bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital polymerase chain reaction in an array of microfluidic printed droplets
Authors: Men Yongfan , Li Jiannan , Ao Tingting , Li Zhihao , Wu Bizhu , Li Wen , Ding Yi , Tseng Kuo-Hao , Tan Wen , Li Baoqing , Chen Yan , Pan Tingrui
Published: December 2019

Digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a fast-developed technology, which makes it possible to provide absolute quantitative results. However, this technology has not been widely used in research field or clinical diagnostics. Although digital PCR has been born for two decades, the products on this subject still suffer from either high cost or cumbersome user experience, hence very few labs have the willingness or budget to routinely use such product; On the other hand, the unique sensitivity of dPCR over traditional qPCR shows great potential applications. Here, a cost-effective digital PCR method based on a microfluidic printing system was introduced, trying to overcome those shortcomings. The microfluidic droplet printing technology was utilized in this study to directly generate droplet array containing PCR reaction solution onto the simple glass substrate for the subsequent PCR and imaging, which could be done with any regular flat-panel PCR machine and microscope. The method introduces a new perspective in droplet-based digital PCR in that the droplets generated with this method aligns well in an array without touch with each other, therefore the regular glass and oil could be used without any special surfactant. With simple analysis, the data generated with this method showed reliable quality, which followed the Poisson distribution trend. Compared with other expensive digital PCR methods, this system is more affordable and simpler to integrate, especially for those biological or medical labs which are in need for the digital PCR options but short in budget. Therefore, this method is believed to have the great potential in the future market application.
Comprehensive analysis of lncRNAs reveals candidate prognostic biomarkers in multiple cancer types
Authors: Isaev Keren , Jiang Lingyan , Lee Christian A. , Tsai Ricky , Coutinho Fiona , Dirks Peter B. , Schramek Daniel , Reimand Jüri
Published: December 2019

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized as functional units in cancer pathways and powerful molecular biomarkers, however most lncRNAs remain uncharacterized. Here we performed a systematic discovery of prognostic lncRNAs in 9,326 patient tumors of 29 types using a proportional-hazards elastic net machine-learning framework. lncRNAs showed highly tissue-specific transcript abundance patterns. We identified 179 prognostic lncRNAs whose abundance correlated with patient risk and improved the performance of common clinical variables and molecular tumor subtypes. Pathway analysis revealed a large diversity of the high-risk tumors stratified by lncRNAs and suggested their functional associations. In lower-grade gliomas, discrete activation of HOXA10-AS indicated poor patient prognosis, neurodevelopmental pathway activation and a transcriptomic similarity to glioblastomas. HOXA10-AS knockdown in patient-derived glioblastoma cells caused decreased cell proliferation and deregulation of glioma driver genes and proliferation pathways. Our study underlines the pan-cancer potential of the non-coding transcriptome for developing molecular biomarkers and innovative therapeutic strategies.
Performance Monitoring for Sensorimotor Confidence: A Visuomotor Tracking Study
Authors: Locke Shannon M. , Mamassian Pascal , Landy Michael S.
Published: December 2019

To best interact with the external world, humans are often required to consider the quality of their actions. Sometimes the environment furnishes rewards or punishments to signal action efficacy. However, when such feedback is absent or only partial, we must rely on internally generated signals to evaluate our performance (i.e., metacognition). Yet, very little is known about how humans form such judgements of sensorimotor confidence. Do they monitor their performance? Or do they rely on cues to sensorimotor uncertainty to infer how likely it is they performed well? We investigated motor metacognition in two visuomotor tracking experiments, where participants followed an unpredictably moving dot cloud with a mouse cursor as it followed a random trajectory. Their goal was to infer the underlying target generating the dots, track it for several seconds, and then report their confidence in their tracking as better or worse than their average. In Experiment 1, we manipulated task difficulty with two methods: varying the size of the dot cloud and varying the stability of the target’s velocity. In Experiment 2, the stimulus statistics were fixed and duration of the stimulus presentation was varied. We found similar levels of metacognitive sensitivity in all experiments, with the temporal analysis revealing a recency effect, where error later in the trial had a greater influence on the sensorimotor confidence. In sum, these results indicate humans predominantly monitor their tracking performance, albeit inefficiently, to judge sensorimotor confidence.

Highlights

Participants consciously reflected on their tracking performance with some accuracy

Sensorimotor confidence was influenced by recent errors

Expectations of task difficulty did not play a large role in sensorimotor confidence

Metacognitive sensitivity of binary confidence judgements on continuous performance can be quantified with standard non-parametric techniques
Comparative Analysis of In Vitro Responses and Regeneration Between Diverse Bioenergy Sorghum Genotypes
Authors: Flinn Barry S. , Dale Savanah , Disharoon Andrew , Kresovich Stephen
Published: December 2019

Sorghum has been considered a recalcitrant plant in vitro, and suffers from a lack of regeneration protocols that function broadly and efficiently across a range of genotypes. This study was initiated to identify differential genotype-in vitro protocol responses across a range of bioenergy sorghum bioenergy parental lines, in order to characterize response profiles for use in future genetic studies. Seven bioenergy sorghum genotypes were compared, along with the common grain sorghum genotype Tx430, for their in vitro regeneration responses using two different in vitro protocols, LG and WU. All genotypes displayed some level of response during in vitro culture with both protocols. Distinct genotype-protocol responses were observed, with the WU protocol significantly better for plantlet regeneration. All bioenergy genotypes, with the exception of Chinese Amber, performed as well, if not better than Tx430, with Rio and PI329311 the top regenerating lines. Genotypes displayed protocol-dependent, differential phenolic exudation responses, as indicated by medium browning. During the callus induction phase, genotypes prone to medium browning exhibited a response on WU medium which was either equal or greater than on LG medium, with Pink Kafir and PI329311 the most prone to medium browning. Genotype- and protocol-dependent albino plantlet regeneration was also noted, with three of the bioenergy genotypes showing albino plantlet regeneration. Grassl, Rio and Pink Kafir were susceptible to albino plantlet regeneration, with the response strongly associated with the WU protocol. Pink Kafir displayed the highest albino formation, with close to 25% of regenerating explants forming albino plantlets.
Conservation of copy number profiles during engraftment and passaging of patient-derived cancer xenografts
Authors: Woo Xing Yi , Giordano Jessica , Srivastava Anuj , Zhao Zi-Ming , Lloyd Michael W. , de Bruijn Roebi , Suh Yun-Suhk , Patidar Rajesh , Chen Li , Scherer Sandra , Bailey Matthew , Yang Chieh-Hsiang , Cortes-Sanchez Emilio , Xi Yuanxin , Wang Jing , Wickramasinghe Jayamanna , Kossenkov Andrew V. , Rebecca Vito , Sun Hua , Mashl R. Jay , Davies Sherri , Jeon Ryan , Frech Christian , Randjelovic Jelena , Rosains Jacqueline , Galimi Francesco , Bertotti Andrea , Lafferty Adam , O’Farrell Alice C. , Modave Elodie , Lambrechts Diether , ter Brugge Petra , Serra Violeta , Marangoni Elisabetta , Botty Rania El , Kim Hyunsoo , Kim Jong-Il , Yang Han-Kwang , Lee Charles , Dean Dennis A. , Davis-Dusenbery Brandi , Evrard Yvonne A. , Doroshow James H. , Welm Alana L. , Welm Bryan E. , Lewis Michael T. , Fang Bingliang , Roth Jack A. , Meric-Bernstam Funda , Herlyn Meenhard , Davies Michael , Ding Li , Li Shunqiang , Govindan Ramaswamy , Isella Claudio , Moscow Jeffrey A. , Trusolino Livio , Byrne Annette T. , Jonkers Jos , Bult Carol J. , Medico Enzo , Chuang Jeffrey H. ,   PDXNET consortium,   EurOPDX consortium
Published: December 2019

Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) are resected human tumors engrafted into mice for preclinical studies and therapeutic testing. It has been proposed that the mouse host affects tumor evolution during PDX engraftment and propagation, impacting the accuracy of PDX modeling of human cancer. Here we exhaustively analyze copy number alterations (CNAs) in 1451 PDX and matched patient tumor (PT) samples from 509 PDX models. CNA inferences based on DNA sequencing and microarray data displayed substantially higher resolution and dynamic range than gene expression-based inferences, and they also showed strong CNA conservation from PTs through late-passage PDXs. CNA recurrence analysis of 130 colorectal and breast PT/PDX-early/PDX-late trios confirmed high-resolution CNA retention. We observed no significant enrichment of cancer-related genes in PDX-specific CNAs across models. Moreover, CNA differences between patient and PDX tumors were comparable to variations in multi-region samples within patients. Our study demonstrates the lack of systematic copy number evolution driven by the PDX mouse host.
Control of brown adipose tissue adaptation to nutrient stress by the activin receptor ALK7
Authors: Marmol-Carrasco Patricia , Ibáñez Carlos F.
Published: December 2019

Adaptation to nutrient availability is crucial for survival. Upon nutritional stress, such as during prolonged fasting or cold exposure, organisms need to balance the feeding of tissues and the maintenance of body temperature. The mechanisms that regulate the adaptation of brown adipose tissue (BAT), a key organ for non-shivering thermogenesis, to variations in nutritional state are not known. Here we report that specific deletion of the activin receptor ALK7 in BAT resulted in fasting-induced hypothermia due to exaggerated catabolic activity in brown adipocytes. After overnight fasting, BAT lacking ALK7 showed increased expression of genes responsive to nutrient stress, including the upstream regulator KLF15, aminoacid catabolizing enzymes, notably proline dehydrogenase (POX), and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), as well as markedly reduced lipid droplet size. In agreement with this, ligand stimulation of ALK7 suppressed POX and KLF15 expression in both mouse and human brown adipocytes. Treatment of mutant mice with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist RU486 restored KLF15 and POX expression levels in mutant BAT, suggesting that loss of BAT ALK7 results in excessive activation of glucocorticoid signaling upon fasting. These results reveal a novel signaling pathway downstream of ALK7 which regulates the adaptation of BAT to nutrient availability by limiting nutrient stress-induced overactivation of catabolic responses in brown adipocytes.
Genetic aberrations in chromatin factors are pervasive, mutually exclusive, associated with a high mutational burden and improved response to checkpoint immunotherapy in cancer
Authors: Markovska Martina , Rosalia Rodney , Stajkovska Aleksandra , Mehandziska Sanja , Janevska Marija , Kungulovski Ivan , Mitrev Zan , Kungulovski Goran
Published: December 2019

In recent years, it has been shown that many of the pervasive genetic defects in cancer occur in chromatin modifiers. Herein, we analyzed the distribution and mutual relationships of genetic aberrations in relevant chromatin modifiers in tens of thousands of publicly available cancer datasets. We observed that in general, they are mutually exclusive, and their prevalence is higher in some types of cancers compared to others. Moreover, we observed a strong association between aberrations in selected chromatin modifiers and tumor mutational burden, leading to an improved response to checkpoint immunotherapy. All in all, this study uncovered interesting relationships between chromatin factors and features of cancer, which warrant follow up functional and clinical studies.
Robotic microscopy for everyone: the OpenFlexure Microscope
Authors: Collins Joel T. , Knapper Joe , Stirling Julian , Mduda Joram , Mkindi Catherine , Mayagaya Valeriana , Mwakajinga Grace A. , Nyakyi Paul T. , Sanga Valerian L. , Carbery Dave , White Leah , Dale Sara , Lim Zhen Jieh , Baumberg Jeremy J. , Cicuta Pietro , McDermott Samuel , Vodenicharski Boyko , Bowman Richard
Published: December 2019

Optical microscopes are an essential tool for both the detection of disease in clinics, and for scientific analysis. However, in much of the world access to high-performance microscopy is limited by both the upfront cost and maintenance cost of the equipment. Here we present an open-source, 3D-printed, and fully-automated laboratory microscope, with motorised sample positioning and focus control. The microscope is highly customisable, with a number of options readily available including trans- and epi-illumination, polarisation contrast imaging, and epi-florescence imaging. The OpenFlexure Microscope has been designed to enable low-volume manufacturing and maintenance by local personnel, vastly increasing accessibility. We have produced over 100 microscopes in Tanzania and Kenya for educational, scientific, and clinical applications, demonstrating that local manufacturing can be a viable alternative to international supply chains that can often be costly, slow, and unreliable.
The influence of environmental setting on the community ecology of Ediacaran organisms
Authors: Mitchell Emily G. , Bobkov Nikolai , Bykova Natalia , Dhungana Alavya , Kolesnikov Anton , Hogarth Ian R. P. , Liu Alexander G. , Mustill Tom M.R. , Sozonov Nikita , Xiao Shuhai , Grazhdankin Dmitriy V.
Published: December 2019

The broad-scale environment plays a substantial role in shaping modern marine ecosystems, but the degree to which palaeocommunities were influenced by their environment is unclear. To investigate how broad-scale environment influenced the community ecology of early animal ecosystems we employed spatial point process analyses to examine the community structure of seven bedding-plane assemblages of late Ediacaran age (558–550 Ma), drawn from a range of environmental settings and global localities. The studied palaeocommunities exhibit marked differences in the response of their component taxa to sub-metre-scale habitat heterogeneities on the seafloor. Shallow-marine palaeocommunities were heavily influenced by local habitat heterogeneities, in contrast to their deep-water counterparts. Lower species richness in deep-water Ediacaran assemblages compared to shallow-water counterparts across the studied time-interval could have been driven by this environmental patchiness, because habitat heterogeneities correspond to higher diversity in modern marine environments. The presence of grazers and detritivores within shallow-water communities may have promoted local patchiness, potentially initiating a chain of increasing heterogeneity of benthic communities from shallow to deep-marine depositional environments. Our results provide quantitative support for the “Savannah” hypothesis for early animal diversification – whereby Ediacaran diversification was driven by patchiness in the local benthic environment.

Author Contributions

E. Mitchell conceived this paper and wrote the first draft. N. Bobkov, A. Kolesnikov, N. Sozonov and D. Grazhdankin collected the data for DS surface. N. Bobkov and N. Sozonov performed the analyses on DS surface. N. Bykova, S. Xiao, and D. Grazhdankin collected the data for WS, KH1 and KH2 surfaces and E. Mitchell performed the analyses. A. Dhungana and A. Liu collected the data for FUN4 and FUN5 surfaces and A. Dhungana performed the analyses. T. Mustill and D. Grazhdankin collected the data for KS and T. Mustill and E. Mitchell performed the analyses. I. Hogarth developed the software for preliminary KS surface analyses. E. Mitchell, N. Bobkov, N. Bykova, A. Dhungana, A. Kolesnikov, A. Liu, S. Xiao and D. Grazhdankin discussed the results and prepared the manuscript.
Environmental Oxygen Regulates Astrocyte Proliferation to Guide Angiogenesis during Retinal Development
Authors: Perelli Robin M , O’Sullivan Matthew L , Zarnick Samantha , Kay Jeremy N
Published: December 2019

Angiogenesis in the developing mammalian retina requires patterning cues from astrocytes. Developmental disorders of retinal vasculature, such as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), involve arrest or mispatterning of angiogenesis. Whether these vascular pathologies involve astrocyte dysfunction remains untested. Here we demonstrate that the major risk factor for ROP – transient neonatal exposure to hyperoxia – disrupts formation of the angiogenic astrocyte template. Exposing mice to hyperoxia (75% O2) from postnatal day (P)0-4 suppressed astrocyte proliferation, while return to room air (21% O2) at P4 triggered extensive proliferation, massively increasing astrocyte numbers and disturbing their spatial patterning prior to arrival of developing vasculature. Proliferation required astrocytic HIF2α and was also stimulated by direct hypoxia (10% O2), suggesting that astrocyte oxygen sensing regulates the number of astrocytes produced during development. Along with astrocyte defects, return to room air also caused vascular defects reminiscent of ROP. Strikingly, these vascular phenotypes were more severe in animals that had larger numbers of excess astrocytes. Together, our findings suggest that fluctuations in environmental oxygen dysregulate molecular pathways controlling astrocyte proliferation, thereby generating excess astrocytes that interfere with retinal angiogenesis.
TheMITFparalogtfecis required in neural crest development for fate specification of the iridophore lineage from a multipotent pigment cell progenitor
Authors: Petratou K. , Spencer S. A. , Kelsh R. N. , Lister J. A.
Published: December 2019

Understanding how fate specification of distinct cell-types from multipotent progenitors occurs is a fundamental question in embryology. Neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) generate extraordinarily diverse derivatives, including multiple neural, skeletogenic and pigment cell fates. Key transcription factors and extracellular signals specifying NCSC lineages remain to be identified, and we have only a little idea of how and when they function together to control fate. Zebrafish have three neural crest-derived pigment cell types, black melanocytes, light-reflecting iridophores and yellow xanthophores, which offer a powerful model for studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of fate segregation. Mitfa has been identified as the master regulator of melanocyte fate. Here, we show that an Mitf-related transcription factor, Tfec, functions as master regulator of the iridophore fate. Surprisingly, our phenotypic analysis of tfec mutants demonstrates that Tfec also functions in the initial specification of all three pigment cell-types, although the melanocyte and xanthophore lineages recover later. We show that Mitfa represses tfec expression, revealing a likely mechanism contributing to the decision between melanocyte and iridophore fate. Our data is consistent with the long-standing proposal of a tripotent progenitor restricted to pigment cell fates. Moreover, we investigate activation, maintenance and function of tfec in multipotent NCSCs, demonstrating for the first time its role in the gene regulatory network forming and maintaining early neural crest cells. In summary, we build on our previous work to characterise the gene regulatory network governing iridophore development, establishing Tfec as the master regulator driving iridophore specification from multipotent progenitors, while shedding light on possible cellular mechanisms of progressive fate restriction.
Global gene expression profile during low temperature in the brain of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)
Authors: Shi Mijuan , Zhang Qiangxiang , Li Yongming , Zhang Wanting , Liao Lanjie , Cheng Yingyin , Jiang Yanxin , Huang Xiaoli , Duan You , Xia Lei , Ye Weidong , Wang Yaping , Xia Xiao-Qin
Published: December 2019

Grass carp is an important commercial fish widely cultured in China. Large range of temperature, in particular extremely low temperature, has dramatic effects on the aquaculture of this teleost. However, there is relatively little research on the molecular responses in the fish exposed to cold. Given the limited vision of approaches targeting individual genes, we investigated the transcriptome profiles of brain in response to cold in order to comprehensively characterize molecular mechanisms behind it. This study indicated that the estrogen signaling pathway was inhibited in brain when grass carp acclimated to low temperature, while terpenoid backbone biosynthesis pathway and steroid biosynthesis pathway were significantly activated. Such a result implied the crucial role of cholesterol in cold acclimation. Moreover, plenty of differentially expressed genes associated with spliceosomes were enriched during cooling process, which suggested alternative splicing may be involved in the regulation of biological process in acclimation to temperature changes. In researches on extremely low-temperature tolerance, we identified four genes (DUSP1, HSPA6, NR4A1 and GADD45B) associated with MAPK signaling pathway. The four genes, extensively up-regulated at 4°C and remained relatively low expression at moderate temperature, were closely related with extremely cold condition. Further examination of the candidate genes can provide insights into the mechanisms of grass carp to endure extremely low temperature in the winter.
Australian native flower colours: does nectar reward drive bee pollinator flower preferences?
Authors: Shrestha Mani , Garcia Jair E , Burd Martin , Dyer Adrian G
Published: December 2019

Colour is an important signal that flowering plants use to attract insect pollinators like bees. Previous research in Germany has shown that nectar volume is higher for flower colours that are innately preferred by European bees, suggesting an important link between colour signals, bee preferences and floral rewards. In Australia, flower colour signals have evolved in parallel to the Northern hemisphere to enable easy discrimination and detection by the phylogenetically ancient trichromatic visual system of bees, and native Australian bees also possess similar innate colour preferences to European bees. We measured 59 spectral signatures from flowers present at two preserved native habitats in South Eastern Australia and tested whether there were any significant differences in the frequency of flowers presenting higher nectar rewards depending upon the colour category of the flower signals, as perceived by bees. We also tested if there was a significant correlation between chromatic contrast and the frequency of flowers presenting higher nectar rewards. For the entire sample, and for subsets excluding species in the Asteraceae and Orchidaceae, we found no significant difference among colour categories in the frequency of high nectar reward. This suggests that whilst such relationships between flower colour signals and nectar volume rewards have been observed at a field site in Germany, the effect is likely to be specific at a community level rather than a broad general principle that has resulted in the common signalling of bee flower colours around the world.
Data-driven modeling of group formation in the fission-fusion dynamics of Bechstein’s bats
Authors: Perony Nicolas , Kerth Gerald , Schweitzer Frank
Published: December 2019

Communal roosting in Bechstein’s bat colonies is characterized by the formation of several groups that use different day roosts and that regularly dissolve and re-merge (fission-fusion dynamics). Analyzing data from two colonies of different size over many years, we find that (i) the number of days bats stay in the same roost before changing follows an exponential distribution that is independent of the colony size, and (ii) the number and size of groups bats formed for roosting depend on the size of the colony such that above a critical colony size two to six groups of different sizes are formed. To model these two observations, we propose an agent-based model in which agents make their decisions about roosts based on both random and social influences. For the latter, they copy the roost preference of another agent which models the transfer of the respective information. Our model is able to reproduce both the distribution of stay length in the same roost and the emergence of groups of different sizes dependent on the colony size. Moreover, we are able to predict the critical system size at which the formation of different groups emerges without global coordination. We further comment on dynamics that bridge the roosting decisions on short time scale (less than one day) with the social structures observed at long time scales (more than one year).
Mejor en Bici: Innovación de modelo de negocio y valor compartido
Authors: Manzi Mario Andres , Caicedo Erika Johanna , Cardona Daniel Alberto
Published: December 2019

Learning outcomes

Identificar y plasmar la propuesta de valor de Mejor en Bici para comprender de dónde inicia un modelo de negocio. • Diseñar y evaluar el modelo de negocio de Mejor en Bici desde una perspectiva de innovación. • Aplicar el concepto de valor compartido en la generación de una propuesta de negocio para Mejor en Bici basándose en su modelo de negocio.

Case overview/synopsis

Este caso aborda los retos que Mejor en Bici, una start-up que promueve la movilidad en bicicleta, tuvo que afrontar desde 2010 a 2015 a nivel de su modelo de negocio y de generación de valor compartido. El caso narra los principales logros y obstáculos en este camino del emprendimiento, y como a través de este proceso se debería diseñar un modelo de negocio que permita tomar decisiones estratégica, para lograr un crecimiento sostenido. Además, este caso examina como desde etapas tempranas en el emprendimiento es posible generar valor compartido como un componente estratégico.

Complexity academic level

Este caso es apropiado para cursos de emprendimiento donde se aborden los temas de modelo de negocio, innovación en modelo de negocio y valor compartido. Puede ser utilizado en niveles de pregrado/grado.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship
Developing a scale measuring customers’ servicescape perceptions in upscale hotels
Authors: Lockwood Andrew , Pyun Kyunghee
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the detailed process of development of a reliable scale to measure customer perceptions of the upscale hotel servicescape that could then be used as a basis for intra- and inter-hotel comparisons and to examine relationships with other variables, such as emotions, satisfaction and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the existing service and hospitality literature provided a range of dimensions and attributes of the hotel servicescape, which were used as the basis for a Q-sort technique to determine the content adequacy of newly developed and existing items. Testing the emergent items was carried out through a questionnaire that was distributed at five luxury upscale hotels in London providing 612 fully valid responses, which, using a split sample, were subjected to both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to explore the dimensionality and reliability of the instrument.

Findings

Although the Q-sort suggested four key dimensions, the outcome of the factor analyses revealed five dimensions with high reliability – aesthetic quality, functionality, atmosphere, spaciousness and physiological conditions. “Aesthetic quality” appeared to be the most important factor, followed by “functionality”, “atmosphere”, “spaciousness” and “physiological conditions”.

Research limitations/implications

As this study was conducted with customers of upscale luxury hotels in London, the resulting scales need to be further tested in other hotel segments and in other locations.

Practical implications

This study provides upscale hotel managers with an effective measurement tool, which will enable them to benchmark their operation and make improvements that could lead to a better impression and evaluation of their hotel. The scale has a variety of potential applications and can serve as a framework for further research in the hotel industry.

Originality/value

In spite of the wide interest in and importance of the servicescape in hotels, there are only a few studies dealing with this subject in the hotel context. This study provides a new tool for measuring customers’ perceptions.
Taxation of robots – what would have been the view of Smith and Marx on it?
Authors: Huettinger Maik , Boyd Jonathan Andrew
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to approach the issue of taxation of robotic process automation (RPA) through an interpretive lens provided by both Adam Smith and Karl Marx. Both scholars have affected the understanding and attitudes of generations of economists, and their ideas have considerable influenced modern economic policy. It will be argued that Smith and Marx have much to offer to help contemporary economists understand the taxation of RPA, and their writings on machines, automation, and their impact on the human labor force will be discussed from their primary texts.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper interprets the works of Marx and Smith in relation to contemporary debates on automation, particularly, proposals to tax technological innovations to offset the social costs of automation’s displacement effects.

Findings

In the case of Adam Smith, there is not enough evidence to suggest that he would support a specific taxation of RPA; however, he very well might agree with a modest taxation of capital goods. Marx would very likely support a taxation in the short-run, however, would be inclined to caution that the ownership of robots should in the long run be transferred to society.

Originality/value

This paper uses primary texts from the discipline of history of economic thought to spark a discussion about compensating the externalities of technological innovation.
Does gender diversity on boards reduce information asymmetry problems? Empirical evidence from the French market
Authors: Loukil Nadia , Yousfi Ouidad , Yerbanga Raissa Wend-kuuni
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of female members in boards of directors on asymmetric information in the French stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use two proxies for asymmetric information: the idiosyncratic volatility and the bid-ask spread. This study is conducted on all listed firms in the SBF 120 index between 2002 and 2012.

Findings

Results show that gender diversity in boardrooms has a negative effect on the level of private information in stock markets and reduces the bid-ask spread. However, these effects are significant in family-controlled firms: female inside directors significantly increase the idiosyncratic volatility and the bid-ask spread, while female independent directors decrease both proxies for stock market liquidity.

Research limitations/implications

Our empirical findings contribute to the current debate on the benefits of gender diversity on corporate boards from the market perspective. It shows that, under specific conditions, financial markets could be receptive to the presence of female directors in boardrooms.

Practical implications

Practitioners and policymakers advocate the benefits of gender diversity on corporate boards. This paper shows that when the protection of minority shareholders is poor, the stock market is receptive to the presence of women independent directors, only in family controlled firms. This is a further argument that could help women to overcome glass-ceiling barriers they usually face to achieve top management positions.

Originality/value

This paper provides support for the increased attention paid to gender-diverse boards. It addresses the market sensitivity toward the presence of women members in French boardrooms and their positions. This is the first paper, to the best of our knowledge, to address how appointing women to different positions in the boardroom could provide signals to investors in the presence of asymmetric information. French firms are mostly family controlled. Thus, the findings bring valuable information of the impact of board diversity on the stock market considering family and nonfamily firms.
Assessing the impact of monetary fundamentals on exchange rate fluctuations a Bayesian network approach
Authors: Charfi Sahar , BenHamad Salah , Masmoudi Afif
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how monetary fundamentals affect exchange rate movements.

Design/methodology/approach

To develop this paper, a Bayesian Network modeling is applied to explore the causal interactions between monetary fundamentals and exchange rate fluctuations. Subsequently, a sensitivity analysis is performed to asses and estimate exchange rate behavior with uncertain monetary fundamentals. Furthermore, a Granger Causality test is used as suggested in the Econometric literature to determine the causality direction among factors.

Findings

The empirical findings show that money supply and interest rate have a significant positive effect on exchange rate, whereas inflation rate has a considerable negative effect on exchange rate. In addition, the authors deduce that real income has an indirect impact on exchange rate and a direct impact on inflation rate, interest rate and money supply. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis shows that monetary uncertainty has a considerable effect on exchange rate fluctuations. Moreover, the Granger Causality test reveals that there is a unique unidirectional causality running from money supply to exchange rate.

Practical implications

The model can be considered as a vital management tool for international investors and financial analysts to explore the effect of monetary fundamentals on exchange rate behavior. It allows estimating exchange rate fluctuations with uncertain monetary factors.

Originality/value

This study is the first one which applied a Bayesian Network modeling to examine the exchange rate determination problem. Results of this research are presented under a clear graphical representation that can be easily useful by monetary policymakers and international traders to determine the influential monetary factors on exchange rate behavior. Also, the model will help them in estimating the effect of monetary uncertainty on exchange rate fluctuations.
Biomedical photopolymers in 3D printing
Authors: Alifui-Segbaya Frank
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Three-dimensional printing of acrylic-based medical devices is projected to grow exponentially despite the limitations of photopolymerization and the lack of information on the clinical performance of the materials. The purpose of this paper is to address an issue of critical importance in the translation of the three-dimensionally printed structures to the clinic, which is assessing the toxicity of the polymers and their precursors.

Design/methodology/approach

This review highlights the different manufacturing processes, challenges and novel experimental work including the zebrafish embryo model, which offers a potential method for toxicity profiling of biomedical photopolymers and their precursors due to its high genetic similarity to humans.

Findings

Materials information and experimental data available so far suggest that there is a need for regular and rigorous evaluation of new materials to establish their safety and protect users engaging in biomedically-related printing activities.

Originality/value

The review identifies stringent, contemporary and cost-effective analytical methods for assessing the safety of biomedical photopolymers and their precursors.
How harmful are online firestorms for brands?
Authors: Delgado-Ballester Elena , López-López Inés , Bernal-Palazón Alicia
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Adopting an exploratory approach, this paper aims to focus on the potential negative consequences that online firestorms (OFs) might have on consumer–brand relationships. Specifically, the authors focus on the individual level through taking a close look at the content that users generate during these attacks.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted content analysis to study four recent brand-related OFs that occurred on Twitter.

Findings

The results show that brands are at the core of the users’ conversations, although other actors, such as competing firms, can also be affected. Negative comments greatly exceed positive ones. Actions against the brand, both passive (avoidance) and active (vengeance), emerged during the OFs.

Research limitations/implications

The exploratory nature of the study could cast doubt on the generalizability of the results. Moreover, the number of OF analyzed is limited, although they represent an interesting variety of brand misconducts.

Practical implications

Nowadays, brands are publicly scrutinized through social networks, as the networks enable users to speak out about brands’ perceived mistakes and wrongdoings. This paper confirms that managers should monitor, understand and try to respond to OFs to minimize their impact.

Originality/value

Online firestorms are a recent phenomenon that has gained attention finally, as they can reach hundreds of users in real-time and can involve a huge amount of comments posted online against a brand. These attacks could severely damage the brand, even when there is no strong evidence of the posted content being true. This paper adds to the scarce literature on the topic and analyzes the negative effects for brands.
Variations in leaf economics spectrum traits for an evergreen coniferous species: Tree size dominates over environment factors
Authors: Liu Zhili , Hikosaka Kouki , Li Fengri , Jin Guangze
Published: December 2019

Many leaf traits strongly vary with tree size and environmental factors, but the importance of these factors to intraspecific variations of leaf traits in forest trees has rarely been simultaneously evaluated.

We measured needle longevity and specific leaf area (SLA) and nitrogen (N) content of every needle age (0‐ to 4‐year old) for 65 individuals with 0.3–100 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) for an evergreen coniferous species, Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc., in Northeast China. We simultaneously evaluated the effects of tree size (DBH or tree height) and environment factors (light intensity, soil N content and water availability) on the needle longevity, SLA, foliage N content as well as the slopes of regressions of SLA and foliage N content against needle age.

All of the studied leaf traits and slopes of regressions of SLA and foliage N content against needle age were significantly related to tree size. Tree height had a greater impact on SLA and area‐based leaf N content (Narea), whereas DBH was more important for needle longevity and mass‐based leaf N content (Nmass). The environment variables, light intensity, soil N content and water availability, were rather minor factors for trait variations compared with tree size. Significant influence of light intensity was found only on needle longevity, and soil N and water availability had no effects on the leaf traits.

Our study clearly showed that tree size is an important driver of intraspecific variations in the key leaf traits of P. koraiensis in a natural forest. We also emphasize the importance of DBH or tree height varies depending on leaf traits, suggesting various mechanisms of size effects on the intraspecific variations in leaf traits. We suggest that ecological significance of leaf trait variations needs reconsideration incorporating tree size effect.

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Teachers and differentiated instruction: exploring differentiation practices to address student diversity
Authors: Pozas Marcela , Letzel Verena , Schneider Christoph
Published: December 2019

Given the increasing diversity of the student body, teachers are called to appropriately address students’ various learning needs by means of differentiated instruction (DI). However, empirical research has yielded mixed evidence on teachers’ reported use of DI. Using nationally representative data from the National Educational Panel Study in Germany, this article aimed to explore German (as native language) and Mathematics teachers’ use of DI practices. In addition, this study took into consideration contextual factors, such as school track, and investigated the impact of teachers’ constructivist beliefs on their DI implementation. Results from a mixed analysis of covariance indicated that teachers occasionally implement DI practices. Furthermore, between‐subject effects reported differences across school tracks. It appears that advanced secondary school teachers implement less often DI practices. The covariate of teachers’ constructivist beliefs was also positively linked to overall teachers’ implementation of DI. Implications of the results, as well as further lines of research are discussed.
Urologists’ referral and radiation oncologists’ treatment patterns regarding high‐risk prostate cancer patients receiving radiotherapy within 6 months after radical prostatectomy: A prospective cohort analysis
Authors: Egger Sam , Smith David P , Brown Bernadette (Bea) , Kneebone Andrew B , Dominello Amanda , Brooks Andrew J , Young Jane , Xhilaga Miranda , Haines Mary , O’Connell Dianne L
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Previous studies have observed low rates of adjuvant radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy (RP) for high‐risk prostate cancer patients. However, it is not clear the extent to which these low rates are driven by urologists’ referral and radiation oncologists’ treatment patterns.

Method

The Clinician‐Led Improvement in Cancer Care (CLICC) implementation trial was conducted in nine public hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. Men who underwent RP for prostate cancer during 2013–2015 and had at least one high‐risk pathological feature of extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion and/or positive surgical margins were included in these analyses. Outcomes were as follows: (i) referral to a radiation oncologist within 4 months after RP (‘referred’); (ii) commencement of radiotherapy within 6 months after RP among those who consulted a radiation oncologist (‘radiotherapy after consultation’).

Results

Three hundred and twenty‐five (30%) of 1071 patients were ‘referred’, and 74 (61%) of 121 patients received ‘radiotherapy after consultation’. Overall, the probability of receiving radiotherapy within 6 months after RP was 15%. The probability of being ‘referred’ increased according to higher 5‐year risk of cancer‐recurrence (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Only 30% of patients with high‐risk features are referred to a radiation oncologist with the likelihood of referral being influenced by the perceived risk of cancer‐recurrence as well as the urologist’s institutional/personal preference. When patients are seen by a radiation oncologist, 61% receive radiotherapy within 6 months after RP with the likelihood of receiving radiotherapy not being heavily influenced by increasing risk of recurrence. This suggests many suitable patients would receive radiotherapy if referred and seen by a radiation oncologist.
Can Terrorism Abroad Influence Migration Attitudes at Home?
Authors: Böhmelt Tobias , Bove Vincenzo , Nussio Enzo
Published: December 2019

This article demonstrates that public opinion on migration “at home” is systematically driven by terrorism in other countries. Although there is little substantive evidence linking refugees or migrants to most recent terror attacks in Europe, news about terrorist attacks can trigger more negative views of immigrants. However, the spatial dynamics of this process are neglected in existing research. We argue that feelings of imminent danger and a more salient perception of migration threats do not stop at national borders. The empirical results based on spatial econometrics and data on all terrorist attacks in Europe for the post‐9/11 period support these claims. The effect of terrorism on migration concern is strongly present within a country but also diffuses across states in Europe. This finding improves our understanding of public opinion on migration, as well as the spillover effects of terrorism, and it highlights crucial lessons for scholars interested in the security implications of population movements.
U‐Pb dating of zircon: A sourcing method for pottery from La Morena archaeological site, north‐west Colombia*
Authors: Weber M. , Valencia V. , Caballero J. , Villada B. , Cardona A. , Iizuka F.
Published: November 2019

U‐Pb zircon radiometric dating and petrographic thin‐section analysis were used for provenance identification of Ferrería and Marrón Inciso pottery styles from La Morena archaeological site in northwestern Colombia. U‐Pb dating was applied to zircons recovered from pottery and rock samples from nearby geological units. The results suggest at least three distinct sources: the metamorphic rock unit on which the archaeological site is located, a granodiorite unit that outcrops further away from the site, and a mafic rock that cannot be attributed with certainty. U‐Pb in zircons proved to be effective as a provenance method, where ages of the possible source rocks are well constrained, and can be applied to areas where traditional sourcing methods may be problematic.
CSR processes in governance systems and structures: The development of mental modes of CSR
Authors: de Graaf Frank Jan
Published: December 2019

When corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a sensemaking process is assessed from a corporate governance perspective, this implies that stakeholders do not only influence companies by promoting and enforcing regulations and other corporate guidelines. They also influence companies by promoting regulation on influence pathways, by demanding that companies develop formal mechanisms that allow companies and stakeholders to discuss and in some cases agree on changes to principles and policies. This perspective suggests that regulation is an outcome of power relations and is, as such, a reflection of certain mental models. As such, mental models reveal the political bias in corporate governance perspectives. For this reason, CSR research needs to be clear about the underlying assumptions about corporate governance, and corporate governance research needs to disclose which mental models of CSR influence the outcomes. Taking a governance perspective on the development of mental models of CSR helps to understand the interaction between CSR and processes of sensemaking at the institutional, organizational and individual levels.