bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of biological and statistical properties of CpGs on epigenetic predictions of eighteen traits
Authors: Hillary Robert F. , McCartney Daniel L. , McRae Allan F. , Campbell Archie , Walker Rosie M. , Hayward Caroline , Horvath Steve , Porteous David J. , Evans Kathryn L. , Marioni Riccardo E.
Published: February 2022

Background

CpG methylation levels can help to explain inter-individual differences in phenotypic traits. Few studies have explored whether identifying CpG subsets based on biological and statistical properties can maximise predictions while minimising array content.

Methods

Variance component analyses and penalised regression (epigenetic predictors) were used to test the influence of (i) the number of CpGs considered, (ii) mean CpG methylation variability and (iii) methylation QTL status on the variance captured in eighteen traits by blood DNA methylation. Training and test sets comprised ≤4,450 and ≤2,578 unrelated individuals from Generation Scotland, respectively.

Results

As the number of CpG sites under consideration decreased, so too did the estimates from the variance components and prediction analyses. Methylation QTL status and mean CpG variability did not influence variance components. However, relative effect sizes were 15% larger for epigenetic predictors based on CpGs with methylation QTLs compared to sites without methylation QTLs. Relative effect sizes were 45% larger for predictors based on CpGs with mean beta-values between 10%-90% compared to those using hypo- or hypermethylated CpGs (beta-value ≤10% or ≥90%).

Conclusion

Arrays with fewer CpGs could reduce costs, leading to increased sample sizes for analyses. Our results show that reducing array content can restrict prediction metrics and careful attention must be given to the biological and distribution properties of CpGs in array content selection.
Astrocytes regulate inhibition in Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Rais Maham , Kulinich Anna O. , Wagner Victoria , Woodard Walker , Shuai Xinghao S. , Sutley Samantha N. , Kokash Jamiela , Piepponen Timo P. , Castren Maija , Razak Khaleel A. , Ethell Iryna M.
Published: February 2022

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a leading genetic cause of autism-like symptoms associated with sensory hypersensitivity and cortical hyperexcitability. Recent observations in humans and Fmr1 knockout (KO) animal models of FXS suggest abnormal GABAergic signaling. As most studies focused on neuron-centered mechanisms, astrocytes’ contribution to defective inhibition is largely unknown. Here we show abnormally increased GABA levels in human FXS astrocytes derived from patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and mouse astrocytes following astrocyte-specific Fmr1 KO during the postnatal period, affecting synaptic GABAA receptor levels and parvalbumin (PV) cell development. Developmental deletion of Fmr1 from astrocytes altered communication between excitatory neurons and PV cells, impairing cortical sound-evoked gamma synchronization, while enhancing baseline and on-going sound-evoked EEG power, and lead to increased locomotor activity and altered social behaviors in adult mice. These results demonstrate a profound role of astrocytic FMRP in the development of inhibitory circuits and shaping normal inhibitory responses.
Differentiated kidney tubular cell-derived extracellular vesicles enhance maturation of tubuloids
Authors: Lindoso Rafael Soares , Yousef Yengej Fjodor A , Voellmy Franziska , Altelaar Maarten , Juncosa Estela Mancheño , Tsikari Theano , Ammerlaan Carola M.E. , Van Balkom Bas W.M. , Rookmaaker Maarten B , Verhaar Marianne C , Masereeuw Rosalinde
Published: February 2022

Advanced kidney in vitro models such as organoids or tubuloids still lack the intrinsic expression of various transport proteins needed for active secretory function. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), cell-derived structures that constitute the organ’s microenvironment, are known to regulate various cellular processes, including kidney development and regeneration across the nephron. In this study, we propose a new application of renal tubular epithelial cell EVs as modulators for tubuloid functional maturation by increasing the levels of various differentiation markers such as organic anion transport 1 (OAT1), a protein involved in endogenous waste excretion. First, we show that EVs from engineered proximal tubule cells increased the expression of several transcription factors and epithelial transporters in tubuloids that resulted in improved cellular transport capacity. Next, a more in-depth proteomic data analysis demonstrated that EVs can trigger various biological pathways, including mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, which is crucial in the tubular epithelial maturation process. Moreover, we demonstrated that EV-treated tubuloid-derived cells in a 3D tubular conformation as part of a bioartificial kidney can generate a tight polarized epithelial monolayer with formation of dense cilia structures. In conclusion, EVs from renal tubular epithelial cells can phenotypically improve tubuloid maturation, thereby enhancing their potential as preclinical models and functional units in regenerative therapies.
Medullary kappa-opioid receptor neurons inhibit pain and itch through a descending circuit
Authors: Nguyen Eileen , Smith Kelly M. , Cramer Nathan , Holland Ruby A. , Bleimeister Isabel H. , Flores-Felix Krystal , Silberberg Hanna , Keller Asaf , Le Pichon Claire E. , Ross Sarah E.
Published: February 2022

In perilous and stressful situations, the ability to suppress pain can be critical for survival. The rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) contains neurons that robustly inhibit nociception at the level of the spinal cord through a top-down modulatory pathway. Although much is known about the role of the RVM in the inhibition of pain, the precise ability to directly manipulate pain-inhibitory neurons in the RVM has never been achieved. We now expose a cellular circuit that inhibits nociception and itch in mice. Through a combination of molecular, tracing, and behavioral approaches, we found that RVM neurons containing the kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) inhibit itch and nociception. With chemogenetic inhibition, we uncovered that these neurons are required for stress-induced analgesia. Using intersectional chemogenetic and pharmacological approaches, we determined that RVMKOR neurons inhibit nociception and itch through a descending circuit. Lastly, we identified a dynorphinergic pathway arising from the periaqueductal gray (PAG) that modulates nociception within the RVM. These discoveries highlight a distinct population of RVM neurons capable of broadly and robustly inhibiting itch and nociception.
Synthesis, crystal structure and photocatalytic properties of a three-dimensional copper(II) metal–organic framework based on 1,3,5-tris(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)benzene
Authors: Chen Hui-Ru
Published: February 2022

A three-dimensional metal–organic framework, namely, poly[[bis(μ3-benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylato)bis[μ3-1,3,5-tris(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)benzene]tricopper(II)] hexahydrate], {[Cu3(C9H3O6)2(C18H18N6)2]·6H2O}
n
or {[Cu(BTC)2/3(TMIB)2/3]·2H2O}
n
, (I) [TMIB is 1,3,5-tris(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)benzene and H3BTC is benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid], has been synthesized under solvothermal conditions and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Compound (I) features an unusual three-dimensional (3,4)-connected 2-nodal net with {83}4{86}3 topology. Photocatalytic investigations indicate that (I) affords good photocatalytic capabilities in the degradation of methylene blue (MB). Furthermore, the possible photocatalytic mechanism is discussed.
Technical efficiency in the Ghanaian banking sector: does boardroom gender diversity matter?
Authors: Boadi Isaac , Dziwornu Raymond , Osarfo Daniel
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The marginalization of women on boards is a heavily discussed topic across the world, especially in Ghana. Apart from estimating the link between boardroom gender diversity and technical efficiency of banks, this study aims to test the presence of upper echelons theory in the Ghanaian banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examines data from 2000 to 2019 annual reports of 23 banks in Ghana. The stochastic frontier analysis is used to estimate the impact of boardroom gender diversity on technical efficiency of banks in Ghana.

Findings

This study finds that greater boardroom gender diversity generates technical efficiencies for banks. The results remain unchanged after accounting for bank types (listed and non-listed). Thus, all banks benefit in terms of technical efficiency from more boardroom gender diversity. The upper echelons theory is validated in the Ghanaian banking context. Overall, the study supports pro-gender diversity on boards.

Practical implications

The results have implications at corporate, social and national levels. It supports the need for policies that improve greater boardroom gender diversity.

Originality/value

This study adds to a growing number of non-developed countries by investigating the link between the boardroom gender diversity and technical efficiency of banks in Ghana, a country which historically has had minimal female participation in the workforce. New insight is, therefore, offered into this relationship by using data which examines the technical efficiency of banks periods before and after the Women in Finance Charter in 2016.
Organizational climate and organizational politics: understanding the role of employees using parallel mediation
Authors: Tripathi Swati , Tripathi Divya
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to inspect the influence of organizational climate on the social desirability of political behaviour of employees. It also examines perception of politics and perceived behavioural choice as the underlying mechanisms that mediate the relationship between organizational climate and social desirability of political tactics. Finally, the paper studies the influence of desirability of politics on frequency of use of political tactics.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data (n = 234) collected from a large public sector organization in India. The inter-relationships are tested empirically using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings suggest that organizational climate significantly influences the social desirability of political tactics such that positive climate leads to lower social desirability of political tactics. Also, perception of politics and perceived behavioural choice mediate the relationship between organizational climate and desirability of political tactics. Finally, the social desirability of political tactics positively and significantly influences frequency of political tactics used.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the nature of the study, generalization must be made with caution since it has been conducted in an Indian public sector organization, and errors due to measurement method could be present. The study provides a better understanding of the relationship between organizational climate and political behaviour and clarifies the mediating role of perception of politics and behavioural choices. It also elucidates the need for organizations to accept the active role of employees in determining the nature of workplace politics.

Originality/value

The study establishes political perceptions and perceived behavioural choice as important mediators between climate and political behaviour, fostering in-depth research into the environmental aspects of public sector organizations. It also establishes employees as autonomous members of the organization who make political choices by taking into account their organizational contexts, a concept much newer to highly formalized and codified public sector organizations.
Achieving organizational effectiveness of MNCs through People: evidence from India and Mozambique
Authors: Jha Nivedita , Pereira Renato , Misra Siddharth
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide human resource (HR) practitioners of multinational companies aspiring to invest in these two countries with guidelines for attaining organizational effectiveness through people.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops and tests a multiple criteria decision-making model with data collected in the banking sectors of India and Mozambique. It compares the job engagement, team building and innovation strategy preferences of Indian personnel with those of Mozambican employees.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal the differences in the perceptions of the respondents of both countries regarding the importance of the strategies for organizational effectiveness.

Research limitations/implications

Despite several contributions, the study has certain limitations too. Although utmost care was taken to avoid the issue of common method variance, the cross-sectional self-reported design of the study might be adversely affected by common method bias (MacKenzie and Podsakoff, 2012). Hence, future research might be conducted using different designs, such as diary studies or longitudinal studies. Future research might also be conducted making use of organizational productivity case studies to demonstrate the practicability of customizing the HR strategies using the multi-attribute decision-making approach.

Practical implications

This body of work is an addition to the existing literature on cross-national studies in the field of HR management (HRM) and adds to the limited literature on HRM in the least developed countries. The study is designed to provide guidelines for the HR practitioners of multi-national companies in these two countries to help them achieve enhanced organizational effectiveness. This should be of particular interest to the HR managers of the Indian companies aspiring to invest in Mozambique.

Originality/value

Research in the area of HRM is mainly limited to the developed and developing nations, with very few studies centering on emerging economies. While most cross-national studies on organizational effectiveness are also largely focused on developed and developing nations, this study is unusual, in that its focus is on a fast-developing nation (India) and an emerging economy (Mozambique).
What does it take to be a woman entrepreneur? Explorations from India
Authors: Rastogi Mansi , Baral Rupashree , Banu Jasmine
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to provide relevant knowledge about entrepreneurship and women’s leadership in the Indian context. More specifically, it unleashes the veiled challenges as well as success stories of select women entrepreneurs of a developing country to bridge the gap between entrepreneurship theory and practice. It aims to provide directions to the policymakers, educationists, society and families in creating a conducive environment that is essential for the success of women entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

With a qualitative case study approach, data were collected from Tamil Nadu, a southern Indian state which has a maximum number of women entrepreneurs. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to explore the supportive as well as challenging dimensions of their entrepreneurial journey.

Findings

Content analysis of the interview transcripts indicated that successful entrepreneurs are opportunity-driven and they focus on innovation, service, generation of wealth and employment. Support from family, especially from fathers or husbands, is as important as the entrepreneurial drive, skills and abilities of an entrepreneur. Success for them is being happy, thriving work, having a happy family, having a great work-life balance and the satisfaction to have served society apart from being independent (economically/ financially). Among India’s societal and cultural realities, women have to conquer many hurdles (both implicit and explicit) in their way concerning the societal attitudes toward women stepping out of the home boundaries and traditional gender role expectations. The silver line is societal attitudes are changing, especially in urban India. There are enough support and encouragement from the family, which helps these women pursue their passion and eventually become a successful leader.

Social implications

The success stories of women will bring a wave of positive developmental change in India by fostering respect for women in a male-dominated society and flashing the importance of women’s entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new examination of women entrepreneurs that significantly further the debate about the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, especially in entrepreneurship in an emerging economy context like India. Apart from the deterrents, it aims to highlight the enablers and motivations to choose this unconventional profession.
Toward sustainable supply chains: impact of buyer's legitimacy, power and aligned focus on supplier sustainability performance
Authors: Ahmed Muhammad Usman , Shafiq Asad
Published: February 2022

Purpose

As large multinational firms are increasingly tasked with developing sustainable supply chains, their role in improving the sustainability performance of their suppliers is critical. This paper examines the dual role of a buyer firm, as a customer and as an important stakeholder, and identifies several attributes of the buyer firm and the dyadic relationship that could help improve the sustainability performance of suppliers.

Design/methodology/approach

A dyadic multi-year dataset is created using financial and customer data from the Compustat database and sustainability data from MSCI ESG ratings database. The hypotheses are tested using econometric panel data techniques.

Findings

The findings indicate that a buyer's legitimacy is a key factor that affects supplier's sustainability performance. The effect of legitimacy is much higher when the buyer and supplier firms have an aligned focus on similar sustainability dimensions. The market power of the buyer also increases the effect of legitimacy, though power without legitimacy is not effective.

Originality/value

The study expands the understanding of how buyer firms can influence suppliers on sustainability by highlighting the key role played by legitimacy and aligned focus and the supporting role of market power. The study contributes to both the stakeholder salience literature and the buyer–supplier relationship literature by showing evidence for complementarity between market power and legitimacy. Buyer firms can use the results of the study to focus their efforts on suppliers where a significant improvement in sustainability can be expected.
Digital platforms and international performance of Italian SMEs: an exploitation-based overview
Authors: Caputo Francesco , Fiano Fabio , Riso Teresa , Romano Marco , Maalaoui Adnane
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Recognising the increasing relevance of digital platforms in socio-economic dynamics, the paper aims at investigating in which ways digital platforms can influence the economic performances of Italian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) actively engaged in foreign countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts the interpretative lens provided by the exploration–exploitation dichotomy within current studies in knowledge management for defining knowledge-based factors able to influence the economic performance of Italian SMEs in foreign countries. An explorative study on secondary data related to 746 Italian SMEs is conducted for testing via structural equation modelling (SEM) the positive relationships between (1) SME's investment in information and communication technologies (ICT), (2) number of languages available for the SME's website and (3) number of languages available for SME's social pages and SME's return on sales (ROS) in foreign countries.

Findings

The results underline the key role of exploitation factors in terms of influence on SME's performance in foreign countries.

Originality/value

The paper enriches current studies about international marketing providing preliminary evidence about the key role of exploitation factors in influencing SME's performance in foreign countries.
External knowledge sourcing, knowledge management capacity and firms' innovation performance: evidence from manufacturing firms in Thailand
Authors: Tippakoon Phakpoom , Sang-Arun Nattapon , Vishuphong Panisa
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of external knowledge sourcing breadth and depth and explore whether there exists a complementary effect of breadth (or depth) and knowledge management (KM) capacity on firms’ innovation performance. Specifically, this study investigates the direct effects of breadth, depth and KM capacity on product and process innovation outcomes and tests whether complementary effects exist between breadth and KM capacity and between depth and KM capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the survey data of 302 manufacturing firms in Thailand and uses ordinal regression analysis to test the hypotheses empirically.

Findings

Regression results reveal that breadth and KM capacity are essential for enhancing firms' innovation performance, while depth is not significant. However, the authors do not find a significance of complementary effects between breadth and KM capacity and depth and KM capacity on firms’ innovation performance.

Originality/value

This study provides additional evidence to contribute to an ongoing debate on what knowledge sourcing strategies (breadth or depth) are significant for enhancing firms’ innovations. Moreover, it explores whether complementary effects between KM capacity and breadth/depth exist in determining firms' innovation performance, which is a neglected issue in the existing literature.
Economic consequences of IFRS convergence: evidence from phased manner implementation in India
Authors: Bansal Manish
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study is to examine the economic consequences of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) converged standards by exploring its phased manner implementation in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The study measures the economic outcomes in the form of capital market reactions such as cost of equity capital, cost of debt capital, information asymmetry and market liquidity. Difference-in-difference (DiD) methodology has been used to analyze the data for this study.

Findings

Based on a sample of 2,685 Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) listed firms, results show that the Indian capital market reacts negatively to the adoption of IFRS-converged standards. In particular, results show that the cost of equity capital, cost of debt capital and information asymmetry have been increased and market liquidity has been decreased for test firms relative to benchmark firms immediately after IFRS convergence and this negative effect is more pronounced among small firms than large firms. Subsequent tests suggest that test firms have better capital market reactions in the later year of implementation relative to benchmark firms that are implementing IFRS for the first time. It indicates the learning curve effect of IFRS on the economic outcomes as negative impact ameliorates over time.

Originality/value

The study is among earlier attempts to investigate the impact of IFRS on capital market reactions by exploring the phased manner implementation framework. The study is also among the pioneering attempts to examine the learning curve impact of IFRS on capital market reactions.
Effect of destination competitiveness attributes on tourists’ intention to visit halal tourism destination in Indonesia
Authors: Lestari Yuliani Dwi , Saidah Faridatus , Aliya Putri Aghnia Nadhira
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the effect of three destination competitiveness attributes: core resources and attractors, supporting factors and destination management on the tourist perceived behavioral control, perceived value, trust and tourists’ intention to visit halal tourism destination in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative data is collected by conducting an online survey. Using data from 244 Muslim respondents in Indonesia, this study applies a partial least square-structural equation modeling to test and estimate relationships among variables.

Findings

The results show that perceived behavioral control, perceived value and trust directly influences the intention to visit halal tourism. Subsequently, supporting factors also directly affect the intention to visit halal tourism, whereas the other attributes of destination competitiveness that is core resources and attractors and destination management have an indirect relationship or act as mediating variable to the intention. Destination management performs as a driving force of intention to visit halal tourism through the three variables, namely, perceived behavioral control, perceived value and trust. Meanwhile, core resources and attractors only have an indirect relationship through trust.

Research limitations/implications

There are limitations of the data collection, the respondent of the survey in this study is Muslim tourist, for wider range of region the study should also be conduct not only for Muslim respondent but also non-Muslim respondent to get comprehensive data of halal tourism market in Indonesia.

Practical implications

This study provides insights to the government and stakeholders about domestic tourist intentions toward halal tourism destinations. This study also makes some recommendations for elements that can be used to increase tourist acknowledgement of halal tourism, acquire the domestic tourist market and increase state revenue through halal tourism.

Social implications

This study has substantial implications; halal tourism in Indonesia has a promising economic future. The tourism industry is not only intended to increase government revenue but has also contributed to environmental sustainability. The study reveals the significance of destination management in halal tourism. Hence, to make Indonesia a leading country in halal tourism, Indonesia needs to fulfill the tourism destination competitiveness among others to implement sustainable tourism and enhance the infrastructure, promotion, services and environmental aspects.

Originality/value

This study offers a framework model related to halal tourism focus on destination competitiveness as part of the knowledge contributions. Besides, the findings of the study can be the references for the stakeholders to take any strategic decision with regards to attract tourists’ intention to visit halal tourism destinations.
Use of management controls and product innovation in startups: intervention of knowledge sharing and technological turbulence
Authors: Santos Vanderlei dos , Beuren Ilse Maria , Bernd Daniele Cristina , Fey Natália
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of the use of different types of management controls (cost information, budget information, nonfinancial indicators and informal controls) on product innovation mediated by knowledge sharing and moderated by technological turbulence.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares structural equation modeling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis have been used in a sample of 142 Brazilian startups that are in the traction stage.

Findings

Informal controls and nonfinancial indicators are used for product innovation, while budget information and cost information have not been shown to be directly associated with product innovation. However, as technological turbulence increases, budget information becomes particularly relevant to the innovation process. Informal controls are directly related to knowledge sharing in the startups studied.

Practical implications

The results can be useful to managers of startups in the traction stage, as the research highlights different management controls and possible combinations that can be used to drive product innovation, in addition to highlighting the role of knowledge sharing in promoting innovation, especially in the context of technological turbulence.

Originality/value

The literature on management control systems (MCS) has challenged the traditional belief that their use is restricted to the entrepreneurial stance of startup companies. The study develops an understanding of how and under what conditions the presence of MCS supports innovation in startup companies, in particular, what types of management controls used by these companies impact product innovation.
Nexus between corporate characteristics and financial reporting timelines: evidence from the Saudi Stock Exchange
Authors: Ebaid Ibrahim El-Sayed
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the nexus between corporate characteristics and timeliness of financial reporting in Saudi Arabia. Specifically, this study investigates the relationship between financial reporting timeliness and both corporate size, profitability, leverage and institutional ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 67 of nonfinancial companies listed in the Saudi market during the period 2015–2018 was used. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between the four corporate characteristics and timeliness of financial reporting.

Findings

The findings revealed that financial reporting timeliness is significantly correlated with three of the corporate's characteristics, which are company size, profitability and leverage, while there is no significant effect of institutional ownership on the timeliness of financial reporting.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study may not be generalizable to all companies listed in the Saudi market as a result of limiting the study to nonfinancial companies and excluding financial companies from the sample. Future research may explore the determinants of the timeliness of these companies' financial reporting.

Practical implications

Given the significant interest expressed by investors, regulators and researchers in the field of financial reporting timeliness, especially in emerging markets where financial reports are almost the main and only source of information, this study highlights the role that corporate characteristics play in influencing the financial reporting timeliness in Saudi Arabia as one of emerging markets.

Originality/value

Despite the importance of financial reporting timeliness, there are very few studies that have examined this issue in Saudi Arabia. This study contributes to bridging this gap by examining the relationship between the corporate characteristics and the timeliness of financial reports.
The impact of authoritarian leadership on employee creativity: the joint moderating roles of benevolent leadership and power distance
Authors: Wang Shucheng , Wu Jianlin , He Changqing , Gu Jibao
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This research explores the influence of authoritarian leadership on employee creativity as mediated by employee creative self-efficacy, moderated by benevolent leadership and power distance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey sample of 325 employees was collected from Chinese companies in different industries. The hypotheses were tested adopting a hierarchical regression and a bootstrapping test.

Findings

Employee creative self-efficacy partially mediated the association between authoritarian leadership and employee creativity. The negative impacts of authoritarian leadership on employee creative self-efficacy can be moderated by benevolent leadership. Additionally, the moderation effects of benevolent leadership can be moderated by power distance, which means that these moderation effects of benevolent leadership are significant only in subordinates with low levels of power distance.

Practical implications

An organization should be conscious of the perniciousness of an authoritarian leader and is better for leaders not to show contradictory behaviors to employees. Moreover, when leaders exhibit inconsistent behaviors, they should be sensitive to employee power distance.

Originality/value

Previous studies have been done to explore the predictors of employee creativity. Yet, studies for the impacts of destructive leadership styles on employee creativity are lacking. This study introduces employee creative self-efficacy as a mediator of the relationship between authoritarian leadership and employee creativity. In addition, benevolent leadership and power distance are identified as two boundary conditions to explore the impacts of authoritarian leadership.
Grassroots innovations and sustainable energy use in urban contexts: case studies from India
Authors: Kumar Hemant , Sharma Gautam
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Grassroots innovations, developed by local people using locally available resources, have shown the potential to provide low-cost technological solutions to the problems faced by underserved consumers in the global south. This paper aims to link the concept of grassroots innovations to energy use in the context of India.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes three case studies from the list of technologies scouted and nurtured by the National Innovation Foundation to critically discuss the potential of grassroots innovations for the dissemination and diffusion of urban sustainable energy uses. The data for this study has been collected from various secondary sources. It discusses the opportunities and challenges in promoting grassroots innovations for sustainable energy uses in urban settings.

Findings

The paper discusses the opportunities and challenges in promoting grassroots innovations for sustainable energy uses in urban settings.

Originality/value

Although the concept and understanding of grassroots innovations have well developed, its linkages with sustainable energy use in urban settings have received scarce or no attention in the literature.
The impact of learning strategies on the academic achievement of university students in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Almoslamani Yousef
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the learning strategies adopted by Saudi university students and explore the differences in the use of learning strategies due to gender and academic achievement.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilized a cross-sectional descriptive analytic approach and adopted the brief “ACRA-C” learning strategies scale. The study sample consisted of 365 students enrolled at a Saudi university selected using the random clustering technique.

Findings

The study revealed that microstrategies and study habits are the most preferred strategies by Saudi university students. Statistically significant differences in the use of learning strategies were found between male and female students in favor of the female students. The study also found that learning strategies are a significant predictor of students' academic achievement.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to one college in one Saudi university. Future studies should use larger samples from different colleges and universities in Saudi Arabia and incorporate a variety of measures of academic achievement, such as students' grades in specific courses rather than the overall grade average.

Originality/value

While there are a number of studies that investigated the use of learning strategies by students, there is a lack of such research in the higher education context of Saudi Arabia. Hence, the current study contributes to closing this gap in the literature by looking at the use of learning strategies by university students in Saudi Arabia and the relationship between strategy use, gender and academic achievement.
Planning decision alterations and container terminal efficiency
Authors: Weerasinghe Buddhi A. , Perera H. Niles , Kießner Phillip
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper examines how the altering nature of planning decisions affects operational efficiency in seaport container terminals. The uncertainty and the role of the planner were investigated considering the dynamic integrated planning function of the quay to yard interface.

Design/methodology/approach

A system dynamics model has been built to illustrate the integrated dynamic environment. Data collection was conducted at a leading container terminal at a hub port. The model was simulated for different scenarios to derive findings.

Findings

The planner has been identified as the agent who makes alterations between the initial operational plan and the actual plan. The initial plan remains uncertain even when there is no impact from crane breakdowns, requiring a significant number of alterations to be made. The planner who had worked on the yard plan had altered (approximately 45%) the initial plan than the alterations done by the planner who had worked on the vessel plan. As a result, the feedback loop that is created by the remaining moves at each hourly operation influences the upcoming operation as much as crane breakdowns influence.

Originality/value

The uncertainty and the role of the planner were investigated considering the dynamic integrated planning function of the quay to yard interface. The findings of this study are significant since terminal efficiency is examined considering the quayside and landside as an integrated system.
Positive side effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on environmental sustainability: evidence from the quadrilateral security dialogue countries
Authors: Mishra Amritkant
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The eruption of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has pointedly subdued global economic growth and producing significant impact on environment. As a medicine or a treatment is yet available at mass level, social distancing and lockdown is expected the key way to avert it. Some outcome advocates that lockdown strategies considered to reduce air pollution by curtailing the carbon emission. Current investigation strives to affirm the impact of lockdown and social distancing policy due to covid-19 outbreak on environmental pollution in the QUAD nations.

Design/methodology/approach

To calibrate the social movement of public, six indicators such residential mobility, transit mobility, workplace mobility, grocery and pharmacy mobility, retail and recreation mobility and park mobility have been deliberated. The data of human mobility have been gathered from the Google mobility database. To achieve the relevant objectives, current pragmatic analysis exerts a panel autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL)-based framework using the pooled mean-group (PMG) estimator, proposed by Pesaran and Shin (1999), Pesaran and Smith (1995).

Findings

The outcome reveals that in the long-run public mobility change significantly impact the pollutants such as PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide; however, it does not lead to any changes on ozone level. As per as short run outcome is concerned, the consequence unearths country wise heterogeneous impact of different indicators of public mobility on the air pollution.

Research limitations/implications

The ultimate inferences of the above findings have been made merely on the basis of examination of QUAD economies; however, comprehensive studies can be performed by considering modern economies simultaneously. Additionally, finding could be constraint in terms of data; for instance, Google data used may not suitably signify real public mobility changes.

Originality/value

A considerable amount of investigation explores the impact of covid-19 on environmental consequences by taking carbon emission as a relevant indicator of environmental pollution. Hence, the present pragmatic investigation attempts to advance the present discernment of the above subject in two inventive ways. Primarily, by investigating other components of environmental pollution such as nitrogen dioxide, PM2.5 and ozone, to reveal the impact of covid-19 outbreak on environmental pollution, as disregarded by the all preceding studies. Additionally, it makes a methodological contribution before integrating supplementary variables accompanying with ecological air pollution. Finally, the current research article provides an alternative and creative approach of modeling the impact of public mobility on environmental sustainability.
Space and place: a study of a specialized service desk
Authors: Bankston Sarah , German Elizabeth , Hebert Shelby , Laddusaw Sierra , Watts John , Weare William H.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study examines the activities of a specialized service desk and provides guidance on conducting an analysis of the activities. The authors wanted to know what is essential in terms of expertise, staffing, technology, collections and space at a Maps and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Service desk. The purpose of the study was to explore whether the provision of these services require a staffed service desk.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data using mixed methods, including observing space use, administering a survey and analyzing desk interactions.

Findings

Findings suggest that while this service desk may have relatively little traffic, the interactions are time consuming and require a high degree of subject expertise. The data indicated that this service does not need to be delivered in this specific location; however, retaining the expertise and access to collections is vital. The authors recommend that formal assessment of services and space should be conducted prior to making significant changes in a service model.

Originality/value

This study investigates a specialized service desk which are not well-represented in the literature. Additionally, the variety of approaches used in this study could serve as a model for others for service desk assessment in general.
Seaweeds influence oyster microbiota and disease susceptibility
Authors: Dugeny Elyne , de Lorgeril Julien , Petton Bruno , Toulza Eve , Gueguen Yannick , Pernet Fabrice
Published: February 2022

A growing awareness of role that microbiota can play in mediating the effects of pathogens on hosts has given rise to the concept of the pathobiome. Recently, we demonstrated that the Pacific oyster mortality syndrome affecting Crassostrea gigas oysters is caused by infection with the Ostreid herpesvirus type 1 (OsHV‐1) followed by infection with multiple bacterial taxa.

Here we extend the concept of this pathobiome beyond the host species and its bacterial microbiota by investigating how seaweed living in association with oysters influences their response to the disease. We hypothesized that by their mere presence in the environment, different species of seaweeds can positively or negatively influence the risk of disease in oysters by shaping their bacterial microbiota and their immune response. Although seaweed and oysters do not have direct ecological interactions, they are connected by seawater and likely share microbes.

To test our hypothesis, oysters were acclimated with green, brown or red algae for 2 weeks and then challenged with OsHV‐1. We monitored host survival and pathogen proliferation and performed bacterial microbiota and transcriptome analyses.

We found that seaweeds can alter the bacterial microbiota of the host and its response to the disease. More particularly, green algae belonging to the genus Ulva spp. induced bacterial microbiota dysbiosis in oyster and modification of its transcriptional immune response leading to increased susceptibility to the disease.

This work provides a better understanding of a marine disease and highlights the importance of considering both macrobiotic and microbiotic interactions for conservation, management and exploitation of marine ecosystems and resources.
Does aid matter for FDI in ECOWAS: Investigating the infrastructure channel
Authors: Onye Kenneth , Bassey Godwin , Iriabije Alex , Effiom Lionel
Published: February 2022

This paper investigates whether and how aid targeted at specific sub‐categories of economic infrastructure could assist the economies of 14 Economic Community of West African States to attract higher foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow via improvement in infrastructure in water supply and sanitation, energy, transport and ICT. By relying on the three stage least squares estimation technique that is able to account for endogeneity among structural equations, and utilizing data spanning 2005–2018, we found quite interesting results. First, aid targeted at infrastructure indicates a strong positive effect on the countries’ infrastructure endowment. Second, there is robust evidence that aid promotes FDI, but not necessarily through the infrastructure channel. Targeted aid appears to exert a positive and direct knock‐on effect on FDI—apparently, because investors anticipate the positive effect that targeted aid is almost always inclined to produce on host countries’ infrastructure endowment. Finally, aid allocation by Development Assistance Committee donors seems to have been primarily merit‐based, followed by weaker evidence for “need”. The study recommends, inter alia, more need‐based aid allocation, particularly in economies where initial infrastructure endowment is minimal.
Recruitment of IL‐1β‐producing intermediate monocytes enhanced by C5a contributes to the development of malignant pleural effusion
Authors: Luo Lisha , Deng Shuanglinzi , Tang Wei , Hu Xinyue , Yin Feifei , Ge Huan , Tang Jiale , Liao Zhonghua , Li Xiaozhao , Feng Juntao
Published: February 2022

Background

Monocytes are involved in tumor growth and metastasis, but the distribution of monocyte phenotypes and their role in the development of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) remains unknown.

Methods

A total of 94 MPE patients (76 diagnosed with adenocarcinoma lung cancer and 18 with squamous cell lung cancer) and 102 volunteers for health examination in Xiangya Hospital from December 2016 to December 2019 were included in the study.

Results

The distribution of monocyte subtypes identified by the expression of CD14 and CD16 were analyzed by flow cytometry. The proportion of CD14++CD16+ intermediate monocytes were significantly increased in pleural effusion of MPE patients. The complement system components were assayed by immunohistochemistry and ELISA, and higher expression of the classical and alternative pathways were detected in malignant pleural tissue. Transwell assay further revealed that C5a enhanced the infiltration of intermediate monocytes into the pleural cavity by promoting CCL2 production in pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs). In addition, C5a promoted the secretion of IL‐1β by intermediate monocytes. Furthermore, C5a activated in intermediate monocytes and IL‐1β released after C5a stimulation by monocytes promoted the proliferation, migration, adhesion, and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells, and attenuated tumor cell apoptosis.

Conclusions

C5a, activated by the classical and alternative pathways of the complement system, not only mediated the infiltration of intermediate monocytes by enhancing CCL2 production in PMCs but also induced IL‐1β release from the recruited monocytes in MPE. The consequence of C5a activation and the subsequent IL‐1β overexpression in intermediate monocytes contributed to MPE progression.