bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac cycle affects the asymmetric value updating in instrumental reward learning
Authors: Kimura Kenta , Kanayama Noriaki , Toyama Asako , Katahira Kentaro
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to investigate whether instrumental reward learning is affected by the cardiac cycle. To this end, we examined the effects of the cardiac cycle (systole or diastole) on the computational processes underlying the participants’ choices in the instrumental learning task. In the instrumental learning task, participants were required to select one of two discriminative stimuli (neutral visual stimuli) and immediately receive reward/punishment feedback depending on the probability assigned to the chosen stimuli. To manipulate the cardiac cycle, the presentation of discriminative stimuli was timed to coincide with either cardiac systole or diastole. We fitted the participants’ choices in the task with reinforcement learning (RL) models and estimated parameters involving instrumental learning (i.e., learning rate and inverse temperature) separately in the systole and diastole trials. Model-based analysis revealed that the learning rate for positive prediction errors was higher than that for negative prediction errors in the systole trials; however, learning rates did not differ between positive and negative prediction errors in the diastole trials. These results demonstrate that the natural fluctuation of cardiac afferent signals can affect asymmetric value updating in instrumental reward learning.
p73 is required for vessel integrity controlling endothelial junctional dynamics through Angiomotin
Authors: Maeso-Alonso Laura , Alonso-Olivares Hugo , Martínez-García Nicole , Lopez-Ferreras Lorena , Villoch-Fernández Javier , Puente-Santamaría Laura , Colas-Algora Natalia , Fernández-Corona Alfonso , Lorenzo-Marcos María Elena , Jiménez Benilde , Holmgren Lars , Wilhelm Margareta , Millan Jaime , Peso Luis del , Claesson-Welsh Lena , Marques Margarita M. , Marin Maria C.
Published: March 2022

Preservation of blood vessels integrity, which is critical for normal physiology and organ function, is controlled at multiple levels, including endothelial junctions. However, the mechanism that controls the adequate assembly of endothelial cell junctions is not fully defined. Here we uncover TAp73 transcription factor as a vascular architect that orchestrates transcriptional programs involved in cell junction establishment and developmental blood vessel morphogenesis and identify Angiomotin (AMOT) as a TAp73 direct transcriptional target. Knockdown of p73 in endothelial cells not only results in decreased Angiomotin expression and localization at intercellular junctions, but also affects its downstream function regarding Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) cytoplasmic sequestration upon cell-cell contact. Analysis of adherens junctional morphology after p73-knockdown in human endothelial cells revealed striking alterations, particularly a sharp increase in serrated junctions and actin bundles appearing as stress fibers, both features associated with enhanced barrier permeability. In turn, stabilization of Angiomotin levels rescued those junctional defects, confirming that TAp73 controls endothelial junction dynamics, at least in part, through the regulation of Angiomotin. The observed defects in monolayer integrity were linked to hyperpermeability and reduced transendothelial electric resistance. Moreover, p73-knockout retinas showed a defective sprout morphology coupled to hemorrhages, highlighting the physiological relevance of p73 regulation in the maintenance of vessel integrity in vivo. We propose a new model in which TAp73 acts as a vascular architect integrating transcriptional programs that will impinge with Angiomotin/YAP signaling to maintain junctional dynamics and integrity, whilst balancing endothelial cell rearrangements in angiogenic vessels.
Reconstructed human pigmented skin/epidermis models achieve epidermal pigmentation through melanocore transfer
Authors: Hall Michael J. , Lopes-Ventura Sara , Neto Matilde V. , Charneca João , Zoio Patricia , Seabra Miguel C. , Oliva Abel , Barral Duarte C.
Published: March 2022

The skin acts as a barrier to environmental insults and provides many vital functions. One of these is to shield DNA from harmful UV radiation, which is achieved by skin pigmentation arising as melanin is produced and dispersed within the epidermal layer. This is a crucial defence against DNA damage, photo-ageing and skin cancer. The mechanisms and regulation of melanogenesis and melanin transfer involve extensive crosstalk between melanocytes and keratinocytes in the epidermis, as well as fibroblasts in the dermal layer. Although the predominant mechanism of melanin transfer continues to be debated and several plausible models have been proposed, we and others previously provided evidence for a coupled exo/phagocytosis of melanocore model. Herein, we performed histology and immunohistochemistry analyses and demonstrated that a newly developed full-thickness 3D reconstructed human pigmented skin model and an epidermis-only model exhibit dispersed pigment throughout keratinocytes in the epidermis. Transmission electron microscopy revealed melanocores between melanocytes and keratinocytes, suggesting that melanin is transferred through coupled exocytosis/phagocytosis of the melanosome core similar to our previous observations in human skin biopsies. We therefore present evidence that our in vitro models of pigmented human skin show epidermal pigmentation comparable to human skin. These findings have a high value for studies of skin pigmentation mechanisms and pigmentary disorders, whilst reducing the reliance on animal models and human skin biopsies.

Significance

Currently, many approaches to study skin pigmentation and pigmentary disorders use 2D cultures or co-culture of melanocytes and/or keratinocytes, as well as skin biopsies obtained from consenting donors. However, challenges are faced when it is necessary to mimic the tissue microenvironment as there is a limited availability of skin biopsies, especially for the case of rare pigmentary disorders. Through this study, we show the potential of 3D in vitro reconstructed pigmented skin/epidermis models for both general and specific pigmentary research questions, which could reduce reliance on animal models and human skin biopsies.
Recent reconfiguration of an ancient developmental gene regulatory network in Heliocidaris sea urchins
Authors: Davidson Phillip L , Guo Haobing , Swart Jane S , Massri Abdull J , Edgar Allison , Wang Lingyu , Berrio Alejandro , Devens Hannah R , Koop Demian , Cisternas Paula , Zhang He , Zhang Yaolei , Byrne Maria , Fan Guangyi , Wray Gregory A
Published: March 2022

Changes in developmental gene regulatory networks (dGRNs) underlie much of the diversity of life1, but the evolutionary mechanisms that operate on interactions with these networks remain poorly understood. Closely related species with extreme phenotypic divergence provide a valuable window into the genetic and molecular basis for changes in dGRNs and their relationship to adaptive changes in organismal traits. Here we analyze genomes, epigenomes, and transcriptomes during early development in two sea urchin species in the genus Heliocidaris that exhibit highly divergent life histories and in an outgroup species. Signatures of positive selection and changes in chromatin status within putative gene regulatory elements are both enriched on the branch leading to the derived life history, and particularly so near dGRN genes; in contrast, positive selection within protein-coding regions have at most a modest enrichment in branch and function. Single-cell transcriptomes reveal a dramatic delay in cell fate specification in the derived state, which also has far fewer open chromatin regions, especially near dGRN genes with conserved roles in cell fate specification. Experimentally perturbing the function of three key transcription factors reveals profound evolutionary changes in the earliest events that pattern the embryo, disrupting regulatory interactions previously conserved for ∼225 million years. Together, these results demonstrate that natural selection can rapidly reshape developmental gene expression on a broad scale when selective regimes abruptly change and that even highly conserved dGRNs and patterning mechanisms in the early embryo remain evolvable under appropriate ecological circumstances.
Impact of fungal hyphae on growth and dispersal of obligate anaerobic bacteria in aerated habitats
Authors: Xiong Bi-Jing , Kleinsteuber Sabine , Sträuber Heike , Dusny Christian , Harms Hauke , Wick Lukas Y.
Published: March 2022

Anoxic microsites arising in fungal biofilms may foster the presence of obligate anaerobes even in well-areated environments. Here, we analyzed whether and to which degree fractal hyphae of Coprinopsis cinerea thriving in oxic habitats enable the germination, growth, and dispersal of obligate anaerobic soil bacterium Clostridium acetobutylicum. Time-resolved optical oxygen mapping, microscopy and metabolite analysis revealed the formation and persistence of anoxic circum hyphal niches allowing for spore germination, growth and fermentative activity of the obligate anaerobe in an otherwise oxic environment. Hypoxic liquid films containing 80 ± 10% of atmospheric oxygen saturation around single air-exposed hyphae thereby allowed for efficient clostridial dispersal amid spatially separated (>0.5 cm) anoxic sites. Our results suggest that fungal biomass typical in soil (<550 μg g-1soil) may create anoxic microniches and enable activity as well as dispersal of obligate anaerobes near hyphae in an otherwise inhabitable environment.
Development of a mouse salivary gland-derived mesenchymal cell line for immunological studies of murine cytomegalovirus
Authors: White Timothy M. , Stanfield Brent A. , Bonavita Cassandra M. , Rudd Jared S. , Cardin Rhonda D.
Published: March 2022

The salivary glands are a crucial site of replication for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and its murine counterpart, murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). Studies of MCMV often involve the use of BALB/c strain mice, but mostin vitroassays are carried out in the NIH 3T3 cell line, which is derived from Swiss Albino mice. This report describes a BALB/c-derived mouse salivary gland cell line immortalized using the SV40 large T antigen. Cells stained positive for PDGFR1 and negative for E-cadherin and PECAM-1, indicating mesenchymal origin. This cell line, which has been named murine salivary gland mesenchymal (mSGM), shows promise as a tool forex vivoimmunological assays due to its MHC haplotype match with the BALB/c mouse strain. In addition, plaque assays using mSGM rather than NIH 3T3 cells are significantly more sensitive for detecting low concentrations of MCMV particles. Finally, it is demonstrated that mSGM cells express all 3 BALB/c MHC class I isotypes and are susceptible to T cell-mediatedex vivocytotoxicity assays, leading to many possible uses in immunological studies of MCMV.
Modulation of the Biophysical and Biochemical Properties of Collagen by Glycation for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Vaez Mina , Asgari Meisam , Hirvonen Liisa , Bakir Gorkem , Aguayo Sebastian , Schuh Christina M. , Gough Kathleen , Bozec Laurent
Published: March 2022

The structural and functional properties of collagen are modulated by the presence of intramolecular and intermolecular crosslinks. Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) can produce intermolecular crosslinks by bonding the free amino groups of neighboring proteins. In this research, the following hypothesis is explored: The accumulation of AGEs in collagen decreases its proteolytic degradation rates while increasing its stiffness. Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) detect biochemical changes in collagen scaffolds during the glycation process. The accumulation of AGEs increases exponentially in the collagen scaffolds as a function of Methylglyoxal (MGO) concentration by performing autofluorescence measurement and competitive ELISA. Glycated scaffolds absorb water at a much higher rate confirming the direct affinity between AGEs and interstitial water within collagen fibrils. In addition, the topology of collagen fibrils as observed by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is a lot more defined following glycation. The elastic modulus of collagen fibrils decreases as a function of glycation, whereas the elastic modulus of collagen scaffolds increases. Finally, the enzymatic degradation of collagen by bacterial collagenase shows a sigmoidal pattern with a much slower degradation rate in the glycated scaffolds. This study identifies unique variations in the properties of collagen following accumulation of AGEs.
CeSpGRN: Inferring cell-specific gene regulatory networks from single cell multi-omics and spatial data
Authors: Zhang Ziqi , Han Jongseok , Song Le , Zhang Xiuwei
Published: March 2022

Single cell profiling techniques including multi-omics and spatial-omics technologies allow researchers to study cell-cell variation within a cell population. These variations extend to biological networks within cells, in particular, the gene regulatory networks (GRNs). GRNs rewire as the cells evolve, and different cells can have different governing GRNs. However, existing GRN inference methods usually infer a single GRN for a population of cells, without exploring the cell-cell variation in terms of their regulatory mechanisms. Recently, jointly profiled single cell transcriptomics and chromatin accessibility data have been used to infer GRNs. Although methods based on such multi-omics data were shown to improve over the accuracy of methods using only single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data, they do not take full advantage of the single cell resolution chromatin accessibility data.

We propose CeSpGRN (CellSpecificGeneRegulatoryNetwork inference), which infers cell-specific GRNs from scRNA-seq, single cell multi-omics, or single cell spatial-omics data. CeSpGRN uses a Gaussian weighted kernel that allows the GRN of a given cell to be learned from the sequencing profile of itself and its neighboring cells in the developmental process. The kernel is constructed from the similarity of gene expressions or spatial locations between cells. When the chromatin accessibility data is available, CeSpGRN constructs cell-specific prior networks which are used to further improve the inference accuracy.

We applied CeSpGRN to various types of real-world datasets and inferred various regulation changes that were shown to be important in cell development. We also quantitatively measured the performance of CeSpGRN on simulated datasets and compared with baseline methods. The results show that CeSpGRN has a superior performance in reconstructing the GRN for each cell, as well as in detecting the regulatory interactions that differ between cells. CeSpGRN is available athttps://github.com/PeterZZQ/CeSpGRN.
Rapid single-molecule characterisation of nucleic-acid enzymes
Authors: Mueller Stefan H. , Fitschen Lucy J. , Shirbini Afnan , Hamdan Samir M. , Spenkelink Lisanne M. , van Oijen Antoine M.
Published: March 2022

The activity of enzymes is traditionally characterised through bulk-phase biochemical methods that only report on population averages. Single-molecule methods are advantageous in elucidating kinetic and population heterogeneity but are often complicated, time consuming, and lacking statistical power. We present a highly generalisable and high-throughput single-molecule assay to rapidly characterise proteins involved in DNA metabolism. The assay exclusively relies on changes in total fluorescence intensity of surface-immobilised DNA templates as a result of DNA synthesis, unwinding or digestion. Combined with an automated data-analysis pipeline, our method provides enzymatic activity data of thousands of molecules in less than an hour. We demonstrate our method by characterising three fundamentally different nucleic-acid enzyme activities: digestion by the phage λ exonuclease, synthesis by the phage Phi29 polymerase, and unwinding by the E. coli UvrD helicase. We observe a previously unknown activity of the UvrD helicase to remove proteins tightly bound to the ends of DNA.
Structural basis of flagellar filament asymmetry and supercoil templating by Leptospira spirochete sheath proteins
Authors: Brady Megan R. , Martin Fabiana San , Debs Garrett E. , Gibson Kimberley H. , Rodríguez Azalia , Durán Rosario , Wunder Elsio A. , Ko Albert I. , Buschiazzo Alejandro , Sindelar Charles V.
Published: March 2022

Several Leptospira species are bacterial agents of leptospirosis, a neglected tropical disease responsible for ~1 million cases and 50,000 deaths each year worldwide. Leptospira, like other members of the Spirochaeta phylum, possess specially adapted flagella that remain confined within the periplasm. These appendages drive a unique, corkscrew-like swimming style that enables efficient motility and pathogenesis. However, the composition, function, and molecular architecture of spirochetal flagellar filaments remain poorly understood. We solved single-particle cryo-EM structures of isolated Leptospira flagellar filaments, comparing the wild-type form to two mutant forms with different missing components and abrogated motilities. The structures reveal a complex proteinaceous sheath surrounding a conserved core composed of the FlaB flagellin homolog. Sheath proteins were found to fall into two distinct categories, both of which are required for motility. Filament ‘coiling’ proteins, FcpA and FcpB, exert force on the filament when they bind its surface, causing the filament to stretch. In contrast, we identify sheath components FlaAP (newly discovered in this study) and FlaA2 as ‘template’ factors, which have little effect on filament shape by themselves, but partition the coiling proteins to one side of the filament. In this way, the two types of Leptospira sheath factors operate collectively on the flagellar filament to bend it from a ‘relaxed’ form associated with cell immobility, to a motility-competent shape that is tightly supercoiled. Our structures also indicate that core-sheath interactions are largely mediated by carbohydrate moieties from flagellin core side chain O-glycosylations. The supercoiling mechanism presented here provides a benchmark for studies with other bacteria, for which near-atomic resolution structures of flagellar filament in native supercoiled forms, are still lacking.
D-Mannosamine hydrochloride (2-amino-2-deoxy-D-mannose hydrochloride): ionic hydrogen bonding in saccharides involving chloride and aminium ions
Authors: Lin Jieye , Oliver Allen G. , Serianni Anthony S.
Published: March 2022

D-Mannosamine hydrochloride (2-amino-2-deoxy-D-mannose hydrochloride), C6H14NO5
+·Cl−, (I), crystallized from a methanol/ethyl acetate/n-hexane solvent mixture at room temperature in a 4
C
1 chair conformation that is slightly distorted towards the C3,O5
B form. A comparison of the structural parameters of (I) with the corresponding parameters in α-D-glucosamine hydrochloride, (II), and β-D-galactosamine hydrochloride, (III)/(III′), was undertaken to evaluate the effects of ionic hydrogen bonding on structural properties. Three types of ionic hydrogen bonds are present in the crystals of (I)–(III)/(III′), i.e. N+—H...O, N+—H...Cl−, and O—H...Cl−. The exocyclic structural parameters in (I), (II), and (III)/(III′) appear to be most influenced by this bonding, especially the exocyclic hydroxy groups, which adopt eclipsed conformations enabled by ionic hydrogen bonding to the chloride anion. Anomeric disorder was observed in crystals of (I), with an α:β ratio of 37:63. However, anomeric configuration appears to exert minimal structural effects; that is, bond lengths, bond angles, and torsion angles are essentially identical in both anomers. The observed disorder at the anomeric C atom of (I) appears to be caused by the presence of the chloride anion and atom O3 or O4 in proximal voids, which provide opportunities for hydrogen bonding to atom O1 in both axial and equatorial orientations.
An X-ray investigation of stereoselectivity in the interactions of [Co(en)3]3+with [Co(ox)3]3−(en is ethane-1,2-diamine and ox is oxalate)
Authors: Gallagher Megan K. , Baker Jonathan , Black Robert , Oliver Allen G. , Lappin A. Graham
Published: March 2022

The X-ray structure of racemic tris(ethane-1,2-diamine-κ2N,N′)cobalt(III) tris(oxalato-κ2O1,O2)cobaltate(III) pentahydrate, [Co(C2H8N2)3][Co(C2O4)3]·5H2O or [Co(en)3][Co(ox)3]·5H2O, has been determined. Hydrogen-bonding interactions along theC3-axis of the [Co(en)3]3+cation with the [Co(ox)3]3−anion are heterochiral, while those perpendicular to this axis are homochiral. Implications for the interpretation of chiral discriminations and induction in electron-transfer reactions in solution are discussed.
Towards enhancement in reliability and safety of construction projects: developing a hybrid multi-dimensional fuzzy-based approach
Authors: Mohandes Saeed Reza , Durdyev Serdar , Sadeghi Haleh , Mahdiyar Amir , Hosseini M. Reza , Banihashemi Saeed , Martek Igor
Published: March 2022

Purpose

In the study, a five-dimensional-safety risk assessment model (5D-SRAM) is developed to improve the construction safety risk assessment approaches available in the literature. To that purpose, a hybrid multi-dimensional fuzzy-based model is proposed, which provides a comprehensive ranking system for the safety risks existing in a project by considering the contextualization of the construction-related activities resulting in an accident.

Design/methodology/approach

The developed 5D-SRAM is based on an amalgamation of different fuzzy-based techniques. Through the proposed fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, the importance weights of essential risk dimensions playing role in defining the magnitude of the construction-related risks are obtained, while a precise prioritized ranking system for the identified safety risks is acquired using the proposed fuzzy technique of order preference similarity to the ideal solution (FTOPSIS).

Findings

Through the application of the proposed 5D-SRAM to a real-life case study – which is the case of green building construction projects located in Hong Kong – contributions are realized as follows: (1) determination of a more complete range of risk dimensions, (2) calculation of importance weightings for each risk dimension and (3) obtainment of a precise and inclusive ranking system for safety risks. Additionally, the supremacy of the developed 5D-SRAM against the other safety assessment approaches that are commonly adopted in the construction industry is proved.

Research limitations/implications

The developed 5D-SRAM provides the concerned safety decision-makers with not only all the crucial dimensions that play roles toward the magnitude of safety risks posing threats to the workers involved in construction activities, but also they are given hindsight regarding the importance weights of these dimensions. Additionally, the concerned parties are embellished with the final ranking of safety risks in a more comprehensive way than those of existing assessment methods, leading to sagacious adoption of future prudent strategies for dealing with such risks occurring on construction sites.

Originality/value

Numerous studies have documented the safety risks faced by construction workers including proposals for risk assessment models. However, the dimensions considered by such models are limited, generally constrained to risk event probability combined with risk impact severity. Overlooking other dimensions that are essential towards the calculation of safety risks' magnitude culminates in overshadowing the further adoption of fruitful mitigative actions. To overcome this shortcoming, this study proposes a novel 5D-SRAM.
Bancassurance and the coexistence of multiple insurance distribution channels
Authors: Rubio-Misas María
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper investigates why bancassurance coexists with alternative insurance distribution channels in the long run, considering the bank channel is known to involve lower costs than traditional distribution systems. It tests the product-quality hypothesis that maintains that the higher costs of some distribution systems represent expenses associated with producing higher product quality, greater service intensity and/or skills to solve principal-agent conflicts.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis is conducted on firms operating in the life segment of the Spanish insurance industry over an eight-year sample period. First, the author estimates cost efficiency and profit inefficiency using data envelopment analysis. Cost efficiency enables one to evaluate if the use of the banking channel increases cost efficiency. Profit inefficiency is addressed to identify the existence/absence of product-quality differences. The performance implications of using bancassurance are analyzed by applying Heckman's two-stage random-effects regression model.

Findings

The results support the product-quality arguments. The use of banking channel was found to increase cost efficiency. However, the distribution channel/s utilized did not affect profit inefficiency.

Practical implications

A regulatory environment that supports the development of bancassurance enables this and alternative distribution channels to be sorted into market niches, where each system enjoys comparative advantages in order to minimize insurer costs and maximize insurer revenues. There is no single optimal insurance distribution system.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate why bancassurance coexists with alternative insurance distribution channels.
The service digitalization in fine-dining restaurants: a cost-benefit perspective
Authors: Vo-Thanh Tan , Zaman Mustafeed , Hasan Rajibul , Akter Shahriar , Dang-Van Thac
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the perceived value of service digitalization in fine-dining restaurants in France. No study exists on this topic, and its aim is to address this research gap. To do so, a conceptual framework of the perceived benefits and costs of the service digitalization was developed. This study also provides actionable recommendations for fine-dining restaurant managers to create and manage an optimized fine-dining experience for their customers.

Design/methodology/approach

To obtain in-depth information, the authors opted for a qualitative research approach. The authors interviewed 24 fine-dining restaurant managers (listed in the Michelin Guide) and 29 customers of fine-dining restaurants using a video titled “The Restaurant of the Future.”

Findings

The findings underline the perceived benefits and costs of service digitalization for both restaurant managers and their customers. This study highlights that fine-dining restaurants are highly experience-centric compared to other types of restaurants and recommends which services should be digitalized and which should not be to create and manage experiences throughout the customer journey.

Practical implications

This research provides restaurants with actionable recommendations in terms of service digitalization to enhance customers’ fine-dining experiences.

Originality/value

This research fills a gap by proposing a conceptual framework to examine the digitalization of services in fine-dining restaurants.
Discourses on sustainability in a network of Argentine universities: exploring representations, cultural roots and transformative processes
Authors: Norton Laura Soledad , Sarrica Mauro , Lombardi Raffaele , Peruzzi Gaia
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The paper aims to reflect on the function(s) served by the network of Argentine universities for environmental management and social inclusion (UAGAIS), including sharing information, empowering its members and fostering political action. To these functions, the authors add that networks play a prominent role in promoting culturally and locally meaningful representations of sustainability, and as rhetorical devices for positioning universities within the national, regional and international context.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon a constructionist and cultural approach, two analyses were conducted: the first an analysis of the institutional webpages of selected UAGAIS universities; the second, a discursive analysis of five in-depth interviews conducted with UAGAIS representatives. Both analyses looked at local and cultural specificities of sustainability in higher education, perceptions of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the role of UAGAIS for individuals, universities and other social actors involved.

Findings

Results show how sustainability is used in institutional communication and in the interviews to frame the role of the university in the community. The network serves information and empowering functions, as the same time acting as an amplifier of the activities performed under the “Extensión” framework. Such a culturally situated approach to sustainability is used to engage different social actors and to stress commitment of universities with the environmental and social needs of local communities.

Originality/value

The results underline the role played by networks in transformative process. Anchored to the culturally rooted “Extensión” concept, the examined network serves as a place to advance the social commitment and the local understanding of sustainability. Moreover, it is rhetorically used to challenge the status quo and advocate for systemic change.
Are Shariah-compliant firms less prone to stock price crash risk? Evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Haseeb Muhammad , Mahdzan Nurul Shahnaz , Wan Ahmad Wan Marhaini
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The term “Shariah compliance” states that a firm conducts business activities within the boundaries stipulated by Islamic law. The purpose of this study is to empirically examine whether a firm’s Shariah compliance helps in reducing firm-specific stock price crash risk (SPCR).

Design/methodology/approach

Using the data of 10,391 firm-year observations of non-financial public listed firms in Malaysia from 2001–2017, this study uses the panel data estimation technique for regression analysis. Moreover, a series of alternative estimations has been applied to check the consistency of results.

Findings

The findings reveal a significant negative impact of firms’ Shariah compliance on SPCR. The results indicate that Shariah-compliant (SC) firms are less likely to hoard bad news, ultimately reducing SPCR. The results also unveil a possible mechanism through which SC firms reduce SPCR. The findings reveal that SC firms are less likely to be involved in earnings management, which reduces the risk of a stock price crash in SC firms. It highlights the behavioral differences in financial reporting between SC firms and Shariah non-compliant (SNC) firms.

Practical implications

This research adds to the existing literature of Islamic capital markets from the perceptive of SPCR. The SPCR exhibits a tail risk of the stocks and is very important for risk management and investment decisions. The findings of this study will help risk-averse investors to include SC firms in their investment portfolios for risk minimization. The results also guide policymakers and regulatory bodies to rethink the monitoring mechanisms of publicly listed firms.

Originality/value

This study is unique, as it highlights that firms’ Shariah compliance reduces SPCR.
Credit record overconfidence and alternative financial service use
Authors: Wann Christi R. , Brockman Beverly K. , Brockman Christopher M.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of credit record overconfidence on the use of alternative financial services (AFSs).

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from the 2018 National Financial Capability Study (NFCS), the authors estimate logistic regressions on the use of at least one AFS by adding a credit record confidence variable that captures deviations between self-assessments of credit record management and the number of reported behaviors that would negatively affect aspects of a Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) score.

Findings

The authors find that respondents with credit record overconfidence have over two times higher odds (123.9%) of using AFS than the odds of respondents with financial knowledge overconfidence (46.8%), relative to their reference categories. When compared directly, those with only credit record overconfidence have 32.6% higher odds of using AFS than those with only financial knowledge overconfidence.

Practical implications

The results provide implications for education programs, not only for vulnerable groups at higher risk for AFS use but also for those with cognitive biases, such as credit record overconfidence. Potential solutions include personal financial education that includes debiasing and behavioral techniques for overconfidence.

Originality/value

This paper studies, for the first time, the effect of deviations between actual and perceived credit record management on AFS use.
Challenges confronting efficient port performance of selected countries in the Eastern Caribbean: what are the opportunities for Antigua and Barbuda?
Authors: Telemaque Darwin Terral
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on emerging issues threatening the Eastern Caribbean and to suggest how Antigua's Port Authority redevelopment can assist in solving a major challenge. The fact that the ports have not improved in key areas appears to be impacting the ability of carriers to maintain their service to the region. The ongoing development being undertaken in Antigua represents the first major Port improvement project ever undertaken within this part of the world. This article reflects the impact this new facility will have on Antigua and the surrounding islands.

Design/methodology/approach

The main inputs to this article were an extensive review of various regional and international journals and research projects; interviews with regional academics and port professionals; personal knowledge and experience and assessment of key industry data.

Findings

The continued departure of cargo lines from the region is an issue that requires urgent attention. Regional ports are not equipped with the infrastructure, technology, labor reforms and human resource capacity to entice new entries to the region. The displacement of cargo vessels by cruise ships also remains a major issue. The Port Authority of Antigua with its modern infrastructure and a cadre of technically trained people represents an option for a hub-and-spoke port and logistic operation.

Research limitations/implications

A follow-on study could usefully analyze the reduction in container lines serving the Caribbean/Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) between 1995 to the present day and the impact on trade and shipping costs.

Practical implications

If it can become a regional hub, the Antigua Port Authority can serve as a lifeline to struggling carriers. This could result in improved regional connectivity and profit improvement for the carriers. It could also encourage regional participation in investment and employment opportunities.

Social implications

The result of improving connectivity and intra-regional commerce will have a significant social impact within the OECS as economic integration improves. The free movement of people will finally be supported by the free movement of goods.

Originality/value

The article considers the concept of a dedicated container terminal within the Eastern Caribbean and the additional services being offered by the first Eastern Caribbean Port to upgrade its port infrastructure in the region.
Governing Intersystemic Systemic Risks: Lessons from Covid and Climate Change
Authors: Heyvaert Veerle
Published: March 2022

This article argues that contemporary regulation of climate change risks and zoonotic disease risks – two seminal risks of our era – is deficient because it fails to account for the most distinctive characteristics of their risk profiles. These risks are part of a special category of intersystemic systemic risks, which are ‘compound’ in nature: they possess the potential to cascade across different systems and entail a liability to exponential growth across numbers of linked systems. Moreover, climate change and zoonotic disease risks are globalised, ubiquitous and entrenched. Effective governance of intersystemic systemic risks demands proactive regulatory intervention at the early stages of risk creation, and reliance on a more balanced basket of regulatory measures than is currently available. For climate change as well as zoonotic disease risk control, this calls for greater investment in assessment requirements, a less permissive approach to planning and development consent, and a commitment to phase out unsustainable production processes.
Ability or social responsibility? Highlighting the effects of precrisis attitudinal foundations and certainty in product harm crises
Authors: Tao Weiting
Published: March 2022

Current corporate crisis literature is split on whether a good corporate reputation before a product harm crisis hurts or helps a company after the crisis. We argue that the current views on this issue miss two crucial elements: (1) the primary domain where the company's precrisis reputation lies in: corporate social responsibility contributions or corporate ability in providing quality products and services; and (2) consumers' attitude certainty developed from such precrisis reputation. Through an online experiment, our study not only provides a way to reconcile the current division in the literature but also provides insights for organizations to capitalize on their precrisis reputation when responding to the product harm crisis. Our results show that companies' precrisis reputation and consumer certainty developed from such a reputation matter more than companies' postcrisis communication in restoring consumer evaluations.
Co‐creating a Theory of Change to advance COVID‐19 testing and vaccine uptake in underserved communities
Authors: Stadnick Nicole A. , Cain Kelli L. , Oswald William , Watson Paul , Ibarra Marina , Lagoc Raphael , Ayers Lawrence O. , Salgin Linda , Broyles Shelia L. , Laurent Louise C. , Pezzoli Keith , Rabin Borsika
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To describe the use of a Theory of Change to meaningfully engage community members from or support underserved communities in two National Institutes of Health‐funded implementation science projects aimed at promoting equitable access to COVID‐19 testing and vaccination for underserved communities.

Study setting

Both projects focused on Latino, Black, and immigrant and refugee communities in South/Central San Diego and/or individuals accessing care at a federally qualified health center near the US/Mexico border during December 2020–April 2021.

Study design

By using a participatory action research design, Community Advisory Boards (CABs) were established for each project with 11 and 22 members. CAB members included community organizers, promotores de salud (community health workers), clinic providers and administrators, and public health researchers. The CABs were guided through a seven‐session Theory of Change process, focused on identifying necessary conditions that must exist to eliminate COVID‐19 disparities along with specified actions to create those conditions and a blueprint for assessing the impact of those actions.

Data collection

Each session lasted 2 h hosted virtually and was augmented by interactive web‐based activities. There was a live interpreter who facilitated the participation of Spanish‐speaking CAB members. A Theory of Change for each project was completed in approximately 4 months.

Principal findings

Nine necessary conditions were identified related to (1) accessible and available services; (2) culturally and linguistically competent programming; (3) investment in trusted community and faith leaders; (4) social safety nets to provide ancillary services. Corresponding actions to create these conditions and measures to indicate success in creating these conditions were operationalized by the CAB.

Conclusions

While resource‐intensive, a CAB‐led Theory of Change process yielded a rich opportunity to engage diverse groups that typically are not invited to inform these processes.
Engaging Veterans, caregivers, and system stakeholders to improve VA home and community‐based services
Authors: Leykum Luci K. , Finley Erin P. , Penney Lauren S. , Parish Johnson Julie , Pugh Jacqueline A. , Noel Polly H. ,   the Elizabeth Dole Center of Excellence for Veteran and Caregiver Research Team
Published: March 2022

Objective

To understand Veterans', caregivers', and stakeholders' perceptions of home‐based and caregiver support services and their suggestions for improvement to better align services with needs.

Data Sources

We identified Veterans and caregivers at four EDCoE sites using the VA high‐need, high‐risk list, representing Veterans who qualify for home‐based primary care. We randomly selected Veterans and their caregivers, stratifying by age. We also identified leaders and clinicians involved in clinical service delivery.

Study Design

Between February and November 2019, we conducted in‐person and telephone interviews and focus groups using semi‐structured questions tailored to each group, analyzing them through a rapid qualitative analysis approach and providing real‐time feedback to operational partners.

Data Collection

Thirty‐four Veterans, 24 caregivers, and 39 leaders and clinicians participated.

Principal Findings

Respondents identified key categories of experience that could be monitored and improved, including navigating an increasingly complex system, coordinating and communicating across services, and unmet household and financial needs. Veterans and caregivers described quality in terms of reliability, timeliness, standardization, and accountability. Summaries were created to contextualize results and to highlight gaps and opportunities for new measures and policy development.

Conclusions

Collaborating with Veterans, caregivers, and stakeholders enables us to understand their daily experiences and to develop meaningful approaches to evaluating services that incorporate their perspectives. Providing regular, actionable feedback to operational partners informs policy and operational initiatives, such as the scope of services and infrastructure for system navigation.
Safety culture and incident learning systems in radiation oncology: Staff perceptions across Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Adamson Laura , Beldham‐Collins Rachael , Sykes Jonathan , Thwaites David
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Radiation therapy has a highly complex pathway and uses detailed quality assurance protocols and incident learning systems (ILSs) to mitigate risk; however, errors can still occur. The safety culture (SC) in a department influences its commitment and effectiveness in maintaining patient safety.

Methods

Perceptions of SC and knowledge and understanding of ILSs and their use were evaluated for radiation oncology staff across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). A validated healthcare survey tool (the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture) was used, with additional specialty‐focussed supporting questions. A total of 220 radiation oncologists, radiation therapists and radiation oncology medical physicists participated.

Results

An overall positive SC was indicated, with strength in teamwork (83.7%), supervisor/manager/leader support (83.3%) and reporting events (77.1%). The weakest areas related to communication about error (63.9%), hospital‐level management support (60.5%) and handovers and information exchange (58.0%). Barriers to ILS use included ‘it takes too long’ and that many respondents must use multiple reporting systems, including mandatory hospital‐level systems. These are generally not optimal for specific radiation oncology needs. Varied understanding was indicated of what and when to report.

Conclusion

The findings report the ANZ perspective on ILS and SC, highlighting weaknesses, barriers and areas for further investigation. Differences observed in some areas suggest that a unified state, national or bi‐national ILS specific to radiation oncology might eliminate multiple reporting systems and reduce reporting time. It could also provide more consistent and robust approaches to incident reporting, information sharing and analysis.
Local social environment and the speed of leverage adjustment
Authors: Li Tongxia , Lu Chun
Published: March 2022

This study examines the impact of social capital on firms’ leverage adjustment speed. Using a comprehensive dataset of 83,374 firm‐year observations for 744 US counties for 1990–2016, we find that both underleveraged and overleveraged firms located in US counties with higher levels of social capital incur slower leverage adjustment towards their optimal target capital structure. This finding is robust to alternative measures of leverage and social capital, different model specifications, controlling for county‐ and firm‐level characteristics, and endogeneity. We further identify two mechanisms through which social capital affects leverage adjustments: monitoring (channel for underleveraged firms) and disciplinary (channel for overleveraged firms) mechanisms.
Editorial: MAFLD and outcome prediction—author’s reply
Authors: Decraecker Marie
Published: March 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Decraecker et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16760 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16776
Editorial: protecting hypoxia‐inducible factor 1a and gut integrity with GB004—a promising therapeutic approach for ulcerative colitis? Authors' reply
Authors: Danese Silvio , Levesque Barrett G. , Feagan Brian G. , Jucov Alina , Bhandari B. R. , Pai Rish K. , Meadows Kristen Taylor , Kirby Brian J. , Bruey Jean‐Marie , Olson Allan , Osterhout Robin , Van Biene Courtney , Ford Julia , Aranda Richard , Raghupathi Kartik , Sandborn William J.
Published: March 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Danese et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16753 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16761
A pilot study on bacterial isolates associated with purulent vaginal discharge in dairy cows in the south‐west region of Western Australia
Authors: Ludbey PA , Sahibzada S , Annandale CH , Robertson ID , Waichigo FK , Tufail MS , Valenzuela JL , Aleri JW
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to determine the bacterial isolates associated with postpartum endometritis among dairy cows in Western Australia and their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles. A cross‐sectional study was conducted between June–October 2020. Endometritis was defined as evidence of mucopurulent to purulent vaginal discharge 60–100 days postpartum. Vaginal discharge samples were obtained, cultured, identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. A total of 118 bacterial isolates were grown from 46 animals, representing 36 species. The bacteria isolated from both aerobic and anaerobic cultures included Bacillus (60.2%), Streptococcus (12.7%), Trueperella (10.1%), Escherichia (6.7%) and Staphylococcus (5.9%). The remaining genera <5% were Histophilus, Aeroccocus, Enterococcus and Moraxella. Resistance was variable between isolates, but the highest resistance levels were observed in Streptococcal and Bacillus isolates to enrofloxacin, clindamycin and erythromycin, respectively. All Streptococcal isolates exhibited 100% resistance to enrofloxacin, and the greatest resistance levels were found in Streptococcus luteinises to trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole 83%, clindamycin 66% and 33% quinupristin‐dalfopristin. There was 84.5% resistance to clindamycin and 35.2% to erythromycin in the Bacillus isolates, with the highest resistance found in Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis. Escherichia coli exhibited 12.5% resistance to gentamycin, ceftiofur, whereas amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid exhibited 37.5%. Within the Staphylococcal isolates, 28.5%, 28.5%, 42.8% and 14.2% resistance to ceftiofur, erythromycin, cefoxitin, penicillin and tetracycline were observed, respectively. The presence of resistance to important antimicrobials for human use, such as cephalosporins, macrolides and fluoroquinolones, highlights the need for judicious use of antimicrobials in dairy cattle.