bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpretable and Generalizable Attention-Based Model for Predicting Drug-Target Interaction Using 3D Structure of Protein Binding Sites: SARS-CoV-2 Case Study and in-Lab Validation
Authors: Yazdani-Jahromi Mehdi , Yousefi Niloofar , Tayebi Aida , Garibay Ozlem Ozmen , Seal Sudipta , Kolanthai Elayaraja , Neal Craig J.
Published: December 2021

In this study, we introduce and implement an interpretable graph-based deep learning prediction model, which utilizes protein binding sites along with self-attention to learn which protein binding sites interact with a given ligand. Our proposed model enables interpretability by identifying the protein binding sites that contribute the most towards the Drug-Target Interaction. Results on three benchmark datasets show improved performance compared to previous graph-based models. More significantly, unlike previous studies our model performance remains close to the optimal performance when tested with new proteins (ie., high generalizablity). Through multidisciplinary collaboration, we further experimentally evaluate the practical potential of our proposed approach. To achieve this, we first computationally predict binding interaction of some candidate compounds with a target protein, then experimentally validate the binding interactions for these pairs in the laboratory. The high agreement between the computationally-predicted and experimentally-observed (measured) DTIs illustrates the potential of our method as an effective pre-screening tool in drug re-purposing applications.
Differential Histone-DNA Interactions Dictate Nucleosome Recognition of the Pioneer Transcription Factor Sox
Authors: Ozden Burcu , Boopathi Ramachandran , Barlas Ayşe Berçin , Lone Imtiaz N. , Bednar Jan , Petosa Carlo , Kale Seyit , Hamiche Ali , Angelov Dimitar , Dimitrov Stefan , Karaca Ezgi
Published: December 2021

Pioneer transcription factors (PTFs) have the remarkable ability to directly bind to chromatin for stimulating vital cellular processes. In this work, we dissect the universal binding mode of Sox PTF by combining extensive molecular simulations and DNA footprinting techniques. As a result, we show that when Sox consensus DNA is located at the solvent-facing DNA strand, Sox binds to the compact nucleosome without imposing any significant conformational changes. We also reveal that the basespecific Sox:DNA interactions (base reading) and the Sox-induced DNA changes (shape reading) are concurrently required for the sequence-specific DNA recognition. Among different nucleosomal positions, such a specific reading mechanism is satisfied solely at superhelical location 2 (SHL2). While SHL2 acts transparently to Sox binding, SHL4 permits only shape reading, and SHL0 (dyad) allows no reading mechanism. These findings demonstrate for the first time that Sox-based nucleosome recognition is essentially guided by the distinct histone-DNA interactions, permitting varying degrees of DNA flexibility.
A high-throughput amplicon screen for somatic UBA1 variants in Cytopenic and Giant Cell Arteritis cohorts
Authors: Poulter James A. , Khan Alesia , Martin Stephen , Grey Mark , Andjelic Bosko , Nga Emma , Triantafyllopoulou Diana I.D. , Evans Paul , Sorensen Louise , Mackie Sarah L. ,   UKGCA Consortium, Morgan Ann W. , Cargo Catherine , Savic Sinisa
Published: December 2021

Somatic mutations in the gene encoding the major E1 ubiquitin ligase, UBA1, were recently identified as a cause of VEXAS, a late-onset acquired auto-inflammatory syndrome. Differential diagnoses for patients subsequently found to have VEXAS include relapsing polychondritis, Sweet’s syndrome, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), giant cell arteritis (GCA) and undifferentiated systemic autoinflammatory disease (uSAID). We therefore sought to screen DNA from individuals with a non-diagnostic cytopenia or GCA, for known VEXAS-associated mutations. To this end, we developed a multiplexed UBA1 amplicon sequencing assay, allowing quick screening of large cohorts while also providing sufficient sequencing depth to identify somatic mutations to an allele frequency <1%. Using this assay, we screened genomic DNA from 612 males diagnosed with GCA, and bone marrow DNA from 1,055 cases with an undiagnosed cytopenia. No GCA cases were found to have UBA1 mutations, however 4 different mutations in the cytopenic cohort were identified in 7 individuals. Furthermore, we describe a female case identified in the screen with a UBA1 mutation and all VEXAS-associated phenotypes, but without Monosomy X. Our study suggests that, despite the overlap in clinical features, VEXAS is rarely misdiagnosed as GCA, but identified in 1.0% of males with an undiagnosed cytopenia. The identification of a UBA1 variant in a female case adds further evidence that VEXAS should not be ruled out as a differential diagnosis in females with VEXAS-like symptoms.

Key points

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Mutations in UBA1 exon 3 have been associated with VEXAS syndrome

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UBA1 exon 3 was screened in 1650 patients with cytopenia or GCA by amplicon sequencing.

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6 males were identified from the non-diagnostic cytopenia cohort (1.0%) with UBA1 mutations.

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A female with a somatic UBA1 mutation was identified without Monosomy X
Rational engineering of industrial S. cerevisiae: towards xylitol production from sugarcane bagasse
Authors: da Silveira Bezerra de Mello Fellipe , Maneira Carla , Lizarazo Frank Uriel Suarez , Nagamatsu Sheila , Vargas Beatriz , Vieira Carla , Secches Thais , Coradini Alessando L V , de Carvalho Silvello Maria Augusta , Goldbeck Rosana , Pereira Gonçalo Amarante Guimarães , Teixeira Gleidson Silva
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

Sugarcane hemicellulosic material is a compelling source of usually neglected xylose that could figure as feedstock to produce chemical building blocks of high economic value, such as xylitol. In this context, Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains typically used in the Brazilian bioethanol industry are a robust chassis for genetic engineering, given their robustness towards harsh operational conditions and outstanding fermentation performance. Nevertheless, there are no reports on the use of these strains for xylitol production using sugarcane hydrolysate.

RESULTS

Potential single-guided RNA off-targets were analyzed in two preeminent industrial strains (PE-2 and SA-1), providing a database of 5’-NGG 20 nt sequences, and guidelines for the fast and cost-effective CRISPR-editing of such strains. After genomic integration of a NADPH-preferring xylose reductase (XR), FMYX (SA-1 hoΔ::xyl1) and CENPKX (CEN.PK-122 hoΔ::xyl1) were tested in varying cultivation conditions for xylitol productivity to infer influence of the genetic background. Near-theoretical yields were achieved for all strains, however the industrial consistently outperformed the laboratory strain. Batch fermentation of raw sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate with remaining solid particles represented a challenge for xylose metabolization and 3.65 ± 0.16 g/L xylitol titre was achieved by FMYX. Finally, quantification of NADPH - cofactor implied in XR activity - revealed that FMYX has 33% more available cofactors than CENPKX.

CONCLUSIONS

Although widely used in several S. cerevisiae strains, this is the first report of CRISPR-Cas9 editing major yeast of the Brazilian bioethanol industry. Fermentative assays of xylose consumption revealed that NADPH availability is closely related to mutant strains’ performance. We also pioneer the use of sugarcane bagasse as a substrate for xylitol production. Finally, we demonstrate how industrial background SA-1 is a compelling chassis for the second-generation industry, given its inhibitor tolerance and better redox environment that may favor production of reduced sugars.
MeasureIce: Accessible on-the-fly measurement of ice thickness in cryo-electron microscopy
Authors: Brown Hamish G. , Hanssen Eric
Published: December 2021

Ice thickness is arguably one of the most important factors limiting the resolution of protein structures determined by cryo electron microscopy. The amorphous atomic structure of the ice that stabilizes and protects biological samples in cryo-EM grids also imprints some addition noise in the TEM images. Ice that is too thick jeopardizes the success of particle picking and reconstruction of the biomolecule in the worst case and, at best, deteriorates eventual map resolution. Minimizing the thickness of the ice layer and thus the magnitude of its noise contribution is thus imperative in cryo-EM grid preparation. In this paper we introduce MeasureIce, a simple, easy to use ice thickness measurement tool for screening and selecting acquisition areas of cryo-EM grids. We show that it is possible to simulate thickness-image intensity look-up tables using elementary scattering physics and thereby adapt the tool to any microscope without time consuming experimental calibration. We benchmark our approach using two alternative techniques: the “ice-channel” technique and tilt-series tomography. We also demonstrate the utility of ice thickness measurement for selecting holes in gold grids containing an Equine apoferritin sample, achieving a 1.88 Ångstrom resolution in subsequent refinement of the atomic map.
Transcriptomic modulation in response to an intoxication with deltamethrin in Triatoma infestans, vector of Chagas disease
Authors: Traverso Lucila , Latorre Estivalis Jose Manuel , Fernandes Gabriel da Rocha , Fronza Georgina , Lobbia Patricia , Cueto Gastón Mougabure , Ons Sheila
Published: December 2021

Background

Triatoma infestans is the main vector of Chagas disease in the Southern Cone. The resistance to pyrethroid insecticides developed by populations of this species impairs the effectiveness of vector control campaigns in wide regions of Argentina. The study of the global transcriptomic response to pyrethroid insecticides is important to deepen the knowledge about detoxification in triatomines.

Methodology and findings

We used RNA-Seq to explore the early transcriptomic response of T. infestans after intoxication with deltamethrin. We were able to assemble a complete transcriptome of this vector and found evidence of differentially expressed genes belonging to diverse families such as chemosensory and odorant-binding proteins, ABC transporters and heat-shock proteins. Moreover, genes related to transcription and translation, energetic metabolism and cuticle rearrangements were also modulated. Finally, we characterized the repertoire of previously uncharacterized detoxification-related gene families in T. infestans and Rhodnius prolixus.

Conclusions and significance

Our work contributes to the understanding of the detoxification response in vectors of Chagas disease. Given the absence of genomic information from T. infestans, the analysis presented here constitutes a resource for molecular and physiological studies in this species. The results increase the knowledge on detoxification processes in vectors of Chagas disease, and provide relevant information to explore new potential insecticide resistance mechanisms in these insects.

Author summary

Chagas disease affects millions of people worldwide. In the Southern Cone, the development of pyrethroid resistant populations from T. infestans is related to vector persistence and affects the efficiency of vector control campaigns. Several studies have explored the causes of insecticide resistance in T. infestans populations. However, the global transcriptomic response after insecticide treatment has not been analyzed in this species so far. In this study, we obtained transcriptomic information which allowed us to characterize important gene families despite the absence of genomic information. Furthermore, we performed a quantitative analysis of gene expression after deltamethrin intoxication. The results provided here increase the knowledge on detoxification processes in vectors of Chagas disease, which is essential for the design of new vector control strategies.
CFIm25 regulates human stem cell function independently of its role in mRNA alternative polyadenylation
Authors: Ran Yi , Huang Shanshan , Shi Junjie , Feng Qiumin , Deng Yanhui , Xiang Andy Peng , Yao Chengguo
Published: December 2021

It has recently been shown that CFIm25, a canonical mRNA 3’ processing factor, could play a variety of physiological roles through its molecular function in the regulation of mRNA alternative polyadenylation (APA). Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing approach in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) for CFIm25, and obtained three gene knockdown/mutant cell lines. CFIm25 gene editing resulted in higher proliferation rate and impaired differentiation potential for hESCs, with these effects likely to be directly regulated by the target genes, including the pluripotency factor rex1. Mechanistically, we unexpected found that perturbation in CFIm25 gene expression did not significantly affect cellular mRNA 3’ processing efficiency and APA profile. Rather, we provided evidences that CFIm25 may impact RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) occupancy at the body of transcribed genes, and promote the expression level of a group of transcripts associated with cellular proliferation and/or differentiation. Further study indicated that CFIm25 association with LEO1, an RNAPII associated factor, might contribute to the effect. Taken together, these results reveal novel mechanisms underlying CFIm25’s modulation in determination of cell fate, and provide evidence that the process of mammalian gene transcription may be regulated by an mRNA 3’ processing factor.
Biophysical Characterisation of Human LincRNA-p21 Sense and Antisense Alu Inverted Repeats
Authors: D’Souza Michael H. , Mrozowich Tyler , Badmalia Maulik D. , Geeraert Mitchell , Frederickson Angela , Henrickson Amy , Demeler Borries , Wolfinger Michael T. , Patel Trushar R.
Published: December 2021

Human Long Intergenic Noncoding RNA-p21 (LincRNA-p21) is a regulatory noncoding RNA that plays an important role in promoting apoptosis. LincRNA-p21 is also critical in down-regulating many p53 target genes through its interaction with a p53 repressive complex. The interaction between LincRNA-p21 and the repressive complex is likely dependent on the RNA tertiary structure. Previous studies have determined the two-dimensional secondary structures of the sense and antisense human LincRNA-p21 AluSx1 IRs using SHAPE. However, there were no insights into its three-dimensional structure. Therefore, we in vitro transcribed the sense and antisense regions of LincRNA-p21 AluSx1 Inverted Repeats (IRs) and performed analytical ultracentrifugation, size exclusion chromatography, light scattering, and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies. Based on these studies, we determined low-resolution, three-dimensional structures of sense and antisense LincRNA-p21. By adapting previously known two-dimensional information, we calculated their sense and antisense high-resolution models and determined that they agree with the low-resolution structures determined using SAXS. Thus, our integrated approach provides insights into the structure of LincRNA-p21 Alu IRs. Our study also offers a viable pipeline for combining the secondary structure information with biophysical and computational studies to obtain high-resolution atomistic models for long noncoding RNAs.
A dynamic model of the ABA Signaling pathway with its core components: translation rate of PP2C determines the kinetics of ABA-induced gene expression
Authors: Ndathe Ruth , Dale Renee , Kato Naohiro
Published: December 2021

The abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway is the key defense mechanism against drought stress in plants, yet the connectivity of cellular molecules related to gene expression in response to ABA is little understood. A dynamic model of the core components of the ABA signaling pathway was built using ordinary differential equations to understand the connectivity. Parameter values of protein-protein interactions and enzymatic reactions in the model were implemented from the data obtained by previously conducted experiments. On the other hand, parameter values of gene expression and translation were determined by comparing the kinetics of gene expression in the model to those of ABA-induced RD29A (response to desiccation 29A) in actual plants. Based on the analyses of the optimized model, we hypothesized that the translation rate of PP2C (protein phosphatase type 2C) is downregulated by ABA to increase the ABRE (ABA-responsive element) promoter activity. The hypotheses were preliminarily supported by newly conducted experiments using transgenic Arabidopsis plants that carry a luciferase expression cassette driven by the RD29A promoter (RD29A::LUC). The model suggests that identifying a mechanism that alters PP2C translation rate would be one of the next research frontiers in the ABA signaling pathway.
Pre-determined diversity in resistant fates emerges from homogenous cells after anti-cancer drug treatment
Authors: Goyal Yogesh , Dardani Ian P. , Busch Gianna T. , Emert Benjamin , Fingerman Dylan , Kaur Amanpreet , Jain Naveen , Mellis Ian A. , Li Jingxin , Kiani Karun , Fane Mitchell E. , Weeraratna Ashani T. , Herlyn Meenhard , Raj Arjun
Published: December 2021

Even amongst genetically identical cancer cells, therapy resistance often only emerges from a very small subset of those cells. Much effort has gone into uncovering the molecular differences in rare individual cells in the initial population that may allow certain cells to become therapy resistant; however, comparatively little is known about variability in the resistant outcomes themselves. Here, we develop and apply FateMap, a framework that combines DNA barcoding with single-cell RNA sequencing to reveal the fates of hundreds of thousands of clones exposed to anti-cancer therapies. We show that resistant clones emerging from single-cell-derived cancer cells adopt molecularly, morphologically, and functionally distinct fate types. These different resistant types are largely predetermined by molecular differences between cells before addition of drug and not by extrinsic cell-specific microenvironmental factors. Changes in dose and kind of drug can, however, switch the resistant fate type of an initial cell, even resulting in the generation and elimination of certain fate types. Diversity in resistant fates was observed across several single-cell-derived cancer cell lines and types treated with a variety of drugs. Cell fate diversity as a result of variability in intrinsic cell states may be a generic feature of response to external cues.
Assessing single-component gene drive systems in the mosquito Aedes aegypti via single generation crosses and modeling
Authors: Reid William , Williams Adeline E , Sanchez-Vargas Irma , Lin Jingyi , Juncu Rucsanda , Olson Ken E , Franz Alexander WE
Published: December 2021

The yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti is a major vector of arthropod-borne viruses, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. A novel approach to mitigate arboviral infections is to generate mosquitoes refractory to infection by overexpressing antiviral effector molecules. Such an approach requires a mechanism to spread these antiviral effectors through a population, for example, by using CRISPR/Cas9-based gene drive (GD) systems. Critical to the design of a single-locus autonomous GD is that the selected genomic locus be amenable to both GD and appropriate expression of the antiviral effector. In our study, we used reverse engineering to target two intergenic genomic loci, which had previously shown to be highly permissive for antiviral effector gene expression, and we further investigated the use of three promoters (nanos, β2-tubulin, or zpg) for Cas9 expression. We then quantified the accrual of insertions or deletions (indels) after single generation crossings, measured maternal effects, and assessed fitness costs associated with the various transgenic lines to model the rate of GD fixation. Overall, MGDrivE modeling suggested that when an autonomous GD is placed into an intergenic locus, the GD system will eventually be blocked by the accrual of GD blocking resistance alleles and ultimately be lost in the population. Moreover, while genomic locus and promoter selection were critically important for the initial establishment of the autonomous GD, it was the fitness of the GD line that most strongly influenced the persistence of the GD in the simulated population. As such, we propose that when autonomous CRISPR/Cas9 based GD systems are anchored in an intergenic locus, they temporarily result in a strong population replacement effect, but as GD-blocking indels accrue, the GD becomes exhausted due to the fixation of CRISPR resistance alleles.

Significance statement

For the purpose of population replacement, CRISPR/Cas9 based gene drives (GD) have been developed in Anopheles spp. and split GDs have been developed in Ae. aegypti. In our study, we developed autonomous GD in Ae. aegypti and positioned the drives in intergenic loci ideal for the expression of antiviral effector genes. Our results suggest that when the GD is placed into an intergenic locus, there is rapid introgression of the GD resulting in a transient population replacement followed by loss of the drive as resistance alleles accrue. Fitness of the transgenic lines and maternal deposition of CRISPR/Cas9 components were the major contributing factors affecting the perseverance of the GD in our population models.
Opposing steroid signals modulate protein homeostasis through deep changes in fat metabolism in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Gómez-Escribano AP , Mora-Martínez C , Roca M , Walker DS , Panadero J , Sequedo MD , Saini R , Knölker HJ , Blanca J , Burguera J , Lahoz A , Cañizares J , Millán JM , Burton N , Schafer WR , Vázquez-Manrique RP
Published: December 2021

Protein homeostasis is crucial for viability of all organisms, and mutations that enhance protein aggregation cause different human pathologies, including polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases, such as some spinocerebellar ataxias or Huntington disease. Here, we report that neuronal Stomatin-like protein UNC-1 protects against aggregation of prone-to-aggregate proteins, like polyQs, α-synuclein and β-amyloid, in C. elegans. UNC-1, in IL2 neurons, antagonizes the function of the cytosolic sulfotransferase SSU-1 in neurohormonal signalling from ASJ neurons. The target of this hormone is the nuclear hormone receptor NHR-1, which acts cell-autonomously to protect from aggregation in muscles. A second nuclear hormone receptor, DAF-12, functions oppositely to NHR-1 to maintain protein homeostasis. Transcriptomics analyses reveal deep changes in the expression of genes involved in fat metabolism, in unc-1 mutants, which are regulated by NHR-1. This suggest that fat metabolism changes, controlled by neurohormonal signalling, contributes to modulate protein homeostasis.
The blended phenotype of a germline RIT1 and a mosaic PIK3CA variant
Authors: Berland Siren , Jareld Jørgen , Hickson Nicholas , Schlecht Helene , Houge Gunnar , Douzgou Sofia
Published: December 2021

We report a patient with a germline RIT1 and a mosaic PIK3CA variant. The diagnosis of the RASopathy was confirmed by targeted sequencing following the identification of transient cardiomyopathy in a patient with PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS). Our observation confirms that the PIK3CA gain-of-function (GoF) variant effects dominate those of the RASopathy, and the resulting blended phenotype mostly resembles megalencephaly-capillary malformation syndrome (MCAP PROS). There appears to be interaction between RIT1 and PI3K-AKT because the latter pathway is needed for the growth-promoting activity of the first, at least in adenocarcinomas, but the details of this interaction are not known. If so, the PIK3CA somatic variant may not be just a chance event. It could also be of etiological relevance that Rit activation mediates resistance to cellular stress—that is, promotes cell survival. This anti-apoptotic effect could also make it more likely that a cell that spontaneously acquires a PIK3CA GoF variant will survive and proliferate. We aim to encourage clinicians to investigate atypical findings in individuals with PROS. If further similar cases are reported, this would suggest that the establishment of PROS mosaicism is facilitated by the background of a RASopathy.
BraggNN: fast X-ray Bragg peak analysis using deep learning
Authors: Liu Zhengchun , Sharma Hemant , Park Jun-Sang , Kenesei Peter , Miceli Antonino , Almer Jonathan , Kettimuthu Rajkumar , Foster Ian
Published: December 2021

X-ray diffraction based microscopy techniques such as high-energy diffraction microscopy (HEDM) rely on knowledge of the position of diffraction peaks with high precision. These positions are typically computed by fitting the observed intensities in detector data to a theoretical peak shape such as pseudo-Voigt. As experiments become more complex and detector technologies evolve, the computational cost of such peak-shape fitting becomes the biggest hurdle to the rapid analysis required for real-time feedback in experiments. To this end, we propose BraggNN, a deep-learning based method that can determine peak positions much more rapidly than conventional pseudo-Voigt peak fitting. When applied to a test dataset, peak center-of-mass positions obtained from BraggNN deviate less than 0.29 and 0.57 pixels for 75 and 95% of the peaks, respectively, from positions obtained using conventional pseudo-Voigt fitting (Euclidean distance). When applied to a real experimental dataset and using grain positions from near-field HEDM reconstruction as ground-truth, grain positions using BraggNN result in 15% smaller errors compared with those calculated using pseudo-Voigt. Recent advances in deep-learning method implementations and special-purpose model inference accelerators allow BraggNN to deliver enormous performance improvements relative to the conventional method, running, for example, more than 200 times faster on a consumer-class GPU card with out-of-the-box software.
Blockchain technology design in accounting: Game changer to tackle fraud or technological fairy tale?
Authors: Centobelli Piera , Cerchione Roberto , Del Vecchio Pasquale , Oropallo Eugenio , Secundo Giustina
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to design, build and evaluate a blockchain platform in the accounting domain, taking an ecosystem perspective. To achieve this aim, the research provides evidence for developing a decentralised architecture rooted on blockchain technology, designing a proof of concept and modelling an accounting blockchain-based system.

Design/methodology/approach

Moving from the analysis of previous literature and leveraging on the design science approach, this paper provides a framework grounded on the main pillars of blockchain and accounting functions, identifying technical and non-technical issues that must be addressed embrace blockchain technology's full potential.

Findings

We propose and discuss a conceptual framework for a blockchain-based accounting context, moving from the identification of a typical accounting scenario. The framework is organised around three scalable levels: the first level is a technological infrastructure based on a distributed database with peer-to-peer storage; second, in the intermediate level, increasing control levels are assured through permissions and validation and third, in the higher level, the system provides the integration of business and security applications. The deployment of this system relies on a private network of nodes that validates transactions.

Practical implications

The proposed conceptual framework about blockchain development in accounting allows closing the knowledge gap between blockchain developers and accounting experts by suggesting technological and strategic issues for practitioners.

Originality/value

We provide practical guidelines to design and adopt blockchain in the accounting domain.
Reflections on neo-Kaleckian growth regimes: a Marxian reproduction perspective
Authors: Zhao Feng , Tian Jiahe , Duan Yuchen
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The neo-Kaleckian model follows the ideas of Marx, Keynes and Kalecki, that investment is a key influencing factor in the dynamics of the capitalist mode of production. Through the discussion of different forms of investment decision function, this paper constructs the analysis framework of wage-led and profit-led economic growth regimes.

Design/methodology/approach

The model has become an important theoretical paradigm for current Western heterodox economists regarding the research on the impact of functional income distribution on economic growth, and it has a very large impact on both theoretical and empirical research. Starting from Marx's reproduction theory, this article discusses the theoretical shortcomings of the neo-Kaleckian growth regime model.

Findings

This paper mainly focuses on three aspects: (1) the ideological legacy of “Smith's Dogma”; (2) neglecting the restrictions on income distribution from the organic composition of capital and the surplus value rate; (3) technological progress and the formation of a new long economic wave.

Originality/value

The authors believe that the neo-Kaleckian model unilaterally emphasizes the demand-side factors in the economy and, unconsciously or not, ignores the role of the supply-side, which makes it encounter certain limitations in explaining long-term growth. Even if some empirical conclusions are employed to bridge functional income distribution and technological progress, there is still a lack of a theoretical basis for accurately describing long-term economic changes using this model. In order to better promote high-quality economic development and accelerate the formation of a new pattern of economic development in which the domestic large-scale cycle is the mainstay and the domestic and international double cycles promote each other, the authors need to adopt a policy combination with the supply-side as the main and the demand-side as the supplement, and to work from both sides.
Effects of built environment on healing the mental health of the people–literature review
Authors: Pragati S. , Shanthi Priya R. , Rajagopal Prashanthini , Pradeepa C.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been reported to have a major impact on the mental health of an individual. Healing the mental stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia of an individual's immediate surroundings play a major role. Therefore, this study reviews how the built environment impacts the healing of an individual's state of mind.

Design/methodology/approach

Various works of literature on healing environments were analysed to create frameworks that can facilitate psychological healing through architectural elements. Articles were selected from various journals like SAGE, PubMed,Journalof Appliedand ComputationalMechanics(JACM), Routledge Taylor and Francis,Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs (JCUA), ScienceDirect, and Emerald databases, news articles, official web pages, and magazines that have been referred.

Findings

Indicators (spatial, sensory comfort, safety, security, privacy and social comfort) are linked to sub-indicators (access, distractions and views) and design characteristics (indoor climate, interior view, outside view, privacy, communication, noise, daylighting, temperature) which help in better connection of the built environment with individual's mental health. From the above indicators, sub-indicators and design characteristics, the authors have come to a conclusion that a view to the outside with better social interaction has an in-depth effect on an individual's mental health.

Research limitations/implications

This study predominantly talks about healing in hospitals but quarantining of COVID-19 patients happens in residences too. So, it is important to find the healing characteristics in residences and in which typology the recovery process is high.

Originality/value

This paper has been written completely by the author and the co-authors and has not been copied from any other sources.
Potential for tourism to promote indigenous resources for community development in Musina Municipality, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Ramaano Azwindini Isaac
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study evaluates “potentials for using tourism in promoting indigenous resources for community development at Musina Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa.”

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, and field observations to gather data. Microsoft Excel, Spreadsheet, cross-tabulation analysis, and manual sorting contributed to quantitative and qualitative data analyses.

Findings

The study uncovered vast significant indigenous species, resources, and tourism potentials with low impacts of indigenous species and resource benefits to the local communities. The details pointing to the actual and potential indigenous resources situations around tourism activities in Musina municipality emerged prominently. Thus, the study concluded such significant indigenous species, resources, and better tourism potentials need a well-combined strategy to channel the benefits to the local community's livelihoods.

Originality/value

The issue of indigenous resources, forests, trees, and tourism concerning rural community livelihoods has become of curiosity in the past few years. Nonetheless, few such studies have investigated the synergies between tourism and significant indigenous species and resources to improve their livelihoods.
An exploratory study of US craft brewery owners’ motivations for adopting environmental practices
Authors: Sozen Erol , O’Neill Martin , Rahman Imran
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Craft brewers in the USA have long sought to improve the efficiency of beer production to achieve their primary aims of improving the product and increasing profit margins. More recently, however, there has been a move toward the adoption of more sustainable production techniques aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the brewing process itself. This study aims to investigate the factors that drive engagement with environmental practices among US craft brewery owners.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study uses an exploratory sequential mixed methods design where, first, a qualitative thematic analysis was conducted via semi-structured in-depth interviews with 31 craft brewers from across the USA. Second, a quantitative online survey was distributed to craft brewers nationwide, and 237 valid responses were collected to rank the preidentified motivational factors.

Findings

The findings of the present study are in alignment with those of previous studies conducted in a broader business context. This study contributes to an understanding of the factors driving environmental engagement, as well as their relative significance to craft brewers, which is critical to increasing the ability to target financial and physical resources and make the brewing process more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Research limitations/implications

The study has theoretical and practical implications for craft breweries, policymakers and academics. From the perspective of policy, there is limited work exploring this topic in the specific context of craft brewing. This study, thus, contributes to an understanding of the factors driving environmental engagement, as well as their relative significance to craft brewers – which is critical to increasing the ability to target resources, both financial and material, and make the brewing process more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Originality/value

Identifying exactly what it is that guides the decision-making processes of craft brewery owners, in regard to the adoption of new or improved environmental practices, has several advantages. First, it serves as a guide to help breweries adapt to the evolving needs of a progressive society; second, it assists government and policymakers in formulating effective and relevant legislation; and third, it helps consumers to better understand their role and position in business processes and decision-making.
Mitigating interorganizational conflicts in humanitarian logistics collaboration: the roles of contractual agreements, trust and post-disaster environmental uncertainty phases
Authors: Prakash Chandra , Roy Vivek , Charan Parikshit
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Governance is the key to establishing effective collaboration among humanitarian logistics partners addressing an ongoing relief work. With a focus on humanitarian interorganizational collaboration, this research draws on governance theories to investigate how conflicts can be mitigated in this challenging setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The focus on governance extends attention to the frontiers of contractual agreement, trust and environmental uncertainty to be applied in the humanitarian setting. To develop perspectives, an online survey of 289 field executives working in humanitarian organizations across the globe is conducted. The findings are based on hierarchical regressions.

Findings

Environmental uncertainty, in humanitarian logistics, is not straightforward, but wields distinctive challenges in the response phase (immediate to the disaster) as well as the recovery phase (beginning of build back) – to loom prospects of conflict between partners. Findings outline that contractual agreement can increase conflict during the response phase (high environmental uncertainty), but mitigate it during the recovery phase (low environmental uncertainty). Furthermore, contractual agreement interactively strengthens the ability of trust to reduce conflict. Yet, trust acting alone shows best outcome to mitigate conflict.

Research limitations/implications

Contrary to the established understanding in traditional logistics suggesting the vitality of contracts to easily mitigate challenges posed by environmental uncertainty, the humanitarian setting extends a unique outset for interorganizational governance based on the temporality of response and recovery phases.

Originality/value

This research pioneers to quantitatively examine the setting of humanitarian logistics based on survey. Given the difficulty of data acquisition, the extant research has largely relied on qualitative investigations when considering the agenda of governance.
Firms' capabilities management for waste patents in a circular economy
Authors: Marín-Vinuesa Luz María , Portillo-Tarragona Pilar , Scarpellini Sabina
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to define and measure the capabilities applied by firms to waste-related patents and their relations with the businesses economic performance to support decision-making towards a circular economy (CE).

Design/methodology/approach

A model of cause-and-effect relationships between firms' waste-related patents and the firm' capabilities was defined within the dynamic capabilities' theoretical framework. Empirical results were obtained by applying partial least squares structural equation modelling to a sample of 2,216 Spanish firms that hold 120,406 patents.

Findings

Results revealed the importance of the innovation capabilities of firms related to patenting, such as collaborative innovation, persistence in patenting or the capabilities to collaborate with research institutes, as drivers of level of waste patents to improve the businesses economic performance.

Research limitations/implications

The systemic nature of the CE at the firm level suggests future research focused on the environmental divergence that appears when the innovation on waste fall outside the regular domain of its industry. Another topic to be investigated is related to the full text of patents that could improve the results of this study.

Practical implications

The definition of indicators to measure investments in the CE is complex, but it is necessary to assess progress in the closing of material loops at a micro level and to report the investments in waste-related patents in a circular model to the stakeholders involved in the economic management of the company.

Originality/value

Measuring CE-related patents and the specific capabilities needed for patenting in a circular framework is an understudied topic, and this study opens a specific line of inquiry enhancing the knowledge of CE within the dynamic capabilities' theoretical framework.
A study of wire tool surface topography and optimization of wire electro-spark machined UNS N06690 using the federated mode of RSM-ANN
Authors: Raj Atul , Misra Joy Prakash , Khanduja Dinesh , Upadhyay Vikas
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the postprocessed wire tool surface using scanning electron microscopy and find out the streamlined conditions of input process variables using multi-objective optimization techniques to get minimum wire wear values.

Design/methodology/approach

A federated mode of response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) is used to optimize the process variables during the machining of a nickel-based superalloy.

Findings

The study explores that with the rise in spark-off time and spark gap voltage, the rate of wire tool consumption also escalates.

Originality/value

Most of the researchers used the RSM technique for the optimization of process variables. The RSM generates a second-order regression model during the modeling and optimization of a manufacturing process whose major limitation is to fit the collected data to a second-order polynomial. The leading edge of ANN on the RSM is that it has comprehensive approximation capability, i.e. it can approximate virtually all types of nonlinear functions, including quadratic functions also.
The dynamics of survey-based household inflation expectations in India
Authors: Jha Saakshi
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The author analyzes households' inflation expectations data for India, collected quarterly by the RBI for more than a decade. The contribution of this paper lies in two folds. First, this study examines the relationship between relatively recent inflation expectations survey of households (IESH) and the actual inflation for India. Secondly, the author employs a structural VAR with the time period 2006 Q2 to 2020 Q2 on inflation expectation survey data of India. A short-term non-recursive restriction is imposed in the model in order to capture the simultaneous co-dependence causal effect of inflation expectation and realized inflation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper studies the dynamic behavior of inflation expectations survey data in two folds. First, the author analyzes the time series property of the survey data. The author begins with testing the stationarity property of the series, followed by the casual relationship between the expected and actual inflation. The author further examines the short-run and long-run behavior of the IESH with actual inflation. Employing autoregressive distributed lag and Johansen co-integration, the author tested if a long-run relationship exists between the variables. In the second approach, the author investigates the determinants of inflation expectations by employing a non-recursive SVAR model.

Findings

The preliminary explanatory test reveals that inflation expectation is a policy variable and should be used in monetary policy as an instrument variable. The model identifies the price puzzle for India. The author finds that the response of inflation to a monetary policy shock is neutral. The results also indicate that the expectations of the general public are self-fulfilling.

Originality/value

IESH has only commenced from September 2005, hence is relatively new as compared to other survey in developed countries. Being a new data set so far, the author could not locate any study devoted in analyzing the behavior of the data with other macroeconomic variables.
Routines as a conceptual tool for studying resources management in SMEs: evidence from Brazilian bakeries
Authors: Costa Júnior Júlio César da , Nascimento Leandro da Silva , Jerônimo Taciana de Barros , Andrade Jackeline Amantino de , Mendes Primo Marcos André , Granja Brunna Carvalho Almeida
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate routines as a conceptual tool to analyze resources management in small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) productive processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed a qualitative multiple case study with Brazilian companies in the bakery industry. Data were collected through interviews, on-site observation and documentary analysis. Plus, the authors used business process modeling (BPM) techniques to map the observed routines.

Findings

The restrictions of SMEs accentuate the improvisation of routines. However, contrary to expected, many of these deviations expand the possibilities of organizational action as they become successful in terms of operational efficiency, which allows these companies to extract performance from ordinary resources and imitable management practices.

Practical implications

The BPM shows its value to track the allocation of resources in SMEs by recording the evolution of its routines and helping to preserve an operational memory. This finding could be useful to help public agencies to develop accessible management tools to assist small business owners.

Originality/value

Most of the conceptual tools developed to analyze the resources management are based on the study of large organizations, which may limit the analysis and lead to restricted or mistaken results if used in another context without proper adaptation. The authors apply an objective and representational epistemological lens to organizational routines to adapt it to the pragmatic context of operations management. Also, the authors suggest that better than a resource-based view, the practice-based view is a theoretical approach more compatible with the resource constraints context of SMEs.
Understanding mobile users' information adoption behaviour: an extension of the information adoption model
Authors: Elwalda Abdulaziz , Erkan İsmail , Rahman Mushfiqur , Zeren Deniz
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Mobile messaging applications (MMAs) have surpassed top social media platforms. Recent and rapid use of MMAs has made it extremely difficult to ignore the existence of customer-to-customer (C2C) mobile information. This study, therefore, aims to expand the knowledge of customers' adoption behaviour of such information.

Design/methodology/approach

Through applying and utilizing social support theory (SST) and the information adoption model (IAM), this study introduces a holistic theoretical model, explaining customers' adoption of information derived from MMAs and exploring the antecedents of IAM. Based on the data collected from 305 UK MMA users, this study empirically tests the research model using structural equation modelling estimation.

Findings

The results of this study reveal that social support is a key antecedent of information quality and credibility and support IAM in terms of its ability to explain MMAs' information adoption.

Practical implications

The insights are valuable for businesses and marketers to understand customers' mobile communications and be socially support-oriented while developing marketing communication strategies.

Originality/value

The study integrates SST and IAM to improve the understanding of customers' information adoption behaviour. It is the first attempt that establishes that social support is a key antecedent of IAM.