bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How does IT capability affect open innovation performance? The mediating effect of absorptive capacity
Authors: Wu Suming , Ding Xiuhao , Liu Ruihong , Gao Hui
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Open innovation and information systems have been key topics in the theoretical domain, but little empirical research thoroughly examines how information technology (IT) capability affects open innovation performance. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between IT capability and open innovation performance and to expose the inner mechanism at the firm level.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper collected firm-level data in China; 232 usable questionnaires from different firms were collected. Then, the study used a structural equation model by AMOS for hypothesis testing.

Findings

The results indicate that both internal IT capability and external IT capability have positive impacts on open innovation performance; potential absorptive capacity and realized absorptive capacity mediate the relationship between external IT capability and open innovation performance. Additionally, realized absorptive capacity plays a mediating role in the relationship between internal IT capability and open innovation performance.

Practical implications

These findings indicate that practitioners should pay attention to the important relationship between absorptive capacity and IT capability and open innovation performance in Chinese businesses.

Originality/value

Existing research has emphasized the influence of IT on open innovation, but empirical studies have not thoroughly focused on the inner mechanisms of the effect of IT capability on open innovation performance. Drawing on firm capability theory, this paper classifies IT capability as internal and external IT capability and absorptive capacity as potential and realized absorptive capacity. Then, this paper confirms the mediating role of absorptive capacity between IT capability and open innovation performance.
The impact that exposure to digital fabrication technology has on student entrepreneurial intentions
Authors: Monllor Javier , Soto-Simeone Aracely
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role exposure to digital fabrication technology plays in the development of students’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 131 students enrolled in a business administration undergraduate program at a large Midwestern university in the USA. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results provide evidence on how exposure to and hands-on experience with digital manufacturing technology in universities can have a positive impact on students’ ESE and intentions to become entrepreneurs.

Practical implications

Results support initiatives by business schools and entrepreneurship programs to invest in digital manufacturing technology as they help increase students’ confidence in their technological and entrepreneurial abilities.

Originality/value

This is the first study that directly looks at the role that exposure to digital technology in a business and entrepreneurship education program has on students’ ESE and intentions.
Natives’ skills and attitudes towards immigrants: evidence from 20 OECD countries
Authors: Kim Seong Hee
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether natives’ attitudes toward immigration is associated with an influx of high- and low-skilled immigrants. The current research focuses on selected 20 OECD countries as destination countries.

Design/methodology/approach

A pseudo-panel based on age cohort is constructed to control for the potential unobservable individual characteristics. The random effects and within estimators (where applicable) are applied in the panel-data setting.

Findings

Regression results indicate that natives’ attitudes depend on their labor market exposure and skill type. Low-skill immigrant inflows are negatively associated with natives’ attitudes, but the magnitude is reduced proportionally to their share of the high skilled. The association between immigrant flows and attitudes is particularly strong for the prime-age cohorts, which can be explained by the labor market competition mechanism.

Research limitations/implications

Given the data limitations, not all destination countries could be analyzed but only selected OECD countries. However, this situation has resulted in the sample destination countries sharing similar characteristics with advanced economies.

Originality/value

Although the majority of previous studies are based on survey questions on attitudes toward immigrants with respective skill type, the current study focuses on the effects of the actual immigration flows. Natives’ attitudes respond sensitively to the actual changes in the number of migrants. The selection of OECD countries makes the characteristics of the destination countries substantially homogeneous.
Green recruitment and selection: an insight into green patterns
Authors: Pham Do Dieu Thu , Paillé Pascal
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Although the role of green recruitment and selection (GRS) has been widely recognised as an important dimension of green human resource management, no study has ever mapped the terrain of GRS and reviewed the literature. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap while exploring the following questions: How do organisations select candidates in line with their pro-environmental stance? What impact do a company’s corporate environmental sustainability (CES) practices have on attracting pro-environmental job seekers?

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a systematic review of 22 peer-reviewed articles published during the period 2008–2017. The articles were included in the review if they addressed at least one of the two research questions.

Findings

Some companies choose to apply green criteria when selecting candidates while others do not. In any case, communicating a company’s environmental values and orientation is worth practicing during GRS. Previous studies have identified four mediators (anticipated pride, perceived value fit, expectation of favourable treatment, perceived organisational green reputation/prestige) that intervene between signals of a company’s CES and a job seeker’s perceptions of organisational attractiveness. However, the strength of this effect is influenced by five moderators (pro-environmental attitude, socio-environmental consciousness, desire to have a significant impact through one’s work, environmental-related standard registration, job seeker’s expertise).

Originality/value

This paper provides the first systematic review of GRS and thus paves the way for future research.
The role of thriving at work and overall fairness in the future work self–employee creativity relationship
Authors: Yang Yang , Li Zhongqiu , Su Yingying , Zhang Xue
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze why and when the future work self affects employee creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 171 supervisor–employee dyads in four Chinese enterprises.

Findings

The results indicate that the future work self has a positive effect on employee creativity. Further, thriving at work mediates the links between the future work self and employee creativity. The authors also theorize that overall fairness moderates the positive effects of the future work self on thriving at work and employee creativity.

Originality/value

The study supports the self-determination perspective regarding the future work self and strengthens the application of this perspective in an effort to understand the relationship between the future work self and employee creativity.
An empirical examination of individual green policy perception and green behaviors
Authors: Yang Liyan , Jiang Yuan , Zhang Wei , Zhang Qian , Gong Hao
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to verify and extend the application of the policy acceptance model (PAM) in the field of green behavior. Under the PAM framework, the authors develop and empirically examine on how employee perception of corporate green policy (perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness) increases the acceptance of corporate green policy, which further leads to two types of employee green behavior. The authors also test the moderating roles of moral reflectiveness and performance orientation on these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected complete survey data from 223 work professionals in this study. Multiple regression method was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that there were significant positive impacts of two types of employee perceptions of corporate green policy (perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness) on their attitudes toward corporate green policy. Second, this study reported positive relationships between employees’ attitudes toward corporate green policy and their two types of green behavior. Finally, supplemental analyses supported moderated mediation models, that is, moral reflectiveness and performance orientation, respectively, and moderated indirect effects of employee perceptions on green behaviors through attitude toward corporate green policy.

Research limitations/implications

The data came from a narrow demographic population, which restricts the generalizability of the findings and also raises questions about the specificity of green behaviors manifest in different industries. Besides, this study used cross-sectional, self-reported data, which limits our ability to draw causal conclusions.

Practical implications

Companies can shape employee perceptions regarding the usefulness and ease of corporate green policy to induce and consolidate employees’ task-related and proactive green behaviors.

Social implications

This research will help companies to pay more attention to employees’ reflections and attitudes toward green policies, thus effectively promoting employees’ green behavior in the workplace. These actions will further promote the green development of the economy and society.

Originality/value

The authors extend the PAM framework to the area of green behavior. The PAM is applied to a more micro level of corporate green policy. Further, this paper points out that employees’ instrumental value (performance orientation) and moral trait (moral reflectiveness) moderate the impact of employees’ policy perceptions on their green behaviors.
Age and sustainable labour participation: studying moderating effects
Authors: van den Elsen Josine , Vermeeren Brenda
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Research findings are ambiguous regarding the effects of age on sustainable labour participation (SLP), defined as the extent to which people are able and willing to conduct their current and future work. The purpose of this paper is to contribute by examining age effects on SLP by focusing on the moderating role of workload.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method study was conducted in 2018. First, a survey was distributed among a sample of 2,149 employees of the Dutch central government. Second, 12 interviews with public sector employees took place to gain greater insight into the quantitative data collected.

Findings

Three components that reflect an employee’s SLP were studied: vitality, work ability and employability. The quantitative results, in general, showed that SLP decreased with ageing. However, in contrast to the hypothesis, the results showed a significant positive relationship between age and energy. Moreover, relationships between an employee’s age and certain aspects of their SLP were moderated by workload. The interviews helped to interpret these results.

Practical implications

The findings demonstrate that some of the older worker stereotypes are unfounded, and the important practical implications of these are discussed.

Originality/value

Earlier research has produced conflicting findings regarding the relationship between age and (aspects of) SLP. By investigating several aspects of SLP in separate regressions within this research, the specific influences of age have become clearer. Furthermore, the research provides fresh insights into the relationship between age and SLP by including moderating effects of workload.
Friction and wear behavior of single-phase high-entropy alloy FeCoNiCrMn under MoS2-oil lubrication
Authors: Wang Hao , Ren Kai , Xie Jin , Zhang Chen , Tang Wencheng
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The face-centered cubic structured single-phase FeCoNiCrMn high-entropy alloys (HEAs) were prepared to study the friction and wear behavior of HEAs under MoS2-oil lubrication.

Design/methodology/approach

FeCoNiCrMn alloys were subjected to ball-on-disc reciprocating sliding against the GCr15 ball. L25(56) orthogonal wear tests were designed for velocity Vrel (4.167-20.833 mm/s), load FN (10-50 N), temperature T (RT-140 °C) and time t (5-20 min). Based on orthogonal test results, multivariate repeated measures ANOVA was performed, and further comparative experiments were conducted for Vrel, FN and T. Energy dispersive spectrometer and scanning electron microscope were applied to characterize the surface morphology of wear scar and its element distribution.

Findings

Vrel, FN and t exerted the most significant influence (p < 0.01) on the average friction coefficient f. Vrel and FN were identified as the momentous effect (p < 0.01) on wear volume ΔV. T (≥50 °C) had positive correlation with f and ΔV, and both Vrel and FN correlated negatively with f. The dominant abrasive wear was attributed to the large hardness difference of the friction pair. Fatigue wear and delamination wear were experienced at higher speeds (Vrel  ≥ 12.5 mm/s) and loading levels (FN ≥ 40 N). Elevated temperature weakens the lubrication effect of MoS2-oil and the mechanical properties of FeCoNiCrMn matrix, intensifying abrasive wear.

Originality/value

This study is expected to provide references for exploration on the wear behavior of single-phase HEAs under complex working conditions with lubrication and hence will help develop the application of HEAs in practical engineering.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-08-2019-0303
The role of nation brand in attracting foreign direct investments: a case study of Korea
Authors: Lee Richard , Lee You-il
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Drawing on the six-dimensional framework of the Anholt-GfK Nation Brands Index (NBI), the purpose of this paper takes a government-to-business (G2B) perspective of international marketing by shedding light on how governments (as sellers) can harness their nations’ brand image to attract businesses (as buyers) to invest in the country.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Korea as context, this study interviewed Korea-based foreign multinational companies (MNCs) to elucidate how nation brand had influenced their FDI decisions to establish R&D centres in Korea. Purposive sampling identified 36 MNCs from diverse countries and industries that had set up R&D centres within the last decade. Individual in-depth interviews probed the MNCs’ views of Korea’s nation brand in regards to their FDI decisions. Recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed for common themes.

Findings

Five key thematic attributes of Korea’s nation brand emerged: rigid labour market, pro-FDI government, Chaebols’ dominance, strong nationalism and rapid industrialisation. These attributes relate to NBI’s dimensions of people, governance, investment/immigration, culture/heritage and exports, respectively. The dimensions impacted Korea’s nation brand differently.

Originality/value

This study contributes to nation branding research by applying the Anholt-GfK NBI to empirically investigate nation brand’s influence on attracting business investments at a macro-G2B level. The findings are particularly useful in guiding government policy-makers and trade organisations on running nation-brand promotions and marketing campaigns for FDIs. The findings will also benefit foreign businesses who are considering injecting capital investments into a country.
From needs to deeds
Authors: Sandström Niclas , Nevgi Anne
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to study a change process on a university campus from a pedagogical perspective. The aim of the process, as expressed by facilities management and faculty leadership, was to create campus learning landscapes that promote social encounters and learning between students and researchers, as well as other embedded groups. The paper addresses how pedagogical needs are or should be integrated in the design process.

Design/methodology/approach

The data of this case study regarding change on campus consist of semi-structured interviews of information-rich key stakeholders identified using snowball sampling method. The interviews were analysed to find common themes and reference to pedagogical needs and expectations.

Findings

Campus usability and reliability are improved when pedagogy informs the design, and needs such as sense of belonging (human) and connectivity (digital) are fulfilled. User-centred design should be followed through during the whole campus change process, and there should be sufficient communications between user groups.

Research limitations/implications

The discussion is based on one case. However, the recommendations are solid and also reflected in other related research literature regarding campus change initiatives.

Practical implications

The paper states recommendations for including pedagogical needs in campus learning landscape change and underlines the role of real user-centred processes in reaching this goal.

Originality/value

The study introduces the concept of campus reliability and highlights a missing link from many campus change cases – pedagogy – which is suggested to be essential in informing campus designs that produce usable and reliable future-ready outcomes.
Financial institutions mergers: a strategy choice of wealth maximisation and economic value
Authors: Hassan Mohamad , Giouvris Evangelos
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study Investigates Shareholders' value adjustment in response to financial institutions (FIs) merger announcements in the immediate event window and in the extended event window. This study also investigates accounting measures performance, comparison of post-merger to pre-merger, including several cash flow measures and not just profitability measures, as the empirical literature review suggests. Finally, the authors examine FIs mergers orientations of diversification and focus create more value for shareholders (in the immediate announcement window and several months afterward) and/or generates better cash flows, profitability and less credit risk.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines FIs merger effect on bidders’ shareholder’s value and on their observed performance. This examination deploys three techniques simultaneously: a) an event study analysis, to estimate and calculate abnormal returns (ARs) and cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) in the narrow windows of the merger announcement, b) buy and hold event study analysis, to estimate ARs in the wider window of the event, +50 to +230 days after the merger announcement and c) an observed performance analysis, of financial and capital efficiency measures before and after the merger announcement; return on equity, liquidity, cost to income ratio, capital to total assets ratio, net loans to total loans, credit risk, loans to deposits ratio, other expenses and total assets, economic value addition, weighted average cost of capital and return on invested capital. Deal criteria of value, mega-deals, strategic orientation (as in Ansoff (1980) growth strategies), acquiring bank size and payment method are set as individually as control variables.

Findings

Results show that FIs mergers destroy share value for the bidding firms pursuing a market penetration strategy. Market development and product development strategies enable shareholders’ value creation in short and long horizons. Diversification strategies do not influence bidding shareholders’ value. Local bank to bank mergers create shareholders’ value and enhance liquidity and economic value in the short run. Bank to bank cross border mergers create value for bidders’ in the long term but are associated with high costs and higher risks.

Originality/value

A significant advancement over the current literature is in assessing mergers, not only for bank bidders but also for the three pillars FIs of the financial sector; banks, real-estate companies and investment companies mergers. It is an improvement over current finance literature because it deploys two different strategies in the analysis. At a univariate level, shareholder value creation and market reaction to merger announcements are examined over short (−5 or +5 days) and long (+230 days) windows of the event. Followed by regressing, the resultant CARs and BHARs over financial performance variables at the multivariate level.
Evolving existence of assets and liabilities of foreignness
Authors: Ng Lee Keng , Curran Louise
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the simultaneous evolution of LOF and AOF in the context of environmental protection (EP) companies from Europe in the Chinese market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a qualitative, case study approach, using interview data to explore the extent of liability of foreignness and how the FSAs of firms have changed from the time on market entry. The authors undertook 15 in-depth interviews with decision makers in six companies addressing their experience of foreignness during their long tenure in China. To control for sector-level effects, the authors focus on companies in the EP sector.

Findings

The authors found the evolving AOF of the firms were challenged to a significant extent that caused difficulties in reducing their LOF over time. The EP sector is dominated by state-owned enterprises that have unique organized structure preventing localized foreign firms from gaining access into the institutionalized network. This deeply quilted institutionalized network had a corrosive effect in the gradual erosion of the LOF manifested from unfair price strategy practice, forced collaborations, ostracization of project participations, operational barriers, prohibited and restricted market access. The research also uncovered the rebirth nature of LOF that caused AOF to lose its significance across bureaucracy and ownership changed.

Research limitations/implications

The relatively small number of cases (six) limits the generalizability of the findings by the authors. However, the authors are convinced that, given that the case companies are generally large and have long experience in China, the conclusions made are well grounded. In addition, there was the high level of coherence in the reported experiences of the interviewees, providing further support for the findings.

Practical implications

The experiences of these case study companies highlight that MNEs need to be vigilant and creative in constantly improving their FSAs so that the competitive distance between them and the local competitors remains substantial.

Originality/value

Very few studies have explored both assets and liabilities of foreignness in the host country regulatory context using a case study-based qualitative approach, especially in emerging markets.
Linking organizational trust and performance through ambidexterity
Authors: Chams-Anturi Odette , Moreno-Luzon Maria D. , Escorcia-Caballero Juan P.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The literature provides mixed empirical evidence on the trust–performance relationship. The purpose of this paper is to shed additional light on this relationship, using organizational ambidexterity as an explanatory variable.

Design/methodology/approach

A structural equation technique was used to examine survey data obtained from 377 Spanish organic agro-food industries.

Findings

The results obtained provide support to show that organizational ambidexterity has a mediating role in the relationship between organizational trust and firm performance, in the organic agro-food industry.

Research limitations/implications

This study used a sample taken from only one industry and country. Future research could expand the model to other countries and industries.

Practical implications

This study suggests that managers could use tools to enhance organizational trust that would help to improve firm performance, given that trust can cause employees to adopt behaviors related to ambidexterity. Therefore, managers can use trust as a mechanism to encourage more stable relationships, increase the transfer of existing knowledge, facilitate experimentation and express ideas to promote organizational ambidexterity, thus benefiting firm performance.

Originality/value

This research paper offers a new insight into how ambidexterity affects the organizational trust-firm performance relationship. Even though there is growing theoretical importance given to the concepts of trust and ambidexterity, the empirical evidence that demonstrates how both variables are related to firm performance, especially in emerging sectors, is scarce.
An efflux inhibitor of the MacAB pump in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Yamagishi Ami , Nakano Sohei , Yamasaki Seiji , Nishino Kunihiko
Published: December 2019

Multidrug efflux pumps play an important role in bacterial multidrug resistance by actively excreting antibiotics. The ATP‐binding cassette–type drug efflux pump MacAB was originally reported as a macrolide‐specific pump. MacAB is also known to be required for the virulence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium following oral infection in mice. Here, we performed a screening of inhibitors of Salmonella MacAB and found a compound that increased the susceptibility of a MacAB‐expressing strain to macrolides. It was previously reported that MacAB is required to resist peroxide‐mediated killing in vitro and that a supernatant of wild‐type Salmonella rescues the growth defect of a macAB mutant in H2O2. In this study, we also found that the MacAB inhibitor reduced the ability of the supernatant to rescue Salmonella cells in H2O2. This compound could lead to a better understanding of the function of MacAB.
Economic Union, Finance and Growth: A Prognosis in West Africa
Authors: Ehigiamusoe Kizito Uyi , Lean Hooi Hooi
Published: December 2019

This paper compares the impact of financial development on economic growth in the Union Économique et Monetaire Ouest Africaine (UEMOA) and non‐UEMOA countries. It also examines the finance‐growth nexus before and after the formation of UEMOA, as well as the indirect effect of economic union on economic growth through the financial sector. The study reveals a significant difference in the finance‐growth nexus between UEMOA and non‐UEMOA countries. Specifically, financial development has a robust positive impact on growth in UEMOA countries, while the impact is tenuous in non‐UEMOA countries. However, we find no remarkable difference in the finance‐growth nexus before and after the formation of UEMOA. We also reveal that economic union has no robust indirect effect on economic growth via the financial sector. The economic implication is that UEMOA could have economic benefits, but financial development is not a channel through which it influences growth. Therefore, it is necessary to reposition the union so that it can enhance the impact of finance on growth.
Dynamics of Agricultural Productivity and Technical Efficiency in Togo: The Role of Technological Change
Authors: Pilo Mikémina
Published: December 2019

In the search for ways to boost agricultural productivity for the take‐off of the so‐advocated agricultural transformation, we investigate in this paper whether there is room under current technologies to boost agricultural productivity through technical efficiency, focusing on the five administrative regions of Togo. We use a regional stochastic frontier model, which assumes that farmers maximize return to the outlay in order to account for potential endogeneity and regional heterogeneities to a panel data for the period 2000–2014. The findings reveal that technical efficiency in agriculture varies considerably across regions and over time. In addition, our results indicate that the country can rely on irrigation intensification to sustain its move towards higher agricultural technical efficiency, while higher rainfall variability puts additional pressure on the achievement of such objective. The policy message drawn from this study supports policy strategies designed to promote irrigation and increased rainfall variability management tools, such as weather insurance, as sound agricultural technical efficiency driven options.
Is activated clotting time necessary to guide sheath removal in heparinised patients undergoing endovascular intervention for peripheral vascular disease?
Authors: Tan Mae Chyi , Duff Kylie , Roberts Louise , Ramachandran Vivekananda
Published: December 2019

Introduction

The purpose was to evaluate the best practice for arterial sheath management in heparinised patients undergoing endovascular intervention for peripheral vascular disease (PVD) at Eastern Health.

Methods

Patients undergoing endovascular intervention for PVD at Eastern Health between January 2016 and February 2018 were studied. Those who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to five interventional radiologists and Category A (sheath removed upon return to recovery without activated clotting time (ACT)), Category B (ACT check 1‐h postheparin and the sheath was removed without knowing the ACT) or Category C (ACT check 1‐h postheparin and sheath removed once ACT < 160; our hospital’s current protocol). Nurses removing sheaths independently have >3 years of experience. Data were collected on baseline clinical characteristics, dose of heparin administered, sheath size and direction, time from heparin administration to sheath removal, time to haemostasis, blood pressure at time of sheath removal and complications.

Results

A total of 152 patients were included. About 74% of them were males, and the average age was 72 years. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics influencing complications and other contributing factors. The only significant finding was that Category C experienced the longest mean time to sheath removal (143.4 ± 52.1 min) while Category A experienced the shortest mean time (62.2 ± 27.1 min, P = 0.0001). There was no significant difference in outcomes.

Conclusion

There was no significant difference in the outcomes among all groups, and therefore, it shows no reason to routinely measure ACT to guide sheath removal in heparinised patients undergoing endovascular intervention for PVD.
Serum levels of interleukin‐34 and clinical correlation in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Liu Yanmei , Zhang Bei , Lei Yimeng , Xia Liping , Lu Jing , Shen Hui
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To measure the levels of serum interleukin (IL)‐34 in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and evaluate the cytokine's clinical association with the disease.

Methods

Serum samples were obtained from 66 pSS patients and 32 healthy controls (HCs) and measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for IL‐34 levels. The clinical parameters, including autoantibodies, immunoglobulins (Igs), complements (Cs), inflammatory indicators, involvement of the blood system, lung and arthritis, were collected simultaneously. Two‐sample t test was applied for comparison between 2 groups, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the associations between IL‐34 levels and laboratory parameters.

Results

Serum IL‐34 levels were significantly elevated in pSS patients compared with HCs. Patients with anti‐Ro/SSA antibody positivity showed higher serum IL‐34 levels than those who were negative, as did the anti‐La/SSB antibody‐positive patients. Serum IL‐34 levels were positively associated with the levels of rheumatoid factor, IgG and gamma‐globulin, but not associated with IgA, IgM, C3, C4, erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C‐reactive protein. For the pSS subgroups with and without leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia or interstitial lung disease (ILD), there was no significant difference in serum IL‐34 levels. Interestingly, the pSS patients with arthritis had higher levels of IL‐34 compared with the no‐arthritis patients.

Conclusions

IL‐34 may be involved in B cell activation and production of antibodies in pSS.
Changes in social groups across reintroductions and effects on post‐release survival
Authors: Franks V. R. , Andrews C. E. , Ewen J. G. , McCready M. , Parker K. A. , Thorogood R.
Published: December 2019

Reintroductions, essential to many conservation programmes, disrupt both abiotic and social environments. Despite growing recognition that social connections in animals might alter survival (e.g. social transmission of foraging skills, or transmission of disease), there has thus far been little focus on the consequences of social disruption during reintroductions. Here we investigate if moving familiar social groups may help a threatened species to adjust to its new environment and increase post‐release survival. For a reintroduction of 40 juvenile hihi Notiomystis cincta (a threatened New Zealand passerine), we observed social groups before and after translocation to a new site and used social network analysis to study three levels of social change: overall group structure, network associations and individual sociality. We also tested alternate translocation strategies where birds were kept temporarily in aviaries in either a familiar group, or where their prior association was mixed. Although social structure remained similar among juveniles that remained at the source site, we detected significant changes in translocated birds at both the group‐ and individual‐ level post‐release. However, our holding treatments did not affect these social bonds so we remain unable to maintain or manipulate social groups during translocation. Crucially, there was a small tendency for translocated juveniles that gained more associates during re‐assortment of social groups to be more likely to survive their first year post‐release. We suggest that prior sociality may not be important during translocations, but rather individuals that are most able to adapt and form associations at a new site are most likely to be the surviving founders of reintroduced populations.
Genetic variation in EPHA contributes to sensitivity to paclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Marcath Lauren A. , Kidwell Kelley M. , Vangipuram Kiran , Gersch Christina L. , Rae James M. , Burness Monika L. , Griggs Jennifer J. , Van Poznak Catherine , Hayes Daniel F. , Smith Ellen M. Lavoie , Henry N. Lynn , Beutler Andreas S. , Hertz Daniel L.
Published: December 2019

Aims

Chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a treatment limiting toxicity of paclitaxel. We evaluated if EPHA genetic variation (EPHA4, EPHA5, EPHA6, and EPHA8) is associated with PN sensitivity by accounting for variability in systemic paclitaxel exposure (time above threshold).

Methods

Germline DNA from 60 patients with breast cancer was sequenced. PN was measured using the 8‐item sensory subscale (CIPN8) of the patient‐reported CIPN20. Associations for 3 genetic models were tested by incorporating genetics into previously published PN prediction models integrating measured paclitaxel exposure and cumulative treatment. Significant associations were then tested for association with PN‐related treatment disruption.

Results

EPHA5 rs7349683 (minor allele frequency = 0.32) was associated with increased PN sensitivity (β‐coefficient = 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.11–0.67, p = 0.007). Setting a maximum tolerable threshold of CIPN8 = 30, optimal paclitaxel exposure target is shorter for rs7349683 homozygous (11.6 h) than heterozygous (12.6 h) or wild‐type (13.6 h) patients. Total number of missense variants (median = 0, range 0–2) was associated with decreased PN sensitivity (β‐coefficient: −0.42, 95% confidence interval −0.72 to −0.12, P = .006). No association with treatment disruption was detected for the total number of missense variants or rs7349683.

Conclusion

Isolating toxicity sensitivity by accounting for exposure is a novel approach, and rs7349683 represents a promising marker for PN sensitivity that may be used to individualize paclitaxel treatment.
Joint analysis of single‐cell and bulk tissue sequencing data to infer intratumor heterogeneity
Authors: Sun Wei , Jin Chong , Gelfond Jonathan A. , Chen Ming‐Hui , Ibrahim Joseph G.
Published: December 2019

Many computational methods have been developed to discern intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) using DNA sequence data from bulk tumor samples. These methods share an assumption that two mutations arise from the same subclone if they have similar mutant allele‐frequencies (MAFs), and thus it is difficult or impossible to distinguish two subclones with similar MAFs. Single‐cell DNA sequencing (scDNA‐seq) data can be very informative for ITH inference. However, due to the difficulty of DNA amplification, scDNA‐seq data are often very noisy. A promising new study design is to collect both bulk and single‐cell DNA‐seq data and jointly analyze them to mitigate the limitations of each data type. To address the analytic challenges of this new study design, we propose a computational method named BaSiC (Bulk tumor and Single Cell), to discern ITH by jointly analyzing DNA‐seq data from bulk tumor and single cells. We demonstrate that BaSiC has comparable or better performance than the methods using either data type. We further evaluate BaSiC using bulk tumor and single‐cell DNA‐seq data from a breast cancer patient and several leukemia patients.
Outcomes of trial of labor after cesarean birth by provider type in low‐risk women
Authors: Fore Matthew S. , Allshouse Amanda A. , Carlson Nicole S. , Hurt K. Joseph
Published: December 2019

Background

One approach to decreasing the cesarean birth rate in the United States is to increase the availability of birth attendants, including certified nurse‐midwives (CNMs), who offer trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC). We examined associations between provider type and mode of birth for women attempting vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study at a United States academic medical center using prospectively‐collected data (2005‐2012). We included healthy women with term singleton vertex pregnancies after one or two prior cesareans who were managed by obstetricians or CNMs. We assessed unplanned cesarean birth by provider type using univariate and logistic regression and examined labor interventions and predicted VBAC success.

Results

Overall VBAC success was 88% for 502 included patients. Unplanned cesarean rates were similar by provider type. Black race, no prior VBAC, recurring clinical indication for cesarean, labor augmentation/induction, and any Pitocin use were associated with increased unplanned cesarean. Higher parity and early‐term gestational age at delivery were associated with decreased unplanned cesarean. Postpartum hemorrhage and composite maternal morbidity were increased with unplanned cesarean, but there was no difference in neonatal outcome by mode of delivery or provider type. Obstetricians had slightly higher composite adverse maternal outcomes. Nomogram‐predicted VBAC success but not provider type was associated with unplanned cesarean.

Conclusions

Unplanned cesarean was similar for patients attempting labor after cesarean managed by midwives or obstetricians. Increasing the number of CNMs who manage TOLAC may help decrease the high rate of cesareans.
To Extend or Not to Extend: Explaining the Divergent Use of Statutory Bargaining Extensions in the Netherlands and Germany
Authors: Paster Thomas , Oude Nijhuis Dennie , Kiecker Maximilian
Published: December 2019

Employee coverage by multi‐employer bargaining declined since the 1980s in many countries, but countries differ in the extent of that decline. These differences are due, in part, to statutory coverage extension. We analyse the use of statutory coverage extension in two countries, Germany and the Netherlands. Agreements are extended frequently in the Netherlands, where coverage remained stable as a result, but sparingly in Germany, where coverage eroded. The article shows that different employer attitudes are the main cause of this difference. These differences in employer attitudes result from (a) different perceptions of the effects of wage competition by non‐organized firms on organized firms and (b) differences in employer views on the appropriateness of state compulsion.
DEPDC1B is a key regulator of myoblast proliferation in mouse and man
Authors: Figeac Nicolas , Pruller Johanna , Hofer Isabella , Fortier Mathieu , Ortuste Quiroga Huascar Pedro , Banerji Christopher R. S. , Zammit Peter S.
Published: December 2019

Objectives

DISHEVELLED, EGL‐10, PLECKSTRIN (DEP) domain‐containing 1B (DEPDC1B) promotes dismantling of focal adhesions and coordinates detachment events during cell cycle progression. DEPDC1B is overexpressed in several cancers with expression inversely correlated with patient survival. Here, we analysed the role of DEPDC1B in the regulation of murine and human skeletal myogenesis.

Materials and methods

Expression dynamics of DEPDC1B were examined in murine and human myoblasts and rhabdomyosarcoma cells in vitro by RT‐qPCR and/or immunolabelling. DEPDC1B function was mainly tested via siRNA‐mediated gene knockdown.

Results

DEPDC1B was expressed in proliferating murine and human myoblasts, with expression then decreasing markedly during myogenic differentiation. SiRNA‐mediated knockdown of DEPDC1B reduced myoblast proliferation and induced entry into myogenic differentiation, with deregulation of key cell cycle regulators (cyclins, CDK, CDKi). DEPDC1B and β‐catenin co‐knockdown was unable to rescue proliferation in myoblasts, suggesting that DEPDC1B functions independently of canonical WNT signalling during myogenesis. DEPDC1B can also suppress RHOA activity in some cell types, but DEPDC1B and RHOA co‐knockdown actually had an additive effect by both further reducing proliferation and enhancing myogenic differentiation. DEPDC1B was expressed in human Rh30 rhabdomyosarcoma cells, where DEPDC1B or RHOA knockdown promoted myogenic differentiation, but without influencing proliferation.

Conclusion

DEPDC1B plays a central role in myoblasts by driving proliferation and preventing precocious myogenic differentiation during skeletal myogenesis in both mouse and human.
Evidence of an extreme weather‐induced phenological mismatch and a local extirpation of the endangered Karner blue butterfly
Authors: Patterson Tamatha A. , Grundel Ralph , Dzurisin Jason D. K. , Knutson Randy L. , Hellmann Jessica J.
Published: December 2019

In 2011, an experiment was undertaken to examine spring synchrony between the endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) (Kbb) and its obligate host plant, wild blue lupine (Lupinus perennis) at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (INDU), where the southernmost population of Kbb occurred at the time of this study. From 2012 to 2014, field‐placed Kbb eggs were observed for larvae hatching in conjunction with observations of lupine emergence in oak savanna habitat. In 2012, 61% of Kbb hatched when <5% of lupine had emerged due to an extreme early spring event as compared to subsequent years where temporal overlap was >15% between Kbb and lupine. Laboratory experiments testing the sensitivity of Kbb hatching to warm temperatures during the winter of 2011–2012 confirmed that Kbb eggs were susceptible to temperature‐induced hatching. In the summer of 2012, second generation Kbb larvae feeding on sun‐exposed lupine had higher mortality due to the heat and drought conditions that resulted in earlier plant senescence. Following 2012, Kbb were no longer observed at INDU. This observation illustrates the pressing need for adaptive management strategies that account for extreme weather events brought on by climate change.
Food calling in wild ravens (Corvus corax) revisited: Who is addressed?
Authors: Sierro Javier , Loretto Matthias‐Claudio , Szipl Georgine , Massen Jorg J. M. , Bugnyar Thomas
Published: December 2019

Numerous birds and mammals use vocal signals to advertise feeding opportunities but often such signals vary with individual and contextual factors. Non‐breeding ravens call at food that is difficult to access, resulting in the attraction of nearby conspecifics. Although callers may benefit from group formation in various ways, we recently found substantial individual variation in food calling. We here explored whether this variation can be partly explained by the social dynamics in raven foraging groups, together with already known effects of age class and sex. Specifically, we expected ravens to respond to the presence or absence of affiliates that could act as cooperative partners in the forthcoming feeding event, that is they should call when other ravens were present but they themselves were alone rather than when they were also in company of an affiliation partner. We observed the vocal behaviour of individually marked wild ravens and, simultaneously, categorized their affiliative behaviour with other ravens in the minutes before experimentally controlled feedings. In line with our prediction, individuals were less likely to produce food‐associated calls when they were in close contact with an affiliation partner prior to feeding as compared to when they were alone. Furthermore, sex and age class influenced food calling as females called more often than males and younger birds called more often than adult ravens. In conclusion, these results suggest that ravens attempt to find support from a particular cooperative partner by broadly advertise feeding opportunities via food‐associated calls, especially when they have low chances in contest competition due to their age and sex. These findings lend further support to the assumption of raven flocks being structured by social relationships and individual birds flexibly controlling their vocal signalling according to the current flock composition.
Females of a blood‐sucking bug may adjust their mating decisions according to the risk of ovipositing infertile eggs
Authors: De Simone Gabriel A. , Pompilio Lorena , Manrique Gabriel
Published: December 2019

Females should adjust their mating preferences when the costs of being selective vary. Here, we focus on the cost of laying unfertilized eggs. Oviparous species lose their fertilizable oocytes if remain virgin for too long. Thus, females who are at a high risk of laying infertile eggs should be selected against rejecting a mating opportunity under such circumstances. We test this prediction using the blood‐sucking bug Rhodnius prolixus females, which exhibit stereotyped discrimination behaviour to undesired copula. Under laboratory conditions, we compared the copulatory rejection behaviour between females at their first ovarian cycle (12 days old adults, at low risk of ovipositing infertile eggs) and females at their second ovarian cycle (26 days old adults, at high risk of ovipositing infertile eggs). Since R. prolixus female rejection behaviour is mainly exhibited in the presence of potential mates, we also manipulated the presence and absence of additional males. We found that rejection behaviour significantly decreases both when females enter their second ovarian cycle (and are at high risk of losing unfertilized eggs) and under the absence of additional males. We discuss the possible effects of the risk of losing fertilizable eggs on female mating preferences.