bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Considerations associated with synchronous and asynchronous video use in online learning
Authors: Cohen Jay Andrew
Published: January 2022

Purpose

A substantial amount of the heavy lifting associated with getting face-to-face courses online as part of the emergency remote teaching response to the global COVID-19 pandemic has fallen, at times rather awkwardly at the feet of teachers and trainers. Teachers and trainers have had to become both learning designers, and online tutors overnight. In many instances what we have seen as part of this pivoting to online learning is the perpetuation of existing classroom based pedagogical approaches. This has, in most instances equated to the delivery of live lectures via video-conferencing software (such as Zoom and Skype), or previously recorded classroom-based lectures being reused.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the affordances of synchronous and asynchronous lecture video use in online learning based on the view that whilst pre-recorded videos are customary and can add added value to the online learning environment, they should be used based pedagogical pertinence, rather than through convenience or simply to save time.

Findings

The pedagogical nuances of online learning and student engagement must be broadly considered, so that the formation of conditions in which learning is most likely is at the forefront.

Originality/value

This is a viewpoint paper. Much of the paper is based on the views of the author – supported by references/research.
Patent management: the prominent role of strategy and organization
Authors: Agostini Lara , Nosella Anna , Holgersson Marcus
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this article is twofold; to verify the existence of different profiles of firms based on the level of sophistication of their patent management core processes and to test the impact of the interplay between two patent management supporting dimensions, namely patent strategy and organization for patenting, on the level of sophistication of patent management core processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The method consists of a survey study, collecting data from a set of European patent management professionals. These data are analyzed with factor analysis, cluster analysis and regression analysis to test several hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that patent strategy positively and significantly impacts patent management sophistication, and that the patent organization positively moderates this relationship. In other words, a patent strategy, supported by a well-developed patent organization and culture, will positively influence the processes of managing a firm's patent portfolio.

Originality/value

This study is, to the authors’ knowledge, the first one to provide quantitative evidence that supports the notion that it is important to take a strategic and organizational perspective of patent management.
Salesperson moral identity and value co-creation
Authors: Itani Omar S. , Chonko Larry , Agnihotri Raj
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of salesperson moral identity centrality in value co-creation. This study identified and tested an extended identity-based formation process of selling orientation, customer orientation and value co-creation. This was accomplished by examining the role of inclusion of others in the self and circle of moral regard in the mechanism through which moral identity centrality impacts selling orientation, customer orientation and value co-creation, taking into account the contingency role of salesperson self-construal.

Design/methodology/approach

An extended identity-behavior model grounded in identity theory and the social-cognitive perspective of moral identity centrality was tested. The study used survey data from business-to-business salespeople. Data collected was analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results show that a central moral identity to a salesperson’s self-drives higher expansion of the salesperson’s circle of moral regard. This process facilitates the mechanisms for salesperson moral identity centrality to decrease selling orientation and increase customer orientation and value co-creation, leading to higher sales performance. Independent self-construal is found to deteriorate the positive effects of salesperson moral identity centrality on the inclusion of others in the self, expansion of the circle of moral regard and customer orientation.

Research limitations/implications

Through the conceptualized and tested framework, the study opens the door for additional research to inspect the role of moral identity centrality in sales.

Practical implications

Findings have implications for the human resource side of sales organizations in the areas of recruitment, mentoring, coaching and training. Moral identity centrality plays a vital role in the interface between salespeople and customers, leading to improved behavioral and sales outcomes. Sales managers must look for their salespeople’s moral identity centrality to improve morality in the attitudes and decision-making of their salesforce.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to uncover the vital impacts of salesperson moral identity centrality on selling orientation, customer orientation and value co-creation. Through the conceptualized and tested framework, the study opens the door for additional research to inspect the role of moral identity centrality in sales.
Fuzzy-based metaheuristic algorithm for optimization of fuzzy controller: fault-tolerant control application
Authors: Patel Himanshukumar Rajendrabhai
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Fuzzy-based metaheuristic algorithm is used to optimize the fuzzy controllers for the nonlinear level control system subject to uncertainty specially in the main actuator that has lost effectiveness (LOE). To optimize the fuzzy controller, type-1 harmonic search (HS) and interval type-2 (HS) will be used.

Design/methodology/approach

The type-1 and type-2 fuzzy-based HS algorithms are designed for optimization of fuzzy controllers for Fault-Tolerant Control (FTC) applications, and this research proposes a fuzzy-based HS metaheuristic method. The performance of a fuzzy logic-based HS algorithm applied to a nonlinear two-tank level control process with a main actuator that has lost effectiveness (LOE) and also the same controller will be tested on DC motor angular position control with and without noise.

Findings

The key contribution of this work is the discovery of the best approach for generating an optimal vector of values for the fuzzy controller's membership function optimization. This is done in order to improve the controller's performance, bringing the process value of the two-tank level control process closer to the target process value (set point). It is worth noting that the type-1 fuzzy controller that has been optimized is an interval type-2 fuzzy system, which can handle more uncertainty than a type-1 fuzzy system.

Originality/value

The type-1 and type-2 fuzzy-based HS algorithms are designed for optimization of fuzzy controllers for FTC applications, and this research proposes a fuzzy-based HS metaheuristic method. The performance of a fuzzy logic-based HS algorithm applied to a nonlinear two-tank level control process with a main actuator that has LOE will be tested on DC motor angular position control with noise. Two nonlinear uncertain processes are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Design and implementation of energy-aware cross-layer routing protocol for wearable body area network
Authors: Vadlamudi Muniraju Naidu , M.D. Asdaque Hussain
Published: January 2022

Purpose

A wireless body area network (WBAN) plays a crucial role in the health-care domain. With the emergence of technologies like the internet of things, there is increased usage of WBAN for providing quality health services. With wearable devices and sensors associated with human body, patient’s vital signs are captured and sent to doctor. The WBAN has number of sensor nodes that are resource constrained. The communications among the nodes are very crucial as human health information is exchanged. The purpose of this paper aims to have Quality of Service (QoS) with energy aware and control overhead aware. Maximizing network lifetime is also essential for the improved quality in services. There are many existing studies on QoS communications in WBAN.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, with the aim of energy-efficient WBAN for QoS, a cross-layer routing protocol is designed and implemented. A cross-layer routing protocol that is ad hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV)-based, energy and control overhead-aware (AODV-ECOA) is designed and implemented for energy-efficient routing in WBAN. The cross-layer design that involves multiple layers of open systems interconnection reference model, which will improve energy efficiency and thus QoS.

Findings

Implementation is simulated using the network simulator tool, i.e. NS-2. The proposed cross-layer routing protocol AODV-ECOA shows least bandwidth requirement by control packets, leading to less control overhead, highest packet delivery ratio and energy efficiency. The experimental results revealed that AODV-ECOA shows better performance over existing protocols such as AODV and POLITIC.

Originality/value

An efficient control overhead reduction algorithm is proposed for reducing energy consumption further and improves performance of WBAN communications to realize desired QoS.
That old saying about wine and age: identifying South African age-cohort preferences
Authors: Kruger Martinette , Viljoen Adam
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to identify the preferences of wine consumers based on age cohorts to identify differences in consumption from a developing country perspective, with a predominantly younger population, to determine wine consumption longevity.

Design/methodology/approach

The target population was wine consumers in South Africa. Through convenience sampling, the data were collected in 2020 via a self-administered online questionnaire. In total, 20,997 fully completed the questionnaire. The age categories of the respondents were assigned to a particular age cohort to differentiate the market.

Findings

The age cohorts revealed five cohorts, namely, Gen Z: 18–24 years (11%); Young Gen Y: 25–34 years (32%); Mature Gen Y: 35–44 years (25%); Gen X: 45–54 years (17%); and Baby boomers: 55+ years (15%). Segmenting South African wine consumers based on their age cohorts revealed statistically significant differences based on their socio-demographics, wine preferences and consumption behavior. A typology of domestic wine consumers is consequently proposed: basic, budget conscious and image-oriented wine drinking Gen Z’s; experimenting and enjoyment-oriented wine drinking Young Gen Y-ers; aspirational and purposive wine drinking Mature Gen Y-ers; ritual-oriented, avid and conspicuous wine drinking Gen X-ers; and conservative, value-seeking and experienced wine drinking Baby Boomers.

Practical implications

This knowledge has important marketing implications and can create a greater appreciation for South African wines among the different age cohorts. The research shows the value of the generational theory in understanding wine consumers’ consumption and highlights the importance of analyzing different generations rather than solely focusing on one, as this could lead to mismanagement of resources.

Originality/value

This is one of the most comprehensive national surveys aimed at the South African wine consumer. The research fills the current literature gap regarding the characteristics of the different age cohorts and shows how wine consumption and preferences may change over time.
Modelling factors of social media usage by B2B salespersons: an emerging market study
Authors: Kumar Ratan , Srivastava Vibhava
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to extend and contribute to the evolving phenomenon of social media usage by business-to-business (B2B) salespersons. It draws on the interactional psychology model and extended technology acceptance model to explore the said phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey-based quantitative study was carried out. Responses were gathered through a self-administered and structured questionnaire, from 218 B2B salespersons who were pooled in using purposive and snowball sampling. The final data set was subjected to partial least squares-based structural equation modelling using WarpPLS 7.0.

Findings

This study found that individual factors, namely, salesperson’s social media competence and sales capabilities; organizational factors, namely, organizational commitment and organizational competence; and social factors, namely, image, result demonstrability and subjective norms, contribute positively and significantly towards social media usage by B2B salespeople. The study also found that the impact of individual factors on intention to use social media was partially mediated by its perceived usefulness, while in the case of organizational and social factors, the impact was fully mediated by its perceived ease of use.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a valuable addition to the existing literature on sales and social media; however, the contextualization cannot be ignored.

Practical implications

This study enables firms to understand various factors affecting salespeople’ perception of social media and to make them appreciate its usage in improving sales performance and customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

It is the first study that models the factors of salespeople’s usage of social media in their job at three levels, namely, individual, organizational and social, and establishes the link between B2B salespersons’ perceived usefulness of social media, sales capabilities, social media competence and intention to use social media.
Agency issues in franchising electricity distribution companies: inter-organizational and multi-level study
Authors: Das Mrigakshi
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Management of power distribution companies (discoms) in India has been historically criticized on the ground of inefficient management. Inefficiency in operations triggered management by private franchisees for promotion of managerial and technical expertise. However, franchise contracts have achieved mixed outcomes despite the business model being a decade old in the Indian power distribution sector. Therefore, this study sheds light on the drivers of discoms (principal) with the franchisees (agent) for the achievement of the common performance goals, highlighting the agency issues at multiple levels across the organizational hierarchies. The study seeks to acknowledge the commonalities and differences between and across varying levels.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative embedded single case study was conducted in an Indian state, namely Odisha. The study was built on archival analysis, personal observations and semi-structured interviews with the franchisors and franchisee officials across the organization's hierarchical levels. A conceptual model based on the review of prior literature formed the set of coding and presentation for the study.

Findings

The study provides insights on factors that play a role in effective power distribution management, operational efficiency and improved financial performance through the partnership of the principal and the agent.

Research limitations/implications

The study is predominantly dependent upon interviews. This paved the way for the limitation of human biases. Additionally, deep insights were drawn from a single case study of a discom's decision to hire franchisees. However, this was at the cost of the number of organizations interviewed. The findings of the study could be built across other areas or nations.

Originality/value

There is adequate literature on franchising as a business model. However, literature is lacking in highlighting the commonalities and differences between different contracting parties and their impact on the performance of the contract. Additionally, there is a dearth of literature on franchising in the power distribution sector. Therefore, studying the model from multiple perspectives would contribute to the literature on the power sector and franchising.
Study of the dynamic response of a CAARC building by the synthetic wind method and comparison with different approaches
Authors: Mattias Lucas Willian Aguiar , Paramo Carlos Andres Millan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper analyzes the effect that is generated in the dynamic response of a Commonwealth Advisory Aeronautical Council building for different types of power spectra. This article also compares synthetic wind method (SWM) results with wind tunnel tests and other numerical approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the main methodologies developed in Brazil, the SWM, is employed to determine the dynamic wind loads. The Davenport, Lumley and Panowski, Harris, von Karman and Kaimal model are used in SWM to generate the resonant harmonics. Lateral pressures are calculated by the wind speed deflection profile for 30, 35, 40 and 45 m/s. The structure is processed in Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis with numerical analysis in FEM by the Hilber–Hughes–Taylor method. To corroborate the synthetic wind with experimental results, displacement curves are developed for wind tunnel experimental results, Davenport method, Eurocode and NBR 6123, together with the SWM.

Findings

Results show that for 30 m/s, the lowest convergence of the power spectra models was presented and that the greatest difference found was below 10%. In addition, it was shown that Eurocode 1-4 can lead to oversizing, while NBR 6123 can lead to undersizing, compared with the experimental results. Finally, results by the Davenport method, wind tunnel test and synthetic wind showed good accuracy.

Originality/value

By carrying out this comparative analysis, this work presents an important contribution in the field of calculating the dynamic response of tall buildings. Studies with these comparisons to corroborate the SWM had not yet been carried out.
What do we know about capabilities and early internationalization? A review and synthesis
Authors: Kahiya Eldrede T. , Warwood Caitlin
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to organize and assess knowledge on the capabilities pertinent to the early internationalization of born globals (BGs) and international new ventures (INVs).

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic approach is used to search, code, organize and synthesize 155 peer-reviewed journal articles on capabilities and early internationalization.

Findings

The study delimits eight operational and five dynamic capabilities. The synthesis links capabilities to three antecedents (i.e. firm specific factors, managerial socio cognitive attributes and market factors) and three outcomes (i.e. precocity, survival and performance). While 7 of the 12 linkages identified are well-established, relationships involving market factors, survival and dynamic capabilities are sparsely researched.

Research limitations/implications

The authors know more about the effects of firm specific factors and managerial socio cognitive attributes on operational and dynamic capabilities than we do the influence of market factors on either group of capabilities. Likewise, the authors know more about the influence of operational and dynamic capabilities on performance than we do their impact on precocity or survival.

Practical implications

As the pandemic has shown, businesses with adaptable capabilities (e.g. shifting from a brick and mortar to an online/omnichannel approach or micro-breweries competent to switch from manufacturing beer to hand sanitizer) have increased their chance of survival while helping society cope.

Originality/value

This to the authors’ knowledge is the first study to provide a comprehensive review of literature on the nebulous concept of capabilities, in the context of the burgeoning research stream on early internationalization.
Sustainable construction and the versatility of the quantity surveying profession in Singapore
Authors: Omotayo Dr Temitope , Tan Sin Wen , Ekundayo Damilola
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The changing role of quantity surveyors in the new paradigm of sustainable construction requires studies into new competencies and skills for the profession. The impact of sustainable construction on quantity surveying services, engagement and how they manage challenges provided an indication of the success indicators of the quantity surveying profession in meeting the sustainable construction needs.

Design/methodology/approach

A five-point Likert scale was developed from the list of quantity surveying firms in Singapore. An 85% response rate from 60 quantity surveying firms contacted in this study provided 51 responses. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis were employed to evaluate the findings.

Findings

The factor analysis categorised the drivers derived from the literature into awareness of sustainable construction, adversarial role on green costing; carbon cost planning; valuing a sustainable property; common knowledge of sustainable construction; and lack of experience in sustainable construction.

Social implications

The research findings supported the idea of increased sustainable construction skills in quantity surveying education, research and training.

Originality/value

The dearth of quantity surveyors with sustainable construction experience must focus on quantity surveying professional bodies and higher education. The quantity surveying profession needs reskilling in green costing and carbon cost planning to meet the needs of sustainable construction.
Managing triadic supplier relationships in collaborative innovation projects: a relational view perspective
Authors: Patrucco Andrea , Harland Christine Mary , Luzzini Davide , Frattini Federico
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Suppliers are essential partners in innovation projects, as they own resources, knowledge assets and capabilities that complement those of buying firms. In today’s competitive environment, firms may choose to collaborate with suppliers beyond dyads, forming triadic or three-party relationships. Using the theoretical lens of the relational view (RV), this study aims to explore what type of triad configurations firms use to govern supplier relationships in collaborative innovation projects, how they choose to share resources and implications for project performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use interview data from buyers and suppliers in six case studies of firms involved in ten collaborative innovation projects. The four constructs of the RV are used to observe how firms govern triadic relationships, combine complementary resources, invest in relationship-specific assets and manage information and knowledge exchange with and between suppliers in innovation projects.

Findings

Four archetypes of triadic relationships in innovation projects – labeled Triangle, A-frame, D-Frame and Line – are presented and characterized in terms of their structural and relational features. The authors discuss how each triad archetype is applicable to different innovation projects according to specific project characteristics.

Originality/value

This study is pioneering in its empirical examination of triadic relationships in collaborative innovation projects. It provides a novel typology of four archetypes of triad from the perspective of collaborative relationships with suppliers. Through applying the RV, it advances understanding of how triadic relationships are governed, how they invest in relationship-specific assets, how they combine complementary resources and how they exchange knowledge and information in each type of triad appropriate to different innovation project settings. To date, much of the extant literature has focused on dyads.
Accounting for crypto-assets: stakeholders’ perceptions
Authors: Chou Jun Heng , Agrawal Prerana , Birt Jacqueline
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse stakeholders’ perceptions on the accounting of crypto-assets. They also look at the need to amend/clarify existing accounting standards or develop new accounting standards.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a qualitative approach featuring interviews with four stakeholder groups including academics, professional bodies, standard setters and accounting practitioners. Interview recordings are transcribed and then analysed through NVivo.

Findings

The interviewees identify various issues in the application of current accounting standards to crypto-assets. The interviewees perceive that the rapid development of crypto-assets and fluidity hinder the development of accounting guidance. Hence, continuous monitoring by standard-setters is required. The general consensus is that unless there are crypto-assets with economic characteristics and functionality that are pervasive enough to warrant a new accounting standard, principles of current accounting standards are robust to address gaps in accounting requirements for crypto-assets.

Originality/value

This study adds to the discussion on harmonising the current practices in accounting of crypto-assets. By examining perceptions of multiple stakeholder groups, this study provides insights into the applicability of current accounting standards to the classification, measurement and disclosure of crypto-assets. The findings will inform standard setters and aid their efforts towards providing formal guidance on the accounting of crypto-assets.
An analysis of hall currents on couple stress fluid heated from below with magnetic field
Authors: Stanly W. , Vasanthakumari R.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the effect of hall currents on the thermal stability of a couple-stress fluid with a uniform horizontal magnetic field.

Design/methodology/approach

The thermal perturbation method is used for the analytical solution. The analysis is administered within the framework of linear stability theory and normal mode technique on the convection for a fluid layer contained between two boundaries for which an exact solution is obtained.

Findings

For the case of stationary convection, a dispersion relation governing the effect of hall currents magnetic field and couple stress are derived. Results from the current study concluded that magnetic field has stabilizing effect whereas hall currents are found to have a destabilizing effect on the system. Couple stress, however, has a dual character in contrast to its stabilizing effect in the absence of hall currents. The Oscillatory modes are introduced due to the presence of a magnetic field in the system. Graphs are plotted by giving numerical values to the parameters to depict the stability characteristics in each case.

Originality/value

This research paper is new and original.
Clinical practice guidelines for pseudoxanthoma elasticum (2017)
Authors: Iwanaga Akira , Utani Atsushi , Koike Yuta , Okubo Yumi , Kuwatsuka Yutaka , Endo Yuichiro , Tanizaki Hideaki , Wataya‐Kaneda Mari , Hatamochi Atsushi , Minaga Kosuke , Ogi Tomoo , Yamamoto Yosuke , Ikeda Satoshi , Tsuiki Eiko , Tamura Hiroshi , Maemura Koji , Kitaoka Takashi , Murota Hiroyuki
Published: January 2022

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a progressive hereditary disease that affects tissues such as the skin, retina, blood vessels, and gastrointestinal tracts. Therefore, comprehensive medical care across clinical departments specialized in specific organs is needed to provide the best clinical practices to PXE patients. The Japanese version of clinical guidelines developed by the Japanese Dermatological Association was published in 2017, and aimed to promote equal accessibility of PXE‐related medical care. Here, the English version of Japanese guideline is reported, and is intended to be worldwide reference for medical care of PXE.
Impacting habitat connectivity of the endangered Florida panther for the transition to utility‐scale solar energy
Authors: Leskova Olena V. , Frakes Robert A. , Markwith Scott H.
Published: January 2022

The only breeding population of the endangered Florida pantherPuma concolor coryiis restricted to <5% of its historic range in South Florida, but this area may be at carrying capacity and three viable populations within the historic range are needed for species recovery. The number of utility‐scale solar energy (USSE) facility installations is increasing rapidly throughout Florida, and while important in combatting carbon emissions and climate change, they pose additional threats to Florida panther habitat and dispersal corridors.

We compared Florida panther habitat suitability and connectivity pre‐ and post‐installation of 45 USSE facilities within Peninsular Florida using random forest to predict probability of presence in 1 km2cells and circuit theory (Circuitscape 4.0) to predict movement probability between the areas of suitable habitat.

We found that most often solar facilities were installed on grasslands and pastures (45.7% of total area replaced by solar facilities) and agricultural lands (34.9%). Forest was the third most impacted land cover category (13.2%). Probability of presence in the 351 impacted cells decreased by 0.03.

The major changes in current density occurred within the cells overlapped by the facilities and within their vicinity. Post‐installation effective resistance between core areas increased by 0.07%.

Nine facilities were located within major corridors connecting the only breeding population with other areas with the potential to support populations of Florida panther, 26 facilities were located within lesser current density areas that maintain some dispersal capacity and six facilities had no, or very minimal, potential expected impact on connectivity (four were excluded from the analysis).

Our findings suggest a substantial bias in the locating of USSE facilities within rural and undeveloped lands that may provide connectivity sufficient for Florida panther dispersal to habitat suitable for population establishment. Our research is the first study documenting the effect of USSE facilities on both habitat suitability and regional‐scale connectivity of suitable habitat for any large carnivore.

Synthesis and applications. Current permitting review methodologies resulting in USSE (utility‐scale solar energy) facilities installation approval may be inadequate, and facility siting should consider landscape‐level connectivity in addition to environmental impacts within facility boundaries.
If you've got leaving on your mind: Exploring the effects of organizational identification and channel use in internal crisis communication
Authors: Woods Chelsea L. , Watkins Brandi A.
Published: January 2022

Despite an abundance of research that examines how organizations can effectively communicate with external stakeholders amid a crisis, few studies examine crisis communication from an employee perspective. Using social identity theory and conducting an online experiment with 424 manufacturing and retail employees, we examine how organizational identification, the communication channel used to disseminate crisis‐related information, and the crisis timing strategy influence employees' cognitive reactions and behavioural intentions amid a preventable crisis. The findings highlight the importance of nurturing employees' identification with the organization before a crisis as highly‐identified employees exhibited higher levels of identification, less turnover intention, and greater trust in the organization while also attributing less crisis responsibility to the organization. Results also suggest that the channel and timing strategy employed to relay crisis information has little impact on employees' cognitive reactions and behavioural intentions, implying how employees receive information is less important than other factors, including the relational context.
Characterization of the firstWolbachiafrom the genusScaptodrosophila, a male‐killer from the rainforest speciesS. claytoni
Authors: Richardson Kelly M. , Schiffer Michele , Ross Perran A. , Thia Joshua A. , Hoffmann Ary A.
Published: January 2022

TheScaptodrosophilagenus represents a large group of drosophilids with a worldwide distribution and a predominance of species in Australia, but there is little information on the presence and impacts ofWolbachiaendosymbionts in this group. Here we describe the firstWolbachiainfection from this group,wClay isolated fromScaptodrosophila claytoni(van Klinken), a species from the east coast of Australia. The infection is polymorphic in natural populations, occurring at a frequency of around 6%–10%.wClay causes male killing, producing female‐biased lines; most lines showed 100% male killing, though in 1 line it was <80%. The lines need to be maintained through the introduction of males unless the infection is removed by tetracycline treatment.wClay is transmitted at a high fidelity (98.6%) through the maternal lineage and has been stable in 2 laboratory lines across 24 generations, suggesting it is likely to persist in populations. The infection has not been previously described but is closely related to the male‐killingWolbachiarecently described fromDrosophila pandorabased on multilocus sequence typing and thewspgene. Male‐killingWolbachiaare likely to be common in drosophilids but remain difficult to detect because the infections can often be at a low frequency.
Ecdysis triggering hormone peptide in the African malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae: The peptide structure for receptor activation
Authors: Dembele Hawa , Mating Moritz , Singh Rupinder , Fatehi Soheila , Herrera Alvaro I. , Park Yoonseong , Prakash Om
Published: January 2022

Infections by mosquito‐borne diseases represent one of the leading causes of death in third world countries. The rapid progression of resistance to conventional insecticide causes a significant threat to the highly efficient preventive methods currently in place. Insect neuropeptidergic system offers potential targets to control the insect vectors. The essential roles of the neuropeptide ecdysis triggering hormone (ETH) in insect development and reproduction led us to attempt understanding of the fundamentals of the biochemical interaction between ETH and its receptor in the African malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae. One of two ETH peptides of the African malaria mosquito (AgETH1), a small peptide hormone with 17 amino acid residues (SESPGFFIKLSKSVPRI‐NH2), was studied to elucidate its molecular structure. N‐termini deletions and mutations of conserved amino acids in the ligand revealed the critical residues for the receptor activation. The solution structure of AgETH1 using 2D 1H‐1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and nuclear overhauser effect (NOE) derived constraints revealed a short alpha helix between residues 3S and 11S. The NMR solution structure of AgETH1 will be of significant assistance for designing a new class of insecticidal compounds that acts on the AgETH receptor aiming for in silico docking studies.
Assessing the impact of de‐escalation training on police behavior: Reducing police use of force in the Louisville, KY Metro Police Department
Authors: Engel Robin S. , Corsaro Nicholas , Isaza Gabrielle T. , McManus Hannah D.
Published: January 2022

Research summary

Changing police use of force policies and training to incorporate de‐escalation tactics is one of the most routinely recommended police reform measures. Despite widespread promotion and proliferation of de‐escalation trainings, to date, no research has empirically demonstrated that these trainings reduce use of force in the field (Engel, R. S., McManus, H. D., & Herold, T. D., 2020). Therefore, it is unknown if de‐escalation trainings actually reduce force, have no impact, or have unintended consequences that possibly increase injuries to officers or citizens. We collaborated with the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) in 2019 to evaluate the impact of the Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) de‐escalation training developed by the Police Executive Research Forum. Using a stepped‐wedge randomized controlled trial research design, the panel regression results demonstrated statistically significant reductions in use of force incidents (−28.1%), citizen injuries (−26.3%), and officer injuries (−36.0%) in the post‐training period. These significant reductions were larger than any changes in LMPD arrest patterns during the same period. Other possible time‐based confounders were also considered; the combined analyses show robust, consistent, and immediate impacts on use of force counts after training.

Policy implications

Our findings suggest that agencies should continue to implement and evaluate de‐escalation trainings and adopt other resiliency‐based approaches to police training. To facilitate long‐term changes in police behavior, a holistic approach is recommended that supports training tenets with complementary policies, supervisory oversight, managerial support, and community involvement in reform efforts. Finally, researchers must continue to support police executives willing to open their agencies for evaluation and oversight. Due to the LMPD's partnership with researchers, evidence now exists that de‐escalation training can make police encounters with the public safer for all. Continuing to implement and evaluate innovative police trainings is our best opportunity for meaningful changes in policing.
Inclusive human resource management in freelancers' employment relationships: The role of organizational needs and freelancers' psychological contracts
Authors: van den Groenendaal Sjanne Marie E. , Freese Charissa , Poell Rob F. , Kooij Dorien T. A. M.
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to advance our understanding of inclusive human resource management (HRM) in freelance employment. We examined organizational needs and freelancers' psychological contracts with a qualitative interview study among eight dyads of HR managers and freelancers. Although the findings showed that organisations and freelancers have different interests, both parties agreed on what inclusive HRM entails in freelancers' employment relationships. However, within the dyads, the content of the psychological contract was not always viewed the same by HR managers and freelancers. Hence, negotiating mutual expectations when implementing inclusive HRM to avoid psychological contract breach appeared important. Furthermore, organizational needs did not seem to be considered when designing inclusive HRM. Due to this lack of strategic fit, organisations may waste opportunities of tapping into the full potential of hiring freelancers. The findings provide organisations insight in considering freelancers as potential sources of competitive advantage.
Chromosome‐level de novo genome assembly of Telopea speciosissima (New South Wales waratah) using long‐reads, linked‐reads and Hi‐C
Authors: Chen Stephanie H. , Rossetto Maurizio , van der Merwe Marlien , Lu‐Irving Patricia , Yap Jia‐Yee S. , Sauquet Hervé , Bourke Greg , Amos Timothy G. , Bragg Jason G. , Edwards Richard J.
Published: January 2022

Telopea speciosissima, the New South Wales waratah, is an Australian endemic woody shrub in the family Proteaceae. Waratahs have great potential as a model clade to better understand processes of speciation, introgression and adaptation, and are significant from a horticultural perspective. Here, we report the first chromosome‐level genome for T. speciosissima. Combining Oxford Nanopore long‐reads, 10x Genomics Chromium linked‐reads and Hi‐C data, the assembly spans 823 Mb (scaffold N50 of 69.0 Mb) with 97.8% of Embryophyta BUSCOs “Complete”. We present a new method in Diploidocus (https://github.com/slimsuite/diploidocus) for classifying, curating and QC‐filtering scaffolds, which combines read depths, k‐mer frequencies and BUSCO predictions. We also present a new tool, DepthSizer (https://github.com/slimsuite/depthsizer), for genome size estimation from the read depth of single‐copy orthologues and estimate the genome size to be approximately 900 Mb. The largest 11 scaffolds contained 94.1% of the assembly, conforming to the expected number of chromosomes (2n = 22). Genome annotation predicted 40,158 protein‐coding genes, 351 rRNAs and 728 tRNAs. We investigated CYCLOIDEA (CYC) genes, which have a role in determination of floral symmetry, and confirm the presence of two copies in the genome. Read depth analysis of 180 “Duplicated” BUSCO genes using a new tool, DepthKopy (https://github.com/slimsuite/depthkopy), suggests almost all are real duplications, increasing confidence in the annotation and highlighting a possible need to revise the BUSCO set for this lineage. The chromosome‐level T. speciosissima reference genome (Tspe_v1) provides an important new genomic resource of Proteaceae to support the conservation of flora in Australia and further afield.
Causal Attribution, Benefits Sharing, and Earnings Management*
Authors: Helikum Lukas J. , Tan Hun‐Tong , Xu Tu
Published: January 2022

We conduct two experiments to investigate the joint effect of two justification factors of earnings management—namely, attribution for the firm's underperformance and benefits accruing to other employees from inflating reported earnings. This investigation is important because prior research examines the effects of individual justification factors, whereas real‐world settings entail more complexity involving multiple justification factors. In Experiment 1, we predict and find that managers are more likely to manage earnings when the firm's underperformance is caused by an external event and misreported earnings benefit other employees besides the reporting manager. Furthermore, we show that the extent to which participants use moral justifications mediates the effect of benefits sharing on earnings management, but only when causal attribution is external, and that it mediates the effect of causal attribution on earnings management, but only when benefits are shared. In Experiment 2, we use a neutral control condition that makes no mention of inconsistent incentives to demonstrate that it is the combination of causal attribution and benefits sharing that triggers earnings management. We contribute to the accounting and psychology literature by proposing and testing a theory that explains how multiple justification factors interact to cause opportunistic behavior. Our results suggest that policy‐makers and governing parties should consider developing a holistic view of possible justification factors, focusing on situational opportunities created by combinations of factors rather than individual factors alone.
The metabolome as a biomarker of aging in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Zhao Xiaqing , Golic Forrest T. , Harrison Benjamin R. , Manoj Meghna , Hoffman Elise V. , Simon Neta , Johnson Richard , MacCoss Michael J. , McIntyre Lauren M. , Promislow Daniel E. L.
Published: January 2022

Many biomarkers have been shown to be associated not only with chronological age but also with functional measures of biological age. In human populations, it is difficult to show whether variation in biological age is truly predictive of life expectancy, as such research would require longitudinal studies over many years, or even decades. We followed adult cohorts of 20 Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) strains chosen to represent the breadth of lifespan variation, obtain estimates of lifespan, baseline mortality, and rate of aging, and associate these parameters with age‐specific functional traits including fecundity and climbing activity and with age‐specific targeted metabolomic profiles. We show that activity levels and metabolome‐wide profiles are strongly associated with age, that numerous individual metabolites show a strong association with lifespan, and that the metabolome provides a biological clock that predicts not only sample age but also future mortality rates and lifespan. This study with 20 genotypes and 87 metabolites, while relatively small in scope, establishes strong proof of principle for the fly as a powerful experimental model to test hypotheses about biomarkers and aging and provides further evidence for the potential value of metabolomic profiles as biomarkers of aging.
Agricultural value chain development in Nepal: Understanding mechanisms for poverty reduction
Authors: Kafle Kashi , Songsermsawas Tisorn , Winters Paul
Published: January 2022

This analysis investigates the potential mechanisms and the practical significance of agricultural value chain development in a geographically challenging rural area of a developing country. Using data from a carefully designed primary survey administered in a hill and mountainous region in Western Nepal, we show that linking small‐scale producers to regional and local traders can help increase income. Analysis of impact pathways shows that the positive impact on household income emerges through higher agricultural income, driven by higher sale volume at lower prices. Focusing on high value commodities in rural areas, where arable land is not always fully exploited or utilized, appears to lead to acreage expansion and some crop switching, contributing to higher supply albeit at lower prices. The positive impact on household income is practically significant; it helps improve household food security and asset accumulation. These findings are robust to alternative specifications. Targeted value chain interventions that strengthen and stabilize small‐scale producers’ access to markets can contribute to rural poverty reduction via increase in agricultural income.
Multiple shocks and households’ choice of coping strategies in Benin: The relative importance of climate shocks
Authors: Lokonon Boris O. K.
Published: January 2022

This paper analyzes the extent to which shocks affect household education expenditures and the determinants of shock‐coping strategies in Benin, using the 2017 Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis survey data (14,300 households). The findings indicate that late‐onset/droughts, heavy rainfall/floods, and joblessness of a household member/reduction in income increase the likelihood to spend on education. Moreover, the occurrence of droughts/late onsets and floods/heavy rainfall lead to an increase and a decrease in education expenditures, respectively. Both idiosyncratic and covariate shocks force households to rely on shock‐coping strategies, with the effects of the latter (climate shocks) being among the highest.
An overview of the science and art of encapsulated pigments: Preparation, performance and application
Authors: Tawiah Benjamin , Asinyo Benjamin K. , Frimpong Charles , Howard Ebenezer K. , Seidu Raphael K.
Published: January 2022

A successfully encapsulated pigment requires dispersants, pigment and a dispersion medium to build a thin layer of polymer over individual pigment particles. The stability of encapsulated dispersion is aided by the absorption of stabilising molecules on the surface. The stabilising molecules function by steric hindrance or Coulomb‐repulsion forces, which prevent the encapsulated pigments from advancing too close to each other for attractive forces to cause agglomeration. Unlike flocculation, agglomeration results in a cementitious network structure that is not easily redispersed by shear forces, hence the need for effective dispersion of encapsulated pigment intended for engineering applications. Besides dispersion forces, the quality of pigment dispersion, the pigment particle size, pigment density, viscosity of the dispersion, and the method of producing the pigment microcapsules, also affect the efficiency and the quality of encapsulated pigment dispersions. This article, therefore, provides up‐to‐date information on the various pigment encapsulation methods (with specific emphasis on phase separation, in situ polymerisation, emulsion and mini‐emulsion polymerisation, the sol‐gel method, inclusion complexation and layer‐by‐layer assembly), and also reviews the performance, the evaluation/test methods and applications of encapsulated pigments. This review provides important insight into the science and art of encapsulated pigment preparation for pigment dispersion technologists, researchers and consumers of pigment products in different fields of endeavour.