bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Evaluation of an AI System for COVID-19 Diagnosis
Authors: Jin Cheng , Chen Weixiang , Cao Yukun , Xu Zhanwei , Zhang Xin , Deng Lei , Zheng Chuansheng , Zhou Jie , Shi Heshui , Feng Jianjiang
Published: March 2020

Early detection of COVID-19 based on chest CT will enable timely treatment of patients and help control the spread of the disease. With rapid spreading of COVID-19 in many countries, however, CT volumes of suspicious patients are increasing at a speed much faster than the availability of human experts. Here, we propose an artificial intelligence (AI) system for fast COVID-19 diagnosis with an accuracy comparable to experienced radiologists. A large dataset was constructed by collecting 970 CT volumes of 496 patients with confirmed COVID-19 and 260 negative cases from three hospitals in Wuhan, China, and 1,125 negative cases from two publicly available chest CT datasets. Trained using only 312 cases, our diagnosis system, which is based on deep convolutional neural network, is able to achieve an accuracy of 94.98%, an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 97.91%, a sensitivity of 94.06%, and a specificity of 95.47% on an independent external verification dataset of 1,255 cases. In a reader study involving five radiologists, only one radiologist is slightly more accurate than the AI system. The AI system is two orders of magnitude faster than radiologists and the code is available at https://github.com/ChenWWWeixiang/diagnosis_covid19.
Financing Vaccines for Global Health Security
Authors: Vu Jonathan T. , Kaplan Benjamin K. , Chaudhuri Shomesh , Mansoura Monique K. , Lo Andrew W.
Published: March 2020

Recent outbreaks of infectious pathogens such as Zika, Ebola, and COVID-19 have underscored the need for the dependable availability of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). The cost and risk of R&D programs and uniquely unpredictable demand for EID vaccines have discouraged vaccine developers, and government and nonprofit agencies have been unable to provide timely or sufficient incentives for their development and sustained supply. We analyze the economic returns of a portfolio of EID vaccine assets, and find that under realistic financing assumptions, the expected returns are significantly negative, implying that the private sector is unlikely to address this need without public-sector intervention. We have sized the financing deficit for this portfolio and propose several potential solutions, including price increases, enhanced public-private partnerships, and subscription models through which individuals would pay annual fees to obtain access to a portfolio of vaccines in the event of an outbreak.
Automatic identification of relevant genes from low-dimensional embeddings of single cell RNAseq data
Authors: Angerer Philipp , Fischer David S. , Theis Fabian J. , Scialdone Antonio , Marr Carsten
Published: March 2020

Dimensionality reduction is a key step in the analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data and produces a low-dimensional embedding for visualization and as a calculation base for downstream analysis. Nonlinear techniques are most suitable to handle the intrinsic complexity of large, heterogeneous single cell data. With no linear relation between genes and embedding however, there is no way to extract the identity of genes most relevant for any cell’s position in the low-dimensional embedding, and thus the underlying process.

In this paper, we introduce the concepts of global and local gene relevance to compute an equivalent of principal component analysis loadings for non-linear low-dimensional embeddings. Whileglobal gene relevanceidentifies drivers of the overall embedding,local gene relevancesingles out genes that change in small, possibly rare subsets of cells. We apply our method to single-cell RNAseq datasets from different experimental protocols and to different low dimensional embedding techniques, shows our method’s versatility to identify key genes for a variety of biological processes.

To ensure reproducibility and ease of use, our method is released as part of destiny 3.0, a popular R package for building diffusion maps from single-cell transcriptomic data. It is readily available through Bioconductor.
ipADMIXTURE: R package for inferring sub-population clusters based on genetic admixture
Authors: Amornbunchornvej Chainarong , Wangkumhang Pongsakorn , Tongsima Sissades
Published: March 2020

ipADMIXTURE is an R package to infer clusters and their phylogeny based on Q matrices of genetic admixture analysis. It is the first software of its kind to infer not just only clusters, but also the hierarchy of sub-populations w.r.t. the minimum number of ancestors that split any pair of clusters apart. Since inputs of the package, Q matrices, can be obtained from well-known software (ADMIXTURE, STRUCTURE, etc.) and the Q matrices are mandatory information that are used in genetic population structure study, our package has a potential to help scientists and researchers to find deeper explanation of admixture analysis in their studies. Our package comes with a user-friendly interface to make the software accessible for everyone.
Docking of peptides to GPCRs using a combination of CABS-dock with FlexPepDock refinement
Authors: Badaczewska-Dawid Aleksandra E. , Kmiecik Sebastian , Koliński Michał
Published: March 2020

The structural description of peptide ligands bound to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is important for the discovery of new drugs and deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of life. Here we describe a three-stage protocol for the molecular docking of peptides to GPCRs using a set of different programs: (1) CABS-dock for docking fully flexible peptides; (2) PD2 method for the reconstruction of atomistic structures from C-alpha traces provided by CABS-dock and (3) Rosetta FlexPepDock for the refinement of protein-peptide complex structures and model scoring. We evaluated the proposed protocol on the set of 7 different GPCR-peptide complexes (including one containing a cyclic peptide) for which crystallographic structures are available. We show that CABS-dock produces high resolution models in the sets of top-scored models. These sets of models, after reconstruction to all-atom representation, can be further improved by Rosetta high-resolution refinement and/or minimization, leading in most of the cases to sub-Angstrom accuracy in terms of interface RMSD measure.
Translational adaptation to heat stress is mediated by 5-methylcytosine RNA modification inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Navarro Isabela Cunha , Tuorto Francesca , Jordan David , Legrand Carine , Price Jonathan , Braukmann Fabian , Hendrick Alan , Akay Alper , Kotter Annika , Helm Mark , Lyko Frank , Miska Eric A.
Published: March 2020

Methylation of carbon-5 of cytosines (m5C) is a post-transcriptional nucleotide modification of RNA found in all kingdoms of life. While individual m5C-methyltransferases have been studied, the impact of the global cytosine-5 methylome on development, homeostasis and stress remains unknown. Here, usingCaenorhabditis elegans, we generated the first organism devoid of m5C in RNA, demonstrating that this modification is non-essential. We determined the localisation and enzymatic specificity of m5C sites in RNAin vivoand showed that animals devoid of m5C are sensitive to temperature stress. At the molecular level, we showed that loss of m5C specifically impacts decoding of leucine and proline thus reducing the translation efficiency of transcripts enriched in these amino acids. Finally, we found translation of leucine UUG codons to be the most strongly affected upon heat shock, suggesting a role of m5C tRNA wobble methylation in the adaptation to heat stress.
Use of short-read RNA-Seq data to identify transcripts that can translate novel ORFs
Authors: Erady Chaitanya , Puntambekar Shraddha , Prabakaran Sudhakaran
Published: March 2020

Identification of as of yet unannotated or undefined novel open reading frames (nORFs) and exploration of their functions in multiple organisms has revealed that vast regions of the genome have remained unexplored or ‘hidden’. Present within both protein-coding and noncoding regions, these nORFs signify the presence of a much more diverse proteome than previously expected. Given the need to study nORFs further, proper identification strategies must be in place, especially because they cannot be identified using conventional gene signatures. Although Ribo-Seq and proteogenomics are frequently used to identify and investigate nORFs, in this study, we propose a workflow for identifying nORF containing transcripts using our precompiled database of nORFs with translational evidence, using sample transcript information. Further, we discuss the potential uses of this identification, the caveats involved in such a transcript identification and finally present a few representative results from our analysis of naive mouse B and T cells, human post-mortem brain and cichlid fish transcriptome. Our proposed workflow can identify noncoding transcripts that can potentially translate intronic, intergenic and several other classes of nORFs.

One-line summary

A systematic workflow to identify nORF containing transcripts using sample transcript information.
SARS-CoV-2, an evolutionary perspective of interaction with human ACE2 reveals undiscovered amino acids necessary for complex stability
Authors: Armijos-Jaramillo Vinicio , Yeager Justin , Muslin Claire , Perez-Castillo Yunierkis
Published: March 2020

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in more than 200,000 infections and nearly 9,000 deaths globally so far. This novel virus is thought to have originated from an animal reservoir, and acquired the ability to infect human cells using the SARS-CoV cell receptor hACE2. In the wake of a global pandemic it is essential to improve our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics surrounding the origin and spread of a novel infectious disease. One way theory predicts selection pressures should shape viral evolution is to enhance binding with host cells. We first assessed evolutionary dynamics in select betacoronavirus spike protein genes to predict where these genomic regions are under directional or purifying selection between divergent viral lineages at various scales of relatedness. With this analysis, we determine a region inside the receptor-binding domain with putative sites under positive selection interspersed among highly conserved sites, which are implicated in structural stability of the viral spike protein and its union with human receptor hACE2. Next, to gain further insights into factors associated with coronaviruses recognition of the human host receptor, we performed modeling studies of five different coronaviruses and their potential binding to hACE2. Modeling results indicate that interfering with the salt bridges at hot spot 353 could be an effective strategy for inhibiting binding, and hence for the prevention of coronavirus infections. We also propose that a glycine residue at the receptor binding domain of the spike glycoprotein can have a critical role in permitting bat variants of the coronaviruses to infect human cells.
Clinical characteristics and reasons of different duration from onset to release from quarantine for patients with COVID-19 Outside Hubei province, China
Authors: Tian Suochen , Chang Zhenqin , Wang Yunxia , Wu Min , Zhang Wenming , Zhou Guijie , Zou Xiuli , Tian Hui , Xiao Tingfang , Xing Junmin , Chen Juan , Han Jian , Ning Kang , Wu Tiejun
Published: March 2020

Objective

To find out more characteristics and rules of COVID-19 by analyzing the clinical course of COVID-19 patients in a region outside Hubei province.

Methods

37 cases diagnosed adult COVID-19 cases of general characteristics, history of epidemiology, chronic underlying diseases, clinical symptoms and complications, chest CT, biochemical monitoring, severity assessment, treatment and outcome were retrospectively analyzed, and according to the duration from onset to release from quarantine were divided into ≤20 -day group and > 20 -day group, compare the similarities and differences between the two groups.

Results

Among the 37 patients, 5 were mild, 30 were moderate, 1 was severe and 1 was critical. All the patients were released from quarantine without death. The average duration from onset to release from quarantine was 20.2±6.6 days, The average length of stay from onset to hospitalization was 4.1±3.7 days, and hospitalization duration average 16.1 ±6.2 days. The average age was 44.3±1.67 years. 78.4% of cases were caused by exposure to a confirmed patient or the workplace of a confirmed patient. The main symptoms were cough (67.6%), fever (62.2%), shortness of breath (32.4%), fatigue (24.3%), sore throat (21.6%,) vomiting or diarrhea (21.6%). The white blood cell count was decreased in 27.0% of the patients, and the lymphocyte count was decreased in 62.2% of the patients, of which 43.5% patients were ≤0.6×109/L. On admission, 86.5% of patients with chest CT showed pneumonia, including some asymptomatic patients. 68.8% of patients showed bilateral infiltration. In the > 20-day group, the average age was 49.9±1.38 years old, and the duration from onset to hospitalization was 5.5±3.9 days. Compared with the ≤ 20-day group, the age was older and duration was longer, P < 0.05. All the 7 asymptomatic patients were ≤20 –day group. When 37 patients were released from quarantine, the white blood cell count of 16.2% patients was < 4.0×109/L, and the lymphocyte count of 59.5% patients was <1.1×109/L, and the absolute count of white blood cells and lymphocytes was 5.02±1.3 4×109/L and 1.03±0.34×109/L respectively, compared with those on admission, P > 0.05.

Conclusion

The majority of COVID-19 cases in the study area were mild and moderate, with good clinical outcomes. There were some special characteristics in the clinical process. The reasons of duration from onset to release from quarantine were complex. There was no significant change in the number of granulocytes at the time of release from quarantine compared to the time of admission.
Initial Simulation of SARS-CoV2 Spread and Intervention Effects in the Continental US
Authors: Pei Sen , Shaman Jeffrey
Published: March 2020

Here we use a metapopulation model applied at county resolution to simulate the spread and growth of COVID-19 incidence in the continental United States. We calibrate the model against county-level incidence data collected between February 21, 2020 and March 13, 2020, and estimate epidemiological parameters including the fraction of undocumented infections and their contagiousness1. Using the calibrated model, we project the outbreak in the continental US for 180 days after March 13, 2020, and evaluate the effects of social distancing and travel restrictions on the outbreak.
Prognostic value of C-reactive protein in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Luo Xiaomin , Zhou Wei , Yan Xiaojie , Guo Tangxi , Wang Benchao , Xia Hongxia , Ye Lu , Xiong Jun , Jiang Zongping , Liu Yu , Zhang Bicheng , Yang Weize
Published: March 2020

Background

Elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level was observed in most patients with COVID-19.

Methods

Data of COVID-19 patients with clinical outcome in a designated hospital in Wuhan, China, were retrospectively collected and analyzed from Jan 30 to Feb 20, 2020. The prognostic value of admission CRP was evaluated in patients with COVID-19.

Results

Out of 298 patients enrolled, 84 died and 214 recovered. Most non-survivors tended to be males, old aged, or with chronic diseases. Compared to survivors, non-survivors showed significantly elevated white blood cell and neutrophil count, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII, defined by platelet count multiply by NLR), CRP, procalcitonin, and D-dimer, and decreased red blood cell, lymphocyte, and platelet count. Age, neutrophil count, platelet count, and CRP were identified as independent predictors of adverse outcome. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of CRP (0.896) was significantly higher than that of age (0.833), neutrophil count (0.820), and platelet count (0.678) in outcome prediction (all p<0.05). With a cut-off value of 41.4, CRP exhibited sensitivity 90.5%, specificity 77.6%, positive predictive value 61.3%, and negative predictive value 95.4%. Subgroup analysis revealed that CRP remained robust accuracy in adverse outcome prediction in patients with different disease severity (AUC 0.832, z=10.23, p<0.001; AUC 0.989, z=44.04, p<0.001). CRP was also an independent discriminator of severe/critical illness on admission (AUC 0.783, z=10.69, p<0.001).

Conclusions

In patients with COVID-19, admission CRP correlated with disease severity and tended to be a good predictor of adverse outcome.
The crystal structure, morphology and mechanical properties of diaquabis(omeprazolate)magnesium dihydrate
Authors: Abouhakim Hanane , Nilsson Lill Sten O. , Quayle Michael J. , Norberg Stefan T. , Hassanpour Ali , Pask Christopher M.
Published: March 2020

The crystal structure of diaquabis(omeprazolate)magnesium dihydrate (DABOMD) in the solid state has been determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Single crystals of DABOMD were obtained by slow crystallization in ethanol with water used as an antisolvent. The crystal structure shows a dihydrated salt comprising a magnesium cation coordinating two omeprazolate anions and two water molecules (W1) that are strongly bound to magnesium. In addition, two further water molecules (W2) are more weakly hydrogen-bonded to the pyridine nitrogen atom of each omeprazolate anion. The crystal structure was utilized to estimate key material properties for DABOMD, including crystal habit and mechanical properties, which are required for improved understanding and prediction of the behaviour of particles during pharmaceutical processing such as milling. The results from the material properties calculations indicate that DABOMD exhibits a hexagonal morphology and consists of a flat slip plane through the (100) face. It can be classed as a soft material based on elastic constant calculation and exhibits a two-dimensional hydrogen-bonding framework. Based on the crystal structure, habit and mechanical properties, it is anticipated that DABOMD will experience large disorder accompanied by plastic deformation during milling.
Organizational virtuousness, subjective well-being, and job performance
Authors: Magnier-Watanabe Remy , Uchida Toru , Orsini Philippe , Benton Caroline F.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Past research has convincingly shown that higher employee subjective well-being, or happiness, is a source of higher job performance and retention. This paper therefore examines the relationships between organizational virtuousness, subjective well-being, and individual job performance among French and Japanese employees.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted among Japanese and French managers and staff at Japanese and French domestic companies and structural equation modeling was employed to compare those associations.

Findings

We found that the Japanese and the French have different conceptualizations of organizational virtuousness, suggesting that firms must tailor their virtue-building activities based on the local culture. Subjective well-being is comparatively more important in Japan since it acts in complement to organizational virtuousness to positively affect job performance, while in France, only organizational virtuousness counts as a source of job performance.

Research implications

National culture is revealed to be a new factor explaining differences in how employees consider organizational virtuousness and we provide evidence of positive associations of organizational virtuousness with positive subjective well-being and with job performance for both the Japanese and the French.

Practical implications

Organizational virtuousness cannot be construed from a universalistic perspective where virtues are conceptualized on the same basis regardless of location or region, and firms should also consider their employees' individualist or collectivist inclination when trying to influence work outcomes.

Originality/value

These findings point to the role of national culture on the perception of organizational virtuousness and its effect on subjective well-being and job performance.
A read-disturb-free stable low power and high-density GNRFET 6T SRAM with multi-VT technology
Authors: Patel Pramod Kumar , Malik M.M. , Gutpa Tarun Kumar
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The performance of the conventional 6T SRAM cell can be improved by using GNRFET devices with multi-threshold technology. The proposed cell shows the strong capability to operate at the minimum supply voltage of 325 mV, whereas the conventional Si-CMOS 6 T SRAM unable to operate below 725 mV, which result in an acceptable failure rate.The advance of Si-CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) based 6 T SRAM cell faces inherent limitation with aggressive downscaling. Hence, there is a need to propose alternatives for the conventional cells.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims to improve the performance of the conventional 6T SRAM cell using dual threshold technology, device sizing, optimization of supply voltage under process variation with GNRFET technology. Further performance can be enhanced by resolving half-select issue.

Findings

The GNRFET-based 6T SRAM cell demonstrates that it is capable of continued improve the performance under the process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations significantly better than its CMOS counterpart.

Research limitations/implications

Nano-material fabrication technology of GNRFETs is in the early stage; hence, the different transistor models can be used to evaluate the parameters of future GNRFETs circuit.

Practical implications

GNRFET devices are suitable for implementing low power and high density SRAM cell.

Social implications

The conventional Si-CMOS 6 T SRAM cell is a core component and used as the mass storage element in cache memory in computer system organization, mobile phone and other data storage devices.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new approach to implement an alternative design of GNRFET -based 6T SRAM cell with doped reservoirs that also supports process variation. In addition, multi-threshold technology optimizes the performance of the proposed cell. The proposed design provides a means to analyze delay and power of GNRFET-based SRAM under process variation with considering edge roughness, and offers design and fabrication insights for cell in the future.
Apartment selection by college students
Authors: Smith Katherine Taken , Pinkerton Austin
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the apartment preferences of American and Asian college students, the sources of information they use when searching for an apartment and the media that influence their buying decision. This study examines determinant criteria in conjunction with the theory of consumption values and utilitarian versus hedonic attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from multiple apartment complexes in a metropolitan area of approximately 250,000 people with over 70,000 college students. All residents of the apartment complexes were asked to answer an online questionnaire. From those questionnaires, a total of 865 qualified to be in the sample for this research study. Qualification depended on the respondent being a college student and of either American or Asian nationality.

Findings

The apartment attributes that are found to be determinant criteria for college students are categorized according to whether they provide utilitarian or hedonic value. These two values relate to the functional and emotional values within the theory of consumption values. The majority of the apartment attributes identified as determinant criteria provide utilitarian value. Specific apartment attributes are described in the paper. The main apartment attributes for which Asian students differ from Americans center on the Asians’ desire for security and accessibility to where they want to go.

Practical implications

With a rising number of people renting instead of buying a home, apartment complexes continue to multiply. The majority of renters are single persons, thus, the majority of apartments should be designed to appeal to the preferences of singles. College students, both native and international, are part of this coveted consumer market. Hence, developers and marketers would be wise to consider the housing preferences of college students.

Originality/value

This paper contributes original information in two areas pertaining to the development and marketing of apartments: the preferences of American college students and the preferences of Asian college students.
What does someone's gender identity signal to employers?
Authors: Van Borm Hannah , Dhoop Marlot , Van Acker Allien , Baert Stijn
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the mechanisms underlying hiring discrimination against transgender men.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct a scenario experiment with final-year business students in which fictitious hiring decisions are made about transgender or cisgender male job candidates. More importantly, these candidates are scored on statements related to theoretical reasons for hiring discrimination given in the literature. The resulting data are analysed using a bivariate analysis. Additionally, a multiple mediation model is run.

Findings

Suggestive evidence is found for co-worker and customer taste-based discrimination, but not for employer taste-based discrimination. In addition, results show that transgender men are perceived as being in worse health, being more autonomous and assertive, and have a lower probability to go on parental leave, compared with cisgender men, revealing evidence for (positive and negative) statistical discrimination.

Social implications

Targeted policy measures are needed given the substantial labour market discrimination against transgender individuals measured in former studies. However, to combat this discrimination effectively, one needs to understand its underlying mechanisms. This study provides the first comprehensive exploration of these mechanisms.

Originality/value

This study innovates in being one of the first to explore the relative empirical importance of dominant (theoretical) explanations for hiring discrimination against transgender men. Thereby, the authors take the logical next step in the literature on labour market discrimination against transgender individuals.
The dilemma of social commerce
Authors: Li Xiaodong , Wang Chuang , Zhang Yanping
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Due to customers' extensive avoidance behavior, social commerce may be less successful than anticipated. This study investigates the underlying mechanism and antecedents that influence customers' avoidance of peer-generated advertisements.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the general framework of avoidance behavior, we propose a theoretical model for the context of a mobile social network, with tie strength as the user-related factor and violation of shared language, advertisement relevance and information overload as contextual variables. Using survey data collected from 334 customers on WeChat, we empirically examine the research model and hypotheses.

Findings

Tie strength and advertisement relevance are negatively associated with avoidance behavior, whereas information overload and violation of shared language have significantly positive effects. Furthermore, tie strength weakens the negative relationship between violation of shared language and avoidance behavior but strengthens the positive relationship between advertisement relevance and avoidance behavior.

Originality/value

The findings extend understanding of advertisement avoidance behavior and can guide practitioners' improvement of advertising efficiency in mobile social networks.
The role of relationship quality and loyalty programs in building customer loyalty
Authors: Kwiatek Piotr , Morgan Zoe , Thanasi-Boçe Marsela
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Despite the abundance of B2B loyalty programs (LPs), the research on their interplay with relationship marketing is scarce. The purpose of this paper is to investigate a LP (a relational practice) on a transactional business market to test if and how a B2B LP affects relationship outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on dyadic research in a multi-theory framework. Data were collected from 200 small and medium enterprises that purchase office supplies from a company and merged with the company’s internal records.The formative-reflective measurement model is estimated using structural equation modeling – partial least squares (SEM-PLS).

Findings

Relationship quality (RQ) directly affects sales and customer share of wallet. The effect is strengthened by customer activity in a LP. RQ results directly in a longer tenure and willingness to recommend only for members of a LP.

Research limitations/implications

RQ is driven mainly by customer’s evaluation of prior experience with a supplier, while a LP is based on a forward-looking promise of a reward. The results of the study point to the level of customers’ activity in a LP as a boundary condition of the program’s efficacy.

Practical implications

RQ affects both attitudinal and behavioral outcomes but through distinct mechanisms. Once a supplier is a preferred one, LP membership strengthens the attitudinal outcome of a relationship. The effect of RQ on company performance is magnified by the level of customer activity in a LP but not by the membership status.

Originality/value

The theoretical framework integrates transaction costs, relational contract and relational exchange theories to investigate a LP on a transactional market. The study adds to the scant literature on LPs in business-to-business and provides evidence for similarities and differences in comparison to consumer research.
Community-based management of the USAT Liberty, Bali, Indonesia
Authors: Lukman Alqiz
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study presents an example of sustainable cultural heritage tourism. The heritage tourism at the site of the ship USAT Liberty in the small fishing village of Tulamben on the northeast coast of Bali Island plays a significant role in the lives of the local people who live nearby, who actively participate in the site's management.

Design/methodology/approach

This study assessed the management of the site by the local community by means of formal interviews with major stakeholders, informal conversations, and observations in the field.

Findings

Although it lacks any direct historical connection with the local community, the reuse of the shipwreck as a tourist asset has motivated the community to participate in the conservation of the site and sustain its values. This article argues that the case of the USAT Liberty demonstrates that the management of heritage sites can be effectively sustained using bottom-up approaches.

Originality/value

The USAT Liberty case study provides insights and practical recommendations that could be valuable for other cultural heritage sites in implementing management with a bottom-up approach. This paper enriches the knowledge of community-based management and promotes it as a pathway to sustainable cultural heritage tourism.
Analyzing sustainable power supply chain performance
Authors: Sun Jiasen , Xu Shuqi , Li Guo
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The power industry is the pillar industry of the Chinese economy, and also a major carbon emitter. The performances of both the production and operation of the power industry are crucial for a harmonious development of society. This study proposes an improved data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to analyze the sustainable performance of China's power supply chain (PSC).

Design/methodology/approach

To analyze the sustainable performance of PSC systems in China's provincial regions, this study proposes a two-stage directional distance function (DDF) model. The proposed model not only considers the leader–follower game relationship between the power-generation system and the retail system, but also considers the factors that measure the sustainability level of the PSC.

Findings

The proposed model is applied to assess the sustainable performance of the PSCs of China's provincial regions. The findings are valuable and mainly include the following aspects: First, compared with other models, this study regards the intermediate variable of the power system as a freely disposable variable; therefore, the efficiency of the proposed model is more realistic. Second, the average efficiency of China's power retailing system is generally lower than the average efficiency of its power-generation system. Third, significant regional differences affect the power-generation efficiency, while the regional differences in power retail efficiency are not significant. The power-generation performances of PSCs in East China and Northeast China are generally higher than in other regions.

Originality/value

This study introduces the convex technique into a DEA model and thus proposes an improved two-stage DDF DEA model. In response to the game-theoretic inherent in power systems, this study also introduces the leader–follower game into the two-stage model. In addition to the theoretic novelty, all PSCs can be classified with this model. Moreover, specific recommendations for each type of PSCs are proposed based on the efficiency results, thus providing vital guidance for the practice.
Prevention of gynecological cancers: the affecting factors and knowledge levels of Turkish women
Authors: Evcili Funda , Bekar Mine
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Gynecological cancers are preventable and treatable diseases in case of early diagnosis. However, lack of knowledge is one of the factors preventing women from benefiting from early diagnosis. Increasing women's knowledge of gynecological cancers contributes to improving the health of both women and the community. The purpose of this research study was to determine the affecting factors and knowledge level of Turkish women-related gynecological cancer prevention.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study and was carried out at a state hospital's outpatient clinic between May and June 2019. The sampling included 496 women who are not diagnosed with gynecological cancer in the individual or in the family. Data were collected using the personal information form and Gynecological Cancer Prevention Information Scale (GCPIS). Data were evaluated using the SPSS 22.0 software program. Frequencies, mean and standard deviation were used for the descriptive variables. For the data that met the parametric conditions, those with two groups were analyzed using independent samplest-tests and those with more than two groups were analyzed usingF-test.

Findings

In this study, the GCPIS total mean score of women was found 16.22 ± 8.21 (min: 0, max: 35). A statistically significant difference was found between the women's level of knowledge according to the age group of the participants, education level, economic status perception, regular pap-smear test, regular vulva examination and getting information about prevention from gynecologic cancers (p < 0.05).

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted on a group of Turkish women and cannot be generalized to other cultures.

Practical implications

This study can be beneficial for determining the Turkish women's knowledge levels about gynecological cancers of women and for providing data for health education programs planning to be created.

Social implications

The data of this study can be used to improve women's knowledge and examination skills of gynecological cancers. Thus, the quality of life of women can be improved.

Originality/value

Healthcare professionals can play vital roles in presenting needed knowledge about gynecological cancers and raising awareness in women. It is extremely important for women to be informed about gynecological cancers for prevention of gynecological cancers and health improvement.
Banks in Kenya and anti-money laundering obligations: the conflicts of interests arising
Authors: Gikonyo Constance
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Kenya is vulnerable to trade-based and other forms of money laundering. Banks are prime targets for money launderers since they can facilitate the processes of placement, layering and re-integration. Consequently, banks are key in fulfilment of the prohibitory and preventative anti-money laundering (AML) strategies. In executing these obligations, the potential for clashes between the bank following the law and obeying its contractual duties to the client arises. Hence, this paper aims to examine these potential conflicts of interests.

Design/methodology/approach

The examination is based on reviewing relevant literature, case law and analysing the Proceeds of Crime and AML Act and its attendant regulations. These form the core of the AML regime imposing obligations on banks.

Findings

The analysis indicates the provisions are robust and can assist in addressing money laundering risks faced by banks. Nonetheless, there are identified gaps since the primary AML legislation does not provide guidance on various issues. This can potentially lead to banks facing litigation from customers for failure to honour its duty of secrecy and customer’s instructions.

Originality/value

The paper seeks to make a practical and scholarly contribution in considering the issue and possibly filling this gap through advocating for statutory amendment. Subsequently, positive review of the law will help strike a balance between interference in the banker-customer contractual relationship and facilitation of banks fulfilling their prohibitory and enforcement of AML obligations.
Organizational capability for change and performance in artisanal businesses in Mexico
Authors: Sánchez-Medina Patricia S.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Businesses in Mexico, particularly small and mid-sized companies, are faced with numerous challenges: a lack of competition, difficulty in positioning and maintaining oneself in the market, irrational use of natural resources, and poverty in the environment in which they develop. In spite of these problems, many are able to succeed; however, there is limited knowledge about how these businesses could implement organizational changes that would positively impact their results.

Design/methodology/approach

Using dynamic capabilities theory and survey data obtained from pottery businesses in several artisan communities in Mexico through the application of face-to-face interviews, this paper analyzes the relationship between organizational capability for change (OCC) and economic and environmental performance.

Findings

This research proves that OCC positively and significantly impacts economic and environmental performance. Results contribute to the existing literature on OCC in the context of poverty.

Originality/value

This study offers empirical research that illustrates the relationship between OCC and the environmental and economic performance of pottery businesses. Additionally it contributes to a field of knowledge in progress; that is, OCC in contexts of subsistence where poverty is a constant issue. Artisans living in this context can also develop business capabilities that contribute to the permanence of their business in the market.
Consumer-brand identity and online advertising message elaboration
Authors: Graham Kenneth Wilson , Wilder Kelly M.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use social identity theory and the elaboration likelihood model to explore differences in consumer response to positive and negative online brand advertising based on the degree to which the consumer identifies with the brand featured in the ad. Dependent variables include attitude toward the ad, attitude toward the brand, willingness to share the ad and purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a posttest-only, 2 (low consumer–brand identification v. high consumer–brand identification) × 2 (negative advertisement v. positive advertisement) between-subjects factorial design for two separate brands based on the pretest results.

Findings

Results show, in support of extant research, that consumer–brand identification enhances consumer perceptions of positive brand advertising. In addition, this research shows that consumer–brand identification also minimizes the potentially detrimental effects of negative advertisements on the dependent variables. Further, results suggest that those with a low consumer–brand identification are more likely to share negative online brand advertising.

Practical implications

Building consumer–brand identification among target consumers results in positive brand attitudes and behaviors while at the same time shielding brands from negative online attack advertising. However, consumers with weak consumer–brand identification can be influenced through peripheral cues in online ads. This research indicates that managers need to focus on strengthening consumer–brand identity with target audiences and closely monitor negative online sentiment.

Originality/value

This exploratory research extends current consumer–brand relationship scholarship and adds support for application of the elaboration likelihood model in an online environment. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the role of consumer–brand identity and its role in explaining consumer responses to online display advertising.
The sharing economy in a digital society: youth consumer behavior in Italy
Authors: Gazzola Patrizia , Grechi Daniele , Papagiannis Fragkoulis , Marrapodi Chiara
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the sharing economy in Italy, focusing on key socioeconomic characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting an exploratory approach, it analyzes the answers of a questionnaire, created using Google Forms and administered via social networks and e-mails. To analyze the answers statistical tests and descriptive statistics were used. The survey reveals potential behavioral factors, which influence the participation propensity to share economic practices.

Findings

Results exhibit that the age of the consumer is an impactful participating factor of sharing economy, and therefore, it seems to be a discriminant. On the contrary, gender and annual income are insignificant determinants.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is unbalanced, the majority of the answers were provided by young people.

Social implications

The paper can give a picture of the role and the importance of the sharing economy in Italy. Motivated by its global economic growth that could reach in 2025 the value of €570bn, it contextualizes what drives people to collaborate and share tangible and intangible assets.

Originality/value

It aims to discover how this digital trend shapes the social fabric of the global economy, providing a broader reflection in terms of future sustainability developments. Ongoing dynamic changes on digital consumer preferences toward sharing products and services provide valuable evidence on their future commercial behavior.
The development of innovative capacity as a strategic resource in technology-based incubation activities
Authors: Vepo do Nascimento Welter Clarice , Oneide Sausen Jorge , Rossetto Carlos Ricardo
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To identify the instruments and organizational mechanisms that provide the development of the innovative capacities of companies that (i) no longer work with technology-based incubators, and (ii) are associated with the community universities of the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical research, qualitative approach and descriptive nature, conducted through multiple case studies in 21 companies from IEBTs in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Data were organized and analyzed through content analysis.

Findings

Results show that the development of IC occurred through behaviors and skills, routines and processes and mechanisms of learning and knowledge governance that support the development of product, process and behavioral dimensions. It became evident that the companies that are emerging from IEBTs need innovation capacity to survive in the market. These innovations are related to product, process and behavioral innovations.

Research limitations/implications

The study cannot be generalized to other segments, since it was restricted to a set of IEBT egress companies, with specific realities and based on the perception of the managers of these companies.

Practical implications

The mechanisms and instruments for the development of innovative capacity can be used by companies from different sectors to make them more competitive before the current economic scenario.

Originality/value

It is justified by the scarcity of studies related to the dynamic capacity component (DC) elements, constituting a theoretical gap regarding the innovative capacity.
Environment-friendly stimulus-sensitive polyurethanes based on cationic aminoglycosides for the controlled release of phytohormones
Authors: Palencia Manuel , Mora Mayra , Lerma Tulio A.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Controlled release systems are an efficient alternative for the effective use of agricultural supplies. Among the most versatile controlled release systems are intelligent or stimulus-sensitive polymeric materials, since these materials are multipurpose and adaptable alternatives that offer great adaptability for agricultural applications. The objective of this work was to develop stimulus-sensitive polyurethanes (PUs) based on cationic aminoglycosides (CAG) to be used as an active phase for the manufacture of systems for the controlled release of phytohormones such as naphthalene acetic acid (NAA).

Design/methodology/approach

The synthesis of stimulus-sensitive PUs was carried out by a polycondensation reaction using CAGs and methylene diphenyl isocyanate (MDI) as precursors. The NAA retention and release experiments were performed at different pH values and ionic forces to include the acidity and salinity of agricultural soils.

Findings

The results demonstrate that PUs can be obtained from CAG and MDI using the one-step method. The retention of NAA increased as the CAG content increased in the polymer structure, while it is seen that the effect of pH is weak compared to the effect of ionic strength. On the other hand, the release of NAA from cationic PUs can be accomplished by small changes in ionic strength that are mainly affected by the composition of the PU and the pH. The results suggest that, for developed systems, retention and release of NAA is affected by other interaction mechanisms that could probably be related to p-aromatic interactions.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are limited to controlled conditions and the expanding of results to extensive crops should be analyzed in next research studies.

Practical implications

The practical implications of this study are improving of control for the dosage of phytohormones in stake propagation crops, greenhouse crops, optimization of reseeding operations, among others.

Social implications

The social implication of this study is reduction of pollution by addition of excess of NAA, in consequence, production costs are decreased.

Originality/value

Originality and value of this research is the use of PUs based on CAG, and in consequence, the possibility to build novel environment-friendly systems for phytohormone dosage.