bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long term anthropic management and associated loss of plant diversity deeply impact virome richness and composition ofPoaceaecommunities
Authors: Maclot François , Debue Virginie , Malmstrom Carolyn , Filloux Denis , Roumagnac Philippe , Eck Mathilde , Tamisier Lucie , Blouin Arnaud G. , Candresse Thierry , Massart Sébastien
Published: January 2023

Modern agriculture has influenced plant virus emergence through ecosystem simplification, introduction of new host species, and reduction in crop genetic diversity. Therefore, it is crucial to better understand virus distributions across cultivated and uncultivated communities in agro-ecological interfaces, as well as virus exchange among them. Here we advance fundamental understanding in this area by characterizing the virome of three co-occurring replicatedPoaceaecommunity types that represent a gradient of grass species richness and management intensity, from highly managed crop monocultures to little-managed, species-rich grasslands. We performed a large-scale study on 950 wild and cultivatedPoaceaeover two years combining untargeted virome analysis down to virus species level with targeted detection of three plant viruses. Deep sequencing revealed i) a diversified and largely unknownPoaceaevirome (at least 51 virus species/taxa), with an abundance of so-called persistent viruses; ii) an increase of virome richness with grass species richness within the community; iii) a stable virome richness over time but a large viral intraspecific variability; and iv) contrasted patterns of virus prevalence, co-infections and geographical distribution among plant communities and species. Our findings highlight the complex structure of plant virus communities in nature and suggest the influence of anthropic management on viral distribution and prevalence.
Perfusable biohybrid designs for bioprinted skeletal muscle tissue
Authors: Filippi Miriam , Yasa Oncay , Giachino Jan , Graf Reto , Balciunaite Aiste , Katzschmann Robert K.
Published: January 2023

Engineered, centimeter-scale skeletal muscle tissue (SMT) can mimic muscle pathophysiology to study development, disease, regeneration, drug response, and motion. Macroscale SMT requires perfusable channels to guarantee cell survival and support elements to enable mechanical cell stimulation and uniaxial myofiber formation. Here, stable biohybrid designs of centimeter-scale SMT are realized via extrusion-based bioprinting of an optimized polymeric blend based on gelatin methacryloyl and sodium alginate, which can be accurately co-printed with other inks. A perfusable microchannel network is designed to functionally integrate with perfusable anchors for insertion into a maturation culture template. The results demonstrate that (i) co-printed synthetic structures display highly coherent interfaces with the living tissue; (ii) perfusable designs preserve cells from hypoxia all over the scaffold volume; and (iii) constructs can undergo passive mechanical tension during matrix remodeling. Extrusion-based multimaterial bioprinting with our inks and design realizesin vitromatured biohybrid SMT for biomedical, nutritional, and robotic applications.
Improving gene regulatory network inference and assessment: The importance of using network structure
Authors: Escorcia-Rodríguez Juan M. , Gaytan-Nuñez Estefani , Hernandez-Benitez Ericka M. , Zorro-Aranda Andrea , Tello-Palencia Marco A. , Freyre-González Julio A.
Published: January 2023

Gene regulatory networks are graph models representing cellular transcription events. Networks are far from complete due to time and resource consumption for experimental validation and curation of the interactions. Previous assessments have shown the modest performance of the available network inference methods based on gene expression data. Here, we study several caveats on the inference of regulatory networks and methods assessment through the quality of the input data and gold standard, and the assessment approach with a focus on the global structure of the network. We used synthetic and biological data for the predictions and experimentally-validated biological networks as the gold standard (ground truth). Standard performance metrics and graph structural properties suggest that methods inferring co-expression networks should no longer be assessed equally with those inferring regulatory interactions. While methods inferring regulatory interactions perform better in global regulatory network inference than co-expression-based methods, the latter is better suited to infer function-specific regulons and co-regulation networks. When merging expression data, the size increase should outweigh the noise inclusion and graph structure should be considered when integrating the inferences. We conclude with guidelines to take advantage of inference methods and their assessment based on the applications and available expression datasets.
Effect of Adult-Born Immature Granule Cells on Pattern Separation in The Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus
Authors: Kim Sang-Yoon , Lim Woochang
Published: January 2023

Young immature granule cells (imGCs) appear via adult neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). In comparison to mature GCs (mGCs) (born during development), the imGCs exhibit two competing distinct properties such as high excitability and low excitatory innervation. We develop a spiking neural network for the DG, incorporating the imGCs, and investigate their effect on pattern separation (i.e., a process of transforming similar input patterns into less similar output patterns). We first consider the effect of high excitability. The imGCs become very highly active due to their low firing threshold. Then, because of high activation, strong pattern correlation occurs, which results in pattern integration (i.e., making association between events). On the other hand, the mGCs exhibit very sparse firing activity due to strongly increased feedback inhibition (caused by the high activation of the imGCs). As a result of high sparsity, the pattern separation efficacy (PSE) of the mGCs becomes very high. Thus, the whole population of GCs becomes a heterogeneous one, composed of a (major) subpopulation of mGCs (i.e., pattern separators) with very low activation degreeand a (minor) subpopulation of imGCs (i.e., pattern integrators) with very high activation degree. In the whole heterogeneous population, the overall activation degreeof all the GCs is a little reduced in comparison to the activation degreein the presence of only mGCs without imGCs. However, no pattern separation occurs, due to heterogeneous sparsity, in contrast to the usual intuitive thought that sparsity could improve PSE. Next, we consider the effect of low excitatory innervation for the imGCs, counteracting the effect of their high excitability. With decreasing the connection probability of excitatory inputs to the imGCs,decreases so rapidly, and their effect becomes weaker. Then, the feedback inhibition to the mGCs is also decreased, leading to increase inof the mGCs. Accordingly,of the whole GCs also increases. In this case of low excitatory connectivity, the imGCs perform pattern integration. On the other hand, due to increase in, the PSE of the mGCs decreases from a high value to a limit value. In the whole population of all the GCs, when the excitatory connection probability decreases through a threshold, pattern separation starts, the overall PSE increases and approaches that of the mGCs. However, due to heterogeneity caused by the imGCs, the overall PSE becomes deteriorated, in comparison with that in the presence of only mGCs.
Analysis of donor pancreata defines the transcriptomic signature and microenvironment of early pre-neoplastic pancreatic lesions
Authors: Carpenter Eileen S. , Elhossiny Ahmed M. , Kadiyala Padma , Li Jay , McGue Jake , Griffith Brian , Zhang Yaqing , Edwards Jacob , Nelson Sarah , Lima Fatima , Donahue Katelyn L. , Du Wenting , Bischoff Allison C. , Alomari Danyah , Watkoske Hannah , Mattea Michael , The Stephanie , Espinoza Carlos , Barrett Meredith , Sonnenday Christopher J. , Olden Nicholas , Peterson Nicole , Gunchick Valerie , Sahai Vaibhav , Rao Arvind , Bednar Filip , Shi Jiaqi , Frankel Timothy L. , Di Magliano Marina Pasca
Published: January 2023

The adult healthy human pancreas has been poorly studied given lack of indication to obtain tissue from the pancreas in the absence of disease and rapid postmortem degradation. We obtained pancreata from brain dead donors thus avoiding any warm ischemia time. The 30 donors were diverse in age and race and had no known pancreas disease. Histopathological analysis of the samples revealed PanIN lesions in most individuals irrespective of age. Using a combination of multiplex immunohistochemistry, single cell RNA sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics, we provide the first ever characterization of the unique microenvironment of the adult human pancreas and of sporadic PanIN lesions. We compared healthy pancreata to pancreatic cancer and peritumoral tissue and observed distinct transcriptomic signatures in fibroblasts, and, to a lesser extent, macrophages. PanIN epithelial cells from healthy pancreata were remarkably transcriptionally similar to cancer cells, suggesting that neoplastic pathways are initiated early in tumorigenesis.

Statement of significance

The causes underlying the onset of pancreatic cancer remain largely unknown, hampering early detection and prevention strategies. Here, we show that PanIN are abundant in healthy individuals and present at a much higher rate than the incidence of pancreatic cancer, setting the stage for efforts to elucidate the microenvironmental and cell intrinsic factors that restrain, or, conversely, promote, malignant progression.
Design of amyloidogenic peptide traps
Authors: Sahtoe Danny D. , Andrzejewska Ewa A. , Han Hannah L. , Rennella Enrico , Schneider Matthias M. , Meisl Georg , Ahlrichs Maggie , Decarreau Justin , Nguyen Hannah , Kang Alex , Levine Paul , Lamb Mila , Li Xinting , Bera Asim K. , Kay Lewis E. , Knowles Tuomas P.J. , Baker David
Published: January 2023

Segments of proteins with β-strand propensity can self associate to form amyloid fibrils associated with many diseases. These regions often adopt alternative structures in their folded states, or are intrinsically disordered in solution, making it difficult to generate binders or inhibitors with existing strategies. Here we describe a general approach to bind such segments in β-strand and β-hairpin conformations usingde novodesigned scaffolds that contain deep peptide binding clefts flanked by β-strands that form hydrogen bonds to the peptide upon binding. The designs bind their cognate peptidesin vitrowith nanomolar affinities and in mammalian cells. The crystal structure of a designed protein-peptide complex is close to the design model, and NMR characterization reveals how the peptide binding cleft is protected in the apo state. We use the approach to design binders to segments of the amyloid forming proteins Transthyretin, Tau, Serum amyloid A1 and Aβ42. The Aβ binders block assembly of Aβ fibrils as effectively as the most potent of the clinically tested antibodies to date.
Pollen-feeding delays reproductive senescence and maintains toxicity ofHeliconius erato
Authors: de Castro Erika C. Pinheiro , McPherson Josie , Jullian Glennis , Mattila Anniina L. K. , Bak Søren , Montgomery Stephen H. , Jiggins Chris
Published: January 2023

Dietary shifts may act to ease energetic constraints and allow organisms to optimise life-history traits.Heliconiusbutterflies differ from other nectar-feeders due to their unique ability to digest pollen, which provides a reliable source of amino acids to adults. Pollen-feeding has been associated with prolonged adult lifespan and increased fertility, yet there is a lack of empirical data demonstrating how pollen consumption influences key fitness traits, including chemical defences and adult body weight, as well as fertility over their elongated lifespan. Here, we investigated the effect of pollen-feeding on fertility, weight and chemical defences, as well as offspring defences, controlling for butterfly age and sex. Recently emergedHeliconius eratobutterflies of similar size were fed for 14 or 45 days on one of three diets: sugar solution only, or sugar solution replenished with either amino acid supplement or pollen. At the end of the experiment, oviposition assays were performed to evaluate fertility, and afterwards all butterflies and eggs were weighed and used for quantification of cyanogenic glucosides (CG). We found that there is an age-specific and sex-specific effect of pollen-feeding on butterfly weight, with both the sugar-only and amino-acid supplement diets reducing the weight of old females (45d), but not young females (14d) or males of any age. Females fed only sugar significantly reduced their egg-laying through adulthood, whereas females that had access to pollen maintained their fertility. Diet had a significant effect on the maintenance of the chemical defence of females, but not males. Curiously, even though females that have access to pollen were heavier, more toxic and laid more eggs, this did not translate into improvements in offspring defences, as eggs from butterflies of all ages and diet treatments had similar CG content. Our results emphasise the importance of controlling for age-specific and sex-specific effects in studies of life-history evolution and demonstrate that dietary novelty can relax energetic constraints.
Size and composition of haplotype reference panels impact the accuracy of imputation from low-pass sequencing in cattle
Authors: Lloret-Villas A. , Pausch H. , Leonard A.S.
Published: January 2023

Background

Low-pass sequencing followed by sequence variant genotype imputation is an alternative to the routine microarray-based genotyping in cattle. However, the impact of haplotype reference panel composition and its interplay with the coverage of low-pass whole-genome sequencing data has not been sufficiently explored in typical livestock settings where only a small number of reference samples are available.

Methods

Sequence variant genotyping accuracy was compared between two variant callers, GATK and DeepVariant, in 50 Brown Swiss cattle with sequencing coverages ranging from 4 to 63-fold. Haplotype reference panels of varying sizes and composition were built with DeepVariant considering 501 cattle from nine breeds. High coverage sequencing data of 24 Brown Swiss cattle was downsampled to between 0.01- and 4-fold coverage to mimic low-pass sequencing. GLIMPSE was used to infer sequence variant genotypes from the low-pass sequencing data using different haplotype reference panels. The accuracy of the sequence variant genotypes imputed inferred from low-pass sequencing data was compared with sequence variant genotypes called from high-coverage data.

Results

DeepVariant was used to establish bovine haplotype reference panels because it outperformed GATK in all evaluations. Same-breed haplotype reference panels were better suited to impute sequence variant genotypes from low-pass sequencing than equally-sized multibreed haplotype reference panels for all target sample coverages and allele frequencies. F1 scores greater than 0.9, implying high harmonic means of recall and precision of called genotypes, were achieved with 0.25-fold sequencing coverage when large breed-specific haplotype reference panels (n = 150) were used. In absence of such large same-breed haplotype panels, variant genotyping accuracy from low-pass sequencing could be increased either by adding non-related samples to the haplotype reference panel or by increasing the coverage of the low-pass sequencing data. Sequence variant genotyping from low pass sequencing was substantially less accurate when the reference panel lacks individuals from the target breed.

Conclusions

Variant genotyping is more accurate with Deep-Variant than GATK. DeepVariant is therefore suitable to establish bovine haplotype reference panels. Medium-sized breed-specific haplotype reference panels and large multibreed haplotype reference panels enable accurate imputation of low-pass sequencing data in a typical cattle breed.
A new label-free optical imaging method for the lymphatic system enhanced by deep learning
Authors: Li Zhongming , Huang Shengnan , He Yanpu , van Wijnbergen Jan Willem , Zhang Yizhe , Cottrell Rob D. , Smith Sean G. , Hammond Paula T. , Chen Danny Z. , Padera Timothy P. , Belcher Angela M.
Published: January 2023

Our understanding of the lymphatic vascular system lags far behind that of the blood vascular system, limited by available imaging technologies. We present a label-free optical imaging method that visualizes the lymphatic system with high contrast. We developed an orthogonal polarization imaging (OPI) in the shortwave infrared range (SWIR) and imaged both lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels of mice and ratsin vivothrough intact skin, as well as human mesenteric lymph nodes in colectomy specimens. By integrating SWIR-OPI with U-Net, a deep learning image segmentation algorithm, we automated the lymph node size measurement process. Changes in lymph nodes in response to cancer progression were monitored in two separate mouse cancer models, through which we obtained insights into pre-metastatic niches and correlation between lymph node masses and many important biomarkers. In a human pilot study, we demonstrated the effectiveness of SWIR-OPI to detect human lymph nodes in real time with clinical colectomy specimens.

One Sentence Summary

We develop a real-time high contrast optical technique for imaging the lymphatic system, and apply it to anatomical pathology gross examination in a clinical setting, as well as real-time monitoring of tumor microenvironment in animal studies.
Global patterns of plant form and function are strongly determined by evolutionary relationships
Authors: Capdevila Pol , Walker Tom W. N. , Schrodt Franziska , Rodriguez Caro Roberto C. , Salguero-Gomez Roberto
Published: January 2023

Plants display an incredible variety of forms and functions, which sustains a vast diversity of ecosystems on Earth. This diversity is the result of two forces: environmental filtering, the selection of phenotypes fit to a specific habitat; and evolutionary history, genetic constraints that determine the potential adaptations that species may evolve. To date, most studies have focused on describing macroecological patterns of trait variation, while the role of evolutionary history in determining these patterns has remained much less explored. Here, we combine a traits dataset including 4,213 vascular plant species with a phylogeny of the plant kingdom, to determine the influence of evolutionary history on the patterns of trait variation. Our results show that commonly used plant traits, such as plant height or leaf nitrogen, are strongly constrained by evolutionary history. Accounting for phylogenetic relationships changes the variance explained by the main axes of trait variation in the Plant Kindgom —the leaf economic spectrum and the plant size and organ axis continuum— with the former explaining more variance than the latter. Moreover, we demonstrate that the plant size continuum is more influenced by evolutionary history than the leaf economics spectrum. These results highlight the influence of evolutionary history in shaping plant life history strategies and the importance of accounting for phylogeny in trait-based studies.
Structure of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-bound D-threonine aldolase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Hirato Yuki , Goto Masaru , Mizobuchi Taichi , Muramatsu Hisashi , Tanigawa Minoru , Nishimura Katsushi
Published: January 2023

D-Threonine aldolase (DTA) is a pyridoxal-5′-phosphate-dependent enzyme which catalyzes the reversible aldol reaction of glycine with a corresponding aldehyde to yield the D-form β-hydroxy-α-amino acid. This study produced and investigated the crystal structure of DTA from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CrDTA) at 1.85 Å resolution. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the crystal structure of eukaryotic DTA. Compared with the structure of bacterial DTA, CrDTA has a similar arrangement of active-site residues. On the other hand, we speculated that some non-conserved residues alter the affinity for substrates and inhibitors. The structure of CrDTA could provide insights into the structural framework for structure-guided protein engineering studies to modify reaction selectivity.
Lead the African way!
Authors: Ramnund-Mansingh Aradhana , Naidoo Kiveshni
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Countries in Africa have undergone an unprecedented transformation that has shaped the continent as they move ahead from the clutches of colonialism. The evolution of leadership and how organisations function optimally has given rise to the review of leadership approaches and practices, revolutionising its position in the global markets. With the recent spate of global suffering from the pandemic, the formal and traditional work structures are becoming transient. At the same time, the economic consequences of the Russo-Ukrainian crisis have catastrophic effects globally.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted via a systematic review of scientific sources from various academic websites. Eligibility criteria were defined with the agreement of pertinent themes and concepts.

Findings

By evaluating and analysing characteristics and success indicators from the blend of leadership competencies ascertained from Afrocentric principles in response to African associated problems, Africa can cement its leadership concepts without following the global north principles. These philosophies are resilient enough to contend with a range of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) complexities, including the impact of the recent global pandemic of immeasurable proportions and the prospect of war as the Russo-Ukrainian conflict intensifies.

Originality/value

Within the African environment, there is a greater focus on the human element in shared values, holistic well-being, cooperation and experience. The global community band together to deal with these complexities. This is a typical example of global connectedness with positive and negative connotations.
I value ethics, do you? An employee-oriented perspective on ethical leadership and organizational change
Authors: Imran Muhammad Kashif , Sarwar Ambreen , Fatima Tehreem , Iqbal Syed Muhammad Javed
Published: January 2023

Purpose

In the current dynamic world, organizations required rapid changes to meet the increasing demands of their customers. On the other hand, the practice side claims that the majority of the organizational change attempts fail due to resistance from the employee side. Based on the behavioral theory of leadership, the authors examined the relationship between ethical leadership and organizational change with moderated mediation effect of behavioral resistance to change and commitment to change on the stated relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from 333 employees, selected at random, in three waves (i.e. pre-change, during change and post-change) using survey methods from services sector organizations operating in Pakistan.

Findings

The authors found that ethical leadership was positively linked to organizational change and this relation was partially mediated by the commitment to change. Further, behavioral resistance to change weakened the relationship between ethical leadership and commitment to change.

Practical implications

The current study illuminates the importance of ethical leaders in the organizational change process, and empirical findings also gave an important direction to build change commitment in employees to reach positive results. Further, change leaders should use ethical practices in the workplace during organizational change initiatives to deal with behavioral resistance to change.

Originality/value

This study links ethical leadership with organizational change using the behavioral theory of leadership, an unexplored area in the existing literature that gives a new insight to academia and practice side officials to successfully implement any organizational change initiative.
Exploring the antecedents of frugal innovation and operational performance: the role of organizational learning capability and entrepreneurial orientation
Authors: Berndt Ana Clara , Gomes Giancarlo , Borini Felipe Mendes
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze the role of organizational learning capability and entrepreneurial orientation on frugal innovation and, consequently, operational performance within the Brazilian textile industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of 257 valid questionnaires from the textile industry in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling using SmartPLS software.

Findings

The results showed that organizational learning capability is a strong driver of the operational performance when mediated by frugal innovation. Evidence also showed that relationships between entrepreneurial orientation, organizational learning capability, frugal innovation and operational performance are significant once the direct effect has more power than the indirect effect. Results elucidated different outcomes that are not in accordance with previously seen studies. Moreover, the latter shines a light on a possible interference caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Originality/value

The study clarifies the relationship that entrepreneurial orientation and organizational learning capability unleash in frugal innovation and operational performance. It also shows a new situation when looking at the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation, organizational learning capability and operational performance.
Signalling new opportunities? An analysis of UK job adverts for degree apprenticeships
Authors: Fabian Khristin , Taylor-Smith Ella , Smith Sally , Bratton Andrew
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the degree apprenticeship labour market and employers' strategies for apprenticeship recruitment using job advertisement data. Specifically, this study identifies the skills, attributes, experience and qualifications that employers look for in IT apprentices. The study also identifies the salaries and responsibilities of apprentices and considers the alignment between the advertised jobs and apprenticeship definitions.

Design/methodology/approach

Degree apprenticeship job adverts (n = 290) were collected from the official websites used by employers in England and Scotland to advertise apprenticeship roles, between March 2019 and March 2020. Data was analysed using content analysis to systematically elicit salaries, candidate requirements in terms of skills, qualifications and experience and specific job details from these adverts.

Findings

A wide variation in advertised salary was found. Entry routes were similar to the traditional high school qualifications (A-levels or Highers) sought by universities. The skills and attributes being sought at recruitment were the same skills that employers were seeking in graduates and the same skills that the apprenticeships were designed to develop. Most adverts focused on the training that the apprentices would be receiving, rather than work tasks, which were rarely specified.

Originality/value

This is the first study of how apprenticeship roles are advertised to potential candidates and thus contributes to ongoing research into this new work/degree-level education model. By analysing job adverts we share insights into how employers position apprenticeships to attract candidates.
The role of trust and e-WOM in the crowdfunding participation: the case of equity crowdfunding platforms in financial services in Iran
Authors: Dehghani Mehri , Piwowar-Sulej Katarzyna , Salari Ebrahim , Leone Daniele , Habibollah Fatemeh
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The aim of this research is to examine the roles of trust and electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) in crowdfunding (CF) participation for equity CF by taking into account the following antecedents of trust and e-WOM: intrinsic motivation (IM), extrinsic motivation (EM), deterrents, venture quality (VQ), third-party seal (TPS), value congruence (VC) and perceived accreditation (PA).

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, a survey among 408 active and potential funders in Iran was conducted. The statistical analysis used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The results of this research revealed a significant influence of trust and e-WOM on participation in CF for equity CF. Extrinsic motivation had the greatest impact on trust and VC had the greatest impact on e-WOM.

Originality/value

This research extends the equity CF research area to CF success and considers the effects of some parameters on CF participation. This research provides many theoretical and practical implications.
How to improve firm performance? – The role of production capabilities and routines
Authors: Csiki Ottó , Demeter Krisztina , Losonci Dávid
Published: January 2023

Purpose

In the multilayered capability framework the authors integrate two layers, namely functional level production capabilities and shop floor-level production routines (PRs). The authors examine how these two layers are interlinked, and additionally, they explore how these layers contribute to firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors tested the hypotheses using structural equation modeling (SEM) on a sample of manufacturing firms.

Findings

Regarding the capability layers, the authors found that at the functional level, production dynamic capabilities (PDCs) drive the renewal of production ordinary capabilities (POCs), and that at the shop floor level, deployment of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is influenced by lean production. Regarding the direct links between capability layers, the authors showed that PDCs and POCs have different roles in shaping shop floor PRs: PDCs is linked to I4.0, and lean methods is impacted by POCs. Concerning performance implications, only PDC and POC have significant impact on firm performance (the latter is negative), while PRs do not.

Research limitations/implications

Although, contextual factors (e.g. technology intensity, size) do not influence our findings, the potential country-effect and the dominance of medium-sized firms offer future research directions.

Practical implications

If production managers want to contribute to business performance, they should be more susceptible to resource renewal (PDCs) than to their general (POCs) or specific (PRs) exploitation efforts. As they exploit current resource stocks, they face a trade-off: they must consider that beyond their positive impacts on operational performance, their implications on business performance will be controversial.

Originality/value

Scholars usually examine one layer of capabilities, either capabilities or routines, and associate that with one dimension of performance, either financial and market measures or operational indicators. The authors propose a multilayered capability framework with a complex view on performance implications.
Double-objective economic statistical design of (X ‾) control chart using Linex loss function
Authors: Aghili Salimeh Sadat , Torabian Mohsen , Behzadi Mohammad Hassan , Seif Asghar
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a double-objective economic statistical design (ESD) of (X ‾) control chart under Weibull failure properties with the Linex asymmetric loss function. The authors have expressed the probability of type II error (β) as the statistical objective and the expected cost as the economic objective.

Design/methodology/approach

The design used in this study is based on a double-objective economic statistical design of (X ‾) control chart with Weibull shock model via applying Banerjee and Rahim's model for non-uniform and uniform schemes with Linex asymmetric loss function. The results in the least average cost andβin uniform and non-uniform schemes by Linex loss function, compared with the same schemes without loss function.

Findings

Numerical results indicate that it is not possible to reduce the second type of error and costs at the same time, which means that by reducing the second type of error, the cost increases, and by reducing the cost, the second type of error increases, both of which are very important. Obtained based on the needs of the industry and which one has more priority has the right to choose. These designs define a Pareto optimal front of solutions that increase the flexibility and adaptability of theX ‾control chart in practice. When the authors use non-uniform schemes instead of uniform schemes, the average cost per unit time decreases by an average and when the authors apply loss function, the average cost per unit time increases by an average. Also, this quantity for double-objective schemes with loss function compared to without loss function schemes in cases uniform and non-uniform increases. The reason for this result is that the model underestimated the costs before using the loss function.

Practical implications

This research adds to the body of knowledge related to flexibility in process quality control. This article may be of interest to quality systems experts in factories where the choice between cost reduction and statistical factor reduction can affect the production process.

Originality/value

The cost functions for double-objective uniform and non-uniform sampling schemes with the Weibull shock model based on the Linex loss function are presented for the first time.
Women financial inclusion research: a bibliometric and network analysis
Authors: Mushtaq Rizwan , Dastane Omkar , Rafiq Muhammad , Başar Berna Doğan
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Despite its importance, the literature on women financial inclusion (WFI) remains fragmented due to the absence of a comprehensive review that consolidates the intellectual structure of the field. This paper examines the intellectual structure of the topic and gives a complete overview of the research undertaken so far in the field.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric study of 235 Scopus-indexed publications, including citation analysis, keyword network analysis, co-authorship analysis and reference co-citation analysis using VOSviewer was performed.

Findings

The study identified major contributors to the field (the most prolific author was Ghosh, S.), the leading journals in the field (the World Development), the geographical locations where research in the field is concentrated (India is the leading country) and the organisations focussing on green consumer research (leading organisation: The World Bank, USA). In addition, four significant themes that describe the body of information about women's financial inclusion were found.

Originality/value

This study provides policymakers and academic scholars with fresh insights at a higher level into this burgeoning topic. Such insights would aid in the development of initiatives to address women's financial inclusion concerns.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2022-0438.
Working too much in China's tech industry: corporate social advocacy as a crisis response strategy to issue-based opinion polarization
Authors: Ji Yingru , Wan Chang
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Once a corporate crisis is entangled with a social issue, how consumers make sense of the crisis can be impacted by issue-based opinion polarization. This study investigates the underlying mechanisms as consumers go through this process. This study also examines whether corporate social advocacy (CSA) can be an effective crisis-response strategy for mitigating reputational loss.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical inquiries were empirically tested using an online experiment (N = 792). The experiment set the context in China, in a working-overtime-issue-related crisis. It had a 2 (online exposure: anti-issue opinion vs. pro-issue opinion) × 2 (CSA: absence vs. presence) between-subject design with a continuous variable (pre-existing issue attitudes) measured before the manipulation.

Findings

This study found that pre-existing issue attitudes can be directly and indirectly associated with corporate reputation, for the issue attitudes influence how consumers attribute crisis blame. Such a direct effect of pre-existing issue attitudes varies depending on which polarized opinion consumers were exposed to on social media. This study also found CSA to be a robust crisis response strategy, through multiple mechanisms, in protecting the corporate reputation.

Originality/value

Scholars are scarcely aware of the threats that issue-based opinion polarization poses to corporate reputation. This study serves as an early attempt to provide theoretical explanations. In addition to this, this study extends the current conceptual understandings of CSA during corporate crises that involve social issues while adding fresh insights into the established typology of crisis-response strategies.
A STEEP based hybrid multi-criteria decision making model for the evaluation of battery recycling plant location
Authors: Puviarasu M. , Asokan P. , Sherif S. Umar , Mathiyazhagan K. , Sasikumar P.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Increased demand for new batteries and strict government protocols have stressed the battery industries to collect and recycle used batteries for economic and environmental benefits. This scenario has forced the battery industries to collect used batteries and establish the formal battery recycling plant (BRP) for effective recycling. The starting of BRP includes several strategic decisions, one of the most critical decisions encountered is to find the best sustainable location for BRP. Hence, this paper aims to address the complexity of the issues faced during the BRP location selection through a hybrid framework.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the criteria are identified under socio-cultural, technical, environmental, economic and policy and legal (STEEP) dimensions through literature review and experts' opinions. Then, the hybrid methodology integrating fuzzy decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), best worst method (BWM) and technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) has been proposed to find the inter-relationship between criteria, the weights of criteria and the best alternative.

Findings

The identified five main criteria and 26 sub-criteria have been analyzed through fuzzy DEMATEL, and found that the policy and legal criteria have more inter-relationship with other criteria. Then from BWM results, it is found that the support from government bodies has attained the maximum weightage. Finally, the second alternative has been identified as a more suitable location for establishing BRP using TOPSIS. Further, it is found from the results that the support from government bodies, the impact of emissions, availability of basic facilities and community health are the essential criteria under STEEP dimensions for establishing BRP.

Originality/value

In addition to the various existing sustainable criteria, this study has also considered a set of policy and legal criteria for the evaluation of locations for BRP. Further, the hybrid MCDM method has been proposed in this study for selecting the best alternative. Thus, this study has yielded more insights to the decision-makers in choosing a sustainable location for BRP.
Blockchain technology and circular economy in the environment of total productive maintenance: a natural resource-based view perspective
Authors: Samadhiya Ashutosh , Agrawal Rajat , Kumar Anil , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) could act as a practical approach to offer sustainability deliverables in manufacturing firms aligning with the natural resource-based view (NRBV) theory's strategic capabilities: pollution prevention, product stewardship and sustainable development. Also, the emergence of Blockchain Technology (BCT) and Circular Economy (CE) are proven to deliver sustainable outcomes in the past literature. Therefore, the present research examines the relationship between BCT and CE and TPM's direct and mediation effect through the lens of NRBV theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study proposes a conceptual framework to examine the relationship between BCT, CE and TPM and validates the framework through the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. Responses from 316 Indian manufacturing firms were collected to conduct the analysis.

Findings

The investigation outcomes indicate that BCT positively influences CE and TPM and that TPM has a significant positive impact on CE under the premises of NRBV theory. The results also suggest that TPM partially mediates the relationship between BCT and CE.

Research limitations/implications

This research fills a gap in the literature by investigating the effect of BCT and TPM on CE within the framework of the NRBV theory. It explores the link between BCT, TPM and CE under the NRBV theory's strategic capabilities and TPM mediation.

Practical implications

The positive influence of TPM and BCT on CE could initiate the amalgamation of BCT-TPM, improving the longevity of production equipment and products and speeding up the implementation of CE practices.

Originality/value

This research fills a gap in the literature by investigating the effect of BCT and TPM on CE within the framework of the NRBV theory. It explores the link between BCT, TPM and CE under the NRBV theory's strategic capabilities along with TPM mediation.
Equip public managers with data analytics skills: a proposal for the new generation of MPA/MPP programs with data science track
Authors: Ho Kevin K.W. , Li Ning , Sayama Kristina C.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This research uses a multifaceted approach to develop an MPA/MPP curriculum to support a data science track within the existing MPA/MPP programs by identifying the core and elective areas needed.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach includes (1) identifying a suitable structure for MPA/MPP programs which can allow the program to develop its capacity to train students with the data science and general public administration skills to solve public policy problems and leave explicit space for local experimentation and modification; (2) defining bridging modules and required modules for the MPA/MPP programs; and (3) developing of data science track thought to make suggestions for the inclusion of suitable data science modules into the data science track and benchmarking the data science modules suggested with the best practices developed by other professional bodies. The authors review 46 NASPAA-accredited MPA/MPP programs from 40 (or 22.7%) schools to identify the suitable required modules and some potential data science and analytics courses that MPA/MPP programs currently provide as electives.

Findings

The proposal includes a three-course (six–nine credits, not counted in the program but as prerequisites) bridging module, a nine-course (27 credits) required module and a five-course (15 credits) data science track/concentration.

Originality/value

This work can provide a starting point for the public administration education community to develop graduate programs focusing on data science to cater to the needs of both public managers and society at large.
Putting the Aumann–Serrano Riskiness Index to work
Authors: Nisani Doron , Shelef Amit , David Or
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to estimate the convergence order of the Aumann–Serrano Riskiness Index.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the equivalent relation between the Aumann–Serrano Riskiness Index and the moment generating function and aggregately compares between each two statistical moments for statistical significance. Thus, this study enables to find the convergence order of the index to its stable value.

Findings

This study finds that the first-best estimation of the Aumann–Serrano Riskiness Index is reached in no less than its seventh statistical moment. However, this study also finds that its second-best approximation could be achieved with its second statistical moment.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of this research support the standard deviation as a statistically sufficient approximation of Aumann–Serrano Riskiness Index, thus strengthening the CAPM methodology for asset pricing in the financial markets.

Originality/value

This research sheds a new light, both in theory and in practice, on understanding of the risk’s structure, as it may improve accuracy of asset pricing.
Sharing leadership behaviors in virtual teams: effects of shared leadership behaviors on team member satisfaction and productivity
Authors: Mayer Christina , Sivatheerthan Thushayanthini , Mütze-Niewöhner Susanne , Nitsch Verena
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Virtual collaboration in teams becomes increasingly popular at work. With the advantages of working in virtual teams come leadership challenges for which the shared leadership theory is discussed as a potential solution. While previous empirical studies investigating shared leadership in virtual teams generally confirm positive effects on team outcomes, this study aims to investigate in detail the leadership behaviors that are typically shared in these settings and how these shared leadership behaviors affect individual level outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Individuals from different teams participated in a questionnaire study (n = 411). Structural equation modeling was used to assess the effects of shared task- and relations-oriented leadership behaviors on team member’s subjectively perceived productivity and satisfaction with leadership.

Findings

Results indicate that shared task-oriented leadership behaviors have a significant positive effect on subjectively perceived productivity and satisfaction with leadership, while relations-oriented leadership behaviors have a significant negative effect. A hypothesis stipulating a moderating effect of task interdependence was not confirmed.

Practical implications

Practical implications include that in virtual teams with hierarchical organizational structures, it may be recommended that task-oriented leadership behaviors are shared among team members, whereas relations-oriented leadership behaviors should remain the responsibility of the official leader.

Originality/value

The findings complement previous research with new insights on behavioral dimensions of shared leadership and their effects on outcomes on the level of the individual.
Freezing‐induced changes in goat cheese: Effect of freezing rate, storage and freeze–thaw cycles
Authors: Wang Xiuju , Li Yixuan , Zhao Zhengtao
Published: January 2023

This study compared the effect of various freezing set‐ups [freezing in the walk‐in freezer (WF), blast freezing and liquid nitrogen freezing (LNF)] on the textural properties of goat cheeses. The influences of freeze–thaw cycles (1, 3 and 5) and storage time (1, 7 and 14 days) at 4°C on the hardness and visual appearance were investigated. The results showed that freezing damaged the cheese structure, particularly for WF. Frozen samples were not suitable for 4°C storage. Freeze–thaw cycles further damaged the texture of both cheese logs and crumbles, resulting in increased dryness. The development of the dry structure was faster for the LNF‐treated sample.