bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial, temporal and molecular dynamics of swine influenza virus-specific CD8 tissue resident memory T cells
Authors: Martini Veronica , Edmans Matthew , Gubbins Simon , Jayaraman Siddharth , Paudyal Basu , Morgan Sophie , McNee Adam , Morin Théo , Rijal Pramila , Gerner Wilhelm , Sewell Andrew K. , Inoue Ryo , Bailey Mick , Connelley Timothy , Charleston Bryan , Townsend Alain , Beverley Peter , Tchilian Elma
Published: August 2021

We defined naïve, central memory, effector memory and terminally differentiated porcine CD8 T cells and analyzed their phenotype in lymphoid and respiratory tissues after influenza infection or immunization using peptide-MHC tetramers of three influenza nucleoprotein (NP) epitopes. The hierarchy of response to the three epitopes changes during the response in different tissues. Most NP-specific CD8 T cells in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) and lung are tissue resident memory cells (TRM), that express CD69 and have an effector memory or terminally differentiated phenotype. NP-specific cells isolated from BAL express genes characteristic of TRM, but gene expression differs at 7, 21 and 63 days post infection. The frequency of NP-specific cells declines over 63 days in all tissues but is best maintained in BAL. The pig is a powerful model for understanding how best to induce and harness local immunity to respiratory viruses.

One sentence summary

Influenza NP-specific porcine tissue resident memory CD8 T cells persist in the lung with major changes in gene expression.
Cell Sex and Sex Hormones Modulate Kidney Glucose and Glutamine Metabolism in Health and Diabetes
Authors: Clotet-Freixas S , Zaslaver O , Pastrello C , Kotlyar M , McEvoy C , Farkona S , Saha A , Boshart A , Chan M , Riera M , Soler MJ , Isenbrandt A , Lamontagne-Proulx J , Pradeloux S , Coulombe K , Soulet D , Dart AB , Wicklow B , McGavock JM , Blydt-Hansen TD , Jurisica I , Woo M , Scholey JW , Röst H , Konvalinka A
Published: August 2021

Male sex is a risk factor for progression of diabetic kidney disease, but the reasons for this predilection are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that cell sex and sex hormones alter the metabolic phenotype of human proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs). Male PTECs displayed increased glycolysis, mitochondrial respiration, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and high glucose-induced injury, compared to female PTECs. This phenotype was enhanced by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and linked to increased mitochondrial utilization of glucose and glutamine. Studies in vivo pointed towards increased glutamine anaplerosis in diabetic male kidneys. Male sex was linked to increased levels of glutamate, TCA cycle, and glutathione cycle metabolites, in PTECs and in the blood metabolome of healthy youth and youth with type 2 diabetes. Conversely, female PTECs displayed increased levels of pyruvate, glutamyl-cysteine, cysteinylglycine, and a higher GSH/GSSG ratio than male PTECs, indicative of enhanced redox homeostasis. Finally, we identified transcriptional mechanisms that control kidney metabolism in a sex-specific fashion. While X-linked demethylase KDM6A facilitated metabolic homeostasis in female PTECs, transcription factor HNF4A mediated the deleterious effects of DHT in male PTECs. This work uncovers the role of sex in glucose/glutamine metabolism, that may explain the roots of sex dimorphism in the healthy and diabetic kidney.
Identification of enhancer regulatory elements that direct epicardial gene expression during zebrafish heart regeneration
Authors: Cao Yingxi , Xia Yu , Balowski Joseph B. , Ou Jianhong , Song Lingyun , Safi Alexias , Curtis Timothy , Crawford Gregory E. , Poss Kenneth D. , Cao Jingli
Published: August 2021

The epicardium is a mesothelial tissue layer that envelops the heart. Cardiac injury activates dynamic gene expression programs in epicardial tissue, which in the case of zebrafish enables subsequent regeneration through paracrine and vascularizing effects. To identify tissue regeneration enhancer elements (TREEs) that control injury-induced epicardial gene expression during heart regeneration, we profiled transcriptomes and chromatin accessibility in epicardial cells purified from regenerating zebrafish hearts. We identified hundreds of candidate TREEs, defined by increased chromatin accessibility of non-coding elements near genes with increased expression during regeneration. Several of these candidate TREEs were incorporated into stable transgenic lines, with 5 of 6 elements directing injury-induced epicardial expression but not ontogenetic epicardial expression in hearts of larval animals. Whereas two independent TREEs linked to the gene gnai3 showed similar functional features of gene regulation in transgenic lines, two independent ncam1a-linked TREEs directed distinct spatiotemporal domains of epicardial gene expression. Thus, multiple TREEs linked to a regeneration gene can possess either matching or complementary regulatory controls. Our study provides a new resource and principles for understanding the regulation of epicardial genetic programs during heart regeneration.
Forest growth responds more to air pollution than soil acidification
Authors: Hruška Jakub , Oulehle Filip , Chuman Tomáš , Kolář Tomáš , Rybníček Michal , McDowell William H.
Published: August 2021

The forests of central Europe have undergone remarkable transitions in the past 40 years as air quality has improved dramatically. Retrospective analysis of Norway spruce (Picea abies) tree rings in the Czech Republic shows that air pollution (e.g. SO2concentrations, high acidic deposition to the forest canopy) plays a dominant role in driving forest health. Extensive soil acidification occurred in the highly polluted “Black Triangle” in Central Europe, and upper mineral soils are still acidified. In contrast, acidic atmospheric deposition declined by 80% and atmospheric SO2concentration by 90% between the late 1980s and 2010s. Annual tree ring width (TRW) declined in the 1970s and subsequently recovered in the 1990s, tracking SO2concentrations closely. Furthermore, recovery of TRW was similar in unlimed and limed stands. Despite large increases in soil base saturation, as well as soil pH, as a result of repeated liming starting in 1981, TRW growth was similar in limed and unlimed plots. TRW recovery was interrupted in 1996 when highly acidic rim (originating from more pronounced decline of alkaline dust than SO2from local power plants) injured the spruce canopy, but recovered soon to the pre-episode growth. Across the long-term site history, changes in soil chemistry (pH, base saturation, Bc/Al soil solution ratio) cannot explain observed changes in TRW at the two study sites at which we tracked soil chemistry. Instead, statistically significant recovery in TRW is linked to the trajectory of annual SO2concentrations or sulfur deposition at all three stands.
Coupled small molecules target RNA interference and JAK/STAT signaling to reduce Zika virus infection in Aedes aegypti
Authors: Trammell Chasity E. , Ramirez Gabriela , Sanchez-Vargas Irma , Luckhart Shirley , Perera Rushika , Goodman Alan G.
Published: August 2021

The recent global Zika epidemics have revealed the significant threat that mosquito-borne viruses pose. There are currently no effective vaccines or prophylactics to prevent Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. Limiting exposure to infected mosquitoes is best way to reduce disease incidence. Recent studies have focused on targeting mosquito reproduction and immune responses to reduce transmission. In particular, previous work evaluated the effect of insulin signaling on antiviral JAK/STAT and RNAi in vector mosquitoes. In this work, we demonstrate that targeting insulin signaling through the repurposing of small molecule drugs results in the activation of both of these antiviral pathways. Activation of this coordinated response additively reduced ZIKV levels in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. This effect included a quantitatively greater reduction in salivary gland ZIKV levels relative to single pathway activation, indicating the potential for field delivery of these small molecules to substantially reduce virus transmission.
c-di-AMP signaling is required for bile salts resistance and long-term colonization by Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Oberkampf Marine , Hamiot Audrey , Altamirano-Silva Pamela , Bellés-Sancho Paula , Tremblay Yannick D. N. , DiBenedetto Nicholas , Seifert Roland , Soutourina Olga , Bry Lynn , Dupuy Bruno , Peltier Johann
Published: August 2021

To cause disease, the important human enteropathogen Clostridioides difficile must colonize the gastro-intestinal tract but little is known on how this organism senses and responds to the harsh host environment to adapt and multiply. Nucleotide second messengers are signaling molecules used by bacteria to respond to changing environmental conditions. In this study, we showed for the first time that c-di-AMP is produced by C. difficile and controls the uptake of potassium, making it essential for growth. We found that c-di-AMP is involved in biofilm formation, cell wall homeostasis, osmotolerance as well as detergent and bile salt resistance in C. difficile. In a colonization mouse model, a strain lacking GdpP, a c-di-AMP degrading enzyme, failed to persist in the gut in contrast to the parental strain. We identified OpuR as a new regulator that binds c-di-AMP and represses the expression of the compatible solute transporter OpuC. Interestingly, an opuR mutant is highly resistant to a hyperosmotic or bile salt stress compared to the parental strain while an opuCA mutant is more susceptible A short exposure of C. difficile cells to bile salts resulted in a decrease of the c-di-AMP concentrations reinforcing the hypothesis that changes in membrane characteristics due to variations of the cellular turgor or membrane damages constitute a signal for the adjustment of the intracellular c-di-AMP concentration. Thus, c-di-AMP is a signaling molecule with pleiotropic effects that controls osmolyte uptake to confer osmotolerance and bile salt resistance in C. difficile and that is important for colonization of the host.

One Sentence Summary

c-di-AMP is an essential regulatory molecule conferring resistance to osmotic and bile salt stresses by controlling osmolyte uptake and contributing to gut persistence in the human enteropathogen Clostridioides difficile.
TREM2 regulates purinergic receptor-mediated calcium signaling and motility in human iPSC-derived microglia
Authors: Jairaman Amit , McQuade Amanda , Granzotto Alberto , Kang You Jung , Chadarevian Jean Paul , Gandhi Sunil , Parker Ian , Smith Ian , Cho Hansang , Sensi Stefano L. , Othy Shivashankar , Blurton-Jones Mathew , Cahalan Michael
Published: August 2021

The membrane protein TREM2 (Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells 2) regulates key microglial functions including phagocytosis and chemotaxis. Loss-of-function variants of TREM2 are associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Because abnormalities in Ca2+signaling have been observed in several AD models, we investigated TREM2 regulation of Ca2+signaling in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia (iPSC-microglia) with genetic deletion of TREM2. We found that iPSC-microglia lacking TREM2 (TREM2 KO) show exaggerated Ca2+signals in response to purinergic agonists, such as ADP, that shape microglial injury responses. This ADP hypersensitivity, driven by increased expression of P2Y12and P2Y13receptors, results in greater release of Ca2+from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stores, which triggers sustained Ca2+influx through Orai channels and alters cell motility in TREM2 KO microglia. Using iPSC-microglia expressing the genetically encoded Ca2+probe, Salsa6f, we found that cytosolic Ca2+tunes motility to a greater extent in TREM2 KO microglia. Despite showing greater overall displacement, TREM2 KO microglia exhibit reduced directional chemotaxis along ADP gradients. Accordingly, the chemotactic defect in TREM2 KO microglia was rescued by reducing cytosolic Ca2+using a P2Y12receptor antagonist. Our results show that loss of TREM2 confers a defect in microglial Ca2+response to purinergic signals, suggesting a window of Ca2+signaling for optimal microglial motility.
Synthesis of luminescent cocrystals based on fluoranthene and the analysis of weak interactions and photophysical properties
Authors: Wu Pengfei , Zhou Long , Xia Shuwei , Yu Liangmin
Published: August 2021

A series of luminescent cocrystals with fluoranthene (C16H10) as the fluorophore and benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarbonitrile (TCNB, C10H2N4), 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene-1,4-dicarbonitrile (TFP, C8F4N2) and 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octafluoronaphthalene (OFN, C10F8) as the coformers was designed and synthesized. Structure analysis revealed that these layered structures were due to charge transfer, π–π interactions and hydrogen bonding. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that fluoranthene–TCNB and fluoranthene–TFP have charge-transfer properties, while fluoranthene–OFN does not, indicating that fluoranthene–OFN has arene–perfluoroarene (AP) interactions, which was also demonstrated by spectroscopic analysis, which shows that the photophysical properties of luminescent materials can be tuned by forming cocrystals. These results all prove that utilizing supramolecular cocrystals to develop new fluorescent materials is an effective strategy, which has much potential in optoelectronic applications.
Site 2 of the Yersinia pestis substrate-binding protein YfeA is a dynamic surface metal-binding site
Authors: Radka Christopher D. , Aller Stephen G.
Published: August 2021

The substrate-binding protein YfeA (also known as YPO2439 or y1897) is a polyspecific metal-binding protein that is crucial for nutrient acquisition and virulence in Yersinia pestis, the causative microbe of plague. YfeA folds into a monomeric c-clamp like other substrate-binding proteins and has two metal-binding sites (sites 1 and 2). Site 2 is a bidentate surface site capable of binding Zn and Mn atoms and is a unique feature of YfeA. Occasionally, the site 2 residues of two YfeA molecules will cooperate with the histidine tag of a third YfeA molecule in coordinating the same metal and lead to metal-dependent crystallographic packing. Here, three crystal structures of YfeA are presented at 1.85, 2.05 and 2.25 Å resolution. A comparison of the structures reveals that the metal can be displaced at five different locations ranging from ∼4 to ∼16 Å away from the canonical site 2. These observations reveal different configurations of site 2 that enable cooperative metal binding and demonstrate how site 2 is dynamic and freely available for inter-protein metal coordination.
Novel combined crystallization plate for high-throughput crystal screening and in situ data collection at a crystallography beamline
Authors: Liang Miao , Yu Li , Wang Zhijun , Zhou Huan , Zhang Yi , Wang Qisheng , He Jianhua
Published: August 2021

In situ microplates are small in size, crystal cultivation and operation are difficult, and the efficiency of crystal screening is relatively low. To solve this problem, a novel combined crystallization plate was designed for high-throughput crystal cultivation and in situ data collection. A frame was used to hold 48 in situ microplates, and the in situ microplates were sealed on one side with an ultralow background-scattering Kapton film. An automatic liquid handler (Mosquito) was used to add a liquid drop to the in situ microplates in the frame, and CrystalClear HD tape was used to seal the frame. A sealed frame holding 48 microplates was developed as a novel combined crystallization plate and was used for crystal cultivation under different conditions and in situ data collection at the synchrotron beamline. Moreover, individual microplates can be separated from the combined crystal plate and then fixed on a magnetic base or loaded onto a UniPuck for in situ data collection. Automatic grid scanning was used to locate crystals. The efficiency of the combined crystallization plate for crystal screening was verified. This method avoids the manual manipulation of crystals during crystal screening and diffraction data collection; therefore, the combined crystallization plate is suitable for large-scale screening of microcrystals.
Crystal structures of three N-(pyridine-2-carbonyl)pyridine-2-carboxamides as potential ligands for supramolecular chemistry
Authors: Xu Xiaowen , Hoogenboom Richard , Van Hecke Kristof
Published: August 2021

The synthesis and single-crystal X-ray structures of three N-(pyridine-2-carbonyl)pyridine-2-carboxamide imides, with or without F atoms on the 3-position of the pyridine rings are reported, namely, N-(pyridine-2-carbonyl)pyridine-2-carboxamide, C12H9N3O2 (1), N-(3-fluoropyridine-2-carbonyl)pyridine-2-carboxamide, C12H8FN3O2 (2), and 3-fluoro-N-(3-fluoropyridine-2-carbonyl)pyridine-2-carboxamide, C12H7F2N3O2 (3). The above-mentioned compounds were synthesized by a mild, general procedure with an excellent yield, providing straightforward access to symmetrical and/or asymmetrical heterocyclic ureas. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 are isomorphous, showing similar packing arrangements, i.e. double layers of parallel (face-to-face) molecules alternating with analogous, but perpendicularly oriented, double layers. In contrast, the crystal structure of 3, containing a fluoro- group at the 3-position of both pyridine rings, shows molecular arrangements in a longitudinal, tubular manner along the c axis, with the aromatic pyridine and carbonyl/fluorine moieties facing towards each other.
Modeling and analysis of variable reluctance resolver using magnetic equivalent circuit
Authors: Rostami Mohsen , Naderi Peyman , Shiri Abbas
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a saturable model based on the magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) for evaluating the electromagnetic performance of the variable area resolver.

Design/methodology/approach

The equivalent circuit is developed where three different reluctance types are used to calculate permeances based on geometrical approximations. The proposed model typically has two types of equations, including the magnetic and electrical equations. The magnetic and electrical equations are related to the resolver core and the windings, respectively. Applying the well-known trapezoidal method, the magnetic and electrical equations can be simultaneously solved. A nonlinearity of the magnetic equations, the algebraic equations system, which is obtained from Kirchhoff’s laws, should be solved by the Newton-Raphson technique in each step-time.

Findings

The flexible MEC model, in which the number of flux tubes in different parts of the resolver can be arbitrarily selected, is proposed to analyze the variable reluctance resolver. Besides, the design parameters such as geometrical dimensions, windings arrangement and a number of the rotor saliencies can be chosen as desired. To consider the effect of time harmonics, a new nonlinear function is used for the core magnetization. Furthermore, different winding layouts can be implemented in the model to take space harmonics into account. The model obtained results are compared with the finite element method in terms of accuracy and simulation time.

Originality/value

Generally, the accuracy of the predictions in the MEC method is dependent on the number of flux tubes; therefore, the flexibility of the proposed MEC model in its capability to choose the desired number of flux paths is the advantage of this work. Moreover, the proposed model can analyze both wound and saliency rotor resolvers by changing the design parameters.
Gender diversity on corporate boards: How Asian and African women contribute on sustainability reporting activity
Authors: Cicchiello Antonella Francesca , Fellegara Anna Maria , Kazemikhasragh Amirreza , Monferrà Stefano
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of organisations’ board gender diversity on the adoption of the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) and on the use of external assurance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper combines data from the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database and the Orbis database from Bureau van Dijk. The study uses logit models based on a sample of 366 large Asian and African companies which have addressed the SDGs in their sustainability reports published in 2017.

Findings

The results reveal that board gender diversity is positively associated with sustainability reporting and the involvement of an external assurance provider.

Originality/value

This study adds to the growing literature on the relationship between women’s participation on corporate boards and SDG reporting. Additionally, it addresses the understudied question of how the gender diversity of board resources affects the adoption of the external assurance of sustainability reporting.
Digital business models in cultural tourism
Authors: Ammirato Salvatore , Felicetti Alberto Michele , Linzalone Roberto , Carlucci Daniela
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Digitalization had a relevant impact on the cultural tourism sector, both demand and supply. If, on the one hand, advances in digital technologies provided tourists with new mobile services able to amplify the cultural experience, on the other hand, they catalyzed the development of new business models by digital enterprises. This paper has a twofold purpose: to detect business models and key characteristics of mobile apps for cultural tourism and to analyze the offering of app-based services in this sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors defined a methodology to identify, characterize and analyze a particular category of digital products for cultural tourism: app-based services. They are studied in terms of value creation, proposition and capture with the aim to identify the distinctive features of business models. As a result, the authors identified a classification framework on three main dimensions, namely “how to exploit mobile app features to create value for cultural tourists” (value creation), “which valuable services are delivered to cultural tourists” (value proposition) and “how companies are rewarded for the value they offered” (value capture). The authors apply the framework to perform a situation analysis of app-based services in the cultural tourism market.

Findings

The analysis highlights that digital enterprises offering app-based services do not fully exploit advances in technologies about users' value requirements. Hence, the results of our work suggest some directions that digital enterprises may follow to better exploit mobile app technology.

Originality/value

To date, little research has been devoted to investigating cultural tourism business models involving the exploitation of mobile app-based services. This research provides a useful framework to analyze fundamental aspects of business models in this sector. Such a framework represents a practical tool that provides fruitful insights for the design of a new generation of app-based services within the so-called “Internet of things” domain.
The provenance and effects of entrepreneurial inspiration
Authors: Van Ewijk Anne Rienke , Nabi Ghulam , Weber Wiebke
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Building on authoritative studies on inspiration in the field of psychology (e.g. Thrash and Elliot, 2013, 2014), this study aims to clarify how entrepreneurial inspiration – an emotional state of personal attraction toward entrepreneurship – is created and how it affects entrepreneurial intentions. First, receptiveness to inspiration is introduced as a potential entrepreneurial feeling trait that constitutes a universal enabler of entrepreneurial inspiration alongside typically idiosyncratic inspirational triggers. Second, this study proposes to reinforce the theoretical base of the relation between entrepreneurial inspiration and entrepreneurial intentions by applying the affect infusion model (AIM) and empirically testing its explanatory power.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses are tested through independent and dependent samplet-tests and hierarchical regression analyses with an interaction effect. Data originate from a pre-post course survey among 342 entrepreneurship students from various countries and institutions.

Findings

The results confirm a positive relation between receptiveness to inspiration and entrepreneurial inspiration. Receptiveness to inspiration precedes and increases with entrepreneurial experience, suggesting that it can be both inborn and cultivated. In line with the AIM, entrepreneurial inspiration stimulates only the entrepreneurial aspirations of participants without entrepreneurial experience. Experienced individuals, on the other hand, derived more entrepreneurial inspiration from their courses, but this was not translated to higher entrepreneurial intentions. Instead, they could benefit from this inspiration in other ways proposed in the literature, such as enhanced opportunity recognition.

Originality/value

This study provides much needed, theory-informed, insight into the formation of entrepreneurial inspiration. Furthermore, it is the first research to propose and test a specific theoretical underpinning of the relation between entrepreneurial inspiration and entrepreneurial intentions, which also accounts for the moderating role of entrepreneurial experience. Finally, the rare multi-country, multi-institution nature of the sample reinforces the external validity of the findings.
A multi-level analysis of sustainability practices in Ghana: examining the timber, cocoa, and gold mining industries
Authors: Hess James P.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the macro-, meso- and micro-level approaches to building sustainability in Ghana's timber, cocoa and goldmining industries s Ghana works to align sustainability efforts with the sustainable development goals proposed by the United Nations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using qualitative content analysis, a synthesis of contemporary literature on Ghana's timber, cocoa and gold mining industries was conducted to provide a descriptive evaluation of sustainability efforts in those industries.

Findings

At the macro-level, Ghana continues to invest in infrastructure, privatize industries and develop an urban development agenda to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI); improved forest management and green building policies and reduction of galamsey are also implemented. At the meso-level, the timber industry encourages land reclamation and green building technologies; the cocoa industry works to replenish lost trees, develop supply-chain partnerships, and encourage certifications; the goldmining industry works to regulate informal mining and reduce galamsey and the use of toxins in exploration. At the micro-level, alignment has developed between the micro- and meso-levels in the timber and cocoa industries, whereas micro-level players in the timber industry are less successful, given its large, unregulated informal sector.

Originality/value

Existing literature is missing discussion on the alignment of macro-, meso- and micro-level approaches to sustainability in Ghana's timber, cocoa and gold mining industries with attention to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals as the premise for the work.
Synergistic triad of crisis management: leadership, knowledge management and organizational learning
Authors: Buhagiar Kristina , Anand Amitabh
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The prevalence of instability and crises in organizational ecosystems seems to be on the increase, with an upward trend in the occurrence of, for example, natural disasters, such as tornadoes in America, bushfires in Australia and the widespread outbreak of diseases, e.g., Covid-19. As contexts of crisis increase in frequency, the ability of organizations to adapt and effectively respond to crises has become a key necessity for organizational survival and continuity. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the repercussions of crises may be curtailed through a multidimensional crisis management approach.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies a narrative literature review and concept mapping to synthesize and establish relationships between the literature in the domains of leadership, knowledge management, learning and contexts of crisis. The output of this methodological orientation is the Integrated Crisis Management Framework, presenting a conceptualized overview of the symbiotic and intertwined manner through which leadership, knowledge management and learning contribute towards effective crisis management.

Findings

According to the analysis and the conceptual underpinnings of this paper, in contexts of crisis, leadership is generally responsible for aggregating crisis management strategies and establishing employee motivation. Knowledge management, on the other hand, provides the infrastructure necessary for calculated yet rapid decision-making. Similarly, in times of crisis, learning is a prerequisite for the development of a “learningful” organization, which contributes towards crisis management by serving as the organization's “memory” – where lessons learned from previous crises suffice to guide future crisis response.

Originality/value

The literature in crisis management reveals that existing crisis management models and frameworks generally consider crisis from a unidimensional perspective, neglecting to account for the multifaceted nature of crises, and the numerous attributes necessary to overcome contexts of crisis. To address this gap in the literature, this paper proposes a multidimensional conceptualization of crisis management through combining three core elements, including leadership, learning and knowledge management. The novelty of this paper is an Integrated Crisis Management Framework, and eight empirical propositions, which act as an impetus for future research.
Value- based Islamic banking and reporting in Bahrain
Authors: Saeed Mohammed Akhtar Ali , Mansor Fadillah
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse whether the practices of Islamic banks in Bahrain are in line with value-based Islamic banking (VBIB) and reporting disclosure in the annual reports towards achieving their fundamental objectives of human-centred economic development and social justice.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on Islamic finance, Islamic economic principles and perception of Maqasid al-Shari’ah, this paper examines and assesses the current practices of Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) in Bahrain through content analysis of financial and annual reports of Islamic banks in Bahrain and interviews of Islamic banking experts.

Findings

The findings reveal that value-based banking (VBB) has not been translated fully into practice by the Islamic banks in Bahrain.

Research limitations/implications

The data analysis was restricted to Islamic banks in Bahrain.

Practical implications

This paper identifies the need for reporting standard development to improve the VBB practice in Bahrain in the future. Looking at the objectives of the IFIs, this paper introduces the concept of VBB in Bahrain, which includes ethical banking, responsible banking and social responsibility. The study adds value not only to the current Islamic finance literature but also helps many stakeholders, including prospective academics, who may conduct comparative studies in different jurisdictions throughout the world.

Originality/value

The specific contribution of this paper is the identification of the VBB practices and related disclosure in the Islamic banking industry in Bahrain. The study is useful to harmonise and standardise the practices of VBIB by the contemporary Islamic banks in Bahrain.
Driving performance grading and analytics: learning internal indicators and external factors from multi-source data
Authors: Zhou Jiandong , Li Xiang , Zhao Xiande , Wang Liang
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deal with the practical challenge faced by modern logistics enterprises to accurately evaluate driving performance with high computational efficiency under the disturbance of road smoothness and to identify significantly associated performance influence factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors cooperate with a logistics server (G7) and establish a driving grading system by constructing real-time inertial navigation data-enabled indicators for both driving behaviour (times of aggressive speed change and times of lane change) and road smoothness (average speed and average vibration times of the vehicle body).

Findings

The developed driving grading system demonstrates highly accurate evaluations in practical use. Data analytics on the constructed indicators prove the significances of both driving behaviour heterogeneity and the road smoothness effect on objective driving grading. The methodologies are validated with real-life tests on different types of vehicles, and are confirmed to be quite effective in practical tests with 95% accuracy according to prior benchmarks. Data analytics based on the grading system validate the hypotheses of the driving fatigue effect, daily traffic periods impact and transition effect. In addition, the authors empirically distinguish the impact strength of external factors (driving time, rainfall and humidity, wind speed, and air quality) on driving performance.

Practical implications

This study has good potential for providing objective driving grading as required by the modern logistics industry to improve transparent management efficiency with real-time vehicle data.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing research by comprehensively measuring both road smoothness and driving performance in the driving grading system in the modern logistics industry.
International projects and political risk management by multinational enterprises: insights from multiple emerging markets
Authors: Ali Tahir , Butt Aurangzeab , Arslan Ahmad , Tarba Shlomo Yedidia , Sniazhko Sniazhana Ana , Kontkanen Minnie
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study investigates an under-researched yet fundamental question of how a developed country multinational enterprises (DMNE) perceives and manages political risks when undertaking infrastructure projects in the emerging markets (EMs).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use an abduction-based qualitative research approach to analyze six international project operations of a multinational enterprise originating from Finland in five EMs.

Findings

The findings suggest that the overall nature of political risks in EMs is not the same, except few political risk factors that are visible in most EMs. Consequently, the applied risk management mechanisms vary between EMs, except with few common mechanisms. The authors develop an integrative analytical framework of political risk management based on the findings.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first studies to identify political risk factors for western MNEs while undertaking international project operations and link them to reduction mechanisms used by them. The authors go beyond the notion of risk being conceptualized at a general level and evaluate 20 specific political risk factors referred to in extant literature. The authors further link these political risk factors with both social exchange and transaction cost theories conceptually as well as empirically. Finally, the authors develop a relatively comprehensive analytical framework of political risk management based on the case projects' findings that combine several strands of literature, including the social exchange theory, transaction cost theory, international market entry, project management and finance literature streams.
Complements are warm and substitutes are competent: the effect of recommendation type on focal product evaluation
Authors: Huang Yunhui , Lin Zhijie , Yang Lu
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Previous research about online recommendation systems has focused largely on their impact on customers' purchase decisions regarding the products being recommended, but it has mostly ignored how they may affect focal product evaluation. This research aimed to examine the influence of recommendation type (i.e. substitute-based vs complement-based) on focal product evaluation dependent on the brand image (i.e. warm vs competent).

Design/methodology/approach

Four laboratory experiments were conducted. Study 1 adopted an implicit association task. Studies 2 and 3 used a 2 (image: warmth vs competence) × 2 (product display: complements vs substitutes) between-subjects experimental design. Study 4 used a 2 (decision stage) × 2 (image) × 2 (product display) × continuous (need for cognition) between-subjects design.

Findings

Study 1 demonstrated a general “complementation (competition)—warmth (competence)” association. Studies 2 and 3 found that when a focal product had a warm (competent) image, complement-based (substitute-based) recommendations led customers to evaluate it more favorably than substitute-based (complement-based) recommendations. Study 3 further demonstrated that processing fluency mediates the above effect. Study 4 showed that this effect relies on heuristic processing and disappears for those who are in the screening stage or have a high need for cognition.

Originality/value

Theoretically, this research extends the understanding of the stereotype content model of focal product brand image, the feelings-as-information process, and moderating roles of processing stage and need for cognition in e-commerce contexts. Practically, the findings provide online retailers a guideline for customizing their recommendation systems.
Lift the veil of rumors: the impact of the characteristics of information sources on the effectiveness of rumors spreading
Authors: Meng Lu (Monroe) , Li Tongmao , Huang Xin , Li Shaobo (Kevin)
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impacts of rumors' information characteristics on people's believing and spreading of rumors online.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a mixed-methods approach by combining qualitative and quantitative methods. In study 1, the authors explored different types of rumors and their information source characteristics through qualitative research. In study 2, the authors utilized the findings from study 1 to develop an empirical model to verify the impact of these characteristics on the public's behaviors of believing and spreading rumors by content analysis and quantitative research.

Findings

The results show that five information source characteristics – credibility, professionalism, attractiveness, mystery and concreteness – influence the spreading effect of different types of rumors.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to rumor spreading research by deepening the theory of information source characteristics and adding to the emerging literature on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Practical implications

Insights from this research offer important practical implications for policymakers and online-platform operators by highlighting how to suppress the spread of rumors, particularly those associated with COVID-19.

Originality/value

This research introduces the theory of information source characteristics into the field of rumor spreading and adopts a mixed-methods approach, taking COVID-19 rumors as a typical case, which provides a unique perspective for a deeper understanding of rumor spreading's antecedences.
Deviations from fundamental value and future closed-end country fund returns
Authors: Berggrun Luis , Cardona Emilio , Lizarzaburu Edmundo
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This article examines whether deviations from fundamental value or closed-end country fund's discounts or premiums forecast future share price returns or net asset returns.

Design/methodology/approach

The main empirical (econometric) tool is a vector autoregressive (VAR) model. The authors model share price returns and net asset returns as a function of their lagged values, the discounts or premiums, and a control variable for local market returns. The authors also conduct Dickey Fuller and Granger causality tests as well as impulse response functions.

Findings

It was found that deviations from fundamental value do predict share price returns. This predictability is contrary to weak-form market efficiency. Premiums or discounts predict net asset returns but weakly.

Originality/value

The findings point to the idea that the closed-end fund market is somewhat predictable and inefficient (in its weak form) since the market appears to be able to anticipate a fund's future returns using information contained in the premiums (or discounts). In particular, the market has the ability to anticipate future behaviour because growing premiums forecast declining share price returns for one or two periods ahead.
Understanding the fraud theories and advancing with integrity model
Authors: Saluja Shefali , Aggarwal Arun , Mittal Amit
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The fraud landscape talks about the existence of fraudulent activities and can be assessed with the help of fraud literature. Taking this into consideration, this paper qualitatively revisits the famous fraud triangle theory developed by Donald R. Cressey (1950) which is the most traditional theory to detect a fraud. This paper aims to discuss various fraud models that have been extensions to fraud triangle theory and reviews the factors that drive a corporate fraud. This study is divided into two phases. The first phases discuss the various theories which have been developed to detect and prevent corporate frauds in organisations, and in the second phase the authors recognize “integrity” as a new extension to the basic fraud theory. The integrity model has been introduced as “fraud square” contributing to the development of fraud theory. Integrity plays a very important role in detecting corporate frauds, and this paper will act as a theoretical benchmark for future references. The implication of this study would help future researchers, academicians and practitioners to understand the fourth element of the fraud theory and would help improve the professional standards of organisations and regulators.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper revisits the literature in detail and reviews the most acknowledged models to explain “why people commit frauds” – the fraud triangle, fraud scale, the fraud diamond, the ABC model, the MICE model and the SCORE model. The authors contend that the traditional models need to be modernized to acclimate to the current developments in the rapidly increasing fraud incidents, both in occurrence and seriousness. Additionally, this paper builds on theoretical background to generate new model so as to improve the understanding behind the major factors which lead to commitment of frauds.

Findings

The authors identify a major element – integrity – in the research. As per ACFE 2020, “There are more than 3.3 billion people in the global workforce, half of them takes illegal use of gains from the organisation and some are discipled with integrity who does not cause any harm to the organisation.” To prevent fraud, integrity plays a very important role in organisations (Bakri et al., 2017). It has been found that individuals with less integrity are basically specified to a greater level of mismanagement. The organisations that have worked with integrity will improve performance at work and will always promote the best employees to work with less supervision.

Originality/value

This paper develops the integrity model to contribute to the development of fraud theory by identifying the key factors that play a major role in whether fraud will actually occur and acting as a theoretical benchmark for all future reference.
The influence of therapy alliance and treatment motivation in patients with Cluster B personality disorders on incidents in forensic hospitals
Authors: Clercx Maartje , de Vogel Vivienne , Lancel Marike , Keulen-de Vos Marije
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Nonspecific factors such as therapy alliance and treatment motivation have been shown to be predictive of therapy outcome. However, research investigating these factors among patients with personality disorders, or studies in the context of mandated treatment showed mixed results. A new theory furthermore speculates there may be differences between early formed therapeutic alliance (trait-like) versus alliance formed on the longer term (state-like). This paper aims to investigate the effects of therapy alliance and treatment motivation in 103 Dutch male forensic psychiatric patients with Cluster B personality disorders.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used incidents as a measure of treatment outcome. They studied the effect of nonspecific factors on incidents in two phases, namely, 0 – 18 months and 18 – 36 months, along with known predictors of incidents (age, Historical items of the HCR-20 and psychopathy) as covariates.

Findings

Regression models predicting incidents in the first 18 months of treatment were nonsignificant. Incidents in the second 18 months were significantly predicted by models including alliance and motivation measured at the start of treatment, but not measures at 18 months and covariates. Predictors, except for age, were all nonsignificant.

Practical implications

These findings lend tentative support for the trait-like vs state-like theory of change through nonspecific factors. However, it may also be that other factors are more important in predicting therapy outcome in forensic psychiatric patients with Cluster B personality disorders.

Originality/value

The current study represents the first effort to study the effects of non-specific factors on therapeutic discourse in hospitalized offenders with Cluster B personality disorders.
How composition and compilation of international experience in groups influences knowledge sharing: a theoretical model
Authors: Rickley Marketa
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study presents a conceptual model of knowledge sharing in global organizations, examining the facilitating role of international experience through cognitive, relational and structural social capital perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper that applies multilevel thinking to the issue of knowledge sharing in global environments.

Findings

The presented conceptual model contributes to our understanding of the microfoundational role of international experience in facilitating knowledge sharing in global organizations by integrating individual, dyadic and group perspectives.

Practical implications

Managerial implications are discussed for how to strengthen individuals' propensities for knowledge sharing from international experience through strategic hiring, employee development, succession planning and expatriate mobility.

Originality/value

The presented framework explicitly considers the implications of individual heterogeneity in international experience for differences in organizational knowledge sharing capabilities, thereby contributing to the search for microfoundations of competitive advantage in global organizations.