bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activity-Induced MeCP2 Phosphorylation Regulates Retinogeniculate Synapse Refinement
Authors: Tzeng Christopher P. , Whitwam Tess , Boxer Lisa D. , Li Emmy , Silberfeld Andrew , Trowbridge Sara , Mei Kevin , Lin Cindy , Shamah Rebecca , Griffith Eric C. , Renthal William , Chen Chinfei , Greenberg Michael E.
Published: July 2023

Mutations inMECP2give rise to Rett syndrome (RTT), an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder that results in broad cognitive impairments in females. While the exact etiology of RTT symptoms remains unknown, one possible explanation for its clinical presentation is that loss of MeCP2 causes miswiring of neural circuits due to defects in the brain’s capacity to respond to changes in neuronal activity and sensory experience. Here we show that MeCP2 is phosphorylated at four residues in the brain (S86, S274, T308, and S421) in response to neuronal activity, and we generate a quadruple knock-in (QKI) mouse line in which all four activity-dependent sites are mutated to alanines to prevent phosphorylation. QKI mice do not display overt RTT phenotypes or detectable gene expression changes in two brain regions. However, electrophysiological recordings from the retinogeniculate synapse of QKI mice reveal that while synapse elimination is initially normal at P14, it is significantly compromised at P20. Notably, this phenotype is distinct from that previously reported forMecp2null mice, where synapses initially refine but then regress after the third postnatal week. We thus propose a model in which activity-induced phosphorylation of MeCP2 is critical for the proper timing of retinogeniculate synapse maturation specifically during the early postnatal period.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder that predominantly affects girls. RTT is caused by loss of function mutations in a single gene MeCP2. Girls with RTT develop normally during their first year of life, but then experience neurological abnormalities including breathing and movement difficulties, loss of speech, and seizures. This study investigates the function of the MeCP2 protein in the brain, and how MeCP2 activity is modulated by sensory experience in early life. Evidence is presented that sensory experience affects MeCP2 function, and that this is required for synaptic pruning in the brain. These findings provide insight into MeCP2 function, and clues as to what goes awry in the brain when the function of MeCP2 is disrupted.
Double and triple thermodynamic mutant cycles reveal the basis for specific MsbA-lipid interactions
Authors: Lyu Jixing , Zhang Tianqi , Marty Michael T. , Clemmer David , Russell David H. , Laganowsky Arthur
Published: July 2023

Structural and functional studies of the ATP-binding cassette transporter MsbA have revealed two distinct lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding sites: one located in the central cavity and the other at a membrane-facing, exterior site. Although these binding sites are known to be important for MsbA function, the thermodynamic basis for these specific MsbA-LPS interactions is not well understood. Here, we use native mass spectrometry to determine the thermodynamics of MsbA interacting with the LPS-precursor 3-deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo)2-lipid A (KDL). The binding of KDL is solely driven by entropy, despite the transporter adopting an inward-facing conformation or trapped in an outward-facing conformation with adenosine 5’-diphosphate and vanadate. An extension of the mutant cycle approach is employed to probe basic residues that interact with KDL. We find the molecular recognition of KDL is driven by a positive coupling entropy (as large as -100 kJ/mol at 298K) that outweighs unfavorable coupling enthalpy. These findings indicate that alterations in solvent reorganization and conformational entropy can contribute significantly to the free energy of protein-lipid association. The results presented herein showcase the advantage of native MS to obtain thermodynamic insight into protein-lipid interactions that would otherwise be intractable using traditional approaches, and this enabling technology will be instrumental in the life sciences and drug discovery.
Serotonergic Modulation of the BNST-CeA Circuit Promotes Sex Differences in Fear Learning
Authors: Ravenelle Rebecca , Fernandes-Henriques Carolina , Lee Jinah , Liu Jia , Likhtik Ekaterina , Burghardt Nesha S.
Published: July 2023

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by intense fear memory formation and is diagnosed more often in women than men. Here, we show that serotonin differentially affects fear learning and communication in the extended amygdala of male and female mice. Females showed higher sensitivity to the effects of pharmacologically increasing serotonin during auditory fear conditioning, which enhanced fear memory recall in both sexes. Optogenetic stimulation of dorsal raphe terminals in the anterior dorsal bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (adBNST) during fear conditioning increased c-Fos expression in the BNST and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), and enhanced fear memory recall via activation of adBNST 5-HT2C receptors in females only. Likewise, in females only, serotonin stimulation during learning enhanced adBNST-CeA high gamma (90-140Hz) synchrony and adBNST-to-CeA communication in high gamma during fear memory recall. We conclude that sex differences in the raphe-BNST-CeA circuit may increase risk of PTSD in women.
ent-Verticilide B1 inhibits type 2 ryanodine receptor channels and is antiarrhythmic in Casq2-/- mice
Authors: Gochman Aaron , Do Tri Q. , Kim Kyungsoo , Schwarz Jacob A. , Thorpe Madelaine P. , Blackwell Daniel J. , Smith Abigail N. , Akers Wendell S. , Cornea Razvan L. , Laver Derek R. , Johnston Jeffrey N. , Knollmann Bjorn C.
Published: July 2023

Ca2+leak from cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) is an established mechanism of sudden cardiac death (SCD), whereby dysregulated Ca2+handling causes ventricular arrhythmias. We previously discovered the RyR2-selective inhibitorent-(+)-verticilide (ent-1), a 24-membered cyclooligomeric depsipeptide that is the enantiomeric form of a natural product (nat-(-)-verticilide). Here, we examined its 18-membered ring-size oligomer (ent-verticilide B1; “ent-B1”) in single RyR2 channel assays, [3H]ryanodine binding assays, and inCasq2-/-cardiomyocytes and mice, a gene-targeted model of SCD.ent-B1 inhibited RyR2 single-channels and [3H]ryanodine binding with low micromolar potency, and RyR2-mediated spontaneous Ca2+release in Casq2-/- cardiomyocytes with sub-micromolar potency.ent-B1 was a partial RyR2 inhibitor, with maximal inhibitory efficacy of less than 50%.ent-B1 was stable in plasma, with a peak plasma concentration of 1460 ng/ml at 10 min and half-life of 45 min after intraperitoneal administration of 3 mg/kg in mice. Both 3 mg/kg and 30 mg/kgent-B1 significantly reduced catecholamine-induced ventricular arrhythmia in Casq2-/- mice. Hence, we have identified a novel chemical entity –ent-B1 – that preserves the mechanism of action of a hit compound and shows therapeutic efficacy. These findings strengthen RyR2 as an antiarrhythmic drug target and highlight the potential of investigating the mirror-image isomers of natural products to discover new therapeutics.

Significance statement

The cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) is an untapped target in the stagnant field of antiarrhythmic drug development. We have confirmed RyR2 as an antiarrhythmic target in a mouse model of sudden cardiac death and shown the therapeutic efficacy of a second enantiomeric natural product.
ColabDock: inverting AlphaFold structure prediction model for protein-protein docking with experimental restraints
Authors: Feng Shihao , Chen Zhenyu , Zhang Chengwei , Xie Yuhao , Ovchinnikov Sergey , Gao Yiqin , Liu Sirui
Published: July 2023

Prediction of protein complex structures and interfaces potentially has wide applications and can benefit the study of biological mechanisms involving protein-protein interactions. However, the surface prediction accuracy of traditional docking methods and AlphaFold-Multimer is limited. Here we present ColabDock, a framework that makes use of ColabDesign, but reimplements it for the purpose of restrained complex conformation prediction. With a generation-prediction architecture and trained ranking model, ColabDock outperforms HADDOCK and ClusPro not only in complex structure predictions with simulated residue and surface restraints, but also in those assisted by NMR chemical shift perturbation as well as covalent labeling. It further assists antibody-antigen interface prediction with emulated interface scan restraints, which could be obtained by experiments such as Deep Mutation Scan. ColabDock provides a general approach to integrate sparse interface restraints of different experimental forms and sources into one optimization framework.
Transcriptional clusters follow a conserved condensation-dispersal sequence during stem cell differentiation
Authors: Klingberg Tim , Wachter Irina , Pancholi Agnieszka , Gohar Yomna , Kumar Priya , Sobucki Marcel , Kämmer Elisa , Eroğlu-Kayıkçı Süheyla , Erhardt Sylvia , Ferrai Carmelo , Zaburdaev Vasily , Hilbert Lennart
Published: July 2023

Spatiotemporal organization of transcription is essential for organism development. Most eukaryotic genes are transcribed by RNA polymerase II (Pol II). In stem cells, Pol II forms prominent clusters, which gradually disappear during differentiation, such that only smaller clusters remain. Here, we ask whether the formation and loss of large Pol II clusters is a stereotypical process explicable by changes in the Pol II transcriptional state during differentiation. We assess clusters by super-resolution microscopy in differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells, sperm precursor formation in fruit flies, and germ layer induction in zebrafish. In all cases, Pol II clusters first become larger and rounder, then unfold, and finally disperse into small clusters. These shape changes are accompanied by initial increase in recruited Pol II, subsequent transition into transcript elongation, and finally reduction of active enhancers. We reproduce these observations using a biophysical surface condensation model, where enhancers support Pol II cluster formation, and transcriptional activity unfolds clusters. Our work indicates that changes in enhancer marks and transcriptional activity during differentiation define a stereotyped trajectory through a generally applicable space of cluster shapes.

Graphical Abstract
Identifying conceptual neural responses to symbolic numerals
Authors: Retter Talia L. , Eraßmy Lucas , Schiltz Christine
Published: July 2023

Neural processing of numerical concepts may be measured in humans automatically, without a related numerical task. However, the extent to which neural responses to symbolic numbers are due to physical stimulus confounds independently of conceptual representations remains unknown. Here, we targeted conceptual responses to parity (evenvs.odd), using an electroencephalographic (EEG) frequency-tagging approach with a symmetry/asymmetry paradigm. Fifty second sequences of Arabic numerals (2–9) were presented at 7.5 Hz; odd and even numbers were alternated, so that differential responses to parity would be captured at 3.75 Hz (7.5 Hz/2). Parity responses were probed with four different stimulus sets, increasing in intra-numeral stimulus variability. Moreover, two control conditions were tested for each stimulus set, comprised of non-conceptual numeral alternations (strong control, for small inter-group physical differences: 2,3,6,7vs.4,5,8 and 9; weak control, for large physical differences: 2,4,5,7vs. 3,6,8,9). Significant asymmetrical responses at 3.75 Hz were found over the occipitotemporal cortex to all conditions, thus even for arbitrary numeral groups. The weak control condition elicited the largest response in the stimulus set with the lowest level of variability (1 font). Only in the stimulus set with the highest level of variability (20 hand-drawn, colored exemplars per numeral) did the response to parity surpass both control conditions. These findings show that physical differences across small sets of Arabic numerals can strongly influence, and even account for, automatic brain responses. However, carefully designed control conditions and highly variable stimulus sets may be used towards identifying truly conceptual neural responses.
Gcn5 – mTORC1 – TFEB signalling axis mediated control of autophagy regulatesDrosophilablood cell homeostasis
Authors: Arjun AR , Math Suraj , Kata Laxmi , Khadilkar Rohan Jayant
Published: July 2023

Blood progenitors are regulated by a variety of signals from their environment. In theDrosophilalymph gland (LG), the Posterior Signalling Center (PSC) acts as a stem cell niche striking a balance between progenitors and differentiated blood cells. While the response of blood progenitors to extrinsic signals is well characterized, their ability to respond to cell intrinsic cues is unexplored. Autophagy is one such intrinsic cellular process that maintains cellular homeostasis by removing unnecessary or dysfunctional cell components through autophagic degradation and recycling. Here, we show that autophagy plays a critical role in regulating blood cell homeostasis in the lymph gland. General control non-derepressible 5 (Gcn5), a histone acetyltransferase is expressed in all the cellular subsets of the LG and modulation of Gcn5 levels in various cellular subsets of the LG perturbs LG homeostasis. Gcn5 through its known non-histone acetylation target, TFEB controls autophagic flux thereby regulating hematopoiesis. Additionally, we demonstrate that modulation of mTORC1 activity can perturb hematopoiesis. We show that Gcn5 acts as a nutrient sensor and mTORC1 activity regulates Gcn5. mTORC1 over-rides the effect exerted by Gcn5 in regulating LG hematopoiesis. Together, our findings indicate that Gcn5 – mTORC1 – TFEB signaling axis mediated control of autophagy is required for maintaining blood cell homeostasis inDrosophila.
Comparison of robotic automated and manual injection methods in zebrafish embryos for high throughput RNA silencing using CRISPR-CasRx
Authors: Abugattas-Nuñez Del Prado Joaquin , Ding Yi , de Sonneville Jan , van der Kolk Kees-Jan , Moreno-Mateos Miguel A. , Málaga-Trillo Edward , Spaink Herman P.
Published: July 2023

Recently, the CRISPR-RfxCas13d (CasRx) system was proven to induce efficient mRNA knockdown in animal embryos. Here we compared the efficiency of CasRx-based RNA depletion with that of Cas9-mediated DNA targeting under the same conditions, using automated robotic and manual injection methods. As a proof-of-principle target, we used the no tail (tbxta) gene in zebrafish embryos, for which knockdown and knockout embryonic phenotypes were easy to be scored. Both Cas9 and CasRx systems induced loss of function phenotypes oftbxtagene. Higher percentage of severe phenotype was observed using Cas9 protein compared to the mRNA while the efficiency was similar in terms of Cas13d protein and mRNA. In addition, both the robotic and manual injection approaches yielded similar percentages of phenotypes and mortality rates. Therefore, our study not only showcases the potential of RNA-targeting CRISPR effectors for precise and potent gene knockdown, but also emphasizes automated microinjection in zebrafish embryos as an excellent alternative to manual methods for achieving gene knockdown at a high throughput level.
Activating the NFE2L1-ubiquitin-proteasome system by DDI2 protects from ferroptosis
Authors: Ofoghi Anahita , Kotschi Stefan , Lemmer Imke L. , Haas Daniel T. , Willemsen Nienke , Bayer Batoul , Möller Sophie , Haberecht-Müller Stefanie , Krüger Elke , Krahmer Natalie , Bartelt Alexander
Published: July 2023

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent, non-apoptotic form of cell death initiated by oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Recent evidence has linked ferroptosis to the action of the transcription factor Nuclear factor erythroid-2 derived,-like-1 (NFE2L1). NFE2L1 regulates proteasome abundance in an adaptive fashion, maintaining protein quality control to secure cellular homeostasis, but the regulation of NFE2L1 during ferroptosis and the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) herein are still unclear. In the present study, using an unbiased proteomic approach charting the specific ubiquitylation sites, we show that induction of ferroptosis leads to recalibration of the UPS. RSL3-induced ferroptosis inhibits proteasome activity and leads to global hyperubiquitylation, which is linked to NFE2L1 activation. As NFE2L1 resides in the endoplasmic reticulum tethered to the membrane, it undergoes complex posttranslational modification steps to become active and induce the expression of proteasome subunit genes. We show that proteolytic cleavage of NFE2L1 by the aspartyl protease DNA-damage inducible 1 homolog 2 (DDI2) is a critical step for the ferroptosis-induced feed-back loop of proteasome function. Cells lacking DDI2 cannot activate NFE2L1 in response to RSL3 and show global hyperubiquitylation. Genetic or chemical induction of ferroptosis in cells with a disrupted DDI2-NFE2L1 pathway diminishes proteasomal activity and promotes cell death. Also, treating cells with the clinical drug nelfinavir, which inhibits DDI2, sensitized cells to ferroptosis. In conclusion, our results provide new insight into the importance of the UPS in ferroptosis and highlight the role of the DDI2-NFE2L1 as a potential therapeutic target. Manipulating DDI2-NFE2L1 activity through chemical inhibition might help sensitizing cells to ferroptosis, thus enhancing existing cancer therapies.

Graphical abstract
Widespread analytical pitfalls in empirical coexistence studies and a checklist for improving their statistical robustness
Authors: Terry J. Christopher D. , Armitage David W.
Published: July 2023

Modern Coexistence Theory (MCT) offers a conceptually straightforward approach for connecting empirical observations with an elegant theoretical framework, gaining popularity rapidly over the past decade. However, beneath this surface-level simplicity lie various assumptions and subjective choices made during data analysis. These can lead researchers to draw qualitatively different conclusions from the same set of experiments. As the predictions of MCT studies are often treated as outcomes, and many readers and reviewers may not be familiar with the framework’s assumptions, there is a particular risk of “researcher degrees of freedom” inflating the confidence in results, thereby affecting reproducibility and predictive power.

To tackle these concerns, we introduce a checklist consisting of statistical best-practices to promote more robust empirical applications of MCT. Our recommendations are organised into four categories: presentation and sharing of raw data, testing model assumptions and fits, managing uncertainty associated with model coefficients, and incorporating this uncertainty into coexistence predictions.

We surveyed empirical MCT studies published over the past 15 years and discovered a high degree of variation in the level of statistical rigour and adherence to best practices. We present case studies to illustrate the dependence of results on seemingly innocuous choices among competition model structure and error distributions, which in some cases reversed the predicted coexistence outcomes. These results demonstrate how different analytical approaches can profoundly alter the interpretation of experimental results, underscoring the importance of carefully considering and thoroughly justifying each step taken in the analysis pathway.

Our checklist serves as a resource for authors and reviewers alike, providing guidance to strengthen the empirical foundation of empirical coexistence analyses. As the field of empirical MCT shifts from a descriptive, trailblazing phase to a stage of consolidation, we emphasise the need for caution when building upon the findings of earlier studies. To ensure that progress made in the field of ecological coexistence is based on robust and reliable evidence, it is crucial to subject our predictions, conclusions, and generalizability to a more rigorous assessment than is currently the trend.
The structure of a novel ferredoxin – FhuF, a ferric-siderophore reductase from E. coli K-12 with a novel 2Fe-2S cluster coordination
Authors: Trindade I.B. , Rollo F. , Todorovic S. , Catarino T. , Moe E. , Matias P.M. , Piccioli M. , Louro R.O.
Published: July 2023

Iron is a vital element for life. However, after the Great Oxidation Event, the bioavailability of this element became limited. To overcome iron shortage and to scavenge this essential nutrient, microorganisms use siderophores, secondary metabolites that have some of the highest affinities for ferric iron. The crucial step of iron release from these compounds to be subsequently integrated into cellular components is mediated by Siderophore-Interacting Proteins (SIPs) or Ferric-siderophore reductases (FSRs).

In this work, we report the structure of an FSR for the first time. FhuF from laboratory strain Escherichia coli K-12 is the archetypical FSR, known for its atypical 2Fe-2S cluster with the binding motif C-C-X10-C-X2-C. The 1.9 Å resolution crystallographic structure of FhuF shows it to be the only 2Fe-2S protein known to date with two consecutive cysteines binding different Fe atoms. This novel coordination provides a rationale for the unusual spectroscopic properties of FhuF. Furthermore, FhuF shows an impressive ability to reduce hydroxamate-type siderophores at very high rates when compared to flavin-based SIPs, but like SIPs it appears to use the redox-Bohr effect to achieve catalytic efficiency.

Overall, this work closes the knowledge gap regarding the structural properties of ferric-siderophore reductases and simultaneously opens the door for further understanding of the diverse mechanistic abilities of these proteins in the siderophore recycling pathway.
Adaptative Laboratory Evolution reveals biofilm regulating genes as key players inB. subtilisroot colonization
Authors: Pomerleau Maude , Charron-Lamoureux Vincent , Léonard Lucille , Grenier Frédéric , Rodrigue Sébastien , Beauregard Pascale B.
Published: July 2023

Root-associated microorganisms play an important role in plant health, such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria from theBacillusandPseudomonasgenera. Although bacterial consortia including these two genera would represent a promising avenue to efficient biofertilizer formulation, we observed thatB. subtilisroot colonization is decreased by the presence ofP. fluorescensandP. protegens. To determine ifB. subtiliscan adapt to the inhibitory effect ofPseudomonason roots, we conducted adaptative laboratory evolution experiments withB. subtilisin mono-association or co-cultured withP. fluorescenson tomato plant roots. Evolved isolates with various colony morphology and stronger colonization capacity of both tomato plant andA. thalianaroots emerged rapidly from the two evolution experiments. Certain evolved isolates had also a better fitness on root in presence of other Pseudomonas species. Whole genome sequencing revealed that single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in negative biofilm regulator genesywcCorsinRwere found in all independent lineages, suggesting their involvement in enhanced root colonization. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlyingB. subtilisadaptation to root colonization and highlight the potential of directed evolution to enhance beneficial traits of PGPRs.
AlphaFold-predicted protein structures and small-angle X-ray scattering: insights from an extended examination of selected data in the Small-Angle Scattering Biological Data Bank
Authors: Brookes Emre , Rocco Mattia , Vachette Patrice , Trewhella Jill
Published: July 2023

By providing predicted protein structures from nearly all known protein sequences, the artificial intelligence program AlphaFold (AF) is having a major impact on structural biology. While a stunning accuracy has been achieved for many folding units, predicted unstructured regions and the arrangement of potentially flexible linkers connecting structured domains present challenges. Focusing on single-chain structures without prosthetic groups, an earlier comparison of features derived from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data taken from the Small-Angle Scattering Biological Data Bank (SASBDB) is extended to those calculated using the corresponding AF-predicted structures. Selected SASBDB entries were carefully examined to ensure that they represented data from monodisperse protein solutions and had sufficient statistical precision and q resolution for reliable structural evaluation. Three examples were identified where there is clear evidence that the single AF-predicted structure cannot account for the experimental SAXS data. Instead, excellent agreement is found with ensemble models generated by allowing for flexible linkers between high-confidence predicted structured domains. A pool of representative structures was generated using a Monte Carlo method that adjusts backbone dihedral allowed angles along potentially flexible regions. A fast ensemble modelling method was employed that optimizes the fit of pair distance distribution functions [P(r) versus r] and intensity profiles [I(q) versus q] computed from the pool to their experimental counterparts. These results highlight the complementarity between AF prediction, solution SAXS and molecular dynamics/conformational sampling for structural modelling of proteins having both structured and flexible regions.
STCGCN: a spatio-temporal complete graph convolutional network for remaining useful life prediction of power transformer
Authors: Xing Mengda , Ding Weilong , Zhang Tianpu , Li Han
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Remaining useful life (RUL) prediction for power transformer maintenance is a challenging task on heterogeneous data. Monitoring data of power transformers are not always compatible or in an identical format; therefore, RUL predictions traditionally work separately on different data. Moreover, chemical molecules used in RUL prediction can be transformed into each other under different conditions, thus forming a complete graph with uncertain adjacency matrix (UAM). This study aims to find and evaluate a new model to achieve better results of RUL prediction than the other baselines.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, the authors propose a spatiotemporal complete graph convolutional network (STCGCN) for RUL prediction in two branches, in which daily and hourly features are extracted from correlated heterogeneous data separately. This study provides a thorough evaluation of the proposed model on real-world data and compare the proposed model with state-of-the-art RUL prediction models.

Findings

By using the multibranch structure and EucCos similarity aggregation, STCGCN was able to capture the dynamic spatiotemporal patterns on a variety of heterogeneous data and obtain more accurate prediction results, compared to other time series prediction methods.

Originality/value

In this work, the authors propose a novel multibranch structure to compute feature maps from two heterogeneous data sources efficiently and a novel similarity aggregation method to compute the spatial UAM within the complete graph. Compared with traditional time series prediction models, the model pays attention to the spatial relationships in time series data.
Complementary and contingent value of SMEs' data capability and supply chain capability in the competitive environment
Authors: Hautala-Kankaanpää Tuire
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Scholars and practitioners increasingly recognize data as an important source of business opportunities, but research on the effect on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is limited. This paper empirically examines the complementary impact of SMEs' data capability and supply chain capability (SCC) and further tests the mediation effect of SCC between data capability and operational performance. The mediated effect of data capability is also moderated by competition.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes longitudinal data collected from 122 manufacturing SMEs in Finland. Hypotheses were tested by using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The results show that to benefit from the data capability, SMEs require a certain level of SCC to extract the value from the SMEs' data capability and support operational performance. Additionally, competition affects how SMEs benefit from data capability, as competitor turbulence moderates the complementary effect of data capability and SCC on operational performance.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies examining the longitudinal effect of SMEs' data and SCC on operational performance in the current competitive environment.
Tayyiban in halal food production: a systematic literature review
Authors: Abdul Mokti Hawwa , Kamri Nor Azzah , Mohd Balwi Mohd Abd Wahab Fatoni
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine and review tayyiban indicators in the context of halal food production. In Islam, food produced or manufactured must be halal and tayyiban. Even though both halal and tayyiban are always mentioned together in the Quran, the halal aspect is highlighted more than tayyiban. The discussion of tayyiban’s indicators is still vague.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was adopted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for the review of the current research which used two main journal databases, namely, Web of Science and Scopus. Accordingly, the search resulted in a total of 40 articles that can be systematically examined.

Findings

The results of review of these articles formulated five main themes: safety, nutrition, cleanliness, quality and authenticity. These five indicators are considered relevant enough in the context of halal food production to build a comprehensive tayyiban concept.

Originality/value

This study enriches the field of halal food research. The concept of tayyiban as a whole has been given limited attention in academic literature. At the end of this study, a number of recommendations are suggested for the reference of future scholars.
Learning through playing: appreciating the role of gamification in business management education during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Skritsovali Konstantina
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Through active learning and experiential learning theoretical perspectives, this paper explores the role of gamification on the student experience and student learning of undergraduate business management students in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

To capture the impact of gamification on student experience and student learning during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, data were collected through online surveys with L6 undergraduate students studying during the academic years 2020–2021, 2021–2022 and 2022–2023.

Findings

The analysis of the data revealed three core themes: a) gaining practical experience through gamification b) opportunities for peer engagement and active participation and c) development of soft skills and hard skills.

Practical implications

Based on the lessons learnt, the paper proposes actions and guidelines for integrating gamification into business management curricula that prepare future business managers and leaders to respond to unforeseen challenges and changes.

Originality/value

This study contributes to a series of design suggestions for fellow tutors and practitioners seeking to advance their pedagogical approach to developing agile and resilient future managers and leaders.
Business process reengineering leadership: princes of Machiavelli
Authors: Mertens Dan , Villegas Salvador G. , Ware Marlon G. , Vengrouskie Edward F. , Lloyd Robert
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a supported and validated reference point for Machiavellianism as an antecedent to the contemporary management philosophy of business process reengineering (BPR).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes BPR and Machiavellianism by using the seminal work of Hammer and Champy (1993) on BPR and the original writings of Machiavelli coupled with the personal correspondence of Machiavelli with his contemporaries.

Findings

The findings of this research indicate that the constructs of Machiavellian thought transcend the five centuries since the publication of The Prince, and can be found in the contemporary managerial framework of BPR. This comparison of historical leadership frameworks demonstrates how recent management decisions in companies show the rise of Machiavellian as BPR. In an analysis of these theories, the authors show similarities in five significant tenets of business leadership and argue how these repackaged ideas and prescriptions undermine employee-centric advances.

Research limitations/implications

This comparison reviews the managerial frameworks presented in Machiavelli’s The Prince and Hammer and Champy’s book Reengineering the Corporation through the theoretical tenets of leadership.

Practical implications

Employment of Machiavellianism and BPR results in an expendable utilization of followers and employees. Implications abound for modern managers, as the authors emphasize the elements and outcomes which lead to deleterious organizational outcomes.

Social implications

In an analysis of these theories, the authors argue how these strategies undermine employee-centric advances within human relations by embracing these repackaged ideas and concepts.

Originality/value

This research leverages historical perspective to provide a qualitative understanding of the follies of recycled versions of Machiavelli’s ideas. The overall study and inquiry of BPR from a leadership perspective is not robust and leaves antecedents and influences critically unevaluated.
Understanding and implementing environmental management in small entrepreneurial ventures: supply chain management, production and design
Authors: Amorim Paula Gonçalves , Mathias Maria Augusta Siqueira , Rocha Aglaé Baptista Torres da , Oliveira Otávio José de
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This work aims to propose guidelines for small industrial businesses to take their first steps toward implementing systems, programs and tools (SPTs) for environmental management in a structured way.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted case studies in large companies certificated ISO 14001. They ran tests for construct validity, external validity and reliability. Cross-analysis of the information collected led to identifying patterns and strategies adopted by these companies to implement environmental management. Based on the literature on environmental management in small businesses and the author's experience, the practices learned from large companies were adapted to the reality of small ones, thus resulting in the proposed guidelines.

Findings

These guidelines enable small companies to develop their environmental management following the logical evolution of SPTs: ISO 14001, green supply chain management (GSCM), cleaner production (CP) and green design (GD). The implementation should happen gradually, through the PDCA cycle, according to three specific levels of environmental evolution.

Research limitations/implications

Since the guidelines focused on small industrial companies, future studies should consider other sectors, such as services, to benefit from the solutions presented. As for the implications, besides improving the small company's performance and enhancing its image, implementing the guidelines creates a green synergy along the supply chain, thus benefiting society beyond the company's borders.

Originality/value

The main theoretical-scientific contribution of this work is to deepen a block of knowledge that articulates environmental management and small businesses, creating a basis for further research and a reference for analyzing and discussing empirical studies in small companies. As an applied-management contribution, the guidelines allow small companies to effectively develop SPTs to move toward environmental sustainability.
The influence of corona pandemic on stock returns of companies listed on the Palestine Stock Exchange
Authors: Badwan Nemer , Awad Azmi Wasfi
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore and verify the influence of the corona pandemic on the stock returns of the Palestinian companies listed on the Palestine Exchange during the period 2020–2021.

Design/methodology/approach

The research makes use of secondary financial data from 52 companies in the industrial, investment, services, banking and insurance sectors. Many financial ratios are calculated to assess stock returns: current ratio, cash ratio and average collection time as liquidity measures; debt-to-equity ratio as an indication of leverage or solvency; and net profit margin as an indicator of profitability. The research examines ratios between the (2020 and 2021) precorona outbreak using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and financial ratio analysis during the corona pandemic.

Findings

The findings show that liquidity in the investment, banking, insurance and industrial sectors has decreased significantly, whereas liquidity in the service sector has improved. The statistics reveal a considerable growth in debt in the service sector, while it stays unchanged in the other sectors. However, there is no discernible change in profitability during and after the corona outbreak.

Research limitations/implications

The present research faced many limitations, such as the approach to gathering primary data, which depended heavily on disclosures, financial reports and secondary data, as well as only analyzing one context and one country.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can guide the Palestinian government and decision-makers to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak and must act quickly because strong short-term policies are more functional than long-term policy measures. In addition, the temporal discrepancy between their policy actions and financial regulations regarding the stage of the outbreak, integrating monetary treatment methods, strengthening their control over exchange rate fluctuations and extending the duration of financial participation measures that ensure stable exchange rates, such as attempting to restrict trade of the monetary system between countries was assessed to reduce the important monetary stimulation policy.

Originality/value

This study presents important facts and results for regulators and decision-makers regarding the investment, industry, banking, insurance and services sectors as sectors that are most affected by the corona pandemic as a sample for this study from the Palestinian companies listed in Palestine Stock Exchange due to the corona pandemic.
Too hot and too close. Bitcoin and gold dynamics during COVID times
Authors: Agnese Pablo
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the connectedness between bitcoin (BTC) and other traditional assets (e.g. metals) in times of financial turbulence like the COVID pandemic. The purpose is to see to what extent BTC is mimicking the role precious metals are known for, that of being a reliable store of value.

Design/methodology/approach

The author relies on vector autoregressive modeling, as it yields a very flexible framework for forecasting and interpreting the interdependencies among variables, while providing a very intuitive framework when the underlying structural model is unknown. The author performs the analysis first for the whole sample and then for a “COVID-19 subsample.”

Findings

The author finds evidence supporting a stronger link between BTC and gold in COVID-19 times, with BTC the main driving force. The author quantifies the contribution of BTC to the surge in gold’s price during those early months of COVID-19 in the order of 28%, thus lending support to the idea of intrinsic or fundamental value in BTC.

Practical implications

Investors might consider including BTC in their portfolios as a long-term investment, very much like they do with gold.

Social implications

Cryptos at large represent an important check on the ever-expanding monetary policy pursued by central banks in recent times.

Originality/value

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the world economy. It is thus timely to reevaluate the relationship between BTC and other assets such as gold and silver, which are traditionally seen as safe havens against uncertainty.
Clinical benefit of switching from paclitaxel to docetaxel or vice versa in cutaneous angiosarcoma patients resistant to first taxane chemotherapy
Authors: Yonekura Satoru , Endo Yuichiro , Fujii Hiroko , Ishikawa Makiko , Egawa Gyohei , Kabashima Kenji
Published: July 2023

Cutaneous angiosarcoma (CAS) is a rare soft‐tissue sarcoma of vascular endothelial origin. Paclitaxel (PTX) and docetaxel (DTX) are used as systemic chemotherapy; however, chemoresistance often occurs in CAS. Switching one taxane to the other (i.e., PTX to DTX, or vice versa) is an option when the first taxane is no longer effective in malignant cancers such as ovarian or breast cancer. However, the efficacy of the same strategy in CAS has not been reported. Herein, we report the clinical response of switching one taxane‐based chemotherapy to the other in CAS patients with resistance to the first taxane. Twelve CAS patients were included for analyses. In all patients, the median overall survival from the start of the first taxane treatment was 29.0 months (range, 6.47–58.5). During the first taxane, the median PFS for all patients was 5.96 months (1.81–47.1). Similarly, the median (range) PFS for all patients during the second taxane was 5.87 months (1.60–18.2). Furthermore, the median OS was 22.7 months (PTX to DTX) and 39.5 months (DTX to PTX) (p = 0.307). The median PFS during the first taxane was 5.14 (PTX to DTX) and 12.5 months (DTX to PTX), respectively (p = 0.380). The median PFS during the second taxane was 3.5 (PTX to DTX) and 7.1 months (DTX to PTX), respectively (p = 0.906). The objective response rate, defined as the sum of complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) rates, was 16.7%. The disease control rate, defined as the sum of CR, PR, and stable disease rates, was 50%. The frequency of adverse events during the second taxane was the same between the two groups (p > 0.999). Our report suggests that CAS patients could benefit from the second taxane treatment if the tumor is resistant to the first taxane.
We Know Not God's Designs in Permitting a Separation: Women Religious, the Consolidation Controversies, and the Nineteenth‐Century American Catholic Church*
Authors: Davis Elisabeth C.
Published: July 2023

This article bridges the fields of Catholic history, Women's history, and American religious history to propose a new perspective for studying the development of the American Catholic Church, termed by me as the consolidation controversies. Previous historians have focused on the development of the local parishes and the dioceses, focusing on the power conflicts between the lay trustees and the local bishops that accompanied this institutional growth. However, an often‐forgotten aspect of Catholic history is the simultaneous rise of religious congregations and orders. As these communities developed, their leaders clashed with the local bishops over questions of property and authority over members of the communities. Often at the centre of these power struggles were the women religious. Rather than allowing themselves to be manipulated, women religioudemonstrated their own autonomy, navigating larger institutional politics. Should these women fail, they faced losing their place in the diocese as well as their position and vocation as women religious.
Managerial short‐termism and financial statement comparability
Authors: Zhang Zhichao , Wang Fangjun
Published: July 2023

This study examines the association between managerial short‐termism and financial statement comparability. Using a short‐termism measure constructed through textual analysis and machine learning based on a Chinese language setting in management discussion and analysis (MD&A), we find that firms with higher short‐termism produce financial statements with lower comparability and that this effect disappears in short‐horizon industries. We further find that the increased comparability is associated with an improvement in analysts' forecasts only in non‐short‐horizon industries. Overall, our findings suggest that firms with greater managerial short‐termism are more likely to have unusual corporate behaviours, thus having worse comparability with other firms.
In natura heart rate variability predicts subsequent alcohol use in individuals in early recovery from alcohol use disorder
Authors: Eddie David , Wieman Sarah , Pietrzak Agata , Zhai Xiadi
Published: July 2023

Impairment in autonomic self‐regulatory functioning reflected by reduced heart rate variability (HRV) is a common feature of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and is believed to heighten AUD relapse risk. However, to date, no study has explored associations between in natura HRV and subsequent alcohol use among individuals seeking AUD recovery. In this study, 42 adults in the first year of a current AUD recovery attempt were monitored for 4 days using ambulatory electrocardiogram, followed by 90 days of alcohol use monitoring using timeline follow‐back. HRV indices (independent variables) reflecting autonomic neurocardiac engagement were calculated from electrocardiogram recordings. Alcohol use (dependent variable) was calculated from timeline follow‐back and expressed as per cent days abstinent (PDA). The sample was 73.81% White/European American, 19.05% Black/African American, 4.76% Asian, and 2.38% Other race/Mixed race. As predicted, higher parasympathetically mediated HRV and lower heart rate were associated with greater PDA over 90‐day follow‐up. Additionally, interactions between these measures and baseline PDA indicated higher parasympathetically mediated HRV and lower heart rate mitigated the deleterious positive association between baseline and follow‐up alcohol use. Including factors known to influence alcohol use and/or HRV in the models did not meaningfully alter their results. Findings are consistent with psychophysiological theories implicating autonomic self‐regulatory functioning in AUD treatment outcomes and suggest that select HRV indices may have utility as indicants of risk for alcohol use lapse in individuals in early AUD recovery. Findings provide theoretical support for HRV Biofeedback for this population, which exercises the psychophysiological systems that support self‐regulation.
Economic impact of polyphagous shot hole borer Euwallacea fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in Western Australia
Authors: Cook David C. , Broughton Sonya
Published: July 2023

Following the discovery of polyphagous shot hole borer Euwallacea fornicatus (Eichhoff) in Western Australia in September 2021, we estimated the likely economic damage that will result in the coming decades and the return on investment in eradication.

A bioeconomic model was used to simulate the insect's spread and economic impact based on additional urban and commercial tree management costs. Two scenarios were examined, one in which an eradication policy response was initiated, and one in which it was not.

With no eradication response, results indicated that median costs would reach A$6.8 million per annum in 30 years, with 98% of these costs relating to management in urban forests.

We conclude that the eradication funding currently proposed, involving an investment of A$45.0 million over 3 years, will not generate sufficient benefits to offset costs in the short‐term, but may produce net benefits in the longer term.