bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A diverse panel of 755 bread wheat accessions harbors untapped genetic diversity in landraces and reveals novel genetic regions conferring powdery mildew resistance
Authors: Leber Rebecca , Heuberger Matthias , Widrig Victoria , Jung Esther , Paux Etienne , Keller Beat , Sánchez-Martín Javier 
Published: March 2023

AbstractWheat breeding for disease resistance relies on the availability and use of diverse genetic resources. More than 800,000 wheat accessions are globally conserved in gene banks, but they are mostly uncharacterized for the presence of resistance genes and their potential for agriculture. Based on the selective reduction of previously assembled collections for allele mining for disease resistance, we assembled a trait-customized panel of 755 geographically diverse bread wheat accessions with a focus on landraces, called the LandracePLUS panel. Population structure analysis of this panel based on the TaBW35K SNP array revealed an increased genetic diversity compared to 632 landraces genotyped in an earlier study and 17 high-quality sequenced wheat accessions. The additional genetic diversity found here mostly originated from Turkish, Iranian and Pakistani landraces. We characterized the LandracePLUS panel for resistance to ten diverse isolates of the fungal pathogen powdery mildew. Performing genome-wide association studies and dividing the panel further by a targeted subsetting approach for accessions of distinct geographical origin, we detected several known and already cloned genes, including thePm2agene. In addition, we identified 22 putatively novel powdery mildew resistance loci that represent useful sources for resistance breeding and for research on the mildew-wheat pathosystem. Our study shows the value of assembling trait-customized collections and utilizing a diverse range of pathogen races to detect novel loci. It further highlights the importance of integrating landraces of different geographical origins into future diversity studies.Key MessageA bread wheat panel reveals rich genetic diversity in Turkish, Pakistani, and Iranian landraces and novel resistance loci to diverse powdery mildew isolates via subsetting approaches in association studies.
Genetic regulation of fetal hemoglobin across global populations
Authors: Cato Liam D. , Li Rick , Lu Henry Y. , Yu Fulong , Wissman Mariel , Mkumbe Baraka S. , Ekwattanakit Supachai , Deelen Patrick , Mwita Liberata , Sangeda Raphael , Suksangpleng Thidarat , Riolueang Suchada , Bronson Paola G. , Paul Dirk S. , Kawabata Emily , Astle William J. , Aguet Francois , Ardlie Kristin , Lopez de Lapuente Portilla Aitzkoa , Kang Guolian , Zhang Yingze , Nouraie Seyed Mehdi , Gordeuk Victor R. , Gladwin Mark T. , Garrett Melanie E. , Ashley-Koch Allison , Telen Marilyn J. , Custer Brian , Kelly Shannon , Dinardo Carla Luana , Sabino Ester C. , Loureiro Paula , Carneiro-Proietti Anna Bárbara , Maximo Cláudia ,   NHLBI Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Consortium,   BIOS Consortium, Méndez Adriana , Hammerer-Lercher Angelika , Sheehan Vivien A. , Weiss Mitchell J. , Franke Lude , Nilsson Björn , Butterworth Adam S. , Viprakasit Vip , Nkya Siana , Sankaran Vijay G. 
Published: March 2023

1.AbstractHuman genetic variation has enabled the identification of several key regulators of fetal-to-adult hemoglobin switching, including BCL11A, resulting in therapeutic advances. However, despite the progress made, limited further insights have been obtained to provide a fuller accounting of how genetic variation contributes to the global mechanisms of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) gene regulation. Here, we have conducted a multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of 28,279 individuals from several cohorts spanning 5 continents to define the architecture of human genetic variation impacting HbF. We have identified a total of 178 conditionally independent genome-wide significant or suggestive variants across 14 genomic windows. Importantly, these new data enable us to better define the mechanisms by which HbF switching occursin vivo. We conduct targeted perturbations to define BACH2 as a new genetically-nominated regulator of hemoglobin switching. We define putative causal variants and underlying mechanisms at the well-studiedBCL11AandHBS1L-MYBloci, illuminating the complex variant-driven regulation present at these loci. We additionally show how rare large-effect deletions in theHBBlocus can interact with polygenic variation to influence HbF levels. Our study paves the way for the next generation of therapies to more effectively induce HbF in sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia.
Morbidity and mortality burden of COVID-19 in rural Madagascar: results from a longitudinal cohort and nested seroprevalence study
Authors: Garchitorena Andres , Rasoloharimanana Lova Tsikiniaina , Rakotonanahary Rado JL , Evans Michelle V , Miller Ann C. , Finnegan Karen E. , Cordier Laura F. , Cowley Giovanna , Razafinjato Benedicte , Randriamanambintsoa Marius , Andrianambinina Samuel , Popper Stephen , Hotahiene Raphaël , Bonds Matthew H. , Schoenhals Matthieu 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIntroductionThree years into the pandemic, there remains significant uncertainty about the true infection and mortality burden of COVID-19 in the WHO-Africa region. High quality, population-representative studies in Africa are rare and tend to be conducted in national capitals or large cities, leaving a substantial gap in our understanding of the impact of COVID-19 in rural, low-resource settings. Here, we estimated the spatio-temporal morbidity and mortality burden associated with COVID-19 in a rural health district of Madagascar until the first half of 2021.MethodsWe integrated a nested seroprevalence study within a pre-existing longitudinal cohort conducted in a representative sample of 1600 households in Ifanadiana District, Madagascar. Socio-demographic and health information was collected in combination with dried blood spots for about 6500 individuals of all ages, which were analysed to detect IgG and IgM antibodies against four specific proteins of SARS-CoV2 in bead-based multiplex immunoassay. We evaluated spatio-temporal patterns in COVID-19 infection history and its associations with several geographic, socio-economic and demographic factors via logistic regressions.ResultsEighteen percent of people had been infected by April-June 2021, with seroprevalence increasing with individuals’ age. COVID-19 primarily spread along the only paved road and in major towns during the first epidemic wave, subsequently spreading along secondary roads during the second wave to more remote areas. Wealthier individuals and those with occupations such as commerce and formal employment were at higher risk of being infected in the first wave. Adult mortality increased in 2020, particularly for older men for whom it nearly doubled up to nearly 40 deaths per 1000. Less than 10% of mortality in this period could be directly attributed to COVID-19 deaths given known infection fatality ratios and observed seroprevalence in the district.ConclusionOur study provides a very granular understanding on COVID-19 transmission and mortality in a rural population of sub-Saharan Africa and suggests that the disease burden in these areas may have been substantially underestimated.
Why does the European football market need a revolution?
Authors: Ruberti Massimo 
Published: March 2023

PurposeThis study explores the motivations underlying the European Super League (SL) breakaway attempt. While institutional settings bind football to tradition, investors conceive football companies as an opportunity to diversify their investments in a fast-growing technological industry. The study investigates the market structure and identifies the reasons behind the European football crisis, proposing to modify the role of Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) in the European football market.Design/methodology/approachAfter summarizing the unusual features of the European football market, the article displays the agents involved and their interrelations. Modeling the market facilitates picturing the misalignment of targets of regulatory bodies and football clubs. It also helps visualize the potential consequences of the SL coup on the market.FindingsThe market does not allow football companies to monetize their business and compete with other entertainment sectors. Only a radical change in the balance of power between clubs and self-interested institutional settings can settle this situation. Indeed, this relation leads to market inefficiency because the two most critical clubs' financial problems (the high dependence on broadcasting revenues and the uncontrolled expenditures on players' salaries) are linked to the same issue: the governing bodies strongly influence the profit equation by holding control of media rights and incentivizing clubs to overspend to win both on-field and off-field.Originality/valueThis study is the first to assess the football business market using an evolutionary approach to address its problems. It offers a visualizing tool to understand the market and proposes an alternative solution for solving the football market crisis.
Facilitators to improve whole-grain consumption among Malaysian adults: a qualitative study
Authors: Danaselvam Ugunesh , Siau Ching Sin , Mohd Sanip Mohd Nor Ahmar Bin , Koo Hui Chin 
Published: March 2023

PurposeThis study aims to explore the facilitators that could help to improve the consumption of whole grains in the Malaysian adult population.Design/methodology/approachA total of 30 individual in-depth interviews were conducted online. Malaysian adults aged a minimum of 18 years old and responsible for grocery shopping and food preparation at home were included in the study. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.FindingsMore than half of the participants were females (63.3%), with a mean age of 39.2 years old, and from urban areas (76.7%). Whole-grain cookbook development was the most commonly mentioned facilitator (100%), followed by cost reduction (86.7%), whole grains education (83.3%), awareness of whole grains (53.3%) and enhanced accessibility and availability of whole grains (63.3%). The least mentioned facilitator was improving product labelling (23.3%), creating a habit/lifestyle that encourages the consumption of whole grains in daily life (23.3%) and peer encouragement (10%).Research limitations/implicationsThis study addresses the facilitators that should be emphasised in future nutrition intervention studies. The cookbook was perceived to be an effective facilitator to improve the consumption of whole grains in Malaysia. The researchers anticipate that the study findings may improve whole-grain consumption among the Malaysian population.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to outline the facilitators to improve the consumption of whole grains amongst Malaysian adults.
Nexus between board characteristics, firm performance and intellectual capital: an emerging market evidence
Authors: Farooq Muhammad , Ahmad Naeem 
Published: March 2023

Purpose
This study aims to examine the moderating effect of intellectual capital (IC) in the relationship between board characteristics and firm performance of non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) from 2010 to 2019.

Design/methodology/approach
The modified value-added intellectual capital (MVAIC) was used to assess the efficiency of sample firms’ IC, which is a modified version of Pulic’s (2000) model VAIC that includes an additional component, rational capital efficiency. Board size, independence, board meetings, chief executive officier duality and board gender diversity are all measures of board characteristics. Firm performance is measured through return on assets, return on equity and earnings per share. The Hausman test was used to select the best model for the study.

Findings
Based on the regression results, the board’s gender diversity and duality have a significant inverse relationship with profitability. In terms of the impact of board characteristics on IC, it is discovered that board independence and diversity are significantly inversely related to IC. Furthermore, IC is significantly related to profitability by all means. In terms of the moderating effect of IC, the findings show that IC significantly moderates the negative relationship between duality and profitability, as well as board gender diversity and profitability.

Practical implications
This study made some policy recommendations to policymakers. Duality should be avoided in PSX firms because it is significantly inversely related to profitability and IC. Second, female board participation should be subjective. Third, because the findings indicate that Pakistani firms lack true board independence, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan should take additional steps to ensure that the board is truly independent.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to study the moderating effect of IC between corporate governance and firm performance.
Enforcement, corporate governance, and financial decisions
Authors: Mertzanis Charilaos , Nobanee Haitham , Basuony Mohamed A.K. , Mohamed Ehab K.A. 
Published: March 2023

Purpose
This study aims to analyze the impact of corporate governance on firms’ external financing decisions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors analyzed a unique set of panel data comprising 2,425 nonfinancial firms whose shares are traded on stock exchanges in countries in the MENA region. The authors fitted an ordinary least squares model to estimate the regression coefficients. The authors performed a sensitivity analysis using alternative measures of the critical variables and an endogeneity analysis using instrumental variable methods with plausible external instruments.

Findings
The results revealed that corporate governance characteristics of firms are strongly associated with their degree of leverage. They also showed that macrofinancial conditions, financial regulations, corporate governance enforcement and social conditions mitigate the impact of corporate governance on firms’ financing decisions.

Research limitations/implications
A larger sample size will further improve the results; however, this is difficult and depends on the extent to which increasing disclosure practices allow more corporate information to reach international databases.

Practical implications
This study provides new evidence on the role of corporate governance on firms’ financing decisions and documents the essential mitigating role of institutions, alerting managers to consider them.

Originality/value
This study is a novel attempt. Based on information from different data sources, this study explored the predictive power of corporate governance, ownership structures and other firm-specific characteristics in explaining corporate leverage in MENA countries. Overall, the analysis provides new evidence of the association between corporate governance and capital structure in the MENA region, highlighting the critical role of institutions.
Perceived financial performance in sport services firms: the role of HRM practices and innovation
Authors: Papaioannou Alkistis , Dimitropoulos Panagiotis , Koronios Konstantinos , Marinakos Konstantinos 
Published: March 2023

PurposeThe aim of the present study is to examine the impact of human resource (HR) practices (human resource empowerment, organizational culture and transformational leadership) on innovation activities as well as the effect of innovation activities on perceived financial performance within sport services firms.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed relationships were examined using empirical data from 172 managers of Greek sport services firms. Seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) analysis was used to investigate the role of human resource management (HRM) practices on innovation activities and whether innovation activities affected the perceived financial performance.FindingsThe results of the study indicated that HRM practices, such as human resource empowerment, organizational culture and transformational leadership, significantly impact innovation activities and subsequently innovation activities have a significant and positive effect on perceived financial performance as measured by satisfaction levels in relation to specific key performance indicators (KPIs) such as profit, ROI, sales volume and market share.Practical implicationsThis study presents useful theoretical and managerial implications that can be used by sport service firms to assess the effects of HRM practices on innovation activities and perceived financial performance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on several merits. Firstly, the authors jointly estimate the impact of HRM practices on innovation and its concurrent effect on perceived financial performance, which is not methodologically considered before. Secondly, the authors incorporate a more thorough measure of perceived financial performance including four dimensions of performance, and finally the authors analyze a larger sample of sport services firms relative to previous studies, leading into more concrete conclusion on the research hypotheses.
The study of the legal and judicial approach in India to the problem of gender inequality in the workplace
Authors: Singh Vijay P. 
Published: March 2023

Purpose
This study aims to analyse the present situation of gender inequality in the workplace in India, examine the legal provisions that address gender inequality in India and evaluate and assess the recommendations made to eliminate gender imbalance at workplaces in India.

Design/methodology/approach
This study will adopt an exploratory research design to help identify and describe the most pressing problems and developments in the field. For this purpose, a secondary data collection approach is adopted. This study will acquire data through secondary means. This study will gather secondary data through the course of existing literature, judicial decisions and other authentic and published sources.

Findings
Legislative and judicial efforts alone are not enough to achieve gender equality. The mindset of people, in general, has to change through awareness. Unless a law is supported by public opinion, it cannot achieve its goal.

Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to gender inequality in the workplace only. In addition, the judicial perspective on gender disparity in India is examined in this paper. As a result, the findings cannot be applied to other situations.

Originality/value
This study deals with gender inequality in the workplace from legal and judicial perspectives and discusses that social change can be brought only by enacting laws but by public awareness.
Cross-listing and noncompliance with the mandatory CSR expenditure regulation
Authors: Kumar Satish , Singh Geeta 
Published: March 2023

PurposeIn this paper, the authors examine the relation between cross-listing and the noncompliance with the mandatory corporate social responsibility (CSR) expenditure regulation in India, the first country to legally mandate the CSR expenditure.Design/methodology/approachThe authors apply panel logit and ordinary least square (OLS) regression models to examine the impact of cross-listing on the noncompliance with the mandatory CSR expenditure regulation because panel regression has lesser multicollinearity problems and has the benefit of controlling for individual or time heterogeneity mostly present in cross-section or time series data.FindingsUsing a sample of 1,027 listed Indian firms, the authors show that the cross-listed firms are more likely to comply with the mandatory CSR expenditure than non-cross-listed firms. The authors further show that this relation holds only for those firms which are exposed to higher agency problems, for firms affiliated to business groups and for firms operating in high litigation risk industries. Finally, the authors show that cross-listed firms complying with the mandatory CSR expenditure command more valuation premiums.Practical implicationsThis study’s results suggest that the noncompliance of the Indian firms with the mandatory CSR expenditure regulation comes down once they cross-list their shares in the US or the UK since such firms have to bond to the stronger corporate governance standards of the listed country. Hence, the authors recommend that merely making the investment in CSR activities mandatory may not serve the purpose and the convergence in corporate governance as well as compliance with the CSR expenditure can be achieved through cross-listing in US and UK markets.Originality/valueOne, the authors analyze the effect of cross-listing on the likelihood and magnitude of noncompliance with the CSR mandate. Two, this study is based in India where CSR expenditure has been made mandatory under the Companies Act, 2013. Using CSR mandate as a natural experiment, the authors have access to a richer data set on CSR in terms of the actual expenditure made by the company on CSR activities and the mandatory amount to be spent in a particular year.
Upcycling historical data collections. A paradigm for digital history?
Authors: Scheltjens Werner 
Published: March 2023

PurposeUpcycling is conceptualised as a digital historical research practice aimed at increasing the scientific value of historical data collections produced in print or in electronic form between the eighteenth and the late twentieth centuries. The concept of upcycling facilitates data rescue and reuse as well as the study of information creation processes deployed by previous generations of researchers.Design/methodology/approachBased on a selection of two historical reference works and two legacy collections, an upcycling workflow consisting of three parts (input, processing and documentation and output) is developed. The workflow facilitates the study of historical information creation processes based on paradata analysis and targets the cognitive processes that precede and accompany the creation of historical data collections.FindingsThe proposed upcycling workflow furthers the understanding of computational methods and their role in historical research. Through its focus on the information creation processes that precede and accompany historical research, the upcycling workflow contributes to historical data criticism and digital hermeneutics.Originality/valueMany historical data collections produced between the eighteenth and the late twentieth century do not comply with the principles of FAIR data. The paper argues that ignoring the work of previous generations of researchers is not an option, because it would make current research practices more vulnerable and would result in losing access to the experiences and knowledge accumulated by previous generations of scientists. The proposed upcycling workflow takes historical data collections seriously and makes them available for future generations of researchers.