapes. Finally, we demonstrate how remote analysis of plant invasions using existing imagery can advance our understanding of invasion biology.
The pH signalling transcription factor PacC modulate growth, development, stress response and pathogenicity of Trichothecium roseum
Authors: Wang Bin , Han Zhanhong , Gong Di , Xu Xiaobin , Li Yongcai , Sionov Edward , Prusky Dov , Bi Yang , Zong Yuanyuan
Published: February 2022

pH is one of the important environmental factors that affect the growth, development and pathogenicity of postharvest pathogen. The transcription factor PacC dominates the pH signal pathway. PacC in Trichothecium roseum showed three typical conserved zinc finger domains and closest homology to Fusarium graminearum. T. roseum increased the environmental pH both in vitro and in vivo. Expression patterns of TrpacC under different pH showed that at increasing pH from 3 to 5, the wild‐type (WT) strain induced the expression of TrPacC in parallel to increased fungal growth; however, TrPacC expression decline at higer pH than 5, while fungal growth continued to increase. Development of a ΔTrPacC mutant down‐regulated the expression of TrbrlA, TrabaA and TrwetA, reduced sporulation and delayed spore germination, resulting in smaller spores and sparse hyphae. ΔTrPacC mutant was sensitive to ionic stress, oxidative stress and cell wall integrity stress compared to the WT strain, especially the ionic stress. In addition, ∆TrPacC mutant showed reduced pathogenicity to muskmelon and tomato fruits. Taken together, T. roseum is an alkalinizing fungus, and the acidic environment could induce TrPacC expression. TrPacC positively regulates fungal growth and development as well as pathogenicity showing effect on fungal response to different stresses.
Painful and sometimes deadly experiments which Nazi doctors carried out on children
Authors: Weindling Paul
Published: February 2022

Coerced human experiments are among the most disturbing forms of ethical violations and criminality in medicine under National Socialism. Until 2016, there was no evidence‐based analysis concerning numbers of victims and the type of experiments. A reference resource on Victims of Biomedical Research under NS. Collaborative Database of Medical Victims currently covers 28 655 victims who were subjected to 359 different experiments by the Nazis during World War Two. Drawing on this resource, this paper focuses on research on children. Finally, the narrow focus on the experiments, highlighting scientific methodology but disregarding the killing procedures of the Holocaust, is critically analysed.
The cause of eyelid ptosis, orthostatic hypotension and exercise intolerance
Authors: Monnens Leo
Published: February 2022

To provide more insight in the delay in diagnosis and expectation of treatment adapted for the paediatrician, the data were collected from patients described with dopamine beta‐hydroxylase deficiency are evaluated. More insight in clinical features of dopamine beta‐hydroxylase deficiency consisting mainly of eyelid ptosis, orthostatic hypotension, hypoglycaemia and exercise intolerance, explains the delay in diagnosis of this congenital disorder, although all symptoms some more concealed are present. An increasing experience by L‐DOPS, a resurrection for the patient, allows recommendations for early treatment. An explanation for the delay in diagnosis is provided together with the advice for treatment.
Laparoscopic resection for a relapsed presacral epidermoid cyst penetrating the ischiorectal fossa
Authors: Sakurai Tsubasa , Mukai Toshiki , Kawachi Hiroshi , Hiyoshi Yukiharu , Yamaguchi Tomohiro , Nagasaki Toshiya , Akiyoshi Takashi , Fukunaga Yosuke
Published: February 2022

An epidermoid cyst occurring in the presacral region is a rare congenital cystic tumor. Complete surgical excision is recommended because of the possibility of infection and malignancy. Depending on the size and location, several approaches, such as anterior, posterior, combined, and laparoscopic approaches, have been described. Here, we have reported a rare case of relapsed epidermoid cyst after emergency laparotomy and transvaginal drainage. Although the cyst penetrated the levator ani muscle and was densely adhered to the vagina and rectum, complete laparoscopic resection was successfully performed. This approach is a useful technique as it is minimally invasive and minimizes tissue destruction of the pelvic floor.