bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A bacterial secretosome for regulated envelope biogenesis and quality control?
Authors: Watkins Daniel W. , Williams Sophie L. , Collinson Ian
Published: October 2022

The Gram-negative bacterial envelope is the first line of defence against environmental stress and antibiotics. Therefore, its biogenesis is of considerable fundamental interest, as well as a challenge to address the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. All bacterial proteins are synthesised in the cytosol, so inner- and outer-membrane proteins, and periplasmic residents have to be transported to their final destinations via specialised protein machinery. The Sec translocon, a ubiquitous integral inner-membrane (IM) complex, is key to this process as the major gateway for protein transit from the cytosol to the cell envelope; this can be achieved during their translation, or afterwards. Proteins need to be directed into the inner-membrane (usually co-translational), otherwise SecA utilises ATP and the proton-motive-force (PMF) to drive proteins across the membrane post-translationally. These proteins are then picked up by chaperones for folding in the periplasm, or delivered to the β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) for incorporation into the outer-membrane. The core hetero-trimeric SecYEG-complex forms the hub for an extensive network of interactions that regulate protein delivery and quality control. Here, we conduct a biochemical exploration of this ‘secretosome’ –a very large, versatile and inter-changeable assembly with the Sec-translocon at its core; featuring interactions that facilitate secretion (SecDF), inner- and outer-membrane protein insertion (respectively, YidC and BAM), protein folding and quality control (e.g. PpiD, YfgM and FtsH). We propose the dynamic interplay amongst these, and other factors, act to ensure efficient envelope biogenesis, regulated to accommodate the requirements of cell elongation and division. We believe this organisation is critical for cell wall biogenesis and remodelling and thus its perturbation could be a means for the development of anti-microbials.
High-throughput screening identifies small molecule inhibitors of thioesterase superfamily member 1: Implications for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Krumm Christopher S. , Ramos-Espiritu Lavoisier , Landzberg Renée S. , Adura Carolina , Liu Xu , Acuna Mariana , Xie Yang , Xu Xu , Tillman Matthew C. , Li Yingxia , Glickman J. Fraser , Ortlund Eric A. , Ginn John D. , Cohen David E.
Published: October 2022

Thioesterase superfamily member 1 (Them1; synonyms Acyl-CoA thioesterase 11 (Acot11) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein-related lipid transfer (START) domain 14 (StarD14) is a long chain acyl-CoA thioesterase comprising two N-terminal hot-dog fold enzymatic domains linked to a C-terminal lipid-sensing START domain, which allosterically modulates enzymatic activity. Them1 is highly expressed in thermogenic adipose tissue, where it functions to suppress energy expenditure by limiting rates of fatty acid oxidation. Its expression is also induced markedly in liver in response to high fat feedings, where it suppresses fatty acid oxidation and promotes hepatic glucose production. Mice lacking the gene (Them1-/-) are protected against diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), suggesting Them1 as a therapeutic target. The current study was designed to develop small molecule inhibitors of Them1 and to establish their activitiesin vitroand in cell culture. High-throughput screening combined with counter screening assays were leveraged to identify two lead allosteric inhibitors that selectively inhibited Them1 by binding the START domain. In primary mouse brown adipocytes, these inhibitors promoted fatty acid oxidation, as evidence by increased rates of oxygen consumption. In primary mouse hepatocytes, they similarly promoted fatty acid oxidation, but also reduced glucose production. Optimized Them1 inhibitors could provide an attractive modality for the pharmacologic management of NAFLD and obesity-associated metabolic disorders.
Vitamin B2 enables peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α regulation of fasting glucose availability
Authors: Masschelin Peter M. , Saha Pradip K. , Ochsner Scott A. , Cox Aaron R. , Kim Kang Ho , Felix Jessica B. , Sharp Robert , Li Xin , Tan Lin , Park Jun Hyoung , Wang Liping , Putluri Vasanta , Lorenzi Philip L. , Nuotio-Antar Alli M. , Sun Zheng , Kaipparettu Benny , Putluri Nagireddy , Moore David D. , Summers Scott A. , McKenna Neil J. , Hartig Sean M.
Published: October 2022

Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) interacts with flavoproteins to mediate oxidation-reduction reactions required for cellular energy demands. Not surprisingly, mutations that alter FAD binding to flavoproteins cause rare inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) that disrupt liver function and render fasting intolerance, hepatic steatosis, and lipodystrophy. In our study, depleting FAD pools in mice with a vitamin B2 deficient diet (B2D) caused phenotypes associated with organic acidemias and other IEMs, including reduced body weight, hypoglycemia, and fatty liver disease. Integrated discovery approaches revealed B2D tempered fasting activation of target genes for the nuclear receptor PPARα, including those required for gluconeogenesis. Treatment with the PPARα agonist fenofibrate activated the integrated stress response and refilled amino acid substrates to rescue fasting glucose availability and overcome B2D phenotypes. Overall, these findings reveal PPARα governs metabolic responses to FAD availability and nominate its pharmacologic activation as strategies for organic acidemias.
Benign-Ex: Delineating Regions of the Human Genome Benign to Copy Number Variation
Authors: Wetzel Alyssa S. , Major Heather , Parida Mrutyunjaya , Manak J. Robert , Darbro Benjamin W.
Published: October 2022

While copy number variants (CNVs) have been identified as an important cause of rare genetic disorders, they have also been identified in unaffected control populations, making clinical interpretation of these lesions challenging. Discriminating benign CNVs from those pathogenic for rare genetic disorders, therefore, relies on understanding what regions of the human genome are tolerant to copy number variation. Benign-Ex is a python-based program that uses information from databases of CNVs to generate one or more benign interval map(s) and then identifies the optimal map by computing the overlap with known pathogenic regions. We utilized Benign-Ex to identify the optimal set of benign intervals from two distinct CNV databases: Database of Genomic Variants (DGV) and Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen). Benign-Ex called 41.1% of the genome benign using data from DGV and 37.6% of the genome benign using data from ClinGen. The benign regions from DGV and ClinGen werenotspatially correlated, underscoring the importance of integrating both research and clinical databases for determining CNV benignity.
Enhancing pain care with the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire for use in the Emergency Department (APS-POQ-RED): validating a patient-reported outcome measure
Authors: Hughes James A , Hazelwood Sarah , Lyrstedt Anna-Lisa , Jones Lee , Brown Nathan J , Jarugula Rajeev , Douglas Clint , Chu Kevin
Published: October 2022

Pain is the most common symptom experienced when presenting to the emergency department (ED). Estimates indicate over half of all patients will present in pain. EDs typically focus on care process measures, such as time to first analgesic medication. Process-based metrics remove the patient from their own experience. Unfortunately, when patient-reported measures of pain care are used in the ED for quality improvement or research, they vary widely and often lack validation. Previous work has demonstrated that a modified version of the American Pain Society – Patient Outcome Questionnaire – Revised Edition (APS-POQ-R) may provide an ideal patient-reported outcome measure for the adult ED population. However, previous work has left validation incomplete. In this multi-site, multistage research, we demonstrate the construct, convergent and divergent validity and the internal consistency of a modified version of the APS-POQ-R in adult patients presenting to two large, inner-city EDs with moderate to severe acute pain. After three stages of psychometric testing in 646 patients, we present a nine-question, three construct patient-reported outcome measure for moderate to severe pain in the adult emergency department, now known as the American Pain Society – Patient Outcome Questionnaire – Revised for the ED (APS-POQ-RED).

Perspective

This article presents the psychometric properties of a revised version of the APS-POQ-R for use in the adult ED. This shortened, ED-specific patient-reported outcome measure (APS-POQ-RED) seeks to provide a standardised, validated measure of patient-reported outcomes of acute pain care in the ED for quality and research purposes.
Soluble VE-cadherin disrupts endothelial barrier function via VE-PTP/RhoA signalling
Authors: Knop Juna-Lisa , Burkard Natalie , Danesh Mahshid , Dandekar Thomas , Srivastava Mugdha , Hiermaier Matthias , Waschke Jens , Flemming Sven , Schlegel Nicolas
Published: October 2022

Aim

Increased levels of soluble Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin fragments (sVE-cadherin) have previously been linked with inflammation-induced loss of endothelial barrier function. We tested whether sVE-cadherin is critically involved in the onset of endothelial barrier dysfunction.

Methods and Results

Application of recombinant human sVE-cadherin (extracellular domains EC1-5) on human microvascular endothelial cellsin vitroand in a rat modelin vivoinduced loss of endothelial barrier function and reduced microcirculatory flow. sVE-cadherinEC1-5led to decreased localization of VE-cadherin at cell borders. Additionally, sVE-cadherinEC1-5perturbed VE-protein tyrosine phosphatase (VE-PTP)/VE-cadherin interaction. VE-PTP inhibitor AKB9778 blunted all sVE-cadherinEC1-5-induced effectsin vitroandin vivo. Downstream effects involve VE-PTP-dependent RhoA activation which was attenuated by AKB9778. Rho-kinase inhibitor Y27632 blocked sVE-cadherinEC1-5-induced loss of endothelial barrier function.

Conclusion

sVE-cadherin disrupts endothelial barrier function by dismantling the VE-cadherin complex at cell borders via VE-PTP-dependent RhoA activation. This uncovers a novel pathophysiological role of sVE-cadherin in the context of endothelial barrier dysfunction in inflammation.
Antibody-mediated protection against symptomatic COVID-19 can be achieved at low serum neutralizing titers
Authors: Schmidt Pete , Narayan Kristin , Li Yong , Kaku Chengzi I. , Brown Michael E. , Champney Elizabeth , Geoghegan James C. , Vásquez Maximiliano , Krauland Eric M. , Yockachonis Thomas , Bai Shuangyi , Gunn Bronwyn M. , Cammarata Anthony , Rubino Christopher M. , Walker Laura M.
Published: October 2022

Multiple studies of vaccinated and convalescent cohorts have demonstrated that serum neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers correlate with protection against COVID-19. However, the induction of multiple layers of immunity following SARS-CoV-2 exposure has complicated the establishment of nAbs as a mechanistic correlate of protection (CoP) and hindered the definition of a protective nAb threshold. Here, we show that a half-life extended monoclonal antibody (adintrevimab) provides approximately 50% protection against symptomatic COVID-19 in SARS-CoV-2-naïve adults at low serum nAb titers on the order of 1:30. Vaccine modeling supports a similar 50% protective nAb threshold, suggesting low levels of serum nAb can protect in both monoclonal and polyclonal settings. Extrapolation of adintrevimab pharmacokinetic data suggests that protection against susceptible variants could be maintained for approximately 3 years. The results provide a benchmark for the selection of next-generation vaccine candidates and support the use of broad, long-acting monoclonal antibodies as an alternative or supplement to vaccination in high-risk populations.
A marmoset brain cell census reveals influence of developmental origin and functional class on neuronal identity
Authors: Krienen Fenna M. , Levandowski Kirsten M. , Zaniewski Heather , del Rosario Ricardo C.H. , Schroeder Margaret E. , Goldman Melissa , Wienisch Martin , Lutservitz Alyssa , Beja-Glasser Victoria F. , Chen Cindy , Zhang Qiangge , Chan Ken Y. , Li Katelyn X. , Sharma Jitendra , McCormack Dana , Shin Tay Won , Harrahill Andrew , Nyase Eric , Mudhar Gagandeep , Mauermann Abigail , Wysoker Alec , Nemesh James , Kashin Seva , Vergara Josselyn , Chelini Gabriele , Dimidschstein Jordane , Berretta Sabina , Deverman Benjamin E. , Boyden Ed , McCarroll Steven A. , Feng Guoping
Published: October 2022

The mammalian brain is composed of many brain structures, each with its own ontogenetic and developmental history. Transcriptionally-based cell type taxonomies reveal cell type composition and similarity relationships within and across brain structures. We sampled over 2.4 million brain cells across 18 locations in the common marmoset, a New World monkey primed for genetic engineering, and used single-nucleus RNA sequencing to examine global gene expression patterns of cell types within and across brain structures. Our results indicate that there is generally a high degree of transcriptional similarity between GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons found in the same brain structure, and there are generally few shared molecular features between neurons that utilize the same neurotransmitter but reside in different brain structures. We also show that in many cases the transcriptional identities of cells are intrinsically retained from their birthplaces, even when they migrate beyond their cephalic compartments. Thus, the adult transcriptomic identity of most neuronal types appears to be shaped much more by their developmental identity than by their primary neurotransmitter signaling repertoire. Using quantitative mapping of single molecule FISH (smFISH) for markers for GABAergic interneurons, we found that the similar types (e.g.PVALB+ interneurons) have distinct biodistributions in the striatum and neocortex. Interneuron types follow medio-lateral gradients in striatum but form complex distributions across the neocortex that are not described by simple gradients. Lateral prefrontal areas in marmoset are distinguished by high relative proportions ofVIP+ neurons. We further used cell-type-specific enhancer driven AAV-GFP to visualize the morphology of molecularly-resolved interneuron classes in neocortex and striatum, including the previously discovered novel primate-specificTAC3+striatal interneurons. Our comprehensive analyses highlight how lineage and functional class contribute to the transcriptional identity and biodistribution of primate brain cell types.

One-Sentence Summary

Adult primate neurons are imprinted by their region of origin, more so than by their functional identity.
MLL1 regulates cytokine-driven cell migration and metastasis
Authors: Nair Praful R. , Danilova Ludmila , Gómez-de-Mariscal Estibaliz , Kim Dongjoo , Fan Rong , Muñoz-Barrutia Arrate , Fertig Elana J. , Wirtz Denis
Published: October 2022

Cell migration is a critical requirement for cancer metastasis. Cytokine production and its role in cancer cell migration have been traditionally associated with immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. MLL1 is a histone methyltransferase that controls 3D cell migration via the secretion of cytokines, IL-6 and TGF-β1, by the cancer cells themselves.In vivo, MLL1 depletion reduced metastatic burden and prolonged survival. MLL1 exerts its effects with its scaffold protein, Menin. Mechanistically, the MLL1-Menin interaction controls actin filament assembly via the IL-6/pSTAT3/Arp3 axis and acto-myosin contractility via the TGF-β1/Gli2/ROCK1/2/pMLC2 axis, which regulate dynamic protrusion generation and 3D cell migration. MLL1 also regulates cell proliferation via mitosis-based and cell cycle-related pathways. Combining an MLL1-Menin inhibitor with Paclitaxel, a standard chemotherapeutic, abrogated tumor growth and metastasis in a syngeneic model. These results highlight the potential of targeting the MLL1 in metastasis prevention and its potential to be combined with currently administered chemotherapeutics.

Statement of Significance

We identify MLL1 as being vital to metastasis, which causes the vast majority of cancer-related deaths. MLL1 controls cell migration, a requirement for metastasis, by regulating the secretion of cytokines. MLL1 inhibition lowers metastatic burden independent of its impact on primary tumor growth, highlighting its anti-metastatic potential in TNBC.
Engineering ssRNA tile filaments for (dis)assembly and membrane binding
Authors: De Franceschi Nicola , Hoogenberg Baukje , Dekker Cees
Published: October 2022

Cytoskeletal protein filaments such as actin and microtubules confer mechanical support to cells and facilitate many cellular functions such as motility and division. Recent years have witnessed the development of a variety of molecular scaffolds that mimic such cytoskeletal filaments. Indeed, filaments that are programmable and compatible with biological systems may prove useful in studying or substituting such proteins. Here, we explore the use of ssRNA tiles to build and modify cytoskeletal-like filamentsin vitro. We engineer a number of functionalities that are crucial to the function of natural cytoskeletal systems into the ssRNA tiles, including the abilities to assemble or disassemble filaments, to tune the filament stiffness, to induce membrane binding, and to attach binding proteins. The work paves the way for building dynamic cell-like cytoskeletal systems made out of rationally designed ssRNA tiles that can be transcribed in natural or synthetic cells.
Analogue signaling of somato-dendritic synaptic activity to axon enhances GABA release in young cerebellar molecular layer interneurons
Authors: Trigo Federico F. , Kawaguchi Shin-ya
Published: October 2022

Axons are equipped with the digital signaling capacity by which they generate and faithfully propagate action potentials (APs), and also with the analogue signaling capacity by which subthreshold activity in dendrites and soma is transmitted down the axon. Despite intense work, the extent and physiological role for subthreshold synaptic activity reaching the axonal boutons has remained elusive because of the technical limitation to record from them. To address this issue, we made simultaneous patch-clamp recordings from the axonal varicosities of cerebellar GABAergic interneurons together with their parent soma or postsynaptic target cells in young rat slices and/or primary cultures. Ourtour-de-forcedirect functional dissection indicates that the somatodendritic spontaneous EPSPs are transmitted down the axon for significant distances, depolarizing presynaptic boutons. These analogously transmitted EPSPs augment presynaptic Ca++influx upon arrival of an immediately following AP through a mechanism that involves a voltage-dependent priming of the Ca++channels, leading to an increase in GABA release, without any modification in the axonal AP waveform or residual Ca++. Our work highlights the role of the axon in synaptic integration.
Corporate accountability during crisis in the digitized era
Authors: Firoozi Maryam , Ku Chih Hao
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Despite an increasing trend in adoption of social media by for-profit organizations and their chief executive officers (CEOs), there is little understanding of how these new channels of communication are incorporated into the broader communication domain of a firm to discharge accountability during a crisis, when accountability is of critical importance. More importantly, research on how people perceive a crisis and voice their opinions to firms and CEOs on social media in reaction to that crisis is rather limited. Therefore, in this study the authors investigate these questions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a case. The authors focus on the biggest data breach in Internet history in a pioneer technology firm, the Yahoo data breach. The authors conduct descriptive and dramaturgical analyses informed by Goffman to investigate how Yahoo manages its several front stages (communication channels), including social media during and after the Yahoo data breach announcements, and how people respond to the Yahoo's front stage management.

Findings

The results show that, during this crisis, Yahoo engages in management of its front stages by first limiting them to a few, then by redrawing the line between its back and front stages, and finally by expanding its front stages to include two-way communication channels, including social media. An ongoing accountability process back stage guides Yahoo's management of its front stages and undermines Yahoo's accountability in front stages. However, social media audiences challenge Yahoo's control of its front stages by using various frames to make sense of the crisis, and to demand accountability.

Originality/value

This study furthers the understanding of how social media platforms are positioned in a firm's broader communication channels during a crisis. It also enhances understanding of accountability demand, especially during critical times in a digitized era.
The influence of the eye of competence on project success: exploring the indirect effect of people on both perspective and practice
Authors: Cruz Cristiane Esteves , Scur Gabriela , Vilas Boas Viveiros Lopes Ana Paula , Carvalho Marly M.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

There is a lack of investigation on three areas of competence in the Individual Competence Baseline 4 (ICB4) (IPMA). Furthermore, some studies pointed out the importance of soft skills over hard skills, but this relationship was not explored from the project manager’s competence perspective. This paper aims to analyze the influence of project manager competencies on project success.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey involved 100 Brazilian project management professionals. Structural equation modeling (SEM) using a partial least squares (PLS) approach was employed for data analysis.

Findings

The competence people was the protagonist of all project success. It affects practice with indirect effects on the impact on the customer. The paper highlights the project manager’s soft skills in reaching customer perception. Besides, the competence people also impacts perspective and, indirectly, preparation for the future.

Research limitations/implications

Personal and interpersonal skills enable the project manager to interrelate with the project environment (organization strategy, governance, structures, processes, standards, power and interest, culture and values) and, therefore, to open a panorama for opportunities as a new market, product or technology. Thus, the new competence area perspective introduced in ICB4 brings an important insight for this research and future studies.

Originality/value

Besides investigating the effect of behavioral competencies on project performance, this research addressed the importance of looking at the indirect effects when exploring models and testing hypotheses for a complete understanding of the relationship between variables.
Networking Hybridizations within the Semiosphere: a research trajectory for the Cultural Transposition of the Chinese Lesson Study within a Western context
Authors: Arzarello Ferdinando , Funghi Silvia , Manolino Carola , Ramploud Alessandro , Bartolini Bussi Maria Giuseppina
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to describe teachers’ professional development in Lesson Study (LS) as processes situated in Semiosphere and generated by the unevenness due to different cultural traditions. The authors characterise teachers’ professional development in two LS experiments as processes generating new knowledge to point out their products, i.e. new professional frame teachers produce after these experiments. The authors use Hybridization, a particular form of Networking of Theories (NWT).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected video-registration of several Italian LS meetings. The authors analyse two LSs, where time emerged as a conflictual aspect. Through Hybridization components, the authors show how teachers make sense of LS and how teachers revise their professional frame.

Theoretical framework

In NWT different theories are deployed to study the same problem. To grasp the issue of unevenness in our LS, we use Hybridization of a Theory, a form of NWT characterised by a structural asymmetry. It is given when a construct c is introduced coherently, operatively and productively into a theory T, obtaining a hybridized theory T'.

Findings

Hybridization lens allows to describe potentialities and limits of LS as a tool for teachers’ development. The two analysed LS are different: in one of them Hybridization process produced a new theory T', whilst in the second one it was limited to the awareness of a gap between LS and initial teachers’ professional frame.

Practical implications

Identifying links between different Hybridization components is a helpful tool for teacher educators/researchers to foster the shift from one another. For instance, through this tool, teacher educators could keep track of what happens in successive LS and mirror the dialogue between teachers, moving towards group-shared metareflections. This initiates the advancement of a new theory T', where asymmetries are interpreted.

Originality/value

In this approach teachers are protagonists of the construction of a new professional frame. LS is a tool for teachers’ professional development, allowing teachers to question their own educational intentionalities. Hybridization components provide a tool to analyse such a process.
Implementing sustainability via organizational learning: case study of a French business school
Authors: Mukhi Umesh
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to clarify how higher educational institutions (HEI now onwards) can engage in organizational learning process to implementing sustainability initiatives. Through the case study of business school in France, it shows how sustainability integration is a longitudinal process, influenced by contextual factors which facilitate and impede the learning process. It aims to contribute to the literature of sustainability in higher education by bringing in insights from organizational learning theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses the case study method to analyze the sustainability integration over the specific period. To do so, data was compiled by analyzing internal documents, publicly available sustainability reports. Further data was also complimented by the interviews, which gave intra-organizational level insights.

Findings

The case highlights that organizational learning for sustainability is stimulated by deans, faculty and institute of sustainability. It provides insights about how designing and implementing sustainability initiatives within an HEI is not a fixed goal; on the contrary, it is an ongoing learning process. However, this learning is also prone to barriers due to the ambiguous nature of sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

This research was conducted within a specific time, geographical and cultural context; hence, its result may lack generalization. Further comparative research is encouraged to explore similarity and differences within different HEI settings.

Practical implications

This research also gives potential insights for developing contextual awareness to prioritize, design and implement sustainability initiatives. Thus, it may be useful for the HEI administrators such as deans, sustainability managers and faculty members.

Social implications

This case emphasizes that HEI like business schools need to expand their relevance via social responsibility. This could be done so by encouraging leadership to engage with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Originality/value

This research uses organizational learning theory to understand determinants of sustainability design and implementation at French HEI. In doing so, this research contributes macro-level process of sustainability integration of an HEI.
Examining the role of measuring impact in higher education innovation creation
Authors: Prihandono Dorojatun , Wijaya Angga Pandu , Wiratama Bayu , Wijayanto Andhi , Suhud Usep
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study responds to the need for further research to examine determinants that impact innovation creation in higher education institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a quantitative analysis; it uses 133 responses derived from respondents from several universities in Indonesia. The data are analyzed by using SEM-PLS. In the analysis, after having the inner model, then, the outer model is calculated. The research establishes a 95% confidence interval and conducts 500 bootstraps.

Findings

The results of this study indicate, firstly, the business and university partnerships, entrepreneurship orientation, and information technology facilities significantly influence innovation creation; secondly, measuring the impact in universities will strengthen the business and university partnerships, entrepreneurship orientation, and information technology facilities on the innovation creation.

Research limitations/implications

This research implies that universities need to measure the impact and develop a proper measurement to enhance innovation through their relationship with their industrial partnerships and information technology facilities. However, the research has a limitation; the study is only conducted in state universities.

Practical implications

The research measures the impact of the university–business partnership, entrepreneurship orientation, and IT facility. These determinants' effectiveness needs a measurement scheme to improve the innovation creation outputs, quantity, and quality.

Originality/value

Universities have an essential role in developing entrepreneurship competence for students and staff by nurturing innovation creation. It will benefit the staff in managing tasks and the students after they graduate to create businesses. This study aims to provide an in-depth analysis of determinants that affect innovation creation in higher education institutions in Indonesia.
Evaluating NGO accounting and reporting practices in a developing economy: the case for reforms
Authors: Pariag-Maraye Neeveditah , Soobaroyen Teerooven , Mooneeapen Oren , Panchoo Oorvashi
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study investigates non-government organisations' (NGO) current accounting and reporting practices in a developing economy context (Mauritius) and argues the case for reforms to enhance their transparency and accountability.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis of a sample of NGO annual returns was carried out followed by interviews with NGO officers and actors on the state of accounting and reporting practices in Mauritius. The authors analyse the data from a public accountability perspective.

Findings

The content analysis revealed poor accounting and reporting practices by Mauritian NGOs. Based on interview insights, the authors find that these poor practices arise due a lack of (1) NGO-specific accounting standards, (2) engagement with narrative reporting, (3) properly trained NGO officers and (4) proper monitoring and control. Some of the interviewees expressed their support for introducing online filing systems and accounting requirements that are commensurate with NGO size, improving regulatory oversight, while ensuring that NGO accounts are made available to the public.

Originality/value

While there are many calls for better NGO accountability and transparency in developing economies, little is known about the state of accounting and reporting mechanisms (and regulatory framework thereof) that could provide the basis for relevant reforms towards enhancing accountability. Considering the opacity of NGO information in Mauritius and recent concerns about money laundering practices and the perceived ineffectiveness of regulatory oversight, this first national assessment of accounting and reporting practices sheds light on current challenges and formulates locally appropriate recommendations for the sector.
Audit fees, audit report lag and abnormal tone: evidence from China
Authors: Teng Zhong-Lu , Han Jin
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to provide evidence on the association between abnormal tone and audit fees, as well as between abnormal tone and audit report lag.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a fixed-effects model to examine the relationship between abnormal positive tone and audit engagement (audit fees and audit report lag). Following Blanco et al., the authors used propensity score matching to examine the robustness of the findings.

Findings

Abnormal positive tone affects the audit process. An abnormal positive tone in annual reports is associated with greater audit effort and higher audit fees.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the determinants of audit fees and audit lag by analyzing the impact of an abnormal positive tone on audit engagement. The literature analyzing the determinants of audit engagement often focuses on the quality of non-textual information. This study analyzes the impact of the quality of textual information (measured by abnormal tone) on audit engagement, which provides evidence of the association between textual disclosure and audit.
Partner cross-contagion in audit offices and client reporting quality
Authors: Goodwin John , Kent Pamela Fae , Kent Richard , Routledge James
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine if partner cross-contagion in audit offices is associated with client reporting quality. To this end, the authors test if the presence in an audit office of a partner with a highly aggressive style is associated with the reporting quality of other partners’ clients. Partners with a highly aggressive style are identified by their tendency to approve favorable client reporting. The authors add to the existing literature that provides limited and equivocal evidence on audit office cross-contagion.

Design/methodology/approach

Partner style is determined in an estimation period from 2010 to 2014. Aggressive style is identified when partners tend to approve favorable client reporting, which is shown by a positive value for their clients’ median discretionary accruals. Partners are considered to exhibit a highly aggressive style if they have positive median client discretionary accruals within the 90th percentile. Cross-contagion analysis is then conducted in a test period from 2015 to 2019 by determining if the presence in an office of a partner with a highly aggressive style is associated with the reporting quality of other partners’ clients. Two measures of client reporting quality used. These are the accuracy of current-period accruals in predicting period-ahead cash flows and earnings management related to benchmark beating.

Findings

This study finds partner cross-contagion of highly aggressive style in Big 4 offices that is associated with lower client reporting quality for non-Metals and Mining industry clients. This cross-contagion only occurs when the contagious partner has a very high level of aggressive style. This study finds Big 4 partners are susceptible to aggressive style cross-contagion regardless of their own idiosyncratic style. The results of this study show more cross-contagion in small Big 4 offices and mitigation of cross-contagion for economically important clients. Cross-contagion in non-Big 4 offices is observed for Metals and Mining industry clients.

Originality/value

By determining style from partners’ past clients’ discretionary accruals, this study extends prior cross-contagion research that relies on restatements to identify style. This study examines several other cross-contagion issues not addressed in prior studies. These include differences in cross-contagion for Big 4 and non-Big 4 offices and for large and small Big 4 offices, partners’ susceptibility to cross-contagion and the influence of client importance.
Thank you for sharing! Unravelling the perceived
usefulness of word of mouth in public procurement for small and medium
enterprises
Authors: Ismail Ismail Juma , Changalima Ismail Abdi
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Over time, the concept of word of mouth (WOM) has spread beyond marketing
into other disciplines. This is because WOM is important in decision-making
at both the individual and organisational levels. Also, people are more
likely to trust recommendations from their peers than those from companies.
Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the perceived
usefulness of WOM messages for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)
suppliers in participating in Tanzanian public procurement
opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study collected cross-sectional data from 214 SME suppliers who supply
common use items to public procuring organisations in Dodoma City, Tanzania.
Structural equation modelling was used to test the direct relationships
between study variables, and Hayes' PROCESS macro was used to test
for the indirect effect of WOM message delivery on WOM attributes and the
perceived usefulness of WOM.

Findings

WOM attributes that include expertise differential, perceptual homophily, and
trustworthiness are related to the perceived usefulness of WOM. Also, WOM
message delivery mediates the relationship between the WOM attributes and
the perceived usefulness of WOM in enhancing public procurement
participation. Therefore, the study's findings revealed that WOM is
applicable in the public procurement context, under which public buyers act
as senders and suppliers act as receivers. The latter finds out about public
procurement opportunities and responds to them, while the former gives
suppliers whatever information they need to respond to public procurement
tenders that have been advertised.

Research
limitations/implications

Because the study was cross-sectional, it was difficult to determine whether
the opinions gathered over time remained consistent. Furthermore, only
suppliers who are parties to framework contracts under Government
Procurement Services Agency were included in the study. Therefore, the
sample was limited to only suppliers supplying common use items to various
public organisations in Dodoma City, Tanzania.

Originality/value

This paper integrates the concept of WOM from the marketing discipline and
public procurement. As a result, the study adds to the understanding of the
use of information transmission in terms of the contribution of WOM messages
from public buyers to suppliers to enhance small and medium
enterprises' participation in public procurement opportunities.
Herbaceous production lost to tree encroachment in United States rangelands
Authors: Morford Scott L. , Allred Brady W. , Twidwell Dirac , Jones Matthew O. , Maestas Jeremy D. , Roberts Caleb P. , Naugle David E.
Published: October 2022

Rangelands of the United States provide ecosystem services that benefit society and rural economies. Native tree encroachment is often overlooked as a primary threat to rangelands due to the slow pace of tree cover expansion and the positive public perception of trees. Still, tree encroachment fragments these landscapes and reduces herbaceous production, thereby threatening habitat quality for grassland wildlife and the economic sustainability of animal agriculture.

Recent innovations in satellite remote sensing permit the tracking of tree encroachment and the corresponding impact on herbaceous production. We analysed tree cover change and herbaceous production across the western United States from 1990 to 2019.

We show that tree encroachment is widespread in US rangelands; absolute tree cover has increased by 50% (77,323 km2) over 30 years, with more than 25% (684,852 km2) of US rangeland area experiencing tree cover expansion. Since 1990, 302 ± 30 Tg of herbaceous biomass have been lost. Accounting for variability in livestock biomass utilization and forage value reveals that this lost production is valued at between $4.1–$5.6 billion US dollars.

Synthesis and applications. The magnitude of impact of tree encroachment on rangeland loss is similar to conversion to cropland, another well‐known and primary mechanism of rangeland loss in the US Prioritizing conservation efforts to prevent tree encroachment can bolster ecosystem and economic sustainability, particularly among privately‐owned lands threatened by land‐use conversion.
Latitudinal gradients of reproductive traits in Japanese woody plants
Authors: Ulrich Werner , Kusumoto Buntarou , Shiono Takayuki , Fuji Akinori , Kubota Yasuhiro
Published: October 2022

Latitudinal gradients in the variability of plant trait expression are insufficiently studied. Here, we infer the expression and variability of major reproductive traits in Japanese angiosperm woody plants using geographical distributions of 773 woody plant species and 4682 grid cells at the 10 × 10 km2 spatial resolution. We focus on flower color, flower size, fruit size, fruit type, seed mass, and dispersal type and relate trait mean values and within cell variability to latitude, forest area and fragmentation, phylogenetic relatedness, and socioeconomic factors. To account for the correlation between variability and mean trait values, we use a recently developed model based on Taylor's power law (TPL). All studied reproductive traits exhibited strong although contrasting latitudinal gradients. Contrary to Gloger's rule, flowers tended to be darker at higher latitudes. Flower sizes increased and fruit and seed sizes decreased at higher latitudes. Color variability increased while variability in fruit size decreased toward higher latitudes. Higher human impact influenced fruit size positively and seed size negatively. We confirmed the usefulness of the TPL in the study of trait variability. We interpret the darker flower colors at higher latitudes as an adaptation to predominant bee pollination and thus as an effect of ecological filtering. Our study does not unequivocally corroborate the hypothesis that color variability within woody plant communities is governed by the intensity of ultraviolet radiation. We interpret the observed latitudinal trends toward higher variation in flower color and size in terms of increased numbers of generalist pollinators at higher latitudes.
Balanced Scorecards: A Relational Contract Approach
Authors: KVALØY OLA , OLSEN TROND E.
Published: October 2022

Reward systems based on balanced scorecards often connect pay to an index, that is, a weighted sum of multiple performance measures. We show that such an index contract may indeed be optimal if performance measures are nonverifiable so that the contracting parties must rely on self‐enforcement. Under commonly invoked assumptions (including normally distributed measurements), we show that the weights in the index reflect a tradeoff between distortion and precision for the measures. The efficiency of the contract improves with higher precision of the index measure, because this strengthens incentives, and correlations between measurements may for this reason be beneficial. There is a caveat, however, because the index contract is not necessarily optimal for very precise measurements, although it is shown to be asymptotically optimal. We also consider hybrid measurements, and show that the principal may want to include verifiable performance measures in the relational index contract in order to improve incentives, and that this has noteworthy implications for the formal contract.
Risk‐associated single nucleotide polymorphisms of mitochondrial D‐loop mediate imbalance of cytokines and redox in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Zhang Jingnan , Zhang Jingjing , Lai Ruixue , Peng Chenxing , Guo Zhanjun , Wang Cuiju
Published: October 2022

Background

We have identified rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk‐associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the mitochondrial displacement loop (D‐loop) including the major alleles of nucleotides 195T/C, 16260C/T, and 16519C/T as well as the minor alleles of nucleotides 146T/C and 150C/T previously.

Objective

We evaluated the potential relationships of these SNPs with status for oxidative stress and inflammation cytokines.

Methods

The DNA was extracted from blood samples of RA patients, and the SNPs of DNA D‐loop were verified by polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequence analysis. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines including interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), IL‐6, IL‐10, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were determined by cytometric bead array. Plasma reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by fluorescent probe technology.

Results

The RA risk‐related allele 16519C was significantly associated with high IFN‐γ levels (100.576 ± 11.769 vs 64.268 ± 8.199, 95% confidence interval [CI] –66.317 to –6.299, P = 0.018). This allele also associated with ROS at borderline statistics level (619.295 ± 36.687 vs 526.979 ± 25.896, 95% CI –186.145 to –1.513, P = 0.054). The subsequent analysis also showed that the ROS levels were positively correlated with IFN‐γ levels (R = 0.291, P = 0.002). Further analysis showed that RA patients with high C‐reactive protein levels displayed a higher ROS level (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results imply that the 16519C allele of the mtDNA D‐loop might promote ROS and IFN‐γ levels by altering the replication and transcription of mtDNA, thereby modifying RA development.

Remark

The potential relationships of RA‐associated SNPs in the mitochondrial D‐loop with status for oxidative stress and inflammation were evaluated. The 16519C allele of the mtDNA D‐loop might promote ROS and IFN‐γ levels by altering the replication and transcription of mtDNA to modify RA development.
Detection of standing retention trees in boreal forests with airborne laser scanning point clouds and multispectral imagery
Authors: Hardenbol Alwin A. , Korhonen Lauri , Kukkonen Mikko , Maltamo Matti
Published: October 2022

In a landscape consisting primarily of intensive forestry interspersed with some protected areas, multifunctional forestry with retention trees can play a crucial role in nature conservation. Accurate mapping of retention trees is important for guiding landscape‐level conservation and forest management and improving landscape connectivity. Sizeable dead and living retention trees play a particularly important ecological role but even their large‐scale inventory is often intensive through field work and/or inaccurate. We aimed to detect and classify retention trees using the novel nationwide Finnish airborne laser scanning (ALS) data (~5 pulses/m2) in conjunction with unrectified colour‐infrared (CIR) aerial imagery.

Applying photogrammetric principles, we added spectral information from the CIR imagery to the ALS‐derived point cloud. For a training dataset of 160 retention trees from 19 stands and a geographically separate validation dataset of 79 trees from eight stands, we segmented trees via individual tree detection (ITD), removed most trees belonging to the regenerating vegetation layer, and classified trees into living conifers, living broadleaves and dead trees by linear discriminant analysis.

The detection rate via ITD differed considerably for dead and living trees, with 41.7% of all dead and 83.8% of all living trees being detected with relatively low commission error rates. Dead trees with smaller diameters and heights were more likely missed, while grouping caused living tree omission. For classification into living conifers, living broadleaves and dead trees, an overall accuracy of 67.3% was achieved in training and 71.2% in validation using only ALS‐derived metrics. When adding spectral metrics, the overall accuracies were 79.6% and 61.0% for training and validation respectively.

Our findings imply that wall‐to‐wall large‐scale high density ALS data can be used to detect retention trees rather accurately—even larger dead trees—and that metrics derived solely from ALS data can accurately classify detected retention trees into living conifers, living broadleaves and dead trees. Considering the ecological value of retention trees, our results are promising and indicate that ALS data of the studied pulse density are a cost‐effective option for large area mapping of retention trees in countries with such data available.