bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High resolution shotgun metagenomics: the more data, the better?
Authors: Tremblay Julien , Schreiber Lars , Greer Charles W
Published: April 2022

In shotgun metagenomics (SM), the state of the art bioinformatic workflows are referred to as high resolution shotgun metagenomics (HRSM) and require intensive computing and disk storage resources. While the increase in data output of the latest iteration of high throughput DNA sequencing systems can allow for unprecedented sequencing depth at a minimal cost, adjustments in HRSM workflows will be needed to properly process these ever-increasing sequence datasets. One potential adaptation is to generate so-called shallow SM datasets that contain fewer sequencing data per sample as compared to the more classic high coverage sequencing. While shallow sequencing is a promising avenue for SM data analysis, detailed benchmarks using real data are lacking. In this case study, we took four public SM datasets, one massive and the others moderate in size and subsampled each dataset at various levels to mimic shallow sequencing datasets of various sequencing depths. Our results suggest that shallow SM sequencing is a viable avenue to obtain sound results regarding microbial community structures and that high depth sequencing does not bring additional elements for ecological interpretation. More specifically, results obtained by subsampling as little as 0.5M sequencing clusters per sample were similar to the results obtained with the largest subsampled dataset for the human gut and agricultural soil datasets. For the Antarctic dataset, which contained only a few samples, 4M sequencing clusters per sample was found to generate comparable results to the full dataset. One area where ultra-deep sequencing and maximizing the usage of all data was undeniably beneficial was in the generation of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs).

Key points

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Three public multi-sample shotgun metagenomic NovaSeq datasets totalling 12,389,583 and 202 Gb, respectively were analyzed at various sequencing depths to evaluate the accuracy of shallow shotgun metagenomic sequencing using a high resolution shotgun metagenomic bioinformatic workflow. A synthetic mock community of 20 bacterial genomes was also analyzed for validation purposes.

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Datasets subsampled to low sequencing depths gave nearly identical ecological patterns (taxonomic and functional composition and beta-alpha-diversity) compared to high depth subsampled datasets.

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Rare taxa and functions could be uncovered with high sequencing depth vs. low sequencing depth datasets, but did not affect global ecological patterns.

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High sequencing depth was positively correlated with both quantity and quality of recovered metagenome-assembled genomes.
Tissue Specific Knockout of the Cardiolipin Transacylase Enzyme TAFAZZIN in Both Liver and Pancreatic Beta Cells Protects Mice From Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Cole Laura K. , Dolinsky Vernon W. , Hatch Grant M.
Published: April 2022

Mutations in the TAFAZZIN gene result in the X-linked genetic disease Barth Syndrome. The protein product tafazzin is a transacylase enzyme that remodels the phospholipid cardiolipin with fatty acids. Some Barth syndrome boys exhibit a lean phenotype. In addition, whole body knockdown of tafazzin in mice protects them from diet-induced obesity through increased hepatic fatty acid oxidation and reduced basal insulin secretion. We thus hypothesized that tafazzin deficiency in both the liver and beta cells of the pancreas contribute to this lean phenotype. Through a Cre-Lox approach we generated control, liver-specific, pancreatic beta cell-specific and liver and pancreatic beta cell-specific double knockout male mice. The animals were fed a high fat diet for 8 weeks and body weight, liver weight and fat pad weights determined. Liver-specific or pancreatic beta cell-specific male tafazzin knockout mice accumulated weight gain (≍40% increase in body weight) at the same rate as control animals. In contrast, the liver- and beta cell-specific double tafazzin knockout mice exhibited a reduced rate of weight gain by 8 weeks (≍26% increase in body weight) compared to control or the single tafazzin knockout animals. In addition, at 8 weeks the double tafazzin knockout mice exhibited reduced weight gain in tissues known to accumulate fat including the liver, the gonadal, inguinal and perirenal white adipose tissues and the brown adipose tissue. Thus, liver- and pancreatic beta cell-specific double tafazzin knockout male mice are protected from high fat diet induced weight gain and fat accumulation. These results may partially explain why some Barth Syndrome boys exhibit a lean phenotype.
HMCES protects immunoglobulin genes specifically from deletions during somatic hypermutation
Authors: Wu Lizhen , Shukla Vipul , Yadavalli Anurupa Devi , Dinesh Ravi K. , Xu Dijin , Rao Anjana , Schatz David G.
Published: April 2022

Somatic hypermutation (SHM) produces point mutations in immunoglobulin (Ig) genes in B cells when uracils created by the activation-induced deaminase are processed in a mutagenic manner by enzymes of the base excision repair (BER) and mismatch repair (MMR) pathways. Such uracil processing creates DNA strand breaks and is susceptible to the generation of deleterious deletions. Here, we demonstrate that the DNA repair factor HMCES strongly suppresses deletions without significantly affecting other parameters of SHM in mouse and human B cells, thereby facilitating the production of antigen-specific antibodies. The deletion-prone repair pathway suppressed by HMCES operates downstream from the uracil glycosylase UNG and is mediated by the combined action of BER factor APE2 and MMR factors MSH2, MSH6, and EXO1. HMCES's ability to shield against deletions during SHM requires its capacity to form covalent cross-links with abasic sites, in sharp contrast to its DNA end-joining role in class switch recombination but analogous to its genome-stabilizing role during DNA replication. Our findings lead to a novel model for the protection of Ig gene integrity during SHM in which abasic site cross-linking by HMCES intercedes at a critical juncture during processing of vulnerable gapped DNA intermediates by BER and MMR enzymes.
Ring artifact and Poisson noise attenuation via volumetric multiscale nonlocal collaborative filtering of spatially correlated noise
Authors: Mäkinen Ymir , Marchesini Stefano , Foi Alessandro
Published: April 2022

X-ray micro-tomography systems often suffer from high levels of noise. In particular, severe ring artifacts are common in reconstructed images, caused by defects in the detector, calibration errors, and fluctuations producing streak noise in the raw sinogram data. Furthermore, the projections commonly contain high levels of Poissonian noise arising from the photon-counting detector. This work presents a 3-D multiscale framework for streak attenuation through a purposely designed collaborative filtering of correlated noise in volumetric data. A distinct multiscale denoising step for attenuation of the Poissonian noise is further proposed. By utilizing the volumetric structure of the projection data, the proposed fully automatic procedure offers improved feature preservation compared with 2-D denoising and avoids artifacts which arise from individual filtering of sinograms.
Better automation of beamline control at HEPS
Authors: Liu Yu , Dong Xue-Wei , Li Gang
Published: April 2022

At the High Energy Photon Source (HEPS; Beijing, People's Republic of China), where up to 90 beamlines can be provided in the future, minimization of workload for individual beamlines and maximization of knowledge about one beamline that can be applied to other beamlines is essential to minimize the total complexity in beamline control. Presented in this paper are our efforts to achieve these goals by composing relatively simple utilities and mechanisms to automate tasks, while always remembering to keep our automation solutions simple and clear. After an introduction to our choice of basic software in EPICS-based beamline control, the issues encountered in introducing package management to EPICS modules, as well as solutions to them, are presented; the design and implementation of the packaging system is concisely discussed. After a presentation of our efforts to reduce the need for self-built multi-device EPICS `input/output controller' (IOC) applications by providing reusable modular IOC executables, implementation of easily maintainable multi-IOC setups through the separation and minimization of each user's IOC configurations is given. The ongoing project of comprehensive beamline services at HEPS to further simplify configuration management on multiple scales, ranging from individual beamline devices to all beamlines at HEPS, is introduced.
Intention versus behaviour: integration of theories to help curb food waste among young Spanish consumers
Authors: Fraj-Andrés Elena , Herrando Carolina , Lucia-Palacios Laura , Pérez-López Raúl
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to find the most relevant variables for understanding the gap between intention and behaviour in relation to food waste reduction among young consumers, providing a theoretical framework that reveals what theories can explain this gap.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative analysis based on two focus groups with participants aged 18–35 was developed to examine young consumers' intention–behaviour gap.

Findings

The results suggest that a combination of variables from different theories (the theory of planned behaviour, social practice theory and value-belief-norm theory) can better explain the gap, and that other variables such as emotions, price consciousness and situational factors should also be taken into consideration. The authors also find that although some situational variables tend to reduce the gap, some specific situations do the opposite.

Originality/value

The results offer a conceptual model that combines variables from diverse theoretical streams with the aim of understanding food waste among young consumers holistically, and identify new variables that had not been considered by previous research.
Convergence and compliance of corporate governance codes: a study of 11 Asian emerging economies
Authors: Tariq Yasir Bin , Ejaz Amir , Bashir Malik Fahim
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold. The first is to explore the convergence of corporate governance (CG) codes of 11 Asian emerging economies with the United Nations (UN) CG guidelines (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development ISAR benchmark). The second is to find the compliance level of firms in each country with the UN CG guidelines.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the 2017 GDP growth rate, the top 11 emerging economies were selected. CG codes of each country were then analyzed by using content analysis to find the convergence level with the UN CG guidelines. To find the compliance level of individual firms in each sample country, a sample of the top 15 non-financial listed firms were selected from each country, and their annual reports were analyzed. The binary scoring method was used.

Findings

After analyzing the 11 national CG codes, 1 UN CG guidelines and 150 annual reports, this study found that Pakistan and Philippines CG codes have the highest level of convergence toward the outsider model recommended by UN CG guidelines, whereas China and India have the lowest compliance score. The Indian, Chinese, Malaysian and Indonesian listed firms showed more compliance toward the UN CG guidelines than their respective national CG codes.

Originality/value

By analyzing the top 11 emerging economies, and top 15 listed enterprises in each country, this study offered a combined convergence and compliance evidence at two different levels, i.e. country and firm-level. This study’s findings would be equally helpful for regulators, policymakers and investors in assessing their country’s CG codes against the international recommended best practices.
Quality certifications in the TripAdvisor era. Are they outdated?
Authors: Castro-Lopez Adrian , Caso Fernández-Pacheco Laura , Iglesias Víctor , De la Ballina Javier
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyzes the effects of the consumer-generated media (CGM) boom on hotel managers’ investment behavior concerning quality signals.

Design/methodology/approach

Survival analysis has been conducted, considering the permanence/dropout of the Spanish hotels in a quality certification system during the 1998–2020 period.

Findings

The number of hotels certified since 2010 has been progressively falling, pointing to a decreasing interest of the managers in these certifications. Nevertheless, this is not a generalized phenomenon: the hotel characteristics and the number and nature of reviews about them in CGM significantly affect their permanence decisions in certification systems.

Practical implications

The findings provide several keys to optimizing investment management in quality signals considering hotel characteristics and their positioning in CGM.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that analyses the relationship between the presence of hotels in CGM and their investments in alternative quality signals. The results will allow future investment decisions based on previous real business experiences.
The “disaster cycle” (DC) and actors in disaster management
Authors: Balamir Murat
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose is to indicate that the conventional graphical expression of cyclic stages of stages of disaster activities is still irrelevantly used in communications.

Design/methodology/approach

Latent assumptions of the disaster cycle (DC) depiction are scrutinized. The nature of current organizational units responsible for carrying out related tasks and equipped with contemporary technology and know-how are clarified. It is indicated that the operations of these organizations today have no resemblance to any cyclic sequence.

Findings

With all of its various mutations, DC does not only represent an outdated conceptualization of disaster-related activities but also conceals the globally adopted priority currently given to risk reduction policy. The contemporary organizational setup based on mitigation efforts depends on highly specialized units and teams simultaneously dedicated to the different aspects of risk management tasks.

Practical implications

DC is to be taken as a representative understanding of a past policy environment. It is no more an explanation of current disaster affairs and must be removed from circulation.

Originality/value

The argument serves to disregard past policy concepts, clarify the new organizational setup in disaster management and help adopt communications to current realities.
The dyadic tie quality effect on employees’ behavioral patterns: a panacea or a misconception towards successful organizational change?
Authors: Hatjidis Dimitrios , Szamosi Leslie Thomas
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the idea that an individual’s attitudes and beliefs toward change depend on the quality of the dyadic relationships formed through his/her ego network. Specifically, the focus of the research question is to test if an individual with high quality dyadic ties to others who have a favorable outlook on change will also have a favorable outlook on change.

Design/methodology/approach

The research sample consisted of 100 full-time hotel employees working in six city hotels located in Thessaloniki, Greece. To test the research question, three approaches were used including: a descriptive social network analysis (SNA), multiple regression and homophily testing based on Moran and Geary autocorrelations.

Findings

Even though the SNA provided some valuable findings on the way structures and tie quality connected the participants, the results from the regression analysis and homophily testing indicated a lack of a positive relationship linking dyadic ties and behavioral intention toward change suggesting that dyadic ties do not influence behavioral intentions in a way that can be considered favorable to change.

Practical implications

Managers need to be aware that employees’ network relationship quality at the dyadic level is insufficient to create a supportive environment toward change. Therefore, dyadic ties significant contribution through SNA is the identification of power centers, influential people, interdepartmental links and interdependencies necessary to disseminate the change message and build sustainable momentum.

Originality/value

The limited number of prior empirical studies have thus far approached relationship quality as a concept composed of either emotional, psychological or technical features. This study differs by adopting the dimensions of tangibles, empathy, responsiveness, reliability and assurance existing in the TERRA model and by determining whether the dyadic tie quality positively impacts individual behavior toward change through the employment of a tripartite examination to strengthen the validation of similarities or differences in the results.
Sustainability in higher education institutions: a case study of project FUCAPE 120% sustainable
Authors: Laurett Rozelia , Paço Arminda , Mainardes Emerson Wagner
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to understand how the FUCAPE 120% Sustainable project promotes sustainable development in higher education. The project was conceived and implemented by FUCAPE Business School, a private higher education institution (HEI) specialised in business, located in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach of the study was qualitative research based on a case study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 stakeholders involved in FUCAPE 120% Sustainable.

Findings

The results indicate that FUCAPE 120% Sustainable is a project formed from 18 sustainable actions incorporated on the campus of FUCAPE Business School. Most of the project’s actions are connected to the triple bottom line (TBL) and linked to sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG13 (climate action) and SDG17 (partnerships for the goals).

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the literature by extending information on sustainability in HEIs, focusing specifically on a business HEI.

Practical implications

This is an innovative project that can serve as a model for other HEIs, with due adaptations. As business HEIs do not usually have laboratories, they may be considered to have little effect on the environment. However, this study found that business HEIs can have a relevant impact on the environment, and the adoption of sustainable actions can minimise adverse effects.

Originality/value

Various sustainability projects and actions are developed and implemented by HEIs, but studies analysing the projects in business HEIs or studies linking the actions of the project to the TBL theory and SDGs are scarce. Sustainable business HEI-based projects may provide future managers a more inter-disciplinary and sustainable vision focused on the TBL and SDGs.
Integrated reporting: exploring supervisory board members’ perspectives on the motives, drivers and benefits
Authors: de Graaff Brigitte , Steens Bert
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceived benefits of integrated reporting (IR) and factors influencing the motives that supervisory board members (SBMs) have for advocating a change towards IR implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory survey study was conducted to investigate the influence of external market conditions, internal organizational conditions and observed benefits on the motivation to advocate IR adoption in companies that have not yet implemented IR. A unique set of survey data from 62 SBMs of Dutch companies was used for analysing the propositions derived from IR literature and based on institutional theory, legitimacy theory and diffusion of innovation theory.

Findings

The respondents indicated to be supportive of IR adoption. SBMs who had experienced the implementation of IR observed that IR offers benefits. Their motives for advocating a change towards IR in companies that had not implemented IR were influenced most by the observed benefits in IR companies. SBMs only involved in companies that had not adopted IR are motivated to support IR adoption to a similar extent. These findings suggest that directly observed benefits by SBMs need to exceed a considerable minimum level before these SBMs are more motived to advocate IR than their peers who have not witnessed the implementation of IR and that experiences are shared across companies. The motivation of both groups is influenced by external market conditions but not by internal organizational conditions.

Practical implications

The findings have implications for potential IR adopters and institutions promoting the further diffusion of IR as they emphasize the need for tangible benefits of IR and confirm that sharing good practices and benefits of IR can provide a catalyst for IR adoption. The findings contribute to the understanding of the motivation of SBMs as an important organizational condition for implementing IR as this study provides insights in the factors that drive this motivation of key actors influencing the decision to implement IR. Furthermore, the finding that these factors predominantly comprise tangible results and external market conditions is relevant from an organizational change perspective.

Social implications

Understanding the mechanisms of IR-adoption decisions provides a relevant basis for deploying programmes promoting IR as a general reporting standard. This could provide society and a broad range of stakeholders with access to information incorporated in integrated reports. It could ultimately have a major impact on society by improving decision-making and increasing the long-term sustainability of organizations and their relations with stakeholders.

Originality/value

This study provides preliminary empirical evidence concerning the perspectives of SBMs on their motives for advocating IR, based on a unique sample from a country that has been involved with IR from its start.
Environmental uncertainty, participative corporate political activity and radical innovation in China: a sensemaking perspective
Authors: Song Meige , Wang Longwei , Wang Li , Chen Wan
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Drawing on a sensemaking perspective, this study aims to theoretically and empirically investigate the effects of participative corporate political activity (PCPA) on radical innovation and how regulatory uncertainty and technological uncertainty affect firms’ choice of PCPA as well as its effectiveness on radical innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to test the research model based on survey data collected from 227 Chinese manufacturing firms.

Findings

The results indicate that PCPA has a significantly positive effect on radical innovation. Both regulatory and technological uncertainty are positively related to PCPA. In addition, regulatory uncertainty strengthens the positive relationship between PCPA and radical innovation, whereas technological uncertainty weakens this relationship.

Practical implications

This study reveals that firm managers should be mindful that PCPA is beneficial to firms’ radical innovation activities in China. Additionally, although regulatory uncertainty and technological uncertainty can drive firms to engage in PCPA to cope with the ambiguity they experienced, managers should also be alert to the complicated role of environment forces in enlarging or discounting the positive effect of PCPA on radical innovation.

Originality/value

The findings offer fresh insights into the use of PCPA to manage the uncertain external environment when pursuing radical innovation activities in China.
The impact of servitization on manufacturing firms’ market power: empirical evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Junnan , Sun Xiaohua , Dong Yan , Fu Lin , Zhang Yaowei
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Servitization has been used widely by manufacturing firms to secure strategic positions in industrial transformation. However, its impact on firms’ market power remains to be investigated, especially in developing countries. This study aims to investigate servitization’s impact on firms’ market power, along with the moderating roles of research and development (R&D) intensity and firm size.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the two-stage least squares with instrumental variables (2SLS-IV) method, the authors conduct an empirical analysis of servitization in China based on panel data for 1,797 publicly traded manufacturing firms during the period 2012–2018.

Findings

The findings show that servitization helps increase a firm’s market power. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis suggests that embedded servitization increases a firm’s market power, whereas hybrid servitization reduces it. The findings also indicate that this effect varies depending on critical firm conditions. Servitization’s effect on firms’ market power increases with R&D intensity but decreases with manufacturer expansion.

Research limitations/implications

This study describes the positive effects of servitization on firms’ market power in response to calls for research that will adopt a comprehensive business performance perspective on the servitization field.

Practical implications

The findings provide guidance for what type of servitization manufacturing firms should choose and how it fits with their size and R&D capabilities.

Originality/value

This pioneering empirical study uses a large longitudinal data set and the 2SLS-IV method to examine the effects of embedded servitization and hybrid servitization on firms’ market power. The findings provide a new perspective on ongoing discussions of “desertification” and the “service paradox.”
Postgraduate entrepreneurship education: can entrepreneurial passion be developed?
Authors: Zainuddin Muhammad Nizam , Mukhtar Dzulkifli
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine postgraduate students' reflexive narratives about their entrepreneurial passion (EP) experience as a result of their direct participation in a series of hand-selected experiential learning events within the curated identity workspace (IW) of a cross-disciplinary postgraduate entrepreneurship education programme.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a qualitative exploratory design using interpretative phenomenological analysis with a group of graduate students from a cross-disciplinary postgraduate entrepreneurship education program at an entrepreneurial university.

Findings

This study discovers that students’ EP experience is developed through the internalisation of an entrepreneurship learning activity into their personal identity through the harmonisation and reorganisation of their competing micro-identities of professional and entrepreneurial identity, prompting them to create a new identity that enables them to act entrepreneurially without relinquishing their existing professional identity.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates how entrepreneurial education programmes function as an IW and posits a theoretical model illustrating the hidden connections between entrepreneurial activity, personal identity and entrepreneurial learning experience that collectively influence individuals' entrepreneurial behaviour.
Promoting zakat compliance among business owners in Algeria: the mediation effect of compliance intention
Authors: Sadallah Mouad , Abdul-Jabbar Hijattulah , Aziz Saliza Abdul
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the perception of business owners’ on zakat compliance by examining the influence of intention to pay zakat, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural controls and past behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 575 self-administered questionnaires were distributed to active business owners in Algeria. The data were analysed using variance-based structural modelling (PLS-SEM) to examine the hypothesised relationships.

Findings

The results revealed that the relationships between attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural controls were positive and significant with the intention to comply with zakat, which significantly influences the compliance behaviour of zakat.

Research limitations/implications

In a country like Algeria with a high poverty rate, the current findings would benefit authorities in understanding zakat compliance and assist zakat administration in formulating and implementing strategies to promote compliance.

Originality/value

The present research extends the existing zakat knowledge from behavioural perspectives by using the extended theory of planned behaviour. In addition, it considers the mediating role of intention demonstrated in the zakat compliance setting.
Transformative value positioning for service brands: key principles and challenges
Authors: Leroi-Werelds Sara , Matthes Jörg
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to integrate insights from service, branding and communication research to present key principles of a successful transformative value positioning for service brands.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a conceptual approach that is rooted in the service, branding and communication literature.

Findings

The contribution of this paper is threefold. First, this paper explains why positioning a service brand is different from positioning a product brand and why this is especially challenging in case of transformative value. Second, an organizing framework is used to theorize that a successful transformative value positioning is based on the organizational DNA; is consistently implemented in actions, communications, employee behavior, and servicescapes; and inspires customer engagement. Based on this framework, this paper formulates key principles of a successful transformative value positioning for service brands. Third, this paper provides a research agenda to guide and stimulate future research.

Practical implications

The key principles provide guidelines for managers striving for a transformative value positioning. Not adhering to these guidelines could have severe implications for service brands in terms of washing perceptions ultimately deteriorating the brand image.

Originality/value

This paper combines insights from service, branding and communication research to provide a comprehensive and balanced perspective on a successful transformative value positioning for service brands.
The farm-based entrepreneur’s marketing mix: a case study from the local food sector
Authors: Hersleth Stine Alm , Kubberød Elin , Gonera Antje
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the market creation practices of farm-based entrepreneurs in the local food sector. Alternative marketing channels for farm-based products increase, but it is not known how entrepreneurs work to position their products in the marketplace. By expanding on the research of farm-based entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial marketing (EM), this study explores the entrepreneurial practices that farm-based entrepreneurs use through the lens of the EM mix (EMM) and its constituent dimensions: person, purpose, practice and process.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a multiple case study design and follows a phenomenological approach in conducting in-depth retrospective interviews with 11 successful farm-based entrepreneurs in the local food sector in Norway.

Findings

The thematic analysis revealed four key EM practices of the study’s farm-based entrepreneurs: transferring the farm or transforming the farm as the primary purpose; legitimising a local brand through the uniqueness of person, purpose and place; using a personal networking approach in the market development process and flexible and controllable market expansion practices. These elements constitute the pillars of successful, creative and resource-efficient market development.

Originality/value

The study represents a pioneering attempt to explore and conceptualise EM within farm-based entrepreneurship. The findings ultimately give rise to a novel framework: the farm-based entrepreneur’s marketing mix (FEMM).
Research on the network map of literature information distribution in China's marine economic development demonstration zone
Authors: Huang Chong , Liu Lu
Published: April 2022

Purpose

China has established 14 marine economic development demonstration zones in 2018, which has become an important step in exploring the high-quality development of the marine economy. The paper statistically analyzes the documents related to the field of marine economy and special economic zones (SEZs) and strives to find out the hot spots, intersections and related development contexts of the two in the research direction, so as to provide some ideas for later research.

Design/methodology/approach

By taking the bibliographic information data of “Marine Economy” and “Special Economic Zone” in the Web of Science database as a sample, the paper applies the Citespace bibliometric tool to analyze the evolution of disciplinary distribution, research country, author collaboration and research hotspot trends in the two fields.

Findings

It can be found from the paper results that the current research on marine economy and SEZs involves the intersection of many disciplines. China and the United States are the leaders in this field. However, there is more extensive cooperation between authors from different countries, but the cooperation depth needs to be strengthened. At the same time, compared with the terrestrial economy, the trend of its research hotspots is lagging to a certain extent. Moreover, there is still no systematic and professional research paradigm on marine economy.

Research limitations/implications

At present, there are a few research studies on marine economic development demonstration areas or marine SEZs, and related bibliographical references are incomplete, which leads to insufficient samples, and bibliometric methods cannot fully reveal the general research rules and development trends in this field.

Originality/value

The research on the marine economic development demonstration area is still in its infancy. The paper jointly analyzes the literature in the two fields of marine economy and SEZs, aims to find the intersection and related research hotspots of the two, and provides references for the future research of marine development demonstration areas, which is of certain practical significance.
Improve adherence to the Mediterranean diet through an innovative app: a pilot study
Authors: Devecchi Andrea , Bo Simona , De Carli Luca , Breda Erik , Ponzo Valentina , Pezzana Andrea
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a sustainable and healthy diet. However, compliance to the MD is still poor. Given this, the authors created a Web app to promote the MD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Web app YourPappa in terms of adherence to the MD.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed a Web app, YourPappa, with the aim of encouraging virtuous dietary habits through a reward mechanism. After that, a randomized controlled study was conducted. All participants were given written advice on correct nutrition. Moreover, the case group was trained on the use of the app. The MD adherence was evaluated by a validated questionnaire (Medi-Lite).

Findings

Cases found an average increase in the Medi-Lite scores of +7.1%, whereas controls showed an increase of +0.7% (p = 0.06; effect size 0.60). For most of the users, the Web app helped them to think about what they were buying and to promote the MD.

Research limitations/implications

Obesity and related diseases are a topical problem. New strategies are needed to counter it. This study showed interesting and encouraging results, which need further research and insight to be validated and supported.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that has evaluated the use of a Web app to stimulate the adoption of the MD through a reward mechanism.
Exploring the sense of place of traditional shopping streets through Instagram’s visual images and narratives
Authors: Kusumowidagdo Astrid , Ujang Norsidah , Rahadiyanti Melania , Ramli Nurul Atikah
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to capture a sense of place by analysing the physical attributes of the traditional shopping streets located in Indonesia and Malaysia through Instagram posts.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a direct content analysis using visual images of 400 posts of Indonesian and Malaysian respondents. The Instagram Application Programming Interface (API) was used to extract data from Instagram posts. It is then followed by the quantitative analysis to determine the frequencies of visual and narrative representations of physical attributes defining the sense of place.

Findings

Five visual and narrative categories, namely architectural style, store design, special focal points, and the varieties of products and services that represent the physical attributes of shopping streets, were investigated. The findings would benefit the urban preservation initiatives so that the sense of place as authentic tourism destinations can be secured.

Social implications

The awareness of the traditional shopping street as a place of character, especially from social media users, is able to create local values that lead to place imageability and promote national tourism.

Originality/value

This study captured the sense of traditional places based on the people’s identifications that were shared on social media platforms. The posts’ preferences confirmed the significance of traditional shopping streets as a place of attraction and identity. The findings addressed the functions of physical attributes in sustaining the historical and authentic values of traditional shopping streets.
Transforming assessment in accounting education to align with online learning
Authors: Ali Irshad , Narayan Anil K. , Gedera Dilani
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide insights into challenges and opportunities in transforming assessment of learning in accounting education from established practices to technology-based methods. 10; 10;

Design/methodology/approach

This reflective commentary is based on personal reflections and experiences of three senior academics from the same university on the accelerated utilisation of online assessment in accounting education due to COVID-19. Further information was obtained from document analysis, informal conversations with colleagues and observations.

Findings

The findings of this paper suggest that despite numerous challenges, online assessments may replace traditional face-to-face assessments such as tests and exams in accounting and if done properly, this could drive significant improvements in student learning and outcomes. Institutions need to invest in appropriate technology, provide appropriate staff training and ensure good online assessment design that incorporates principles of authenticity and fairness. Robust online assessment practices need to be integrated with e-proctoring systems to ensure academic integrity is upheld.

Practical implications

The paper provides functional insights to higher education management, teaching staff and other stakeholders such as professional accreditation bodies on challenges and opportunities in utilising online assessments. It offers guidance to educators on transforming assessment of learning using the power of technology.

Originality/value

The ideas in this paper are original. The paper shares our lived experiences in transforming established assessment practices in accounting courses to align with online teaching and learning due to COVID-19.
Additively manufactured thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) mold for concrete casting of complex structure
Authors: Xu Tao , Shen Wei , Lin Xiaoshan , Xie Yi Min
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Irregularly shaped architectural designs with surfaces curved in multiple directions, known as free-form designs, have gained significant public interest in recent decades. However, it is challenging to convert complex designs into real structures. This paper aims to realize free-form construction by developing a novel workflow in which additively manufactured thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) molds are used.

Design/methodology/approach

The workflow is developed through mechanical tests on additively manufactured TPU specimens, determination of TPU mold design criteria and exploration of mold preparation methods. Two concrete elements with free-form geometries are fabricated using the proposed workflow.

Findings

TPU is a thermoplastic elastomer that is strong and inexpensive, making it an ideal mold material for casting complex concrete structures. An innovative workflow is developed in which TPU molds are used, appropriate release agents are selected for different concrete casting conditions and a mold subdivision method is proposed to facilitate the demolding process. Furthermore, the integrity of TPU molds can be maintained by following the proposed workflow, enabling repetitive use of molds. The fabrication of the two free-form structures shows that complex concrete members with high dimensional accuracy and excellent surface quality can be manufactured using the proposed method.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first systematic study on using additively manufactured TPU molds for concrete casting of complex structures. The new techniques developed in this research can be applied to large-scale architectural, engineering and construction projects.
Community policing experience, public trust in the police, citizens’ psychological safety and community well-being in Ghana
Authors: Hevi Stewart Selase , Ketemepi Gifty Enyonam , Dorkoo Caroline , Wuttor Akorfa
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how community policing experience elicits public trust in the police, citizens’ psychological safety and community well-being in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A cluster sampling technique was used in the selection of 474 community members, who answered questions relating to community policing experience, public trust in the police, citizens’ psychological safety and community well-being. Structural equation modelling was employed to test the relationships and effects of the hypothesized paths.

Findings

The findings showed that community policing experience was positively related to public trust in the police, citizens’ psychological safety and community well-being in Ghana.

Research limitations/implications

Mediation does not fall within the scope of the current study; hence, issues of indirect effects among the variables were not examined. Nevertheless, future studies should consider investigating the phenomenon through mediation analysis.

Practical implications

The study further highlights that probable negative consequences of divulging information to the police about potential or actual crime may hinder citizens from engaging with police. Hence, police administrators must find ways to conceal identities of whistle blowers on crime and its related issues, so they do not suffer any personal cost.

Originality/value

In this research, the academic scope of community policing was expanded by linking the concepts of public trust in police, citizens’ psychological safety and community well-being, which the study admits has been undertaken separately in empirical policing literature but not within the context of developing countries such as Ghana.
Fabrication and testing of a Hall effect based pressure sensor
Authors: Paliwal Sankalp , Yenuganti Sujan , Manuvinakurake Manjunath
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to present the fabrication and testing of a pressure sensor integrated with Hall effect sensors and permanent magnets arranged in two configurations to measure pressure in the range of 0–1 bar. The sensor is fabricated using stainless steel (SS) and can be used in high-temperature and highly corrosive environments. The fabricated sensor is of low cost, self-packaged and the differential arrangement helps in compensating for any ambient temperature variations.

Design/methodology/approach

The sensor deflects of a circular diaphragm with a simple rigid mechanical structure to convert the applied pressure to a Hall voltage output. Two sensor designs are proposed with a single pair of Hall sensors and magnets and a differential configuration with two Hall sensors and magnets. Two sensor designs are designed, fabricated and tested for their input–output characteristics and the results are compared.

Findings

The fabricated sensors are calibrated for 25 cycles of ascending and descending pressure in steps of 0.1 bar. Various static characteristics like nonlinearity, hysteresis and % error are estimated for both the sensor designs and compared with the existing Hall effect based pressure sensors. The differential arrangement design was found to have better characteristics as compared to the other design from the experimental data.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on fabricating and testing a novel differential Hall effect based pressure sensor. The differential arrangement of the sensor aids in the compensation of ambient temperature variations and the use of SS enables the sensor in high-temperature and highly corrosive applications. The proposed sensor is low cost, simple and self-packaged, and found to have high repeatability and good linearity compared to other similar Hall effect based pressure sensors available in the literature.
Mental health status and factors related on mental health status of the older adults living alone
Authors: Juntapim Sarinrut , Theranut Ampornpun
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to describe the mental health status and factors related to the mental health status of older adults living alone.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a descriptive correlational study. Older adults living alone from the urban area of the Northeast of Thailand were recruited randomly from within a stratified sampling frame and received a questionnaire. Data were collected using a demographic form, way of coping, social support, family relationship, and Thai Mental Health Indicator-15 (TMHI-15). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and Chi-square test.

Findings

The mental health status related to personal factors at p < 0.05 including gender, education level, income, health status, coping strategies, social support and family relationship are related to mental health status.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides further empirical support for older adults who are living alone, especially females who have low income and have a disease. Consequently, policy on social support in older adults should be directed to developing a range of divergent intervention strategies.

Practical implications

This study requires some form of long-term care as well as utilization of treatment and support services, enhanced quality of life for older adults living alone.

Social implications

This study requires some form of long-term care as well as utilization of treatment and support services, enhanced quality of life for older adults living alone.

Originality/value

This study provides further empirical support for older adults who are living alone.