bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stability of extemporaneously compounded amiloride nasal spray
Authors: Yellepeddi Venkata , Sayre Casey , Burrows Anna , Watt Kevin , Davies Simon , Strauss John , Battaglia Marco
Published: April 2020

Anxiety disorders (AD) are the most common mental illnesses affecting an estimated 40 million adults in the United States. Amiloride, a diuretic agent, has shown efficacy in treating AD in preclinical models by inhibiting the acid-sensing ion channels (ASIC). By delivering amiloride via nasal route, rapid onset of action can be achieved due to direct “nose-to-brain” access. Therefore, this study reports the formulation, physical, chemical, and microbiological stability of an extemporaneously prepared amiloride 2 mg/mL nasal spray. The amiloride nasal spray was prepared by adding 100 mg of amiloride hydrochloride to 50 mL of sterile water for injection in a sterile reagent bottle. A stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated. Forced-degradation studies were performed to confirm the ability of the HPLC method to identify the degradation products from amiloride distinctively. The physical stability of the amiloride nasal spray was assessed by pH, clarity, and viscosity assessments. For chemical stability studies, samples of nasal sprays stored at room temperature were collected at time-points 0, 3 hr., 24 hr., and 7 days and were assayed in triplicate using the stability-indicating HPLC method. Microbiological stability of the nasal spray solution was evaluated for up to 7 days based on the sterility test outlined in United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) chapter 71. The stability-indicting HPLC method identified the degradation products of amiloride without interference from amiloride. All tested solutions retained over 90% of the initial amiloride concentration for the 7-day study period. There were no changes in color, pH, and viscosity in any sample. The nasal spray solutions were sterile for up to 7 days in all samples tested. An extemporaneously prepared nasal spray solution of amiloride hydrochloride (2 mg/mL) was physically, chemically, and microbiologically stable for 7 days when stored at room temperature.
Gastrointestial absorption of pimozide is enhanced by inhibition of P-glycoprotein
Authors: Morishita Hiroki , Okawa Kozue , Ishii Misaki , Mizoi Kenta , Arakawa Hiroshi , Yano Kentaro , Ogihara Takuo
Published: April 2020

Following the death due to cardiac arrest of a patient taking pimozide, sertraline and aripiprazole antipsychotic/antidepressant combination therapy, a role of drug-drug interaction was suggested. Here, we investigated P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated interaction among the three drugs using in vitro methods. Sertraline or aripiprazole significantly increased the permeability of pimozide in Caco-2 cell monolayers. ATPase assay indicated that pimozide is a P-gp substrate, and might act as a P-gp inhibitor at higher concentrations. The values of the kinetic parameters of carrier-mediated efflux, calculated from the concentration dependence of pimozide efflux from LLC-GA5-COL150 cells expressing human P-gp, were as follows: maximum transport rate (Jmax) = 84.9 ± 8.9 pmol/min/mg protein, half-saturation concentration (Kt) = 10.6 ± 4.7 μM, first-order rate constant (kd) = 0.67 ± 0.14 pmol/min/mg protein. Further, the efflux ratio of pimozide in LLC-GA5-COL150 cells was significantly decreased in the presence of sertraline or aripiprazole. These results indicate that pimozide is a substrate of P-gp, and its efflux is inhibited by sertraline and aripiprazole. Thus, P-gp inhibition by sertraline and/or aripiprazole may alter the gastrointestinal permeability of co-administered pimozide, resulting in an increased blood concentration of pimozide, which may increase the likelihood of pimozide’s known life-threatening side effect of QT prolongation.
Keep Garfagnina alive. An integrated study on patterns of homozygosity, genomic inbreeding, admixture and breed traceability of the Italian Garfagnina goat breed
Authors: Dadousis Christos , Cecchi Francesca , Ablondi Michela , Fabbri Maria Chiara , Stella Alessandra , Bozzi Riccardo
Published: April 2020

The objective of this study was to investigate the genomic background of the Garfagnina (GRF) goat breed that faces the risk of extinction. In total, 48 goats genotyped with the Illumina CaprineSNP50 BeadChip were analyzed together with 214 goats belonging to 9 Italian breeds (~25 goats/breed) from the AdaptMap project [Argentata (ARG), Bionda dell’Adamello (BIO), Ciociara Grigia (CCG), Di Teramo (DIT), Garganica (GAR), Girgentana (GGT), Orobica (ORO), Valdostana (VAL) and Valpassiria (VSS)]. We estimated i) runs of homozygosity (ROH), ii) admixture ancestries and iii) traceability success via discriminant analysis on principal components (DAPC) based on cross-validation. For GRF, an excess of frequent ROH (more than 45% in the GRF samples analyzed) was detected on CHR 12 at, roughly 50.25-50.94Mbp (ARS1 assembly), spanned between the CENPJ (centromere protein) and IL17D (interleukin 17D) genes. The same area was also present in DIT, while the broader region (~49.25-51.94Mbp) was shared among the ARG, CCG, and GGT. Admixture analysis depicted the uniqueness of the GRF breed, with a small part of common ancestry shared with BIO, VSS, ARG and CCG breeds. The DAPC model resulted in a 100% assignment success. We hope this work will contribute to the efforts of preventing the GRF from extinction and to add value to all the socio-agro-economic factors related with the farming of the GRF breed.
Genome-wide association links candidate genes to fruit firmness, fruit flesh color, flowering time, and soluble solid content in apricot (Prunus armeniaca)
Authors: Ferik Filiz , Ates Duygu , Ercisli Sezai , Erdogan Abdullah , Orhan Emine , Tanyolac Muhammed Bahattin
Published: April 2020

Apricots originated from China, Central Asia and the Near East and arrived in Anatolia, and particularly in their second homeland of Malatya province in Turkey. Apricots are outstanding summer fruits, with their beautiful attractive colour, delicious sweet taste, aroma and high vitamin and mineral content. In the current study, a total of 259 apricot genotypes from different geographical origins in Turkey were used. Significant variations were detected in fruit firmness (FF), fruit flesh color (FFC), flowering time (FT), and soluble solid content (SSC). A total of 11,532 SNPs based on DArT were developed and used in the analyses of population structure and association mapping (AM). According to the STRUCTURE (v.2.2) analysis, the apricot genotypes were divided into three groups. The mixed linear model with Q and K matrixes were used to detect the associations between the SNPs and four traits. A total of 131 SNPs were associated with FF, FFC, and SSC. The results demonstrated that AM had high potential of revealing the markers associated with economically important traits in apricot.
Using prior information from humans to prioritize genes and gene-associated variants for complex traits in livestock
Authors: Raymond Biaty , Yengo Loic , Costilla Roy , Schrooten Chris , Bouwman Aniek C. , Hayes Ben J. , Veerkamp Roel F. , Visscher Peter M.
Published: April 2020

Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) in large human cohorts have identified thousands of loci associated with complex traits and diseases. For identifying the genes and gene-associated variants that underlie complex traits in livestock, especially where sample sizes are limiting, it may help to integrate the results of GWAS for equivalent traits in humans as prior information. In this study, we sought to investigate the usefulness of results from a GWAS on human height as prior information for identifying the genes and gene-associated variants that affect stature in cattle, using GWAS summary data on samples sizes of 700,000 and 58,265 for humans and cattle, respectively. Using Fisher's exact test, we observed a significant proportion of cattle stature-associated genes (30/77) that are also associated with human height (odds ratio = 5.1, p = 3.1e-10). Result of randomized sampling tests showed that cattle orthologs of human height-associated genes, hereafter referred to as candidate genes (C-genes), were more enriched for cattle stature GWAS signals than random samples of genes in the cattle genome (p=0.01). Randomly sampled SNPs within the C-genes also tend to explain more genetic variance for cattle stature (up to 13.2%) than randomly sampled SNPs within random cattle genes (p=0.09). The most significant SNPs from a cattle GWAS for stature within the C-genes did not explain more genetic variance for cattle stature than the most significant SNPs within random cattle genes (p=0.87). Altogether, our findings support previous studies that suggest a similarity in the genetic regulation of height across mammalian species. However, with the availability of a powerful GWAS for stature that combined data from 8 cattle breeds, prior information from human-height GWAS does not seem to provide any additional benefit with respect to the identification of genes and gene-associated variants that affect stature in cattle.
Removing auto-activators from yeast-two-hybrid assays by conditional negative selection
Authors: Shivhare Devendra , Julca Irene , Gluza Pawel , Mutwil Marek
Published: April 2020

Yeast-two-hybrid (Y2H) is widely used as a strategy to detect protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Recent advancements have made it possible to generate and analyse genome-wide PPI networks en masse by coupling Y2H with next-generation sequencing technology. However, one of the major challenges of yeast two-hybrid assay is the large amount of false-positive hits caused by auto-activators (AAs), which are proteins that activate the reporter genes without the presence of an interacting protein partner. Here, we have developed a negative selection to minimize these auto-activators by integrating thepGAL2-URA3fragment into the yeast genome. Upon activation of the pGAL2 promoter by an AA, yeast cells expressingURA3cannot grow in media supplemented with 5-Fluoroorotic acid (5-FOA). Hence, we selectively inhibit the growth of yeast cells expressing auto-activators and thus minimizing the amount of false-positive hits. Here, we have demonstrated that auto-activators can be successfully removed from aMarchantia polymorphacDNA library usingpGAL2-URA3and 5-FOA treatment, in liquid and solid-grown cultures. Furthermore, sinceURA3can also serve as a marker for uracil autotrophy, we propose that our approach is a valuable addition to any large-scale Y2H screen.
EFFECTIVENESS OF BASELINE AND POST-PROCESSED CHEST X-RAY IN NONEARLY COVID-19 PATIENTS
Authors: Gaeta Michele , Cicero Giuseppe , Marino Maria Adele , D’Angelo Tommaso , Mormina Enricomaria , Mazziotti Silvio , Blandino Alfredo , Siracusano Giulio , La Corte Aurelio , Chiappini Massimo , Finocchio Giovanni
Published: April 2020

Background

CT is a very sensitive technique to detect pneumonia in COVID-19 patients. However, it is impaired by high costs, logistic issues and high risk of exposure.

Chest x-ray (CXR) is a low-cost, low-risk, not time consuming technique and is emerging as the recommended imaging modality to use in COVID-19 pandemic.

This technique, although less sensitive than CT-scan, can provide useful information about pulmonary involvement.

Purpose

To describe chest x-ray features of COVID-19 pneumonia and to evaluate the sensitivity of this technique in detecting pneumonia. A further scope is to assess the effectiveness of a post-processing algorithm in improving lung lesions detectability.

Materials and Methods

72 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 underwent bedside chest X-ray.

Two radiologists were asked to express their opinion about: (i) presence of pneumonia (negative or positive); (ii) localization (unilateral or bilateral); (iii) topography (according to pulmonary fields); (iv) density (non consolidative ground-glass or inhomogeneous opacities; consolidative nodular-type or triangular; mixed consolidative e non-consolidative); and (v) presence of pleural effusion. The point (i) was evaluated separately, while the other points in consensus.

A quality assessment of post-processed x-ray images was performed by two different readers.

Results

The agreement about presence of pneumonia was almost perfect with K value of 0.933 and p < 0.001.

Sensitivity was 69%.

The following findings were seen: unilateral lung involvement in 50%; lower lung lesions in 54%; peripheral distribution in 48%; and non-consolidative pattern in 44%.

Post-processed images improved the detection of lesions in 7 out 72 patients (≅10%)

Conclusion

CXR owns a good sensitivity in detecting COVID-19 lung involvement. Use of post-processing algorithm can improve detection of lesions. Our data support recommendations of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) to consider chest x-ray as first step imaging examination in Covid-19 patients.

Bedside CXR has a good sensitivity in evaluating COVID-19 lung involvement in hospitalized patients and should be considered as the first step imaging technique according to RSNA recommendations.

KEY RESULTS

Bedside CXR has a good sensitivity in evaluating COVID-19 lung involvement in non-early clinical cases.

The most common findings of lung involvement were slight different from the well-described CT-ones, with less common patterns of bilateral and peripheral distribution.

Post-processing algorithm enhances detection of pulmonary lesions.
A structural study of TatD from Staphylococcus aureus elucidates a putative DNA-binding mode of a Mg2+-dependent nuclease
Authors: Lee Kyu-Yeon , Cheon Seung-Ho , Kim Dong-Gyun , Lee Sang Jae , Lee Bong-Jin
Published: April 2020

TatD has been thoroughly investigated as a DNA-repair enzyme and an apoptotic nuclease, and still-unknown TatD-related DNases are considered to play crucial cellular roles. However, studies of TatD from Gram-positive bacteria have been hindered by an absence of atomic detail and the resulting inability to determine function from structure. In this study, an X-ray crystal structure of SAV0491, which is the TatD enzyme from the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (SaTatD), is reported at a high resolution of 1.85 Å with a detailed atomic description. Although SaTatD has the common TIM-barrel fold shared by most TatD-related homologs, and PDB entry 2gzx shares 100% sequence identity with SAV0491, the crystal structure of SaTatD revealed a unique binding mode of two phosphates interacting with two Ni2+ ions. Through a functional study, it was verified that SaTatD has Mg2+-dependent nuclease activity as a DNase and an RNase. In addition, structural comparison with TatD homologs and the identification of key residues contributing to the binding mode of Ni2+ ions and phosphates allowed mutational studies to be performed that revealed the catalytic mechanism of SaTatD. Among the key residues composing the active site, the acidic residues Glu92 and Glu202 had a critical impact on catalysis by SaTatD. Furthermore, based on the binding mode of the two phosphates and structural insights, a putative DNA-binding mode of SaTatD was proposed using in silico docking. Overall, these findings may serve as a good basis for understanding the relationship between the structure and function of TatD proteins from Gram-positive bacteria and may provide critical insights into the DNA-binding mode of SaTatD.
Synthesis, decomposition studies and crystal structure of a three-dimensional CuCN network structure with protonated N-methylethanolamine as the guest cation
Authors: Koenigsmann Christopher , Rachid Leena N. , Sheedy Christina M. , Corfield Peter W. R.
Published: April 2020

The compound poly[2-hydroxy-N-methylethan-1-aminium [μ3-cyanido-κ3
C:C:N-di-μ-cyanido-κ4
C:N-dicuprate(I)]], {(C3H10NO)[Cu2(CN)3]}
n
or [meoenH]Cu2(CN)3, crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P43. The structure consists of a three-dimensional (3D) anionic CuICN network with noncoordinated protonated N-methylethanolamine cations providing charge neutrality. Pairs of cuprophilic Cu atoms are bridged by the C atoms of μ3-cyanide ligands, which link these units into a 43 spiral along the c axis. The spirals are linked together into a 3D anionic network by the two other cyanide groups. The cationic moieties are linked into their own 43 spiral via N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds, and the cations interact with the 3D network via an unusual pair of N—H...N hydrogen bonds to one of the μ2-cyanide groups. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates an initial loss of the base cation and one cyanide as HCN at temperatures in the range 130–250 °C to form CuCN. We show how loss of a specific cyanide group from the 3D CuCN structure could form the linear CuCN structure. Further heating leaves a residue of elemental copper, isolated as the oxide.
3D semiconducting Co–MOFs based on 5-(hydroxymethyl)isophthalic acid and imidazole derivatives: syntheses and crystal structures
Authors: Xu Zhong-Xuan , Ou Chun-Yan , Zhang Chun-Xue
Published: April 2020

Two three-dimensional cobalt-based metal–organic frameworks with 5-(hydroxymethyl)isophthalic acid (H2HIPA), namely poly[[μ2-1,4-bis(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene-κ2
N
3:N
3′][μ2-5-(hydroxymethyl)isophthalato-κ2
O
1:O
3]cobalt(II)], [Co(C9H6O5)(C14H14N4)]
n
(1), and poly[tris[μ2-1,4-bis(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene-κ2
N
3:N
3′]bis[μ3-5-(hydroxymethyl)isophthalato-κ2
O
1:O
3:O
5]dicobalt(II)], [Co2(C9H6O5)2(C12H10N4)3]
n
(2), were synthesized under similar hydrothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that 5-(hydroxymethyl)isophthalate (HIPA2−) and 1,4-bis(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene (1,4-BMIB) are simple linkers connecting cobalt centres to build a fourfold interpenetration dia framework in complex 1. However, complex 2 is a pillared-layer framework with a (3,6)-connected network constructed by 1,4-bis(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene (1,4-DIB) linkers, 3-connected HIPA2− ligands and 6-connected CoII centres. The above significant structural differences can be ascribed to the introduction of the different auxiliary N-donor ligands. Moreover, UV–Vis spectroscopy and Mott–Schottky measurements confirmed that complexes 1 and 2 are typical n-type semiconductors.
5-MeO-DALT: the freebase of N,N-diallyl-5-methoxytryptamine
Authors: Chadeayne Andrew R. , Pham Duyen N. K. , Golen James A. , Manke David R.
Published: April 2020

The title compound {systematic name: N-[2-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]-N-(prop-2-en-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-amine), C17H22N2O, has a single tryptamine molecule in the asymmetric unit. The molecules are linked by strong N—H...N hydrogen bonds into zigzag chains with graph-set notation C(7) along the [010] direction.
Greater Bay Area: a market-driven plan to enhance quality of life and development
Authors: Ho Lok Sang
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the nature of the Greater Bay Area Plan and to refute various myths about the initiative. The economic vigor of the Greater Bay Area is based on agglomeration economies from the city cluster and on the access to important ports. The Plan aims at motivating policy makers at different levels to work together to create new possibilities.

Design/methodology/approach

This is based on policy analysis informed by economic theory and evidence.

Findings

The Greater Bay Area Plan enhances the freedoms enjoyed by people living in any of the 11 cities in the area. Its design and the roles assigned to the different cities in the Outline Plan shows that it does not go against market forces but instead works with them. The impediments caused by the three custom areas, three currencies and different legal systems make it imperative for policy makers in the different cities and other levels of government to work together to remove or at least alleviate the impediments.

Originality/value

It dispels the myths that have prevailed since the Outline Plan was released in February 2019 and identifies how it can increase freedoms and manifest the potential of the Greater Bay Area.
A novel approach to emergency risk assessment using FMEA with extended MULTIMOORA method under interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy environment
Authors: Li Huimin , Lv Lelin , Li Feng , Wang Lunyan , Xia Qing
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The application of the traditional failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) technique has been widely questioned in evaluation information, risk factor weights and robustness of results. This paper develops a novel FMEA framework with extended MULTIMOORA method under interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy environment to solve these problems.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces innovatively interval-value Pythagorean fuzzy weighted averaging (IVPFWA) operator, Tchebycheff metric distance and interval-value Pythagorean fuzzy weighted geometric (IVPFWG) operator into the MULTIMOORA submethods to obtain the risk ranking order for emergencies. Finally, an illustrative case is provided to demonstrate the practicality and feasibility of the novel fuzzy FMEA framework.

Findings

The feasibility and validity of the proposed method are verified by comparing with the existing methods. The calculation results indicate that the proposed method is more consistent with the actual situation of project and has more reference value.

Practical implications

The research results can provide supporting information for risk management decisions and offer decision-making basis for formulation of the follow-up emergency control and disposal scheme, which has certain guiding significance for the practical popularization and application of risk management strategies in the infrastructure projects.

Originality/value

A novel approach using FMEA with extended MULTIMOORA method is developed under IVPF environment, which considers weights of risk factors and experts. The method proposed has significantly improved the integrity of information in expert evaluation and the robustness of results.
The friction and wear behaviors of polyimide bearing retainer under point-contact condition
Authors: Zhang Yafeng , Zhang Shaohua , Zhou Gang , Zhang Jiang , Qing Tao , Zhou Ningning
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Random point-contact between the space bearing retainer and the rolling elements may cause wear of the space bearing retainer. The paper aims to clarify the friction and wear behaviors of polyimide bearing retainer under point-contact condition.

Design/methodology/approach

Space bearing retainers were cut into flat specimens and the tribological behaviors of the specimens were studied under point-contact condition using a friction and wear testing machine. Different sliding velocities and normal loads were used to simulate the running state of space bearing retainer. The wear behaviors of the space bearing retainer were analyzed by SEM and white light interferometer.

Findings

The friction coefficient of the polyimide composites decreased with increase in sliding velocity from 1  to 5 mm/s. Moreover, with increase in sliding velocity and normal load, the wear rate of the polyimide composites decreased and increased, respectively. Moreover, the wear behaviors of the polyimide composites were mainly determined by the combined actions of ploughing friction and adhesive friction. The lubricating properties of transfer film and wear debris were limited under point-contact condition.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the understanding of the wear mechanism of the polyimide composites space bearing retainer under point-contact condition and then to optimize space bearing retainer materials further.

Originality/value

Under point-contact condition, wear debris can hardly participate in the friction process because of limited contact area. Consequently, the wear debris has limited impact on the wear process to decrease the friction and wear.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at:https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-01-2020-0017/
Determinant and priority factors of innovation for the development of nations
Authors: Barrichello Alcides , Santos Emerson Gomes dos , Morano Rogerio Scabim
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to identify the countries’ innovation factors that are determinant for them to achieve higher levels of development. In addition, the research identified which of these factors should be prioritized so the countries can move up in the rank of the most competitive.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the indicators of innovation and the stage of development of 137 countries proposed by the Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum and techniques of multivariate data analysis.

Findings

The results indicated that all the factors tested are determinant to lead the countries throughout their stages of development. The research highlights that the factors “Quality of scientific research institutions” and “Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) patent applications” should be equally prioritized for the countries’ development.

Practical implications

The results suggested that the factors Capacity for Innovation, Quality of Scientific Research Institutions, Company Spending on Research and Development (R&D), University–Industry Collaboration in R&D, Government Procurement of Advanced Technology Products, Availability of Scientists and Engineers and PCT Patent Applications are decisive for positioning countries in terms of their stage of development and should be part of their public policy and enterprises’ strategic planning.

Originality/value

The findings show that countries should prioritize the factors Quality of Scientific Research Institutions and PCT Patent Applications, as these factors, when acting together, predict the evolution to higher stages of development.
From freemium to premium: the roles of consumption values and game affordance
Authors: Wang Le , Gao Yu , Yan Jie , Qin Jianqun
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to facilitate understanding of how to convert free players to paid consumers in free-to-play games.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the consumption value framework and affordance theory, the present study argues that in-game purchase behaviors are determined by multiple consumption values of in-game items. The perceptions of consumption values were influenced by game affordances. The model was tested, using data from an empirical survey with 2,006 free-to-play game players.

Findings

Monetary, enjoyment and social values of in-game items positively predict purchase behaviors in free-to-play games. Game fairness and balance of challenges and skills significantly influence perceived enjoyment value.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study provide operable implications to facilitate in-game consumption. The model was tested within the context of free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games; however, caution is advisable when generalizing the findings to other subgenre of games.

Originality/value

This study extended and thus validated the consumption value framework in the context of free-to-play MOBA games. This study explored the antecedents of consumption values from the perspective of game affordance.
Corporate social responsibility in Austrian family firms: socioemotional wealth and stewardship insights from a qualitative approach
Authors: Kuttner Michael , Feldbauer-Durstmüller Birgit , Mitter Christine
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper provides a comprehensive view about corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Austrian family firms. In detail, the conceptual understanding, motives for, institutionalisation, planning and the outcomes of CSR are investigated. The authors refer to socioemotional wealth and stewardship aspects as explanation approaches for CSR in family firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study offers new insights into CSR in Austrian family firms based on qualitative data from 30 companies.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that despite numerous social, environmental and economic activities, referral to CSR is just in the beginning, indicating a lack of dissemination of the concept of CSR. The main motives for CSR engagement are image and reputation concerns, a strengthened regional embeddedness and employee-related improvements. Social CSR activities concerning employees and the close company surroundings dominate, whilst environmental CSR measures are often determined by the need for fulfilling the requirements of eco-certifications.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing CSR literature by offering deeper insights into CSR in Austrian family firms (e.g. motives and outcomes of CSR), which are discussed under socioemotional wealth and stewardship aspects. Moreover, a broad range of implications for future research and corporate practice (e.g. family firms, owning family, policy) are discussed.
Imposition of trade tariffs by the USA on China: implications for the WTO and international trade law
Authors: Nwoke Uchechukwu
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The increased integration of national economies and the belief that international trade is beneficial to societies has led to the formation of the World Trade Organization (WTO), to regulate the conduct of international trade by national governments. Using US domestic legislation and case laws, as well as the provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the legality or otherwise of the recent imposition of unilateral trade tariffs by the USA on China.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a doctrinal approach through a critical review of extant legislation and case laws. Drawing from existing literature in the area of WTO and international trade law, the paper argues that the imposition of tariffs by the Trump administration is outside the scope provided for by the WTO rules.

Findings

The paper finds that the imposition of unilateral tariffs by the Trump Government, while in breach of US domestic legislation and case laws, as well as the country’s obligations under the GATT 1994, portends a clear danger to the continued existence of the WTO and to international trade in general.

Originality/value

This paper is an original study of the author, which extends the body of knowledge in the area of international trade law, by analyzing the possible implications of the imposition of trade tariffs by the USA on China and offering suggestions on how the impasse can be resolved.
Gender differences in innovation: the role of ambidextrous leadership of the team leads
Authors: Zuraik Abdelrahman , Kelly Louise , Perkins Vernita
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study explores the impact of gender on team leadership style and how it impacts team innovation outcomes using the ambidexterity theory (opening and closing behaviors) of leadership for innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 215 self-report surveys of team members were collected for hypothesis testing. This study tests whether team leader gender moderates the relationship between ambidextrous team leadership and team innovation.

Findings

Female team leaders are engaged in less opening behaviors of ideation, risk-taking and exploration than their male counterparts. Additionally, when female leaders engaged in closing behaviors, which include assigning roles and timelines, they had less impact than the closing behaviors of their male colleagues. Female team leaders were perceived as less effective in leading innovation than males.

Research limitations/implications

This study examines the influence of gender on team leadership and innovation outcomes. There are drawbacks of cross-sectional data, sample selection issues and potential problems of percept–percept relationships.

Practical implications

These findings suggest that female team leads may need greater organizational support and organizational senior leadership support to take risks (opening behavior) to produce greater team innovation and increase leader visibility.

Social implications

Society can achieve even greater innovation outcomes by understanding and addressing the unique obstacles woman team leaders face with innovation. Organizations can benefit from innovation and resilience by supporting women team leaders in their diverse delivery of innovation.

Originality/value

This is the first study to look at the influence of gender and leadership on team innovation outcomes. Ambidextrous leadership theory provides insights into the specific challenges woman team leaders experience; however, so far no research has addressed the innovation outcome challenges female team leaders encounter. Since innovation and leadership can be a key component of visibility, compensation and promotion, it is necessary to investigate the challenges female team leads face in the innovation process.
Gender and job performance: linking the high performance work system with the ability–motivation–opportunity framework
Authors: Edgar Fiona , Blaker Nancy M. , Everett André M.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

For some years, human resource management (HRM) scholars have sought to understand how the high performance work system (HPWS) impacts performance. Recently, attention has turned to developing knowledge about the more micro-level aspects of this relationship, with the ability–motivation–opportunity (AMO) framework providing a useful lens. Empirically, these studies have produced mixed results. This study explores whether context is useful in explaining these anomalous findings.

Design/methodology/approach

This study considered the effects of context across two levels – the descriptive (situated demography–gender) and the analytical (societal–national culture) – on employees' behaviour in the HPWS–job performance relationship using survey data obtained from a sample of New Zealand organisations.

Findings

Results indicate that the employee demographic of gender may play an influential role, with ability found to be the most significant predictor of job performance for males and opportunity the strongest predictor of job performance for females. Given the importance of cultural context when examining employees' gendered behaviours, this study also considers the influence of New Zealand's national culture.

Practical implications

By describing the interaction between trait expressive work behaviours and job features, this study dispels the myth of universalism. In line with a contingency view, practitioners are encouraged to ensure alignment between features of their organisational context and the behavioural outcomes sought from their HPWS.

Originality/value

This study suggests HPWS research designs would benefit from analysing the full effects of contextual variables, rather than considering them purely as controls.
The moral arc of the library: what are our duties and limitations after 45?
Authors: Cheshire Kelsey , Stout Jennifer
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the question of whether or not librarians can ethically remain politically neutral in the wake of the 45th administration. The authors take a critical look at the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics, as well as the concept of vocational awe, and recommend challenging the “sacredness” of neutrality as a core tenet of the profession. Additionally, the authors describe the history of white privilege within libraries and argue that it is time to actively fight white supremacy and disavow the profession’s history of replicating racist social structures.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a researched think piece designed to encourage critical thought about long-held idealistic beliefs in the profession.

Findings

This study suggests that despite the profession’s history of outwardly valuing “neutrality,” libraries are not and have never been neutral. Libraries have chosen, time and again, to value white privilege and a white frame of reference to the detriment of librarians and patrons of color. Because many librarians also see the profession as upholding “sacred” ideals like neutrality, we fall into the trap of being unable to criticize our own profession and practices and, therefore, are unable to make much needed changes.

Research limitations/implications

This study is based on the opinions of the authors and on the opinions of authors they have cited. It contains no original quantitative or qualitative research.

Originality/value

This study challenges the long-held assumptions that the profession has taken for granted over the past century. The authors argue that it is good and necessary to question the Code of Ethics, vocational awe and neutrality with the goal of improving the profession in light of the current cultural and political climate.
Impact of sustainability strategies on small- and medium-sized enterprises in Zimbabwe
Authors: Majukwa Donnemore , Fan Susan K. , Dwyer Rocky J.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This qualitative multiple-case study aims to explore strategies that owners of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe use to sustain their businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants of this study consisted of owners of SMEs purposefully selected who were successful in implementing sustainable strategies for over five years. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant to gain a deeper understanding of their experience in implementing sustainable strategies for SMEs. The general systems theory, which specifies the relationship and interaction of a system and its environment, was applied as a framework to explain the sustainability strategies for SMEs in Zimbabwe.

Findings

Four major themes emerged from data analysis: passion and dedication, quality of products and services, customer satisfaction and employing staff with the right skills.

Practical implications

This study may lead owners of SMEs to create growth strategies for their businesses, increase revenue for the country and create long-term job opportunities for the communities.

Originality/value

The findings from the study addressed the gap on the existing literature and contribute to the body of knowledge on effective business practices, particularly for SMEs in Zimbabwe and other developing economies. The results of the study could catalyze a positive social change by improving workforce capabilities, creating awareness of the success of entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe and increasing the interest of financial institutions in lending to SMEs.
Environmental context shapes the long‐term role of nutrients in driving producer community trajectories in a top–down dominated marine ecosystem
Authors: Clausing Rachel J. , Phillips Nicole E. , Fong Peggy
Published: April 2020

Two predominant anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems, nutrient enrichment and the removal of consumers, are predicted to interact in their effects on producer diversity. Yet, measures of diversity alone may not capture changes occurring in the underlying mechanisms structuring communities. Furthermore, evidence for these interactions in rocky intertidal systems is mixed and may be confounded by variable baseline productivity or short experimental durations that do not capture seasonality, environmental heterogeneity or successional processes.

We conducted a 2‐year experiment examining the main and interactive effects of nutrients and herbivores in a low‐productivity environment on the northern shore of Cook Strait near Wellington, New Zealand. We explicitly accounted for the small‐scale spatial environmental heterogeneity characteristic of rocky shores.

Rapid and dramatic shifts in diversity metrics and cover of algal communities in the first year were driven by removal of herbivores. Within 2 months of herbivore exclusion, open space decreased from >90% to <15%, regardless of nutrient addition, and both algal diversity and evenness plummeted while species richness rose.

In contrast to theoretical predictions, strong interactions between top–down and bottom–up forces on diversity were rare; rather, over time, the addition of nutrients negatively impacted diversity. Further, where herbivores were removed, nutrients inhibited succession beyond ephemeral forms, contrasting with the tolerance model of succession observed under ambient nutrients.

The effects of nutrients were only elucidated by accounting for variation in habitat complexity and seasonality, demonstrating that environmental heterogeneity can mask bottom–up processes. Moreover, shifts in relative species abundances revealed that after 10 months, nutrient addition caused increased community turnover regardless of herbivore presence or absence, indicating reduced stability not apparent in simple measures of diversity.

Synthesis. Our results suggest that nutrient addition and herbivore reduction exert strong but mostly independent control on community biodiversity, where context dependency in habitat complexity, seasonality and successional stage played key roles in determining community outcomes. These findings demonstrate the importance of longer‐term field studies incorporating environmental context and multiple metrics of diversity to reveal the mechanisms underlying effects of nutrient enrichment and herbivore loss on producer community structure.
Woody plant subregions of the Amazon forest
Authors: Silva‐Souza Karla J. P. , Souza Alexandre F.
Published: April 2020

The Amazon forest covers 7.5 million km2 in nine countries, hosts 25% of the global biodiversity and is a major contributor to the biogeochemical and climatic functioning of the Earth system. Despite its global importance, a regionalization of the Amazon tree flora is still lacking. Clear and data‐driven delimitation of subregions is important for macroecological studies, to the identification of metacommunities and is a requisite for conservation planning.

We aimed at identifying and mapping plant species subregions and investigated their relationships with environmental, historical and human correlates. We provide the first woody plant regionalization of the entire Amazon forest using a data‐driven approach based on assemblage composition patterns.

We compiled data on woody species composition from 301 assemblages based on species occurrences. We then used unconstrained ordination, interpolation and clustering techniques to identify and map discrete woody subregions. Hierarchical clustering analysis was conducted in order to investigate the relationships between the identified subregions. We used multinomial logistic regression model and deviance partitioning to investigate the influence of environmental, historical and human factors on subregions distribution.

We identified 13 woody subregions in the entire Amazon forest. The hierarchical subregion classification showed a broad Andean‐Cratonic east–west division. Variation in subregions was explained jointly by human factors and spatial structure followed by environmental factors and spatial structure combined.

Synthesis. Our woody plant subregions differed from World Wildlife Fund ecoregions and physiognomic‐based maps, highlighting the importance of basing regionalizations on taxon‐specific groups and confirming that vegetation maps should not be used as proxies to plant diversity subregions. Our findings also confirm the need for multiple and extensive protected areas in the Amazon forest. The relevance of current climate factors in our study alerts to a profound impact that climate change could have on the spatial organization of the Amazon flora.
The Dangers of Decoupling: Earth System Crisis and the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’
Authors: Albert Michael J.
Published: April 2020

The question of whether global capitalism can resolve the earth system crisis rests on the (im)possibility of ‘absolute decoupling’: whether or not economic growth can continue indefinitely as total environmental impacts shrink. Ecomodernists and other techno‐optimists argue for the feasibility of absolute decoupling, whereas degrowth advocates show that it is likely to be neither feasible in principle nor in the timeframe needed to ward off ecological tipping points. While primarily supporting the degrowth perspective, I will suggest that the ecomodernists have a wildcard in their pocket that hasn’t been systematically addressed by degrowth advocates. This is the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’, which refers to convergent innovations in biotechnology, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and other developments. However, I will argue that while these innovations may enable some degree of absolute decoupling, they will also intensify emerging risks in the domains of biosecurity, cybersecurity, and state securitization. Overall, these technologies will not only place unprecedented destructive power in the hands of non‐state actors but will also empower and incentivize states to create a global security regime with unprecedented surveillance and force mobilization capacities. This reinforces the conclusion that mainstream environmental policies based on decoupling should be reconsidered and supplanted by alternative policy trajectories based on material‐energetic degrowth, redistribution, and technological deceleration.
Introduction to Global Policy: Next Generation
Authors: Stiles Gregory , Lecavalier Emma , Kaleem Amna
Published: April 2020

As an editorial team we set out with the aim of showcasing academic research which not only makes a theoretical impact, but also has practical value for policy makers.
Occurrence and partial genetic characterisation of Lettuce big‐vein associated virus and Mirafiori lettuce big‐vein virus infecting lettuce in Jordan
Authors: Salem Nida' , Odeh Saja , Muslem Motasem Abu , Tahzima Rachid
Published: April 2020

Lettuce big‐vein disease (LBVD) is an economically damaging disease that occurs in most lettuce production areas worldwide. Several studies have associated LBVD with a complex of two viruses, Lettuce big‐vein associated virus (LBVaV) and Mirafiori lettuce big‐vein virus (MiLBVV). Both viruses are transmitted through soil by the zoospores of the chytridiomycete fungus Olpidium virulentus. During surveys carried out in two growing seasons from 2015 to 2016 in the main vegetable growing areas in Jordan (Jordan Valley, Jerash, and Madaba), 179 lettuce plants, 46 lettuce seedlings, and 56 weed plants were collected. RNA extraction was conducted from leaves of all samples. Associated viruses were identified using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) with specific primer pairs targeting part of the coat protein (CP) genes of LBVaV and MiLBVV. RT‐PCR results revealed that, out of 225 lettuce samples tested, 32 (14%) and 44 (20%) were singly infected with LBVaV and MiLBVV, respectively, and 73 (32%) samples were dually infected with LBVaV and MiLBVV. Overall, MiLBVV was detected in more lettuce samples (117) compared with LBVaV which was detected in 105 samples. Moreover, one sample of each weed species of Chenopodium murale and Sonchus oleraceus tested positive for MiLBVV and LBVaV, respectively. The partial nucleotide sequence of the CP genes of LBVaV and MiLBVV Jordanian isolates showed similarities to other isolates available in the NCBI database ranging between 93.9–100% and 88.3–100%, respectively. Nucleotide sequence comparison of the Jordanian isolates and inference from phylogenetic trees with strong support revealed well‐defined sub‐groups with little or no correlation with planting area or geographic origin. The occurrence of both viruses in lettuce plants was associated with the presence of resting spores and zoospores of Olpidium spp. in lettuce plants grown under field and growth chamber conditions. Lettuce plants inoculated with Olpidium spp. zoospores isolated from roots of symptomatic lettuce plants, developed LBVD‐symptoms. At 60 days post‐transplantation, both viruses were detected by RT‐PCR in most of the plants analysed. Biological and molecular assays together with the light microscopy observations of resting spores and zoospores of Olpidium spp., revealed the presence of LBVaV, MiLBVV, and O. virulentus in big‐vein diseased lettuce plants.