bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retrograde transport defects inMunc18-1null neurons explain abnormal Golgi morphology
Authors: van Berkel Annemiek A. , Santos Tatiana C. , Shaweis Hesho , van Weering Jan R.T. , Toonen Ruud F. , Verhage Matthijs
Published: May 2020

Loss of the exocytic Sec1/MUNC18 protein MUNC18-1 or its t-SNARE partners SNAP25 and syntaxin-1 results in rapid, cell-autonomous and unexplained neurodegeneration, which is independent of their known role in synaptic vesicle exocytosis.cis-Golgi abnormalities are the earliest cellular phenotypes before degeneration occurs. Here, we investigated whether these Golgi abnormalities cause defects in the constitutive and regulated secretory pathway that may explain neurodegeneration. Electron microscopy confirmed that loss of MUNC18-1 expression results in a smallercis-Golgi. In addition, we now show thatmedial-Golgi and thetrans-Golgi Network are also affected. However, stacking and cisternae ultrastructure of the Golgi were normal. Overall ultrastructure of null mutant neurons was remarkably normal just hours before cell death occurred. Anterograde ER-to-Golgi and Golgi exit of endogenous and exogenous proteins were normal. In contrast, loss of MUNC18-1 caused reduced retrograde Cholera Toxin transport from the plasma membrane to the Golgi. In addition, MUNC18-1-deficiency resulted in abnormalities in retrograde TrkB trafficking. We conclude that MUNC18-1 deficient neurons have normal anterograde yet reduced retrograde transport to the Golgi. This imbalance in transport routes provides a plausible explanation for the observed Golgi abnormalities and cell death in MUNC18-1 deficient neurons.

Significance statement

Loss of MUNC18-1 or its t-SNAREs SNAP25 and syntaxin-1 leads to massive, yet unexplained, neurodegeneration. Previous research showed that Golgi abnormalities are the earliest, shared phenotype. Golgi abnormalities are also an early feature in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. This study elucidates the mechanism underlying the Golgi phenotype upon loss of MUNC18-1. By systematically assessing transport routes to and from the Golgi, we show that retrograde endosome-to-Golgi, but not anterograde transport from the Golgi, is disturbed. This imbalance in transport routes provides a plausible explanation for the Golgi phenotype, and may explain the neurodegeneration. The findings in this study contributes to new insights in cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration.
Origin of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): A Computational Biology Study using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Thi , Abdelrazek Mohamed , Nguyen Dung Tien , Aryal Sunil , Nguyen Duc Thanh , Reddy Sandeep , Hung Nguyen Quoc Viet , Khatami Amin , Hsu Edbert B. , Yang Samuel
Published: May 2020

Origin of the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) has been intensely debated in the scientific community since the first infected cases were detected in December 2019. The disease has caused a global pandemic, leading to deaths of thousands of people across the world and thus finding origin of this novel coronavirus is important in responding and controlling the pandemic. Recent research results suggest that bats or pangolins might be the hosts for SARS-CoV-2 based on comparative studies using its genomic sequences. This paper investigates the SARS-CoV-2 origin by using artificial intelligence (AI) and raw genomic sequences of the virus. More than 300 genome sequences of COVID-19 infected cases collected from different countries are explored and analysed using unsupervised clustering methods. The results obtained from various AI-enabled experiments using clustering algorithms demonstrate that all examined SARS-CoV-2 genomes belong to a cluster that also contains bat and pangolin coronavirus genomes. This provides evidence strongly supporting scientific hypotheses that bats and pangolins are probable hosts for SARS-CoV-2. At the whole genome analysis level, our findings also indicate that bats are more likely the hosts for the COVID-19 virus than pangolins.
Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor β (PDGFRβ) is a Host Receptor for the human malaria parasite adhesin TRAP
Authors: Steel Ryan W. J. , Vigdorovich Vladimir , Dambrauskas Nicholas , Wilder Brandon K. , Arredondo Silvia A. , Goswami Debashree , Kumar Sudhir , Carbonetti Sara , Swearingen Kristian E. , Nguyen Thao , Betz Will , Camargo Nelly , Fisher Bridget S. , Soden Jo , Thomas Helen , Freeth Jim , Moritz Robert L. , Sather D. Noah , Kappe Stefan H.I.
Published: May 2020

Following their inoculation by the bite of an infectedAnophelesmosquito, the malaria parasite sporozoite forms travel from the bite site in the skin into the bloodstream, which transports them to the liver. The thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP) is a type 1 transmembrane protein that is released from secretory organelles and relocalized on the sporozoite plasma membrane. TRAP is required for sporozoite motility and host infection, and its extracellular portion contains adhesive domains that are predicted to engage host receptors. Here, we identified the human platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (hPDGFRβ) as one such protein receptor. Deletion mutants showed that the von Willebrand factor type A and thrombospondin repeat domains of TRAP are both required for optimal binding to hPDGFRβ-expressing cells. We also demonstrate that this interaction is conserved in the human-infective parasitePlasmodium vivax, but not the rodent-infective parasitePlasmodium yoelii. We observed expression of hPDGFRβ mainly in cells associated with the vasculature suggesting that TRAP:hPDGFRβ interaction may play a role in the recognition of blood vessels by invading sporozoites.
High-throughputin vitrospecificity profiling of natural and high-fidelity CRISPR-Cas9 variants
Authors: Murugan Karthik , Seetharam Arun S. , Severin Andrew J. , Sashital Dipali G.
Published: May 2020

Cas9 is an RNA-guided endonuclease in the bacterial CRISPR-Cas immune system and a popular tool for genome editing. The most commonly used Cas9 variant,Streptococcus pyogenesCas9 (SpCas9), is relatively non-specific and prone to off-target genome editing. Other Cas9 orthologs and engineered variants of SpCas9 have been reported to be more specific than wild-type (WT) SpCas9. However, systematic comparisons of the cleavage activities of these Cas9 variants have not been reported. In this study, we employed our high-throughputin vitrocleavage assay to compare cleavage activities and specificities of two natural Cas9 variants (SpCas9 andStaphylococcus aureusCas9) and three engineered SpCas9 variants (SpCas9 HF1, HypaCas9, and HiFi Cas9). We observed that all Cas9s tested were able to cleave target sequences with up to five mismatches. However, the rate of cleavage of both on-target and off-target sequences varied based on the target sequence and Cas9 variant. For targets with multiple mismatches, SaCas9 and engineered SpCas9 variants are more prone to nicking, while WT SpCas9 creates double-strand breaks (DSB). These differences in cleavage rates and DSB formation may account for the varied specificities observed in genome editing studies. Our analysis reveals mismatch position-dependent, off-target nicking activity of Cas9 variants which have been underreported in previousin vivostudies.
Corporate social responsibility strategies in Nigeria: a tinged shareholder model
Authors: Adegbite Emmanuel , Amaeshi Kenneth , Nakpodia Franklin , Ferry Laurence , Yekini Kemi C.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine two important issues in corporate social responsibility (CSR) scholarship. First, the study problematises CSR as a form of self-regulation. Second, the research explores how CSR strategies can enable firms to recognise and internalise their externalities while preserving shareholder value.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a tinged shareholder model to understand the interactions between an organisation’s CSR approach and the effect of relevant externalities on its CSR outcomes. In doing this, the case study qualitative methodology is adopted, relying on data from one Fidelity Bank, Nigeria.

Findings

By articulating a tripodal thematic model – governance of externalities in the economy, governance of externalities in the social system and governance of externalities in the environment, this paper demonstrates how an effective combination of these themes triggers the emergence of a robust CSR culture in an organisation.

Research limitations/implications

This research advances the understanding of the implication of internalising externalities in the CSR literature in a relatively under-researched context – Nigeria.

Originality/value

The data of this study allows to present a governance model that will enable managers to focus on their overarching objective of shareholder value without the challenges of pursuing multiple and sometimes conflicting goals that typically create negative impacts to non-shareholding stakeholders.
Prioritizing psychosocial services for children, youth and families postdisaster
Authors: Fulton Amy Elizabeth , Drolet Julie , Lalani Nasreen , Smith Erin
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This article explores the community recovery and resilience element of “building back better” (BBB) through the perspectives and experiences of community influencers who provided psychosocial supports after the 2013 floods in southern Alberta, Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

The Alberta Resilient Communities (ARC) project adopted a community-based research methodology to examine the lived realities of children, youth, families and their communities postflood. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 37 community influencer participants representing a range of organizations including not-for-profit agencies, community organizations, social service agencies and government departments.

Findings

The findings were drawn from the interviews held with community influencers in flood-affected communities. Major themes include disaster response challenges, insufficient funding for long-term disaster recovery, community partnerships and collaborations and building and strengthening social capital.

Practical implications

Findings demonstrate the need to build better psychosocial services, supports and resources in the long term to support community recovery and resilience postdisaster for children, youth and families to “build back better” on a psychosocial level.

Social implications

Local social service agencies play a key role in the capacity of children, youth and families to “build back better” postdisaster. These organizations need to be resourced and prepared to respond to psychosocial needs in the long term in order to successfully contribute to postdisaster recovery.

Originality/value

The findings illustrate that adopting a psychosocial framework for disaster recovery can better inform social service disaster response and long-term recovery plans consistent with the BBB framework. Implications for social service agencies and policymakers interested in fostering postdisaster community recovery and resilience, particularly with children and youth, are presented.
Identifying the key factors in construction projects that affect neighbourhood social sustainability
Authors: Almahmoud Essam , Doloi Hemanta Kumar
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Construction projects have huge impacts on the social sustainability of the neighbouring community. The purpose of this paper is to identify and understand the key factors of a construction project that contribute to the social sustainability of a neighbourhood.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire surveys relating to two case studies of regeneration projects in Saudi Arabia were carried out to ascertain and analyse the perceptions of residents of the neighbourhood communities in which the projects were built.

Findings

The results derived from factor analysis suggested five significant underlying social factors: health and physical comfort, accessibility, integration, economy and participation. These are defined as the core social functions necessary for enhancing social sustainability in the neighbourhood community as a result of new construction.

Originality/value

Ideally, a construction project will create spaces where people can interact socially, develop a sense of community and grow and prosper. This study reveals how the neighbours of the project felt about it and what sort of input they wanted to have in the design, construction and operation of the facility. For developers emphasising sustainability, this is the essential data.
Gender and internal control systems in Spanish local governments
Authors: Gras-Gil Ester , Moreno-Enguix María del Rocío , Henández-Fernández Joaquín
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The presence of women is lower than that of men in positions of responsibility in economic management in public administration, although there has been a more significant increase in local administration. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the application and development of the internal control system in local governments improves through the presence of women in positions of management and responsibility in these institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a multivariate model that allows them to verify the predictive capability of their previously defined explanatory variable gender in 1,527 Spanish local governments. They analyze the empirical relation between the gender and internal control system by multivariate regression models.

Findings

The authors find that the presence of women in management positions in local governments affects internal control system influences as well as a series of financial and non-financial variables. They conclude that in local governments of more than 50,000 inhabitants, the presence of women in the management has a positive influence on internal control systems and also promotes transparency and a more effective fight against corruption, thus enhancing internal control systems.

Research limitations/implications

The presence of women in positions of management and responsibility in local government will favor a decrease of corruption in local governments and increase their efficiency and transparency. This study can facilitate women’s access to positions of more economic and financial responsibility in public administration, as well as improve the management and efficiency in these institutions.

Originality/value

This research is novel in that it determines whether the application and development of the internal control system in local governments improves through the presence of women in the position of management and responsibility in these institutions.
Exploring the overlooked: women, work and criminal history
Authors: Young Nicole Carrie Jones , Anazodo Kemi Salawu
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how incarcerated women prepare to manage the stigma of a criminal history as they look to re-enter the workforce after release from incarceration.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a qualitative, case study research design including interviews and observations to explore the experiences and self-perceptions of incarcerated women within the context of employment.

Findings

Five themes that emerged and influenced the perception of stigma as these incarcerated women prepared for release into the labor market were career self-efficacy, the intersection of identity (women and criminal history), self-perceptions of prison identity, stigma disclosure and social support for employment.

Research limitations/implications

As the management literature expands to include more diverse and marginalized populations, current understanding of theories and concepts, such as multiple identities and stigma disclosure, may operate differently as compared to traditional management samples.

Practical implications

Organizations can collaborate with correctional facilities to ensure that individuals with a criminal history are trained and prepared to re-enter the workplace upon release.

Social implications

As employment is one of the biggest determinants of recidivism (i.e. return to incarceration) for individuals with a criminal history, organizations have the unique ability to assist in substantially decreasing the incarcerated population.

Originality/value

This study explores criminal history and highlights some of the nuances to consider when exploring an understudied and marginalized population, such as women with a criminal history.
The functioning of rescue workers in life tasks: development of a test
Authors: Bakker Heilwine , van Veldhoven Marc , Gaillard Tony , Hertogs Remy , Feenstra Margot
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Since policemen have a highly demanding job, they have a high risk of developing mental health problems, which may have a negative influence on their private life. The purpose of this paper is to present a new questionnaire for measuring the functioning of rescue workers in life tasks outside of work.

Design/methodology/approach

The internal consistency, factor structure and concurrent validity of this life tasks test (LTT) were examined in a group of 108 policemen.

Findings

The test measures perceived effectiveness in the following five domains: social life, maintaining mental health, household and finance, giving meaning and maintaining positivity. Cronbach’s α was acceptable for two scales (>0.60) and good for the other three (>0.70). The hypothesized five-factor structure of the LTT was corroborated in a confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was examined by correlating the scores on the LTT with two established questionnaires, one for personality characteristics and one for work characteristics and work stress. All LTT scales, with the exception of social life, showed significant correlations with social support, workload and personality.

Research limitations/implications

This provides support for the concurrent validity of the questionnaire. Practical uses and future research are discussed.

Practical implications

The items are close to everyday clinical practice. It adds valuable information to the commonly used questionnaires on mental health complaints. The test may also provide insight on which life tasks domains are functioning well and which are in need of attention to improve the effectiveness.

Social implications

In both preventive and curative mental health support, it is important to enhance the effectiveness in life tasks, because it works as a buffer for the adversity of rescue work. Moreover, it gives rescue workers mastery of their personal life, makes self-management stronger, as well as it gives feelings of confidence and positive energy.

Originality/value

This is the first questionnaire to be designed and implemented for rescue workers.
Modification of the deflection formula for prestressed concrete hollow slab based on Timoshenko theory
Authors: Lai Jinlong , Liu Jinliang , An Jianyong , Jia Hang , Ma Jia
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Timoshenko deformation calculation theory is suited to open section beam, which is not suited to closed section beam due to the difference stress distribution between the open and the closed section beam. This study aims to modify the deflection formula for prestressed concrete hollow slab (closed section beam) based on the Timoshenko theory.

Design/methodology/approach

(1) The deflection curves of the prestressed concrete hollow slab beam were obtained under a single point force; (2) linear phases of the deflection values, which were calculated by Timoshenko theory and ABAQUS, were compared with the measured values; (3) a modified coefficient related to the loading location was obtained to modify the Timoshenko theoretical formula in calculating the deflection of the prestressed concrete hollow slab.

Findings

(1) There is a large difference between the calculated values and the measured values at 4.3 < a/H < 7.7, and the differences are between 24 and 33 percent; (2) the Timoshenko deflection formula has been modified to fit for the calculation of the prestressed concrete hollow slab. The mean of f/ft is 1.01, and the variation coefficient is 0.09 after modification. Therefore, the modified formula can be better applied in the deflection calculation of the prestressed concrete hollow slab.

Originality/value

The Timoshenko theory is the most classical theory, which is often used to calculate the deformation of beams. The modified deflection formula for prestressed concrete hollow slab based on the Timoshenko theory is reliable and convenient, which can help engineers to calculate the deflection for closed section beam quickly.
Organization-stakeholder relationship and performance of Iranian SMEs
Authors: Jalali Alireza , Jaafar Mastura , Ramayah T.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the direct and indirect effects of organizational stakeholder’s relationship on performance through innovativeness and risk-taking among small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the cluster sampling method to select the study sample and the questionnaire survey approach to 580 SMEs established in Tehran. A total of 150 completed questionnaires were returned. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was administered to analyze data via the SmartPLS 3.0 software.

Findings

The survey outcomes revealed that organization-stakeholder relationship had an indirect effect on performance through innovativeness and risk-taking. The results indicated positive links for organization-stakeholder relationship and innovativeness, as well as the organization-stakeholder relationship to risk-taking.

Practical implications

This research is beneficial for entrepreneurs who wish to learn about the specific resources significant for venture growth, to devise effective strategies to expand their relationship with stakeholders and to consider the significance of the correlations established, in this study, through innovativeness and risk-taking.

Originality/value

This research is one of the few attempts that have addressed the importance of innovativeness and risk-taking as the key mechanisms to transform the advantages of organization-stakeholder relationships to enhance performance.
The contingency effects of supply chain integration on management control system design and operational performance of hospitals in Ghana
Authors: Nartey Edward , Aboagye-Otchere Francis Kwaku , Yaw Simpson Samuel Nana
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper extends prior contingency-based management accounting research by building and empirically testing a theoretical model of contingency effects of supply chain integration (SCI) on the dimensions of management control system (MCS) and supply chain operational performance (SCOP) of hospitals in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses factorial and structural path analysis of survey responses collected from 237 hospital accountants to model these relationships.

Findings

The results show that under strong SCI, the association between the MCS dimensions and hospital operational performance namely, cost effectiveness, flexibility and quality will be strengthened. In other words, the installation of MCS is more likely to provide a broad range of performance benefits for hospitals that align the four dimensions of the MCS with the dimensions of SCI (internal and external).

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this study would be its limited scope, as it focused only on hospitals in one developing country. Therefore, the results as indicated here may have limited generalizability to other industries and countries.

Practical implications

We theorize that using optimal amounts of the MCS, a high level of SCI is likely to reduce supply chain (SC) cost, improve speed, flexibility and quality of the SC among healthcare institutions in Ghana. Also, based on the direct impact on performance exhibited by the MCS dimensions, effective implementation of SCI decisions requires the use of optimal amounts of MCS for high performance.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to contingency-based management accounting research and provides theory-driven and empirically proven explanations for hospital managers in recognizing the importance of aligning the dimensions of SCI and MCS.
Ownership structure and demand for independent directors: evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Tran Quoc Trung
Published: May 2020

Purpose

In this study, we examine how ownership structure affects the use of independent directors in Vietnam – an emerging stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

We develop logit and tobit regression models to investigate the effects of ownership structure on the propensity to use independent directors and the number of independent directors on the board, respectively. Insider ownership and the use of independent directors are proposed to have a non-linear relationship.

Findings

With a sample of 1,318 observations collected from 192 listed firms over the period from 2008 to 2017, we find that insider ownership and independent director appointment have a U-shaped relationship. It is positive when insiders hold a small proportion of shares, and turns out to be negative when insiders hold a large percentage of shares. In addition, both state ownership and foreign ownership are negatively related to firm decisions of appointing independent directors.

Practical implications

Our findings imply that minority shareholders should have appropriate actions to reduce agency costs and protect their own interests. In addition, policymakers should improve the effectiveness of corporate governance legislation to increase the presence of independent directors in order to protect minority shareholders. Moreover, government agencies also need to increase the number of independent directors in state-controlled firms as a means to improve their corporate governance. Foreign investors may be a substitute for independent directors; therefore, firms without independent directors are able to improve their corporate governance by attracting foreign investors.

Originality/value

While the extant literature shows that independent directors can help firms decrease agency costs of equity in financial decisions and performance, there are relatively few studies investigating corporate decisions to use independent directors. This paper contributes to the literature of corporate governance mechanisms through independent directors in emerging markets.
Corruption and SME financing structure: the case of Vietnamese manufacturing
Authors: Phan Mai Hong , Archer Lan
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Corruption has been evidenced as one of the major factors that drive a firm's dynamics and growth. This study examines the relationship between corruption and financing structure decisions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a longitudinal data set from the Vietnam's SME Survey in the period 2007–2013 and adopt the two-stage least squares method to deal with endogeneity.

Findings

After controlling for endogeneity and firm heterogeneity, the authors find that, overall, corruption does significantly affect the decisions of financing sources. Given that, corruption increases the use of informal debt and decreases the levels of formal debt, owner's equity and retained earnings.

Practical implications

The findings suggest implications for corruption-combating actions and policies.

Originality/value

Different from previous studies that either provide evidence of government corruption and a firm's capital structure at the country level or focus on corruption and debt only, we deliver a more comprehensive analysis on the nexus between corruption and various financing sources.
An ambidexterity perspective toward configurations of knowledge flows: an empirical testing of its two-phase performance implications
Authors: Liu Fanghong , Wang Jiangang
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how knowledge inflows and outflows interact to affect performance outcomes. Though previous studies have dealt with knowledge inflows and outflows, the quality and quantity characteristics of knowledge are often not taken into account, thus leaving a research gap with regards to the effect of their interactions on performance outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on Poisson regression analysis, this quantitative study fills the aforementioned research gaps by analyzing the ambidextrous configurations of knowledge flows from an ambidexterity perspective and examines their effects on two-phase performance (i.e. regular season and playoffs), using a longitudinal data set of National Basketball Association transactions from the 2003-2004 to 2014-2015 season.

Findings

The results suggest that the complementarity between knowledge inflows and outflows along the quality and quantity dimensions of knowledge, respectively, has a positive impact on two-phase performance, while the imbalance between knowledge inflows and outflows under the quality and quantity dimensions of knowledge, respectively, has a negative impact on playoffs performance (Phase 2). These findings suggest that organizations can balance knowledge inflows and outflows under a single quality or quantity dimension of knowledge. Furthermore, the interaction between the quantity of the inflows of knowledge and the quality of the outflows of knowledge and the interaction between the quality of the inflows of knowledge and the quantity of the outflows of knowledge are both positively related to two-phase performance. These findings suggest that organizations can balance knowledge inflows and outflows across quality and quantity dimensions of knowledge. Finally, the effects of the interaction between knowledge inflows and outflows on playoffs performance are greater than regular-season.

Practical implications

Organizations should leverage ambidexterity to manage/balance knowledge inflows and outflows across quality and quantity dimensions, further enhancing performance outcomes.

Originality/value

This study, first, provides new insights into knowledge flows by distinguishing between the quality and quantity of knowledge, the inflows and outflows of knowledge, constructing ambidextrous configurations of knowledge flows from an ambidexterity perspective. Second, it contributes to the relationship between knowledge flows and organizational performance by revealing how ambidextrous configurations of knowledge flows exert different effects on performance outcomes. Third, it adds to the literature of ambidexterity-performance relationships and expands it to the context of sports.
Unpacking the efficacy of organizational routines in the financial services industry
Authors: Lemken Russell K. , Rowe William J.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how the efficacy of organizational routines varies and the mechanism through which organizational routines improve firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model is proposed and tested using data from 53 interviews with financial services experts and 291 survey responses from financial advisors.

Findings

Operational and adaptive routines work through absorptive capacity to positively contribute to firm performance. The positive effects of adaptive routines are magnified under market governance.

Research limitations/implications

The examination of organizational routines is focused on routines at the firm level. Therefore, higher corporate-level routines were not measured. Response rate for the survey is a possible concern, so future research will benefit from increasing the response rate from the focal population.

Practical implications

This study benefits firms facing the dual role of customization and discipline in working with clients toward service delivery. The findings suggest that firms should develop both operational and adaptive routines, particularly when operating under market governance.

Originality/value

This study identified two categories of routines (operational and adaptive) and the circumstances in which the causal link between routines and performance varies. This study examined the potential moderating influence of a governance mode (market vs hierarchy). Absorptive capacity was identified as a mediator between the use of routines and firm performance.
Noise trading and stock market bubbles: what the derivatives market is telling us
Authors: Beyer Scott B. , Hughen J. Christopher , Kunkel Robert A.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The authors examine the relation between noise trading in equity markets and stochastic volatility by estimating a two-factor jump diffusion model. Their analysis shows that contemporaneous price deviations in the derivatives market are statistically significant in explaining movements in index futures prices and option-market volatility measures.

Design/methodology/approach

To understand the impact noise may have in the S&P 500 derivatives market, the authors first measure and evaluate the influence noise exerts on futures prices and then investigate its influence on option volatility.

Findings

In the period from 1996 to 2003, this study finds significant changes in the volatility and mean reversion in the noise level and a significant increase in its relation to implied volatility in option prices. The results are consistent with a bubble in technology stocks that occurred with significant increases in noise trading.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides estimates for this model during the periods preceding and during the technology bubble. The study analysis shows that the volatility and mean reversion in the noise level are much stronger during the bubble period. Furthermore, the relation between noise trading and implied volatility in the futures market was of a significantly larger magnitude during this period. The study results support the importance of noise trading in market bubbles.

Practical implications

Bloomfield, O'Hara and Saar (2009) find that noise traders lower bid–ask spreads and improve liquidity through increases in trading volume and market depth. Such improved market conditions could have positive effects on market quality, and this impact could be evidenced by lower implied volatility when noise traders are more active. Indeed, the results in this study indicate that the level and characteristics of noise trading are fundamentally different during the technology bubble, and this noise trading activity has a larger impact during this period on implied volatility in the options market.

Originality/value

This paper uniquely analyzes derivatives on the S&P 500 Index in order to detect the presence and influence of noise traders. The authors derive and implement a two-factor jump diffusion noise model. In their model, noise rectifies the difference of analysts' opinions, market information and beliefs among traders. By incorporating a reduced-form temporal expression of heterogeneities among traders, the model is rich enough to capture salient time-series characteristics of equity prices (i.e. stochastic volatility and jumps). A singular feature of the authors’ model is that stochastic volatility represents the random movements in asset prices that are attributed to nonmarket fundamentals.
Who is reported missing from Canadian hospitals and mental health units?
Authors: Ferguson Lorna , Huey Laura
Published: May 2020

Purpose

International literature on missing persons suggests that a significant volume of missing person cases originate from hospitals and mental health units, resulting in considerable costs and resource demands on both police and health sectors (e.g., Bartholomew et al., 2009; Sowerby and Thomas, 2017). In the Canadian context, however, very little is known about patients reported missing from these locations – a knowledge deficit with profound implications in terms of identifying and addressing risk factors that contribute to this phenomenon. The present study is one such preliminary attempt to try to fill a significant research and policy gap.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on data from a sample of 8,261 closed missing person reports from a Canadian municipal police service over a five-year period (2013–2018). Using multiple logistic regression, the authors identify, among other factors, who is most likely to be reported missing from these locations.

Findings

Results reveal that several factors, such as mental disabilities, senility, mental illness and addiction, are significantly related to this phenomenon. In light of these findings, the authors suggest that there is a need to develop comprehensive strategies and policies involving several stakeholders, such as health care and social service organizations, as well as the police.

Originality/value

Each year, thousands of people go missing in Canada with a large number being reported from hospitals and mental health units, which can be burdensome for the police and health sectors in terms of human and financial resource allocation. Yet, very little is known about patients reported missing from health services – a knowledge deficit with profound implications in terms of identifying and addressing risk factors that contribute to this phenomenon. This manuscript seeks to remedy this gap in Canadian missing persons literature by exploring who goes missing from hospitals and mental health units.
The influence of binary pozzolanic replacements on the durability and corrosion performance of reinforced concrete
Authors: Mossalam Essam , Ahmed Nivin M. , Souaya Eglal M.R. , El-Sabbagh Basil
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to study the physical and mechanical properties beside the durability of concrete as well as corrosion resistance of reinforced concrete by replacing Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with different ratios of silica fume and meta-kaolin and applying two paint formulations to enhance corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. In this work, modified concrete mixes containing pozzolanic materials of industrial wastes such as silica fume (SF) with ratios ranging between (0, 10 and 15%) and calcined raw material such as meta-kaolin (MK) with ratios (0, 3, 5 and 10%), were introduced using water binder ratio (w/b) 0.45 to study their effect on the physico-mechanical properties and durability of concrete as well as corrosion protection performance of reinforced concrete. Two paint formulations containing the same ingredients except that one of them is free from talc (G1) and the other contains talc (G2) were applied on the rebars embedded in these modified mixes. Talc is known to offer high pH to the surrounding media.

Design/methodology/approach

Modified concrete mixes containing the coated reinforced concrete steel with the different paint formulations in presence and absence of talc were tested, and the corrosion behavior was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 3.5% NaCl, and the concrete mixes were also tested through their compressive strength, chloride permeability, scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray analysis and bond strength.

Findings

The results revealed that the hardened reinforced concrete mix containing 10% SF with 5% MK with embedded rebars coated with G2 (paint containing talc) was the best concrete system which offers concrete sustainability besides high corrosion protection performance, i.e. presence of talc in the paints combined with the effect of cement blended with SF and MK showed positive effect on the reinforced concrete properties that leads to more durability and workability.

Originality/value

The integrity of using two efficient methods of corrosion protection beside the effect of the different replacements in concrete mixes containing coated reinforced concrete steel with paint formulations free from talc (G1) and others containing talc (G2), which lead to fatal changes in the pH of the surrounding media (i.e. concrete which has high alkaline pH) to achieve good concrete properties aside with convenient paint formulations together.
New water-based flexographic ink based on new ter-polymer nano-particles as eco-friendly binders – Part II
Authors: Abd El-Wahab H. , Meligi G.A. , Hassaan M.G. , Lin L.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to prepare, characterise and evaluate nano-emulsions of ter-polymers of various compositions as eco-friendly binders for flexographic ink industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Various nano-emulsions of ter-polymers were prepared based on Vinyl acetate, Vinyl Versatate, butyl acrylate, acrylic acid and acrylamide monomers by means of a conventional seeded emulsion polymerisation technique, using K2S2O8 as the initiator. The characterisation of the prepared emulsions was performed using Fourier transform infrared, thermo-gravimetric analysis, gel permeation chromatography and transmission electron microscopy. A selection of co-polymers and ter-polymers were formulated with pigments and additional ingredients, as water-based flexographic inks. The inks were characterised for their rheological properties, pH, degree of dispersion, water-resistance and colour density.

Findings

It was found that the low viscosity of the prepared polymers may reduce the film thickness of the flexographic inks and may also increase the spreading of the ink on the surface. As a result, stable modified poly acrylate-based latex with improved physico-mechanical properties was obtained. The prepared latexes showed improved properties such as enhanced thermal stability and better water resistance. The effect of the emulsifier type on the properties of the resulting emulsion latexes and their corresponding films were investigated. Also, as the hydrophobic monomer increases, so does the colour density and increasing the binder ratio enhances the gloss values. The improving in gloss values were obtained and provide excellent adhesion properties for both the pigment particles and the base paper.

Research limitations/implications

The study focusses on the preparation of new water-based ter-polymer nano-particles and their use as eco-friendly binders for flexographic ink industry. Ink formulations based on other different type emulsion polymers could also be studied to assess the applicability of the ink formulation system found for other binders.

Practical implications

The ink formulations developed could find use in industrial-scale printing.

Originality/value

Eco-friendly environment and low-cost ink formulations for printing on paper substrates are novel.
Silo busting makes good business sense
Authors: Henman Linda D.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to help these leaders position themselves for the new economy, to help them see what the author has seen. As the author’s clients emerged from the global economic turmoil that began in 2008, they indicated they had learned numerous lessons – the most important one: when leaders make good decisions, little else matters. When they refuse to make decisions, or show a pattern of making bad ones, nothing else matters. Helping these leaders position themselves for the new economy, the author could see what others did not.

Design/methodology/approach

Something was standing in their way – usually the unwillingness or inability to demand cohesion and teamwork. In many cases, they thought they needed more – more education, more experience, more time or more data. They did not realize they had enough of these, but they did lack the confidence, courage and optimism to make the changes that many would resist.

Findings

Through this work together, the most successful leaders realized they could no longer push growth. Instead, they had to remove barriers to success and usually these barriers were of their own making. They needed to understand how to leverage their strengths, remove their silo-building behaviors and replace them with silo-busting decisions.

Originality/value

These compelling stories and surprising research findings in this paper focus on real people, who actively sought professional improvement and personal development. Working together, the author and others mapped out their journeys, identified the key roadblocks they faced, recognized the wrong turns they had taken and unlocked their decision-making potential – all the while navigating an increasingly uncertain world and, in some cases, more than doubling the size of their companies.
Therapeutic effect of omega‐3 fatty acids on T cell‐mediated autoimmune diseases
Authors: Ouyang Liu , Dan Yang , Hua Wenbin , Shao Zengwu , Duan Deyu
Published: May 2020

The present study was to demonstrate that the G protein coupled receptors serve as targets for the treatment of autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Rats received pristane at the base of the tail. Affected joints were counted daily. The T cell mediated autoimmune diseases such as pristine‐induced arthritis (PIA) and autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in a rat model were profoundly ameliorated by treatment with the specific G protein couple receptors 120 (GPR120) stimuli omega‐3 fatty acids (ω‐3 FAs). Our study further revealed that the activation of GPR120 by ω‐3 FAs can result in a decrease of phosphorylated transforming growth factor‐β activated kinase 1 (TAK1), and further inhibit the downstream IKKβ/I‐κB pathway and the terminal NF‐κB activation which serves as a mediator of T cell activation. ω‐3 Fatty acids exhibited an inhibitory effect on TAK1 by enhancing the association of β‐arrestin2 and TAK1 binding protein 1 (TAB1), thus the disassociation of TAB1 from the TAB1/TAK1 complex renders a limited effect on β‐arrestin2 signaling as an innate immunity regulation. GPR120 is a functional receptor of ω‐3 fatty acids in T cell‐mediated autoimmune disease compared with its effect on innate immunity.
Knowledge co‐production with traditional herders on cattle grazing behaviour for better management of species‐rich grasslands
Authors: Molnár Zsolt , Kelemen András , Kun Róbert , Máté János , Sáfián László , Provenza Fred , Díaz Sandra , Barani Hossein , Biró Marianna , Máté András , Vadász Csaba
Published: May 2020

The research gap between rangeland/livestock science and conservation biology/vegetation ecology has led to a lack of evidence needed for grazing‐related conservation management. Connecting scientific understanding with traditional ecological knowledge of local livestock keepers could help bridge this research and knowledge gap.

We studied the grazing behaviour (plant selection and avoidance) of beef cattle (c. 33,000 bites) on species‐rich lowland pastures in Central Europe and traditional herding practices. We also did >450 outdoor interviews with traditional herders about livestock behaviour, herders' decisions to modify grazing behaviour and effects of modified grazing on pasture vegetation.

We found that cattle grazing on species‐rich pastures displayed at least 10 different behavioural elements as they encountered 117 forage species from highly desired to rejected. The small discrimination error suggests that cattle recognize all listed plants ‘by species’.

We also found that herders had broad knowledge of grazing desire and they consciously aimed to modify desire by slowing, stopping or redirecting the herd. Modifications were aimed at increasing grazing intensity in less‐desired patches and decreasing grazing selectivity in heterogenous swards.

Synthesis and applications. The traditional herd management practices presented here have significant conservation benefits, such as avoiding under‐ and overgrazing, and targeted removal of pasture weeds, litter and encroaching bushes, tall competitive plants and invasive species. We argue that knowledge co‐production with traditional herders who belong to another knowledge system could help connect isolated scientific disciplines especially if ecologists and rangeland scientists work closely with traditional herders, co‐designing research projects and working together in data collection, analysis and interpretation. Stronger links between these disciplines could help develop evidence‐based, specific conservation management practices while herders could contribute with their practical experiences and with real‐world testing of new management techniques.