bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Context dependency of biotic interactions and its relation to plant rarity
Authors: Kempel Anne , Vincent Hugo , Prati Daniel , Fischer Markus
Published: October 2019

Aim

Biotic interactions can determine rarity and commonness of species, however evidence that rare and common species respond differently to biotic stress is scarce. This is because biotic interactions are notoriously context-dependent and traits leading to success in one habitat might be costly or unimportant in another. We aim to identify plant characteristics that are related to biotic interactions and may drive patterns of rarity and commonness, taking environmental context into account.

Location

Switzerland

Methods

In a multi-species experiment, we compared the response to biotic interactions of 19 rare and 21 widespread congeneric plant species in Switzerland, while also accounting for variation in environmental conditions of the species’ origin.

Results

Our results restrict the long-standing hypothesis that widespread species are superior competitors to rare species to only those species originating from resource rich habitats, in which competition is usually strong. Tolerance to herbivory and ambient herbivore damage on the other hand, did not differ between widespread and rare species. In accordance to the resource-availability hypothesis, widespread species from resource rich habitats where more damaged by herbivores (less defended) than widespread species from resource poor habitats – such a growth-defense tradeoff was lacking in rare species. This indicates that the evolutionary important tradeoff between traits increasing competitive-ability and defence is present in widespread species but may have been lost in rare species.

Main conclusions

Our results indicate that biotic interactions, above all competition, might indeed set range limits, and underlines the importance of including context-dependency in studies comparing traits of common and rare or invasive and non-invasive species.
Vaporized cannabis extracts have reinforcing properties and support conditioned drug-seeking behavior in rats
Authors: Freels Timothy G. , Baxter-Potter Lydia N. , Lugo Janelle M. , Glodosky Nicholas C. , Wright Hayden R. , Baglot Samantha L. , Petrie Gavin N. , Yu Z , Clowers Brian H. , Cuttler Carrie , Fuchs Rita A. , Hill Matthew N. , McLaughlin Ryan J.
Published: October 2019

Recent trends in cannabis legalization have increased the necessity to better understand the effects of cannabis use. Animal models involving traditional cannabinoid self-administration approaches have been notoriously difficult to establish and differences in the drug employed and its route of administration have limited the translational value of preclinical studies. To address this challenge in the field, we have developed a novel method of cannabis self-administration using response-contingent delivery of vaporized Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-rich (CANTHC) or cannabidiol-rich (CANCBD) complete cannabis extracts. Male Sprague Dawley rats were trained to nosepoke for discrete puffs of CANTHC, CANCBD, or vehicle (VEH) in daily one-hour sessions. Cannabis vapor reinforcement resulted in strong discrimination between active and inactive operanda. CANTHC maintained higher response rates under fixed ratio schedules and higher break points under progressive ratio schedules compared to CANCBD or VEH, and the number of vapor deliveries positively correlated with plasma THC concentrations. Moreover, metabolic phenotyping studies revealed alterations in locomotor activity, energy expenditure, and daily food intake that are consistent with effects in human cannabis users. Furthermore, both cannabis regimens produced ecologically relevant brain concentrations of THC and CBD and CANTHC administration decreased hippocampal CB1 receptor binding. Removal of CANTHC reinforcement (but not CANCBD) resulted in a robust extinction burst and an increase in cue-induced cannabis-seeking behavior relative to VEH. These data indicate that volitional exposure to THC-rich cannabis vapor has bona fide reinforcing properties and collectively support the utility of the vapor self-administration model for the preclinical assessment of volitional cannabis intake and cannabis-seeking behaviors.
ATP-driven separation of liquid phase condensates in bacteria
Authors: Guilhas B. , Walter J.C. , Rech J. , David G. , Walliser N.-O. , Palmeri J. , Mathieu-Demaziere C. , Parmeggiani A. , Bouet J.Y. , Le Gall A. , Nollmann M.
Published: October 2019

Liquid-liquid phase separated (LLPS) states are key to compartmentalise components in the absence of membranes, however it is unclear whether LLPS condensates are actively and specifically organized in the sub-cellular space and by which mechanisms. Here, we address this question by focusing on the ParABSDNA segregation system, composed of a centromeric-like sequence (parS), a DNA-binding protein (ParB) and a motor (ParA). We show thatparS-ParB associate to form nanometer-sized, round condensates. ParB molecules diffuse rapidly within the nucleoid volume, but display confined motions when trapped inside ParB condensates. Single ParB molecules are able to rapidly diffuse between different condensates, and nucleation is strongly favoured byparS. Notably, the ParA motor is required to prevent the fusion of ParB condensates. These results describe a novel active mechanism that splits, segregates and localises non-canonical LLPS condensates in the sub-cellular space.
Effects of Substrate Stiffness on Neutrophil Adhesion over L-selectin Coated Endothelial
Authors: Guillory Claude , Dufour Alice O.
Published: October 2019

Rolling of a cell under a hydrodynamic flow like the blood flow and the mechanism for the adhesion of a cell to the blood vessel is one of the fundamental process in many pathological and biological processes. An important example of these processes is inflammatory response and moving of the leukocytes to the sites of inflammation. While the blood-borne cells travel with the blood flow, they can interact with the inner endothelium’s wall, which is composed of a soft layer of endothelial cells. Not until recently, the effect of endothelial stiffness was poorly understood. Recent in-vitro and computational models, like modified Adhesive Dynamics, have shown that the elasticity of the underlying substrate can alter the rolling and adhesion of a cell. In this study, we investigate the effects of the substrate stiffness on the rolling and adhesion of a cell with neutrophil ligands by using the Adhesive Dynamic simulation. The vessel is modeled as an elastic surface coated with L-selectin molecules, which can form bonds with the ligands. In our simulation, the Young modulus of the surface ranges between 5 to 80 kPa. The results show that the softer substrate helps to capture the cell with neutrophil ligands. These results help us to understand how the state of adhesion changes for the neutrophil adhesion over L-selectin.
NASH patient liver derived organoids exhibit patient specific NASH phenotypes and drug responses
Authors: McCarron S. , Bathon B. , Abbey D. , Conlon D. M. , Rader D.J. , Olthoff K. , Shaked A. , Raabe T.D.
Published: October 2019

To determine if patient liver derived organoids can in principle be a useful experimental model for non alcoholic staetohepatitis (NASH), we derived to our knowledge for the first time bipotent ductal organoids from endstage NASH patient livers, and for comparison from normal donor livers. We found that all tested NASH liver derived organoids exhibited a profound failure to dedifferentiate from the hepatic state back to the biliary state, consistent with the known poor regenerative capacity of NASH livers. Indeed, RNAseq on all tested NASH organoid populations confirmed down regulation of multiple cell cycle pathways. NASH liver derived hepatically differentiated organoids can slowly expand as monolayers, significantly simplifying microscopic quantitation: The monolayers show variable, but overall significantly increased lipid droplet accumulation in response to free fatty acids. Transcriptome analysis of NASH organoids reveals strong upregulation of a wide variety of pro inflammatory pathways in a NASH patient specific manner. Surprisingly, NASH liver derived organoids are highly diverse not only regarding their cytochrome cytochrome p450 metabolism and inflammatory response, but also react differentially to known antisteatotic, anti inflammatory and antifibrotic drugs, raising the possibility of using NASH patient liver biopsy derived organoids for personalized drug screening and therapy.

One Sentence Summary

NASH patient liver derived organoids replicate NASH liver phenotypes in a patient specific manner and exhibit profound differences in their response to drugs that are currently used in NASH clinical trials.
MicroRNA miR-7 regulates synthesis and secretion of insulin-like peptides
Authors: Agbu Pamela , Cassidy Justin J. , Braverman Jonathan , Jacobson Alec , Carthew Richard W
Published: October 2019

The insulin/IGF pathway is essential for linking nutritional status to growth and metabolism. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNAs that are players in the regulation of this process. The miRNA miR-7 shows highly conserved expression in insulin-producing cells across the animal kingdom, however, its conserved functions in regulation of insulin-like peptides (ILPs) remains unknown. Using Drosophila as a model, we demonstrate that miR-7 limits ILP availability by inhibiting its production and secretion. Increasing miR-7 alters body growth and metabolism in an ILP-dependent manner, elevating circulating sugars and total body triglycerides, while decreasing animal growth. These effects are not due to direct targeting of ILP mRNA, but instead arise through alternate targets that affect the function of ILP-producing cells. The Drosophila F-actin capping protein, CPA, is a direct target of miR-7, and knockdown of CPA in IPCs phenocopies the effects of miR-7 on ILP secretion. This regulation of CPA is conserved in mammals, with the mouse ortholog Capza1 also targeted by miR-7 in β-islet cells. Taken together, these results support a role for miR-7 regulation of an actin capping protein in insulin regulation, and highlight a conserved mechanism of action for an evolutionarily ancient microRNA.

Disclosure Statement

PA, JB, AJ and RWC have nothing to declare. JJC is an employee of Sg2, LLC, a healthcare consulting company.
Unsupervised removal of systematic background noise from droplet-based single-cell experiments using CellBender
Authors: Fleming Stephen J. , Chaffin Mark D. , Arduini Alessandro , Akkad Amer-Denis , Banks Eric , Marioni John C. , Philippakis Anthony A. , Ellinor Patrick T. , Babadi Mehrtash
Published: October 2019

Droplet-based single-cell assays, including scRNA-seq, snRNA-seq, and CITE-seq, produce a significant amount of background noise counts, the hallmark of which is non-zero counts in cell-free droplets and off-target gene expression in unexpected cell types. The presence of such systematic background noise is a potential source of batch effect and spurious differential gene expression. Here we develop a deep generative model for noise-contaminated data that is structured to reflect the phenomenology of background noise generation in droplet-based single-cell assays. The proposed model successfully distinguishes cell-containing from cell-free droplets without supervision, learns the profile of background noise, and retrieves a noise-free quantification in an end-to-end fashion. We present a scalable and robust implementation of our method as a module in the open-source software package CellBender. We show that CellBender operates close to the theoretically optimal denoising limit in simulated datasets, and present extensive evaluations using real datasets and experimental benchmarks drawn from different tissues, protocols, and modalities to show that CellBender significantly improves the agreement of droplet-based single-cell data with established gene expression patterns, and that the learned background noise profile provides evidence for degraded or uncaptured cell types.
Personalized viral genomic investigation of herpes simplex virus 1 perinatal viremic transmission with dual fatality
Authors: Shipley Mackenzie M. , Renner Daniel W. , Pandey Utsav , Ford Bradley , Bloom David C. , Grose Charles , Szpara Moriah L.
Published: October 2019

Here we present a personalized viral genomics approach to investigating a rare case of perinatal herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) transmission that ended in death of both mother and neonate. We sought to determine whether the virus involved in this rare case had any unusual features that may have contributed to the dire patient outcome. A pregnant woman with negative HerpeSelect antibody test underwent cesarean section at 30 wk gestation and died the same day. The premature newborn died 5 d later. Both individuals were found postmortem to have positive blood HSV-1 PCR tests. Using oligonucleotide enrichment and deep sequencing, we determined that viral transmission from mother to infant was nearly perfect at the consensus genome level. At the virus population level, 77% of minor variants (MVs) in the mother's blood also appeared on the neonate's skin, of which more than half were disseminated into the neonate's blood. We also detected nonmaternal MVs that arose de novo in the neonate's viral populations. Of note, one de novo MV in the neonate's skin virus induced a nonsynonymous mutation in the UL6 protein, which is a component of the portal that allows DNA entry into new progeny capsids. This case suggests that perinatal viremic HSV-1 transmission includes the majority of genetic diversity from the maternal virus population and that new, nonsynonymous mutations can occur after relatively few rounds of replication. This report expands our understanding of viral transmission in humans and may lead to improved diagnostic strategies for neonatal HSV-1 acquisition.
Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 4-[3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]-2-methoxyphenol monohydrate
Authors: Duong Khanh Linh , Hanh Trinh Thi My , Quynh Bui Thi Thuy , Vu Quoc Trung , Nguyen Thien Vuong , Van Meervelt Luc
Published: October 2019

In the title pyrazoline derivative, C16H16N2O3·H2O, the pyrazoline ring has an envelope conformation with the substitutedsp2C atom on the flap. The pyrazoline ring makes angles of 86.73 (12) and 13.44 (12)° with the trisubstituted and disubstituted benzene rings, respectively. In the crystal structure, the molecules are connected into chains running in theb-axis direction by O—H...N hydrogen bonding. Parallel chains interact through N—H...O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking of the trisubstituted phenyl rings. The major contribution to the surface contacts are H...H contacts (44.3%) as concluded from a Hirshfeld surface analysis.
Macromolecular structure determination using X-rays, neutrons and electrons: recent developments in Phenix
Authors: Liebschner Dorothee , Afonine Pavel V. , Baker Matthew L. , Bunkóczi Gábor , Chen Vincent B. , Croll Tristan I. , Hintze Bradley , Hung Li-Wei , Jain Swati , McCoy Airlie J. , Moriarty Nigel W. , Oeffner Robert D. , Poon Billy K. , Prisant Michael G. , Read Randy J. , Richardson Jane S. , Richardson David C. , Sammito Massimo D. , Sobolev Oleg V. , Stockwell Duncan H. , Terwilliger Thomas C. , Urzhumtsev Alexandre G. , Videau Lizbeth L. , Williams Christopher J. , Adams Paul D.
Published: October 2019

Diffraction (X-ray, neutron and electron) and electron cryo-microscopy are powerful methods to determine three-dimensional macromolecular structures, which are required to understand biological processes and to develop new therapeutics against diseases. The overall structure-solution workflow is similar for these techniques, but nuances exist because the properties of the reduced experimental data are different. Software tools for structure determination should therefore be tailored for each method. Phenix is a comprehensive software package for macromolecular structure determination that handles data from any of these techniques. Tasks performed with Phenix include data-quality assessment, map improvement, model building, the validation/rebuilding/refinement cycle and deposition. Each tool caters to the type of experimental data. The design of Phenix emphasizes the automation of procedures, where possible, to minimize repetitive and time-consuming manual tasks, while default parameters are chosen to encourage best practice. A graphical user interface provides access to many command-line features of Phenix and streamlines the transition between programs, project tracking and re-running of previous tasks.
Modeling of combustion of moving porous magnesium particle considering variable particle size
Authors: Maghsoudi Peyman , Bidabadi Mehdi
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe the combustion of a magnesium particle falling into a hot oxidizer medium.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations, including mass, momentum and energy conservation equations, are numerically solved. Afterward, the influences of effective parameters on the temperature distribution and burning time are investigated. Artificial neural network (ANN) is applied to approximate the particle temperature as a function of time, diameter and porosity factor. To obtain the best arrangement of the ANN structure, an optimization process is conducted.

Findings

The results show that by considering variations of the particle size, the maximum temperature increases compared to the case in which the particle diameter is constant. Also, the ignition and burning times and the maximum temperature of the moving particle are lower than those of the motionless particle. Optimum network has the best values of regression coefficient and mean relative error whose values are found to be 0.99991 and 1.58 per cent, respectively.

Originality/value

In this study, particle size varies over the combustion process that leads to calculation of particle burning time. In addition, the effects of the motion and porosity of the particle are examined.
Stable method for solving the Cauchy problem with the use of Chebyshev polynomials
Authors: Joachimiak Magda , Ciałkowski Michał , Frąckowiak Andrzej
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the method for solving the inverse Cauchy-type problem for the Laplace’s equation. Calculations were made for the rectangular domain with the target temperature on three boundaries and, additionally, on one of the boundaries, the heat flux distribution was selected. The purpose of consideration was to determine the distribution of temperature on a section of the boundary of the investigated domain (boundary Γ1) and find proper method for the problem regularization.

Design/methodology/approach

The solution of the direct and the inverse (Cauchy-type) problems for the Laplace’s equation is presented in the paper. The form of the solution is noted as the linear combination of the Chebyshev polynomials. The collocation method in which collocation points had been determined based on the Chebyshev nodes was applied. To solve the Cauchy problem, the minimum of functional describing differences between the target and the calculated values of temperature and the heat flux on a section of the domain’s boundary was sought. Various types of the inverse problem regularization, based on Tikhonov and Tikhonov–Philips regularizations, were analysed. Regularization parameter α was chosen with the use of the Morozov discrepancy principle.

Findings

Calculations were performed for random disturbances to the heat flux density of up to 0.01, 0.02 and 0.05 of the target value. The quality of obtained results was next estimated by means of the norm. Effect of the disturbance to the heat flux density and the type of regularization on the sought temperature distribution on the boundary Γ1 was investigated. Presented methods of regularization are considerably less sensitive to disturbances to measurement data than to Tikhonov regularization.

Practical implications

Discussed in this paper is an example of solution of the Cauchy problem for the Laplace’s equation in the rectangular domain that can be applied for determination of the temperature distribution on the boundary of the heated element where it is impossible to measure temperature or the measurement is subject to a great error, for instance on the inner wall of the boiler. Authors investigated numerical examples for functions with singularities outside the domain, for which values of gradients change significantly within the calculation domain what corresponds to significant changes in temperature on the wall of the boiler during the fuel combustion.

Originality/value

In this paper, a new method for solving the Cauchy problem for the Laplace’s equation is described. To solve this problem, the Chebyshev polynomials and nodes were used. Various types of regularization of this problem were considered.
Inter-professional physician-nurse collaboration in Lebanon
Authors: Ahmadieh Hala , Majzoub Ghali H. , Abou Radi Faraj M. , Abou Baraki Areej H.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

A physician–nurse relationship is a complex, professional and shared-decision-making process, which is an important predictor of high-quality patient care. The purpose of this paper is to explore the attitude of the physician–nurse relationship in Southern Lebanon hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive institutional cross-sectional study was conducted among different departments of three hospitals in Southern Lebanon using a validated Jefferson Scale of Attitude.

Findings

In sum, 89 physicians and 245 nurses accepted to participate. The nurses’ mean age was 32 and the physicians’ was 44. The mean score was found to be 46 for all participants, with significantly higher scores noted among nurses compared to physicians (48 vs 43, respectively) and higher scores among females compared to males (48 vs 46, respectively). However, the study scored no significant difference in relation to the degrees attained by nurses and the participants’ years of experience. The majority had agreed that the shortage in the nurses’ staff affects proper patient care delivery. One fourth of the physicians disagreed that nurses should be considered as a collaborator and colleague. Therefore, more work is required to improve this collaboration.

Research limitations/implications

There is a complex relationship normally displayed by physicians and nurses, which cannot be easily interpreted and analyzed. Physicians and nurses may have given socially desirable responses while filling the questionnaire. Even more, this study was conducted in Hospitals in Southern Lebanon, and it would be nice to extend this study to include further hospitals in other regions in Lebanon as well.

Practical implications

Nurses had higher scores toward collaboration, with females scoring higher than males. However, overall scores are considered to be lower compared to other countries. Thus, more efforts should be done on improving this communication among nurses and physicians, through promoting inter-professional undergraduate and postgraduate education training toward more effective communication.

Social implications

Quality of patient care would be improved if more work is done on improving the collaboration between physicians and nurses, and this was shown to be required as per study results.

Originality/value

There is a gap in literature assessing this important topic which is the collaboration and attitude of nurses and physicians toward their relationship in Lebanon. It is extremely important that efforts should be taken in order to determine the type of nurse–physician relationship in every local context as this relationship affects quality of patients’ care.
Implementing and analysing FAR and FRR for face and voice recognition (multimodal) using KNN classifier
Authors: D.S. Dinesh Kumar , Rao P.V.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to incorporate a multimodal biometric system, which plays a major role in improving the accuracy and reducing FAR and FRR performance metrics. Biometrics plays a major role in several areas including military applications because of robustness of the system. Speech and face data are considered as key elements that are commonly used for multimodal biometric applications, as they are simultaneously acquired from camera and microphone.

Design/methodology/approach

In this proposed work, Viola‒Jones algorithm is used for face detection, and Local Binary Pattern consists of texture operators that perform thresholding operation to extract the features of face. Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients exploit the performances of voice data, and median filter is used for removing noise. KNN classifier is used for fusion of both face and voice. The proposed method produces better results in noisy environment with better accuracy. In this proposed method, from the database, 120 face and voice samples are trained and tested with simulation results using MATLAB tool that improves performance in better recognition and accuracy.

Findings

The algorithms perform better for both face and voice recognition. The outcome of this work provides better accuracy up to 98 per cent with reduced FAR of 0.5 per cent and FRR of 0.75 per cent.

Originality/value

The algorithms perform better for both face and voice recognition. The outcome of this work provides better accuracy up to 98 per cent with reduced FAR of 0.5 per cent and FRR of 0.75 per cent.
Mentorship and well-being
Authors: Al Makhamreh Maha , Stockley Denise
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how doctoral students experienced mentorship in their supervision context and how the mentorship they received impacted their well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretive phenomenological methodology was selected to frame the research design. This research approach seeks to study the individual lived experience by exploring, describing and analyzing its meaning.

Findings

The findings revealed three different quality levels of mentorship in this context authentic mentorship, average mentorship and below average/toxic mentorship. Doctoral students who enjoyed authentic mentorship experiences were more motivated and satisfied, students who reported average mentorships needed more attention and time from their supervisors, and students who had below average/toxic mentorships were stressed out and depleted.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this study is the lack of generalizability owing to the small sample size typical in qualitative studies. Another limitation is that this research did not include students who quit their programs because of dysfunctional supervision experiences.

Practical implications

Students and supervisors can use the findings to reflect on their beliefs and practices to evaluate and improve their performances. Also, authentic mentors can benefit from the findings to create a positive culture for all students to receive support. Finally, current supervisory policies can be reviewed in light of this paper’s findings.

Social implications

The findings show the nature of mentorship in an authoritative context, and how it can be toxic when power is misused.

Originality/value

This study provides new knowledge in relation to the different types of mentorship experiences that exist in doctoral supervision, and how each type can influence students’ well-being differently. Additionally, it reveals that doctoral students can graduate, even in the face of toxic mentorship, but at the expense of their well-being.
Analysing causal relationships between delay factors in construction projects
Authors: Jahangoshai Rezaee Mustafa , Yousefi Samuel , Chakrabortty Ripon K.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Analyzing factors of delays in construction projects and determining their impact on project performance is necessary to better manage and control projects. Identification of root factors which may lead to project delay and increased cost is vital at the early or planning stage. Better identification of delay factors at the early stage can help the practitioners to reduce their impacts over the long run. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to propose an intelligent method to analyze causal relationships between delay factors in construction projects. The proposed approach is further validated by a real case study of the construction projects in West Azerbaijan province in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

During the first phase, the fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) is drawn to indicate the causal relationships between the delay factors and the evaluation factors. For this purpose, the causal relationships between 20 delay factors and four evaluation factors are considered. Afterward, the effect of each factor on management goals is evaluated by using a hybrid learning algorithm. Delay factors are further prioritized by applying fuzzy data envelopment analysis (FDEA). In the second phase, an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) is employed to determine the root causes of delay factors.

Findings

Results of the first phase show that “supervision technical weaknesses for overcoming technical and executive workshop problems” and “Inaccurate estimation of workload, required equipment and project completion time” are the most significant delay factors. In contrary, “non-use of new engineering contracts” has the lowest impact on the management goals. Meanwhile, the results of the second phase conclude that factors like “Inaccurate estimation of workload, required equipment and project completion time” “weakness of laws and regulations related to job responsibilities” and “lack of foreseen of fines and encouragements in the contracts” are the most significant root factors of delay in construction projects.

Originality/value

This paper integrates three methods including FCM method, FDEA and ISM. In the first phase, FCM is drawn according to the experts’ opinions and concerning management goals and delay factors. Later, these factors are prioritized according to the results of running the algorithm and using the FDEA model. The second phase, the seven-step in the ISM methodology, is done to identify the root factors. To ensure that the root factors of the delay are at a lower level of hierarchical structure, delay factors are partitioned by drawing the ISM model.
Understanding supply chain analytics capabilities and agility for data-rich environments
Authors: Fosso Wamba Samuel , Akter Shahriar
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Big data-driven supply chain analytics capability (SCAC) is now emerging as the next frontier of supply chain transformation. Yet, very few studies have been directed to identify its dimensions, subdimensions and model their holistic impact on supply chain agility (SCAG) and firm performance (FPER). Therefore, to fill this gap, the purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a dynamic SCAC model and assess both its direct and indirect impact on FPER using analytics-driven SCAG as a mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on the emerging literature on big data, the resource-based view and the dynamic capability theory to develop a multi-dimensional, hierarchical SCAC model. Then, the model is tested using data collected from supply chain analytics professionals, managers and mid-level manager in the USA. The study uses the partial least squares-based structural equation modeling to prove the research model.

Findings

The findings of the study identify supply chain management (i.e. planning, investment, coordination and control), supply chain technology (i.e. connectivity, compatibility and modularity) and supply chain talent (i.e. technology management knowledge, technical knowledge, relational knowledge and business knowledge) as the significant antecedents of a dynamic SCAC model. The study also identifies analytics-driven SCAG as the significant mediator between overall SCAC and FPER. Based on these key findings, the paper discusses their implications for theory, methods and practice. Finally, limitations and future research directions are presented.

Originality/value

The study fills an important gap in supply chain management research by estimating the significance of various dimensions and subdimensions of a dynamic SCAC model and their overall effects on SCAG and FPER.
A new algorithm for detecting communities in social networks based on content and structure information
Authors: Akachar ELyazid , Ouhbi Brahim , Frikh Bouchra
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an algorithm for detecting communities in social networks.

Design/methodology/approach

The majority of existing methods of community detection in social networks are based on structural information, and they neglect the content information. In this paper, the authors propose a novel approach that combines the content and structure information to discover more meaningful communities in social networks. To integrate the content information in the process of community detection, the authors propose to exploit the texts involved in social networks to identify the users’ topics of interest. These topics are detected based on the statistical and semantic measures, which allow us to divide the users into different groups so that each group represents a distinct topic. Then, the authors perform links analysis in each group to discover the users who are highly interconnected (communities).

Findings

To validate the performance of the approach, the authors carried out a set of experiments on four real life data sets, and they compared their method with classical methods that ignore the content information.

Originality/value

The experimental results demonstrate that the quality of community structure is improved when we take into account the content and structure information during the procedure of community detection.
An eco-friendly closed loop supply chain network with multi-facility allocated centralized depots for bidirectional flow in a battery manufacturing industry
Authors: Sherif S. Umar , Sasikumar P. , Asokan P. , Jerald J.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Due to the economic benefits and environmental awareness, most of the battery manufacturing industries in India are interested to redesign their existing supply chain network or to incorporate the effective closed loop supply chain network (CLSCN). The purpose of this paper is to develop CLSCN model with eco-friendly distribution network and also enhance recycling to utilize recycled lead for new battery production. The existing CLSCN model of a battery manufacturing industry considered for case study is customized for attaining economic benefit and environmental safety. Hence, single objective, multi-echelon, multi-period and multi-product CLSCN model with centralized depots (CD) is developed in this work to maximize the profit and reduce the emission of CO2 in transportation.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed CD has the facility to store new batteries (NB), scrap batteries (SB) and lead ingot. The objective of the proposed research work is to identify potential location of CD using K-means clustering algorithm, to allocate facilities with CD using multi-facility allocation (MFA) algorithm and to minimize overall travel distance by allowing bidirectional flow of materials and products between facilities. The proposed eco-friendly CLSCN-CD model is solved using GAMS 23.5 for optimal solutions.

Findings

The performance of the proposed model is validated by comparing with existing model. The evaluation reveals that the proposed model is better than the existing model. The sensitivity analysis is demonstrated with different rate of return of SB, different proportion of recycled lead and different type of vehicles, which will help the management to take appropriate decision in the context of cost savings.

Originality/value

This research work has proposed single objective, multi echelon, multi period and multi product CLSCN-CD model in the battery manufacturing industry to maximize the profit and reduce the CO2 emission in transportation, by enhancing the bidirectional flow of materials/products between facilities of entire model.
Improving consumers’ eating habits: what if a brand could make a difference?
Authors: Guèvremont Amélie
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This research sheds light on behavioral change by demonstrating the transformative power of a brand on the process of eating behavioral change. The selected brand isThree Times a Day(a culinary blog whose mission is to encourage a healthier diet). This study aims to identify food-related behavioral changes as a result of consumers’ relationship with this brand and identify antecedents to such changes.

Design/methodology/approach

A netnography of the brand online community and 14 individual in-depth interviews were conducted.

Findings

Netnography results identify four categories of behavioral changes emerging from the relationship with the brand (e.g. choosing healthier/more varied foods, developing an interest in cooking and adopting a healthier lifestyle). Analysis of the individual interviews substantiate the role of brand attachment as a driver of positive change and identify three antecedents: brand-self connection (through past, actual and ideal self), brand exposure and satisfaction of individual needs (i.e. autonomy, competence and relatedness).

Research limitations/implications

Results enrich the literature on behavioral change and highlight the positive role of a brand in the context of improving eating habits. Findings extend the understanding of the consequences of attachment beyond its influence at the attitudinal level by focusing on concrete consumer behavior.

Social implications

It is recognized that despite good intentions, individuals keep making poor food choices. This important issue is associated with several diseases and increasing social costs. This research explores how to influence consumers in adopting better eating habits.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to examine the power of a food-related brand to enhance positive eating practices and improve diet.
Changing clinicians’ perceptions of the role that risk formulation and the HCR-20v3 play in the assessment and management of violence
Authors: Covernton Emma Elizabeth , Moores Amy , Lowenstein Joseph Aaron
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The assessment and management of risk towards others is an integral part of clinical practice, particularly in forensic and other psychiatric settings. Version 3 of the HCR-20 is the latest version of a comprehensive set of professional guidelines based on the Structured Professional Judgement model. It is the most widely used and best validated tool available to assess risk of violence; however, clinicians perceive it as an additional task with limited clinical usefulness, which requires undergoing expensive training and takes considerable time to implement. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Training was delivered to 148 clinicians to improve perceptions with regard to risk formulation and the HCR-20v3 as an effective and clinically useful tool in generating individual and robust care plans to minimise risk of violence.

Findings

Results indicated significant score increase post-training, indicating higher regard for the HCR-20 in terms of its usefulness, anticipated impact upon working, anticipated impact upon managing risk, ease of completion and perceived relevance to clinical practice. This was also consistent with qualitative feedback indicating improved risk management and care planning with reference to how learning would support respective roles. Feedback also highlighted the added value of certain aspects of the training provided, which may be useful to consider when designing HCR-20 training packages.

Research limitations/implications

This study demonstrates the importance of engaging clinicians in bespoke training on the practicalities of HCR-20 completion and the fundamentals of risk formulation.

Practical implications

This study highlights the importance of incorporating a training package for staff of all disciplines in changing perceptions of risk management tools and thus their use in the practical management of violence. The useful aspects of training may assist changing perceptions of the role that risk formulation and the HCR-20v3 play in the assessment and management of violence.

Originality/value

This research suggests that if this can be done successfully, it may lead to a change in the perception of the role that the HCR-20v3 can play in assessing risk of violence and generating meaningful management plans to reduce the future likelihood of violence.
Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices against inhaled particulate matter among urban residents in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Majumder Sharmin , Sihabut Tanasri , Saroar Md Golam
Published: October 2019

Purpose

In order to reduce the health impacts of air pollution effectively, developing strategies that involves individual or community level is crucial. The purpose of this paper is to assess people’s protective practices for inhalable particulate matter and its significant determinants such as general characteristics, knowledge and attitude among residents of an urban residential area, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study was conducted by systematic random sampling. A total of 424 people, who lived in that area for not less than two years before the survey, were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. χ2 and Fisher’s exact test were used to analyze the data.

Findings

Only a small proportion of respondents had high practice level. In addition, a little more than half has high level of knowledge about inhalable particulate matter, its adverse health effects and protective practices and almost 70 percent had high level of attitude toward air pollution. The protective practices for small inhalable particulate matter was significantly associated with age, educational level, occupation, knowledge and attitude toward small inhalable particulate matter, its adverse health effects and protective measures.

Originality/value

A good level of knowledge about the prevailing air pollution and related health risks can be crucial to develop more focused attempt at changing the current situation with public participation. The environmental experts and health volunteer should disseminate precise and adequate information about long-term health hazards of particulate matter and measures of exposure prevention to improve the protective practices.
Accelerated two-year degrees in the UK: potential impact on student mental health
Authors: Hack-Polay Dieu , Read Magdalena
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the ramifications of accelerated two-year degrees for student mental health. Since it was legislated in early 2019 in the UK, there has been limited debate in academia and among policymakers about the potential viability and risks of the compressed degree programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on an analysis of various academic and practitioner viewpoints as well as theoretical perspectives.

Findings

The paper found a mixed reception of the compressed degree programme among the academic and practitioner communities. In addition to apprehensions about the quality of education, there are concerns raised about the impact of the pressure deriving from the workload of the accelerated degree. The authors’ assessment considers a potential increase in stress and other more acute state of mental health degradation among students, especially international students, as well as students with families.

Originality/value

This policy analysis paper makes a significant contribution to the debate on the issue of two-year degrees that has not attracted academic scrutiny commensurate with its importance. The authors conclude that two-year degrees will have far-reaching ramifications, locally and internationally as the UK continues to push for its widening participation agenda as well as maintain its position as one of the top three destinations for international students. The authors suggest that wider discussions with stakeholder and some impact studies are needed before the accelerated degrees are further popularised in universities.
Promoting successful ERP post-implementation: a case study
Authors: Abu Ghazaleh Mohamad , Abdallah Salam , Zabadi Abdelrahim
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Despite the importance of post-implementation activities to support the success of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, there has been a lack of research into the factors that influences post-implementation success. Accordingly, this paper aims to present a case study on a public service organization operating in an emerging market economy, namely, the United Arab Emirates in the ERP post-implementation phase to understand the internal forces within the organization that influences ERP system success.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative method using focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted based upon IT data from the firm and interviews with IT staff, business users and executive management to identify system users’ perceptions in post ERP.

Findings

The authors posit that the internal organizational forces of ongoing support, system user interactions and stakeholder views significantly affect post-implementation capabilities and user satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

IT professionals and stakeholders believe that identification of the factors determining post-implementation ERP capabilities and user satisfaction should not be limited to specific practices.

Practical implications

This study provides insights that can assist CIOs and ERP professionals in the service industry to examine the extent of obstructions to post-implementation capabilities that will impact system user satisfaction.

Originality/value

Use of FGDs to explore the impact of ERP capabilities upon system user satisfaction in the service sector. The study is one of the first that utilizes Technological frames of reference (TFR) theory in studying ERP post-implementation.
The relationship and development trend of corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature
Authors: Lin Yu-Cheng , Padliansyah Roni , Lin Tzu-Chiang
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive view of the longitudinal status and the knowledge structure of the CSR research by identifying the major study topics, the development of CSR research, the leading authors and countries, as well as the most cited reference.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors systematically reviewed 14,490 articles in 15 journals specialized in CSR published between 2000 and 2016 with bibliographic coupling analysis and social network analysis to unveil the recent trend of CSR research.

Findings

The results identified 15 research topics in CSR research. This study accordingly suggests that CSR implication is the most popular topic in the CSR research field. Particularly, the publications regarding to “CSR Implication” increased with a dramatic trend. Furthermore, the rest of the 14 topics had a stagnant trend movement. Most of the leading authors of CSR research came from English-speaking countries. CSR investigations with varied topics simultaneously attracted the attentions of researchers from developed counties. On the other hand, researchers from developing countries simply focused limited issue.

Originality/value

This study proposes an automatic content analysis from scientometric perspective to reveal a comprehensive and longitudinal understanding of CSR research. Such examination on CSR studies is critical to afford researchers’ urgent need to grasp current research status and potential research space.