bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BMP2 and BMP7 cooperate with H3.3K27M to promote quiescence and invasiveness in pediatric diffuse midline gliomas
Authors: Huchedé Paul , Meyer Swann , Berthelot Clément , Hamadou Maud , Bertrand-Chapel Adrien , Rakotomalala Andria , Manceau Line , Tomine Julia , Lespinasse Nicolas , Lewandowski Paul , Cordier-Bussat Martine , Broutier Laura , Dutour Aurélie , Rochet Isabelle , Blay Jean-Yves , Degletagne Cyril , Attignon Valéry , Montero-Carcaboso Angel , Le Grand Marion , Pasquier Eddy , Vasiljevic Alexandre , Gilardi-Hebenstreit Pascale , Meignan Samuel , Leblond Pierre , Ribes Vanessa , Cosset Erika , Castets Marie
Published: August 2023

Pediatric diffuse midline gliomas (pDMG) are an aggressive type of childhood cancer with a fatal outcome. Their major epigenetic determinism has become clear, notably with the identification of K27M mutations in histone H3. However, the synergistic oncogenic mechanisms that induce and maintain tumor cell phenotype have yet to be deciphered. In 20 to 30% of cases, these tumors have an altered BMP signaling pathway with an oncogenic mutation on the BMP type I receptor ALK2, encoded byACVR1.However, the potential impact of the BMP pathway in tumors non-mutated forACVR1is less clear. By integrating bulk, single-cell and spatial transcriptomic data, we show here that the BMP signaling pathway is activated at similar levels betweenACVR1wild-type and mutant tumors and identify BMP2 and BMP7 as putative activators of the pathway in a specific subpopulation of cells. By using both pediatric isogenic glioma lines genetically modified to overexpress H3.3K27M and patients-derived DIPG cell lines, we demonstrate that BMP2/7 synergizes with H3.3K27M to induce a transcriptomic rewiring associated with a quiescent but invasive cell state. These data suggest a generic oncogenic role for the BMP pathway in gliomagenesis of pDMG and pave the way for specific targeting of downstream effectors mediating the K27M/BMP crosstalk.
The ER-SURF pathway uses ER-mitochondria contact sites for protein targeting to mitochondria
Authors: Koch Christian , Räschle Markus , Prescianotto-Baschong Cristina , Spang Anne , Herrmann Johannes M.
Published: August 2023

Most mitochondrial proteins are synthesized on cytosolic ribosomes and imported into mitochondria in a post-translational reaction. Mitochondrial precursor proteins which use the ER-SURF pathway employ the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as an important sorting platform. How they reach the mitochondrial import machinery from the ER is not known. Here we show that mitochondrial contact sites play a crucial role in the ER-to-mitochondria transfer of precursor proteins. The ER encounter structure (ERMES) and Tom70 are part of two parallel and partially redundant ER-to-mitochondria transfer routes. When ER-to-mitochondria transfer is prevented, many mitochondrial precursor proteins associate with ER membranes, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction. Our observations support an active role of the ER in mitochondrial protein biogenesis.
Structure-based development of new cyclic compounds targeting PSD-95 PDZ3 domain
Authors: Naik Mandar T. , Naik Nandita , Hu Tony , Wang Szu-Huan , Marshall John
Published: August 2023

Aberrant BDNF signaling has been proposed to contribute to the pathophysiology of depression and other neurological disorders such as Angelman syndrome. We have previously shown that targeting the TrkB / PSD-95 nexus by peptidomimetic inhibitors is a promising approach for therapeutic intervention. Here we used structure-based knowledge to develop a new peptidomimetic compound series that fuses SynGAP-derived peptides to our prototype compound CN2097. These compounds target the PSD-95 PDZ3 domain and adjoining αC helix to achieve bivalent binding that results in up to 7-fold stronger affinity compared to CN2097. These compounds were designed to improve CN2097 specificity for the PDZ3 domain and limited SAR studies have been performed to improve their resistance to proteolysis.
Neurons in the human entorhinal cortex map abstract emotion space
Authors: Qasim Salman E. , Reinacher Peter C. , Brandt Armin , Schulze-Bonhage Andreas , Kunz Lukas
Published: August 2023

When animals move through space, neurons in their entorhinal cortex activate periodically at multiple locations to form a map of the spatial environment. These grid cells may also map non-physical, conceptual spaces to support various other complex behaviors. Here, using intracranial recordings in neurosurgical patients performing an emotional memory task, we find that neurons in the human medial temporal lobe activate in a grid-like pattern across a two-dimensional feature space characterized by emotional valence and arousal. These neurons were different from cells tuned solely to valence or arousal, were preferentially located in the entorhinal cortex, and exhibited theta-phase locking. Our observation of grid-like neuronal activity during emotional processing in humans supports the idea that the neural structure of cognitive maps generalizes beyond spatial navigation.
The juxtamembrane linker of synaptotagmin 1 regulates Ca2+binding via liquid-liquid phase separation
Authors: Mehta Nikunj , Mondal Sayantan , Watson Emma T. , Cui Qiang , Chapman Edwin R.
Published: August 2023

Synaptotagmin (syt) 1, a Ca2+sensor for synaptic vesicle exocytosis, functionsin vivoas a multimer. Syt1 senses Ca2+via tandem C2-domains that are connected to a single transmembrane domain via a juxtamembrane linker. Here, we show that this linker segment harbors a lysine-rich, intrinsically disordered region that is necessary and sufficient to mediate liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Interestingly, condensate formation negatively regulates the Ca2+-sensitivity of syt1. Moreover, Ca2+and anionic phospholipids facilitate the observed phase separation, and increases in [Ca2+]i promote the fusion of syt1 droplets in living cells. Together, these observations suggest a condensate-mediated feedback loop that serves to fine-tune the ability of syt1 to trigger release, via alterations in Ca2+binding activity and potentially through the impact of LLPS on membrane curvature during fusion reactions. In summary, the juxtamembrane linker of syt1 emerges as a regulator of syt1 function by driving self-association via LLPS.
N-glycosylation as a eukaryotic protective mechanism against protein aggregation
Authors: Duran-Romaña Ramon , Houben Bert , Vleeschouwer Matthias De , Louros Nikolaos , Wilson Matthew P , Matthijs Gert , Schymkowitz Joost , Rousseau Frederic
Published: August 2023

The tendency for proteins to form aggregates is an inherent part of every proteome and arises from the self-assembly of short protein segments called aggregation-prone regions (APRs). While post-translational modifications (PTMs) have been implicated in modulating protein aggregation, their direct role in APRs remains poorly understood. In this study, we used a combination of proteome-wide computational analyses and biochemical techniques to investigate the potential involvement of PTMs in aggregation regulation. Our findings reveal that while most PTM types are disfavored near APRs, N-glycosylation is enriched and evolutionarily selected, especially in proteins prone to misfolding. Experimentally, we show that N-glycosylation inhibits the aggregation of peptidesin vitrothrough steric hindrance. Moreover, mining existing proteomics data, we find that the loss of N-glycans at the flanks of APRs leads to specific protein aggregation in Neuro2a cells. Our results point towards a novel intrinsic role for N-glycosylation, directly preventing protein aggregation in eukaryotes.
Redox regulation of autophagy in Arabidopsis: differential effects of reactive oxygen species
Authors: Robert Germán , Enet Alejandro , Saavedra Laura , Lascano Ramiro
Published: August 2023

Autophagy plays a key role in the responses to different stress condition in plants. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are common modulators of stress responses, having both toxic and signaling functions. In this context, the relationship between ROS and autophagy regulation remains unclear, and in some aspects, contradictory. In this study, we employed pharmacological and genetic approaches to investigate the effects of different ROS on the cytoplastic redox state and autophagic flux inArabidopsis thaliana. Ours results demonstrated that oxidative treatments with H2O2and MV, which drastically increased the oxidized state of the cytoplasm, reduced the autophagic flux. Conversely, singlet oxygen, which did not have significant effects on the cytoplasmic redox state, increased the autophagic flux. Additionally, our findings indicated that after H2O2and high light treatments and during the recovery period, the cytoplasm returned to its reduced state, while autophagy was markedly induced. In summary, our study unveils the differential effects of ROS on the autophagic flux, establishing a correlation with the redox state of the cytoplasm. Moreover, it emphasizes the dynamic nature of autophagy in response to oxidative stress and the subsequent recovery period.

HIGHLIGHTS

This research shows the differential effects of reactive oxygen species on autophagic modulation, highlighting their impact on the cytoplasmic redox state. The relationship between ROS and autophagy regulation remains unclear, and in some aspect’s contradictory. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation characterizing the effects of different ROS, such as hydrogen peroxide and singlet oxygen, on the modulation of autophagy in Arabidopsis. In brief, our findings reveal differential impacts on cytoplasmic redox states and autophagic flux, providing insight into the dynamic nature of autophagy, especially in stress and post-stress conditions.

To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first to evaluate autophagic flux both during and after oxidative stress in plants. Our results indicate that this differentiation is crucial when analyzing the effects of oxidative stress on autophagy.
Core bacteria associated with hyphosphere ofFusarium oxysporumf. sp.niveumover spatial and temporal differences
Authors: Thomas Vanessa E. , Antony-Babu Sanjay
Published: August 2023

Background

Bacteria and fungi co-inhabit the soil microbiome in dynamic interactions. In the rhizosphere, fungi and bacteria have been studied to synergistically colonize soil as beneficial or as antagonists to form a pathobiome. These variations of soil bacterial community from pathogen and nonpathogen form of FOSC have been researched, however the bacterial community within the hyphosphere has yet to be studied thoroughly for direct pathogen interkingdom interactions. This study used 16S rRNA gene sequencing and a to decipher the bacteriome diversity associated with the hyphosphere of three isolates ofFusarium oxysporumf. sp.niveumrace 2 (FON2) with temporal and spatial differences.

Results

Our results show a core microbiome that is shared among the three isolates regardless of the differences of spatial and temporal differences. The core hyphosphere community visualized as a ternary plot was made up 15 OTUs which were associated with all three FON2. Although a few operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were significantly correlated with a particular isolate of FON2, reported in the LDA (p<0.05), these OTUs were still present as part of the core in all isolates. Co-occurrence analysis and correlation plot identified a negative correlation among most of the microbiota which may indicate a positive correlation to the FON2 that is not tested.

Conclusions

The study indicates a core microbiota associated with FON2 regardless of the isolate’s temporal and spatial differences. Through our results we provide insights into the microbe-microbe dynamic of the pathogen’s success and its ability to recruit a core pathobiome. Our research promotes the concept of pathogens not being lone invaders but recruits from the established host microbiome to form a pathobiome.
The amoeboid migration of monocytes in confining channels requires the local remodeling of the cortical actin cytoskeleton by cofilin-1
Authors: Ullo Maria F. , D’Amico Anna E. , Lavenus Sandrine B. , Logue Jeremy S.
Published: August 2023

Within the bloodstream, monocytes must traverse the microvasculature to prevent leukostasis, which is the entrapment of monocytes within the confines of the microvasculature. Using the model cell line, THP-1, and VCAM-1 coated channels to simulate the microvasculature surface, we demonstrate that monocytes predominantly adopt an amoeboid phenotype, which is characterized by the formation of blebs. As opposed to cortical actin flow in leader blebs, cell movement is correlated with myosin contraction at the cell rear. It was previously documented that cofilin-1 promotes cortical actin turnover at leader bleb necks in melanoma cells. In monocytes, our data suggest that cofilin-1 promotes the local upregulation of myosin contractility through actin cytoskeleton remodeling. In support of this concept, cofilin-1 is found to localize to a single cell edge. Moreover, the widespread upregulation of myosin contractility was found to inhibit migration. Thus, monocytes within the microvasculature may avoid entrapment by adopting an amoeboid mode of migration.

Summary Statement

In confining channels, monocytes largely adopt an amoeboid migrating phenotype, which is found to depend on the upregulation of myosin contractility at the cell rear and cortical actin remodeling by cofilin-1.
The pore-forming apolipoprotein APOL7C drives phagosomal rupture and antigen cross-presentation by dendritic cells
Authors: Gonzales Gerone A. , Huang Song , Rajwani Jahanara , Wilkinson Liam , Nguyen Jenny A. , Wood Cassandra M. , Dinh Irene , Moore Melanie , Cedeño Eymi , Sikdar Saif , McKenna Neil , Ebacher Vincent , Rosin Nicole L. , Carneiro Matheus B. , Surewaard Bas , Peters Nathan C. , Biernaskie Jeff , Mahoney Douglas J. , Yates Robin M. , Canton Johnathan
Published: August 2023

Type I conventional dendritic cells (cDC1s) are essential for the generation of protective cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses against many types of viruses and tumours. They do so by internalizing antigens from virally infected or tumour cells and presenting them to CD8+T cells in a process known as cross-presentation (XP). Despite the obvious biological importance of XP, the molecular mechanism(s) driving this process remain unclear. Here, we show that a cDC-specific pore-forming protein called apolipoprotein 7C (APOL7C) is upregulated in response to innate immune stimuli and is recruited to phagosomes. Strikingly, the association of APOL7C with phagosomes leads to phagosomal rupture, which in turn allows for the escape of engulfed protein antigens to the cytosol where they can be processed via the endogenous major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen processing pathway. We show that APOL7C recruitment to phagosomes is voltage-dependent and occurs in response to NADPH oxidase-induced depolarization of the phagosomal membrane. Our data indicate the presence of dedicated pore-forming apolipoproteins that mediate the delivery of phagocytosed proteins to the cytosol of activated cDC1s to facilitate MHC class I presentation of exogenous antigen and to regulate adaptive immunity.
Creativity, innovation and employment growth in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Medase Stephen Kehinde , Savin Ivan
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Although employees' creativity is vital for firm innovation and overall performance, little is done to examine the potential association between creativity and employment. This paper investigates the contribution of employees' creativity, process and product innovations to firm-level employment growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data from World Bank Enterprise Survey and Innovation Follow-up Survey on 9503 firms covering the period 2012–2015 in 11 countries from sub-Saharan Africa and Heckman's two-stage estimation model.

Findings

This study's results indicate a positive role of creativity on firm-level employment growth. In addition, the authors find evidence for a complementary effect arising from the combination of creativity with managerial experience, staff level of education and their associated skills, in contrast, combining creativity with internal or external R&D results in a substitution effect. Interestingly, these synergy effects are pronounced for SMEs but absent for large firms.

Practical implications

Policy makers in developing economies of sub-Saharan Africa should stimulate company management to use free time offered to employees to be creative in the workplace as one of their key strategies to stimulate employment growth. This strategy is expected to be particularly fruitful among SMEs having some managerial experience and skilled stuff.

Originality/value

In contribution to innovative work practices and workforce creativity, the authors demonstrate that providing employees with free time could be an alternative way to enhance the focal firms' performance.
Evaluating the barriers to e-waste closed-loop supply chain adoption
Authors: Pongen Imnatila , Ray Pritee , Gupta Rohit
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Rapid innovation and developments in personal electronic technology have encouraged users to change users' devices more frequently than ever, which has resulted in creating a massive increase in the amount of electronic waste. The study focuses on identifying the barriers to closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) in the electronic industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A framework for analyzing the relationships among CLSC adoption barriers is designed. The authors adopted the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique to determine the critical barriers of electronic CLSC from the opinion of experts in the field.

Findings

The outcome from the analysis suggests that cost barriers, financial barrier, process barriers and supplier-side barriers are the main causal factors that prevent the adoption and implementation of e-waste CLSC. The causal relationship indicates that financial barrier is the most influential factor, while phycological barrier is the most flexible barrier to the adoption of e-waste CLSC.

Research limitations/implications

This study is restricted to CLSC adoption barriers in the electronic industry by evaluating 36 sub-barriers grouped into 8 main dimensions related to different members of the supply chain.

Practical implications

Closed-loop adoption barriers have been proposed to understand the crucial barriers to implementation of CLSC in the electronic industry. The cause-and-effect relationship indicates the critical factors to be improved to increase adoption of e-waste CLSC, helping managers and regulatory bodies to mitigate the problem areas.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on CLSC by adopting a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique which captures the critical barriers of e-waste CLSC adoption in Indian scenario.
Perceived overqualification leads to being ostracized: the mediating role of psychological entitlement and moderating role of task interdependence
Authors: Peng Xiongliang , Yu Kun , Kang Yezi , Zhang Kairui , Chen Qishu
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to test the mediating effect of psychological entitlement in the relationship between perceived overqualification (POQ) and workplace ostracism. In addition, the authors posited that POQ would interact with task interdependence to influence psychological entitlement and indirectly affect workplace ostracism.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected in three waves from 450 workers in a state-owned enterprise, the authors tested the proposed moderated mediation model.

Findings

POQ increased workplace ostracism through the mediation of psychological entitlement. Moreover, task interdependence buffered the positive effect of POQ on psychological entitlement.

Practical implications

When recruiting, managers should be careful about hiring employees who are too above the job requirements to lessen employees' POQ and lower its negative impact. In addition, they could reduce the feeling of being ostracized for overqualified employees through increasing task interdependence.

Originality/value

Existing research on antecedents of workplace ostracism had mainly focused on the ostracizers, while largely ignoring the victims. Moreover, of the few studies on the victims of ostracism, most focused on inherent employee characteristics or external environmental factors, while little research attention has been given to employees' subjective perceptions. The present study is among the first to examine whether employees' POQ and individuals' self-perception that their skills, knowledge and abilities exceed the job requirements would lead to being ostracized and if so, how and when.
A configurational analysis of innovation ambidexterity: evidence from Chinese niche leaders
Authors: Xia Qinghua , Zhu Qing , Tan Manqing , Xie Yi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Innovation ambidexterity is crucial for fostering growth and gaining a competitive advantage in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Previous research indicates that achieving a balance between exploration and exploitation is a multifaceted phenomenon occurring across various levels. This paper aims to examine the influence of individual, organizational and institutional factors on the ambidextrous innovation of Chinese niche leaders using a configurational perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses secondary data collected from 69 Chinese niche leaders in the new equipment manufacturing industry. The authors use fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to investigate how owner openness, age, digitization, the formal institutional environment and the informal institutional environment jointly influence innovation ambidexterity.

Findings

By using fuzzy set analysis, this study categorizes combinations of interdependent factors that promote innovation ambidexterity. In particular, the authors pinpoint three configurations that foster high innovation ambidexterity and two configurations that lack such high levels of innovation ambidexterity. The analysis results suggest that innovation paradoxes in SMEs are linked to a nested system comprising leadership, organizational factors and the institutional environment.

Originality/value

This study elucidates the mechanism of innovation ambidexterity through a configurational perspective. This research proposes and validates a framework that enables SMEs to develop ambidextrous innovation capabilities, thereby integrating organizational ambidexterity theory and shedding light on the intricately complex nature of innovation ambidexterity.
Special edition: chasing truth and (re)conciliation: navigating contexts, tensions, limits and possibilities “Reclaiming truth recovery against the backdrop of ongoing Zionist settler colonialism in Palestine”
Authors: Browne Brendan Ciarán
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This article argues that truth recovery practices that take place against the backdrop of ongoing settler colonial erasure, as is the case when considering Zionist colonial violence in Palestine, must focus on combating state-sponsored attempts at erasure, rather than solely providing a platform for the expression of settler guilt.

Design/methodology/approach

The article analyses existing literature on truth recovery practices that take place in Palestine, including the work of a variety of local NGOs engaged in such praxis, with a view to considering how this form of transitional justice has germinated incrementally in the space. Critical reflection on the work of a variety of grassroots NGOs is situated alongside other forms of transitional justice intervention.

Findings

The article argues that in the context of enduring settler colonialism, the truth regarding past Zionist atrocities in historic Palestine must avoid being curated in the present day in such a way as to allow for damage limitation rather than the platforming of conversations around meaningful repair. Truth recovery for recovery's sake serves only to reinforce the settler colonial status quo rather than properly agitate for a full decolonisation, one that demands and facilitates indigenous Palestinian return.

Originality/value

The article challenges prevailing notions of the role of truth recovery practices in spaces of enduring settler colonial value. It makes clear that the role of truth recovery interventions in sites where colonial violence endures must be to actively and meaningfully support activities that reinforce native identity, history and presence on the land. Moreover, by reference to existing grassroots attempts at truth recovery in Palestine, the article provides an original and clear argument that states it is simply not enough to platform the revelation of uncomfortable truths or to provide opportunities for settler violence of the past to be “confessed” in public if it is disassociated from challenging the present-day structures of ongoing oppression.
Does social performance contribute to economic performance of social enterprises? The role of social enterprise reputation building
Authors: Kwong Caleb , Bhattarai Charan Raj , Bhandari Min Prasad , Cheung Cherry W. M.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Literature on the relationship between social performance and economic performance of social enterprises has long been inconclusive. This paper aims to investigate whether and, if so, how social performance contributes to economic performance of social enterprises. Specifically, drawing from the resource-based view and signalling theory, the study examines how the development of reputation, which enables social enterprises to signal the enterprises' stakeholders' commitment towards social causes, mediates the relationship between the two.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a quantitative research design, data were collected from a sample of 164 social enterprises in the UK and analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM).

Findings

The results illustrate that whilst the direct relationship between social and economic performance is inconclusive, social performance contributes indirectly to improve economic performance through improving social enterprise reputation.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first of this kind in the context of social enterprises which sheds light on the long-standing conflicting literature on the relationship between the dual objectives (i.e. social and economic) by providing reputation as the mediating variable.
Evaluating the price effects of multifamily and single-family housing construction on surrounding single-family homes in Stockholm: a difference-in-difference analysis
Authors: Wilhelmsson Mats
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of housing construction on single-family housing values and the implications for urban development.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this objective, the author used the difference-in-difference methodology to examine the effect of multifamily and single-family housing construction on surrounding single-family homes in Stockholm, Sweden. The author analysed data from approximately 480 housing construction projects between 2009 and 2014 and 17,000 single-family detached house transactions between 2005 and 2018.

Findings

The research found that multifamily construction projects did not affect the value of surrounding single-family homes, while single-family home construction had a negative impact. The author attributes this result to single-family housing projects typically located in areas with initially positive externalities, while multifamily housing projects are often located on the edge of areas with negative externalities before construction.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited by its focus on a specific geographic area and time frame, and future research could expand the scope to include other cities and regions and different periods. Additionally, further research could examine the impact of housing construction on other economic factors beyond housing values.

Practical implications

The research has practical implications for urban planners and policymakers. They should consider the potential negative impact of new single-family home construction on existing single-family housing areas while balancing the need for new housing in urban areas. By carefully evaluating construction locations, policymakers can create more sustainable, livable and equitable urban environments that benefit all members of society.

Originality/value

This research paper contributes to the field of housing economics by examining the impact of housing construction on single-family housing values in the context of urban development and climate change mitigation. Using a difference-in-difference methodology, the study provides evidence of the price effect of multifamily and single-family housing construction on surrounding single-family homes, which has important policy implications for urban planners and policymakers. By identifying the negative impact of single-family home construction on surrounding areas and highlighting the need for careful evaluation of construction locations, the research provides valuable insights for creating sustainable, livable and equitable urban environments that benefit all members of society.
Access to health care among internal migrants in Chhattisgarh, India: critical perspectives on the question of health equity and urban development
Authors: Abhishek Shriyuta , Kannuri Nanda Kishore
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Migrants face some unique health-care challenges, which often remain unaddressed by the health system. The purpose of this study is to determine health-care access among migrants in Chhattisgarh, from a lens of health equity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted in a government-built tenement under the Integrated Housing and Slum Development program in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh state of India. It is a mixed-methods study which used a survey method, focus group discussion, in depth-interviews, semi-structured interviews and non-participant observations of health facilities in the area. Respondents included residents (migrants) and other local stakeholders like the Chief Medical Officer of the district, elected representatives of the local government and frontline health workers. This paper focuses on the findings from the qualitative component of the study.

Findings

The move to resettle the people living in the slums to the periphery of the city had a negative impact on their health-care access. They find it difficult to access public health services, given the services are concentrated in the city. Women, elderly people and disabled people grapple with additional challenges in being able to access basic reproductive health services and care for chronic illnesses. Equity in health-care access is linked to various social determinants of health including access to housing and social security. However, the authors found that the migrant community is being deprived of appropriate housing facilities and social security.

Originality/value

This paper explores the health-care access of internal migrants in Chhattisgarh state of India in the larger context of urban development with a focus on health equity.
How doctor image features engage health science short video viewers? Investigating the age and gender bias
Authors: Tan Yingsi , Geng Shuang , Chen Li , Wu Lang
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Short-form health science videos have become an important medium for disseminating health knowledge and improving public health literacy. However, the factors that determine viewer engagement are not well understood. This study aims to address this research gap by investigating the association between doctor image features and viewer engagement behavior, building on the personal branding theory and information signaling theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 1245 health science short-form videos was collected, and key video features related to doctor images were extracted through manual labeling. Multi-variable regression analysis and SPSS process model were employed to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that doctor image features are significantly associated with viewer engagement behavior. Videos featuring doctors in medical uniforms receive more viewer likes, comments and shares. Highlighting the doctor's title can increase viewer collections. Videos shot in a home, white wall, or study room setting receive more like, comments and sharing. The doctor's appearance demonstrates a positive nonlinear relationship with viewer likes and comments. Young doctors with title information tend to attract more video collections than older doctors with title information. The positive effect of the doctor's appearance and showing title information, become more significant among male doctors.

Originality/value

This research provides novel insights into the factors that determine viewer engagement behavior in short-form health science videos. Specific doctor image features can enhance viewer engagement by signaling doctor professionalism. The results also suggest that there may be age and gender biases in viewers' perceptions.
Uncovering the untold story: exploring gender disparities in sexual harassment experiences and coping strategies among Ghanaian higher education students
Authors: Nyarko Adu Isaac , Duoduaa Nyarko-Tetteh Angela , Kyei-Frimpong Michael
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine students' experiences of sexual harassment (SH) in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Ghana as well as their coping strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted the cross-sectional descriptive survey research design and used the convenience sampling technique to sample 926 students from four public Universities in Ghana. The data collected were analyzed using an independent-samplet-test with the aid of IBM SPSS Statistics version 23.0.

Findings

The study found no significant difference in male and female students' experience of gender harassment and unwanted SH. Additionally, female students were sexually coerced considerably more than males. In the case of coping strategies, the study found no significant differences among male and female students use of passive coping strategies. Finally, the study found significant differences among male and female students use of active, self-blame and benign coping strategies.

Practical implications

This implies that specific attention is required when students experience SH since they may be exposed to more aggressive sexual behavior.

Originality/value

The originality of this present study rest on its unique contribution by exploring the prevalent SH and coping strategies among tertiary students in HEIs in Ghana.
Lecturer's pedagogical attributes and teaching quality for construction and engineering education in UK universities: mediating effect of research informed teaching
Authors: Ikediashi Dubem , Moobela Cletus , Leitch Kenneth , Dan-Jumbo Nimi , Dania Afolabi , Akoh Sani Reuben Reuben , Esangbedo Paul
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Researchers have opined that the quality of commitment to pedagogical approaches by lecturers is one of the most important factors in determining student academic success. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the mediating effect of research informed teaching on the relationship between lecturer commitment to use of pedagogical approaches and teaching quality, with a view towards enabling delivery of high quality teaching and learning in HEIs.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on an online survey of the perception of 186 undergraduate and postgraduate students in four major UK universities. Covariance-based structural equation modelling (SEM) methodology was used to quantity and clarify the influence of lecturers' pedagogical attributes on teaching quality, mediated by research-informed teaching.

Findings

Findings reveal that: lecturers' pedagogical attributes have significant positive effect on teaching quality, research-informed teaching have significant positive effect on teaching quality, lecturers' pedagogical attributes have weak positive effect on research-informed teaching, and research-informed teaching partially mediates (indirect effect) the relationship between lecturers' pedagogical attributes and teaching quality.

Practical implications

Structural equation models are useful for clarifying concepts in pedagogy and have implications for education managers on how to improve teaching and learning in HEIs.

Originality/value

The paper presents a unique quantitative model for measuring the degree of teaching quality in universities.
The role of grit, engagement and exhaustion in salesperson productive procrastination
Authors: Edmondson Diane , Matthews Lucy , Ward Cheryl
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Due to the fact that most individuals tend to engage in some form of procrastination, it is important for organizations to investigate this phenomenon. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of family–work conflict, grit, engagement and emotional exhaustion on productive procrastination for business-to-business salespeople. These specific antecedents are used to better understand what leads a salesperson to engage in productive procrastination in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a Qualtrics panel, 305 business-to-business salespeople were surveyed to investigate what factors lead a salesperson to engage in productive procrastination. These salespeople were from a variety of industries to increase generalizability. All measures were taken from the extant literature. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Findings

Using the job demands-resources model as the framework, the results indicate that the type of engagement has a differential impact on a salesperson’s usage of productive procrastination such that cognitive engagement has a negative impact while emotional engagement has a positive impact on productive procrastination. Emotional exhaustion and family–work conflict lead to productive procrastination but grit minimizes productive procrastination usage.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to explore the positive aspects of procrastination among salespeople. Specifically, this study focuses on productive procrastination and its antecedents. Relevant managerial implications that can help organizations better understand productive procrastination are discussed and examples are provided.
Climate change and agricultural productivity in Asian and Pacific countries: how does research and development matter?
Authors: Huynh Cong Minh
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study empirically examines the impact of climate change and agricultural research and development (R&D) as well as their interaction on agricultural productivity in 12 selected Asian and Pacific countries over the period of 1990–2018.

Design/methodology/approach

Various estimation methods for panel data, including Fixed Effects (FE), the Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) and two-step System Generalized Method of Moments (SGMM) were used.

Findings

Results show that both proxies of climate change – temperature and precipitation – have negative impacts on agricultural productivity. Notably, agricultural R&D investments not only increase agricultural productivity but also mitigate the detrimental impact of climate change proxied by temperature on agricultural productivity. Interestingly, climate change proxied by precipitation initially reduces agricultural productivity until a threshold of agricultural R&D beyond which precipitation increases agricultural productivity.

Practical implications

The findings imply useful policies to boost agricultural productivity by using R&D in the context of rising climate change in the vulnerable continent.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature in two ways. First, this study examines how climate change affects agricultural productivity in Asian and Pacific countries – those are most vulnerable to climate change. Second, this study assesses the role of R&D in improving agricultural productivity as well as its moderating effect in reducing the harmful impact of climate change on agricultural productivity.
Family firm performance: the effects of organizational culture and organizational social capital
Authors: Stasa Ouzký Michele , Machek Ondřej
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The goal of this paper is to examine the mediating role of organizational social capital between family firms' organizational culture, characterized by their group vs individual orientation and external vs internal orientation, and their performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A structural equation model is developed and tested in a sample of 176 US family firms recruited through Prolific Academic.

Findings

The authors show that group vs individual cultural orientation fosters bonding social capital, while external vs internal cultural orientation fosters bridging social capital. In turn, family firm performance is only enhanced by bridging social capital, not bonding social capital, which appears to have neutral to negative direct performance effects. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that bonding social capital facilitates the establishment of bridging ties, leading to overall positive performance outcomes.

Originality/value

The understanding of how organizational culture influences family business heterogeneity and performance, along with the clarification of how bonding social capital fosters or hinders performance, provides novel insights for researchers and practitioners seeking to understand the complexities within the unique context of family businesses.
The blockbuster blueprint: towards a stakeholder theory-based marketing framework
Authors: Patil Vijaya , Lim Weng Marc , Date Hema , Donthu Naveen , Kumar Satish
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the intricate relationships in the making of a box office through a stakeholder lens that considers the influence of filmmakers and theatres on moviegoers' intention to watch a movie at the theatre.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM), this study analyses survey data on cinema-going experience collected from 673 moviegoers in digital era of a new normal.

Findings

The findings elucidate that movie branding, movie genre and theatre preference positively influence moviegoers' intention to watch a movie at the theatre. Furthermore, the study unveils that theatre preference is swayed by an array of personal and social factors, including control belief and social companion. Intriguingly, promotional elements, both commercial and non-commercial, were found to influence movie branding, yet not the genre when predicting theatre attendance intentions.

Research limitations/implications

Amid the burgeoning alternatives for watching movies (e.g. cable television and online streaming platforms), this article offers a contemporary exploration of the variables that motivate audiences to partake in the cinema-going experience, thereby serving as a proxy to decipher the factors that drive a movie's box-office success in digital era.

Originality/value

Unlike prior studies relying on archival data, the present study collects and uses survey data to develop a novel stakeholder theory-based marketing framework for the box office and moviegoers. The study also provides seminal insights on the box office and moviegoers in the digital era of a new normal.
Reliability analysis of time-dependent problems based on ensemble learning of surrogate models
Authors: Zhou Chunping , Wei Zheng , Lei Huajin , Ma Fangyun , Li Wei
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Surrogate models are extensively used to substitute real models which are expensive to evaluate in the time-dependent reliability analysis. Normally, different surrogate models have different scopes of application. However, information is often insufficient for analysts to select the most appropriate surrogate model for a specific application. Thus, the result precited by individual surrogate model tends to be suboptimal or even inaccurate. Ensemble model can effectively deal with the above concern. This work aims to study the application of ensemble model for reliability analysis of time-independent problems.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, a method of reliability analysis for time-dependent problems based on ensemble learning of surrogate models is developed. The ensemble of surrogate models includes Kriging, radial basis function, and support vector machine. The prediction is approximated by the weighted average model. The ensemble learning of surrogate models is updated by finding and adding the sample points with large prediction errors throughout the entire procedure.

Findings

The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by several examples. The results show that the ensemble of surrogate models can effectively propagate the uncertainty of time-varying problems, and evaluate the reliability with high prediction accuracy and computational efficiency.

Originality/value

This work proposes an adaptive learning framework for the uncertainty propagation of time-dependent problems based on the ensemble of surrogate models. Compared with individual surrogate models, the ensemble model not only saves the effort of selecting an appropriate surrogate model especially when the knowledge of unknown problem is lacking, but also improves the prediction accuracy and computational efficiency.
An efficient genetic algorithm for multi AGV scheduling problem about intelligent warehouse
Authors: Cheng Wenlong , Meng Wenjun
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to address the challenge of automatic guided vehicle (AGV) scheduling for parcel storage and retrieval in an intelligent warehouse.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a scheduling solution that aims to minimize the maximum completion time for the AGV scheduling problem in an intelligent warehouse. First, a mixed-integer linear programming model is established, followed by the proposal of a novel genetic algorithm to solve the scheduling problem of multiple AGVs. The improved algorithm includes operations such as the initial population optimization of picking up goods based on the principle of the nearest distance, adaptive crossover operation evolving with iteration, mutation operation of equivalent exchange and an algorithm restart strategy to expand search ability and avoid falling into a local optimal solution. Moreover, the routing rules of AGV are described.

Findings

By conducting a series of comparative experiments based on the actual package flow situation of an intelligent warehouse, the results demonstrate that the proposed genetic algorithm in this study outperforms existing algorithms, and can produce better solutions for the AGV scheduling problem.

Originality/value

This paper optimizes the different iterative steps of the genetic algorithm and designs an improved genetic algorithm, which is more suitable for solving the AGV scheduling problem in the warehouse. In addition, a path collision avoidance strategy that matches the algorithm is proposed, making this research more applicable to real-world scheduling environments.