Craft beer – a systematic literature review and research agenda

Purpose In recent years, the craft beer (CB) industry has gained impetus and has experienced significant growth in scientific publications. This study aims to present a systematic review of the literature on CB in areas related to economic and business sciences. Design/methodology/approach Based on the data from Scopus, Web of Science and a set of articles not indexed to these databases until June 2021, a total of 132 articles were included for analysis, using bibliometric and content analysis techniques. Findings The study allowed us to identify that CB has four main clusters/themes of research, namely, CB industry and market, marketing and branding, consumer behavior and sustainability. Detailed information on the clusters is provided. In addition, the results showed that publications addressing CB have grown significantly from 2015 onwards and are dispersed across many journals, with none assuming a clear leadership. Quantitative approaches account for more than half of publications. Research limitations/implications This study is a useful guide for academics intending to develop studies with CB. It provides a framework to structure future research by identifying existing literature clusters and proposes several research propositions. Practical implications The findings from this study are useful for CB companies to get an overview of the main issues affecting the CB industry and market to be able to adapt their strategies and stay aligned with market tendencies in the four main clusters identified. Originality/value This is the first systematic review of CB. Therefore, it provides a significant contribution to frame and strengthening the literature on CB and serves as a reference for future research. Based on the content analysis and cluster identification, the findings portray the status of current research. Accordingly, a set of research opportunities are offered.

Sub-Cluster Identification through Semi-Supervised Optimization of Rare-cell Silhouettes (SCISSORS) in Single-Cell Sequencing

Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has enabled the molecular profiling of thousands to millions of cells simultaneously in biologically heterogenous samples. Currently, common practice in scRNA-seq is to determine cell type labels through unsupervised clustering and the examination of cluster-specific genes. However, even small differences in analysis and parameter choice can greatly alter clustering solutions and thus impose great influence on which cell types are identified. Existing methods largely focus on determining the optimal number of robust clusters, which is not favorable for identifying cells of extremely low abundance due to their subtle contributions towards overall patterns of gene expression. Here we present a carefully designed framework, SCISSORS, which accurately profiles subclusters within major cluster(s) for the identification of rare cell types in scRNA-seq data. SCISSORS employs silhouette scoring for the estimation of heterogeneity of clusters and reveals rare cells in heterogenous clusters by implementing a multi-step, semi-supervised reclustering process. Additionally, SCISSORS provides a method for the identification of marker genes of rare cells, which may be used for further study. SCISSORS is wrapped around the popular Seurat R package and can be easily integrated into existing Seurat pipelines. SCISSORS, including source code and vignettes for two example datasets, is freely available at https://github.com/jrleary/SCISSORS.

АНАЛІЗ ЕКОНОМІКО-ГЕОГРАФІЧНИХ ПІДХОДІВ ДО ІДЕНТИФІКАЦІЇ РЕГІОНАЛЬНИХ КЛАСТЕРІВ

This article is devoted to the study of economic and geographical approaches to cluster identification at the regional level. Most modern research on the identification of regional clusters is aimed at studying economic aspects, almost completely ignoring geospatial factors. The aim of the research is to analyze economic and geographical approaches to the identification of clusters at the regional level, taking into account the problem of variability of area units. The subject of the research is the study of approaches to the identification of clusters at the regional level. The study used such methods as: comparative, statistical, descriptive, systemic, analysis and synthesis. Research hypothesis. Identifying methodological limitations of cluster identification methods at the regional level in the context of economic and geographical approaches will allow a more comprehensive consideration of the cluster potential of the territory, determine the confidence interval and identify cluster structures at different levels of aggregation. The statement of basic materials. This article considers economic and economic-geographical methodological approaches to the identification of regional clusters (model of intersectoral balance, multi-sector analysis, localization and specialization coefficients, Ellison-Glaser index, Duranton-Overman method of the smallest distances, Propulsive indicators, etc.); the classification of methods of identification of regional clusters which take into account aggregation of territories is given; the technique of primary estimation of cluster potential of the territory and typology of industries on a parity of regional and branch conditions of development is offered; the index of spatial clustering is analyzed. The originality and practical significance of the research is due to the geospatial factors of clustering (MAUP) in the identification of regional clusters, which allows to determine the geographical boundaries and the unique clustering threshold for clusters at different levels of aggregation. Analysis of economic and geographical approaches to the identification of regional clusters taking into account the geospatial aspects of clustering allows to determine the degree of concentration / dispersion at certain intervals of distances with justification of clustering thresholds at different levels of aggregation. Conclusions and perspectives of further research. The economic-geographical approach to the identification of regional clusters, in contrast to the economic one, takes into account the MAUP factor, which allows to use it at different levels of aggregation and to determine geographical boundaries and a unique clustering threshold. However, further research is needed on methods for identifying regional clusters in order to develop an integrated approach that will take into account as many factors as possible and allow the most accurate identification of potential cluster formations.

Applications and Restrictions of Integrated Genomic and Metabolomic Screening: An Accelerator for Drug Discovery from Actinomycetes?

Since the golden age of antibiotics in the 1950s and 1960s actinomycetes have been the most prolific source for bioactive natural products. However, the number of discoveries of new bioactive compounds decreases since decades. New procedures (e.g., activating strategies or innovative fermentation techniques) were developed to enhance the productivity of actinomycetes. Nevertheless, compound identification remains challenging among others due to high rediscovery rates. Rapid and cheap genome sequencing as well as the advent of bioinformatical analysis tools for biosynthetic gene cluster identification in combination with mass spectrometry-based molecular networking facilitated the tedious process of dereplication. In recent years several studies have been dedicated to accessing the biosynthetic potential of Actinomyces species, especially streptomycetes, by using integrated genomic and metabolomic screening in order to boost the discovery rate of new antibiotics. This review aims to present the various possible applications of this approach as well as the newly discovered molecules, covering studies between 2014 and 2021. Finally, the effectiveness of this approach with regard to find new bioactive agents from actinomycetes will be evaluated.

Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries in the Midst of Adaptation and Diversification: Insights from Southern Italy

The study looks at the problems facing coastal fishing communities. It highlights the impacts that, in the complex framework of the EU reforms, have manifested themselves on economic activities and on society. The aim of the paper is twofold: to examine small-scale artisanal fishing in an area of Southern Italy in order to develop resilience and diversification and at the same time to outline the profiles of local bluefish buyers to highlight development strategies for the sector. The research carried out through a direct survey by administering a questionnaire to fishermen operating in areas of Southern Italy and the data cross-referenced with the opinions of local consumers. A conjoint experiment, followed by a multiple correspondence analysis and cluster identification, was used to outline the profiles of local bluefish buyers. The results of the analysis reveal that the fish market and the restaurant sector are the main distribution channels preferred by fishermen. Furthermore, fishermen are very sensitive to environmental issues and are willing to collaborate and actively participate in the environmental protection of the sea. Consumers recognise the quality of local bluefish, and they implicitly perceive the sustainability of the method of capture. The results show the need to undertake synergistic actions for the fishing industry, capable of activating marketing strategies adequately to support, promote and develop the sector. The results of the study provide helpful information for food companies in order to better segment their market and target their consumers, as well as to effectively promote their product using brands, certifications and traceability.