Marcus Wolfe

Hydroxylamine Reductase Activity of the Hybrid Cluster Protein from Escherichia coli

The hybrid cluster protein (HCP; formerly termed the prismane protein) has been extensively studied due to its unique spectroscopic properties. Although the structural and spectroscopic characteristics are well defined, its enzymatic function, up to this point, has remained unidentified. While it was proposed that HCP acts in some step of nitrogen metabolism, a specific role for this enzyme remained unknown. Recent studies of HCP purified from Escherichia coli have identified a novel hydroxylamine reductase activity. These data reveal the ability of HCP to reduce hydroxylamine in vitro to form NH(3) and H(2)O. Further biochemical analyses were completed in order to determine the effects of various electron donors, different pH levels, and the presence of CN(-) on in vitro hydroxylamine reduction.

“Bouncing Back” From a Loss: Entrepreneurial Orientation, Emotions, and Failure Narratives

In this study, we explore how failure in the form of the first lost game of the college football season for a team influences specific content within the narratives constructed regarding that loss and how those narratives are associated with subsequent performance. Building on theoretical perspectives regarding sports management, entrepreneurial orientation (EO), emotions, and the use of narratives for sensemaking, we develop and test an EO–related sports management model of failure narratives. Using computer–aided text analysis of transcripts from head coaches’ press conferences directly following their teams first loss of the season as well as regression analysis, we found that the narratives EO content has a U–shaped relationship with subsequent (i.e., next game) performance. Additionally, negative emotional content had a similar U–shaped relationship with subsequent performance. Finally, positive emotional content exhibited an inverse U–shaped relationship with subsequent performance. We discuss the implications of these results on the literatures regarding EO, emotions, and sports management as well as possible avenues for future research.

Converting the NiFeS Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenase to a Hydrogenase and a Hydroxylamine Reductase

Substitution of one amino acid for another at the active site of an enzyme usually diminishes or eliminates the activity of the enzyme. In some cases, however, the specificity of the enzyme is changed. In this study, we report that the changing of a metal ligand at the active site of the NiFeS-containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH) converts the enzyme to a hydrogenase or a hydroxylamine reductase. CODH with alanine substituted for Cys(531) exhibits substantial uptake hydrogenase activity, and this activity is enhanced by treatment with CO. CODH with valine substituted for His(265) exhibits hydroxylamine reductase activity. Both Cys(531) and His(265) are ligands to the active-site cluster of CODH. Further, CODH with Fe substituted for Ni at the active site acquires hydroxylamine reductase activity.

Entrepreneur Gender and Firm Innovation Activity: A Multilevel Perspective

Using a multilevel approach, we explore the entrepreneur gender-innovation relationship in new ventures. We investigate individual education, interfirm network ties, and firm regional location using a sample of 4265 new Korean firms. Results show that male entrepreneurs, compared with female, are more likely to complete engineering or natural science degrees, maintain heterogeneous interfirm network ties, and locate firms in clustered regions. Further, engineering or natural science degrees, heterogeneous interfirm network ties, and locating in clustered regions are positively associated with firm innovation. We find that individual education, interfirm network ties, and firm regional location mediate the entrepreneur gender-firm innovation relationship.

What Do You Have to Say About that? Performance Events and Narratives' Positive and Negative Emotional Content

The current study explores how the failure of innovative projects and positive organizational performance influence specific content within narratives. Building on theoretical perspectives regarding the sensemaking of failure events and emotions, we develop and test a performance event model of narratives. Using computer–aided text analysis of annual reports, we found that project failure rates have a positive relationship with narratives’ negative emotional content. Additionally, narratives’ positive emotional content is associated with reduced negative emotional content. Finally, positive organizational performance magnifies the negative association between narratives’ positive and negative emotional content. We discuss the implications for these results on the literatures regarding the failure of entrepreneurial projects, narratives, and emotions.

Testosterone and Tendency to Engage in Self-Employment

Does testosterone increase the tendency to engage in self-employment? The results presented to date have been mixed. Using three different studies, we provide additional evidence on the relationship between testosterone and self-employment. Drawing on a cross-section of 2,146 individuals (1,178 males and 968 females) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys’ (NHANES’) 2011-2012 sample, and controlling for endogeneity (with red blood cell count, percentage Hematocrit, and zinc supplements intake in the past 30-days as instruments), serum testosterone levels are positively associated with self-employment for males (marginally significant, two-tailed test). As testosterone levels could be affected by social, economic, and biological factors during one’s life course, to draw more robust inferences we assess whether the 2D:4D digit ratio, a marker of prenatal testosterone exposure, influences the likelihood of self-employment. We reviewed a sample of 971 cases (449 males and 525 females) from Understanding Society’s Innovation Panel 6 (IP6), and our results indicate that males (females) with lower 2D:4D ratio in their left hand, or higher prenatal testosterone exposure, have a significantly greater (marginally significant for females) likelihood of self-employment (two-tailed test). Finally, we examine the twin testosterone transfer effect in a sample of opposite-sex and same-sex twins from the National Survey of Midlife Development (MIDUS I) in the Unites States and provide additional support for the marginally significant (two-tailed test) positive association between testosterone and self-employment.

Accelerating Sales in Start-Ups: A Domain Planning, Network Reliance, and Resource Complementary Perspective: JOURNAL OF SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Business planning is central to entrepreneurship and of immense interest in explaining venture development. This study investigates how planning in different functional domains, and network reliance for domain planning, relate to speed of initial sales success. Drawing from a sample of founders in the high‐technology sector, we find differential planning effects—market planning lengthens the time to sales whereas technology planning reduces time to sales. Further, we find that founders reliance on network sources of help for market planning, relative to solo planning, simultaneously complements both market and technology planning and reduces time to sales. Our findings illustrate domain planning, network reliance, and resource complementarities as important to venture development.

To Your Health: Health Insurance, Self-Employment Exit, and Older Entrepreneurs: JOURNAL OF SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Drawing on a sample of 5,238 individuals in the Health and Retirement Study, we examined the relationship between having ones own health insurance and exit from self‐employment to employment. Our results indicate that individuals who have health insurance are less likely to exit self‐employment. When self‐employed individuals have their own health insurance, males, relative to females, are more likely to exit self‐employment. Additionally, when self‐employed individuals have their own health insurance, those who do not have health problems that limit work are more likely to exit. We discuss the implications that these findings have on the literature and policymakers.

Debates and Gaps Surrounding Research on Entrepreneurial Passion

Research on passion in entrepreneurship has exploded in the past 10 years, yet there are still fundamental discrepancies in how the field as a whole treats this powerful construct. A panel of schol...