bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Translational adaptation of human viruses to the tissues they infect
Authors: Hernandez-Alias Xavier , Schaefer Martin H. , Serrano Luis
Published: April 2020

Viruses need to hijack the translational machinery of the host cell for a productive infection to happen. However, given the dynamic landscape of tRNA pools among tissues, it is unclear whether different viruses infecting different tissues have adapted their codon usage toward their tropism. Here, we collect the coding sequences of over 500 human-infecting viruses and determine that tropism explains changes in codon usage. Using anin silicomodel of translational efficiency, we validate the correspondence of the viral codon usage with the translational machinery of their tropism. In particular, we propose that the improved translational adaptation to the upper respiratory airways of the pandemic agent SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus could enhance its transmissibility. Furthermore, this correspondence is specifically defined in early viral proteins, as upon infection cells undergo reprogramming of tRNA pools that favors the translation of late counterparts.
Temperature and development drive variation in oral morphology among tailed frog (Ascaphusspp.) populations
Authors: Cicchino AS , Martinez CM , Funk WC , Forester BR
Published: April 2020

Morphological variation is often maintained by complex and interrelated factors, complicating the identification of underlying drivers. Tadpole oral morphology is one such trait that may be driven by the independent and interacting effects of the environment and variation in developmental processes. Although many studies have investigated tadpole oral morphological diversity among species, few have sought to understand the drivers that underlie intraspecific variation. In this study, we investigated potential drivers of labial tooth number variation among populations of two species of tailed frogs, the Rocky Mountain tailed frog (Ascaphus montanus) and the Coastal tailed frog (A. truei). We counted labial teeth from 240 tadpoles collected across elevation (both species) and latitudinal (A. truei) gradients, providing a natural temperature gradient. We tested the effects of developmental stage and local temperature conditions on labial tooth number. We found that labial tooth number variation was independently affected by both developmental stage and local temperature, as well as the interacting effects of these two variables (pseudo-R2= 67-77%). Our results also uncovered consistent patterns in labial tooth row formula across the ranges of both species; however,A. trueitadpoles from northern British Columbia had a unique bifurcation of a posterior tooth row. This study highlights the diversity in intraspecific tadpole oral morphology and the interacting processes that drive it.
Characterization of essential eggshell proteins from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
Authors: Simington Carter J. , Oscherwitz Max E. , Peterson Alyssa J. , Rascón Alberto A. , Massani Brooke B. , Miesfeld Roger L. , Isoe Jun
Published: April 2020

Up to 40% of the world population now live in areas where dengue mosquito vectors coexist with humans. Aedes aegypti are vectors for zoonotic diseases that affect hundreds of millions of individuals per year globally. We recently identified the eggshell organizing factor 1 (EOF1) protein using systematic RNA interference (RNAi) screening of mosquito lineage-specific genes. It was shown that eggs deposited by RNAi-EOF1 A. aegypti and A. albopictus mosquitoes were non-melanized, fragile, and contained nonviable embryos. Motivated by this discovery, we performed RNAi screening of eggshell proteins to determine putative downstream target proteins of intracellular EOF1. We identified several eggshell proteins as essential for eggshell formation in A. aegypti and characterized their phenotypes in detail by molecular and biochemical approaches. We found that Nasrat, Closca, and Polehole structural proteins, together with the Nudel serine protease, are indispensable for eggshell melanization and egg viability. While all four proteins are predominantly expressed in ovaries of adult females, Nudel mRNA expression is highly upregulated in response to blood feeding. Furthermore, we identified four secreted eggshell enzymes as important factors for controlling the processes of mosquito eggshell formation and melanization. These enzymes included three dopachrome converting enzymes and one cysteine protease. All eight characterized eggshell proteins were required for intact eggshell formation. However, their surface topologies in response to RNAi did not phenocopy the effect of RNAi-EOF1. Still, it remains unclear how EOF1 influences eggshell formation and melanization. The use of proteomic analysis of eggshell proteins from RNAi-EOF1 assisted in the identification of additional proteins that could be regulated in EOF1 deficient eggshells.
Store Independent Ca2+Entry Regulates the DNA Damage Response in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Makena Monish Ram , Ko Myungjun , Mekile Allatah X. , Dang Donna K. , Warrington John , Buckhaults Phillip , Talbot C. Conover , Rao Rajini
Published: April 2020

Although the mainstay of treatment for hormone responsive breast tumors is targeted endocrine therapy, many patients develop de novo or acquired resistance and are treated with chemotherapeutic drugs. The vast majority (80%) of estrogen receptor positive tumors also express wild type p53 protein that is a major determinant of the DNA damage response. Tumors that are ER+ and p53WTrespond poorly to chemotherapy, although the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. We describe a novel link between store independent Ca2+entry (SICE) and resistance to DNA damaging drugs, mediated by the secretory pathway Ca2+-ATPase, SPCA2. In luminal ER+/PR+ breast cancer subtypes, SPCA2 levels are high and correlate with poor survival prognosis. Independent of ion pump activity, SPCA2 elevates baseline Ca2+levels through SICE and drives cell proliferation. Attenuation of SPCA2 or depletion of extracellular Ca2+increased mitochondrial ROS production, DNA damage and activation of the ATM/ATR-p53 axis leading to G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Consistent with these findings, SPCA2 knockdown confers chemosensitivity to DNA damaging agents including doxorubicin, cisplatin and ionizing radiation. We conclude that elevated SPCA2 expression in ER+ p53WTbreast tumors drives pro-survival and chemotherapy resistance by suppressing the DNA damage response. Drugs that target storeindependent Ca2+entry pathways may have therapeutic potential in treating receptor positive breast cancer.
The enhancement of activity rescues the establishment ofMecp2null neuronal phenotypes
Authors: Scaramuzza Linda , De Rocco Giuseppina , Desiato Genni , Gigli Clementina Cobolli , Chiacchiaretta Martina , Mirabella Filippo , Pozzi Davide , De Simone Marco , Conforti Paola , Pagani Massimiliano , Benfenati Fabio , Cesca Fabrizia , Bedogni Francesco , Landsberger Nicoletta
Published: April 2020

Mecp2deficiency, the gene responsible for Rett syndrome (RTT), affects brain maturation by impairing neuronal activity, transcription and morphology. These three elements are physiologically linked in a feed-forward cycle where neuronal activity modulates transcription and morphology to further increase network maturity. We hypothesized that the reduced activity displayed by maturingMecp2null neurons during development could perturb such cycle, sustaining an improper transcriptional program that, ultimately, impairs neuronal maturation. Accordingly, we show that by enhancing activity within an early time window, Ampakine redirects,in vitro, the development of null neuronal networks towards more physiological routes. Similarly, the administration of the drug to newborn null offspring delays the progression of symptoms, significantly prolonging life span. Our data highlights the role of altered neuronal activity during the establishment ofMecp2null networks and the importance of such early defects to the typically poor maturity of RTT brain functions in adulthood. We propose the existence of an “early molecular phase” of Rett syndrome, a detailed description of which might disclose relevant targets for new rescue treatments.
Therapeutic Reversal of Chemically Induced Parkinson Disease by Converting Astrocytes into Nigral Neurons
Authors: Qian Hao , Hu Jing , Zhang Dongyang , Meng Fan , Zhang Xuan , Xue Yuanchao , Devaraj Neal K. , Dowdy Steven F. , Mobley William C. , Cleveland Don W. , Fu Xiang-Dong
Published: April 2020

Parkinson disease is characterized by loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra. As with other neurodegenerative diseases, no disease-modifying treatments exist. While most treatment objectives aim to prevent neuronal loss or protect vulnerable neuronal circuits, an important alternative is to replace lost neurons to reconstruct disrupted circuits. Herein we report an efficient single-step conversion of isolated mouse and human astrocytes into functional neurons by depleting the RNA binding protein PTB. Applying this approach to mice with a chemically induced Parkinson’s phenotype, we provide evidence that disease manifestations can be potently reversed through converting astrocytes into new substantia nigral neurons, effectively restoring dopamine levels via reestablishing the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway. We further demonstrate similar disease reversal with a therapeutically feasible approach using antisense oligonucleotides to transiently suppress PTB. These findings identify a generalizable therapeutic strategy for treating neurodegenerative disorders through replacing lost neurons in the brain.
Post-transcriptional splicing can occur in a slow-moving zone around the gene
Authors: Coté Allison , O’Farrell Aoife , Dardani Ian , Dunagin Margaret , Coté Chris , Wan Yihan , Bayatpour Sareh , Drexler Heather L. , Alexander Katherine A. , Chen Fei , Wassie Asmamaw T. , Patel Rohan , Pham Kenneth , Boyden Edward S. , Berger Shelley , Phillips-Cremins Jennifer , Churchman L. Stirling , Raj Arjun
Published: April 2020

Splicing is the stepwise molecular process by which introns are removed from pre-mRNA and exons are joined together to form mature mRNA sequences. The ordering and spatial distribution of these steps remain controversial, with opposing models suggesting splicing occurs either during or after transcription. We used single-molecule RNA FISH, expansion microscopy, and live-cell imaging to reveal the spatiotemporal distribution of nascent transcripts in mammalian cells. At super-resolution levels, we found that pre-mRNA formed clouds around the transcription site. These clouds indicate the existence of a transcription site proximal zone through which RNA move more slowly than in the nucleoplasm. Full-length pre-mRNA undergo continuous splicing as they move through this zone following transcription, suggesting a model in which splicing can occur post-transcriptionally but still within the proximity of the transcription site, thus seeming co-transcriptional by most assays. These results may unify conflicting reports of co-transcriptional versus post-transcriptional splicing.
A highly efficient protocol for transformingCuscuta reflexabased on artificially induced infection sites
Authors: Lachner Lena Anna-Maria , Galstyan Levon , Krause Kirsten
Published: April 2020

A current bottleneck in the functional analysis of the emerging parasitic model plantCuscutaand the exploitation of its recently sequenced genomes is the lack of efficient transformation tools. Here, we describe the development of a novel highly efficientAgrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol forCuscuta reflexabased on the parasitic structure referred to as adhesive disk. Both,Agrobacterium rhizogenesandAgrobacterium tumefacienscarrying binary transformation vectors with reporter fluorochromes yielded high numbers of transformation events. An overwhelming majority of transformed cells were observed in the cell layer below the adhesive disk’s epidermis, suggesting that these cells are particularly susceptible to infection. Co-transformation of these cells happens frequently whenAgrobacteriumstrains carrying different constructs are applied together. Explants containing transformed tissue expressed the fluorescent markers inin vitroculture for several weeks, offering a possibility for development of transformed cells into callus.

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY

A protocol that yields high numbers of transformed cells in the adhesive disks ofCuscuta reflexaupon exposure to agrobacteria brings closer the vision of generating genetically modifiedCuscuta.
Precise, high-throughput production of multicellular spheroids with a bespoke 3D bioprinter
Authors: Utama Robert H. , Atapattu Lakmali , O’Mahony Aidan P. , Fife Christopher M. , Baek Jongho , Allard Théophile , O’Mahony Kieran J. , Ribeiro Julio , Gaus Katharina , Kavallaris Maria , Gooding J. Justin
Published: April 2020

3Din vitrocancer models are important therapeutic and biological discovery tools, yet formation of multicellular spheroids in a throughput and highly controlled manner to achieve robust and statistically relevant data, remains challenging. Here, we developed an enabling technology consisting of a bespoke drop-on-demand 3D bioprinter capable of high-throughput printing of 96-well plates of spheroids. 3D-multicellular spheroids are embedded inside a tissue-like matrix with precise control over size and cell number. Application of 3D bioprinting for high-throughput drug screening was demonstrated with doxorubicin. Measurements showed that IC50values were sensitive to spheroid size, embedding and how spheroids conform to the embedding, revealing parameters shaping biological responses in these models. Our study demonstrates the potential of 3D bioprinting as a robust high-throughput platform to screen biological and therapeutic parameters.

Significance Statement

In vitro3D cell cultures serve as more realistic models, compared to 2D cell culture, for understanding diverse biology and for drug discovery. Preparing 3D cell cultures with defined parameters is challenging, with significant failure rates when embedding 3D multicellular spheroids into extracellular mimics. Here, we report a new 3D bioprinter we developed in conjunction with bioinks to allow 3D-multicellular spheroids to be produced in a high-throughput manner. High-throughput production of embedded multicellular spheroids allowed entire drug-dose responses to be performed in 96-well plate format with statistically relevant numbers of data points. We have deconvoluted important parameters in drug responses including the impact of spheroid size and embedding in an extracellular matrix mimic on IC50values.
Efficient and Practical Sample Pooling for High-Throughput PCR Diagnosis of COVID-19
Authors: Shani-Narkiss Haran , Gilday Omri David , Yayon Nadav , Landau Itamar Daniel
Published: April 2020

In the global effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, governments and public health agencies are striving to rapidly increase the volume and rate of diagnostic testing. The most common form of testing today employs Polymerase Chain Reaction in order to identify the presence of viral RNA in individual patient samples one by one. This process has become one of the most significant bottlenecks to increased testing, especially due to reported shortages in the chemical reagents needed in the PCR reaction.

Recent technical advances have enabled High-Throughput PCR, in which multiple samples are pooled into one tube. Such methods can be highly efficient, saving large amounts of time and reagents. However, their efficiency is highly dependent on the frequency of positive samples, which varies significantly across regions and even within regions as testing criterion and conditions change.

Here, we present two possible optimized pooling strategies for diagnostic SARS-CoV-2 testing on large scales, both addressing dynamic conditions. In the first, we employ a simple information-theoretic heuristic to derive a highly efficient re-pooling protocol: an estimate of the target frequency determines the initial pool size, and any subsequent pools found positive are re-pooled at half-size and tested again. In the range of very rare target (<0.05), this approach can reduce the number of necessary tests dramatically, for example, achieving a reduction by a factor of 50 for a target frequency of 0.001. The second method is a simpler approach of optimized one-time pooling followed by individual tests on positive pools. We show that this approach is just as efficient for moderate target-product frequencies (0.05<0.2), for example, achieving a two-fold in the number of when the frequency of positive samples is 0.07.

These strategies require little investment, and they offer a significant reduction in the amount of materials, equipment and time needed to test large numbers of samples. We show that both these pooling strategies are roughly comparable to the absolute upper-bound efficiency given by Shannon’s source coding theorem. We compare our strategies to the naïve way of testing and to alternative matrix-pooling methods. Most importantly, we offer straightforward, practical pooling instructions for laboratories that perform large scale PCR assays to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 viral particles. These two pooling strategies may offer ways to alleviate the bottleneck currently preventing massive expansion of SARS-CoV-2 testing around the world.
Proteomic and Metabolomic Characterization of COVID-19 Patient Sera
Authors: Shen Bo , Yi Xiao , Sun Yaoting , Bi Xiaojie , Du Juping , Zhang Chao , Quan Sheng , Zhang Fangfei , Sun Rui , Qian Liujia , Ge Weigang , Liu Wei , Liang Shuang , Chen Hao , Zhang Ying , Li Jun , Xu Jiaqin , He Zebao , Chen Baofu , Wang Jing , Yan Haixi , Zheng Yufen , Wang Donglian , Zhu Jiansheng , Kong Ziqing , Kang Zhouyang , Liang Xiao , Ding Xuan , Ruan Guan , Xiang Nan , Cai Xue , Gao Huanhuan , Li Lu , Li Sainan , Xiao Qi , Lu Tian , Zhu Yi , Liu Huafen , Chen Haixiao , Guo Tiannan
Published: April 2020

Severe COVID-19 patients account for most of the mortality of this disease. Early detection and effective treatment of severe patients remain major challenges. Here, we performed proteomic and metabolomic profiling of sera from 46 COVID-19 and 53 control individuals. We then trained a machine learning model using proteomic and metabolomic measurements from a training cohort of 18 non-severe and 13 severe patients. The model correctly classified severe patients with an accuracy of 93.5%, and was further validated using ten independent patients, seven of which were correctly classified. We identified molecular changes in the sera of COVID-19 patients implicating dysregulation of macrophage, platelet degranulation and complement system pathways, and massive metabolic suppression. This study shows that it is possible to predict progression to severe COVID-19 disease using serum protein and metabolite biomarkers. Our data also uncovered molecular pathophysiology of COVID-19 with potential for developing anti-viral therapies.
A Simulated Single Ventilator / Dual Patient Ventilation Strategy for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Solís-Lemus José A. , Costar Edward , Doorly Denis , Kerrigan Eric C. , Kennedy Caroline H. , Tait Frances , Niederer Steven , Vincent Peter E. , Williams Steven E.
Published: April 2020

The potential for acute shortages of ventilators at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic has raised the possibility of needing to support two patients from a single ventilator. To provide a system for understanding and prototyping designs we have developed a mathematical model of two patients supported by a mechanical ventilator. We propose a standard setup where we simulate the introduction of T-splitters to supply air to two patients and a modified setup where we introduce a variable resistance in each inhalation pathway and one-way valves in each exhalation pathway. Using the standard setup, we demonstrate that ventilating two patients with mismatched lung compliances from a single ventilator will lead to clinically-significant reductions in tidal volume in the patient with the lowest respiratory compliance. Using the modified setup, we demonstrate that it could be possible to achieve the same tidal volumes in two patients with mismatched lung compliances, and we show that the tidal volume of one patient can be manipulated independently of the other. The results indicate that, with appropriate modifications, two patients could be supported from a single ventilator with independent control of tidal volumes.
Organisational plasticity: can we really model human–agent behaviours?
Authors: Richards Dale
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The ability for an organisation to adapt and respond to external pressures is a beneficial activity towards optimising efficiency and increasing the likelihood of achieving set goals. It can also be suggested that this very ability to adapt to one's surroundings is one of the key factors of resilience. The nature of dynamically responding to sudden change and then to return to a state that is efficient may be termed as possessing the characteristic of plasticity. Uses of agent-based systems in assisting in organisational processes may have a hand in facilitating an organisations' plasticity, and computational modelling has often been used to try and predict both agent and human behaviour. Such models also promise the ability to examine the dynamics of organisational plasticity through the direct manipulation of key factors. This paper discusses the use of such models in application to organisational plasticity and in particular the relevance to human behaviour and perception of agent-based modelling. The uses of analogies for explaining organisational plasticity is also discussed, with particular discussion around the use of modelling. When the authors consider the means by which the authors can adopt theories to explain this type of behaviour, models tend to focus on aspects of predictability. This in turn loses a degree of realism when we consider the complex nature of human behaviour, and more so that of human–agent behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology and approach used for this paper is reflected in the review of the literature and research.

Findings

The use of human–agent behaviour models in organisational plasticity is discussed in this paper.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is based on the importance of considering the human–agent-based models. When compared to agent-based model approaches, analogy is used as a narrative in this paper.
Effect of the initial conditions on a one-dimensional model of small-amplitude wave propagation in shallow water
Authors: Ramos J.I. , García López Carmen María
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine both analytically and numerically the solution to a new one-dimensional equation for the propagation of small-amplitude waves in shallow waters that accounts for linear and nonlinear drift, diffusive attenuation, viscosity and dispersion, its dependence on the initial conditions, and its linear stability.

Design/methodology/approach

An implicit, finite difference method valid for both parabolic and second-order hyperbolic equations has been used to solve the equation in a truncated domain for five different initial conditions, a nil initial first-order time derivative and relaxation times linearly proportional to the viscosity coefficient.

Findings

A fast transition that depends on the coefficient of the linear drift, the diffusive attenuation and the power of the nonlinear drift are found for initial conditions corresponding to the exact solution of the generalized regularized long-wave equation. For initial Gaussian, rectangular and triangular conditions, the wave’s amplitude and speed increase as both the amplitude and the width of these conditions increase and decrease, respectively; wide initial conditions evolve into a narrow leading traveling wave of the pulse type and a train of slower oscillatory secondary ones. For the same initial mass and amplitude, rectangular initial conditions result in larger amplitude and velocity waves of the pulse type than Gaussian and triangular ones. The wave’s kinetic, potential and stretching energies undergo large changes in an initial layer whose thickness is on the order of the diffusive attenuation coefficient.

Originality/value

A new, one-dimensional equation for the propagation of small-amplitude waves in shallow waters is proposed and studied analytically and numerically. The equation may also be used to study the displacement of porous media subject to seismic effects, the dispersion of sound in tunnels, the attenuation of sound because of viscosity and/or heat and mass diffusion, the dynamics of second-order, viscoelastic fluids, etc., by appropriate choices of the parameters that appear in it.
Social capital, labour market status and wages: some evidence from Spain
Authors: Caparrós Ruiz Antonio
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This article analyses the social capital's influence on the Spanish labour market. In particular, this study examines to what extent the social capital increases the likelihood of being employed, taking into account different labour market status, and diverse dimensions of the social capital. Focusing on wage earners, it is also analysed whether network structures in Spain influence on the wage earnings.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology applied to analyse the labour market status is a multinomial logit model. For the analysis of wages, it is specified a wage model with sample selection bias. In both cases, social capital indicators are included as regressors.

Findings

The results show that social participation exerts a positive influence on the probability of being self-employed, and lowers the likelihood of being unemployed. Moreover, it is verified that the interaction with family members or close friends influence positively on wages.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should emphasise how employers assess the workers' competences associated with the social capital.

Practical implications

The findings provide knowledge to policymakers useful to increase the role of social participation in the labour market.

Social implications

The importance of social network as an instrument for the job search must be enhanced.

Originality/value

This article overcomes some drawbacks associated with the analysis of social capital from an aggregate perspective. Furthermore, social capital indicators are obtained using the Categorical Principal Components Analysis (CATPCA), which is unprecedented in the economic literature.
No leader is an island: contextual antecedents to line managers' constructive and destructive leadership during an organizational intervention
Authors: Lundmark Robert , Nielsen Karina , Hasson Henna , von Thiele Schwarz Ulrica , Tafvelin Susanne
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Line managers can make or break organizational interventions, yet little is known about what makes them turn in either direction. As leadership does not occur in a vacuum, it has been suggested that the organizational context plays an important role. Building on the intervention and leadership literature, we examine if span of control and employee readiness for change are related to line managers' leadership during an organizational intervention.

Design/methodology/approach

Leadership is studied in terms of intervention-specific constructive, as well as passive and active forms of destructive, leadership behaviors. As a sample, we use employees (N = 172) from 37 groups working at a process industry plant. Multilevel analyses over two time points, with both survey and organizational register data were used to analyze the data.

Findings

The results revealed that span of control was negatively related to constructive leadership and positively related to passive destructive leadership during the intervention. Employee readiness for change was positively related to constructive leadership, and negatively related to both passive and active destructive leadership.

Practical implications

Our findings suggest that contextual factors need to be assessed and considered if we want line managers to engage in constructive rather than destructive leadership during interventions.

Originality/value

The present study is the first to address line managers' making or breaking of organizational interventions by examining the influence of context on both their destructive and constructive leadership.
The effects of social ties on innovation behavior and new product performance in emerging economies: evidence from Turkey
Authors: Yeniaras Volkan , Kaya Ilker , Ashill Nick
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a theoretical and empirical understanding of how social ties affect innovation behavior and new product performance in Turkey, which is an emerging economy where high levels of economic and political uncertainties exist.The authors examine whether innovation behavior binds the political and business ties of the firm to new product performance. They also examine if these effects are contingent on variations in the institutional environment and market environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling and mediation analyses were used on a sample of 344 small- and medium-sized enterprises in Istanbul.

Findings

Business ties are positively related to exploratory innovation behavior and political ties hamper such behavior. The authors also show that government support hinders firms’ disruptive innovation while encouraging incremental innovation behavior. The authors further demonstrate that the positive and indirect relation of business ties to new product performance through exploratory and exploitative innovation is largely insensitive to changes in market and institutional environments. Political ties are negatively (positively) and indirectly related to new product performance through exploratory (exploitative) innovation.

Practical implications

Managers should choose the form of their personal interactions (political and/or business) based on the type of innovation that is being pursued. Additionally, managers should consider both the institutional environment and the market environment as important contingencies in their decision of whether to invest resources in developing social ties to build innovation behavior.

Originality/value

The authors offer a deeper perspective of how social ties in emerging economies affect new product performance by considering exploratory and exploitative innovation behavior as mediating mechanisms. These mediating effects are conditional on institutional and market environments.
Democratising systems of innovations based on Blockchain platform technologies
Authors: Unalan Serhan , Ozcan Sercan
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Blockchain is expected to have a significant impact on Systems of Innovation as the new General Purpose Technology. The purpose of this study is to investigate how Blockchain can revolutionise the Systems of Innovation by investigating its overall structure, actors and relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the systematic mapping method to explore and integrate the Blockchain and Systems of Innovation literature for the creation of a new conceptual model of Blockchain-enabled Systems of Innovation. In that scope, 37 Blockchain-related and 32 Systems of Innovation-related papers, besides two major books in the field of Blockchain, have been reviewed and then integrated based on the Systems Thinking approach.

Findings

The key findings for Blockchain-enabled Systems of Innovation are that there is (1) an increased distribution of networks and collaborations, (2) increased trust through the use of reputation systems, (3) an emerging new nature of platform characteristics, (4) a democratisation of entrepreneurship by the new funding landscape and (5) an increased significance of technological drivers, such as energy.

Research limitations/implications

The study shows new Systems of Innovation-related research implications. Accordingly, a new type of actor, relationship and attribute has been introduced where the boundaries of the role definitions are blurred and more distributed. This is where larger organisations can expect to lose their central position. The different types of actors are replaced by a network of actors as a result of the distributed new Blockchain-based system. The threshold for the Bottom of the Pyramid is expected to be reduced, leading to a more democratised innovation system.

Practical Implications

Blockchain appears to reduce the effects of distrust in collaborative innovation practices with its consensus mechanisms and the new Blockchain-enabled Systems of Innovation is expected to revolutionise the interactions in the future.

Originality/value

There are very few studies that have been found to integrate innovation management practices with Blockchain. This is the first Blockchain-based Systems of Innovation study enabling the fundamental revision of its structure, types of relationships and actors.
Facebook and luxury fashion brands: self-congruent posts and purchase intentions
Authors: Wallace Elaine , Buil Isabel , Catalán Sara
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study explores consumers' self-congruence with luxury fashion brands they mention on Facebook. It investigates the extent to which those brands are congruent with the actual self (ASC) or the ideal self (ISC), and whether ASC or ISC of luxury fashion brands on Facebook predicts purchase intention. It also examines trait antecedents of both ASC and ISC Facebook mentions of luxury fashion brands, specifically materialism, self-monitoring and self-esteem.

Design/methodology/approach

Findings are presented from a survey of Facebook users who mention luxury fashion brands on the social medium.

Findings

Self-esteem was revealed as an antecedent of ASC luxury fashion brands mentioned on Facebook, while materialism and high self-monitoring predicted ISC luxury fashion brands. Only ASC luxury fashion brands mentioned online were positively associated with purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

Results are exploratory, and they are limited to those who are active Facebook users and who mention a luxury fashion brand on Facebook.

Practical implications

The study offers implications for managers of luxury fashion brands seeking to utilise Facebook to enhance the purchase intention for their brands or to increase the idealisation of the brand.

Originality/value

The paper provides new insights into the relationship between self-congruent mentions of luxury fashion brands on Facebook and purchase intention of those brands, distinguishing between ISC and ASC. This research also offers valuable and useful insights into ISC and ASC antecedents.
Enhancing service delivery in humanitarian relief chains: the role of relational capital
Authors: Namagembe Sheila
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The study examined the influence of relational capital on inter-cluster coordination and service delivery of humanitarian organisations; the mediating and moderating role of inter-cluster coordination on the relationship between relational capital and service delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 60 humanitarian organisations. Potential respondents were five officers from each humanitarian organisation involved in delivering humanitarian assistance. Respondents from the different organisations were selected using purposive sampling. The SPSS software, SMART PLS and CB-SEM software were used to obtain results on the influence of relational capital on inter-cluster coordination and service delivery in humanitarian organisations; and the mediating and moderating role of inter-cluster coordination on the relationship between relational capital and service delivery.

Findings

Findings indicated that relational capital influences inter-cluster coordination and service delivery in humanitarian relief chains; inter-cluster coordination partially mediates the relationship between relational capital and service delivery in humanitarian relief chains; and no interactive effect was found when the moderation effect of inter-cluster coordination on the relationship between relational capital and service delivery in humanitarian organisations was examined.

Research limitations/implications

The study was mainly focused on humanitarian organisations excluding beneficiaries and the logistics suppliers. The research has implications to decision-makers in government and humanitarian organisations concerned with providing relief aid to beneficiaries.

Originality/value

The influence of relational capital on inter-cluster coordination and service delivery in humanitarian relief chains; the mediating role and moderating role of inter-cluster coordination on the relationship between relational capital and service in humanitarian relief chains are aspects that have not been given significant attention empirically.
Healthcare service quality-measurement models: a review
Authors: Endeshaw Berhanu
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to review existing healthcare service quality-measurement models.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the literature was conducted utilizing keywords “healthcare’’, “service quality’’, “measurement models”, “SERVQUAL”, “SERVPERF”, “HEALTHQUAL”, “PubHosQual” and “HospitalQual”. These investigations were selected from the “Emerald’’, “ABI/Inform”, “ScienceDirect” and “EBSCOhost” databases. A range of studies used in the makeup of the healthcare quality-measurement model for a 36 years period (1979 to 2015) were examined in an exhaustive survey of the literature. Of 137 studies reviewed, 74 studies were selected for analysis.

Findings

As yet, no consensus has been reached among scholars on the definition and indicators and factors of the quality of the healthcare services. Moreover, most of the current models are of Western origin and incongruent with the cultural and economic contexts of developing countries. The previous studies create scales resembling the generic measures of service quality, which may not be completely appropriate for assessing the perceived quality of healthcare services. Furthermore, previous studies were too narrow, overemphasizing the quality of healthcare only as far as the functional aspect of the services were concerned and paying too little attention to the technical aspects, using the experience of healthcare providers. These results have much room for failures. This is therefore advising healthcare organizations that need to develop their own models for measuring the quality of their services.

Originality/value

Generic models no longer suffice in measuring the quality of healthcare services. Developing countries should try and develop their own models for measuring the quality of healthcare services.
Deficient regimes of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism
Authors: Jayasekara Sisira Dharmasri
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purposes of this paper are to discuss the short-term economic impact of the jurisdictions that have been identified as deficient countries in terms of the regime of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism and to identify the probable reasons for the poor results of mutual evaluation reports of the deficient countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a case study approach to discuss the short-term economic impact of the countries that are under the International Co-operation Review Group (ICRG) process due to poor results of mutual evaluation reports. The sample of countries for the study was selected based on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) listing as of November 30, 2019. The objectives of the study are expected to be achieved by discussing the issues of these jurisdictions based on publicly available information. However, this study will not consider the long-term economic impact on the countries due to the observed short-term nature of the ICRG process.

Findings

This analysis reveals that the ICRG process affects countries in two different perspectives. First, there are implications on the financial system of a deficient country as a result of identifying it as a high-risk country. Second, there are some other forms of economic implications due to the rigorous ICRG process. The downgrading of the sovereign rating by international and credit rating agencies is one of such implications that result in adding a risk premium to the country. This results in increased transaction costs and borrowing costs of deficient countries. Besides, it appears that the ICRG process impacts the capital and currency markets of deficient countries as a result of enhanced due diligence process on fund transfers and limitations in corresponding banking relationships. However, despite these difficulties, some countries have been identified more than once for the ICRG process. Therefore, such countries have to take measures to strengthen the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime to avoid future listing. However, long-term sustainability of the countries that were removed from the FATF grey-listing is also questionable under the current FATF methodology of evaluating countries because of the level of effectiveness depends on the judgment of assessors on the risk and context of countries rather the technical compliance.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited to the countries that were in the grey list as of November 30, 2019. The countries exited from the list have not been considered for the study.

Originality/value

This paper is an original work done by the author by discussing the issues of the ICRG process in respect of deficient countries in view of strengthening the AML/CFT regimes of such countries.
Challenges of accountability in Nigeria: the role of deposit money bank
Authors: Babajide Abiola Ayopo , Lawal Adedoyin Isola , Amodu Lanre Olaolu , Asaleye Abiola John , Ewetan Olabanji Olukayode , Olokoyo Felicia Omowunmi , Matthew Oluwatoyin Augustina
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The unhealthy drive for deposit in the banking sector has pushed many banks into unethical practices, thereby resulting in high-level corruption cases in the banking sector. The purpose of this study is to investigate the short- and long-run linkages between bank net interest income and deposit liabilities interacted with corruption, to establish the influence of corruption in deposit mobilisation drive of banks in Nigeria. Also, the study analysed the causal relationship between selected bank variables and fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used quarterly data on selected variables from 1Q 1993 to 4Q 2017 sourced from Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) annual reports and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin of various issues. Deposit Money Bank various deposit liabilities are interacted with a corruption index and used as the independent variables, while bank earnings serve as the dependent variable. Error Correction Model (ECM) and Engel Granger approach to co-integration technique were used to analyse the data.

Findings

The findings reveal that various bank deposit liabilities interacted with corruption index has a negative effect on bank profitability in the long run, though only corrupt fixed deposit is statistically significant at the 5 per cent significance level. Bank total asset, total loan and advances and fraud have a significant effect on bank profitability at 1 and 10 per cent significance level. The findings also reveal that banks profit from corrupt fixed deposit and demand deposit in the short run.

Social implications

Text

Originality/value

The literature is awash with bank lending corruption and various institutional factors such as competition among banks, credit bureau and information sharing about borrowers, bank supervisory policies, loan loss provisioning, bank ownership structure and regulatory environment and anti-corruption measures. The aspect of deposit mobilisation and corruption has not been well researched in literature; this study, therefore, fills the gap in the literature by examining the extent deposit money banks contributed to corruption in Nigeria through their cutthroat deposit mobilisation drive.
Ambidextrous leadership and innovation performance: a longitudinal study
Authors: Gerlach Friederike , Hundeling Maike , Rosing Kathrin
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The ambidextrous leadership model specifically describes opening and closing leader behaviors in the innovation process. This paper aims to emphasize the relevance of the ambidextrous leadership model with respect to leadership in innovation processes.

Design/methodology/approach

In this longitudinal research design, 54 employees rated the ambidextrous leader behaviors and innovation performance concerning an innovation project over a period of six weeks. Traditional leadership styles (i.e. transformational, transactional, instrumental leadership, leader–member exchange) were assessed at a between-person level to identify their effects with respect to innovation performance.

Findings

Multilevel regression analysis results showed that instrumental leadership as well as opening and closing leader behaviors were positively related to innovation performance. By contrast, transformational and transactional leadership as well as leader–member exchange (LMX) did not show significant associations with innovation performance.

Originality/value

The findings support the relevance of specific leader behaviors to the innovation process and therefore underline the importance of the ambidextrous leadership model.
‘Manufacturing is coming home’: does reshoring improve perceived product quality?
Authors: Cassia Fabio
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Recently, many firms have reshored manufacturing activities back to their home countries to increase customer perceptions of product quality. However, there is no evidence that relocating production to the home country improves customer-perceived quality. This study intends to address this gap by assessing the variations between pre- and post-reshoring product quality, as perceived by domestic customers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a questionnaire, which used the case of an Italian fashion brand that had reshored its manufacturing from Romania to Italy as the stimulus. Two analyses of the collected data (n = 399) were conducted, applying both 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design and partial least squares–structural equation modelling (PLS–SEM) multigroup analysis.

Findings

Reshoring increased the level of perceived product quality only for customers that both were aware of the firm's past offshoring decision and had high levels of affective ethnocentrism. For all other customers, no significant variations between pre- and post-reshoring product quality were observed.

Research limitations/implications

This study challenges previous findings, revealing that only a minor share of customers perceived products to be of higher quality after reshoring.

Practical implications

Increasing customer-perceived quality may not be a sufficient motivation to select the reshoring strategy. In addition, when announcing reshoring strategies, producers should appeal to customers' emotions and not use rational arguments about objective product quality.

Originality/value

This is the first study to assess variations between pre- and post-reshoring customer-perceived quality and to identify factors that explain such variations.