bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic Psychosocial Stress and Experimental Pubertal Delay Affect Socioemotional Behavior and Amygdala Functional Connectivity in Adolescent Female Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Pincus Melanie , Godfrey Jodi S. , Feczko Eric , Earl Eric , Miranda-Dominguez Oscar , Fair Damien , Wilson Mark E. , Sanchez Mar M. , Kelly Clare
Published: September 2020

In females, pubertal onset appears to signal the opening of a window of increased vulnerability to the effects of stress on neurobehavioral development. What is the impact of pubertal timing on this process? We assessed the effects of pubertal timing and stress on behavior and amygdala functional connectivity (FC) in adolescent female macaques, whose social hierarchy provides an ethologically valid model of chronic psychosocial stress. Monkeys experienced puberty spontaneously (n=34) or pubertal delay via Lupron treatment from age 16-33 months (n=36). We examined the effects of stress (continuous dimension spanning dominant/low-stress to subordinate/high-stress) and experimental pubertal delay (Lupron-treated vs. Control) on socioemotional behavior and FC at 43-46 months, after all animals had begun puberty. Regardless of treatment, subordinate monkeys were more submissive and less affiliative, and exhibited weaker FC between amygdala and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and stronger FC between amygdala and temporal pole. Regardless of social rank, Lupron-treated monkeys were also more submissive, less affiliative, and explored less in a “Human Intruder” task but were less anxious than untreated monkeys; they exhibited stronger FC between amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex. No interactions between rank and Lupron treatment were observed. These data suggest that some of the effects of chronic subordination stress and delayed puberty overlap behaviorally, such that late-onset puberty-linked exposure to female hormones mimics chronic stress. In the brain, however, delayed puberty and subordination stress had separable effects, suggesting that the overlapping socioemotional outcomes may be mediated by distinct neuroplastic mechanisms. To gain further insights, additional longitudinal studies are required.
Increased excitation-inhibition balance due to a loss of GABAergic synapses in the serine racemase knockout model of NMDA receptor hypofunction
Authors: Jami Shekib A. , Cameron Scott , Wong Jonathan M. , Daly Emily R. , McAllister A. Kimberley , Gray John A.
Published: September 2020

There is substantial evidence that both NMDA receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction and dysfunction of GABAergic neurotransmission contribute to schizophrenia, though the relationship between these pathophysiological processes remains largely unknown. While models using cell-type-specific genetic deletion of NMDARs have been informative, they display overly pronounced phenotypes extending beyond those of schizophrenia. Here, we used the serine racemase knockout (SRKO) mice, a model of reduced NMDAR activity rather than complete receptor elimination, to examine the link between NMDAR hypofunction and decreased GABAergic inhibition. The SRKO mice, in which there is a >90% reduction in the NMDAR co-agonist D-serine, exhibit many of the neurochemical and behavioral abnormalities observed in schizophrenia. We found a significant reduction in inhibitory synapses onto CA1 pyramidal neurons in the SRKO mice. This reduction increases the excitation/inhibition balance resulting in enhanced synaptically-driven neuronal excitability and elevated broad-spectrum oscillatory activity inex vivohippocampal slices. Consistently, significant reductions in inhibitory synapse density in CA1 were observed by immunohistochemistry. We further show, using a single-neuron genetic deletion approach, that the loss of GABAergic synapses onto pyramidal neurons observed in the SRKO mice is driven in a cell-autonomous manner following the deletion of SR in individual CA1 pyramidal cells. These results support a model whereby NMDAR hypofunction in pyramidal cells disrupts GABAergic synapse development leading to disrupted feedback inhibition and impaired neuronal synchrony.
Routes to Roots: Direct Evidence of Water Transport by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi to Host Plants
Authors: Kakouridis Anne , Hagen John A. , Kan Megan P. , Mambelli Stefania , Feldman Lewis J. , Herman Donald J. , Pett-Ridge Jennifer , Firestone Mary K.
Published: September 2020

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbiotic associations with 80% of surveyed land plant species and are well-recognized for accessing and transferring nutrients to plants1. Yet AMF also perform other essential functions, notably improving plant-water relations2. Some research attributes the role of AMF in plant-water relations solely to enhancing plant nutrition and osmoregulation for plants partnered with AMF3,4,5, while indirect evidence suggests AMF may transport water to plants1,6,7. Here, we used isotopically-labeled water and a fluorescent dye to directly track and quantify water transport by AMF to plants in a greenhouse experiment. We specifically assessed whether AMF can access water in soil unavailable to plants and transport it across an air gap to host plants. Plants grown with AMF that had access to a physically separated18O-labeled water source transpired twice as much, and this transpired water contained three times as much label compared to plants with AMF with no access to the separated labeled water source. We estimated that water transported by AMF could explain 46.2% of the water transpired. In addition, a fluorescent dye indicated that water was transported via an extracytoplasmic hyphal pathway.
Developmental variation in ovaries and kernels in a multi-kernelled rice variety- Jugal
Authors: Saha Pallabi , Murali H.A. , Roy Bidhan
Published: September 2020

The rice fruit or spikelet contains only one kernel. A handful traditional cultivars are available with more than one ovaries/kernels per spikelet.Jugal, a traditional rice cultivar from West Bengal, India possess multiple ovaries before flowering and multiples kernels per spikelet. In this endeavour, the single grained-spikelet varied from 0.00 to 46.26% per panicle. Single pistillated-spikelet was first reported on 8thday before flowering and it was 2.63%. The number of spikelet bearing single ovary/kernel gradually increased till the panicle emergence and then till physiological maturity of grains. Maximum single kernelled-spikelet was recorded on 30thday after panicle emergence (46.26%). The double ovary/kernelled-spikelet per panicle varied from 53.74% to 95.39%. High percentage of double pistillated-spikelet per panicle was recorded before heading and it was more than 90% or very near to 90%. Gradually the double pistillated-spikelet per panicle decreased with the advancement of developmental course of the panicle and continued to decrease till grain maturity. Lowest percentage (53.74%) of double kernelled-spikelet per panicle was observed on 30thday after panicle emergence and it almost remained static till harvest of the crop. Triple pistillated-spikelet was 4.33% per on 10thday before panicle emergence. On 9thday before panicle emergence it was 2.33% and on 8thday before panicle it was 1.00% only and subsequently, no triple pistillated-spikelet was observed till grain maturity. However, randomly one/two triple kernelled-spikelet was also reported. It would be useful if all the spikelets were doubled kernelled. The shape of kernels obtained from doubled kernelled-spikelets were slender, which has high demand among the urban and sub-urban consumers.
Analysis of Polycomb Repressive Complexes binding dynamics during limb development reveals the prevalence of PRC2-independent PRC1 occupancy
Authors: Gentile Claudia , Mayran Alexandre , Guerard-Millet Fanny , Kmita Marie
Published: September 2020

The Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are key players in the regulation of tissue-specific gene expression through their known ability to epigenetically silence developmental genes. The PcG proteins form two multicomponent complexes, Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 and 2 (PRC1 and PRC2), whereby the hierarchical model of recruitment postulates that PRC2 triggers the trimethylation of Histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) leading to the recruitment of PRC1. Here we report on the genome-wide binding dynamics of components from both PRC1 and PRC2 in the developing limb. We show that a large proportion of PRC-bound promoters are occupied exclusively by PRC1, suggesting a more extensive PRC1-specific activity than anticipated. We found that PRC1 (RING1B) and PRC2 (SUZ12) co-occupy the promoters of developmental genes, for which a subset become up-regulated upon the inactivation of PRC2. Strikingly, we found that RING1B occupancy is largely unaffected by the loss of PRC2, revealing a complex functional relationship between these two complexes in regulating gene expression and possibly an expansive functional interplay between canonical and non-canonical PRC1.
Mental health of healthcare workers during early phase of COVID19: Variable performance on different factors of stress
Authors: Chatterjee Seshadri Sekhar , Chakrabarty Madhushree , Chatterjee Shiv Sekhar , Dan Utpal
Published: September 2020

Background

Risks to healthcare workers (HCWs) escalate during pandemics and they are likely to experience a greater level of stress. This cross-sectional study investigated mental distress among HCWs during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

Method

140 HCWs of a tertiary care hospital in India were assessed for perceived stress and insomnia. A factor analysis with principal component method reduced these questions to four components which were categorized as insomnia, Stress-related Anxiety, Stress-related Irritability, and Stress-related Hopelessness. Further statistical analyses were done on these factor scores to identify the predictors and investigate the differences between the different categories of HCWs.

Result

Doctors were the most anxious among the HCWs. Both doctors and nurses perceived a greater level of irritability than the other HCWs. Compared to the doctors and nurses, other HCWs were more likely to experience insomnia. Lower age, higher education, female gender, and urban habitat were associated with the perception of anxiety. Older age, quarantine, single marital-status predicted irritability. Female gender, single marital-status, and greater ailments contributed to perceived hopelessness. Quarantine significantly predicted insomnia.

Conclusion

Different categories of HCWs might experience disparate mental health problems owing to their heterogeneous socio-demographic backgrounds. Customized and personalized care might prove to be helpful in alleviating their problems.

Highlights

The doctors and nurses have greater psychological distress than other health-care workers (HCWs).

Female HCWs are more likely to have stress related anxiety and hopelessness

Insomnia, stress-related anxiety, stress-related irritability, and stress-related hopelessness have different predictive factors.

Different categories of HCWs might be affected differently
Differential Activation of Partially Redundant Δ9 Stearoyl-ACP Desaturase Genes Is Critical for Omega-9 Monounsaturated Fatty Acid Biosynthesis During Seed Development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kazaz Sami , Barthole Guillaume , Domergue Frédéric , Ettaki Hasna , To Alexandra , Vasselon Damien , De Vos Delphine , Belcram Katia , Lepiniec Loïc , Baud Sébastien
Published: September 2020

The spatiotemporal pattern of deposition, final amount, and relative abundance of oleic acid (cis-ω-9 C18:1) and its derivatives in the different lipid fractions of the seed of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) indicates that omega-9 monoenes are synthesized at high rates in this organ. Accordingly, we observed that four Δ9 stearoyl-ACP desaturase (SAD)-coding genes (FATTY ACID BIOSYNTHESIS2 [FAB2], ACYL-ACYL CARRIER PROTEIN5 [AAD5], AAD1, and AAD6) are transcriptionally induced in seeds. We established that the three most highly expressed ones are directly activated by the WRINKLED1 transcription factor. We characterized a collection of 30 simple, double, triple, and quadruple mutants affected in SAD-coding genes and thereby revealed the functions of these desaturases throughout seed development. Production of oleic acid by FAB2 and AAD5 appears to be critical at the onset of embryo morphogenesis. Double homozygous plants from crossing fab2 and aad5 could never be obtained, and further investigations revealed that the double mutation results in the arrest of embryo development before the globular stage. During later stages of seed development, these two SADs, together with AAD1, participate in the elaboration of the embryonic cuticle, a barrier essential for embryo–endosperm separation during the phase of invasive embryo growth through the endosperm. This study also demonstrates that the four desaturases redundantly contribute to storage lipid production during the maturation phase.
Local and global analysis of macromolecular atomic displacement parameters
Authors: Masmaliyeva Rafiga C. , Babai Kave H. , Murshudov Garib N.
Published: September 2020

This paper describes the global and local analysis of atomic displacement parameters (ADPs) of macromolecules in X-ray crystallography. The distribution of ADPs is shown to follow the shifted inverse-gamma distribution or a mixture of these distributions. The mixture parameters are estimated using the expectation–maximization algorithm. In addition, a method for the resolution- and individual ADP-dependent local analysis of neighbouring atoms has been designed. This method facilitates the detection of mismodelled atoms, heavy-metal atoms and disordered and/or incorrectly modelled ligands. Both global and local analyses can be used to detect errors in atomic models, thus helping in the (re)building, refinement and validation of macromolecular structures. This method can also serve as an additional validation tool during PDB deposition.
Developing and evaluating the validity of the behavioural assessment of dysexecutive functioning – intellectual disabilities adaptation (BADS-ID)
Authors: Webb Zillah , Dodd Karen , Livesey Alexandra , Sunak Sanjay , Marshall Chris , Harrison Lee , Liddiard Heather
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Assessment of executive functioning is an important element of a comprehensive assessment of intellectual abilities. Few assessments available are accessible for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and none have population-specific norms. This paper aims to describe the adaptation of the behavioural assessment of dysexecutive syndrome (BADS).

Design/methodology/approach

Adaptations were made to the BADS tests to create the BADS – intellectual disabilities (BADS-ID). Data from three doctoral dissertations were combined to explore the utility, reliability, validity and component structure of the BADS-ID. Properties of the BADS-ID were compared with the Cambridge Executive Functioning Assessment (CEFA).

Findings

The BADS-ID is accessible to IQ range 50–70 and has a two-component structure. It has good inter-rater reliability, but poor internal consistency. It has a good face and content validity but evidence for concurrent and discriminative validity is weak. All properties are comparable to or better than the CEFA.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed to improve reliability and validity. The development of an accessible test battery with known reliability and validity for individuals with ID should facilitate research into executive functioning in this population. There is the potential to develop population-specific norms from the data.

Practical implications

An accessible test battery for individuals with ID is helpful in clinical situations.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore the adaptation of the BADS for use with individuals with ID.
How country of origin influences Chinese consumers' evaluation of imported milk?
Authors: Zhang Yan , Jin Shaosheng , Zhang Yu Yvette , Yu Xiaohua
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to decompose the effects of country-of-origin labeling (COOL) into multiple dimensions—macrolevel image, related to the country image, and microlevel image, related to dairy industry/product attributes—and investigate how each dimension affects Chinese consumers' evaluation of imported milk.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted the Becker–DeGroot–Marschak (BDM) auction mechanism to elicit consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for milk from different countries (New Zealand, Australia, Germany, France and China). The experiment was conducted with 348 shoppers at supermarkets in three major cities of China (Hangzhou, Wuhan and Shijiazhuang). The study subject was ultrahigh-temperature processing (UHT) milk (200 mL Tetra Pak aseptic brick package).

Findings

The results show that Chinese consumers are willing to pay a premium for UHT milk from New Zealand, Australia, Germany and France compared to domestic milk, and the premiums are 59.4, 58.9, 57.9, and 52.9% respectively. Both microlevel and macrolevel images exert a substantial influence on consumers' WTP, and the microlevel image has a greater impact on consumers' evaluation of milk than the macrolevel image. Particularly, the macropolitical, microtechnology/quality and microdesign/package dimensions have a positive influence on WTP for milk.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature in introducing the country-of-origin image (COI) construct with different dimensions to get in-depth knowledge about the country-of-origin (COO) effect in food or agricultural economics.
On lemons and lemonade: the effect of positive and negative career shocks on thriving
Authors: Mansur Juliana , Felix Bruno
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how positive affectivity (PA) moderates the indirect effects of positive and negative career shocks – unplanned and often unexpected external events whose effects cannot be anticipated or countered – on thriving via career adaptability.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors empirically tested the moderated mediation model with a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. The study was performed with a valid sample of professionals who had experienced work-related career shocks.

Findings

The results indicated that career adaptability mediated the effects of positive and negative career shocks on thriving. In addition, the slope of the relationship between negative shocks and adaptability became positive for high levels of PA. The authors also found an indirect effect of negative career shocks on thriving at all levels of PA and importantly, when PA was high, the effects of negative shocks on thriving became positive.

Practical implications

Individuals may use emotional reappraisal strategies to counter negative feelings that accompany negative events to mitigate the negative effects of such events. By strengthening their positivity, individuals facilitate their own perception of shocks, thereby minimizing the possibility of a decrease in adaptability resources.

Originality/value

This paper advances understanding of those mechanisms through which negative shocks lead to positive effects that can help individuals improve their career adaptability and thrive.
Fire risk reduction on the margins of an urbanizing world
Authors: Rush David , Bankoff Greg , Cooper-Knock Sarah-Jane , Gibson Lesley , Hirst Laura , Jordan Steve , Spinardi Graham , Twigg John , Walls Richard Shaun
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Globally, over 95% of fire related deaths and injuries occur in low- and middle-income countries. Within informal settlements, the risk of fire resulting in injury or death is particularly high. This paper examines fire risks in informal settlements in New Delhi and Cape Town, and tented informal settlements in Lebanon.

Design/methodology/approach

Our analysis draws on primary sources, secondary literature, statistical data and qualitative interviews.

Findings

The distribution of fire risk across urban societies is a fundamentally political issue. Residential fire risk can be tackled by accessible, affordable, safety-compliant housing. That said, important interim measures can be taken to mitigate fire risk. Some of the risks requiring attention are similar across our case studies, driven by high population densities; flammable housing materials; unreliable or inaccessible access to safe power sources; and – in the case of Cape Town and New Delhi particularly – the inability of fire services to reach sites of fire. However, these common risks are embedded in distinct social, economic and political contexts that must be placed at the center of any intervention. Interventions must also be aware that the risk of fire is not spread evenly within informal settlements, intersecting as it does with factors like gender, age, health and disability.

Originality/value

Informal settlement fires have been under-studied to date. The studies that do exist tend to operate within disciplinary silos. This paper represents an important interdisciplinary approach to fire within informal settlements, which grounds technical data, modeling and experiments in political, social and economic realities.
Engine-bracket drilling fixture layout optimization for minimizing the workpiece deformation
Authors: T. Ramachandran , S. Surendarnath , R. Dharmalingam
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Fixture layout design is concerned with immobilization of the workpiece (engine mount bracket) during machining such that the workpiece elastic deformation is reduced. The fixture holds the workpiece through the positioning of fixturing elements that causes the workpiece elastic deformation, in turn, leads to the form and dimensional errors and increased machining cost. The fixture layout has the major impact on the machining accuracy and is the function of the fixturing position. The position of the fixturing elements, key aspects, needed to be optimized to reduce the workpiece elastic deformation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the optimized fixture layout for the machining of the engine mount bracket.

Design Methodology Approach

In this research work, using the finite element method (FEM), a model is developed in the MATLAB for the fixture-workpiece system so that the workpiece elastic deformation is determined. The artificial neural network (ANN) is used to develop an empirical model. The results of deformation obtained for different fixture layouts from FEM are used to train the ANN and finally the empirical model is developed. The model capable of predicting the deformation is embedded to the evolutionary optimization techniques, capable of finding local and global optima, to optimize the fixture layouts and to find the robust one.

Findings

For efficient optimization of the fixture layout parameters to obtain the least possible deformation, ant colony algorithm (ACA) and artificial bee colony algorithm (ABCA) are used and the results of deformation obtained from both the optimization techniques are compared for the best results.

Research Limitations Implications

A MATLAB-based FEM technique is able to provide solutions when the repeated modeling and simulations required i.e. modeling of fixture layouts (500 layouts) for every variation in the parameters requires individual modeling and simulation for the output requirement in any FEM-based software’s (ANSYS, ABACUS). This difficulty is reduced in this research. So that the MATLAB-based FEM modeling, simulation and optimization is carried out to determine the solutions for the optimized fixture layout to reach least deformation.

Practical Implications

Many a time the practicability of the machining/mechanical operations are difficult to perform costly and time-consuming when more number of experimentations are required. To sort out the difficulties the computer-based automated solution techniques are highly required. Such kind of research over this study is presented for the readers.

Originality Value

A MATLAB-based FEM modeling and simulation technique is used to obtain the fixture layout optimization. ANN-based empirical model is developed for the fixture layout deformation that creates a hypothesis for the fixture layout system. ACA and ABCA are used for optimizing the fixture layout parameters and are compared for the best algorithm suited for the fixture layout system.
Perceived understanding of supply chain integration, communication and teamwork competency in the global manufacturing companies
Authors: Fernando Yudi , Wulansari Puspita
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study empirically examines a model that describes the direct path from perceived understanding of supply chain integration (PUSCI) to perceived understanding of supply chain responsiveness (PUSCR) to leverage supply chain manager's communication and teamwork competencies. This study also examines whether knowledge and task skill and proficiency mediate the relationship between PUSCI and PUSCR to improve the communication and teamwork competency of a supply chain manager.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected using a survey questionnaire that was mailed to the 413 supply chain managers of global manufacturing companies in Indonesia.

Findings

The result from model testing shows that PUSCR significantly and positively affected the communication and teamwork competency of supply chain manager and knowledge, task skill and proficiency as mediating variables improved communication and teamwork competency. The results found that PUSCI was related to supply chain manager's competency.

Practical implications

Supply chain managers are advised to focus on PUSCI and consistently improve effective communication and teamwork competency.

Originality/value

This study will extend the literature by utilizing the competency-based theory to investigate the perceived understanding and communication capabilities of supply chain managers.
Missing the sociopolitical: examining discourses of writing in a US high-performing, urban middle school
Authors: Behizadeh Nadia
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine two teachers’ beliefs and practices on teaching writing at an urban, high-performing middle school to determine: What discourses of writing are being taught in an urban, high-performing US public middle school? What factors prevent or enable particular discourses?

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on case study methods, this study uses a single-case design with two seventh-grade teachers at a high-performing urban school as embedded units of analysis. Data collection took place over one semester. Data sources included observations and interviews with the two teachers, an interview with an administrator and multiple instructional artifacts, including unit and lesson plans. Observational data were analyzed using a priori code for writing discourses (Ivanic, 2004) and interview data were analyzed for factors affecting instruction using open, axial and selective coding.

Findings

Both teachers enacted extended multi-discourse writing instruction integrating skills, creativity, process, genre and social practices discourses supported by their beliefs and experience; colleagues; students’ relatively high test scores; and relative curricular freedom. However, there was minimal evidence of a sociopolitical discourse aligned with critical literacy practices. Limits to the sociopolitical discourse included a lack of a social justice orientation, an influx of low-performing students, a focus on raising test scores, data-focused professional development and district pacing guides. Racism is also considered as an underlying structural factor undermining the sociopolitical discourse.

Research limitations/implications

Although generalizability is limited because of the small sample size and the unique context of this study, two major implications are the need to layer discourses in writing instruction while centering critical pedagogy and develop teacher beliefs and knowledge. To support these two implications, this study suggests developing university-school partnerships and professional development opportunities that create a community of practice around comprehensive writing instruction. Future research will involve continuing to work with the participants in this study and documenting the effects of providing theory and tools for integrating the sociopolitical discourse into middle school curricula and instruction.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the field of literacy education’s understanding of internal and external factors limiting the sociopolitical discourse in a high-performing, urban middle school in the USA, an understudied context.
The quarantine archives: educators in “social isolation”
Authors: López López Ligia (Licho) , McCaw Christopher T. , Di Biase Rhonda , McKernan Amy , Rudolph Sophie , Galatis Aristidis , Dulfer Nicky , Gerrard Jessica , McKinley Elizabeth , McLeod Julie , Rizvi Fazal
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The archives gathered in this collection engage in the current COVID-19 moment. They do so in order to attempt to understand it, to think and feel with others and to create a collectivity that, beyond the slogan “we are in this together”, seriously contemplates the implications of what it means to be given an opportunity to alter the course of history, to begin to learn to live and educate otherwise.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is collectively written by twelve academics in March 2020, a few weeks into the first closing down of common spaces in 2020, Victoria, Australia. Writing through and against “social isolation”, the twelve quarantine archives in this paper are all at once questions, methods, data, analysis, implications and limitations of these pandemic times and their afterlives.

Findings

These quarantine archives reveal a profound sense of dislocation, relatability and concern. Several of the findings in this piece succeed at failing to explain in generalising terms these un-new upending times and, in the process, raise more questions and propose un-named methodologies.

Originality/value

If there is anything this paper could claim as original, it would be its present ability to respond to the current times as a historical moment of intensity. At times when “isolation”, “self” and “contained” are the common terms of reference, the “collective”, “connected” and “socially engaged” nature of this paper defies those very terms. Finally, the socially transformative desire archived in each of the pieces is a form of future history-making that resists the straight order with which history is often written and made.
Entropy generation of mixed convection of SWCNT–water nanofluid filled an annulus with a rotating cylinder and porous lining under LTNE
Authors: Çiçek Oktay , Baytaş A. Filiz , Baytaş A. Cihat
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to numerically analyze the mixed convection and entropy generation in an annulus with a rotating heated inner cylinder for single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT)–water nanofluid flow using local thermal nonequilibrium (LTNE) model. An examination of the system behavior is presented considering the heat-generating solid phase inside the porous layer partly filled at the inner surface of the outer cylinder.

Design/methodology/approach

The discretized governing equations for nanofluid and porous layer by means of the finite volume method are solved by using the SIMPLE algorithm.

Findings

It is found that the buoyancy force and rotational effect have an important impact on the change of the strength of streamlines and isotherms for nanofluid flow. The minimum average Nusselt number on the inner cylinder is obtained at Ra$_E$ = 10$^4$, and the minimum total entropy generation is found at Re = 400 for given parameters. The entropy generation minimization is determined in case of different nanoparticle volume fractions. It is observed that at the same external Rayleigh numbers, the LTNE condition obtained with internal heat generation is very different from that without heat generation.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no previous paper presenting mixed convection and entropy generation of SWCNT–water nanofluid in a porous annulus under LTNE condition. The addition of nanoparticles to based fluid leads to a decrease in the value of minimum total entropy generation. Thus, using nanofluid has a significant role in the thermal design and optimization of heat transfer applications.
A new local causal learning algorithm applied in learning analytics
Authors: de Carvalho Walisson Ferreira , Zárate Luis Enrique
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to present a new two stage local causal learning algorithm – HEISA. In the first stage, the algorithm discoveries the subset of features that better explains a target variable. During the second stage, computes the causal effect, using partial correlation, of each feature of the selected subset. Using this new algorithm, the study aims to identify the actions that lead a student succeed or failure in a course.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a brief review of main concepts used in this study: Causal Learning and Causal effects. The paper also discusses the results of applying the algorithm in education data set. Data used in this study was extracted from the log of actions of a Learning Management System, Moodle. These actions represent the behavior of 229 engineering students that take Algorithm and Data Structure course offered in a blended model.

Findings

The algorithm proposed in the paper identifies that features with weak relevance to a target may become relevant when computing the direct effect.

Research limitations/implications

The algorithm needs to be improved to automatically discard attributes that are under a specific threshold of direct effect. Researchers are also encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.

Practical implications

The algorithm presented in this paper can be used to identify the mostly relevant features given a classification task.

Originality/value

This paper computes the direct effect of a selected subset of features in a target variable to evaluate if a variable in this subset is really a cause of the target or if it is a spurious correlation.
Determinants of innovation performance of organizations in a regional innovation system from a developing country
Authors: Ortega Ana Maria , Serna Maribel
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Variables affecting the innovation performance (IP) in regional innovation systems (RIS) have been widely studied in developed countries, while little information exists for the case of developing countries. Based on the innovation economics theory, this study aims to examine determinants of IP of organizations within the RIS of Medellin/Antioquia, Colombia (South America).

Design/methodology/approach

By using nonparametric statistical analyses, this study tests six research hypotheses through a randomly applied questionnaire, responded by 1,005 organizations belonging to the RIS of Medellin/Antioquia.

Findings

Results indicate that the economic sector, firm size, level of interaction with different parties and level of interaction with academic partners have a significant impact on IP in the RIS. Nevertheless, the number of employees in research and development and the adoption of new technologies have no significant effect.

Practical implications

Based on the results, this study identifies innovation determinants that managers and policymakers should consider when formulating strategies to improve organizations’ IP. The result of this paper may provide valuable insights for the study of RIS’ determinants and support further research in similar contexts.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the limited body of knowledge regarding the variables that impact the IP of organizations in a RIS from a developing country. This paper also examines possible explanations for those hypotheses that were not supported, showing differences between developing and developed countries.
Explicating micro foundations of corporate social responsibility: a moderated-mediation study of customer, investor and employee roles
Authors: Bhattacharyya Som Sekhar , Jha Sumi
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide an explication of micro foundations of Corporate Social responsibility (CSR). CSR, as a study domain, has been accommodating individual centric aspects. Extant literature delved into firm aspects like regulation, the role of individuals such as leaders and managers in shaping the agenda and practice on CSR.

Design/methodology/approach

Based upon the responses of 396 managers, the authors explored how young managers assessed firm CSR actions and develop their role as potential customers, investors and potential employees toward a firm. For this study, a mediated moderator analysis has been applied to test the model.

Findings

The authors found that between an individuals’ customer-centric role toward firm products, positively relate to being a potential employee. However, there was also the presence of the mediation role of the individuals’ inclination for becoming an investor in firm shares. Further, there was a moderation role of an individual’s firm CSR product assessment. The developed model had four factors, namely, customer CSR firm assessment (CCFA), customer CSR product assessment (CCPA), investor CSR evaluation (ICE) and employee CSR aspiration (ECA).

Research limitations/implications

In this research, based upon systems justification theory and expectancy theory an individual-centric micro foundation based theoretical model on CSR were developed consisting of CCFA as an antecedent variable, ICE as mediating variable, CCPA as moderating variable and ECA as the dependent variable.

Originality/value

This study was one of the contributions toward a micro foundations based CSR approach model with role-plays as a customer, investor and potential employee.
Constructivist approach in teaching sustainability and business ethics: a case study
Authors: Dziubaniuk Olga , Nyholm Monica
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore methods of teaching sustainability and business ethics, relevant to the modern demand for student’s skills and knowledge. The study explores the challenges of teaching a business school undergraduate-level course and argues that a constructivist pedagogy is a suitable epistemological approach for designing a course unit concerning sustainability and ethics.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents case study findings drawn upon course feedback and course reflections aimed at making sense of what the most effective pedagogic approaches were that influenced students’ learning.

Findings

Results indicate that students appreciate active forms of learning via practical assignments and discussions. As knowledge of sustainability and business ethics is important for the student’s future career path, students need to develop skills of applying conceptual knowledge to practice via constructive pedagogical methods.

Practical implications

This empirical study contributes to the literature of constructivist pedagogics, which is explored in the context of sustainable development and business ethics teaching. Practically, it contributes to the analysis of teaching methods and frameworks applied in the course emphasizing the necessity of engaging in interactive and personalized learning and teaching processes.

Originality/value

Issues of teaching ethics and sustainable development are known concerns, but they have to be addressed systematically because of the changing business environment. This study explores the constructivist pedagogy based on empirical evidence and highlights its value in the educational process.
On the characteristics of gas foil conical bearings considering misalignment
Authors: Hu Hongyang , Feng Ming , Ren Tianming
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the characteristics of gas foil conical bearings (GFCBs) considering the misalignment, the static and dynamic performances with different misalignment cases were studied.

Design/methodology/approach

A test rig on the air compressor supported by GFCBs has been developed to measure the practicability. A nonlinear bump stiffness model and one-dimensional beam top foil stiffness model were used as a basis for the calculation of static and dynamic performance. The finite element method and finite difference method are adopted to solve the Reynolds equation and the film thickness equation coupled, in which different misalignment cases were considered by changing the film thickness.

Findings

The supporting performance of GFCB is excellent, and the film clearance plays a critical role. The misalignment effects depend on the assembled angle and the misalignment angle. The load capacity, friction torque, temperature of GFCB decrease when the misalignment assembled angle is between 120° and 240°, while the dynamic bearing stability is improved. The static and dynamic performances show the opposite law for the other assembled angles, and the misalignment effect is more dramatic when there is a larger misalignment angle. Moreover, the bearing and running parameters largely affect the bearing performance.

Originality/value

The present study focuses on the static and dynamic characteristics of GFCB and investigates the effects of misalignment on the bearing performance.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2020-0117
Many hands make light work: towards a framework of digital co-production to co-creation on social platforms
Authors: Alam Sultana Lubna
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Recent technological advances have enabled consumers and citizens to contribute to organizational processes through co-production and co-creation in ways that challenge traditional co-production. However, the practices and capabilities for value co-creation are less understood, particularly in an increasingly networked social government ecosystem. The purpose of this research is to examine the enablement of new digital co-production practices in social media platforms (SMPs) and theorize SMP-enabled digital co-production vis-à-vis traditional co-production for public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Primarily using principles of interpretivist approaches, a qualitative content analysis of communication practices (i.e. genres) observed within Australian government Facebook pages was carried out to examine the salient digital forms of co-production practices.

Findings

SMPs enable new practices in digital co-production for public sector (information dissemination, Q&A, feedback and co-creation), ranging from lower to higher intensity in terms of resource integration, scale of contributions, engagement and extent of relationship vis-à-vis traditional co-production.

Research limitations/implications

This research is bounded by its geographical emphasis on Australian Federal government. Hence, the results may not be readily transferable to other contexts.

Practical implications

Our framework offers an array of choices for digital co-production strategies to suit agency's focus and goals for engagement in the Facebook Pages. As agencies progress to reach higher intensity co-production, public engagement and impact increases.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to co-production in social government ecosystem by increasing the theoretical and practical understanding of new form of SMP-enabled digital co-production defined as “small-scale, repetitive, user-driven co-production that is flexible, durable, ad-hoc, and sporadic, where many hands make light work”. The proposed “co-production to co-creation” framework provides valuable guideline for enhancing public service provision via SMPs.
Conviviality as social practice in business relationships: concepts and insights from a case of expatriates
Authors: Guercini Simone , Ranfagni Silvia
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the practice of conviviality as the right setting to explore how social capital interacts with business relationships and in particular how resources impacting business relationships take shape in social relations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has adopted the single case study method combining in-depth interviews, participant observations and focus groups. The investigated case is an Italian business community located in Hangzhou (China), recognized as one of the most active foreign communities in organizing convivial activities.

Findings

The study shows that conviviality contributes to generating resources thereby creating interactions in business relationships via social relations through self-narrative, community feeling and empathy. These resources bear distinguishing features. Based on relationships of trust, they are fitting and mutual knowledge-based resources and they are resources performing a sense of inner time.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the interpretation of the interplay between business relationships and social capital through conviviality and is in line with a direction of research, which is increasingly involving industrial marketing and purchasing (IMP) researchers, which is the analysis of social capital in business networks.
Could franchising electricity distribution sustain rural electrification efforts?
Authors: Das Mrigakshi
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Resulting from large government interventions, India could attain 99% electrification in March 2019. However, the consequences are revenue losses due to lack of real-time efforts in bringing operational efficiencies of the power distribution companies (discoms). Distribution franchisees operate as agents to the discoms for performing their contracted functions in smaller high-loss making areas under jurisdiction of a discom. This study aims to explore how rural franchisees help or hinder requisite results.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative embedded multiple-case study was conducted. The case focused on two franchisees engaged in metering, billing and collection functions of a high-loss-making rural area dominated Indian state-owned discom. Data were collected through documents, personal observations and semi-structured in-depth interviews with franchisee employees situated at different levels of the organizational hierarchy. A review of pertinent literature and government documents was utilized in forming the codes for collecting the data.

Findings

It could be argued that franchisees with strong financial capability, human resources support and monitoring and control facilities could contribute effectively in generating revenue from rural and interior electrified mass. The analysis revealed various challenges serving as hindrances in achievement of contracted targeted outcomes. The analysis resulted in highlighting factors that if implemented could result in the needed outcome.

Practical implications

This study could be generalized only to similar socio-economic conditions. The findings could provide policy makers with valuable insights to emphasize on creating win–win situations for all the stakeholders to encourage franchisee participation.

Originality/value

This study is unique, as there is a dearth of empirical evidences relating to operational efficacies of these franchisees.