bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fatty sweet symphony: Decoding distinct ganglioside patterns of native and differentiated mesenchymal stem cells by a novel glycolipidomics profiling strategy
Authors: Hohenwallner Katharina , Troppmair Nina , Panzenboeck Lisa , Kasper Cornelia , El Abiead Yasin , Koellensperger Gunda , Lamp Leonida M. , Hartler Jürgen , Egger Dominik , Rampler Evelyn
Published: April 2022

Gangliosides are an indispensable glycolipid class concentrated on cell surfaces with a critical role in stem cell differentiation. Nonetheless, owing to the lack of suitable methods for scalable analysis covering the full scope of ganglioside molecular diversity, their mechanistic properties in signaling and differentiation remain undiscovered to a large extent. This work introduces a sensitive and comprehensive ganglioside assay based on liquid chromatography, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and multistage fragmentation. Complemented by an open-source data evaluation workflow, we provide automated in-depth lipid species-level and molecular species-level annotation based on decision rule sets for all major ganglioside classes. Compared to conventional state-of-the-art methods, the presented ganglioside assay offers (1) increased sensitivity, (2) superior structural elucidation, and (3) the possibility to detect novel ganglioside species. A major reason for the highly improved sensitivity is the optimized spectral readout based on the unique capability of two parallelizable mass analyzers for multistage fragmentation. In addition to the significant technological advance, we identified 263 ganglioside species including cell-state-specific markers and previously unreported gangliosides in native and differentiated human mesenchymal stem cells. A general increase of the ganglioside numbers upon differentiation was observed as well as cell-state-specific clustering based on the ganglioside species patterns. By proving the predictive power of gangliosides as ubiquitous cell state-specific markers, we demonstrated the high throughput universal capability of our novel analytical strategy, which comes with new insights on the biological role of gangliosides in stem cell differentiation. Our analytical workflow will pave the way for new ganglioside- and glycolipid-based clusters of differentiation markers to determine stem cell phenotypes.
Every individual makes a difference: A trinity derived from linking individual brain morphometry, connectivity and mentalising ability
Authors: Li Zhaoning , Dong Qunxi , Hu Bin , Wu Haiyan
Published: April 2022

Mentalising ability, indexed as the ability to understand others’ beliefs, feelings, intentions, thoughts and traits, is a pivotal and fundamental component of human social cognition. However, considering the multifaceted nature of mentalising ability, little research has focused on characterising individual differences in different mentalising components. And even less research has been devoted to investigating how the variance in the structural and functional patterns of the amygdala and hippocampus, two vital subcortical regions of the ‘social brain’, are related to inter-individual variability in mentalising ability. Here, as a first step toward filling these gaps, we exploited inter-subject representational similarity analysis (IS-RSA) to assess relationships between amygdala and hippocampal morphometry (surface-based multivariate morphometry statistics, MMS), connectivity (resting-state functional connectivity, rs-FC) and mentalising ability (interactive mentalisation questionnaire (IMQ) scores) across the participants (N= 24). In IS-RSA, we proposed a novel pipeline, i.e., computing patching and pooling operations-based surface distance (CPP-SD), to obtain a decent representation for high-dimensional MMS data. On this basis, we found significant correlations (i.e., secondorder isomorphisms) between these three distinct modalities, indicating that a trinity existed in idiosyncratic patterns of brain morphometry, connectivity and mentalising ability. Notably, a region-related mentalising specificity emerged from these associations: self-self and self-other mentalisation are more related to the hippocampus, while other-self mentalisation shows a closer link with the amygdala. Furthermore, by utilising the dyadic regression analysis, we observed significant interactions such that subject pairs with similar morphometry had even greater mentalising similarity if they were also similar in rs-FC. Altogether, we demonstrated the feasibility and illustrated the promise of using IS-RSA to study individual differences, deepening our understanding of how individual brains give rise to their mentalising abilities.
Tomographic-encoded multiphoton (TEMP) microscopy
Authors: He Hongsen , Dong Xin , Ren Yu-Xuan , Lai Cora S. W. , Tsia Kevin K. , Wong Kenneth K. Y.
Published: April 2022

Axial scanning in multiphoton microscopy (MPM) is typically realized by mechanically shifting either the objective or the sample. However, the scan speed is usually hindered by the mechanical inertia of the bulky mass. Although the extended depth of field provided by the non-diffracting beam allows fast volumetric imaging, it abandons the axial resolution. Here, we demonstrate a novel and powerful tomographic technique using the Bessel droplet in MPM, termed Tomographic-Encoded MultiPhoton (TEMP) microscopy. We show that benefiting from the high-order nonlinear excitation in MPM, the side-lobes cancellation and smaller beam focus of the Bessel droplet realize better image quality. The TEMP microscopy allows fast axial scanning, less risks of photodamage and photobleaching, and high-resolution and high-contrast imaging. Furthermore, fewer raw images are required for the 3D image reconstruction. To demonstrate its usability and advantages for scattering tissues and biomedical applications, we showcase the TEMP microscopy with highly scattering fluorescence microspheres and mouse brain slice. More details can be visualized by the Bessel droplet compared with the conventional Gaussian and Bessel beam. More importantly, the TEMP technique is an easy-plug-in method for the current microscopy system. The TEMP microscopy is promising for fast volumetric multiphoton imaging, especially for highly scattering tissues.
Protein engineering approach to enhance activity assays of mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases through proximity
Authors: Galera-Prat Albert , Alaviuhkola Juho , Alanen Heli I. , Lehtiö Lari
Published: April 2022

Human mono-ADP-ribosylating PARP enzymes have been linked to several clinically relevant processes and many of these PARPs have been suggested as potential drug targets. Despite recent advances in the field, efforts to discover such compounds have been hindered by the lack of tools to rapidly screen for high potency compounds and profile them against the different PARP enzymes of the ARTD family. We here expanded the methods and engineered mono-ART catalytic fragments to be incorporated into a cellulosome-based octavalent scaffold. Compared to the free enzymes, the scaffold-based system results in an improved activity for the tested PARPs due to improved solubility, stability and the proximity of the catalytic domains, altogether boosting their activity beyond 10-fold in the case of PARP12. This allows us to measure their enhanced activity using a simple and easily accessible homogeneous NAD+ conversion assay, facilitating its automation to reduce the assay volume and lowering the assay costs. The approach will enable the discovery of more potent compounds due to increased assay sensitivity and it can be applied to compound screening campaigns as well as inhibitor profiling.
The conserved centrosomal motif, γTuNA, forms a dimer that directly activates microtubule nucleation by the γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC)
Authors: Rale Michael , Romer Brianna , Mahon Brian P. , Travis Sophie M. , Petry Sabine
Published: April 2022

1.

To establish the microtubule cytoskeleton, the cell must tightly regulate when and where microtubules are nucleated. This regulation involves controlling the initial nucleation template, the γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC). Although γTuRC is present throughout the cytoplasm, its activity is restricted to specific sites including the centrosome and Golgi. The well-conserved γ-tubulin nucleation activator (γTuNA) domain has been reported to increase the number of microtubules generated by γTuRCs. Here we utilize Xenopus egg extract and in vitro single molecule imaging assays to show that γTuNA activates microtubule nucleation in extract and directly activates γTuRC in vitro. Via mutation analysis, we find that γTuNA is an obligate dimer. Moreover, efficient dimerization as well as γTuNA’s L70, F75, and L77 residues are required for binding to and activation of γTuRC. Finally, we find that γTuNA’s activating effect opposes inhibitory regulation by stathmin. In sum, our study illuminates how γTuRC is controlled in space and time in order to build specific cytoskeletal structures.
Ribosome stalling during selenoprotein translation exposes a ferroptosis vulnerability in cancer
Authors: Li Zhipeng , Ferguson Lucas , Deol Kirandeep K. , Roberts Melissa A. , Magtanong Leslie , Bassik Michael C. , Dixon Scott J. , Ingolia Nicholas T. , Olzmann James A.
Published: April 2022

Ferroptosis is a regulated, iron-dependent form of necrosis that is triggered by the accumulation of oxidatively damaged phospholipids1–3. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) prevents ferroptosis by converting phospholipid hydroperoxides into non-toxic lipid alcohols4, 5. Ferroptosis has been implicated in the pathology of several degenerative conditions and inhibiting GPX4 activity has emerged as a therapeutic strategy to induce cancer cell death1, 2. However, many cancer cell lines are resistant to GPX4 inhibition6, and the mechanisms that regulate GPX4 activity and ferroptosis resistance remain incompletely understood. Here, employing a synthetic lethal CRISPR-Cas9 screen in a triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line, we identify LRP8 (also known as ApoER2) as a ferroptosis resistance factor. LRP8 is upregulated in cancer, and we find that it promotes ferroptosis resistance in cancer cells in both 2-dimensional (2-D) cell culture and 3-dimensional (3-D) spheroid models. Mechanistically, loss of LRP8 decreases cellular selenium levels, resulting in the reduced expression of a subset of selenoproteins, including GPX4. Remarkably, the reduction in GPX4 is not due to the classic hierarchical selenoprotein regulatory program7, 8. Instead, our findings demonstrate that the translation of GPX4 is severely impaired in the selenium-deficient LRP8 knockout (KO) cells due to extensive ribosome stalling at the inefficiently decoded GPX4 selenocysteine (SEC) UGA codon, which results in ribosome collisions and early translation termination. Thus, our findings reveal ribosome stalling and collisions during GPX4 translation as targetable ferroptosis vulnerabilities in cancer cells.
Brainstem speech encoding is dynamically shaped online by fluctuations in corticalαstate
Authors: Lai Jesyin , Price Caitlin N. , Bidelman Gavin M.
Published: April 2022

Experimental evidence in animals demonstrates cortical neurons innervate subcortex bilaterally to tune brainstem auditory coding. Yet, the role of the descending (corticofugal) auditory system in modulating earlier sound processing in humans during speech perception remains unclear. Here, we measured EEG activity as listeners performed speech identification tasks in different noise backgrounds designed to tax perceptual and attentional processing. Brainstem speech coding might be tied to attention and arousal states (indexed by corticalαpower) that actively modulate the interplay of brainstem-cortical signal processing. When speech-evoked brainstem frequency-following responses (FFRs) were categorized according to corticalαstates, lowαFFRs in noise were found to be weaker, correlated positively with behavioral response times, more “decodable” via classifiers, and associated indirectly with other signal-in-noise perceptual performance. Our data provide evidence for online corticofugal interplay in humans and establish that brainstem sensory representations are continuously yoked to the ebb and flow of cortical states to dynamically update perceptual processing.
Long non-coding RNA G23Rik attenuates fasting-induced lipid accumulation in the liver
Authors: Kim Donghwan , Kim Bora , Brocker Chad N. , Karri Kritika , Waxman David J. , Gonzalez Frank J.
Published: April 2022

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is a key mediator of lipid metabolism and metabolic stress in the liver. A recent study revealed that PPARα-dependent long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in modulating metabolic stress and inflammation in the livers of fasted mice. Here hepatic lncRNA 3930402G23Rik (G23Rik) was found to have active peroxisome proliferator response elements (PPREs) within its promoter and is directly regulated by PPARα. Although G23Rik RNA was expressed to varying degrees in several tissues, the PPARα-dependent regulation of this lncRNA was only observed in the liver. Pharmacological activation of PPARα induced PPARα recruitment at the G23Rik promoter and a pronounced increase in hepatic G23Rik lncRNA expression. A G23Rik-null mouse line was developed to further characterize the function of this lncRNA in the liver. G23Rik-null mice were more susceptible to hepatic lipid accumulation in response to acute fasting. Histological analysis further revealed a pronounced buildup of lipid droplets and a significant increase in neutral triglycerides and lipids as indicated by enhance oil red O staining of liver sections. Hepatic cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acid, and triglyceride levels were significantly elevated in G23Rik-null mice and associated with induction of the lipid-metabolism related gene Cd36. These findings provide evidence for a lncRNA dependent mechanism by which PPARα attenuates hepatic lipid accumulation in response to metabolic stress through lncRNA G23Rik induction.

Key points

3930402G23Rik (G23Rik) is a liver-enriched long non-RNA.

G23Rik is a PPARA target gene.

Loss of G23Rik increases hepatic lipid accumulation during fasting
Neuronal activity regulates Matrin 3 levels and function in a calcium-dependent manner through calpain cleavage and calmodulin binding
Authors: Malik Ahmed M. , Wu Josephine J. , Gillies Christie A. , Doctrove Quinlan A. , Li Xingli , Huang Haoran , Shakkottai Vikram G. , Barmada Sami
Published: April 2022

RNA-binding protein (RBP) dysfunction is a fundamental hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and related neuromuscular disorders. Abnormal neuronal excitability is also a conserved feature in ALS patients and disease models, yet little is known about how activity-dependent processes regulate RBP levels and functions. Mutations in the gene encoding the RBP Matrin 3 (MATR3) cause familial disease, and MATR3 pathology has also been observed in sporadic ALS, suggesting a key role for MATR3 in disease pathogenesis. Here, we show that glutamatergic activity drives MATR3 degradation in a NMDAR-, Ca2+-, and calpain-dependent mechanism. The most common pathogenic MATR3 mutation renders it resistant to calpain degradation, suggesting a link between activity-dependent MATR3 regulation and disease. We also demonstrate that Ca2+ regulates MATR3 through a non-degradative process involving the binding of Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) to MATR3 and inhibition of its RNA-binding ability. These findings indicate that neuronal activity impacts both the abundance and function of MATR3, and provide a foundation for further study of Ca2+-coupled regulation of RBPs implicated in ALS and related neurological diseases.
Typical hippocampal transcriptional response across estrous is dysregulated by Cnih3 gene deletion
Authors: Mulvey Bernard , Frye Hannah E. , Lintz Tania , Fass Stuart , Tycksen Eric , Nelson Elliot C. , Morón Jose A. , Dougherty Joseph D.
Published: April 2022

The hippocampus is a critical brain region for coordinating learning, memory, and behavior. In females, the estrous cycle alters these functions through steroid hormone activity, with well-characterized effects on cellular physiology and behavior. However, the molecular basis of these outcomes has not been systematically explored. Therefore, we profiled the transcriptome of dorsal hippocampi from female mice in each estrous cycle stage, and contrasted it with that of males. We identify only subtle sex differences in gene expression between the sexes on average, yet comparing males to individual estrous stages reveals up to thousands of genes deviating from male expression patterns at specific estrous stages. These estrous-responsive genes are especially enriched in gene markers of oligodendrocytes and the dentate gyrus, and in functional gene sets relating to estrogen response, potassium channels, and synaptic gene splicing. Next we profiled Cnih3 knockouts across estrous to provide insight into their previously reported estrous-dependent phenotypes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity, composition, and learning and memory behaviors. Surprisingly, Cnih3 knockouts showed far broader transcriptomic differences between estrous cycle stages and males. Moreover, Cnih3 knockout drove subtle but extensive expression changes accenting sex differential expresssion at diestrus and estrus. Altogether, our profiling constitutes both a resource characterizing estrous-specific gene expression patterns in the adult hippocampus, which can provide insights into mechanisms of sex differential neuropsychiatric functions and dysfunctions, while also highlighting roles of Cnih3 as a buffer against transcriptional effects of estrous and providing insights into the molecular mechanisms that may underlie estrous-dependent phenotypes with its loss.
Critical Role of Insertion Preference for Invasion Trajectory of Transposons
Authors: Munasinghe Manisha , Springer Nathan M , Brandvain Yaniv J
Published: April 2022

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile DNA sequences that have been highly successful at invading eukaryotic genomes. It is unclear how TE families reach high copy number given the expectation that some novel insertions will be deleterious. It has been hypothesized that TE families may evolve to target and insert into specific DNA sequences to adjust the underlying distribution of fitness effects for new insertions. Preferentially inserting into neutral sites could minimize the cumulative deleterious load of a TE family, allowing the mean TE copy number to increase with less risk for host population extinction. To test this hypothesis, we constructed simulations to explore how the transposition probability and insertion preference of a TE family influence the evolution of mean TE copy number and host population size, allowing for extinction. We find that extinction is most common in our simulations under high transposition probabilities, but, as we reduce transposition rates, the risk of extinction persists while the preference for neutral insertion sites is high. In the absence of mechanisms that regulate TE transposition, a preference for neutral insertion sites is not protective and, in fact, actively accelerates both an increase in TE copy number and the time to population extinction.
An intrinsically disordered transcription activation domain alters the DNA binding affinity and specificity of NFκB p50/RelA
Authors: Baughman Hannah E.R. , Narang Dominic , Chen Wei , Villagrán Suárez Amalia C. , Lee Joan , Bachochin Maxwell , Gunther Tristan R. , Wolynes Peter G. , Komives Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2022

Many transcription factors contain intrinsically disordered transcription activation domains (TADs), which mediate interactions with co-activators to activate transcription. Historically, DNA-binding domains and TADs have been considered as modular units, but recent studies have shown that TADs can influence DNA binding. We biophysically characterized the NFκB p50/RelA heterodimer including the RelA TAD and investigated the TAD’s influence on NFκB-DNA interactions. In solution the RelA TAD is disordered but compact, with helical tendency in two regions that interact with co-activators. The presence of the TAD increased the stoichiometry of NFκB-DNA complexes containing promoter DNA sequences with tandem κB recognition motifs by promoting the binding of NFκB dimers in excess of the number of κB sites. We measured the binding affinity of p50/RelA for DNA containing tandem κB sites and single κB sites. While the presence of the TAD enhanced the binding affinity of p50/RelA for all κB sequences tested, it increased the affinity for non-specific DNA sequences by over 10-fold, leading to an overall decrease in specificity for κB DNA sequences. Our results reveal a novel function of the RelA TAD in promoting binding to non-consensus DNA previously observed by in vivo studies of NFκB-DNA binding in response to strong inflammatory signals.
Stair Recognition for Robotic Exoskeleton Control using Computer Vision and Deep Learning
Authors: Kurbis Andrew Garrett , Laschowski Brokoslaw , Mihailidis Alex
Published: April 2022

Computer vision can be used in robotic exoskeleton control to improve transitions between different locomotion modes through the prediction of future environmental states. Here we present the development of a large-scale automated stair recognition system powered by convolutional neural networks to recognize indoor and outdoor real-world stair environments. Building on the ExoNet database - the largest and most diverse open-source dataset of wearable camera images of walking environments – we designed a new computer vision dataset, called StairNet, specifically for stair recognition with over 515,000 images. We then developed and optimized an efficient deep learning model for automatic feature engineering and image classification. Our system was able to accurately predict complex stair environments with 98.4% classification accuracy. These promising results present an opportunity to increase the autonomy and safety of human-exoskeleton locomotion for real-world community mobility. Future work will explore the mobile deployment of our automated stair recognition system for onboard real-time inference.
Extended Brain Sources Estimation via Unrolled Optimization Neural Network
Authors: Jiao Meng , Xian Xiaochen , Ghacibeh Georges , Liu Feng
Published: April 2022

Electroencephalography (EEG)/Magnetoencephalography (MEG) source imaging aims to seek an estimation of underlying activated brain sources to explain the observed EEG/MEG recording. Due to the ill-posed nature of inverse problem, solving EEG/MEG Source Imaging (ESI) requires design of regularization or prior terms to guarantee a unique solution. Traditionally, the design of regularization terms is based on preliminary assumptions on the spatio-temporal structure in the source space. In this paper, we propose a novel paradigm to solve the ESI problem by using Unrolled Optimization Neural Network (UONN) (1) to improve the efficiency compared to traditional iterative algorithms; (2) to establish a data-driven way to model the source solution structure instead of using hand-crafted regularizations; (3) to learn the hyperparameter automatically in a data-driven manner. The proposed framework is based on unfolding of the iterative optimization algorithm with neural network modules. The proposed new learning framework is the first one that use the unrolled optimization neural network to solve the ESI problem. The newly designed framework can effectively learn the source extents pattern and achieved significantly improved performance compared to benchmark algorithms.
A deep learning-based automated closed-loop optogenetic system for neuromodulation during seizures
Authors: Batabyal Tamal , Brodovskaya Anastasia , Williamson John , Kapur Jaideep
Published: April 2022

Closed-loop electrical brain stimulation is becoming a popular technique proposed for use as a treatment alternative to surgical resection of brain tissue for drug-resistant seizures in epilepsy patients. Closed-loop optogenetic stimulation is an experimental alternative to electrical stimulation since it can stimulate or inhibit neurons. The closed-loop part contains an online seizure detection algorithm, which, based on the design, can detect the onset of a seizure or evaluate a running window for seizure membership. Conventional configurations of closed-loop optogenetics have several limitations, ranging from the adaptability of hardware-based implementation to inadequate, customized feature selection of seizures, among others. Here we provide a detailed description of our closed-loop components. We used a sequential, fully convolutional neural network regressor for complex feature selection of seizures against the controls from local field potential recordings. Our modular design kept the local field potential-recording headset and optical probe separate. The seizure detection and execution of light delivery are fast and can be precisely timed. This automated system is robust to noise, modular in design, flexible in use, and simple execution. When applied in vivo, the proposed work shows efficacy over the state of the arts in terms of improved seizure detection and reduction in false positives.
Evolution of nasal and olfactory infection characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Chen Mengfei , Pekosz Andrew , Villano Jason S. , Shen Wenjuan , Zhou Ruifeng , Kulaga Heather , Li Zhexuan , Beck Sarah E. , Witwer Kenneth W. , Mankowski Joseph L. , Ramanathan Murugappan , Rowan Nicholas R. , Lane Andrew P.
Published: April 2022

SARS-CoV-2 infection of the upper airway and the subsequent immune response are early, critical factors in COVID-19 pathogenesis. By studying infection of human biopsies in vitro and in a hamster model in vivo, we demonstrated a transition in tropism from olfactory to respiratory epithelium as the virus evolved. Analyzing each variants revealed that SARS-CoV-2 WA1 or Delta infects a proportion of olfactory neurons in addition to the primary target sustentacular cells. The Delta variant possesses broader cellular invasion capacity into the submucosa, while Omicron displays longer retention in the sinonasal epithelium. The olfactory neuronal infection by WA1 and the subsequent olfactory bulb transport via axon is more pronounced in younger hosts. In addition, the observed viral clearance delay and phagocytic dysfunction in aged olfactory mucosa is accompanied by a decline of phagocytosis related genes. Furthermore, robust basal stem cell activation contributes to neuroepithelial regeneration and restores ACE2 expression post-infection. Together, our study characterized the nasal tropism of SARS-CoV-2 strains, immune clearance, and regeneration post infection. The shifting characteristics of viral infection at the airway portal provides insight into the variability of COVID-19 clinical features and may suggest differing strategies for early local intervention.
What are the fundamental knowledge-sharing drivers of small family businesses in the restaurant and fast-food industry?
Authors: Rezaei Mojtaba , Giovando Guido , Rezaei Shahrbanou , Sadraei Razieh
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Despite the undoubted role of knowledge in the small family business (FB) in the restaurant and fast-food industry, there are some main challenges in the knowledge-sharing (KS) orientation for promoting their business. This study tries to recognise and explore the drivers influencing these enterprises' KS processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied combined exploratory and confirmatory analysis in two studies. In the first study, by the Delphi method, the 22 experts consisting of managers, FB owners and academic professors explore and forecast significant items and drivers. The second study is a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for validating the first study's indicators using the survey collected amongst 218 restaurants and fast foods employees.

Findings

The findings indicate 23 indicators in three main drivers of individual, organisational and technological, are critical for KS in small FBs in the investigated industry.

Originality/value

This research supports the understanding of knowledge management and the FB and contributes to recognising the influential factors for KS amongst small and medium-sized family businesses in the food-related industry. Also, by identifying and ranking the most significant factors, this research will help entrepreneurs facilitate FB entrepreneurship. Finally, the results provide practical implications for current and future KM and FB decision-makers.
Proto-institutional work: the “special treatments for special matters” in institutional transition
Authors: Yan Zheng Joseph , Luo Jin , Chen Ziran
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine an important mechanism in the policy-led institutional transitions in China, namely, Te Shi Te Ban (Special Treatments for Special Matters) – an institutional device that facilitates policy implementation. The discussions are contextualized based on the latest chapter of China’s institutional transition, known as the reform initiative of Fang Guan Fu (i.e. the FGF reform: delegate power, streamline administration and optimize government services), which is a policy regime introduced in 2018 to improve the state-market relationship for better socioeconomic development.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the theoretical lens of proto-institutions and institutional work and using real-life examples from mass media, this perspective paper examines the effects of the Special Treatments in the institutional transition under the FGF Reform.

Findings

The Special Treatments are the proto-institutions purposively adopted by the regulators in China to innovate, supervise and renovate the rules and norms during policy implementation. They produce both incremental and radical institutional effects which allow for a more efficient and effective policy-led institutional transition.

Originality/value

This study contributes to institutional theory in the Chinese management context. Foremost, this study introduces the concept of proto-institutional work and shows how proto-institutions can serve as a mechanism to support and manage the process of institutional transition. In addition, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to study the FGF Reform – the latest reform initiative in China and theorize an under-researched but important mechanism in its institutional environment – the Special Treatments for Special Matters.
A dynamic adaptive hybrid surrogate-assisted particle swarm optimization algorithm for complex system design optimization
Authors: You Xiongxiong , Zhang Mengya , Niu Zhanwen
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithms (SAEAs) are the most popular algorithms used to solve design optimization problems of expensive and complex engineering systems. However, it is difficult for fixed surrogate models to maintain their accuracy and efficiency in the face of different issues. Therefore, the selection of an appropriate surrogate model remains a significant challenge. This paper aims to propose a dynamic adaptive hybrid surrogate-assisted particle swarm optimization algorithm (AHSM-PSO) to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

A dynamic adaptive hybrid selection method (AHSM) is proposed. This method can identify multiple ensemble models formed by integrating different numbers of excellent individual surrogate models. Then, according to the minimum root-mean-square error, the best suitable surrogate model is dynamically selected in each generation and is used to assist PSO.

Findings

Experimental studies on commonly used benchmark problems, and two real-world design optimization problems demonstrate that, compared with existing algorithms, the proposed algorithm achieves better performance.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this work is the proposal of a dynamic adaptive hybrid selection method (AHSM). This method uses the advantages of different surrogate models and eliminates the shortcomings of experience selection. Furthermore, the empirical results of the comparison of the proposed algorithm (AHSM-PSO) with existing algorithms on commonly used benchmark problems, and two real-world design optimization problems demonstrate its competitiveness.
Can hotel employees arise internal whistleblowing intentions? Leader ethics, workplace virtues and moral courage
Authors: Mkheimer Ibrahim M. , Selem Kareem M. , Shehata Ali Elsayed , Hussain Kashif , Perez Perez Marta
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study investigates the relationship between leaders' ethical behaviors and internal whistleblowing among hotel employees through the mediation role of organizational virtuousness. According to the conceptual framework, ethical leadership creates a virtuous workplace and encourages whistleblowing.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey approach with responses of 442 employees from Egyptian five-star hotels was used. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses proposed based on leader–member exchange (LMX) and ethical leadership theories.

Findings

Ethical leadership has a favorable impact on organizational virtuousness and, as a result, has a significant impact on whistleblowing intention. The ethical leaders–subordinates' intents to whistleblow association partially mediated organizational virtuousness. To assist them in reporting ethics violations, most hotel employees require organizational characteristics, such as organizational climate and psychological empowerment, in addition to individual characteristics, such as moral bravery and ethical efficacy.

Originality/value

The conceptual framework of this paper adds a new guide for future research related to the hospitality literature, which is how employees' intent to internal whistleblowing. As such, senior management should serve as a moral role model for hotel employees, inspiring them to be moral and allowing them to participate in decision-making.
The association between emotional maturity and domestic violence among infertile women
Authors: Afkhamzadeh Abdorrahim , Mahmoodi Hassan , Rahmani Khaled , Mohammadi Simin , Haghshenas Mandana , Faraji Obeidollah
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The study aims to determine the relationship between emotional maturity and domestic violence in infertile women.

Design/methodology/approach

The cross-sectional study was conducted on 184 infertile women. Demographic questionnaire, Emotional Maturity Scale and domestic violence questionnaire were used to collect data. The Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the data.

Findings

More than 50% of the women in the study experienced domestic violence, and about the same percentage of them had unstable emotional maturity. The total score of domestic violence and its types were significantly related to the women’s emotional maturity (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the significant relationship was found between domestic violence with Spouse's education level (primary/secondary) [OR = 0.25 (0.09–0.66)] and emotional maturity (unstable) [OR = 3.59 (1.83–7.02)].

Social implications

The overall prevalence of infertility in Iran was 7% in 2021. Furthermore, although infertility is a problem among couples, most of its social burden lies with women. In a number of developing countries, as well as in Iran, childbearing is perceived as a social value for married women. Therefore, infertile women are at risk for depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, dissatisfaction and reduced quality of life.

Originality/value

This study found that half of the surveyed women experienced domestic violence. Women’s emotional immaturity, as well as their spouses’ lower education level and type of occupation, were highly correlated with women’s experience of domestic violence. To help prevent domestic violence among couples, there should be couple training classes to improve women’s emotional maturity.”
Sinking houseboats and swaying home stays: community resilience and local impacts of COVID-19 in managing tourism crisis in Kerala
Authors: Varghese Bindi , Chennattuserry Joseph Chacko , Kureethara Joseph Varghese
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The tourism sector of the state of Kerala in India is highly vulnerable and has been extensively impacted by the global pandemic disaster. This paper aims to analyze the impact of COVID-19 (Corona virus pandemic) on houseboat operators and homestay managers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper indicates a multi-stakeholder assessment method to examine various pandemic disaster facets through a structured discussion with different destination stakeholders. This study examines qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews from homestay owners, houseboat operators and government designators in Kerala. This study proposes a conceptual community resilience competency framework that could facilitate speedy crisis management responses. In this study, the sample comprises of nine respondents who play a pivotal role in the travel business, comprising the public sector, private sector, NGO's and community leaders.

Findings

The qualitative findings identify India’s and the state of Kerala's roles in handling crisis management scenarios over internal strategies and strategy formulation. The results indicate that the supplementary industry practitioners explore tactical and strategic management initiatives to sustain their businesses. The dynamics of stakeholder engagement adopted by the state is given prominence.

Originality/value

This study suggests mechanisms to re-establish the brand image and the possible strategies and suggestions that could help in the survival of the Kerala tourism industry in the post-disaster period. The “new normal” has been substantiated in the study by incorporating strategies and precautionary methods adopted by the homestay and houseboat operators so as to address the guests' safety concerns.
Nightlife in historical sites: between lights and shadows (visions and challenges)
Authors: Fewella Lina Nageb
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The paper aims to describe the positive and negative effects of night lights in historical sites, as well as the most salient challenges faced by the visitors of these sites and determine ways to address them. The study aims to suggest several light-and-shadow approaches and designs to enhance the experience of visiting historical sites.

Design/methodology/approach

This study identifies problems of nightlife in historical sites with an online international questionnaire to determine the preferences and difficulties faced by visitors of historical sites during day and night. After that Egypt was determined as a sample case of a developing country; its archaeological sites need to be improved. The main problems of historical Egyptian sites were investigated and approaches in developing historical sites with interactive lighting design were presented after an online questionnaire to the Egyptian society.

Findings

The paper shows that archaeological sites need some development, especially in their technological and lighting aspects, to overcome visitors’ low night-time interest in archaeological sites. Research has found certain limitations in the effects of constructing artificial illumination. The study provides modern sustainable solution for some light challenges in historical sites with approaches and solutions to solve it.

Research limitations/implications

The results of that research could be applied in developing countries, but with larger specific studies to the historical urban locations according to the politics of the country.

Practical implications

The paper includes sustainable approaches in developing historical sites with technological lighting design required to enhance historical sites at night-time and make visits more interactive and interesting.

Originality/value

This paper presents an identified need of historical sites visitors’ to study applying modern approaches in enhancing urban historical sites.
Finding words for the unspoken: family intervention in forensic settings
Authors: Cook Andy , Payne Julie
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe family intervention (FI) with four families in which the service user is under the care of forensic mental health services. There is a focus on identifying how systemic practice is used or adapted in working with families who have a family member who has presented risk and caused harm.

Design/methodology/approach

Four case studies are used to provide a basis for the exploration of commonalities in practice between the cases and the utility of FI within forensic services, which have the dual purpose of promoting mental health recovery and reducing offending/risk behaviour.

Findings

Family work can be a key healing tool in the recovery journey of forensic service users and their families. An integrated systemic and psycho-educational FI approach was found to be appropriate in the cases described. Issues particular to forensic services are identified; these include the role of safety planning; the function of talking about the history of trauma in the family including the impact of offending behaviour; mediating difficult relationships between family members and professionals; and overcoming barriers to having difficult and emotive conversations.

Research limitations/implications

The absence of outcome assessments limits the findings to observational data and self-reported experiences from the authors.

Practical implications

FI can be safely and effectively used within forensic settings, facilitated by practitioners competent in working with trauma and complexity, as an integrated component of the therapeutic treatment.

Originality/value

There are recognised barriers to the provision of FI within forensic settings, with limited research regarding the application of such therapies with forensic patients and their families. This paper adds to the small pool of knowledge regarding useful applications of FI in such settings.
Towards a theory of brand love in services: the power of identity and social relationships
Authors: Ahuvia Aaron , Izberk-Bilgin Elif , Lee Kyungwon
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Building meaningful relationships between consumers and service brands has received significant attention. This paper aims to explore how brand love in services – a relationship between the consumer and the service brand – is created through relationships between the consumer and other people. Specifically, we explore how brand love is created through the social relationships consumers form with other consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper synthesizes the literature on consumer-brand relationships, brand community, social support and service providers, psychological ownership and brand love in the context of services.

Findings

This paper suggests that consumers love brands that are meaningful to them. Brands can become more meaningful to consumers by facilitating interpersonal connections and helping consumers define their identity. The connection between social relationships with other consumers and brand love is mediated by the consumer's level of perceived membership in the community. For some consumers, perceived membership grows to the point of becoming perceived psychological ownership of the community, where the consumer feels a sense of responsibility for the brand's and the community's well-being.

Originality/value

This paper advances theoretical understanding of how brand love operates in services and how it can be enhanced through services’ management.
Climate risks and their implications for commercial property valuations
Authors: Sayce Sarah Louise , Clayton Jim , Devaney Steven , van de Wetering Jorn
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The authors outline a framework that captures the channels through which physical climate risks could affect cash flows and pricing of income-producing real estate. This facilitates detailed consideration of how the future performance of real estate investments could be affected by such risks.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a literature-based investigation that draws on work commissioned by UNEP-FI (Clayton et al., 2021a, b). It extends this work to consider in more detail the channels through which climate risks may impact property performance and the implications for the valuation community.

Findings

Recent empirical studies have identified more instances where pricing is reflecting both current and anticipated climate risks. Market valuations cannot properly incorporate climate risk without clear evidence that it is priced by market participants, but valuers can advise clients on the potential for future impacts.

Research limitations/implications

While inferences can be made from studies of residential real estate, more research on commercial real estate pricing and climate risk is required to assist valuers and their clients, as well as other stakeholders in the real estate market.

Practical implications

Differences between a Market Value and an Investment Value context are considered, and how valuers could and should account for climate risk in each setting is discussed with reference to existing professional standards and guidance.

Originality/value

The article synthesises a wide range of literature to produce a framework for the channels by which real estate values could be influenced by climate risk.
Coronavirus’ exposure of food, place and community resilience: a Welsh local authority perspective
Authors: Jones Rebecca , Thomas Lane Eifiona , Prosser Luke
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Coronavirus has accentuated the cracks within the fragile UK food system. Empty shelves and empty stomachs, the damaging consequences of coronavirus have led to an unprecedented increase in food insecurity and food access. The purpose of this paper is to provide in-depth insight into varied and innovative rural localised responses to food access during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on multiple perspectives of those working to combat food insecurity, inequality and inaccessibility in Gwynedd, exploring food access initiatives and their responses to the pandemic, innovative food distribution collaborations and the role of maintaining already fragile rural communities.

Findings

This study concludes that the need for transformative place-making to build stronger, more resilient communities has never been more pressing, with support from public sector funding to help alleviate some of the hardships and pressure with the rise in poverty and austerity, coronavirus imposed or not.

Originality/value

This study focuses on a single local authority area in North Wales, Gwynedd, an area where little food research has been published to date. The coronavirus pandemic also places the timely research within the scope of food access and distribution during hardship. This study discusses the impacts exposed by the pandemic and lessons that can be drawn and reflected on for future benefit.