bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unique structural features govern the activity of a human mitochondrial AAA+ disaggregase, Skd3
Authors: Cupo Ryan R. , Rizo Alexandrea N. , Braun Gabriel A. , Tse Eric , Chuang Edward , Southworth Daniel R. , Shorter James
Published: February 2022

The AAA+ protein, Skd3 (human CLPB), solubilizes proteins in the mitochondrial intermembrane space, which is critical for human health. Skd3 variants with impaired protein-disaggregase activity cause severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) and 3-methylglutaconic aciduria type 7 (MGCA7). Yet how Skd3 disaggregates proteins remains poorly understood. Here, we report a high-resolution structure of a Skd3-substrate complex. Skd3 adopts a spiral hexameric arrangement that engages substrate via pore-loop interactions in the nucleotide-binding domain (NBD). Unexpectedly, substrate-bound Skd3 hexamers stack head-to-head via unique, adaptable ankyrin-repeat domain (ANK)-mediated interactions to form dodecamers. Deleting the ANK-linker region reduces dodecamerization and disaggregase activity. We elucidate apomorphic features of the Skd3 NBD and C-terminal domain that regulate disaggregase activity. We also define how Skd3 subunits collaborate to disaggregate proteins. Importantly, SCN-linked subunits sharply inhibit disaggregase activity, whereas MGCA7-linked subunits do not. Our findings illuminate Skd3 structure and mechanism, explain SCN and MGCA7 inheritance patterns, and suggest therapeutic strategies.
Mitochondrial genomes in Perkinsus decode conserved frameshifts in all genes
Authors: Gornik Sebastian G. , Flores Victor , Reinhardt Franziska , Erber Lieselotte , Douvropoulou Olga , Lassadi Imen , Einarsson Elin , Mörl Mario , Git Anna , Stadler Peter F. , Pain Arnab , Waller Ross F.
Published: February 2022

Mitochondrial genomes of apicomplexans, dino-flagellates and chrompodellids, that collectively make up the Myzozoa, are uncommonly reduced in coding capacity and display divergent gene configuration and expression mechanisms. They encode only three proteins — COB, COX1, COX3 — contain rRNAs fragmented to ∼100-200 base pair elements, and employ extensive recombination, RNA trans-splicing, and RNA-editing for genome maintenance and expression. The early-diverging Perkinsozoa is the final major myzozoan lineage whose mitochondrial genomes remain poorly characterized. Previous reports of Perkinsus cox1 and cob partial gene sequences have indicated independent acquisition of non-canonical features, namely the occurrence of multiple frameshifts in both genes. To determine ancestral myzozoan mitochondrial genome features, as well as any novel ones in Perkinsozoa, we sequenced and assembled four Perkinsus species mitochondrial genomes. These data show a simple ancestral genome with the common reduced coding capacity, but one already prone to rearrangement. Moreover, we identified 75 frameshifts across the four species that are present in all genes, that are highly conserved in gene location, and that occur as four distinct types. A decoding mechanism apparently employs unused codons at the frameshift sites that advance translation either +1 or +2 frames to the next used codon. The locations of the frameshifts are seemingly positioned to regulate protein folding of the nascent protein as it emerges from the ribosome. COX3 is distinct in containing only one frameshift and showing strong selection against residues that are otherwise frequently encoded at the frameshift positions in COX3 and COB. All genes also lack cysteine codons implying a further constraint on these genomes with reduction to only 19 different amino acids. Furthermore, mitochondrion-encoded rRNA fragment complements are incomplete in Perkinsus spp. but some are found in the nuclear DNA, suggesting these may be imported into the organelle as for tRNAs. Perkinsus demonstrates additional remarkable trajectories of organelle genome evolution including pervasive integration of frameshift translation into genome expression.
Substrate Temperature and Seed Scarification on Germination Parameters of Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea)
Authors: Campbell Sean M. , Pearson Brian J. , Marble S. Christopher
Published: February 2022

Recent interest in the cultivation and use of butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) has increased demand for its commercial production. Successful germination of seed is a critical first step to its production; however, few studies have documented factors influential to germination success. To help support commercial production efforts, the influence of substrate temperature and seed scarification technique on germination parameters were evaluated. Two scarification (nicked and nicked and soaked) and three substrate temperature treatments (21, 24, and 27 °C) were imposed on C. ternatea seed. Following treatments, six germination parameters were recorded. Data showed seeds maintained at a substrate temperature of 21 °C reached maximal germination (54.8%) at the longest mean germination time (2.61 d) and slowest mean germination rate (0.39 d-1). Mechanical scarification by nicking the seed coat with a razor blade prior to soaking the seed for 24 hours reached maximal germination (80.95%) at the lowest mean germination time (2.06 d) and fastest mean germination rate (0.51 d-1). Optimal germination was attained when seed was scarified and soaked and then germinated in rockwool substrate maintained at a temperature (To) of 21 °C. Results provide commercial growers with production technique information helpful to fast and efficient germination of C. ternatea seed.
Spatiotemporal analysis of axonal autophagosome-lysosome dynamics reveals limited fusion events trigger two-step maturation
Authors: Cason Sydney E. , Mogre Saurabh S. , Holzbaur Erika L.F. , Koslover Elena F.
Published: February 2022

Macroautophagy is a homeostatic process required to clear cellular waste including aggregated proteins and dysfunctional organelles. Neuronal autophagosomes form constitutively in the distal tip of the axon and are actively transported toward the soma, with cargo degradation initiated en route. Cargo turnover requires autophagosomes to fuse with lysosomes to acquire degradative enzymes; however, the timing and number of these fusion events in the axon have proven difficult to detect using microscopy alone. Here we use a quantitative model, parameterized and validated using data from live and fixed imaging of primary hippocampal neurons, to explore the autophagosome maturation process on a cellular scale. We demonstrate that retrograde autophagosome motility is independent from lysosomal fusion, and that most autophagosomes fuse with only a few lysosomes by the time they reach the soma. Furthermore, our imaging and model results highlight the two-step maturation of the autophagosome: fusion with a lysosome or late endosome is followed by the slow degradation of the autophagosomal inner membrane before actual cargo degradation can occur. Together, rigorous quantitative measurements and mathematical modeling elucidate the dynamics of autophagosome-lysosome interaction and autophagosomal maturation in the axon.
Sex differences in the immediate extinction deficit and renewal of extinguished fear in rats
Authors: Binette Annalise N. , Totty Michael S. , Maren Stephen
Published: February 2022

Extinction learning is central to exposure-based behavioral therapies for reducing fear and anxiety in humans. However, patients with fear and anxiety disorders are often resistant to extinction. Moreover, trauma and stress-related disorders are highly prone to relapse and are twice as likely to occur in females compared to males, suggesting that females may be more susceptible to extinction deficits and fear relapse phenomena. In this report, we tested this hypothesis by examining sex differences in a stress-induced extinction learning impairment, the immediate extinction deficit (IED), and renewal, a common form of fear relapse. In contrast to our hypothesis, there were no sex differences in the magnitude of the immediate extinction deficit in two different rat strains (Long-Evans and Wistar). However, we did observe a sex difference in the renewal of fear when the extinguished conditioned stimulus was presented outside the extinction context. Male Wistar rats exhibited significantly greater renewal than female rats, a sex difference that has previously been reported after appetitive extinction. Collectively, these data reveal that stress-induced extinction impairments are similar in male and female rats, though the context-dependence of extinction is more pronounced in males.
Mitochondrial membrane potential acts as a retrograde signal to regulate cell cycle progression
Authors: Gorospe Choco Michael , Curbelo Alicia Herrera , Carvalho Gustavo , Marchhart Lisa , Niedźwiecka Katarzyna , Wanrooij Paulina H.
Published: February 2022

Mitochondria are central to numerous anabolic and catabolic pathways whereby mitochondrial dysfunction has a profound impact on metabolism and can manifest in disease. The consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction can be ameliorated by adaptive responses that rely on mito-cellular crosstalk to communicate mitochondrial distress to the rest of the cell. Such mito-cellular signaling slows cell cycle progression in mitochondrial-DNA deficient (ρ0) Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, but the initial trigger and the pathway mediating the response has remained unknown. Here, we show that decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) acts as the initial signal of mitochondrial stress that delays G1-to-S phase transition in both ρ0 and control cells. Accordingly, experimentally increasing ΔΨm was sufficient to restore timely cell cycle progression in ρ0 cells. Neither the RTG retrograde pathway nor central DNA damage checkpoint kinases were involved in mediating this form of mito-cellular communication. The identification of ΔΨm as a novel regulator of cell cycle progression may have implications for disease states involving mitochondrial dysfunction.
Abscisic Acid modulates neighbor proximity-induced leaf hyponasty in Arabidopsis
Authors: Michaud Olivier , Krahmer Johanna , Galbier Florian , Lagier Maud , Galvão Vinicius Costa , Ince Yetkin Çaka , Trevisan Martine , Knerova Jana , Dickinson Patrick , Hibberd Julian M. , Zeeman Samuel C. , Fankhauser Christian
Published: February 2022

Leaves of shade avoiding plants like Arabidopsis thaliana change their growth pattern and position in response to a low red to far-red ratio (LRFR) that is encountered in dense plant communities. In LRFR, transcription factors of the phytochrome interacting family (PIFs) are de-repressed. PIFs induce auxin production, which is required to promote leaf hyponasty thereby favoring access to unfiltered sunlight. Abscisic acid (ABA) has also been implicated in the control of leaf hyponasty. In addition, gene expression patterns suggest that LRFR regulates the ABA response. Here we show that, in leaves, LRFR leads to a rapid increase in ABA levels. Changes in ABA levels depend on PIFs, which regulate the expression of genes encoding isoforms of the enzyme catalyzing a rate-limiting step in ABA biosynthesis. Interestingly, ABA biosynthesis and signaling mutants have more erect leaves in white light but respond less to LRFR. Consistent with this, ABA application decreases the leaf angle in white light but this response is inhibited in LRFR. Tissue-specific interference with ABA signaling indicates that an ABA response is required in different cell types for LRFR-induced hyponasty. Collectively, our data indicate LRFR triggers rapid PIF-mediated ABA production. ABA plays a different role in controlling hyponasty in white light compared to LRFR. Moreover, ABA exerts its activity in multiple cell types to control leaf position.

One sentence summary

Abscisic acid biosynthesis and signaling are required to promote leaf hyponasty in response to a drop in the red to far-red ratio.
RBBP6 activates the pre-mRNA 3′ end processing machinery in humans
Authors: Boreikaite Vytaute , Elliott Thomas S. , Chin Jason W. , Passmore Lori A.
Published: February 2022

3′ end processing of most human mRNAs is carried out by the cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor (CPSF; CPF in yeast). Endonucleolytic cleavage of the nascent pre-mRNA defines the 3′ end of the mature transcript, which is important for mRNA localization, translation, and stability. Cleavage must therefore be tightly regulated. Here, we reconstituted specific and efficient 3′ endonuclease activity of human CPSF with purified proteins. This required the seven-subunit CPSF as well as three additional protein factors: cleavage stimulatory factor (CStF), cleavage factor IIm (CFIIm), and, importantly, the multidomain protein RBBP6. Unlike its yeast homolog Mpe1, which is a stable subunit of CPF, RBBP6 does not copurify with CPSF and is recruited in an RNA-dependent manner. Sequence and mutational analyses suggest that RBBP6 interacts with the WDR33 and CPSF73 subunits of CPSF. Thus, it is likely that the role of RBBP6 is conserved from yeast to humans. Overall, our data are consistent with CPSF endonuclease activation and site-specific pre-mRNA cleavage being highly controlled to maintain fidelity in mRNA processing.
Somatic structural variant formation is guided by and influences genome architecture
Authors: Sidiropoulos Nikos , Mardin Balca R. , Rodríguez-González F. Germán , Bochkov Ivan D. , Garg Shilpa , Stütz Adrian M. , Korbel Jan O. , Aiden Erez Lieberman , Weischenfeldt Joachim
Published: February 2022

The occurrence and formation of genomic structural variants (SVs) is known to be influenced by the 3D chromatin architecture, but the extent and magnitude have been challenging to study. Here, we apply Hi-C to study chromatin organization before and after induction of chromothripsis in human cells. We use Hi-C to manually assemble the derivative chromosomes following the occurrence of massive complex rearrangements, which allows us to study the sources of SV formation and their consequences on gene regulation. We observe an action–reaction interplay whereby the 3D chromatin architecture directly impacts the location and formation of SVs. In turn, the SVs reshape the chromatin organization to alter the local topologies, replication timing, and gene regulation in cis. We show that SVs have a strong tendency to occur between similar chromatin compartments and replication timing regions. Moreover, we find that SVs frequently occur at 3D loop anchors, that SVs can cause a switch in chromatin compartments and replication timing, and that this is a major source of SV-mediated effects on nearby gene expression changes. Finally, we provide evidence for a general mechanistic bias of the 3D chromatin on SV occurrence using data from more than 2700 patient-derived cancer genomes.
Inhibition of Schistosoma mansoni carbonic anhydrase by the antiparasitic drug clorsulon: X-ray crystallographic and in vitro studies
Authors: Ferraroni Marta , Angeli Andrea , Carradori Simone , Supuran Claudiu T.
Published: February 2022

Clorsulon is an anthelmintic drug that is clinically used against Fasciola hepatica. Due to the presence of two sulfonamide moieties in its core nucleus, which are well recognized as zinc-binding groups, it was proposed that it may be efficacious in the inhibition of parasite carbonic anhydrases (CAs). Proteomic analyses revealed the presence of CA in the tegument of Schistosoma mansoni, and recently the druggability of this target was explored by testing the inhibitory activities of several sulfonamide-based derivatives. According to the principles of drug repurposing, the aim was to demonstrate a putative new mechanism of action of clorsulon and thus widen its antiparasitic spectrum. For this purpose, the inhibitory activity and isoform selectivity of clorsulon was studied using human CA I and S. mansoni CA, revealing different modes of binding of clorsulon that explain its inhibitory potency against the two enzymes. The information obtained in this study could be crucial in the design of more active and selective derivatives.
Bridging the rural digital divide: avoiding the user churn of rural public digital cultural services
Authors: Wang Meng , Hua Yuwen , Sun Honglei Lia , Chen Ya
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The user churn (UC) of rural public digital cultural services (RPDCS) indicates that rural users no longer use RPDCS or have switched to other services. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing RPDCS's UC and to contribute toward bridging the rural digital divide.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the stimulus-organism-response theory, this study proposes a theoretical framework to investigate the factors influencing RPDCS's user churn. A total of 120 RPDCS users were initially recruited and 90 representative participants were chosen. Data were collected from the 90 respondents and 20 follow-up interviews. To examine the proposed framework and validate the correlations between these factors and UC, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple regression analysis were used. In addition, recommendations are made to avoid the UC of RPDCS to bridge the rural digital divide.

Findings

The results indicate that the UC of RPDCS was stimulated by both physical and ability divides and RPDCS ineffectiveness, resulting in increased churn rates and an exacerbated digital divide. Thus, avoiding the UC of RPDCS is an important way to bridge the rural digital divide, which includes both the physical and ability divides.

Originality/value

This study adds new knowledge about RPDCS and distinguishes it from previous research on public digital cultural services. In addition, the authors discuss how to avoid the UC of RPDCS, to bridge the rural digital divide.
Managing food wastage in hotels: discrepancies between injunctive and descriptive norms amongst hotel food and beverage managers
Authors: Goh Edmund , Okumus Bendegul , Jie Ferry , Djajadikerta Hadrian Geri , Lemy Diena Mutiara
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the present research is to examine the underlying motivations of food and beverage (F&B) hotel managers towards their intentions to implement food wastage initiatives in the Indonesian hotel sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Using in-depth personal interviews with 26 F&B managers, this study employed the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to explain F&B managers' intentions towards implementing food wastage initiatives.

Findings

The study findings revealed prevailing constraints (such as lack of resources and rigid menu design) preventing them from carrying out their food wastage plan. There was evidence of disparity between who the F&B managers perceive about as important (injunctive norms) and supportive about their food wastage initiatives as compared to the perceived actual behaviour (descriptive norms) of these important reference groups. One such discrepancy is where respondents believe that senior management is important and would support their food wastage initiatives, but the senior management themselves do not allocate resources to combat food wastage.

Practical implications

The findings have important implications for hoteliers to rethink and motivate hotel employees to carry out food wastage initiatives effectively with a more synchronized approach between different management levels.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to examine the discrepancy between injunctive and descriptive norms between middle and senior management in hotels. A key theoretical contribution to the body of knowledge is the fractionation of injunctive and descriptive norms to understand subjective norms in TPB elicitation research.
The development of residential spatial configuration for visual privacy in Iranian dwellings, a space syntax approach
Authors: Khozaei Ravari Fatemeh , Hassan Ahmad Sanusi , Abdul Nasir Muhammad Hafeez , Mohammad Taheri Mohsen
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The study's main objective is to evaluate the morphological developments in the characteristics of the spatial configurations of the residential layouts in Kerman, Iran, in examining the impact on the level of visual privacy through the spectrum of permeability and wayfinding in space syntax analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, plan graph analysis is used to measure the syntactic properties of seven topological residential architecture plans in Kerman, Iran, built from the 1970s to 2010s. The methodology involves the development of mathematical measurements to signify permeability and simulation of visibility graph analysis (VGA) to indicate wayfinding.

Findings

The findings reveal the residential layouts of Iranian houses tend to be less integrated over decades of design development from the 1970s to 2010s. Reduction in spatial integration corresponds to increase segregation allowing for enhanced visual privacy. The study underpins that, even with the constraints in the scale of the house and reduction in the number of nodes, as evident in the design of the modern residential layout, the efficient level of visual privacy is still achievable with regards to the standards demanded by the local culture.

Originality/value

The study examines the development in residential spatial configuration and building scale on visual privacy through a proposed methodology based on the level of permeability and wayfinding measured as a combined effect using the space syntax analysis and visual accessibility.
Regional business cycles in emerging economies: a review of the literature
Authors: Padilla Alcides , Quintero Otero Jorge David
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This article offers a review of the literature on regional business cycles (BCs) in emerging economies. The objective is synthesizing the existing studies based on theoretical, empirical and methodological approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological framework includes the following stages: research questions, bibliography location, the selection of articles and the evaluation of the literature, analysis and synthesis, and the reporting and use of results.

Findings

The evidence suggests that expansionary phases last longer than recessions'; public expenditure shows a pro-cyclical behavior; and factors such as productive structure and international trade explain the synchronization of regional BCs.

Originality/value

Up until now, there is no research that performs a review of regional BCs in emerging economics.
Pharmaceutical business ecosystem governance and new product development success
Authors: Pomegbe Wisdom Wise Kwabla , Dogbe Courage Simon Kofi , Borah Prasad Siba
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This current study seeks to examine the effect of pharmaceutical business ecosystem (BE) governance mechanisms on new product development and to ascertain how crucial firm coordination will be in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis was based on 173 firms (institutions) selected from pharmaceutical BE. Various validity and reliability checks were conducted before the presentation of the actual analysis, which was conducted using structural equation modeling in Amos (v.23).

Findings

Findings showed that both relational and contractual governance mechanisms had direct positive effects on new product development of keystone. These effects were, however, partially mediated by coordination among the pharmaceutical BE members.

Practical implications

The development of COVID-19 vaccines across the globe has taught us that innovation and speedy development of pharmaceutical drugs are very essential. New product development success could however be achieved through effective coordination and proper governance mechanisms.

Originality/value

Business ecosystem, considered a network of actors, with varying degrees of multilateral, nongeneric complementarities and nonhierarchically controlled relationship, tends to pose problems for keystones. Very limited attention has however been paid to the governance mechanisms and coordination within the BE, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, which has proved its worth in this season of COVID-19.
The impact of the board of directors on corporate social performance: a multivariate approach
Authors: Radu Camélia , Smaili Nadia , Constantinescu Adela
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study investigates the relation between the board of directors' attributes and corporate social performance. The authors examine three board of directors: characteristics, size, independence and gender diversity, and how they interact with industry to affect corporate social performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a multivariate approach to analyze and compare the effects of governance variables on two aspects of corporate social performance, its environmental and social dimensions.

Findings

Based on a sample of 983 firm-year observations, our main findings indicate that board independence, size and gender diversity each has a different impact on the environmental and social dimensions of performance, but that industrial sector moderates these effects. In particular, our results show that board member independence is positively associated with the environmental dimension of the performance of all the sample industries, but only has a positive association with the social dimension when the firms are in industries other than those that are environmentally sensitive. For these latter industries, board independence is negatively associated with the social dimension. Board size is positively associated with the environmental dimension for environmentally sensitive industries only and with the social dimension for all the industries examined, with a stronger positive effect on the latter in regard to environmentally sensitive industries.

Research limitations/implications

Women directors appear to raise social and environmental concerns within the board, as evidenced by their positive effect on the firms' social and environmental performance, with a stronger impact on the former.

Practical implications

Regulators can promote changes to the way Canadian companies select directors for the purpose of achieving sustainable performance while investors will be better informed about the impact of some of the board attributes on the environmental and social dimension of performance.

Originality/value

This study provides a portrait of the impact of governance attributes on the environmental and social dimension of performance of Canadian companies. Given the increasing interest in gender diversity in recent years, this study provides new evidence on the benefits of female board members for the two non-financial dimensions of performance.
Development of the first telepsychology initiative in Haiti in response to COVID-19
Authors: Jean-Charles Wismick , McGee Jocelyn Shealy , Jean-Baptiste Marie Judith , Joseph Vanessa Irlande , Rouzier Doris Gracita
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and implementation of the first telepsychology initiative in Haiti. Haiti is the world’s first black-led republic. It is also the only nation established by slave revolt and the first independent Caribbean state. In this case study, the development and pilot implementation of the first telepsychology initiative in the country of Haiti is described. The initiative was designed to provide psychoeducational and emotional support to community members and frontline health workers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in this under-resourced country.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-stakeholder approach was used and brought together local, national and international partners from governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as the academic community. Program data was collected from May 2020 through November 2021. The initiative was implemented across four regions of Haiti: Nord, Artibonite, Reste-Quest and Sud.

Findings

A total of 701 individuals received telepsychology services. More community members participated (n = 508 sessions) than frontline health workers (n = 193 sessions). Service utilization ranged from one to four counseling sessions. Initial data suggest that telepsychology is a potentially acceptable and feasible option to increase access to mental health services in Haiti. Significant logistical and cultural concerns must be taken into consideration to refine services.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the telepsychology initiative is the first of its kind and may serve as an exemplar for other similar countries with limited mental health resources. The authors provide information on successes, barriers and lessons learned as well as recommendations for enhancing services.
Use of in-house internal audit functions in New Zealand
Authors: Prasad Nishaal , Hay David , Chen Li
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine which factors explain the use of an in-house internal audit function (IAF) in a voluntary setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the foundations of agency and resource-based theory, this study examines a unique data set from the New Zealand setting, which combines information obtained from The Institute of Internal Auditors of New Zealand with empirical firm data collected from publicly available sources. Multivariate analysis is performed to test the prediction that in-house IAF use is associated with factors such as strong corporate governance, firm size, risk, complexity and firm ownership structure.

Findings

There is strong evidence that larger organisations are more likely to use an in-house IAF. The authors also find that listed firms and organisations that use a Big Four auditor are less likely to use in-house-based IAF. The authors learn that the IAF investment decision is dominantly influenced by a firm’s ability to fund an in-house IAF as compared to the IAF being used as a resource to improve firm performance to achieve sustained competitive advantage. This implies that IAFs need to ensure cost efficiency and eliminate unnecessary overheads and demonstrate and make visible the benefits the function offers to the host organisation.

Originality/value

The unique New Zealand setting, where the establishment and use of an IAF are voluntary, provides an environment to study factors that promote demand for internal audit services. Research implications are applicable to most parts of the world, including the UK, EU nations and the Asia-Pacific region, where IAF use is voluntary.
Assessing fiscal health of local governments in Bangladesh: evidence from some south-western municipalities
Authors: Mamun Tasnim Murad , Chowdhury Sajib
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Status of fiscal health of local governments helps in determining planned budget and realistic action plan for citizens’ wellbeing. This paper aims to assess the fiscal health of local governments in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology

Using data from 18 south-western municipalities of Bangladesh during the fiscal year 2018–19, this research measures fiscal health by applying Wang, Dennis and Tu’s solvency test and Brown’s Ten-Point Test.

Findings

The result shows that one-tenth of the entire municipalities are endowed with better position, whereas almost 39 percent of municipalities are in the worst situation and nearly 50 percent of municipalities are in the average category. Because of having limited liabilities, the municipalities are endowed with more than enough cash solvency and reasonable level of long-run solvency. The key problems are that budgetary solvency of all municipalities is not satisfactory, and service expenses are more than their revenue generation. This study suggests improving the financial capabilities of the municipalities through properly using their resources, generating loans, and claiming a need-based budget from the central government.

Originality

The paper investigates the status of fiscal solvency of local governments in Bangladesh in a new dimension. The findings might be helpful to policymakers in budgeting for development initiatives of local governments in Bangladesh so that citizens’ better wellbeing is ensured.
Effect of heparin drug loading on biodegradable polycaprolactone–iron pentacarbonyl powder blend stents fabricated by solvent cast 3D printing
Authors: Singh Jasvinder , Pandey Pulak Mohan , Kaur Tejinder , Singh Neetu
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to fabricate pre-existing geometries of the stents using solvent cast 3D printing (SC3P) and encapsulation of each stent with heparin drug by using aminolysis reaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The iron pentacarbonyl powder and poly-ɛ-caprolactone blend (PCIP) were used to print stent designs of Art18z, Palmaz-Schatz and Abbott Bvs1.1. The properties of antithrombosis, anticoagulation and blood compatibility were introduced in the stents by conjugation of heparin drug via the aminolysis process. The aminolysis process was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy due to presence of amide group and nitrogen peak in the respective analysis. Biological studies were performed to depict the cell viability, hemocompatibility and antithrombotic properties. Besides, mechanical behaviors were analyzed to study the behavior of the stents under radial compression load and bending load.

Findings

The amount of heparin immobilized on the Art18z, Palmaz-Schatz and Abbott Bvs1.1 stents were 255 ± 27, 222 ± 30 and 212 ± 13 µg, respectively. The cell viability studies using L929 fibroblast cells confirmed the cytocompatibility of the stents. The heparinized SC3P printed stents displayed excellent thrombo-resistance, anticoagulation properties and hemocompatibility as confirmed by blood coagulation analysis, platelet adhesion test and hemolysis analysis. Besides, mechanical behavior was found in context of the real-life stents. All these assessments confirmed that the developed stents have the potential to be used in the real environment of coronary arteries.

Originality/value

Various customized shaped biodegradable stents were fabricated using 3D printing technique and encapsulated with heparin drug using aminolysis process.
Effects of various processing parameters on the mechanical properties and dimensional accuracies of Prosopis chilensis/PES composites produced by SLS
Authors: Li Jian , Bolad Aboubaker Idriss , Guo Yanling , Wang Yangwei , Elfaki Elkhawad Ali , Adam Shareef Aldoom Abdallah , Ahmed Gafer Abd Alhamid Mohammad
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The range of applications of the currently available biomass selective laser sintering (SLS) parts is limited and low-quality. This study aims to demonstrate the effects of the various processing parameters on the dimensional accuracy, bending strength, tensile strength, density and impact strength of the Prosopis chilensis/polyethersulfone (PES) composites (PCPCs) that were produced by SLS. The various processing parameters are laser power, scan speed, preheating temperature, scan spacing and layer thickness. In addition, the authors’ studied the effects of PCP particle size on the mechanical properties of the PCPCs.

Design/methodology/approach

The PCPC specimens were printed using an AFS SLS machine (additive manufacturing). The bending, tensile and impact strengths of the specimens were measured using a universal tensile tester. The dimensional accuracy of the bending specimens was determined by a Vernier caliper. The formability of the PCPC at various mixing ratios of the raw materials was earlier investigated by single-layer sintering experiments (Idriss et al., 2020b). The microstructure and particle distribution of the various PCPC specimens were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Findings

The mechanical strengths (bending, tensile and impact strengths and density) and the dimensional accuracy of the PCPC SLS parts were directly and inversely proportional, respectively, to the laser power and preheating temperature. Furthermore, the mechanical strengths and dimensional accuracy of the PCPC SLS parts were inversely and directly proportional, respectively, to the scanning speed, scan spacing and layer thickness.

Practical implications

PCPC is an inexpensive, energy-efficient material that can address the drawbacks of the existing SLS parts. It is also eco-friendly because it lowers the pollution and CO2 emissions that are associated with waste disposal and SLS, respectively. The optimization of the processing parameters of SLS in this study produced high-quality PCPC parts with high mechanical strengths and dimensional accuracy that could be used for the manufacture of the roof and wooden floors, construction components and furniture manufacturing.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to elucidate the impact of the various SLS processing parameters on the mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy of the sintered parts. Furthermore, novel PCPC parts were produced in this study by SLS.
Relative density prediction of additively manufactured Inconel 718: a study on genetic algorithm optimized neural network models
Authors: Lu Cuiyuan , Shi Jing
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The quality and properties of Inconel 718 (IN718) from selective laser melting (SLM), a major additive manufacturing (AM) process, have been studied extensively. Among all aspects of quality, relative density (RD) is most widely investigated, and it significantly affects the mechanical properties of SLM-ed materials. This study aims to develop robust RD prediction models based on the data accumulated in literature using machining learning approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

By mining the literature of SLM-ed IN718, a comprehensive data set is created, which consists of the four major process parameters of laser power, scan speed, hatch spacing, layer thickness and RD data. A back propagation neural network (BPNN) model, along with its two optimized models: genetic algorithm (GA) optimized BPNN (GA-BPNN) and adaptive GA optimized BPNN (AGA-BPNN) models are created for predicting the RD of SLM-ed IN718, and their prediction performances are compared.

Findings

Overall, satisfactory prediction accuracies are obtained – the R2 values of the built BPNN, GA-BPNN and AGA-BPNN models are 73.5%, 75.3% and 79.9%, respectively. This also shows that by incorporating the optimization technique, the prediction accuracy of BPNN is improved and AGA-BPNN has the highest accuracy. Moreover, SLM experiments are conducted to test the model predictability. It is found that the predictions generally agree well with the experiment data, and the order of the model prediction accuracies is consistent with that based on the literature data.

Originality/value

This research highlights that by mining literature data, prediction models of RD of SLM-ed IN718 can be obtained with satisfactory performance, which consider more process parameters and cover wider parameter ranges than any individual studies, in a cost-effective manner.
Sustainable consumption practices in Indian households: a saga of environment management linked to Indian ethos and generational differences
Authors: Kaur Jaspreet , Mogaji Emmanuel , Wadera Deepti , Gupta Sangeeta
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the domestic sustainable consumption practices in Indian households and the motivations to do so. These practices also contribute to environment management and its impact on Indian society through the action of reusing, reducing and recycling of consumed products for two generations, namely, the Baby Boomer and the Generation Z.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory qualitative research was undertaken in which the data were collected through personal interview technique with 64 respondents including males and females from the generations of Baby Boomers and Generation Z of Indian households.

Findings

The theoretical framework of the 3R was extended to inculcate broader themes like awareness, action and motivation for the domestic sustainable activities. The findings conclude that the domestic sustainable consumption practices of Baby Boomers in India were far more advanced than their Generation Z counterparts. These two generations differed in their awareness sources, actions of sustainability and the motivations for undergoing the domestic sustainable activities. Managerial implications have been framed for organisations like start-ups, sustainable firms, government organisations and second-hand product vendors. These practices in such organisations could help in the enhancement of circular economy through the domestic waste disposal.

Practical implications

Practical implications are for organisations that can consider the domestic sustainability consumption practices while planning their strategies to maximise stakeholder satisfaction through their corporate social responsibility initiatives and create more goodwill and growth avenues for their businesses.

Originality/value

Where most of the past literature concentrates on the supply chain and manufacturing initiatives of sustainability or sustainable consumption, very few studies look at the angle of domestic sustainability initiative and how they could be linked to the initiative of circular economy. This paper fills this gap in past literature.
ldhA‐induced persister in Escherichia coli is formed through accidental SOS response via intracellular metabolic perturbation
Authors: Yamamoto Naoki , Ohno Yurino , Tsuneda Satoshi
Published: February 2022

Persisters are a subpopulation that exhibit growth suppression, antibiotic tolerance, and regrowth after antibiotic removal, without any genetic mutations, which causes the recalcitrance and recurrence of infectious diseases. Persisters are majorly induced through the repression of energy metabolism, but some exceptions have been reported. We have previously shown that ldhA, which encodes lactate dehydrogenase, induces Escherichia coli persisters, resulting in a state of high‐energy metabolism. However, the detailed mechanism of persister formation upon ldhA expression remains elusive. In the present study, we focused on the SOS response pathway via the DNA repair pathway that consumes adenosine triphosphate and revealed that the SOS response pathway is activated upon ldhA expression even before antimicrobial treatment. Metabolome analysis of ldhA‐overexpressing cells revealed that nucleotide metabolic pathways, such as de novo purine biosynthesis, were activated to prepare a nucleotide pool, as substrate for repairing ofloxacin‐induced DNA damage. We provide a novel persister model that contributes to survival as a species by “accidentally” activating the SOS response even before receiving antimicrobial stress.
The Rochford review, pre‐key stage standards and the engagement model – what does it all mean to schools for children with SLD and PMLD?
Authors: Hinchcliffe Vivian
Published: February 2022

The Rochford Review heralded new arrangements for statutory assessment for children with SLD and PMLD working below the national curriculum standard. New assessment arrangements, the pre‐key stage standards and the engagement model, relate to two groups of pupils: pupils ‘not yet engaged’ and pupils ‘engaged’ in subject‐specific study. This article looks at what these terms mean and examines what is involved in the new assessment arrangements.
Interpreting young people's self‐expression through characters and relationships in collaborative creative writing
Authors: De Carvalho Eloise , Skipper Yvonne
Published: February 2022

White Water Writers is an intervention that offers school pupils the opportunity to collaboratively write a novel in a week. The current study uses thematic analysis to interpret the voices of young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities through the characters and relationships created in this fictional writing. The main themes derived from the data were: heroism and villainy, associated with characteristics such as responsibility and control; fictional powers, linking to personal agency; social relations, including positive relationships with peers and authority figures; and anthropomorphism, for exploring new emotions and interactions between humans and animals. This suggests that creative writing may be a useful lens through which to explore young people's views of their lived experiences.
Identifying aroma‐active compounds in coffee‐flavored dairy beverages
Authors: Mahmud M. M. Chayan , Keast Russell , Mohebbi Mohammadreza , Shellie Robert A.
Published: February 2022

Coffee aroma is a complex mixture of volatile compounds. This study characterized the important aroma‐active compounds associated with consumer liking in formulated coffee‐flavored dairy beverages. Nine coffee‐flavored dairy beverages were formulated: low fat–low coffee; medium fat–low coffee; high fat–low coffee; low fat–medium coffee; medium fat–medium coffee; high fat–medium coffee; low fat–high coffee; medium fat–high coffee; and high fat–high coffee. Regular coffee consumers, (n = 231) used a nine‐point hedonic scale to rate acceptance of aroma. Volatile compounds were extracted by head space‐solid phase micro‐extraction (HS‐SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry‐olfactometry (GC‐MS‐O) using a modified frequency (MF) approach. Fifty‐two aroma‐active compounds were detected. Thirty‐one aroma‐active compounds were considered important compounds with MF‐value ≥ 50%. The total number of aroma‐active compounds and their intensity were affected because of fat and coffee concentration. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was performed to determine the relationship between aroma‐active compounds and liking. PLSR analysis identified three groups of compounds regarding liking. Twenty‐five compounds were associated with positive liking, for example, 2‐(methylsulfanylmethyl) furan (coffee like). Sixteen compounds were negatively associated with liking, for example, 2‐methoxyphenol (bacon, medicine like). Eleven detected compounds had no association with liking, for example, butane‐2,3‐dione (butter, fruit like).

Practical Application: The result of this study may be applied to formulate coffee‐flavored dairy beverages to maximize consumer acceptance and aroma‐liking. This study suggested too low coffee concentration is not desirable. Too much fat affects aroma release and/or alters the characteristic coffee flavor which negatively affects consumer acceptance.
Effect ofCPP‐ACPmodified‐GICon prevention of demineralization in comparison to other fluoride‐containing restorative materials
Authors: Sobh EG , Hamama HH , Palamara JEA , Mahmoud SH , Burrow MF
Published: February 2022

Background

This study evaluated the ability of a CPP‐ACP‐modified Glass–ionomer cement (GIC) to inhibit demineralization around the margins of cervical cavities in natural teeth in comparison with a Giomer and conventional GIC with and without coating.

Methods

Thirty‐two sound human molars were used. Box‐shaped cavities were prepared along the CEJ. Teeth were randomly divided into four groups and restored with Equia Forte Fil, Coated Equia Forte Fil, Fuji VII EP or Beautifil II. Teeth were subjected to pH cycling. Micromorphological and elemental analyses were done using SEM and EDX. Polarized light microscope analysis and microhardness tests were also performed.

Results

Microhardness tests on enamel showed a significant difference between the coated Equia group, Equia and Beautifil II groups (P < 0.05). Dentine results showed significant differences between the coated Equia group and all other groups (P < 0.05). Elemental analysis showed significant differences in calcium weight percentage among the first and second observation levels in all groups (P < 0.05). A significant difference was found between the coated Equia group and the other three groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

All tested materials showed some ability to resist demineralization at the restoration margins. The coated GIC restoration showed better outcomes compared with the other tested materials.