bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrasted viral communities betweenAedes albopictusandCulex quinquefasciatusin La Réunion Island
Authors: François S. , Antoine-Lorquin A. , Mutuel D. , Makoundou P. , Perriat-Sanguinet M. , Unal S. , Sobry H. , Gosselin-Grenet A.S. , Ogliastro M. , Sicard M. , Weill M. , Atyame C. , Boëte C.
Published: November 2024

Mosquitoes are major vectors of arboviruses, and host a wide diversity of insect viruses. Recent studies highlighted the impacts of mosquito-associated insect-specific viruses on the transmission of arboviruses. However, we still lack knowledge on the biotic and abiotic factors impacting the distribution dynamics of mosquito specific viruses, although such information has the potential to inform arbovirus surveillance efforts. To gain knowledge on the distribution of mosquito viruses in islands, we collected 13Aedes albopictusand 9Culex quinquefasciatuspooled larvae samples in the Réunion Island, described their whole viral communities at the family level by a viromic approach, and tested the impacts of mosquito species and spatial distance on the structure of their viral communities.

Our study show that the composition of viral communities is more strongly linked to mosquito species than to the geographic origin of samples. Spatial disparities were only observed inAedes albopictusviromes. Finally, we described the genomes of five virus taxa (an iflavirus, an ambidensovirus and three potentially novel microvirus species). Notably, we detected the presence of a mosquito-infecting ambidensovirus, named CpDV, inAedes albopictus. It was previously only reported inCulex pipiens, implying that this densovirus may have a broader host range than currently estimated.

Overall these results bring insights into the diversity and the distribution of mosquito viruses; their unexplored interactions with two major vectors of arboviral diseases warrant further studies.
The C-terminus of the TlpD cytoplasmic chemoreceptor promotes polar localization and function
Authors: Lopez-Magaña Raymondo , Ottemann Karen M.
Published: November 2024

Bacteria localize proteins to distinct subcellular locations. One family of proteins with distinct cellular placement are chemoreceptors, which frequently localize to the bacterial pole. Although some polarity-promoting mechanisms have been described, there are many chemoreceptors that lack clear routes to becoming polar. The TlpD chemoreceptor ofHelicobacter pyloriis one such protein.H. pyloriis a chemotactic bacterial pathogen with four chemoreceptors. Its cytoplasmic chemoreceptor, TlpD, localizes to the pole in a manner that is independent of the other chemoreceptors. In this work, we evaluated the role of TlpD domains in its function. Truncated proteins were created that lacked different amounts of the N- or C-termini and expressed inH. pyloriin place of nativetlpDor as the sole chemoreceptor. These TlpD variants were examined for expression, protein localization, association with chemotaxis signaling proteins, and effect on motility. TlpD that lacked any portion of the N-terminal 104 amino acids did not produce detectable protein. In contrast, TlpD retained expression with loss of the C-terminal 45 amino acids. TlpD variants lacking the last 45 amino acids (TlpDΔC4) preserved the ability to interact with CheW and CheV proteins based on bacterial two-hybrid analysis but were unable to localize to the pole either on their own or in the presence of other chemoreceptors. TlpDΔC4 was found diffuse in the cytoplasm, and recruited detectable CheV1, CheV2, and CheV3 to this location but not CheW. TlpDΔC4 did not confer chemotactic abilities. These findings suggest the C-terminal end of TlpD plays a previously unappreciated role in promoting TlpD polar localization. The mechanism by which TlpD drives polar localization could translate to soluble cytoplasmic chemoreceptors in other bacterial pathogens.

Author Summary

Although bacteria are small, they still place their proteins in specific locations that are required for the proteins to function. One such place is the bacterial end, or pole, where numerous proteins head to. How the bacterial cell identifies which proteins go to the pole is not fully understood. In this work, we dissect parts of a protein called TlpD that naturally goes to the pole. We find that mutants lacking one end of TlpD lose their polar placement. TlpD is part ofH. pylori’schemotaxis system, an ability that allows the bacteria to direct their motility towards beneficial situations and away from harmful ones. This ability is critical for infection inH. pyloriand numerous other pathogens. When TlpD loses its polar placement, the protein no longer functions, laying the foundation for future studies that can translate into therapies to treat or preventH. pyloriinfection.
Toxoplasma gondiiinfection of neurons alters the production and content of extracellular vesicles altering astrocyte phenotype and contributing to the loss of GLT-1 in the infected brain
Authors: Tabaie Emily Z. , Gao Ziting , Gomez Stacey , Bergersen Kristina , Zhong Wenwan , Wilson Emma H.
Published: November 2024

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii)cyst formation in the central nervous system only occurs in neurons allowing the parasite to remain latent for the lifetime of the host. Astrocytes are fundamental to neuronal health by providing nutrients and structural support and help regulate neurotransmitters by continuous communication with neurons. It is not yet known how infection and the presence of intracellular cysts, disrupts the crucial relationship between these cells. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) function in intracellular communication and can contain proteins, lipids, DNA, miRNA, and other RNA subtypes. EVs are produced by all cells including neurons and play an important role in neuronal-astrocyte interactions including the regulation of glutamate receptors on astrocytes. Previous work has demonstrated Toxoplasma infection reduces astrocytic expression of the primary glutamate transporter, GLT-1. Here we tested if cyst infection of neurons alters the production and content of EVs. EVs were isolated from uninfected and infected primary murine cortical neurons and their size, concentration, and characterization were confirmed with nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), CD63 ELISA, liquid chromatography (LC)-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS, and microRNA Sequencing. Analysis reveals that infection of neurons reduced neuronal production of EVs and altered their protein and miRNA content. EVs from infected neurons contained secreted Toxoplasma proteins GRA1, GRA2, GRA7, MAG1 and MAG2 associated with cyst formation. Following incubation of neuronal EVs with primary astrocytes, a proportion of EVs colocalize to the nucleus. EVs from infected neurons altered gene expression of astrocytes leading to a downregulation of GLT-1 protein expression and an increase in pro-inflammatory transcriptional signatures. These results demonstrate the ability of a parasitic infection in the brain to alter EV production and the fundamental communication between neurons and astrocytes.
A Machine Learning Classifier to Identify and Prioritise Genes Associated with Cardiac Development
Authors: Kabir Mitra , Hartill Verity , Farr Gist H. , Shaikh Qureshi Wasay Mohiuddin , Baross Stephanie L. , Doig Andrew J. , Talavera David , Keavney Bernard D. , Maves Lisa , Johnson Colin A. , Hentges Kathryn E.
Published: November 2024

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of infant mortality and presents life-long challenges to individuals living with these conditions. Genetic causes are known for only a minority of types of CHD. Discovering further genetic causes is limited by challenges in prioritising candidate CHD genes. We examined a wide range of features of mouse genes, including sequence characteristics, protein localisation and interaction data, developmental expression data and gene ontology annotations. Many features differ between cardiac development and non-cardiac genes, suggesting that these two gene types can be distinguished by their attributes. Therefore, we developed a supervised machine learning (ML) method to identifyMus musculusgenes with a high probability of being involved in cardiac development. These genes, when mutated, are candidates for causing human CHD. Our classifier showed a cross-validation accuracy of 81% in detecting cardiac and non-cardiac genes. From our classifier we generated predictions of the cardiac development association status for all protein-coding genes in the mouse genome. We also cross-referenced our predictions with datasets of known human CHD genes, determining which are orthologues of predicted mouse cardiac genes. Our predicted cardiac genes have a high overlap with human CHD genes. Thus, our predictions could inform the prioritisation of genes when evaluating CHD patient sequence data for genetic diagnosis. Knowledge of cardiac developmental genes may speed up reaching a genetic diagnosis for patients born with CHD.

Author Summary

Congenital heart disease arises during pregnancy when the heart has formed incorrectly. These malformations affect ∼1% of newborns. Yet, despite their frequency, the underlying causes are still not known in many cases. It is clear that genetic factors contribute to these defects, and increasingly DNA sequencing is used to attempt to determine if an individual has a genetic change causative of their condition. However, analysis of patient sequence data often reveals changes that are difficult to interpret due to a lack of knowledge of the function of the gene harbouring a sequence change. We aimed to facilitate the process of sequence evaluation by predicting which genes of unknown function are likely involved in heart formation. Our predictions agree with novel experimental evidence about genes needed for heart development. We found that when mutated, a high proportion of the predicted cardiac genes do indeed cause heart defects. This result suggests that our predictions may be informative for expanding our understanding of the genetic basis of congenital heart disease.
Physiological stress response to sulfide exposure of freshwater anaerobic methanotrophic archaea
Authors: Echeveste Medrano Maider J. , Lee Sarah , de Graaf Rob , Holohan B. Conall , Sánchez-Andrea Irene , Jetten Mike S. M. , Welte Cornelia U.
Published: November 2024

Freshwater wetlands and coastal sediments are becoming hotspots for the emission of the greenhouse gas methane. Eutrophication-induced deposition of organic matter leads to elevated methanogenesis and sulfate reduction, thereby increasing the concentrations of methane and toxic sulfide, respectively. However, the effects of sulfide stress on the anaerobic methanotrophic biofilter have not been well explored. Here, we show how an enrichment culture dominated by the freshwater anaerobic methane-oxidizing archaeon ‘Candidatus(Ca.) Methanoperedens’ responds to short-term and long-term exposure to sulfide in a bioreactor. The methane-oxidizing activity decreased to 45% and 20% but partially recovered to 70% and 30% within 5 days after short- and long-term sulfide exposure, respectively. Metagenomics indicated that ‘Ca.Methanoperedens’ remained dominant in the enrichment throughout the entire experiment. The first short-term sulfide pulse led to increased expression of genes encoding for sulfide detoxification by low abundant community members, whereas long-term exposure resulted in upregulation of ‘Ca.Methanoperedens’ genes encoding sulfite reductases of Group III (Dsr-LP). ‘Ca.Methanoperedens’ consumed Polyhydroxyalkanoates during long-term sulfide exposure, possibly to aid in stress adaptation. Together, these results provide a valuable baseline for understanding fundamental ecophysiological adaptations in sulfate- and nitrate-rich aquatic ecosystems.

Short synopsis statement

This study investigated how freshwater anaerobic methanotrophic archaea responded to sulfide exposure, revealing a transient inhibition and physiological adaptation mechanisms.
Donor embryonic stem cells impede host epiblast specification in 8-cell stage chimeras by crowding and FGF4 signalling
Authors: Strawbridge Stanley E. , Schrattel Anna Katharina , Humphreys Peter , Jones Ken A. , Artus Jérôme , Hadjantonakis Anna-Katerina , Fletcher Alexander G. , Nichols Jennifer
Published: November 2024

During mouse embryo compaction, outer cells become trophectoderm, while inner cells form the inner cell mass (ICM), later differentiating into primitive endoderm and epiblast - source of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) - during blastocyst formation. Trophectoderm specification is driven by position-governed polarisation, while primitive endoderm specification is positively regulated by FGF4 signalling from the ICM and epiblast. When injected into an 8-cell stage morula, ESCs can exclude host cells from the epiblast, leading to mice derived entirely from these cells. While evidence suggests roles for ESC-produced FGF4 and physical crowding in host cell displacement from the ICM, the interplay between these possible mechanisms has yet to be dissected, in part due to the lack of studies usingFgf4-/-ESCs. Here, we combine chimaera titration assays with mathematical modelling to study these mechanisms of host cell displacement. BothFgf4+/+andFgf4-/-ESCs displaced host cells from the epiblast, while onlyFgf4-/-injected embryos reduced primitive endoderm and increased trophectoderm, indicating sequential exclusion by displacement crowding followed by FGF4 signalling.

SUMMARY STATEMENT

In mouse blastocyst chimeras, donor cells displace host cells from the epiblast by a combination of crowding and FGF4 signalling.
Spatial Proteomics By Parallel Accumulation-Serial Fragmentation Supported MALDI MS/MS Imaging: A First Glance Into Multiplexed and Spatial Peptide Identification
Authors: Li Mujia Jenny , Meyer Larissa Chiara , Meier Nadine , Witte Jannik , Maldacker Maximilian , Seredynska Adrianna , Schueler Julia , Schilling Oliver , Föll Melanie Christine
Published: November 2024

RATIONALE

In spatial proteomics, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging enables rapid and cost-effective peptide measurements. Yet, in situ peptide identification remains challenging. Therefore, this study aims to integrate the trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS)-based parallel accumulation-serial fragmentation (PASEF) into MALDI imaging of tryptic peptides to enable multiplexed MS/MS imaging.

METHODS

An initial MALDI TIMS MS1 survey measurement was performed, followed by a manual generation of a precursor list containing mass over charge values and ion mobility windows. Inside the dual TIMS system, submitted precursors were trapped, separately eluted by their ion mobility and analyzed in a quadrupole time-of-flight device, thereby enabling multiplexed MALDI MS/MS imaging. Finally, precursors were identified by peptide to spectrum matching.

RESULTS

This study presents the first multiplexed MALDI TIMS MS/MS imaging (iprm-PASEF) of tryptic peptides. Its applicability was showcased on two histomorphologically distinct tissue specimens in a 4-plex and 5-plex setup. Precursors were successfully identified by the search engine MASCOT in one single MALDI imaging experiment for each respective tissue. Peptide identifications were corroborated by liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry experiments and fragment co-localization analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we present a novel pipeline, based on iprm-PASEF that allows the multiplexed and spatial identification of tryptic peptides in MALDI imaging. Hence, it marks a first step towards the integration of MALDI imaging into the emerging field of spatial proteomics.
Small molecule oxybutynin rescues proliferative capacity of complex III-defective MPCs
Authors: Qu Yue , Edwards Kaydine , Li Muying , Liu Yang , Tsai Pei-Yin , Cheng Chloe , Blum Jamie , Acor Noel , Oshoe Tenzin , Rooney Kyra , Walter Claire , Thirumalaikumar Venkatesh , Thalacker-Mercer Anna , Skyricz Aleksandra , Barrow Joeva J
Published: November 2024

Mitochondrial disease encompasses a group of genetically inherited disorders hallmarked by an inability of the respiratory chain to produce sufficient ATP. These disorders present with multisystemic pathologies that predominantly impact highly energetic tissues such as skeletal muscle. There is no cure or effective treatment for mitochondrial disease. We have discovered a small molecule known as oxybutynin that can bypass Complex III mitochondrial dysfunction in primary murine and human skeletal muscle progenitor cells (MPCs). Oxybutynin administration improves MPC proliferative capacity, enhances cellular glycolytic function, and improves myotube formation. Mechanistically, results from our isothermal shift assay indicates that oxybutynin interacts with a suite of proteins involved in mRNA processing which then trigger the upregulation biological pathways to circumvent CIII mitochondrial dysfunction. Taken together, we provide evidence for the small molecule oxybutynin as a potential therapeutic candidate for the future treatment of CIII mitochondrial dysfunction.
Unequal mitochondrial segregation promotes asymmetric fates during neurogenesis
Authors: Bunel Benjamin , Goiame Rosette , Morin Xavier , Fischer Evelyne
Published: November 2024

Asymmetric divisions of vertebrate neural progenitors are critical for generating neurons while preserving the stem cell pool, ensuring proper central nervous system development. It was previously shown that the post-mitotic remodeling of mitochondrial activity in daughter cells influences neural fates. In this study, we demonstrate that unequal distribution of mitochondria during asymmetric mitosis plays a decisive role in triggering this differentiation process. Using live imaging to monitor mitochondrial segregation in individual progenitors and track their progeny’s fate within embryonic neural tissue, we show that daughter cells inheriting fewer mitochondria consistently differentiate into neurons, whereas their sibling receiving more mitochondria retains the progenitor status. Furthermore, experimental displacement of mitochondria during mitosis to force their unequal inheritance was sufficient to drive premature neuronal differentiation. Our findings establish a direct causal relationship between unequal mitochondrial inheritance and the asymmetric fate of sister cellsin vivo, uncovering a key mechanism in neural development.
Projections between the globus pallidus externa and cortex span motor and non-motor regions
Authors: Ferenczi E. A. , Wang W. , Biswas A. , Pottala T. , Dong Y. , Chan A. K. , Albanese M. A. , Sohur R. S. , Jia T. , Mastro K.J. , Sabatini B. L.
Published: November 2024

The globus pallidus externa (GPe) is a heterogenous nucleus of the basal ganglia, with intricate connections to other basal ganglia nuclei, as well as direct connections to the cortex. The anatomic, molecular and electrophysiologic properties of cortex-projecting pallidocortical neurons are not well characterized. Here we show that pallidocortical neurons project to diverse motor and non-motor cortical regions, are organized topographically in the GPe, and segregate into two distinct electrophysiological and molecular phenotypes. In addition, we find that the GPe receives direct synaptic input back from deep layers of diverse motor and non-motor cortical regions, some of which form reciprocal connections onto pallidocortical neurons. These results demonstrate the existence of a fast, closed-loop circuit between the GPe and the cortex which is ideally positioned to integrate information about behavioral goals, internal states, and environmental cues to rapidly modulate behavior.
Challenges in inferring breathing rhythms from olfactory bulb local field potentials
Authors: Rafilson Sidney E. , Hess Nathan , Findley Teresa M. , Smear Matthew C.
Published: November 2024

Odors convey useful navigational and episodic information, yet much of the chemical world remains inaccessible without active sampling through sniffing. To effectively interpret olfactory cues, the brain must unify odor-driven activity with respiratory cycles, making accurate respiratory measurements critical in understanding olfactory bulb (OB) dynamics. Previous studies have shown that behavioral signals are often present in primary sensory areas, and OB local field potentials (LFPs) have long been known to couple with respiration. Here we investigated whether OB LFPs can reliably recover the precise timing and frequency of respiration. Our results indicate that OB LFPs across multiple frequency bands align with respiratory cycles. Using time and frequency domain methods, we show that 2-12 Hz LFP oscillations effectively track respiratory frequency. However, a monotonic relationship between LFP-respiratory delay and sniffing frequency, which varies across animals, renders the recovery of precise respiratory events challenging. This work demonstrates the complex and individualized relationship between rodent respiration and OB LFPs, contributing to our understanding of how respiratory signals are represented in the OB.
Medial prefrontal cortical neurotransmitters reactive to relapse-promoting and relapse-suppressing cues in rats trained to self-administer cocaine or alcohol
Authors: Nedelescu Hermina , Miliano Cristina , Wagner Grant E. , Kerr Tony M. , Gregus Ann M. , Weiss Friedbert , Buczynski Matthew W. , Suto Nobuyoshi
Published: November 2024

Environmental cues conditioned to signal drug availability (S+) or omission (S-) activate specific neurons (neuronal ensembles/engram cells) within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to promote and suppress drug relapse in rats. However, the neurochemical source of such cue-specific activation remains unknown. In this study, we determined extracellular neurotransmitter fluctuations reactive to S+ vs. S- in the infralimbic (IL) and prelimbic (PL) cortices of male rats trained to lever-press for cocaine or alcohol self-administration. In cocaine- or alcohol-trained rats exposed to S+, no significant neurotransmitter fluctuations were observed in IL or PL. In cocaine-trained rats exposed to S-, glutamate, serotonin, taurine and adenosine were increased in PL but not in IL. In alcohol-trained rats exposed to S-, glutamate was increased, while dopamine and GABA were decreased, in IL but not in PL. Although S+ reactive neurotransmitters driving neuronal activation in mPFC remains to be elucidated, glutamate is likely the source of such activation by S- in rats trained to self-administer cocaine or alcohol. While drugs used for self-administration and cue-conditioning appear to dictate the type and anatomical specificity of S- evoked neurotransmission within mPFC, glutamate may serve as a common therapeutic target to mimic relapse-suppression by S- across cocaine and alcohol use disorders (CUD and AUD). In contrast, serotonin, taurine and adenosine may serve as the targets in CUD, while dopamine and GABA may serve as the targets in AUD.
Taxes under stress: bank stress tests and corporate tax planning
Authors: Francis Bill B. , García Raffi E. , Harithsa Jyothsna G.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how bank stress tests affect bank tax planning.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses US bank stress test bank size thresholds and a regression discontinuity design to investigate the effect of the Dodd-Frank Act and the instituted bank stress tests on bank tax planning. We use different measures of tax planning, including bank-specific measures and measures of tax avoidance, tax aggressiveness, and effective tax planning from recent literature. Our regression discontinuity and difference-in-differences regression analyses include bank and year fixed-effects and lagged bank characteristics to control for potential endogeneity.

Findings

This study finds that stress tests have the unintended consequences of intensifying tax planning and increasing tax avoidance. Stress-test banks increase tax avoidance by accelerating charge-offs, net interest, and non-interest expenses. However, this increase in tax planning is not optimally maximized, leading to lower effective tax planning compared to non-stress-test banks. Banks with a substantial increase in tax avoidance under the Dodd–Frank Act tend to increase their risk, investing in high-risk-weight assets and lending in riskier loan categories. These findings are consistent with tax minimization conditions under added regulatory attention and policy uncertainty.

Originality/value

Literature on bank tax planning is limited. Most tax avoidance literature excludes financial institutions such as bank holding companies mainly due to differences in business practices and regulatory frameworks. This study is the first to investigate tax planning behavior among US banks. The current study thus extends the research field by examining the effect of bank transparency regulations, such as bank stress tests, on bank tax planning activities. Our findings have a direct bank policy implication. They show that stress testing has the unintended consequences of increasing tax planning activities and consequently increasing risk-taking on banks with high tax avoidance, which goes against the goals of stress testing regulations.
Construction logistics status and actors’ opinions – an industry wide survey in Sweden
Authors: Fredriksson Anna , Sezer Ahmet Anil , Sundquist Viktoria
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether construction logistics services are still carried out mostly in an ad hoc manner, or has advanced to a more standardized, strategically implemented practice and to explore different actors’ attitudes towards construction logistics.

Design/methodology/approach

Unlike previous studies of construction logistics, relying on single or multiple case studies, a survey was designed to deliver a generalizable snapshot of contemporary industry practices and the status of construction logistics. A total of 902 responses from the Swedish construction industry were collected with the help of the industry wide questionnaire.

Findings

The results show that construction logistics setups (CLSs) are only used by 14% of the responding organizations, which confirms that construction logistics services are still mostly carried out in an ad hoc manner. This may change considering that respondents with more experience in the industry claim an increased demand for CLSs. The ad hoc approach is less common among contractors than other types of organizations and large organizations. Furthermore, there is a more positive attitude towards the benefits of construction logistics among the respondents from organizations having a standard CLS.

Originality/value

This is the first industry wide survey presenting the status of implementation level of standardized logistics services in the construction industry and the attitudes among industry actors towards logistics.
Unlocking the buffering role of total quality management: how organisational intangible resources shape innovation performance in dynamic and uncertain environments
Authors: Koomson Samuel
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how total quality management (TQM) buffers the adverse effect of market dynamism (MKD) on banking industry innovation performance (INP) using resource-based theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper creates and explores a conceptual framework by evaluating the perspectives of 260 chief executive officers from the different branches of 21 ISO 27001 and PCI-DSS-accredited banks over two time periods. The product indicator approach was used in the moderation analysis, with a path being significant at 5% (t > 1.96). The study used support for innovation, innovative leadership, strategic agility and slack resources as control variables for INP. The analysis was done using SmartPLS version 4.1.0.6.

Findings

As hypothesised, MKD had a significant and negative influence on the INP (ß = −0.326, t = 5.341). TQM neutralised MKD’s negative impacts on INP in a positive and significant manner (ß = 0.127, t = 2.680).

Research limitations/implications

This study paves the way for upcoming research to explore how TQM may improve INP in the presence of other adverse environmental dynamics like technological dynamism, competitive intensity and government regulation in the banking industry. External trends may have a different impact on other industries, necessitating additional research in these areas.

Practical implications

Bank managers can manipulate the TQM strategy to shape INP, thereby revealing TQM’s strategic value. Top management teams may consider prioritising and allocating more resources to TQM initiatives. Banks that successfully use the TQM methodology are able to turn a dynamic and uncertain environment into opportunities for growth and differentiation.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to display how TQM buffers the detrimental impact of MKD on INP. It offers a first attempt at challenging previous studies that had somewhat assumed that MKD encourages banks to be innovative, proving them otherwise, changing the narrative of the literature and stimulating further debate.
“I want to help but customers mistreat me”: the dual moderating role of prosocial motivation on the impact of customer mistreatment
Authors: Lu Wenzhu , Pei Jialiang , Liu Xiaolang , Zheng Lixun , Zhang Jianping
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Based on the stressor-detachment theory, this study aims to investigate the effect of daily customer mistreatment on proactive service performance and ego depletion, mediated by psychological detachment inhibition during the evening. Additionally, this study endeavors to investigate the dual moderating role of prosocial motivation.

Design/methodology/approach

A time-lagged, diary daily survey involving 74 participants over 8 consecutive workdays was conducted to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings indicate that the psychological detachment inhibition during the evening of Day t mediates the impact of Day t’s customer mistreatment on Day t + 1’s proactive service performance and ego depletion. Furthermore, although prosocial motivation was found to intensify the impact of customer mistreatment on psychological detachment inhibition, it alleviated the negative association between psychological detachment inhibition and proactive service performance.

Research limitations/implications

When employees experience customer mistreatment, hospitality managers should not only provide emotional reassurance and resolve any related issues promptly but also encourage employees to engage in activities that distract them and help them to relax and recharge, especially for those who exhibit high prosocial motivation. Moreover, hiring employees with high prosocial motivation is recommended for hospitality organizations to enable them to maintain high service performance.

Originality/value

This study focuses on psychological detachment inhibition during the evening linking within-person design and daily spill-over impact, enriching the mechanisms through which the repercussions of daily customer mistreatment extend beyond the immediate workday and affect individuals’ outcomes. This study also expands upon the existing literature by clarifying the dual aspects – both detrimental and beneficial – of prosocial motivation.
Prioritizing sustainability of renewable energy projects in Morocco
Authors: En-Nouaary Bilal , Beniaich Rania , Hmioui Aziz
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to examine the electricity generation potential of different renewable energy sources in Morocco, as well as to propose a novel decision support model to prioritize renewable energy alternatives. The aim is to provide recommendations that support Morocco’s energy transition strategy and assist policymakers in devising future sustainable energy policies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper integrates the analytic hierarchy process with expert feedback to prioritize five renewable energy alternatives – solar photovoltaics (PV), concentrated solar panels (CSP), wind, hydro and biomass – specific to the Moroccan context. The model uses 14 sub-criteria clustered into four main categories: economic, technological, socio-political and environmental. The criteria were weighted based on inputs from local energy sector experts to capture the distinct priorities and contextual specificities of Morocco’s renewable energy landscape.

Findings

The study’s findings emphasize the dominance of economic criteria among Moroccan experts. Solar PV emerged as the most suitable option due to its cost-effectiveness and alignment with Morocco’s policies to support solar energy, followed by hydropower and wind. CSP and biomass ranked lowest due to high costs and limited viability.

Research limitations/implications

This study highlighted the need for quality data to support informed decision-making, as well as for a centralized database to facilitate access to consistent information on renewable energy projects.

Practical implications

It is recommended that policymakers prioritize mature and cost-effective technologies by establishing supportive regulatory frameworks and expanding investments in hybrid renewable energy infrastructures.

Originality/value

In addition to introducing the Analytic Hierarchy Process model for the first time within the Moroccan context, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research draws recommendations to assist Moroccan policymakers in devising future sustainable policies for the energy sector.
Renewable energy, carbon footprints, natural resources depletion and economic growth in Africa
Authors: Osabohien Romanus , Zogbassé Symphorien , Jaaffar Amar Hisham , Idowu Omowumi Omodunni , Al-Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the interplay between renewable energy consumption, carbon footprints, natural resources depletion and economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

It engaged 45 African countries using the generalized method of moments (GMM) approach. Data from the World Development Indicators for the period 2000–2023 are used to analyse the relationships among these variables.

Findings

The result indicates a positive and significant effect of greenhouse gas emissions on economic growth in all regions of Africa, except for Southern Africa. Regarding the depletion of natural resources, the authors observe a dominant negative effect on economic growth. Thus, an increase in the depletion of natural resources contributes to the reduction of economic growth in most regions of Africa, notably West Africa, East Africa and sub-Saharan Africa as a whole. Moreover, the depletion of natural resources can also have negative social impacts, such as conflicts over access to remaining resources, which can indirectly influence economic stability and growth.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence of the positive effects of renewable energy consumption on carbon footprints, natural resource depletion and economic growth. By quantifying these relationships, the study offers valuable insights into the potential of renewable energy to address pressing environmental and economic challenges.
Mindfulness in the business context: a multi-level model
Authors: Esteves Lurdes , Franco Mário , Rodrigues Margarida
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The study of mindfulness is still shown to be of interest in different aspects of organisations and/or businesses. Therefore, this study aims to present an integrative, multi-level model of mindfulness based on a holistic approach that can contribute to better governance practices and lead to competitive advantages.

Design/methodology/approach

To fulfil this aim, an extensive integrative review of the literature, from the main articles about this topic, was made.

Findings

This study shows that the concept of mindfulness, a conscious presence or full attention and its relation with organisations or firms’ personal, behavioural and social characteristics, in the current context of great adversity, uncertainty and unpredictability, is of interest at the individual, organisational and social level.

Practical implications

This conceptual study has important implications for both practice and theory. It demonstrates that mindfulness significantly impacts the manager/business person’s ecosystem at the individual, organisational and social levels, particularly in relation to Sustainable Development Goals.

Originality/value

This study introduces a comprehensive theoretical model that explains this relationship and organises information from a multi-level perspective. This approach can contribute to the advancement of theory by clarifying and discussing the role of mindfulness at the individual, organisational and societal levels. It also identifies opportunities and outlines future research directions, aiming to promote more sustainable development.
“Connect the circle” systems thinking tool for postgraduate sustainability education: case study
Authors: Brychkov Dzmitry , McKeown Peter Cornelius , Domegan Christine , Spillane Charles , Brychkova Galina
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of “Connect the circle” systems thinking tools for improving contextualised systems thinking from sustainability perspectives. The guiding question is could “Connect the circle” improve sustainability education?

Design/methodology/approach

The effect of the “Connect the circle” tool on the development of learning dimensions, especially improved problem understanding, shared vision and quality of communication in STEM modules, was analysed by qualitative and quantitative methods.

Findings

Authors find that “Connect the circle” is an effective tool for thinking skills development. However, scaffolding in education is required to achieve higher-order thinking skills by empowering students to become active agents of change, capable of envisioning and implementing sustainable solutions at multiple levels.

Practical implications

Educators must bridge gaps between systems theory and understanding how systems thinking skills should be developed in sustainability contexts. Insights from this research will support the development of knowledge and skills required for higher education institutions graduates to address complex sustainability issues.

Originality/value

Applying this tool to STEM curricula represents an original way to explain student holistic vision to connect systems theory to the application of systems thinking skills for sustainability change.
Understanding users’ news-sharing behaviors: roles of risk perception, believability, fake news awareness and social tie variety
Authors: Wu Yuanyuan , Ngai Eric W.T. , Wu Pengkun
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of news quality on users’ risk perceptions toward online news and its subsequent influence on perceived believability and user engagement in sharing news. Additionally, we explore the moderating effects of fake news awareness and social tie variety.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon the social amplification of risk framework, this study investigates the relationship between news quality and users’ news-sharing behaviors, along with its underlying mechanism. An online questionnaire involving 399 eligible participants was employed for hypotheses testing, and the structural equation model served as the main analytical method.

Findings

The influence of news quality on users’ news-sharing behavior is sequentially mediated by risk perception and perceived believability. Individuals with a heightened awareness of fake news or a diverse social tie are more inclined to perceive greater risks associated with news-sharing behavior and question news authenticity.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature on users’ news-sharing behaviors by examining the influence of risk perception on the relationship between news quality, perceived believability and users’ news-sharing behavior. Additionally, it explores the moderating effects of fake news awareness and social tie variety. Our findings offer valuable insights into comprehending user inclinations towards news sharing and mitigating the dissemination of fake news.
Ascendancy of coworking space: user perceptions toward workspace features
Authors: Chua Shirley Jin Lin , Myeda Nik Elyna , Azmi Nur Farhana , Wong Chyn Wei
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This research paper aims to provide recommendations for enhancing the service quality of coworking spaces in Malaysia through effective workplace management. This study emphasizes the importance of avoiding over-promising and under-delivering, prioritizing cleanliness, functionality and customer satisfaction over profit to prevent user attrition.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire surveys were administered to users of selected coworking spaces in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Respondents were asked to assess both their expectations and perceived performance of various coworking space features. The resulting gap scores were then analyzed to develop recommendations for enhancing the overall performance of these coworking spaces.

Findings

The analysis of the responses indicated that users had higher expectations for “location” and “facilities services,” while the actual service performance in these areas was less satisfactory. Among the nine sub-attributes under “facilities and services,” three (opening hours, coffee and tea corner, café or restaurant) received negative gap scores, significantly affecting overall user satisfaction. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that coworking space managers prioritize the consistent provision and maintenance of these key features to better meet user demands and enhance satisfaction levels.

Originality/value

This study is innovative in applying a gap analysis approach to coworking spaces, identifying discrepancies between user expectations and actual service performance. This method provides a deeper understanding of the areas that require improvement, contributing to more user-centered coworking space management.
Customer perspectives on reputable and accountable Islamic finance: a behavioural intention model with a meta-analysis SEM approach
Authors: Andespa Roni , Md Razak Mohamad Idham , Huda Yasrul , Hulwati Hulwati
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This research aims to analyses the structural model of customers’ intention towards reputable and accountable Islamic finance, explained through Meta-Analysis Structural Equation Modelling (MASEM) with the Theory of Planned Behaviour approach and extended variables.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used MASEM to examine the factors systematically influencing behavioural intentions within Islamic finance. By synthesising 89 existing studies, the study identified key variables and their relationships, providing a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms. A rigorous methodology involving article selection, data extraction and statistical analysis enabled the development of a robust conceptual framework.

Findings

This study underscores the significant impact of subjective norms and perceived behavioural control on the intention to adopt Islamic finance, mediated by customer attitude. Religiosity, customer awareness and knowledge influence the intention to adopt Islamic finance products, with the Islamic financial institution's reputation and customer attitude serving as mediating variables.

Originality/value

This research novelty examines Islamic finance accounting, reporting and financial accountability, primarily focusing on customers’ perceived intentions towards Islamic financial practices.
What does it take to co-create place brands? Learnings from an academic-practitioner exchange
Authors: Ripoll González Laura , Zhao Run , Källström Lisa , Hereźniak Marta , Eshuis Jasper , Belabas Warda
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to report on the insights from an international workshop entitled Co-creating place brands: sharing research insights and practical experiences towards more inclusive cities and regions hosted by the Erasmus University Rotterdam. The authors outline their collective reflection and the learnings for place branding theory and practice. Additionally, this paper discusses the need to build practitioner-scholar relationships in a co-creative style, to co-develop more inclusive models for co-creating place brands.

Design/methodology/approach

The report details key learnings of a whole-day interactive workshop featuring academic and practitioner presentations and discussions around inclusive approaches to co-creating place brands. The report is structured around key emerging themes and their associated learnings.

Findings

The workshop yielded six important learnings: 1) a key obstacle to co-creating place brands is that co-creation is often misunderstood among decision-makers; 2) all place stakeholders need to be taken seriously if co-creation is to shape a place’s identity and foster cohesion; 3) broad stakeholder inclusion in place branding can be problematic, but it is a necessary condition to the practice of place brand co-creation; 4) co-creating place brands requires going beyond marketing tools and deep into the levels of community life and place’s social and cultural construction; 5) co-creation at all stages of the branding process from conceptual development to performance measurement and sometimes unconsciously; 6) politics of place must be observed (this is crucial yet easily overlooked in co-creating place brands).

Originality/value

The micro-format of the workshop facilitated valuable interactions between academics and practitioners, effectively blending practical, “on the ground”-knowledge with academic ideas, concepts and models. This approach not only generated key learnings with the possibility to advance the field but also highlighted important future research directions.
Digital finance for SMEs and startups: a bibliometric analysis and future research direction
Authors: Modina Michele , Fedele Maria , Formisano Anna Vittoria
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a broad overview of the corpus of studies on digital finance in relation to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups.

Design/methodology/approach

Bibliometric analysis was used, allowing to investigate the relevant literature (735 articles). In accordance with best practices, relevant articles were identified on the topic following the PRISMA 2020 framework that ensures reproducible and rigorous results. The search then proceeds with performance analysis, identifying key trends at the intersection of research fields, including distribution of articles by year, citations by year, most cited contributions and most cited and prolific authors. This is followed by analyses of co-citation, co-authorship and co-occurrence with a detailed description of the thematic clusters identified.

Findings

Performance analysis shows that scholarly output covers a 12-year period, starting in 2011, and demonstrates a growing interest in this topic. Co-occurrence analysis reveals a significant intellectual structure which allows numerous knowledge gaps to emerge, and these offer new opportunities to be addressed in future research.

Originality/value

This study uniquely focuses on the evolution of the research domain related to digital finance associated with SMEs and startups. It provides implications for practitioners and avenues that researchers can develop in the future to produce impactful studies.