bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a novel high-throughput screen for the identification of new inhibitors of protein S-acylation
Authors: Salaun Christine , Takizawa Hiroya , Galindo Alex , Munro Kevin R. , McLellan Jayde , Sugimoto Isamu , Okino Tomotaka , Tomkinson Nicholas C.O. , Chamberlain Luke H. 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTProtein S-acylation is a reversible post-translational modification that modulates the localisation and function of many cellular proteins. S-acylation is mediated by a family of zinc finger DHHC domain-containing proteins encoded by 23 distinct ZDHHC genes in the human genome. These enzymes catalyse S-acylation in a two-step process involving “auto-acylation” of the cysteine residue in the catalytic DHHC motif followed by transfer of the acyl chain to a substrate cysteine. S-acylation is essential for many fundamental physiological processes, and there is growing interest in zDHHC enzymes as novel drug targets for a range of disorders. However, there is currently a lack of chemical modulators of S-acylation either for use as tool compounds or for potential development for therapeutic purposes. In this study, we developed and implemented a novel FRET-based high throughput assay for the discovery of compounds that interfere with auto-acylation of zDHHC2, an enzyme that is implicated in neuronal S-acylation pathways. A screen of >350,000 compounds identified two related tetrazole containing compounds (TTZ-1 and -2) that inhibited both zDHHC2 auto-acylation and substrate S-acylation in cell-free systems. Furthermore, these compounds were also active in HEK293T cells, where they inhibited substrate S-acylation mediated by different zDHHC enzymes, with some apparent isoform selectivity. Resynthesis of the hit compounds confirmed their activity, providing sufficient quantities of material for further investigations. The assays developed herein provide novel strategies to screen for zDHHC inhibitors, and the identified compounds add to the chemical toolbox for interrogating the cellular activities of S-acylation and zDHHC enzymes.
Biomolecular condensation orchestrates clathrin-mediated endocytosis in plants
Authors: Dragwidge Jonathan Michael , Wang Yanning , Brocard Lysiane , Meyer Andreas De , Hudeček Roman , Eeckhout Dominique , Grones Peter , Buridan Matthieu , Chambaud Clément , Pejchar Přemysl , Potocký Martin , Winkler Joanna , Vandorpe Michael , Serre Nelson , Fendrych Matyáš , Bernard Amelie , Jaeger Geert De , Pleskot Roman , Fang Xiaofeng , Damme Daniël Van 
Published: March 2022

SummaryClathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is an essential cellular internalisation pathway involving the dynamic assembly of clathrin and accessory proteins to form membrane-bound vesicles. In plants, the evolutionarily ancient TSET/TPLATE complex (TPC) plays an essential, but not well-defined role in CME. Here, we show that two highly disordered TPC subunits, AtEH1 and AtEH2 function as scaffolds to drive biomolecular condensation of the complex. These condensates specifically nucleate on the plasma membrane through interactions with anionic phospholipids, and facilitate the dynamic recruitment and assembly of clathrin, early-, and late-stage endocytic accessory proteins. Importantly, clathrin forms ordered assemblies within the condensate environment. Biomolecular condensation therefore acts to promote dynamic protein assemblies throughout clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Furthermore, the disordered region sequence properties of AtEH1 regulate the material properties of the endocytic condensatesin vivoand alteration of these material properties influences endocytosis dynamics, and consequently plant adaptive growth.HighlightsAtEH subunits are endocytic scaffolds which drive condensation of the TPCAtEH1 condensates nucleate on the plasma membrane via lipid interactionsCondensation of AtEH1/TPC facilitates clathrin re-arrangement and assemblyAtEH1 IDR1 composition controls condensate properties to regulate endocytosis
A correlational study between microstructural, macrostructural and functional age-related changes in the human visual cortex
Authors: Malakshan Sahar Rahimi , Daneshvarfard Farveh , Moghaddam Hamid Abrishami 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAge-related changes in the human brain can be investigated from either structural or functional perspectives. Analysis of structural and functional age-related changes throughout the lifespan may help to understand the normal brain development process and monitor the structural and functional pathology of the brain. This study, combining dedicated electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approaches in adults (20-78 years), highlights the complex relationship between micro/macrostructural properties and the functional responses to visual stimuli. Here, we aimed to relate age-related changes of the latency of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) to micro/macrostructural indexes and find any correlation between micro/macrostructural features, as well. We studied age-related structural changes in the brain, by using the MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) as preferred imaging methods for extracting brain macrostructural parameters such as the cortical thickness, surface area, folding and curvature index, gray matter volume, and microstructural parameters such as mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD) and axial diffusivity (AD). All the mentioned features were significantly correlated with age in V1 and V2 regions of the visual cortex. Furthermore, we highlighted, negative correlations between structural features extracted from T1-weighted images and DWI. The latency and amplitude of the three dominants peaks (C1, P1, N1) of the VEP were considered as the brain functional features to be examined for correlation with age and structural features of the corresponding age. We observed significant correlations between mean C1 latency and GM volume averaged in V1 and V2. In hierarchical models, the structural index did not contributed to significant additional variance in the C1 latency after accounting for the variance associated with age. However, the age explained significant additional variance in the model after accounting for the variance associated with the structural feature.
Cytokine and chemokine profile in patients hospitalized with COVID-19: A comparative study
Authors: Tufa Abdisa , Gebremariam Tewodros Haile , Manyazewal Tsegahun , Getinet Tewodros , Webb Dominic-Luc , Hellström Per M. , Genet Solomon 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTAbnormal cytokine and chemokine concentrations during SARS-CoV-2 infection may represent disease severity. We aimed to assess plasma cytokine and chemokine concentrations in patients with SARS-CoV-2 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In this study, 260 adults: 126 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 sorted into severity groups: severe (n=68) and mild or moderate (n=58), and 134 healthy controls were enrolled. We quantified 39 plasma cytokines and chemokines using multiplex ELISA. Spearman rank correlation and Mann-Whitney U test were used to identify mechanistically coupled cytokines/chemokines and compare disease severity. Compared to healthy controls, patients with COVID-19 had significantly higher levels of interleukins 1α, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 15, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1), IFN-γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1α), eotaxin-3, interferon-gamma (IFN-ϒ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), placental growth factor (PlGF), and fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (Flt-1). Patients with severe COVID-19 had higher IL-10 and lower macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) compared to the mild or moderate group (P<0.05). In the receiver operating characteristic curve, SAA, IL-6 and CRP showed strong sensitivity and specificity predicting the severity and prognosis of COVID-19. Greater age and higher CRP had a significant association with disease severity (P<0.05). Our findings reveal that CRP, SAA, VCAM-1, IP-10, MDC and IL-10 levels are promising biomarkers for COVID-19 disease severity, suggesting that plasma cytokines/chemokines could be used as warning indicators of COVID-19 severity, aid in COVID-19 prognosis and treatment.IMPORTANCESARS-CoV-2 triggers inflammatory reaction resulting in respiratory discomfort and in critical case may result in death. Cytokines and chemokines are inflammatory biomarkers that regulate and determine the nature of immune responses. Measuring cytokine and chemokine levels is useful in stratification, management and treatment of COVID-19 patients as well as guide resource allocations and therapeutic options. Here, we examined ctytokine and chemokine profiles in COVID-19 patients. Understanding how distinct cytokines and chemokines change over time as COVID-19 disease progresses might aid clinicians in detecting severe illness earlier and thereby improve patient prognosis.
Situational variables that affect consumers' suboptimal food purchasing behavior in China
Authors: Cao Shiyang , Gong Shunlong , Bai Li 
Published: March 2022

PurposeRefusing to purchase suboptimal food plays an important role in food waste. However, it is still unclear what factors in the shopping situation will affect consumers' decision to purchase suboptimal food. The purpose of this paper is to identify the situational factors that affect consumers' suboptimal food purchase and provide a basis for designing effective intervention strategies for follow-up suboptimal food sales.Design/methodology/approachBased on in-depth interviews with 25 Chinese consumers, this study uses the grounded theory to find out the situational factors that influence consumers' purchase of suboptimal food.FindingsThese situational factors are divided into nine categories and 21 subcategories. Compared with general situational factors that affect consumers' food purchase decisions, some unique factors and remarkable roles are found. It is found that the channel of information release, store hygiene, salesmen and point-of-sale presentation are more important in influencing consumers' decisions to buy suboptimal food. Based on the findings, marketing suggestions for food retailers are put forward.Originality/valueThis paper fills in the research gaps on understanding the impacts of situational factors on suboptimal food purchase and particularly reveals the effects of face concept on the purchase. The research findings can provide a theoretical basis for subsequent large-quantitative research, and in view of the similarities between Chinese culture and East Asian culture, these findings are valuable not only for the Chinese food retailers but also for the international retailers wishing to enter the Chinese or East Asian markets.
The rise of online food delivery culture during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of intention and its associated risk
Authors: Poon Wai Chuen , Tung Serene En Hui 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThis study aims to understand consumer behaviour in the context of online food delivery (OFD), especially given the mandatory lockdown imposed in some countries that have modified the behaviour of consumers. Using model goal-directed behaviour (MGB), this study was conducted to investigate consumer perceived risk on the use of OFD services.Design/methodology/approachResponses of food delivery services users were collected online throughout April 2020 to understand their risk profile and behaviour. A total of 339 responses were collected and subsequently analysed using partial least square (PLS). Both measurement and structural model were evaluated to ensure that the structural equation modelling (SEM) is valid.FindingsThe results revealed that attitude (ATT), subjective norm (SN), positive anticipated emotion (PAE) and negative anticipated emotion (NAE) and perceived behavioural control (PBC) significantly influenced users' desire. It was also found that PBC significantly influenced users' intention. The empirical result suggests that performance, privacy, financial, physical and the risk of contracting COVID-19 negatively influenced users' desire. In contrast, only physical and the risk of contracting COVID-19 negatively influenced users' intention to use OFD services.Practical implicationsThese findings provide OFD service providers and scholars with significant insights into what compels urbanites to adopt OFD services amid a health pandemic. It also allows OFD companies to realign their operation in addressing these concerns and changes in consumer behaviour.Originality/valueAgainst the backdrop of the pandemic, this study provides insights for OFD providers in developing new strategies and approaches for business development and consumer retention in a post-pandemic world.
Steering supply chains from a complex systems perspective
Authors: Abbasi Maisam , Varga Liz 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to systematically review the properties of supply chains demonstrating that they are complex systems, and that the management of supply chains is best achieved by steering rather than controlling these systems toward desired outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThe research study was designed as both exploratory and explanatory. Data were collected from secondary sources using a comprehensive literature review process. In parallel with data collection, data were analyzed and synthesized.FindingsThe main finding is the introduction of an inductive framework for steering supply chains from a complex systems perspective by explaining why supply chains have properties of complex systems and how to deal with their complexity while steering them toward desired outcomes. Complexity properties are summarized in four inter-dependent categories: Structural, Dynamic, Behavioral and Decision making, which together enable the assessment of supply chains as complex systems. Furthermore, five mechanisms emerged for dealing with the complexity of supply chains: classification, modeling, measurement, relational analysis and handling.Originality/valueRecognizing that supply chains are complex systems allows for a better grasp of the effect of positive feedback on change and transformation, and also interactions leading to dynamic equilibria, nonlinearity and the role of inter-organizational learning, as well as emerging capabilities, and existing trade-offs and paradoxical tensions in decision-making. It recognizes changing dynamics and the co-evolution of supply chain phenomena in different scales and contexts.
What's in it for me and you? Exploring managerial perceptions of employees' work-related social media use
Authors: Pekkala Kaisa , Auvinen Tommi , Sajasalo Pasi , Valentini Chiara 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThis study focuses on managers' perceptions of employees' communicative role in social media, and explores the changes in the contractual nature of employment relations in mediatized workplaces in which the boundaries of professional and private life are becoming more fluid.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach was employed to explore this relatively new phenomenon. The data, comprising 24 interviews with managers responsible for corporate communication and human resources in knowledge-intensive organizations, was thematically analysed.FindingsThe analysis shows that employees' work-related social media use creates new types of exchanges and dependencies between an organization and individual employees, which relate to employees' representation, knowledge and networks.Originality/valueThe study is among the first to examine the exchanges and dependencies in an employment relationship that emerge from increased use of social media for professional purposes.
The impact of performance-based rewards and developmental performance appraisal on innovation: the mediating role of innovative work behaviour
Authors: Thneibat Motasem M. , Sweis Rateb J. 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to study and empirically test the relationship between employees' perceptions of the two motivation-enhancing human resource management (HRM) practices of reward and performance appraisal and both incremental and radical innovation. The paper examines whether innovative work behaviour (IWB) mediates the hypothesised relationship.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 313 unit managers in manufacturing, pharmaceutical and technology companies in Jordan. Structural equation modelling (SEM) using AMOS v27 was employed to analyse the data and test the hypotheses.FindingsThe study finds that employees perceive rewards to be significant and to directly influence incremental and radical innovation. Additionally, employees perceive that performance appraisal to be significant for incremental innovation. The study also finds that IWB mediates the relationship between rewards, performance appraisal and incremental and radical innovation. No support was found for the impact of performance appraisal on radical innovation.Originality/valueDistinctively, this paper considers both incremental and radical innovation in studying the link between HRM practices and innovation. It also takes an intra-organisational perspective by considering employees' perceptions of rewards and performance in fostering innovation. Additionally, it assesses the impact of IWB in mediating the relationship between rewards, performance appraisal and innovation. IWB is rarely empirically studied in the HRM–innovation link specifically when linked with radical and incremental innovation.
Virtual shopping: segmenting consumer attitudes towards augmented reality as a shopping tool
Authors: Romano Beatrice , Sands Sean , Pallant Jason Ian 
Published: March 2022

PurposeIncreasingly, retailers are adopting technologies such as augmented reality (AR) as tools to enhance the customer experience. However, little is known about consumers' differing attitudes towards AR. The aim of this study is to explore how consumers differ in terms of the value they receive from using AR, as well as the trade-offs they experience when using the technology for shopping. Moreover, the study explores the individual characteristics that lead to these differences by segmenting consumers according to their perceptions of and attitudes towards AR as a shopping tool.Design/methodology/approachTo identify the segments, latent class analysis was conducted on the data collected from an online survey of 503 US consumers.FindingsThe analysis yielded four distinct segments of consumers who vary in their attitude towards AR as a shopping tool – AR Averse, AR Hesitant, AR Open and AR Enthusiastic. Covariate analysis indicated that the factors which drive membership of these segments include perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and psychographic characteristics such as innovativeness, time pressure and shopping enjoyment.Practical implicationsThe heterogeneity of consumer attitudes towards AR is driven by consumers' perceptions of decision confidence (how they see AR enhancing their ability to make choices), information overload (the potential for AR to over-stimulate shoppers) and experiential value (the derived value from engaging with AR). Hence, retailers should leverage these dimensions when communicating the value of AR in assisting consumers when shopping.Originality/valueThis study highlights that heterogeneity exists in consumer attitudes towards AR, and suggests that the attitude towards AR is not a fixed value, but can change through education.
Determinants of manufacturing firms’ Research and Development investments: evidence from Kenya
Authors: Shibia Adan Guyo 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThis study investigates effects of firm-level, sector-level and business environment factors on manufacturing firms’ Research and Development (R&D) investment decisions in Kenya.Design/methodology/approachPanel Probit regression model is employed to analyse effects of the explanatory variables on manufacturing firms R&D investment decisions.FindingsAccess to external finance, lower informal sector competition, exports market participation, larger firm size and firms in high technology subsectors increase probabilities of undertaking R&D investment decisions.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings underscore the need to consider institutional framework, aimed at easing business environment constraints related to access to finance, export promotion and competition from informal sector enterprises. Future research should consider cross-country analysis within the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) region to understand implications of institutional contexts that prove to be a challenge to address in a study based within a single country.Practical implicationsPolicymakers need to consider addressing business environment constraints that impede R&D investments by private sector enterprises in developing countries. Formal private sector firms should design R&D investment strategies and lobby for policy interventions targeted at business environment constraints.Originality/valueThis study considers effects of variables underexplored in existing literature, notably competition from informal sector firms, R&D-intensity technological classification and an objective measure of access to finance. The study also utilises a panel survey data, which was underexplored in prior studies within SSA economies.
Influences of creativity and resource availability in the intelligent career framework: empirical investigation of Nigerian entrepreneurs
Authors: Salisu Isyaku , Abdullah Aminullah Abdurrasheed , Mashi Munir Shehu , Alam Md. Mahmudul , Hashim Norashidah 
Published: March 2022

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the influence of creativity and resource availability on career competencies (CC) and career success (CS) of entrepreneurs in Nigeria using the intelligent career framework.Design/methodology/approachData was obtained using answers to questionnaires given to 348 successful entrepreneurs. The data was analysed using non-parametric software (Smart-PLS).FindingsThe results indicate that entrepreneurs who possess “know-why”, “know-how” and “know-whom” can access the required resources and are doing well in their careers. It is suggested that these competencies were significantly related to entrepreneurial CS. Resource availability moderates the relationship of knowing-how, knowing-why competencies and CS, whilst creativity moderates only the link between knowing-whom and entrepreneurial CS.Research limitations/implicationsThe results help us to comprehend better the nature of successful entrepreneurial careers and the prominent role of tripartite competencies in achieving a successful career. Also emphasised here is the prominence of a more holistic perspective of these components based on a mix of social, motivational and human capital.Practical implicationsThese findings hinted that entrepreneurs should pay uniform consideration in fostering each CC. There are implications for career advisers, practitioners and entrepreneurship programmes.Originality/valueTo the authors’ best knowledge, this is first-of-its-kind research that used primary source data in understanding CC – “knowing-how, knowing-whom and knowing-why” – with entrepreneurs’ CS in Nigeria.