bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (Prmt5) localizes to chromatin loop anchors and modulates expression of genes at TAD boundaries during early adipogenesis
Authors: Syed Sabriya A. , Shqillo Kristina , Nand Ankita , Zhan Ye , Dekker Job , Imbalzano Anthony N.
Published: June 2023

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (Prmt5) is an essential regulator of embryonic development and adult progenitor cell functions. Prmt5 expression is mis-regulated in many cancers, and the development of Prmt5 inhibitors as cancer therapeutics is an active area of research. Prmt5 functions via effects on gene expression, splicing, DNA repair, and other critical cellular processes. We examined whether Prmt5 functions broadly as a genome-wide regulator of gene transcription and higher-order chromatin interactions during the initial stages of adipogenesis using ChIP-Seq, RNA-seq, and Hi-C using 3T3-L1 cells, a frequently utilized model for adipogenesis. We observed robust genome-wide Prmt5 chromatin-binding at the onset of differentiation. Prmt5 localized to transcriptionally active genomic regions, acting as both a positive and a negative regulator. A subset of Prmt5 binding sites co-localized with mediators of chromatin organization at chromatin loop anchors.Prmt5knockdown decreased insulation strength at the boundaries of topologically associating domains (TADs) adjacent to sites with Prmt5 and CTCF co-localization. Genes overlapping such weakened TAD boundaries showed transcriptional dysregulation. This study identifies Prmt5 as a broad regulator of gene expression, including regulation of early adipogenic factors, and reveals an unappreciated requirement for Prmt5 in maintaining strong insulation at TAD boundaries and overall chromatin organization.
SNPLift: Fast and accurate conversion of genetic variant coordinates across genome assemblies
Authors: Normandeau Eric , de Ronne Maxime , Torkamaneh Davoud
Published: June 2023

Motivation

The advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies and the availability of reference genomes have provided an unprecedented opportunity to discover and genotype millions of genetic variants in hundreds or even thousands of samples. Variant calling, the identification of genetic variants from raw sequencing data, is both time-consuming and computationally demanding. Currently, reference genomes are evolving very rapidly and new assembly versions come out more and more frequently. To take advantage of new or improved reference genomes, raw reads alignments, genotype calling, and filtration must typically all be redone. This is a costly and time consuming operation that is not always viable when projects are under time constraints.

Results

Here, we introduce SNPLift, a bioinformatic pipeline that can quickly transfer the coordinate of nucleotide variants (SNPs and Indels) between different versions of reference genomes. We tested SNPLift on nine SNP datasets in VCF format from different species (Homo sapiens, Arabidopsis thaliana, Coregonus clupeaformis, Medicato truncatula, Oriza sativa, Salvelinus namaycush, Solanum lycopersicum, Zea mays, and Glycine max). Depending on the species, we achieved accurate lifting of variants ranging from 92.92% to 99.69%. Importantly, SNPLift significantly reduces the computational resources and time required for variant analysis compared to performing a complete re-analysis using a new reference genome. SNPLift offers a fast and efficient solution to leverage the benefits of updated or improved reference genomes.

Availability and implementation

SNPLift is available athttps://github.com/enormandeau/snpliftwith its documentation. It contains a script that runs an automated test on a small dataset, composed of 190,443 SNPs in chromosome 1 ofMedicago truncatula. SNPLift uses only common tools that are easy to install and works under Linux and MacOS.
Latent mutations in the ancestries of alleles under selection
Authors: Fan Wai-Tong (Louis) , Wakeley John
Published: June 2023

We consider a single genetic locus with two allelesA1andA2in a large haploid population. The locus is subject to selection and two-way, or recurrent, mutation. Assuming the allele frequencies follow a Wright-Fisher diffusion and have reached stationarity, we describe the asymptotic behaviors of the conditional gene genealogy and the latent mutations of a sample with known allele counts, when the countn1of alleleA1is fixed, and when either or both the sample sizenand the selection strength |α| tend to infinity. Our study extends previous work under neutrality to the case of non-neutral rare alleles, asserting that when selection is not too strong relative to the sample size, even if it is strongly positive or strongly negative in the usual sense (α→ −∞ orα→ +∞), the number of latent mutations of then1copies of alleleA1follows the same distribution as the number of alleles in the Ewens sampling formula. On the other hand, very strong positive selection relative to the sample size leads to neutral gene genealogies with a single ancient latent mutation. We also demonstrate robustness of our asymptotic results against changing population sizes, when one of |α| ornis large.
All exons are not created equal - Exon vulnerability determines the effect of exonic mutations on splicing
Authors: Holm Lise L. , Doktor Thomas K. , Flugt Katharina K. , Petersen Ulrika S. S. , Pedersen Rikke , Andresen Brage S.
Published: June 2023

It is now widely accepted that aberrant splicing of constitutive exons is often caused by mutations affectingcis-acting splicing regulatory elements (SREs), but there is a misconception that all exons have an equal dependency on SREs and thus a similar vulnerability to aberrant splicing. We demonstrate that some exons are more likely to be affected by exonic splicing mutations (ESM) due to an inherent vulnerability, which is context-dependent and influenced by the strength of exon definition. We have developed VulExMap, a tool which based on empirical data that can designate whether a constitutive exon is vulnerable. Using VulExMap, we find that only 27% of all exons can be categorized as vulnerable whereas two-thirds of 332 previously reported ESMs in 71 disease genes are located in vulnerable exons. Because VulExMap analysis is based on empirical data on splicing of exons in their endogenous context, it includes all features important in determining the vulnerability. We believe that VulExMap will be an important tool when assessing the effect of exonic mutations by pinpointing whether they are located in exons vulnerable to ESMs.
Incorporation of genome-bound cellular proteins into HIV-1 particles regulates viral infection
Authors: Garcia-Moreno Manuel , Truman Robin , Chen Honglin , Iselin Louisa , Lenz Caroline E. , Lee Jeff , Dicker Kate , Noerenberg Marko , Sohier Thibault J.M. , Palmalux Natasha , Järvelin Aino I. , Kamel Wael , Ruscica Vincenzo , Ricci Emiliano P. , Davis Ilan , Mohammed Shabaz , Castello Alfredo
Published: June 2023

The initial steps of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) lifecycle are regulated by cellular RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). To understand the scope of these early host-virus interactions, we developed in virion RNA interactome capture (ivRIC), which allowed the comprehensive and systematic profiling of the proteins that interact with the HIV-1 genomic (g)RNA inside viral particles. ivRIC identified 104 cellular RBPs within the encapsidated HIV-1 ribonucleoprotein, many of which are typically found in the cellular nucleus. Notably, these nuclear RBPs interact with the HIV-1 RBP Rev, suggesting that they associate with HIV-1 gRNA during its nuclear life. Functional assays show that ivRBPs are important for HIV-1, including PURA and PURB, which control viral gene expression and infectivity through interaction with critical sequences in the gRNA. Our characterisation of the composition of the encapsidated ribonucleoprotein of HIV-1 uncovers new host-virus interactions that invokes new mechanisms for controlling HIV-1 infection.
Polygenic adaptation to overnutrition reveals a role for cholinergic signaling in longevity
Authors: Rundell Thomas B , Brunelli Melina , Alvi Azva , Safian Gabrielle , Capobianco Christina , Tu Wangshu , Subedi Sanjeena , Fiumera Anthony , Musselman Laura Palanker
Published: June 2023

Overnutrition by high-sugar (HS) feeding reduces both the lifespan and healthspan across taxa. Pressuring organisms to adapt to overnutrition can highlight genes and pathways important for the healthspan in stressful environments. We used an experimental evolution approach to adapt four replicate, outbred population pairs ofDrosophila melanogasterto a HS or control diet. Sexes were separated and aged on either diet until mid-life, then mated to produce the next generation, allowing enrichment for protective alleles over time. All HS-selected populations increased their lifespan and were therefore used as a platform to compare allele frequencies and gene expression. Pathways functioning in the nervous system were overrepresented in the genomic data and showed evidence for parallel evolution, although very few genes were the same across replicates. Acetylcholine-related genes, including the muscarinic receptormAChR-A,showed significant changes in allele frequency in multiple selected populations and differential expression on a HS diet. Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we show that cholinergic signaling affects Drosophila feeding in a sugar-specific fashion. Together, these results suggest that adaptation produces changes in allele frequencies that benefit animals under conditions of overnutrition and that it is repeatable at the pathway level.
Correlating phylogenetic and functional diversity of thenod-free but nodulatingBradyrhizobiumphylogroup
Authors: Ling Lu , Camuel Alicia , Wang Sishuo , Wang Xiaojun , Liao Tianhua , Tao Jinjin , Lin Xingqin , Nouwen Nico , Giraud Eric , Luo Haiwei
Published: June 2023

Bradyrhizobiumis a main rhizobial lineage of which most members nodulate legume plants using Nod factors (NFs) synthetized by thenodgenes. However, members of the Photosynthetic supergroup (phylogroup) withinBradyrhizobium(PB) arenod-free but still capable of establishing nitrogen-fixing nodules with some tropical legumes of theAeschynomenegenus.

These unusual findings are based on the genomic sequences of only 13 PB strains, and almost all were isolated fromAeschynomenenodules. Here, we investigate the diversity ofBradyrhizobiumin grassland, forest, and rice field byrpoBamplicon sequencing and report that PB is mainly associated with rice root and rhizosphere. Moreover, we sequenced 209 new PB members isolated mostly from the rice field. The extended PB supergroup comprises three major clades: a basal clade with significant expansion of its diversity, followed by an intermediate clade composed by two strains, and a new clade exclusively represented by our new strains. Although the PB strains universally lack the canonicalnodgenes, all 28 assayed strains covering the broad diversity of these clades induced nodules onAeschynomene indica. Interestingly, the three clades displayed significant differences in the efficiency of symbiosis, aligning well with their phylogenetic branching order. Our strain collection expands the ecological, phylogenetic and functional diversity ofnod-free but nodulatingBradyrhizobium. With this expanded diversity, we conclude that the NF-independent nodulation ofAeschynomeneis a common trait of this supergroup, in contrast to the photosynthetic trait originally thought as its unifying feature.
WITHDRAWN: Widespread but spotty: Atlantic cod is a complex of five species through ecological speciation
Authors: Halldórsdóttir Katrín , Llanos-Garrido Alejandro , Einarsson Axel Wilhelm , Sackton Tim , Árnason Einar
Published: June 2023

Withdrawal Statement

The authors have withdrawn their manuscript because they have discovered errors in the alignment of parts of the data. Miscommunication with the sequencing center led to a misunderstanding of the pooling design and incorrect merging of sequencing read files from different individuals into single bam files. Thus bam alignments for each individual sample of four out of 12 batches are based on a majority of reads from that individual but also on reads from one or two other individuals. Individuals in eight other batches were not affected by this. However, for this paper, the entire data was jointly genotyped to produce vcf files, and the joint genotyping may thus indirectly affect samples of other batches. Revising the paper by teasing apart the affected and non-affected parts of the data is not an option, and they, therefore, withdraw the preprint. They are reanalyzing the dataset. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.
BRI2-mediated regulation of TREM2 processing in microglia and its potential implications for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
Authors: Yin Tao , D’Adamio Luciano
Published: June 2023

ITM2B/BRI2mutations cause familial forms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related dementias by disrupting BRI2’s protein function and leading to the accumulation of amyloidogenic peptides. Although typically studied in neurons, our findings show that BRI2 is highly expressed in microglia, which are crucial in AD pathogenesis due to the association of variants in the microglial gene TREM2 with increased AD risk. Our single-cell RNAseq (scRNAseq) analysis revealed a microglia cluster that depends on a Trem2 activity that is inhibited by Bri2, pointing to a functional interaction betweenItm2b/Bri2andTrem2. Given that the AD-related Amyloid-β Precursor protein (APP) and TREM2 undergo similar proteolytic processing, and that BRI2 inhibits APP processing, we hypothesized that BRI2 may also regulate TREM2 processing. We found that BRI2 interacts with Trem2 and inhibits its processing by α-secretase in transfected cells. In mice lacking Bri2 expression, we observed increased central nervous system (CNS) levels of Trem2-CTF and sTrem2, which are the products of α-secretase processing of Trem2, indicating increased Trem2 processing by α-secretasein vivo. Reducing Bri2 expression only in microglia resulted in increased sTrem2 levels, suggesting a cell-autonomous effect of Bri2 on α-secretase processing of Trem2. Our study reveals a previously unknow role of BRI2 in regulating TREM2-related neurodegenerative mechanisms. The ability of BRI2 to regulate the processing of both APP and TREM2, combined with its cell-autonomous role in neurons and microglia, makes it a promising candidate for the development of AD and AD-related dementias therapeutics.
Cell Cycle Dependent Orchestration of Surface Layer Biogenesis inCaulobacter crescentus
Authors: Herdman Matthew , von Kügelgen Andriko , Schulze Ulrike , Wainman Alan , Bharat Tanmay A.M.
Published: June 2023

Surface layers (S-layers) are proteinaceous, two-dimensional crystals that constitute the outermost components of many prokaryotic cell envelopes. In this study, we investigated principles of S-layer biogenesis on the outer membrane in the bacterial model organismCaulobacter crescentus. Fluorescent microscopy revealed localised incorporation of new S-layer at the poles and mid-cell, consistent with elongation and division phases of the cell cycle. Next, light microscopy and electron cryotomography investigations of drug-treated bacteria revealed that bacterial actin homologue MreB is crucial for localised S-layer insertion. We further uncovered that S-layer biogenesis follows new peptidoglycan synthesis and localises to regions of high cell wall turnover. Finally, correlated cryo-light microscopy and electron cryotomographic analysis of regions of S-layer insertion showed the presence of gaps in the hexagonal S-layer lattice, contrasting with other S-layers completed by defined symmetric defects. Our findings provide insight into howC. crescentuscells form an ordered S-layer on their surface, providing evidence for coordination between the biogenesis of the cell envelope at multiple levels.
Single-cell methylation sequencing data reveal succinct metastatic migration histories and tumor progression models
Authors: Liu Yuelin , Li Xuan Cindy , Rashidi Mehrabadi Farid , Schäffer Alejandro A. , Pratt Drew , Crawford David R. , Malikić Salem , Molloy Erin K. , Gopalan Vishaka , Mount Steve M. , Ruppin Eytan , Aldape Kenneth D. , Sahinalp S. Cenk
Published: June 2023

Recent studies exploring the impact of methylation in tumor evolution suggest that while the methylation status of many of the CpG sites are preserved across distinct lineages, others are altered as the cancer progresses. Since changes in methylation status of a CpG site may be retained in mitosis, they could be used to infer the progression history of a tumor via single-cell lineage tree reconstruction. In this work, we introduce the first principled distance-based computational method, Sgootr, for inferring a tumor's single methylation lineage tree and jointly identifying lineage-informative CpG sites which harbor changes in methylation status that are retained along the lineage. We apply Sgootr on single-cell bisulfite-treated whole genome sequencing data of multi-regionally-sampled tumor cells from 9 metastatic colorectal cancer patients, as well as multi-regionally-sampled single-cell reduced-representation bisulfite sequencing data from a glioblastoma patient. We demonstrate that the tumor lineages constructed reveal a simple model underlying tumor progression and metastatic seeding. A comparison of Sgootr against alternative approaches shows that Sgootr can construct lineage trees with fewer migration events and more in concordance with the sequential-progression model of tumor evolution, with a running time a fraction of that used in prior studies. Lineage-informative CpG sites identified by Sgootr are in inter-CpG island (CGI) regions, as opposed to intra-CGIs, which have been the main regions of interest in genomic methylation-related analyses.
Minimal positional substring cover is a haplotype threading alternative to Li and Stephens model
Authors: Sanaullah Ahsan , Zhi Degui , Zhang Shaojie
Published: June 2023

The Li and Stephens (LS) hidden Markov model (HMM) models the process of reconstructing a haplotype as a mosaic copy of haplotypes in a reference panel. For small panels, the probabilistic parameterization of LS enables modeling the uncertainties of such mosaics. However, LS becomes inefficient when sample size is large, because of its linear time complexity. Recently the PBWT, an efficient data structure capturing the local haplotype matching among haplotypes, was proposed to offer a fast method for giving some optimal solution (Viterbi) to the LS HMM. Previously, we introduced the minimal positional substring cover (MPSC) problem as an alternative formulation of LS whose objective is to cover a query haplotype by a minimum number of segments from haplotypes in a reference panel. The MPSC formulation allows the generation of a haplotype threading in time constant to sample size (O(N)). This allows haplotype threading on very large biobank-scale panels on which the LS model is infeasible. Here, we present new results on the solution space of the MPSC. In addition, we derived a number of optimal algorithms for MPSC, including solution enumerations, the length maximal MPSC, andh-MPSC solutions. In doing so, our algorithms reveal the solution space of LS for large panels. We show that our method is informative in terms of revealing the characteristics of biobank-scale data sets and can improve genotype imputation.
What lies behind the people? An approach to the 2019 mobilizations in Hong Kong and Chile through sociological discourse analysis
Authors: Osorio Solano Susana Alejandra , Serrano-Moreno Juan Enrique
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study analyzes how the notion of the people emerged in two (neo)liberal societies during the crisis in 2019: Hong Kong and Chile.

Design/methodology/approach

From a qualitative and comparative perspective, 131 middle-class individuals were interviewed during heightened contentious activity in Hong Kong and Chile. The interviews were analyzed based on Ruiz's model for sociological discourse analysis.

Findings

The study shows that in contexts strongly influenced by liberalism, the notion of “people” is not advertised antagonistically against the individual but as complementary, and to this end, it emphasizes the heterogeneity of repertoires or demands. The comparison of these two movements highlighted the importance of democratic institutions in shaping the outcomes and effectiveness of protests.

Research limitations/implications

Enacting the National Security Law in Hong Kong and the mandatory blockade imposed by both governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic required an adaptation in the design and execution of the interviews, adopting a hybrid format. The volatility that characterizes periods of political crisis requires longitudinal follow-up. This article does not capture but can be explored in associated research publications.

Originality/value

The research offers two significant contributions: it addresses the immediate context by conducting on-site research during the most significant contemporary crises in Hong Kong and Chile. Secondly, it problematizes the understanding of the people in liberal societies and proposes it as a complementary (and not antagonistic) concept to that of the individual.
Exploring the quality of corporate governance disclosure under an “apply and explain” regime
Authors: Gowry Yuveshna , Soobaroyen Teerooven , Agathee Ushad Subadar
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the quality of corporate governance disclosure under an “apply and explain” regime in the context of an emerging economy (Mauritius), following a transition from the traditional “comply or explain” approach within the national code of corporate governance.

Design/methodology/approach

The research relies on a content analysis of corporate governance disclosure in 86 annual reports of companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius for the financial periods 2018–2019 and 2019–2020, one-way analysis of variance tests and draws on the typology of corporate governance explanations developed by Shrives and Brennan (2015), focusing on specificity, location and comprehensiveness dimensions. This paper draws on legitimacy theory and the concepts of substantive and symbolic disclosures to guide the interpretation of the findings.

Findings

From a specificity point of view, the disclosure index revealed significant variations, with the highest score being four times the lowest score. With regards to location and comprehensiveness, only around half of companies are making optimum use of a corporate governance report and providing explanations by principles. This paper also illustrated how some firms provided symbolic disclosures. Overall, there are disparities in the application of the code by companies, reflected in a blend of substantive and symbolic disclosures to maintain their legitimacy.

Originality/Implications

This study examines “apply and explain” disclosures in a emerging economy in contrast to the “comply or explain” approach studied so far in the literature. Merely professing a “well intended” shift to the “apply and explain” approach does not necessarily lead to improvements in the quality of corporate governance disclosures. Companies, governance professionals and regulatory bodies could formulate disclosure guidance to better underpin the implications of the “apply and explain” approach.
Impact of institutional ownership on environmental disclosure in Indonesian companies
Authors: Wicaksono Aditya Pandu , Kusuma Hadri , Cahaya Fitra Roman , Rosjidi Anis Al , Rahman Arief , Rahayu Isti
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of the classification of origin country of institutional shareholder (domestic, developed and developing country) and its status on stock exchange (listed and unlisted) on environmental disclosure level in Indonesian companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The data set comprises 474 non-financial firms listed in Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) for the period of 2017 to 2019. The study uses an environmental disclosure checklist to measure the extent of environmental disclosure in companies’ reports. Panel regression analysis technique is adopted to investigate the association between total percentage of shares held by institutional shareholders based on the classification of origin country and the status in stock exchange, and the extent of environmental disclosure.

Findings

The study reveals that the extent of environmental disclosure is positively and significantly associated with institutional investors from domestic, developed countries, listed and unlisted institutional investors. Further analysis shows interesting results that institutions from developing countries have a negative and significant relationship with environmental disclosure in non-sensitive industries.

Research limitations/implications

The authors recognize the issue of authors’ subjectivity in the measurement process of environmental disclosure. The sample for this study encompasses Indonesian listed firms. Thus, the results may not be generalized to Indonesian unlisted firms and other countries or regions.

Practical implications

This study suggests managers to engage more with institutional shareholders because they have greater concern for environmental disclosure practices. The current study also suggests managers to make strong environmental policies as they are important to ensure that institutional shareholders’ investments are safe.

Social implications

Given the positive impact institutional shareholders have on the level of environmental disclosure, it indirectly indicates that institutional shareholders have a strong motivation to make the world a better place.

Originality/value

This study offers in-depth insights into the effect of institutional ownership on environmental disclosure based on the classification of origin country and listing status of institutional investors.
Dynamic approach for investigating delivery system effects on infrastructure project performance
Authors: Nouh Ahmed , Elkasaby Elsayed , Wageh Omnia
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Innovative design and execution approaches are employed in infrastructure sectors and planning to enhance the integrated project delivery system, assure the sustainability of infrastructure projects, and meet the demands of the dynamic, changing environment. Delivery methods must incorporate new technologies. By combining digital technology, teamwork, and mass manufacturing, a greater degree of exceptional quality, sustainability, and resilience in the environment will be generated. As a result, a new approach does not rely on the reaction policy, but instead considers alternative scenarios and employs a simulation model to determine the best course of action.

Design/methodology/approach

In the paper, the system dynamics approach to construction management is validated in light of pertinent research. Additionally, it describes the difficulties facing the infrastructure projects' delivery system. Additionally, the strategy for system dynamics creation is described. This strategy includes a causal loop diagram, generates a stock-flow diagram, and simulates forecasts of model behavior over time. Next, the optimization model's validation process is used to create a system dynamics model for choosing the best infrastructure project delivery system project and controlling it to maximize sustainability, mass production, digital integration, and team integration. The dynamic complexity of project management is growing.

Findings

The primary goal is to present a system dynamics (SD) simulation to look at how well infrastructure projects perform in terms of choosing the best method for delivering infrastructure projects. One of the most ideal methods for delivering projects is integrated project delivery. An effective methodology for making strategic decisions on the choice of the best project delivery method. In order to enhance certain infrastructure project delivery system metrics for sustainability, mass production, digital integration, and team integration, the model included building strategy and sophisticated system dynamics simulation. According to the construction strategy, the outcomes have been satisfactory.

Originality/value

System dynamics research has been done to replicate the idea of contemporary construction in order to determine the best approach for delivering infrastructure. The government and decision-makers would benefit from understanding this research as they decide on the best delivery method for boosting the sustainability and productivity of infrastructure projects in Egypt.
The impact of social network support on opportunity intention among prospective male and female entrepreneurs during 2019-nCov pandemic
Authors: Emami Amir , Ashourizadeh Shayegheh , Packard Mark D.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The novel coronavirus (nCoV) pandemic, and the challenges of social distancing, proffer a unique opportunity to re-explore the role of social network support in entrepreneurship. Applying social support theory and gender schema theory, this study aims to examine the gender-based differences in prospective entrepreneurs' reliance on their social networks in their entrepreneurial journey amid social turmoil.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected two-stage primary survey data of prospective entrepreneurs within the pandemic's timeframe from Science and Technology Parks in Iran, one of the first countries to deal with the first, second and third waves of the 2019-nCoV virus.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that female entrepreneurs rely more strongly on their social network support for guidance and encouragement, which positively affects their opportunity intention. While this effect is also seen in men, the effect size is smaller. Also, prospective female entrepreneurs were generally more dissuaded from opportunity intention by the severe perceived environmental uncertainty of the crisis than were men.

Originality/value

Prior research on the interaction between social network support and opportunity intentions has been examined in the context of socio-economic normalcy. The authors test whether, how and why these interactions hold in times of crisis, with especial attention to the mechanisms of experienced stress, perceived environmental uncertainty and idea innovativeness.
The impact of private equity investment and renewable energy on environmental degradation: evidence from BRICS countries
Authors: Malik Kunjana , Sharma Sakshi
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Large-scale industrialization, growth and development have come at the cost of severe environmental degradation, primarily measured in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. Apart from the several measures taken to reduce enviornmental degradation, provision of private capital is a necessity apart from the public capital. There is a debate on impact of carbon dioxide emissions with increase in affluence, technology, population and renewable energy. The purpose of the study is to look into the role of private equity investment on renewable energy and technological patents.

Design/methodology/approach

The study extends the use of stochastic impact by regression on population, affluence and technology model to include another factor for investments and capital, i.e. private equity along with renewable energy, population, technology and GDP growth on carbon emissions for the BRICS countries. The time period for the study is from 2002 to 2021, and the relationship between the variables has been tested using pooled mean group/autoregressive distributed lag, fully modified ordinary least squares and panel quantile regression.

Findings

First, the results depict a log-run relationship between the variables across the panel using cointegration. Private equity investments do not have a significant impact on carbon emissions. The study proposes important policy implications. There are two schools of thought on the impact of private equity on carbon emissions. For example, inherently private equity investments come with higher stakes and a shorter holding period because of which their primary focus remains on having higher returns instead of responsible investing. However, as private equity adds up to capital, which leads to an increase in productivity and eventually higher economic growth, this could affect carbon emissions. This study supports the first thought. Additionally, renewable energy also affects carbon emissions positively. The policymakers should look into the role and intent of the private equity investors in green investments and invest in technologies and patents that can lead to energy consumption.

Originality/value

The paper is the first of its kind, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to look into the impact of private equity on renewable energy and technological patents.
Influence of power imbalance and actual vulnerability on trust formation
Authors: Agnihotri Arpita , Callahan Carolyn M. , Bhattacharya Saurabh
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Leveraging Emerson’s theory of power and motivated reasoning, this study aims to explore how the net power of an individual and actual, instead of perceived, vulnerability results in asymmetric trust and distrust development in a dyadic relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on extant literature and gaps in the literature, this conceptual paper hypothesises and proposes trust formation based on power dynamics and vulnerability.

Findings

This research extends the knowledge base by exploring the role of actual vulnerability over perceived vulnerability in trust formation and distrust formation.

Research limitations/implications

The research propositions imply that the dyadic trust formation process is not rational, and trust itself is not symmetrical but asymmetrical. The net power possessed by one individual over the other drives trust. Net power balance determines the actual vulnerability of the focal individual, and then the individual, through motivated reasoning, trusts or distrusts another individual. Scholars, going forward, could explore how trust formation varies at group and firm levels.

Originality/value

Extant literature has not explored the role of power imbalance in determining actual (versus perceived) vulnerability that influences trust formation between parties. The conceptual paper fills this gap.
Design and performance of a slender soft continuum manipulator for tall structure inspection
Authors: Shoani Mohamed Tahir , Ribuan Mohamed Najib , Mohd Faudzi Ahmad 'Athif
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The current methods for inspecting tall or deep structures such as towers, chimneys, silos, and wells suffer from certain constraints. Manual and assisted inspection methods including humans, drones, wall climbing robots, and others are either costly, have a limited operation time, or affected by field conditions, such as temperature and radiation. This study aims to overcome the presented challenges through a teleoperated soft continuum manipulator capable of inspecting tall or deep structures with high resolution, an unlimited operation time and the ability to use different arms of the manipulator for different environments and structure sizes.

Design/methodology/approach

The teleoperated manipulator uses one rotary and two tendon actuators to reach and inspect the interior of a tall (or deep) structure. A sliding part along the manipulator’s body (arm constrainer and tendon router) induces a variable-length bending segment, allowing an inspection camera to be placed at different distances from the desired location.

Findings

The experiments confirmed the manipulator’s ability to inspect different locations in the structure’s interior. The manipulator also demonstrated a submillimeter motion resolution vertically and a 2.5 mm per step horizontally. The inspection time of the full structure was 48.53 min in the step-by-step mode and was calculated to be 4.23 min in the continuous mode.

Originality/value

The presented manipulator offers several design novelties: the arm’s thin-wide cross-section, the variable-length bending segment in a fixed-length body, the external rolling tendon routing and the ability to easily replace the arm with another of different material or dimensions to suite different structures and environments.
A bibliometric review of corporate environmental disclosure literature
Authors: Bilal  , Gerged Ali Meftah , Arslan Hafiz Muhammad , Abbas Ali , Chen Songsheng , Manzoor Shahid
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The study aims to identify and discuss influential aspects of corporate environmental disclosure (CED) literature, including key streams, themes, authors, keywords, journals, affiliations and countries. This review also constructs agendas for future CED research.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a bibliometric review approach, the authors reviewed 560 articles on CED from 215 journals published between 1982 and 2020.

Findings

The authors' insights are three-fold. First, the authors identified three core streams of CED research: “legitimization of environmental hazards via environmental disclosures,” “the role of environmental accounting in achieving corporate environmental sustainability” and “integrating environmental social and governance (ESG) reporting into the global reporting initiatives (GRI) guidelines”. Second, the authors also deployed a thematic map that classifies CED research into four themes: niche themes (e.g. institutional theory and environmental management system), motor themes (e.g. stakeholder engagement), emerging/declining themes (e.g. legitimacy theory) and basic/transversal themes (e.g. voluntary CED, environmental reporting and corporate social responsibility). Third, the authors highlighted important CED authors, keywords, journals, articles, affiliations and countries.

Research limitations/implications

This study assists researchers, journal editors and consultants in the corporate sector to comprehensively understand various dimensions of CED research and practices and suggests potential emerging research areas. Although this paper appears to have been thoroughly conducted, using authors' keywords to identify themes was a key limitation. Thus, the authors call upon using a more comprehensive data mining technique that uses keywords in abstracts, titles and the whole body of papers and then identifies inclusive trends in CED literature.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the extant accounting literature by investigating the organizational-level CED, both mandatory and voluntary, using a systematic and bibliometric literature review model to summarize the key research streams, themes, authors, journals, affiliations and countries. By doing so, the authors construct a future research agenda for CED literature.
Navigating moral minefields in a VUCA world: the contribution of moral foundations theory to strategic communication research and practice
Authors: Lenk Timo
Published: June 2023

Purpose

In today's volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world, organizations deal with fragmented publics in contested public spheres. At the core, public opinion is not so much divided by issues per se but by deeply rooted moral concerns. Hence, while normative perspectives on morality prevail in strategic communication research, understanding the moral motives of stakeholders and publics from a descriptive standpoint becomes vital. In this light, the present conceptual paper discusses the implications of moral foundations theory (MFT), as an influential evolutionary-anthropological approach to morality, for strategic communication research and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting micro-, meso- and macro-perspectives, MFT's potential contribution to strategic communication research is explored regarding three foci: (1) moral framing, (2) narratives and (3) public discourse dynamics.

Findings

The paper concludes that frames and more complex narratives in strategic communication allude to MFT's five foundations – care, fairness, loyalty, authority and purity – in diverse ways and are given different readings by stakeholders and publics. Building on MFT, novel empirical tools are available to access and understand the complex web of moral meaning infused in public discourses.

Originality/value

For the first time, MFT is discussed systematically and in detail in the context of strategic communication research. The theory contributes to deepening the understanding of the conditions, e.g. for issues management and strategic mobilization. On broader view, this paper adds to the discussion on evolutionary perspectives in strategic communication research.
Intergenerational learning in private higher education institutions: strategies and factors of influence
Authors: Leon Ramona-Diana
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This research aims to identify the most suitable intergenerational learning strategies for the private higher education institutions, using the analytic network process.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to achieve this goal, two private higher education institutions from Curacao and Spain are analyzed. Data are collected based on a systematic literature review and Delphi studies and processed using the analytic network process.

Findings

The results show that teachers also learn at the workplace not only through the formal educational system but also through volunteering activities, mixed-aged teams, and mentoring, which are the most appropriate strategies for fostering intergenerational learning in the private higher education institutions. Besides, their selection is strongly influenced by institution's structural capital (namely, institutional policy, organizational culture, organizational memory) and by employees' psychological profile (such as interpersonal trust, knowledge self-efficiency, motivation).

Originality/value

This research helps the policymakers to prepare for the upcoming aging society by providing them with a viable tool for selecting the most suitable IGL strategy. Furthermore, it supports strategic thinking and scenario development by emphasizing how the situation could change if the importance of the individual and organizational factors varies.
Low-level control with actuator dynamics for multirotor UAVs
Authors: Di Jian , Kang Yu , Ji Haibo , Wang Xinghu , Chen Shaofeng , Liao Fei , Li Kun
Published: June 2023

Purpose

A low-level controller is critical to the overall performance of multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles. The purpose of this paper is to propose a nonlinear low-level angular velocity controller for multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles in various operating conditions (e.g. different speed and different mode).

Design/methodology/approach

To tackle the above challenge, the authors have designed a nonlinear low-level controller taking the actuator dynamics into account. The authors first build the actuator subsystem by combining the actuator dynamics with the angular velocity dynamics model. Then, a recursive low-level controller is developed by designing a high-gain observer to estimate unmeasurable states. Furthermore, a detailed stability analysis is given with the Lyapunov theory.

Findings

Simulation tests and real-world flying experiments are provided to validate the proposed approach. In particular, we illustrate the performance of the proposed controller using violent random command test, attitude mode flight and high-speed flight of up to 18.7 m/s in real world. Compared with the classical method used in PX4 autopilot and the estimation-based incremental nonlinear dynamic inversion method, experimental results show that the proposed method can further reduce the control error.

Research limitations/implications

Low-level control of multirotor UAVs is challenging due to the complex dynamic characteristics of UAVs and the diversity of tasks. Although some progress has been made, the performance of existing methods will deteriorate as operating conditions change due to the disregard for the electromechanical characteristics of the actuator.

Originality/value

To solve the low-level angular velocity control problem in various operating conditions of multirotor UAVs, this paper proposes a nonlinear low-level angular velocity controller which takes the actuator dynamics into account.
Corporate shareholder value creation as contributor to economic growth
Authors: Hall John Henry
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine if there is a link between corporate shareholder value creation and economic growth. The first objective of this paper is to determine which specific shareholder value measurement best explains shareholder value creation for a particular industry. The next objective of the study is to establish, for each of nine different categories of firms examined, a set of value drivers that are unique and significant in expressing shareholder value for that particular category of firms. Lastly, the relationship between shareholder value creation and economic growth is tested.

Design/methodology/approach

To quantify and measure value creation, the paper investigates the various value creation measurements that are being applied. The next step is to ascertain whether various industries have different value creation measures that best explain value creation for the respective industries. Then, the value drivers of these specific value creation measures can be determined and their relationship with economic growth tested.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that each industry does have a specific shareholder value creation measurement that best explains shareholder value creation for that industry; for example, for five of the nine categories (industries) that were analyzed, market value added was found to be the best shareholder value creation measurement, but for capital-intensive firms and manufacturing firms, the Qratio is the best measure, while for the food and beverage industry, the market to book ratio was found to be a better measure of shareholder value creation than other measures tested. It was further found that an increase in corporate shareholder value creation is to the detriment of economic growth.

Originality/value

The contribution of the present study is its determination of a unique shareholder value creation measurement for particular industries. In addition, a specific set of variables per industry that create shareholder value is identified. Lastly, the important link between shareholder value creation and economic growth is exposed.
Quality of integrated reports: evidence from Brazilian public universities
Authors: Ribeiro Cintia de Melo de Albuquerque , Moraes Marcelo Pereira , Pinheiro Alan Bandeira , Neto Júlio
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the level of compliance of the Integrated Management Reports of four Brazilian public universities with the International Integrated Reporting Framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors carried out documentary research on the management reports of four Brazilian public universities for the period 2018–2020. For the analysis, the authors developed a Disclosure Index (DI) that analyzes the content of the reports and allows them to verify the quality of these institutional documents.

Findings

The results show that two universities present low quality of their reports with a disclosure rate lower than 50%, while the other two demonstrate evolution in the quality of reporting over the years. In addition, the findings point to the need for greater conciseness in the preparation of reports and accessibility of disclosures, as well as inclusion of the impacts of organizations’ activities on society and the environment.

Practical implications

This research brings relevant contributions by identifying points of improvement in the dissemination of information by management reports from an Integrated Reporting approach and by identifying the need to adopt strategies that expand the understanding and knowledge of the preparers about this new approach.

Originality/value

The authors adapted a DI to measure the adhesion of the management reports of Brazilian universities to the Integrated Reporting approach. The results will be of interest to public organizations that seek to improve information disclosure based on an Integrated Reporting approach.