bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implications of taxonomic bias for microbial differential-abundance analysis
Authors: McLaren Michael R. , Nearing Jacob T. , Willis Amy D. , Lloyd Karen G. , Callahan Benjamin J.
Published: August 2022

Differential-abundance (DA) analyses enable microbiome researchers to assess how microbial species vary in relative or absolute abundance with specific host or environmental conditions, such as health status or pH. These analyses typically use sequencing-based community measurements that are taxonomically biased to measure some species more efficiently than others. Understanding the effects that taxonomic bias has on the results of a DA analysis is essential for achieving reliable and translatable findings; yet currently, these effects are unknown. Here, we characterized these effects for DA analyses of both relative and absolute abundances, using a combination of mathematical theory and data analysis of real and simulated case studies. We found that, for analyses based on species proportions, taxonomic bias can cause significant errors in DA results if the average measurement efficiency of the community is associated with the condition of interest. These errors can be avoided by using more robust DA methods (based on species ratios) or quantified and corrected using appropriate controls. Wide adoption of our recommendations can improve the reproducibility, interpretability, and translatability of microbiome DA studies.

This manuscript was rendered from commit 7412a36 of https://github.com/mikemc/differential-abundance-theory. Supporting data analyses can be found in the accompanying computational research notebook. Please post comments or questions on GitHub. The manuscript is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. See the GitHub Releases or Zenodo record for earlier versions.
zDHHC5 expression is increased in cardiac hypertrophy and reduced in heart failure but this does not correlate with changes in substrate palmitoylation
Authors: Main Alice , Bogusalvskyii Andri , Howie Jacqueline , Kuo Chien-wen , Rankin Aileen , Burton Francis L. , Smith Godfrey L. , Hajjar Roger , Baillie George S. , Campbell Kenneth S. , Shattock Michael J. , Fuller William
Published: August 2022

S-palmitoylation is an essential lipid modification catalysed by zDHHC-palmitoyl acyltransferases that regulates the localisation and activity of substrates in every class of protein and tissue investigated to date. In the heart, S-palmitoylation regulates sodiumcalcium exchanger (NCX1) inactivation, phospholemman (PLM) inhibition of the Na+/K+ ATPase, Nav1.5 influence on membrane excitability and membrane localisation of heterotrimeric G-proteins. The cell surface localised enzyme zDHHC5 palmitoylates NCX1 and PLM and is implicated in injury during anoxia/reperfusion. Information is lacking about how palmitoylation remodels in cardiac diseases. We investigated expression of zDHHC5 in animal models of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and heart failure (HF), along with HF tissue from humans. zDHHC5 expression was rapidly elevated during onset of LVH, whilst HF was associated with decreased zDHHC5 expression. Paradoxically, palmitoylation of the zDHHC5 substrate NCX1 was significantly reduced in LVH but increased in human HF. Overexpression of zDHHC5 in rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes was not sufficient to drive changes in palmitoylation of zDHHC5 substrates or overall cardiomyocyte contractility, suggesting changes in zDHHC5 expression in disease may not be a primary driver of pathology. zDHHC5 itself is regulated by post-translational modifications, including palmitoylation in its Cterminal tail, and we found the palmitoylation of zDHHC5 may be increased in heart failure in the same manner as NCX1, suggesting additional regulatory mechanisms such as acyl-CoA availability may be involved. Importantly, this study provides the first evidence that palmitoylation of cardiac substrates is altered in the setting of HF, and that expression of zDHHC5 is dysregulated in both hypertrophy and HF.
Genetically encoded sensors for measuring histamine release both in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Dong Hui , Li Mengyao , Yan Yuqi , Qian Tongrui , Lin Yunzhi , Ma Xiaoyuan , Vischer Henry F. , Liu Can , Li Guochuan , Wang Huan , Leurs Rob , Li Yulong
Published: August 2022

Histamine (HA) is a key biogenic monoamine involved in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes in both the central nervous system and the periphery. Because the ability to directly measure extracellular HA in real-time will provide important insights into the functional role of HA in complex circuits under a variety of conditions, we developed a series of genetically encoded G protein-coupled receptor activation-based (GRAB) HA (GRABHA) sensors. These sensors produce a robust increase in fluorescence upon HA application, with good photostability, sub-second kinetics, nanomolar affinity, and high specificity. Using these GRABHA sensors, we measured electrical stimulation-evoked HA release in acute brain slices with high spatiotemporal resolution. Moreover, we recorded HA release in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus and in the medial prefrontal cortex during the sleep-wake cycle in freely moving mice, finding distinct patterns of HA release in these specific brain regions. Together, these in vitro and in vivo results show that our GRABHA sensors have high sensitivity and specificity for measuring extracellular HA, thus providing a robust new set of tools for examining the role of HA signaling in both health and disease.
A systems biology-based identification and in vivo functional screening of Alzheimer’s disease risk genes reveals modulators of memory function
Authors: Hudgins Adam D. , Zhou Shiyi , Arey Rachel N. , Murphy Coleen T. , Suh Yousin
Published: August 2022

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have uncovered over 40 genomic loci associated with risk for late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease (LOAD), but identification of the underlying causal genes remains challenging. While the role of glial biology in the mediation of LOAD genetic risk has been increasingly recognized, recent studies of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons from LOAD patients have demonstrated the existence of neuronal cell-intrinsic functional defects, absent interactions with other brain cell types or exposure to neurotoxic insults. Here, we searched for genetic contributions to neuronal dysfunction in LOAD pathobiology, using an integrative systems approach that incorporated multi-evidence-based gene-mapping and network analysis-based prioritization. We found widespread dysfunction in neuronal gene co-expression networks in the LOAD brain and identified synaptic and endolysosomal function as being specifically impacted by LOAD-associated genetic variation. A systematic perturbation screening of candidate risk genes in C. elegans revealed that neuronal knockdown of the LOAD risk gene orthologs vha-10 (ATP6V1G2), cmd-1 (CALM3), amph-1 (BIN1), ephx-1 (NGEF), and pho-5 (ACP2) significantly alters short/intermediate-term memory function, the cognitive domain affected earliest during LOAD progression. These results highlight the impact of LOAD risk genes on evolutionarily conserved memory function, as mediated through neuronal endosomal dysfunction, and identify new targets for further mechanistic interrogation.
Coordinated Head Direction Representations in Mouse Anterodorsal Thalamic Nucleus and Retrosplenial Cortex
Authors: van der Goes Marie-Sophie H. , Voigts Jakob , Newman Jonathan P. , Toloza Enrique H. S. , Brown Norma J. , Murugan Pranav , Harnett Mark T.
Published: August 2022

The sense of direction is critical for survival in changing environments and relies on flexibly integrating self-motion signals with external sensory cues. While the anatomical substrates involved in head direction (HD) coding are well known, the mechanisms by which visual information updates HD representations remain poorly understood. Retrosplenial cortex (RSC) plays a key role in forming coherent representations of space in mammals and it encodes a variety of navigational variables, including HD. Here, we use simultaneous two-area tetrode recording to show that RSC HD representation is nearly synchronous with that of the anterodorsal nucleus of thalamus (ADn), the obligatory thalamic relay of HD to cortex, during rotation of a prominent visual cue. Moreover, coordination of HD representations in the two regions is maintained during darkness. We further show that anatomical and functional connectivity are consistent with a strong feedforward drive of HD information from ADn to RSC, with surprisingly little reciprocal drive in the corticothalamic direction. Together, our results provide direct evidence for a concerted global HD reference update across cortex and thalamus, and establish the underlying functional connectivity that supports this coordination.
Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy Verses Abdominal Hysterectomy: A systematic review and metanalysis
Authors: Menshawey Esraa , Menshawey Rahma
Published: August 2022

OBJECTIVE

To examine studies that explored the differences between laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) and total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) in endometrial cancer (EC) patients, and to determine which surgical intervention has better outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

Electronic search of the following databases was performed; Google Scholar, PubMed/Medline, Wiley, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, and EBSCO Host.

METHODS of STUDY SELECTION

All full English articles in the form of randomized controlled trials (RCT), prospective cohort (PC), and retrospective cohort (RC) comparing LAVH and TAH outcomes in endometrial cancer patients was included in this study. A complete search of the literature comparing the outcomes of LAVH and AH in EC patients. This study was registered in PROSPERO [ID: CRD42021225509] and follows PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Outcomes included length of hospital stay, surgical duration, complications, blood transfusion requirements, and blood loss.

TABULATION

ROBINS-1, ROB 2.0, and ROBVIS was used to assess the risk of bias. Statistical tests used included relative risk (RR) for dichotomous and standard mean difference (SMD) for continuous variable. A P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. A forest plot was used to visually demonstrate the analyses for all outcomes.

INTEGRATION and RESULTS

A total of 13 articles (total cohort n=14,803) were included in the systematic review and metanalysis. The total cohort for LAVH patients was n=1845 and n=12,958 for TAH. Patients who underwent a TAH had significantly higher risk of complications [RR = 0.547, p<0.001], greater risk for blood transfusion [RR = 0.349, p<0.033], more blood loss [SMD = −3.256, p<0.001], and longer hospital stay [SMD = −1.351, p<0.001]. LAVH patients had longer operating time [SMD= 1.103, p<0.001] compared TAH patients.

CONCLUSION

LAVH presented with lower of hospital stay, complications, amount of blood loss, and blood transfusion requirements when compared to TAH. LAVH in the appropriate setting and skills may be a safer alternative than TAH.
Increasing the sensitivity, recovery, and integrality of spatially resolved proteomics by LCM-MTA
Authors: Gu Lei , Li Xumiao , Li Ziyi , Wang Qinqin , Zheng Kuo , Yu Guanyu , Dai Chaoqun , Li Jingquan , Zhao Benpeng , Zhang Huiping , He Qizhi , Zhang Wei , Li Chen , Wang Hui
Published: August 2022

Conventional proteomic approaches neglect tissue heterogeneity and spatial localization information. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) can isolate specific cell populations or histological areas from heterogeneous tissue specimens while preserving spatial localization information. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) is currently a standardized method for long-term stable preservation of clinical tissue specimens. However, spatially resolved proteomics (SRP) studies of FFPE tissues by combined LCM and mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics face challenges, such as formalin-induced protein crosslinking limits protein extraction and digestion, protein loss during sample preparation, and the detectability of MS for trace tissues. Therefore, it is necessary to specifically develop SRP sample preparation methods and MS methods suitable for trace FFPE tissues. Here, we provide an SRP method suitable for trace FFPE tissues produced by LCM, termed LCM-Magnetic Trace Analysis (LCM-MTA), which can significantly increase the sensitivity, recovery, and integrality of SRP. The starting material has been reduced to about 15 cells, which resolution is comparable to existing spatially resolved transcriptome (SRT). We also apply our LCM-MTA into SRP studies on clinical colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and accurately distinguish the functional differences of different cell types. In conclusion, LCM-MTA is a convenient, universal, and scalable method for SRP of trace FFPE tissues, which can be widely used in clinical and non-clinical research fields.
Universality of phenotypic distributions in bacteria
Authors: Biswas Kuheli , Brenner Naama
Published: August 2022

Some phenotypic properties in bacteria exhibit universal statistics, with distributions collapsing under scaling. The extent and origins of such universality are not well understood. Using phenomenological modeling of growth and division, we identify compound “shape-factors” that describe the distributions throughout a large set of single-cell data. We find that the emergence of universal distributions is associated with the robustness of shape-factors across conditions, explaining the universality of cell size and highly expressed protein content and the non-universality of times between consecutive divisions. A wide range of experimental data sets support our theory quantitatively.
Genome-wide quantification of RNA flow across subcellular compartments reveals determinants of the mammalian transcript life cycle
Authors: Smalec Brendan M. , Ietswaart Robert , Choquet Karine , McShane Erik , West Emma R. , Churchman L. Stirling
Published: August 2022

Dissecting the myriad regulatory mechanisms controlling eukaryotic transcripts from production to degradation requires quantitative measurements of mRNA flow across the cell. We developed subcellular TimeLapse-seq to measure the rates at which RNAs are released from chromatin, exported from the nucleus, loaded onto polysomes, and degraded within the nucleus and cytoplasm. These rates varied substantially, yet transcripts from genes with related functions or targeted by the same transcription factors and RNA binding proteins flowed across subcellular compartments with similar kinetics. Verifying these associations uncovered roles for DDX3X and PABPC4 in nuclear export. For hundreds of genes, most transcripts were degraded within the nucleus, while the remaining molecules were exported and persisted with stable lifespans. Transcripts residing on chromatin for longer had extended poly(A) tails, whereas the reverse was observed for cytoplasmic mRNAs. Finally, a machine learning model identified additional molecular features that underlie the diverse life cycles of mammalian mRNAs.
Combinatorial expression motifs in signaling pathways
Authors: Granados Alejandro A. , Kanrar Nivedita , Elowitz Michael B.
Published: August 2022

Cell-cell signaling pathways comprise sets of variant receptors that are expressed in different combinations in different cell types. This architecture allows one pathway to be used in a variety of configurations, which could provide distinct functional capabilities, such as responding to different ligand variants. While individual pathways have been well-studied, we have lacked a comprehensive understanding of what receptor combinations are expressed and how they are distributed across cell types. Here, combining data from multiple single-cell gene expression atlases, we analyzed the expression profiles of core signaling pathways, including TGF-β, Notch, Wnt, and Eph-ephrin, as well as non-signaling pathways. In many pathways, a limited set of receptor expression profiles are used recurrently in many distinct cell types. While some recurrent profiles are restricted to groups of closely related cells, others, which we term pathway expression motifs, reappear in distantly related cell types spanning diverse tissues and organs. Motif usage was generally uncorrelated between pathways, remained stable in a given cell type during aging, but could change in sudden punctuated transitions during development. These results suggest a mosaic view of pathway usage, in which the same core pathways can be active in many or most cell types, but operate in one of a handful of distinct modes.
PLK1 O-GlcNAcylation is essential for dividing mammalian cells and inhibits uterine carcinoma
Authors: Yan Sheng , Peng Bin , Kan Shifeng , Shao Guangcan , Xiahou Zhikai , Tang Xiangyan , Chen Yong-Xiang , Dong Meng-Qiu , Liu Xiao , Xu Xingzhi , Li Jing
Published: August 2022

The O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) mediates intracellular O-GlcNAcylation modification, whose function and substrates have entranced biologists and chemists alike. O-GlcNAcylation occurs on Ser/Thr residues and takes part in a vast array of physiological processes. OGT is essential for dividing mammalian cells, and it underscores many human diseases. Yet many of its fundamental substrates in the cell division process remains to be unveiled. Here we focus on its effect on Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), a mitotic master kinase that governs DNA replication, mitotic entry, chromosome segregation and mitotic exit. We found that PLK1 interacts with OGT and is O-GlcNAcylated. By utilizing stepped collisional energy/higher-energy collisional dissociation (sceHCD) mass spectrometry (MS) and mutagenesis studies, the critical O-GlcNAc site is located to be Thr291. Interestingly, T291N is a uterine carcinoma mutant in the TCGA database. Biochemical assays show that T291A and T291N both increase PLK1 stability. Using stable H2B-GFP cells, we show that PLK1-T291A and -T291N mutants display chromosome segregation defects, and result in misaligned and lagging chromosomes. In mouse xenograft models, we demonstrate that the O-GlcNAc-deficient PLK1-T291A and -T291N mutants would enhance uterine carcinoma in animals. Hence, we propose that OGT partially exerts its mitotic function through O-GlcNAcylation of PLK1, and sceHCD MS might be a new method to reveal many more O-GlcNAcylation substrates.
Crystal structure, electronic structure, and optical properties of the novel Li4CdGe2S7, a wide-bandgap quaternary sulfide with a polar structure derived from lonsdaleite
Authors: Craig Andrew J. , Shin Seung Han , Cho Jeong Bin , Balijapelly Srikanth , Kelly Jordan C. , Stoyko Stanislav S. , Choudhury Amitava , Jang Joon I. , Aitken Jennifer A.
Published: August 2022

The novel quaternary thiogermanate Li4CdGe2S7 (tetralithium cadmium digermanium heptasulfide) was discovered from a solid-state reaction at 750 °C. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data were collected and used to solve and refine the structure. Li4CdGe2S7 is a member of the small, but growing, class of I4–II–IV2–VI7 diamond-like materials. The compound adopts the Cu5Si2S7 structure type, which is a derivative of lonsdaleite. Crystallizing in the polar space group Cc, Li4CdGe2S7 contains 14 crystallographically unique ions, all residing on general positions. Like all diamond-like structures, the compound is built of corner-sharing tetrahedral units that create a relatively dense three-dimensional assembly. The title compound is the major phase of the reaction product, as evidenced by powder X-ray diffraction and optical diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. While the compound exhibits a second-harmonic generation (SHG) response comparable to that of the AgGaS2 (AGS) reference material in the IR region, its laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) is over an order of magnitude greater than AGS for λ = 1.064 µm and τ = 30 ps. Bond valence sums, global instability index, minimum bounding ellipsoid (MBE) analysis, and electronic structure calculations using density functional theory (DFT) were used to further evaluate the crystal structure and electronic structure of the compound and provide a comparison with the analogous I2–II–IV–VI4 diamond-like compound Li2CdGeS4. Li4CdGe2S7 appears to be a better IR nonlinear optical (NLO) candidate than Li2CdGeS4 and one of the most promising contenders to date. The exceptional LIDT is likely due, at least in part, to the wider optical bandgap of ∼3.6 eV.
Global cities and multilatinas: the search for global cities-specific advantages, establishment and ownership entry modes
Authors: Kaltenecker Evodio , Montoya Miguel A.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to study the internationalization path of emerging market multinational enterprises (EMNEs) in their international expansion through the global cities (GCs) phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a quantitative approach to identify the most used ownership and entry modes, the preferred economic sectors and the level of interconnectedness of GCs.

Findings

The manuscript identified the predominance of the tertiary sector in the selection of GCs as foreign direct investment destinations. Second, the acquisition is the preferred entry mode regardless of the connectivity of the GC and the country of origin of the EMNE. The third is the use of wholly-owned subsidiaries as the preferred ownership mode. Finally, market-seeking is the main driver for the internationalization of Latin American EMNE. Consequentially, some GCs-specific advantages remain untapped by Latin American EMNE.

Research limitations/implications

This manuscript considered each investment into a global city as a single step, although some acquisitions occurred incrementally through several small investments.

Practical implications

The authors developed a road map for the internationalization of Latin American EMNEs through GCs, acquisitions and wholly-owned subsidiaries. Finally, service-oriented EMNEs, such as IT and financial services, target locations with high interconnectedness to maximize the benefits of GCs-specific advantages.

Originality/value

The authors pointed out that market-seeking, not resource-seeking or efficiency-seeking is the primary driver of the internationalization of EMNE into global cities.
Work–family strain of employees with children with disabilities
Authors: Stefanidis Abraham , King-Sears Margaret E. , Gilic Lina , Strogilos Vasilis
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between (1) employed parents' work–family conflict (WFC), (2) their children with disabilities' support needs, (3) their children's age, and (4) those parents' levels of school engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 193 US parents of children with disabilities who completed a survey regarding work and family strain as well as school engagement. Descriptive statistical and correlational analyses were used, followed by moderated regression analysis.

Findings

Results indicate that higher levels of WFC have a negative impact on parents' school engagement. Similarly, children with disabilities' increased needs for parental support have a negative impact on school engagement. Moreover, the age of children with disabilities holds a moderating role in the relationship between support needs and school engagement.

Research limitations/implications

Human resource managers can acquire information regarding employed parents of children with disabilities' increased support needs and formalize flexible policies leading to supportive workplace cultures. School personnel can instigate a range of options that facilitate parents' school engagement, such as maximizing use of technology via virtual meetings and activities.

Originality/value

These innovative findings contribute to theoretical underpinnings in work and family strain research as well as conservation of resources theory, given the lack of previous empirical work specific to children with disabilities and their employed parents.
The application of mobile functional near-infrared spectroscopy for marketing research – a guideline
Authors: Krampe Caspar
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To advance marketing research and practice, this study aims to examine the application of the innovative, mobile-applicable neuroimaging method – mobile functional near-infrared spectroscopy (mfNIRS) – in the field of marketing research, providing comprehensive guidelines and practical recommendations.

Design/methodology/approach

A general review and investigation of when and how to use mfNIRS in business-to-consumer and business-to-business marketing settings is used to illustrate the utility of mfNIRS.

Findings

The research findings help prospective marketing and consumer neuroscience researchers to structure mfNIRS experiments, perform the analysis and interpret the obtained mfNIRS data.

Research implications

The application of mfNIRS offers opportunities for marketing research that allow the exploration of neural processes and associated behaviour of customers in naturalistic settings.

Practical implications

The application of mfNIRS as a neuroimaging method enables the investigation of unconscious neural processes that control customer behaviour and can act as process variables for companies.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to provide comprehensive guidelines and applied practical recommendations concerning when and how to apply mfNIRS in marketing research.
Human resources under technological transformation: what HR professionals believe in an international scale
Authors: Mantzaris Konstantinos , Myloni Barbara
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper examines the beliefs of human resource professionals (HRPs) regarding the impact of Industry 4.0 on organizations in terms of readiness for human resources management (HRM) transformation, the challenges of a potential new legal and financial framework, the new means on performance management and automation, and finally the decision-making process in the era of human-machine cooperation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed a sample of 251 HRPs from 11 different countries divided into 4 cultural clusters to explore their attitude to incorporate new practices to the HR field because of technological development. The paper explores HRPs' beliefs in a legal and financial context, performance management issues, and the impact of automation on the decision-making process. Furthermore, the authors perform a cross-cultural comparison analysis to examine potential significant differences between cultural clusters.

Findings

HRPs are aware of how technology adoption is affecting work environment and they highlight the importance of human resources (HR) for businesses, despite the global trend of extensive machinery exploitation. Interestingly, our results suggest that overall globalization, common knowledge, and internationalized practices lead to homogeneity for most issues under study.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, there has not been any comprehensive study exploring and analyzing the effects of Industry 4.0 on HRPs perceptions in the context of a dynamic HR environment influenced by technological transformation. The study shows that HRPs' present similar perspectives for most issues addressed, irrespective of cultural characteristics of HRPs. Hence, this paper generates some important insights in an attempt to build a framework for enhancing HR in this new era.
Exploring dynamic effects on classifying service quality attributes under the impacts of COVID-19 with evidence from online reviews
Authors: Nie Ru-xin , Chin Kwai-sang , Tian Zhang-peng , Wang Jian-qiang , Zhang Hong-yu
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is exploring the effects of segment dynamic and temporal dynamic triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic on classifying service quality attributes, thereby formulating improvement strategies to satisfy customers and respond to threats.

Design/methodology/approach

Given the dynamics of the attractive quality theory, this paper designs a framework with four phases by embedding techniques of text mining and deep learning based on evidence from online reviews.

Findings

This paper figures out dynamics of service quality attributes for distinct segments and their dynamic proportion along with different stages of the pandemic. Another finding demonstrates segment dynamic and temporal dynamic effects of sentiments toward service quality attributes on customer satisfaction under the impacts of pandemic. Classification results and improvement strategies are derived for varying segments at different pandemic situations.

Practical implications

This paper reveals dynamic effects on classifying service quality attributes, which contributes to assisting hospitality practitioners from different segments in improving service quality when facing with the challenges of crisis and potential risks.

Originality/value

Given hospitality industry is time- and segment-sensitive, the authors achieve the quantification of dynamics of attractive quality theory and extend it into hospitality marketing and crisis management from the perspective of dynamics with evidence from online reviews.
Environmentally specific transformational leadership and pro-environmental behavior: an empirical analysis of energy sector
Authors: Soni Monika
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Although decades of research on transformational leadership have resulted in a firm understanding of its consequences, the impact of environmental-conscious transformational leader on positive employee outcomes and underlying mechanism in environmental leadership–outcome relationship is not well examined. This study aims to examine a moderated mediation model of effects of environmental consciousness (EC) on the mediating role of perceived corporate social responsibility (PCSR) in transformational leadership (ETFL) and pro-environmental behavior (PEB) relationship in energy-intensive industries.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 320 self- reported questionnaires were collected from employees working in different Indian organizations across different sectors. All measures used in this survey were adopted from well-established scales. To minimize the effects of common method variance arising, the survey questionnaires were administered to the participants in two stages (with a gap of 14 days), with antecedents separated from outcomes. Partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling and SPSS-process macro were applied for testing the hypothesized model.

Findings

The results revealed that ETFL positively correlated with PEB. The hypothesized moderated mediation condition was supported as the results suggest that PCSR mediated the ETFL–PEB relationship, and EC moderated this mediating pathway; i.e. indirect effects of ETFL on employee PEB via PCSR were stronger for employees with high EC.

Practical implications

In particular, this research provides implications for training and development of leaders. The study indicates the importance of environmental-conscious leaders in enhancing perceived PCSR and PEB of employees. Likewise, the finding found that PCSR mediates the ETFL and PEB relationship. Moreover, the indirect effect of ETFL on PEB through PCSR moderated by EC highlights the importance of managing and ensuring effective leader–employee relationship that facilitates ecofriendly initiatives.

Originality/value

The study is based on the data collected from energy-intensive industries. Thus, it provides insights into the role and importance of green leadership and green behavior in energy industries. It is one of the few studies in the energy-intensive industry in India that help the researcher to delve into future research on the same.
The circularity of product-service systems: the role of macro-, meso- and micro-level contextual factors
Authors: Kühl Carl , Skipworth Heather Dawn , Bourlakis Michael , Aktas Emel
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationships between macro-, meso- and micro-level contextual factors that enable or inhibit the contribution of product service systems (PSS) to circularity. It is informed by the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and the multi-level perspective as theoretical lenses.

Design/methodology/approach

A theory elaboration approach is used through three in-depth case studies of UK and German manufacturers. Case studies provide use- and result-oriented PSS for personal computers, power tools and wind turbines. Multiple sources of evidence, including 20 semi-structured interviews, company documents and quantitative data, are triangulated to improve the validity of the results.

Findings

Empirical evidence for relationships between macro-, meso- and micro-level contextual factors show significant barriers to the extending and cycling of resource loops, primarily through maintenance, repairs and refurbishment. A firm’s environmental awareness has a determining role in the contribution of PSS to circularity. The evidence from two use-oriented PSS reveals different circularity maturity levels.

Originality/value

This research makes three key contributions. Firstly, it elaborates on NRBV by showing that a firm’s environmental awareness determines product stewardship. The type of product stewardship practices depends on the enabling and inhibiting effects of macro- and meso-level factors. Secondly, it shows that use-oriented PSS have different circularity profiles and proposes three circularity maturity levels. Finally, it provides an empirically validated framework of macro-, meso- and micro-level enablers and barriers and how they interact to enable or inhibit circularity in PSS.
Braking-experimental study on the relationship between friction material type and brake disc temperature
Authors: Chen Youjie , Gao Fei , Fu Rong , Su Linlin , Han Xiaoming , Yang Junying
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to clarify the relationship of friction material type and brake disc temperature through braking experiment.

Design/methodology/approach

The braking performances of resin materials (RM), semimetallic materials (SM) and copper-based powder metallurgy materials (PM) friction blocks mating with forged steel brake disc were examined based on TM-I-type reduced-scale inertial braking dynamometer. The brake disc surface temperature was recorded by infrared thermal camera during braking.

Findings

Experimental results indicate that the thermal wear resistance of three friction materials differs with mental content, resulting in the deviation of pad-disc system contact state during braking, thus forming different temperature distribution on the brake disc surface. The peak temperature on the disc face of RM (190°C) is 36.6% and 45.4% lower than that of PM (300°C) and SM (348°C) at 160 km/h. The maximum radial temperature deviation of PM (35°C) is approximately three times than that of RM (12°C) and 40% higher than that of SM (25°C) at 50 km/h, whereas the maximum temperature deviation of SM (97°C) is six times than that of RM (16°C) and 31% higher than that of PM (74°C) at 160 km/h.

Originality/value

The effect of friction material type on the disc surface temperature distribution is revealed, which provides a meaningful reference for the design of brake friction pairs and choice of brake pad materials.
Design of wireless in-pipe inspection robot for image acquisition
Authors: Wu Kunlun , Sang Haifeng , Xing Yanhao , Lu Yao
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Pipeline robots are often used in pipeline non-destructive testing. Given the need for long-range in-pipe inspections, this study aims to develop a wireless in-pipe inspection robot for image acquisition.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an in-pipe robot with a new mechanical system is proposed. This system combines a three-arm load-bearing structure with spring sleeves and a half-umbrella diametric change structure, which can ensure the stability of the camera when acquiring images while maintaining the robot’s flexibility. In addition, data were transmitted wirelessly via a system that uses a 433 MHz ultra-high frequency and wireless local-area network–based image transmission system. Software and practical tests were conducted to verify the robot’s design. A preliminary examination of the robot’s cruising range was also conducted.

Findings

The feasibility of the robot was demonstrated using CATIA V5 and MSC ADAMS software. The simulation results showed that the centre of mass of the robot remained in a stable position and that it could function in a simulated pipeline network. In the practical test, the prototype functioned stably, correctly executed remote instructions and transmitted in near real-time its location, battery voltage and the captured images. Additionally, the tests demonstrated that the robot could successfully pass through the bends in a 200-mm-wide pipe at any angle between 0° and 90°. In actual wireless network conditions, the electrical system functioned for 44.7 consecutive minutes.

Originality/value

A wheeled wireless robot adopts a new mechanical system. For inspections of plastic pipelines, the robot can adapt to pipes with diameters of 150–210 mm and has the potential for practical applications.
A contextual study of employee turnover intention in Vietnam F&B service sector: an integrative perspective
Authors: Han Jung Woo
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Previous studies on employee turnover did not explore the contextual differences of emerging markets such as Vietnam. As Vietnam is a fast-growing new tiger economy with a high inflow of foreign direct investment, contextual analysis needs to be conducted to handle rising HR issues in the region. The current study aims to analyze paths to employee turnover intention through an integrated model covering factors on individual, team, and organizational levels to understand the contextual difference in the Vietnam F&B service industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed method was used based on quantitative and qualitative data from three organizations. For the quantitative analysis, a path model was developed and analyzed by SEM-PLS (Smart PLS) based on a sample size of 354. For the qualitative analysis, 32 semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the contextual understanding in the regional context.

Findings

Although the current study confirms that the paths among the three levels show the turnover factors developed in the previous study still applicable to the Vietnam context, the strengths and relationships among the team and individual levels imply that the Vietnamese context created a unique HRM environment forming different paths to reach employee turnover decisions.

Originality/value

The findings contributed to the literature on employee turnover by developing an integrated model of employee turnover encompassing the three levels, suggesting the different local contexts formed unique paths to employee turnover decisions.
Exploring the outcomes of digital marketing on historic sites' visitor behaviour
Authors: de Amorim Luzia Arantes , Sousa Bruno Barbosa , Dias Álvaro Lopes , Santos Vasco Ribeiro
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Digital communication and social media have an increasing importance in society and in tourism boosting. This study aims to analyse the role of digital marketing in the destination image and visitor loyalty of historic sites.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a mixed-method approach combining survey data from 318 respondents and three in-depth interviews. Using structural equations modelling results reveals experience, satisfaction, image and loyalty are concepts to be considered by the destinations' digital marketing promotion, as well as the increasing use of digital marketing by tourists, in the sense that tourists are increasing the habit of checking the opinion of others before scheduling their trip and gives them more importance, and a growing importance is given by tourists to the web/social networks of places they intend to visit.

Findings

This study contributes to the theory on tourism digital marketing which can be transposed to organizations management in order to encourage discussion on the processes of capture, retention and loyalty of target audiences.

Research limitations/implications

To enhance the importance of digital marketing in the process of the tourist development of the city, it is fundamental to define a clear strategy for attracting and responding to the greatest demand from cultural tourists who are increasingly interested in actively participating in learning experiences.

Practical implications

The results show that digital communication and social media have an increasing importance in society and in tourism boosting and economy recovery.

Social implications

The paper presents digital marketing as a possible factor in tourism development and social inclusion, advancing practical measures aimed at social justice through a fairer distribution of tourism revenues and the defence of historic centre residents' way (i.e. Barcelos’), and quality of life.

Originality/value

The authors suggest the development of a strategic digital marketing plan applied to the development and promotion of tourism in the city of Barcelos (Portugal), to complement the research presented here, thus contributing with a more practical perspective of the subject under study.
Exoskeletons at your service: a multi-disciplinary structured literature review
Authors: Tarbit James , Hartley Nicole , Previte Josephine
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Exoskeletons are characterized as wearable, mechanical orthoses that augment the physical performance of the wearer, enhance productivity and employee well-being when used in value producing contexts. However, limited research involving exoskeleton usage by service employees in frontline contexts has been undertaken within service research. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of exoskeleton research undertaken within the context of value-producing roles, introduce exoskeletons conceptually to the service research domain, provide new conceptualizations of service exchange interactions involving physically augmented service actors and propose future avenues of exoskeleton research in alignment with key service theories.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-disciplinary structured literature review based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses method was undertaken across a variety of literature fields. A final selection of n = 25 papers was selected for analysis from an initial sample of N = 3,537. Given the emergent nature of exoskeleton research and the variety of methodology types used between literature fields, a thematic analysis approach was used for analysing identified papers.

Findings

The literature review identified four main themes within role-focused exoskeleton research. These themes informed proposals for future exoskeleton research with respect to key service theories and typologies. The findings demonstrate that the presence of an exoskeleton changes the behaviours and interactions of service employees. The augmented social presence AugSP typology is conceptualized to explain the influences of human enhancement technologies (HETs) within service actor interactions.

Originality/value

This research introduces the AugSP typology to conceptualize the impacts that exoskeletons and HETs impose within technologically mediated service interactions and provides a service-specific definition of exoskeleton technology to guide future service research involving the technology.
Understanding energy-efficiency choices through consumption values: the central role of consumer's attention and trust in environmental claims
Authors: Issock Issock Paul Blaise , Muposhi Asphat
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study examines how consumption values influence consumers' purchase intention of energy-efficient home appliances in South Africa, an emerging market. The study further investigates the mediating role of consumers' attention to energy-efficient labels affixed on home appliances while making a purchase decision and the moderating effect of consumer trust in the environmental claims.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative approach, this study relied on self-administered questionnaires to collect data from 505 household representatives in South Africa's Gauteng Province. The proposed conceptual model was empirically tested using structural equation modelling, moderation and mediation analyses.

Findings

The results revealed that economic, emotional and social values can only influence consumers' intention to purchase energy-efficient appliances if consumers pay attention to the energy-efficiency label affixed on the appliance. Functional value, however, has a significant direct impact on purchase intention. Moreover, the results indicate that trust in energy-efficiency labels strengthens the effect of functional and emotional values on consumers' attention to energy-efficiency labels.

Originality/value

Findings of this study highlight the importance of capturing the attention of consumers to energy-efficiency labels during the buying process as well as increasing their trust in those labels. Results indicate that consumers are more attracted to the functional and social values that energy-efficient appliances provide. This study is of particular interest to policymakers, retailers and manufacturers, as it sheds light on key strategies to implement to effectively promote the purchase of energy-efficient household appliances in South Africa.
Managerial ability and corporate risk-taking in an emerging economy
Authors: Alzugaiby Basim
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The existing literature, generally based on US data, provides little evidence that supports whether managerial ability directly links to corporate risk-taking. Hence, this study aims to expand the limited extent by investigating the impact of managerial ability on risk-taking across Saudi firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study mainly uses a panel fixed-effects model, including firm-year and firm-industry, to analyse a sample of Saudi non-financial firms from the period 2008 – 2018. In the empirical analysis, the managerial ability is lagged by one year to mitigate endogeneity concerns that may arise from reverse causality. To avoid omitted variables bias, this study includes several firm-level control variables.

Findings

The empirical results show that the relationships between managerial ability and firm risk-taking measures are negative and statistically significant with the standard deviation of return on assets (sROA) and leverage; positive and statistically significant with theZ-score. These results indicate that firms managed by high-ability executives have the propensities to take less risk. The main results remain robust to additional sensitivity analyses including an alternative measure for managerial ability, an alternative proxy for risk-taking using logistic regression analysis, using financial crises as dummy variables, and using a cross-lagged panel model with fixed effects for endogeneity concerns.

Practical implications

When evaluating firms, all market and society participants including researchers, regulators, supervisors, policymakers, and boards ought to pay close attention to managerial ability as one of the main factors affecting risk-taking.

Originality/value

Previously, closely related studies, focussing on the US market, mainly find that managers with high ability are receptive to risk-taking. This paper offers further international insight into the relevant literature by providing evidence that capable managers are inclined to take low risks.