bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The level of Nck rather than N-WASP determines the rate of actin-based motility of Vaccinia
Authors: Basant Angika , Way Michael
Published: February 2023

Vaccinia virus exiting from host cells activates Src/Abl kinases to phosphorylate A36, an integral membrane viral protein. Phosphorylated A36 binds the adaptors Nck and Grb2 which recruit N-WASP to activate Arp2/3-driven actin polymerisation to promote viral spread. A36 also recruits intersectin, which enhances actin polymerization via AP-2/clathrin and Cdc42. How many viral and host molecules does vaccinia hijack to induce actin polymerization? To advance our quantitative understanding of this process, we now determined absolute numbers of the essential molecules in the vaccinia signalling network using fluorescent molecule counting approaches in live cells. There are 1156±120 A36 molecules on virus particles inducing actin polymerization in HeLa cells. This number, however, is over 2000 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), suggesting that A36 levels on the virion are not fixed. In MEFs, viruses recruit 1032±200 Nck and 434±10 N-WASP molecules, suggesting a ratio of 4:2:1 for the A36:Nck:N-WASP signalling network. Loss of A36 binding to either secondary adaptors Grb2 or intersectin results in a 1.3- and 2.5-fold reduction in Nck respectively. Curiously, despite recruiting comparable numbers of the Arp2/3 activator, N-WASP (245±26 and 276±66), these mutant viruses move at different speeds that inversely correlate with the number of Nck molecules. Our analysis has uncovered two unexpected new aspects of Vaccinia virus egress, numbers of the viral protein A36 can vary in the virion membrane and the velocity of virus movement depends on the levels of the adaptor protein Nck.
mTORC1-mediated acquisition of reward-related spatial representations by hippocampal somatostatin interneuronsa
Authors: Michon François-Xavier , Laplante Isabel , Bosson Anthony , Robitaille Richard , Lacaille Jean-Claude
Published: February 2023

Plasticity of principal cells and inhibitory interneurons underlies hippocampal memory. Bidirectional modulation of somatostatin cell mTORC1 activity, a crucial translational control mechanism in synaptic plasticity, causes parallel changes in hippocampal CA1 somatostatin interneuron (SOM-IN) long-term potentiation and hippocampus-dependent memory, indicating a key role in learning. However, SOM-IN activity changes and behavioral correlates during learning, and the role of mTORC1 in these processes, remain ill-defined. To address these questions, we used two-photon Ca2+imaging from SOM-INs during a virtual reality goal-directed spatial memory task in head-fixed control mice (SOM-IRES-Cre mice) or in mice with conditional knockout ofRptor(SOM-Rptor-KO mice) to block mTORC1 activity in SOM-INs. We found that control mice learn the task, but SOM-Raptor-KO mice exhibit a deficit. Also, SOM-IN Ca2+activity became increasingly related to reward localization during learning in control mice but not in SOM-Rptor-KO mice. Four types of SOM-IN activity patterns related to reward location were observed, “reward off sustained”, “reward off transient”, “reward on sustained” and “reward on transient”, and these responses showed global remapping after reward relocation in control but not SOM-Rptor-KO mice. Thus, SOM-INs develop mTORC1-dependent spatial coding related to learning reward localization. This coding may bi-directionally interact with pyramidal cells and other structures to represent and consolidate reward location.
Tenascin-C activation of lung fibroblasts in a 3D synthetic lung extracellular matrix mimic
Authors: Kundu Aritra Nath , Dougan Carey E. , Mahmoud Samar , Kilic Alara , Panagiotou Alexi , Irakoze Ninette , Richbourg Nathan , Peyton Shelly R.
Published: February 2023

The lung extracellular matrix (ECM) maintains the structural integrity of the tissue and regulates the phenotype and functions of resident fibroblasts. Lung-metastatic breast cancer alters these cell-ECM interactions, promoting fibroblast activation. There is a need for bio-instructive ECM models that contain the ECM composition and biomechanics of the lung to study these cell-matrix interactionsin vitro. Here, we developed a synthetic, bioactive hydrogel that mimics the native lung modulus, and includes a representative distribution of the most abundant ECM peptide motifs responsible for integrin binding and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-mediated degradation in the lung, which promotes quiescence of human lung fibroblasts (HLFs). Stimulation with transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), metastatic breast cancer conditioned media (CM), or tenascin-C activated these hydrogel-encapsulated HLFs in a manner reflective of their nativein vivoresponses. We propose this lung hydrogel platform as a tunable, synthetic approach to study the independent and combinatorial effects of ECM in regulating fibroblast quiescence and activation.
A Recombinant Approach For Stapled Peptide Discovery Yields Inhibitors of the RAD51 Recombinase
Authors: Pantelejevs Teodors , Zuazua-Villar Pedro , Koczy Oliwia , Counsell Andrew , Walsh Stephen J. , Robertson Naomi S. , Spring David R. , Downs Jessica , Hyvönen Marko
Published: February 2023

Stapling is a macrocyclisation method that connects amino acid side chains of a peptide to improve its pharmacological properties. We describe an approach for stapled peptide preparation and biochemical evaluation that combines recombinant expression of fusion constructs of target peptides and cysteine-reactive divinyl-heteroaryl chemistry, as an alternative to solid-phase synthesis. We then employ this workflow to prepare and evaluate BRC-repeat-derived inhibitors of the RAD51 recombinase, showing that a diverse range of secondary structure elements in the BRC repeat can be stapled without compromising binding and function. Using X-ray crystallography, we elucidate the atomic-level features of the staple moieties. We then demonstrate that BRC-repeat-derived stapled peptides can disrupt RAD51 function in cells following ionising radiation treatment.
Themisto: a scalable coloredk-mer index for sensitive pseudoalignment against hundreds of thousands of bacterial genomes
Authors: Alanko Jarno N. , Vuohtoniemi Jaakko , Mäklin Tommi , Puglisi Simon J.
Published: February 2023

Motivation

Huge data sets containing whole-genome sequences of bacterial strains are now commonplace and represent a rich and important resource for modern genomic epidemiology and metagenomics. In order to efficiently make use of these data sets, efficient indexing data structures — that are both scalable and provide rapid query throughput — are paramount.

Results

Here, we present Themisto, a scalable coloredk-mer index designed for large collections of microbial reference genomes, that works for both short and long read data. Themisto indexes 179 thousandSalmonella entericagenomes in 9 hours. The resulting index takes 142 gigabytes. In comparison, the best competing tools Metagraph and Bifrost were only able to index 11 thousand genomes in the same time. In pseudoalignment, these other tools were either an order of magnitude slower than Themisto, or used an order of magnitude more memory. Themisto also offers superior pseudoalignment quality, achieving a higher recall than previous methods on Nanopore read sets.

Availability and implementation

Themisto is available and documented as a C++ package athttps://github.com/algbio/themistoavailable under the GPLv2 license.

Contact

jarno.alanko@helsinki.fi

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available atBioinformaticsonline.
Multi-modal Proteomic Characterization of Lysosomal Function and Proteostasis in Progranulin-Deficient Neurons
Authors: Hasan Saadia , Fernandopulle Michael S. , Humble Stewart W. , Frankenfield Ashley M. , Li Haorong , Prestil Ryan , Johnson Kory R. , Ryan Brent J. , Wade-Martins Richard , Ward Michael E. , Hao Ling
Published: February 2023

Progranulin (PGRN) is a lysosomal protein implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases. Over 70 mutations discovered in theGRNgene all result in reduced expression of PGRN protein. However, the detailed molecular function of PGRN within lysosomes and the impact of PGRN deficiency on lysosomal biology remain unclear. Here we leveraged multifaceted proteomic techniques to comprehensively characterize how PGRN deficiency changes the molecular and functional landscape of neuronal lysosomes. Using lysosome proximity labeling and immuno-purification of intact lysosomes, we characterized lysosome compositions and interactomes in both human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived glutamatergic neurons (i3Neurons) and mouse brains. Using dynamic stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (dSILAC) proteomics, we measured global protein half-lives in i3Neurons for the first time and characterized the impact of progranulin deficiency on neuronal proteostasis. Together, this study indicated that PGRN loss impairs the lysosome’s degradative capacity with increased levels of v-ATPase subunits on the lysosome membrane, increased catabolic enzymes within the lysosome, elevated lysosomal pH, and pronounced alterations in neuron protein turnover. Collectively, these results suggested PGRN as a critical regulator of lysosomal pH and degradative capacity, which in turn influences global proteostasis in neurons. The multi-modal techniques developed here also provided useful data resources and tools to study the highly dynamic lysosome biology in neurons.
Prediction of failure in reorganization agreements under Colombia's Corporate Insolvency Act
Authors: Abinzano Isabel , Bonilla Harold , Muga Luis
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the impact of the implementation of Colombian Corporate Insolvency Act 1116 of 2006 in the period 2008–2018 and to assess the relevance of a broad set of financial predictors, as well as variables related to the economic context or the characteristics of the process itself, in explaining the failure of reorganization processes.

Design/methodology/approach

Both logit and probit models are estimated, starting from a large number of variables proposed in the literature which are then narrowed down to a final selection based on their individual significance and machine learning.

Findings

The results show the prevalence of a limited number of financial variables related to equity, indebtedness, profits and liquidity as predictors of the failure of reorganization processes. The use of financial information from the year prior to the completion of the reorganization improves predictive accuracy and reliability. The debt-to-equity indicator provides no significant explanatory power, while voluntary entry into a reorganization process favors its success.

Originality/value

While financial and accounting information is used across the literature to predict insolvency events, it is used here to predict success or failure in reorganization processes under the conditions imposed by a specific legislative act in a Latin American context.
Design of service network for containerized export by multimodal transportation: with quality concept
Authors: Dua Aman , Chhabra Rishika , Sinha Deepankar
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The first purpose is to assess the quality of containerized multimodal export and the second is to develop and demonstrate the design of a service network with quality approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The article used the structural equation model to develop a model to measure the quality of multimodal transportation for containerized exports and finalized the model with an alternative approach. The evolutionary algorithm had been used to design a service network based on quality.

Findings

Provided factors affecting quality of multimodal transportation and reverse to one hypothesis, the construct variation in cost, time shape and quantity did not affect the quality of multimodal transportation for containerized exports. The model without variation construct was finalized by exploring causality.

Research limitations/implications

This research had scope till container loading onto the vessel and assessed the quality for containerized cargo only, and second research purpose is limited by assumed values of fitness function and the limited number of nodes, in service network design demonstration.

Practical implications

This research provided a tool to measure the quality of multimodal transportation for containerized exports and demonstrated the field application of the model developed in service network design. This approach included all factors applicable across the container movement. The integrated approach of the article provided an organized method to design a service network for containerized exports.

Originality/value

This work provided the tool to assess the quality of multimodal transportation for containerized exports and developed an approach to design a service network of multimodal transportation based on quality. This approach has considered the factors of multimodal transportation comprehensively in contrast to the optimization approaches based on operation research techniques.
Modern-day marketing concepts based on face recognition and neuro-marketing: a review and future research directions
Authors: Srivastava Gautam , Bag Surajit
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Data-driven marketing is replacing conventional marketing strategies. The modern marketing strategy is based on insights derived from customer behavior information gathered from their facial expressions and neuro-signals. This study explores the potential for face recognition and neuro-marketing in modern-day marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducts an in-depth examination of the extant literature on neuro-marketing and facial recognition marketing. The articles for review are downloaded from the Scopus database, and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) is then used to screen and choose the relevant papers. The systematic literature review method is applied to conduct the study.

Findings

An extensive review of the literature reveals that the domains of neuro-marketing and face recognition marketing remain understudied. The authors’ review of selected papers delivers five neuro-marketing and facial recognition marketing themes that are essential to modern marketing concepts.

Practical implications

Neuro-marketing and facial recognition marketing are artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled marketing techniques that assist in gaining cognitive insights into human behavior. The findings would be of use to managers in designing marketing strategies to enhance their marketing approach and boost conversion rates.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of this study lies in that it provides an updated review on neuro-marketing and face recognition marketing.
Sustainability study of electric vehicles performance in the UAE: moderated by blockchain
Authors: Sundarakani Balan , Rajamani Haile-Selassie , Madmoune Anas
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The UAE has set an ambitious target to become one of the most sustainable countries in the world. In addition, the country's infrastructure is playing a pivotal role in terms of electric vehicle (EV) usability with regard to its roads, power generation capacity, availability of charging stations and the drive towards customer adoption. The readiness for EVs in the UAE is assessed in this study as part of its development towards its sustainable target. This research aims to study EV readiness among the UAE car users from a sustainability perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed methodology follows with a comprehensive literature review to identify the various drivers of EV readiness and their contribution to sustainability. A list of hypotheses was developed based on the identified drivers to EV readiness. A questionnaire survey was designed to validate the hypothesis, and data were collected from consumers in the UAE. In total, 140 complete responses were received across different consumers and the results were studied using partial least square based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method.

Findings

An initial framework for EV readiness was developed, and analyses of the variables that are driving the relationships was done. The analysis confirmed that quality of service, power quality and infrastructure are positively linked to EV readiness in the UAE. However, the role of blockchain as a moderator to enhance the relationship between power quality, infrastructure and sustainability is not significant, indicating blockchain adoption in the UAE is still nascent in nature. However, its adoption has some potential to save energy.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to the UAE region in terms of sample collection and respondents' profile. Further, research on EV readiness seemed to be early at present and therefore this research on EV readiness and its associated variables could set future research directions.

Originality/value

Logistics industry and automotive industries will benefit from the outcomes of the study especially while operating in the UAE. Also, the research recommends EV makers to understand the relationship between quality of service, power quality, infrastructure, EV readiness and sustainability in order to move towards a more sustainable transportation future.
Benchmarking the operational efficiency of Mexican hospitals – a longitudinal study
Authors: Pimentel Victor , Mora-Monge Carlo A.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to benchmark the operational efficiency of fifty-eight public hospitals across Mexico between 2015 and 2018 and identifies the most critical inputs affecting their efficiency. In doing so, the study analyzes the impact of policy changes in the Mexican healthcare system introduced in recent years.

Design/methodology/approach

To measure the operational efficiency of Mexican public hospitals, data envelopment analysis (DEA) window analysis variable returns to scale (VRS) methodology using longitudinal data collected from the National Institute for Transparency and Access to Information (IFAI). Hospital groups are developed and compared using a categorization approach according to their average and most recent efficiency.

Findings

Results show that most of the hospitals in the study fall in the moving ahead category. The hospitals in the losing momentum or falling behind categories are mostly large units. Hospitals with initially low efficiency scores have either increased their efficiency or at least maintained a steady improvement. Finally, the findings indicate that most hospitals classified as moving ahead focused on a single care area (cancer, orthopedic care, child care and trauma).

Research limitations/implications

This study examined the technical efficiency of the Mexican healthcare system over a four-year period. Contrary to conventional belief, results indicate that most public Mexican hospitals are managed efficiently. However, recent changes in public and economic policies that came into effect in the current administration (2018) will likely have long-lasting effects on the hospitals' operational efficiency, which could impact the results of this study.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that examines the efficiency of the complex Mexican healthcare system using longitudinal data.
Endorsement on Instagram and cultural dimensions: an analysis of digital influencers
Authors: Silva Marianny Jessica de Brito , Farias Salomão Alencar de , Silva Claudine Julia
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the individualism/collectivism and masculine/feminine cultural aspects presented in the endorsement content made and shared by digital influencers on Instagram.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a cross-cultural qualitative study, collecting endorsement posts published by six fitness mega-influencers from Brazil and the USA. A total of 147 posts were assessed through the semiotic analysis of still images.

Findings

The authors identified that, in collectivist and feminine cultures, endorsements focus on the emotional competence of the digital influencer and the content aims at interaction, whereas in individualistic and masculine cultures, the posts highlight the informational competence of the influencer and the content focuses on the endorser's self-promotion.

Research limitations/implications

This study examined only two of the Hofstede's six cultural dimensions, limiting its scope. However, this study established a model that shows that the appeal of content posted by the influencer depends on individualism–collectivism dimension and the post symbolism is a result of the masculinity–femininity dimension. This study also identified the spectrum of appeal in messages and the role of advertising in building the influencer's narrative.

Practical implications

The authors identified cultural traits as an important criterion of congruence when choosing a brand endorser and as an element that impacts the marketing communication strategy in a social media environment. Therefore, this study suggests that organizations consider the influencer's culture as a criterion for choosing endorsers, which will guide the digital content strategy suited to the campaign's target audience.

Social implications

This study emphasizes the illusory effectiveness of the internet in the search for convergence, establishing that the digital environment still requires socialization that brings feelings of cultural engagement, especially through new social actors arising from virtual media. Still on the social side, this study suggests the reflection of the economic characteristics of a country together with its cultural dimensions.

Originality/value

This study fills a research gap from previous studies that provide empirical evidence on the impacts of cultural differences on social media behaviors. This research adds the impact of the influencer in this virtual environment to restructure the communication and information model, mold it according to the culture, acting as indicators of social transformation resulting from technological advances. This research still innovates by proposing a new methodological approach for semiotic analysis in digital media.
Insights on NGO brand equity: a donor-based brand equity model
Authors: Rios Romero Maria Jesus , Abril Carmen , Urquia-Grande Elena
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The growth in the number of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide has led to increased competition for donations. A stronger NGO brand equity will make donors more attracted to an organization, compelling them to increase both their donations and their commitment. The goal of this study is to propose a novel donor-based brand equity model. The present study takes into consideration the special characteristics that donors confer to NGOs—specific examples of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) that demand higher moral capital. The suggested framework considers the donor's perspective of NGO brand equity and identifies new dimensions: familiarity (recall, brand strength and brand identification), associations (authenticity, reputation and differentiation) and commitment (attitudinal, emotional) by building on previous NPOs and consumer-based brand equity models.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the analysis of the literature, the authors propose an NGO donor-based brand equity model, which the authors test with a convenience sample of 137 individuals through partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results of this study demonstrate the positive effects of brand reputation, brand differentiation, brand identification and brand commitment on donor-based brand equity.

Practical implications

The novel proposed model will help NGO managers better understand the sources of brand equity from the donor's perspective and more efficiently manage their resources and activities to strengthen their NGO's brand equity.

Originality/value

This paper provides a novel, multidimensional NGO donor-based brand equity model that is oriented to the specific characteristics of NGOs; this orientation distinguishes it from previous NPOs and commercial brand equity models.
Revisiting the determinants of knowledge-sharing behavior in organizations: a meta-analytic structural equation model application
Authors: Zaremohzzabieh Zeinab , Mohd Rasdi Roziah
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The existing literature on knowledge-sharing (KS) behavior in the organizational context demonstrates that there is diversity, if not divergence, in understanding KS. Thus, this paper aims to integrate social cognitive theory and social exchange theory to construct a research model for determining the incentive for knowledge sharing among individuals in organizations based on past empirical results.

Design/methodology/approach

Accordingly, the methodology adopted in this study is the meta-analytic structural equation modeling based on the data gathered from 78 studies (80 samples, n = 29,318).

Findings

The most significant predictors of KSB were organizational support and social interaction ties, whereby KS intention and attitude were most optimally predicted by organizational commitment, knowledge self-efficacy, social interaction ties, organizational expectancy and reciprocal benefit. This study carried out a moderation analysis to look into potential causes of inconsistent results.

Originality/value

This meta-analysis shows the most influencing factors that trigger KSB in organizations. Moreover, this study clarifies the possible reasons for the inconsistent findings of the previous studies. Thus, it contributes to the KS literature.
A systematic review of the available literature on the use of social media in brain tumor
Authors: Motahari-Nezhad Hossein
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The use of social media is one of the new technological options that has been recommended as a potential new strategy for delivering high-quality, high-value cancer prevention and management services. Despite the increasing use of social media, little research has been done on the use of social media in brain tumors. Therefore, this systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive review of the use of social media in brain tumor research.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science from inception to August 1, 2022. English full-text articles evaluating social media use, benefit or content in brain tumor were considered.

Findings

Sixteen documents satisfied the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Most of the included studies (n = 11/16) were conducted and published by researchers in the USA. In terms of social media platform, most studies focused on Twitter (8/16, 50%) and YouTube (8/16, 50%), followed by Facebook (6/16, 37.5%) and Instagram (4/16, 25%). Most studies (n = 7/12) analyzed the content of brain tumor information provided on social media, followed by patients’ use of social media (n = 3/12) and the quality of information on social media (n = 3/12). The other three articles also examined patient recruitment, crowdfunding and caregiver use of social media.

Practical implications

By identifying the use, benefits and content of social media platforms in different settings, patients, clinicians and policymakers can better benefit from harnessing the power of social media in different ways, leading to improved health-care services.

Originality/value

To the authors knowledge, this is the first study to systematically examine social media use, benefits and content status in brain tumors.
Relational resources for promoting restaurant employees’ thriving at work
Authors: Kim Haemi , Im Jinyoung , Shin Yeon Ho
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the significant role of restaurant employees’ relational resources to promote thriving at work. The mediating effect of heedful relating was focused on as an underlying mechanism. This study also investigated the moderating effect of employees’ perceived COVID-19 impact on the hypothesized relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model was tested with frontline restaurant employees working in full-service restaurants using the convenience sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was used for an online survey. A total of 361 responses were analyzed with structural equation modeling, bootstrapping analysis and multi-group analysis.

Findings

The results showed the significant relationships not only between relational resources and thriving at work but also between relational resources and heedful relating. Heedful relating was significantly associated with thriving at work. The significant mediating effect of heedful relating was supported. The moderating effect of the perceived COVID-19 impact on the association between leader–member exchange and thriving was significant.

Research limitations/implications

Employees’ relational resources at work leads to thriving at work both directly and indirectly through the impact of heedful relating. The findings contributed to the literature on human resource management and hospitality. Moreover, the study presented implications for the restaurant industry to promote employees’ self-adaptation and development in a post-pandemic era.

Originality/value

With the study findings, the importance of relational aspects to foster restaurant employees’ thriving at work could be highlighted which reflects the unique nature of the restaurant industry.
A review of multilevel analysis in hospitality management
Authors: Pan Su-Ying
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold. The first is to review the extant literature on hospitality management by tracking past research patterns and critically reviewing the use of multilevel theory and techniques in this stream of research. The second is to suggest potential research opportunities to stimulate a leap forward in the current multilevel research.

Design/methodology/approach

To answer the four main research questions raised by the current review, the author performed a critical analysis of a total of 149 selected articles published between 2011 and 2021 in seven leading hospitality management journals.

Findings

Overall, the number of multilevel studies has increased significantly since 2017. However, some deficiencies remain: a lack of fit between the level of theory and the level of measurement, the revelation of insufficient information, misspecification of the multilevel model and small sample sizes at higher levels. Furthermore, several interesting and understudied topics are also identified as ripe for future investigation.

Research limitations/implications

In addition to encourage the scholars in hospitality management to assess the possibility of using the multilevel research design for their research topics, the current article also provides recommendations and opportunities for the future multilevel research.

Originality/value

This article is a pioneer in providing a critical synthesis of multilevel research in the field of hospitality management. Although reviews of the issues involved in multilevel research are available in the existing literature, none of them focuses on the situation and needs of hospitality management. As multilevel research increases in popularity, this review offers a snapshot of the introductory phase and outlines important issue in conducting such research.
Flood hazard assessment using design rainfall under climate change scenarios in the Kelantan River Basin, Malaysia
Authors: Tam Tze Huey , Abdul Rahman Muhammad Zulkarnain , Harun Sobri , Shahid Shamsuddin , Try Sophal , Jamal Mohamad Hidayat , Ismail Zamri , Razak Khamarrul Azahari , Ghani Mohd Khairolden , Abdul Wahab Yusrin Faiz
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of climate change on the flood hazard potential in the Kelantan River Basin using current and future scenarios.

Design/methodology/approach

The intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) was used to estimate the current 50- and 100-year return period 24-h design rainfall, and the climate change factor (CCF) was used to compute the future design rainfall. The CCF was calculated from the rainfall projections of two global climate models, CGCM1 and CCSM3, with different pre-processing steps applied to each. The IDF data were used in the rainfall-runoff-inundation model to simulate current and future flood inundation scenarios.

Findings

The estimated CCF values demonstrate a contrast, whereby each station had a CCF value greater than one for CGCM1, while some stations had a CCF value of less than one for CCSM3. Therefore, CGCM1 projected an aggravation and CCSM3 a reduction of flood hazard for future scenarios. The study reveals that topography plays an essential role in calculating the CCF.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to examine flood projections in the Kelantan River Basin. It is, therefore, hoped that these results could benefit local managers and authorities by enabling them to make informed decisions regarding flood risk mitigation in a climate change scenario.
Measuring teacher innovative behavior: a validated multidimensional inventory for use with public school teachers
Authors: Kuril Samvet , Maun Deepak , Chand Vijaya Sherry
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The role of Teacher Innovative Behavior (TIB), in responding to systemic problems in educational systems and promoting “intrapreneurial” behavior has been recognized in recent times. A robust instrument that can help administrators and teacher educators gauge the levels of TIB among their teachers will facilitate the promotion of innovative behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tested a multidimensional innovative behavior inventory (IBI), innovation support inventory (ISI) and innovation output (IO) in a developing nation (India) context with public school teachers (n = 34,754), for reliability, validity, measurement invariance and structural invariance across caste, gender and subject groups.

Findings

The IBI, ISI and IO showed good reliability and validity along with full measurement invariance at configural, metric and scalar levels. With respect to the structural parameters, the inventories exhibited invariance of factor variance and covariance, but not of factor means.

Practical implications

Teacher innovative behavior (TIB) is seen by developing country education administrators as a tool to address difficult problems. With better measurement, it will be possible to identify teachers who need training in creativity and entrepreneurial behavior, teachers who might have developed innovative practices that could be used for teacher development, and ways of promoting competition among teachers.

Originality/value

The study validates inventories, which were earlier tested in non-educational domains, for use with public school teachers of a developing country across gender, caste and subject groups.
Statistical analysis of factors influencing patient length of stay in emergency departments
Authors: Ba-Aoum Mohammed , Hosseinichimeh Niyousha , Triantis Konstantinos P. , Pasupathy Kalyan , Sir Mustafa , Nestler David
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Patient length of stay (LOS) is an important indicator of emergency department (ED) performance. Investigating factors that influence LOS could thus improve healthcare delivery and patient safety. Previous studies have focused on patient-level factors to explain LOS variation, with little research into service-related factors. This study examined the association between LOS and multi-level factors including patient-, service- and organization-level factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a retrospective observational design to identify a cohort of patients from arrival to discharge from ED. A year-long data regarding patients flow trhoguh ED were analyzed using analytics techniques and multi-regression models. The response variable was patient LOS, and the independent variables were patient characteristics, service-related factors and organizational variables.

Findings

The findings of this study showed that older patients, middle triage and hospitalization were all associated with longer LOS. Service-related factors such as complexity of care provided, initial ward designation and ward transfer had a significant impact as well. Finally, prolonged LOS was associated with a higher ratio of patients per medical doctor and per nurse. In contrast, a higher number of residents in the ED were associated with longer patient LOS.

Originality/value

Previous studies on patient LOS have focused on patient-level factors, with little research on service-related factors. This study has addressed that gap by examining the association between LOS and multi-level factors including patient-, service- and organization-level factors. Patient-level factors included demographics, acuity, arrival shift, arrival mode and discharge type. Service-level factors consisted of first ward, ward transfer and complexity of care provided. Organizational factors consisted of three ratios: patients per MD, patients per nurse and patients per resident. The results add to the current understanding of factors that increase patient LOS in EDs and contribute to the body of knowledge on ED performance, operation management and quality of care. The study also provides practical and managerial insights that could be used to improve patient flow in EDs and reduce LOS.
Analyzing the enablers of circular supply chain using Neutrosophic-ISM method: lessons from the Indian apparel industry
Authors: Dohale Vishwas , Ambilkar Priya , Kumar Ashwani , Mangla Sachin Kumar , Bilolikar Vijay
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This research identifies the enablers for implementing circular supply chains (CSCEs) and analyzes interrelationships between them to quantify their driving and dependence power to understand the critical CSCEs.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, 10 CSCEs are identified for the Indian apparel industries through an extant literature review and validated using the Delphi method by seeking experts' opinions. The identified CSCEs are subjected to a novel neutrosophic interpretive structural modeling (N-ISM) method to capture the interrelationships between CSCEs and compute the driving and dependence power of CSCEs.

Findings

The findings of the present research work revealed that “supportive legislative framework, awareness of circular economy's potential for revenue gain and availability of trained research and development (R&D) team” are the critical CSCEs that need to be considered while implementing a circular supply chain in apparel industries.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers insightful implications to guide practitioners in implementing the circular economy in apparel supply chains.

Originality/value

This research work is one of the earlier studies to analyze the enablers for implementing circular supply chains. This study has explored CSCEs in the context of apparel industries. From a methodological perspective, the novel N-ISM method is worth highlighting as the originality of the work.
From supply chain risk to system-wide disruptions: research opportunities in forecasting, risk management and product design
Authors: Browning Tyson , Kumar Maneesh , Sanders Nada , Sodhi ManMohan S. , Thürer Matthias , Tortorella Guilherme L.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Supply chains must rebuild for resilience to respond to challenges posed by systemwide disruptions. Unlike past disruptions that were narrow in impact and short-term in duration, the Covid pandemic presented a systemic disruption and revealed shortcomings in responses. This study outlines an approach to rebuilding supply chains for resilience, integrating innovation in areas critical to supply chain management.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on extensive debates among the authors and their peers. The authors focus on three areas deemed fundamental to supply chain resilience: (1) forecasting, the starting point of supply chain planning, (2) the practices of supply chain risk management and (3) product design, the starting point of supply chain design. The authors’ debated and pooled their viewpoints to outline key changes to these areas in response to systemwide disruptions, supported by a narrative literature review of the evolving research, to identify research opportunities.

Findings

All three areas have evolved in response to the changed perspective on supply chain risk instigated by the pandemic and resulting in systemwide disruptions. Forecasting, or prediction generally, is evolving from statistical and time-series methods to human-augmented forecasting supplemented with visual analytics. Risk management has transitioned from enterprise to supply chain risk management to tackling systemic risk. Finally, product design principles have evolved from design-for-manufacturability to design-for-adaptability. All three approaches must work together.

Originality/value

The authors outline the evolution in research directions for forecasting, risk management and product design and present innovative research opportunities for building supply chain resilience against systemwide disruptions.
Advertising strategy and channel structure selection on an online retail platform
Authors: Wang Daibing , Liu Shulin
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper considers a supply chain with a manufacturer (she) selling through an online retail platform (he) and studies the channel structure choices of two firms when investing in advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors assume that the platform provides the manufacturer with an agency and/or reselling channel; thus, there are three possible channel structures: agency channel, reselling channel and dual channel. By developing a game-theoretic model, the authors investigate the channel structure choices of two firms when advertising separately, simultaneously and cooperatively and analyze the optimal combination strategy of channel structure and advertising scheme for both firms.

Findings

When the advertising efforts of the two firms are independent of each other, the equilibrium results show that different advertising schemes lead to different channel choices. For the manufacturer, it is optimal to choose the dual channel structure and adopt the advertising scheme that both subsidizes platform advertising and advertises on her own. For the platform, this combination is also optimal at a high commission rate; otherwise, the advertising scheme in which both firms advertise simultaneously is optimal and he is better off switching from the dual channel structure to the reselling channel structure as interchannel substitution intensity increases. The above results still hold for complementary advertising efforts and asymmetric marginal advertising costs, while in the case of substitutable advertising efforts, one firm may ride on another firm's advertising efforts, leading to different strategic combinations.

Originality/value

This paper not only provides useful guidance for manufacturers and platforms in channel selection and advertising strategy, but also theoretically enriches the literature on manufacturer encroachment.
Digging deeper into responsibility: an investigation of responses to online help-request marketing campaigns in social networking groups
Authors: Hu Zhongtao
Published: February 2023

Purpose

There is a growing trend among online merchants to conduct help-request marketing campaigns (HMCs), which refers to a kind of marketing campaign that leverages participants' help-request to encourage the subsequent engagement of participants' online friends. The paper aims to investigate how individuals respond to online HMCs in social networking groups (SNGs). Integrating the norm activation model and regulatory focus theory, this paper examines the mediation effects of the two facets of responsibility perception, i.e. perceived causality and perceived answerability.

Design/methodology/approach

A field experiment was conducted by organizing a real HMC on WeChat. To manipulate request individuation, experimental confederates were engaged to serve as requesters in the HMC. The actual responses provided by the recipients (subjects) were captured via the HMC pages. The multiple-group analysis was used for data analysis.

Findings

Empirical results reveal that request individuation strengthens the effect of relationship closeness on perceived causality but reverses the effect of relationship closeness on perceived answerability from being positive to negative. Except for the negligible impact of perceived answerability on inaction, both perceived causality and perceived answerability affect recipients' reactions to HMCs as expected.

Practical implications

First, social media platforms should promote other-oriented prosocial values when designing features or launching campaigns. Second, the designers of HMCs should introduce a “tagging” feature in HMCs and provide additional bonuses for requesters who perform tagging. Third, HMC requesters should prudently select tagging targets when making a request.

Originality/value

First, this paper contributes to the literature on social media engagement by identifying responsibility as an other-oriented motivation for individuals' social media engagement. Second, this paper also extends our understanding of responsibility by dividing it into perceived causality and answerability as well as measuring them with self-developed instruments. Third, this study contributes to the research on WOM by demonstrating that individuals' response behaviors toward help-requests embedded in HMCs can take the form of proactive helping, reactive helping or inaction.
Rural non-farm engagement and agriculture commercialization in Ghana
Authors: Nkegbe Paul Kwame , Araar Abdelkrim , Abu Benjamin Musah , Ustarz Yazidu , Alhassan Hamdiyah , Setsoafia Edinam Dope , Abdul-Wahab Shamsia
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Ghana's economy is largely agrarian, and the business of agriculture is dominated by smallholder farmers who are predominantly rural dwellers. As a result, efforts to lift rural farming households from poverty have been narrowed to the promotion of agricultural development to the neglect of the rural non-farm sector. However, this is fast changing in the advent of a burgeoning rural nonfarm economy and must engage the attention of policy actors. This study thus assesses the effect of non-farm participation on households' level of commercialization of agricultural crops in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies a generalized structural equation model (GSEM) to the Ghana Living Standards Survey round 6 dataset, a stratified and nationally representative random sample of 16,772 households in 1,200 enumeration areas.

Findings

This study finds that non-farm participation increases the produce sold to output ratio. It is concluded that non-farm engagement by farmers boosts commercialization in Ghana. Thus, for the Ghanaian and similar contexts, agricultural development interventions that incorporate non-farm activities are more likely to be successful in improving livelihoods.

Research limitations/implications

The study uses only the ratio of sales value to output value definition for commercialization and acknowledges use of multiple definitions could be superior.

Originality/value

Various empirical studies have examined the link between the farm and nonfarm sectors. This paper is original in its approach as it tackles an aspect of the subject that has been understudied, namely, an exploration of nonfarm and farm linkages from the perspective of agricultural commercialization.