bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In silicoidentification of putativeTrypanosoma cruzienolase inhibitors
Authors: Valera-Vera Edward A. , Sayé Melisa , Reigada Chantal , Miranda Mariana R. , Pereira Claudio A.
Published: June 2019

Enolase is a glycolytic enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion between 2-phosphoglycerate and phosphoenolpyruvate. In trypanosomatids enolase was proposed as a key enzyme afterin silicoandin vivoanalysis and it was validated as a protein essential for the survival of the parasite. Therefore, enolase constitutes an interesting enzyme target for the identification of drugs against Chagas disease. In this work, a combined virtual screening strategy was implemented, employing similarity virtual screening, molecular docking and molecular dynamics. First, two known enolase inhibitors and the enzyme substrates were used as queries for the similarity screening on the Sweetlead database using five different algorithms. Compounds retrieved in the top 10 of at least three search algorithms were selected for further analysis, resulting in six compounds of medical use (etidronate, pamidronate, fosfomycin, acetohydroximate, triclofos, and aminohydroxybutyrate). Molecular docking simulations predicted acetohydroxamate and triclofos would not bind to the active site of the enzyme, and a re-scoring of the obtained poses signaled fosfomycin and aminohydroxybutyrate as bad enzyme binders. Docking poses obtained for etidronate, pamidronate, and PEP, were used for molecular dynamics calculations to describe their mode of binding. From the obtained results, we propose etidronate as a possibleTcENO inhibitor, and describe desirable and undesirable molecular motifs to be taken into account in the repurposing or design of drugs aiming this enzyme active site.
Defective base excision repair in the response to DNA damaging agents in triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Lee Kevin J. , Piett Cortt G. , Andrews Joel F , Mann Elise , Nagel Zachary D. , Gassman Natalie R.
Published: June 2019

DNA repair defects have been increasingly focused on as therapeutic targets. In hormone positive breast cancer, XRCC1-deficient tumors have been identified and proposed as targets for combination therapies that damage DNA and inhibit DNA repair pathways. XRCC1 is a scaffold protein that functions in base excision repair (BER) by mediating essential interactions between DNA glycosylases, AP endonuclease, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1, DNA polymerase β (POL β), and DNA ligases. Loss of XRCC1 confers BER defects and hypersensitivity to DNA damaging agents. BER defects have not been evaluated in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), for which new therapeutic targets and therapies are needed. To evaluate the potential of XRCC1 as an indicator of BER defects in TNBC, we examined XRCC1 expression and localization in the TCGA database and in TNBC cell lines. High XRCC1 expression was observed for TNBC tumors in the TCGA database and expression of XRCC1 varied between TNBC cell lines. We also observed changes in XRCC1 subcellular localization in TNBCs that alter the ability to repair base lesions and single-strand breaks. Subcellular localization changes were also observed for POL β that did not correlate with XRCC1 localization. Basal levels of DNA damage were also measured in the TNBC cell lines, and damage levels correlated with observed changes in XRCC1 expression, localization, and repair functions. The results confirmed that XRCC1 expression changes may indicate DNA repair capacity changes but emphasize that basal DNA damage levels along with expression and localization are better indicators of DNA repair defects. Given the observed over-expression of XRCC1 in TNBC preclinical models and the TCGA database, XRCC1 expression levels should be considered when evaluating treatment responses of TNBC preclinical model cells.
The effect of meal temperature on heart rate inRhodnius prolixus
Authors: Lahondère Chloé , Buradino Maurane , Lazzari Claudio R.
Published: June 2019

Rhodnius prolixusis able to cool down the ingested blood during feeding on a warm-blooded host. This is possible because of a counter-current heat exchanger located in its head, which transfers heat from the warm blood to the insect haemolymph and can dissipate through the head cuticle. Given the key role haemolymph circulation in thermoregulation, we investigated the modulation of the activity of the heart during the warmed meal intake. We evaluated the impact of meal temperature on the heart rate and found that feeding led to an increase in the frequency of heart contractions, which increases with increasing food temperature. We also found that females have a higher heart rate during feeding compare to males.

HIGHLIGHTS

Feeding increases the heart rate ofRhodnius prolixus

The higher the meal temperature, the higher the heart rate becomes

Females have a higher heart rate than males
Brain functional connectivity dynamics in the aftermaths of affective and cognitive events
Authors: Gaviria Julian , Rey Gwladys , Bolton Thomas , Delgado Jaime , Van de Ville Dimitri , Vuilleumier Patrik
Published: June 2019

Neuroimaging studies have shown carry-over effects on brain activity and connectivity following both emotional and cognitive events, persisting even during subsequent rest. Here, we investigate the functional dynamics of such effects by identifying recurring co-activation patterns (CAPs). Using the precuneus as seed region, we compare carrying-over effects on brain-wide CAPs and their modulation after both affective and cognitive challenges. Female volunteers (n=19) underwent fMRI scanning during emotional induction with sad movie clips, and executive control tasks, each followed by resting periods. Several CAPs, overlapping the default mode, salience, attention, and social cognition networks were impacted by both the preceding events (movie or task) and their valence (neutral or negative), with differential fluctuations over time. Specifically, a modulation of CAPs in posterior cingulate and ventromedial prefrontal cortex was observed after exposure to negatively valenced emotional content and predicted changes in subjective affect. Additionally, CAPs in anterior cingulate cortex and dorsal fronto-parietal areas were induced by cognitive control in a negative, but not neutral context, and amplified by the task difficulty. These findings provide new insights on the anatomical organization and temporal inertia of intrinsic functional brain networks, engaged by transient emotions and presumably involved in subsequent adaptive homeostatic processes.
Dynamic reconfiguration of functional brain networks during working memory training
Authors: Finc Karolina , Bonna Kamil , He Xiaosong , Lydon-Staley David M. , Kühn Simone , Duch Włodzisław , Bassett Danielle S.
Published: June 2019

The functional network of the brain continually adapts to changing environmental demands. The consequence of behavioral automation for task-related functional network architecture remains far from understood. We investigated the neural reflections of behavioral automation as participants mastered a dual n-back task. In four fMRI scans equally spanning a 6-week training period, we assessed brain network modularity, a substrate for adaptation in biological systems. We found that whole-brain modularity steadily increased during training for both conditions of the dual n-back task. In a dynamic analysis, we found that the autonomy of the default mode system and integration among task-positive systems were modulated by training. The automation of the n-back task through training resulted in non-linear changes in integration between the fronto-parietal and default mode systems, and integration with the subcortical system. Our findings suggest that the automation of a cognitively demanding task may result in more segregated network organization.
Loss of β-arrestin2 in D2 cells alters neuronal excitability in the nucleus accumbens and behavioral responses to psychostimulants and opioids
Authors: Porter-Stransky Kirsten A. , Petko Alyssa K. , Karne Saumya L. , Liles L. Cameron , Urs Nikhil M. , Caron Marc G. , Paladini Carlos A. , Weinshenker David
Published: June 2019

Psychostimulants and opioids increase dopamine (DA) neurotransmission, activating D1 and D2 G protein-coupled receptors. β-arrestin2 (βarr2) desensitizes and internalizes these receptors and initiates G protein-independent signaling. Previous work revealed that mice with a global or cell-specific knockout of βarr2 have altered responses to certain drugs; however, the effects of βarr2 on the excitability of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and its role in mediating the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse are unknown. D1-Cre and D2-Cre transgenic mice were crossed with floxed βarr2 mice to eliminate βarr2 specifically in cells containing either D1 (D1βarr2-KO) or D2 (D2βarr2-KO) receptors. We used slice electrophysiology to characterize the role of βarr2 in modulating D1 and D2 nucleus accumbens MSN intrinsic excitability in response to DA and tested the locomotor-activating and rewarding effects of cocaine and morphine in these mice. We found that eliminating βarr2 attenuated the ability of DA to inhibit D2-MSNs but had little effect on the DA response of D1-MSNs. While D1βarr2-KO mice had mostly normal drug responses, D2βarr2-KO mice showed dose-dependent reductions in acute locomotor responses to cocaine and morphine, attenuated locomotor sensitization to cocaine, and blunted cocaine reward measured with conditioned place preference. Both D2βarr2-KO and D1βarr2-KO mice displayed an enhanced conditioned place preference for the highest dose of morphine. These results indicate that D2-derived βarr2 functionally contributes to the ability of DA to inhibit D2-MSNs and multiple behavioral responses to psychostimulants and opioids, while loss of βarr2 in D1 neurons has little impact on D1-MSN excitability or drug-induced behaviors.
Senolytic activity of small molecular polyphenols from olive restores chondrocyte redifferentiation and cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis
Authors: Varela-Eirín Marta , Varela-Vázquez Adrián , Paíno Carlos Luis , Casado-Díaz Antonio , Continente Alfonso Calañas , Mato Virginia , Fonseca Eduardo , Kandouz Mustapha , Blanco Alfonso , Caeiro José Ramón , Mayán María D.
Published: June 2019

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent disorder of articulating joints and a leading cause of disability in humans, affecting half of the world’s population aged 65 years or older. Articular cartilage and synovial tissue from OA patients show an overactivity of the membrane channel protein connexin43 (Cx43) and accumulation of senescent cells associated with disrupted tissue regeneration. We have recently demonstrated the use of the Cx43 as an appropriate therapeutic target to halt OA progression by decreasing the accumulation of senescent cells and by triggering redifferentiation of osteoarthritic chondrocytes (OACs) into a more differentiated state, restoring the fully mature phenotype and cartilage regeneration. In this study we have found that small molecular polyphenols derived by olive extracts target Cx43 and senescence in OACs, synovial and bone cells from patients and in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Our results indicate that these small molecules including oleuropein regulate the promoter activity of Cx43 gene. The downregulation of Cx43 expression by oleuropein reduce gap junction intercellular communication, cellular senescence in chondrocytes and enhance the propensity of hMSCs to differentiate into chondrocytes and bone cells, reducing adipogenesis. In concordance with these results, these small molecules reduce Cx43 and decrease Twist-1 activity leading to redifferentiation of OACs, which restores the synthesis of cartilage ECM components (Col2A1 and proteoglycans) and reduces inflammatory and catabolic factors IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2 and MMP-3 and cellular senescence orchestrated by p53/p21 together with the synthesis of SASP via NF-kB. Altogether, our results demonstrate the use of the olive-derived polyphenols such as oleuropein as potentially effective therapeutic agents to enhance the efficacy of hMSC therapy and to induce a pro-regenerative environment in OA patients by restoring cellular phenotype and clearing out senescent cells in joint tissues in order to stop or prevent the progression of the disease.
Shape-fitting analyses of two-dimensional X-ray diffraction spots for strain-distribution evaluation in a β-FeSi2 nanofilm
Authors: Takemoto Shohei , Hattori Ken , Someta Masaaki , Hattori Azusa N. , Tanaka Hidekazu , Kurushima Kosuke , Otsuka Yuji , Daimon Hiroshi
Published: June 2019

New fitting analyses for peak shapes in a 2D reciprocal-space map are demonstrated to evaluate the strain, strain distribution and domain size of a crystalline ultra-thin (15 Å) film of β-FeSi2(100) grown epitaxially on an Si(001) substrate, using grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction. A 2D Laue-fit analysis taking into account instrument broadening and the double-domain effect provides residual maps as a function of the inequivalent strains ɛ
b
and ɛ
c
along the b and c axes of β-FeSi2, respectively (and domain size D), reflecting the probability of existence of homogeneous domains with fixed ɛ
b
, ɛ
c
and D, in addition to the most probable minimum residual. A 2D Laue fit with an inhomogeneous domain distribution provides a population map with ɛ
b
and ɛ
c
, reflecting strain components contributing to the film. The population map also leads to a reference residual as a guide for the strains contributing to the residual map. The advantages of the 2D Laue fits are discussed by comparison with the Scherrer, Williamson–Hall and Gaussian fitting methods for equivalent systems. The analyzed results indicate that the β-FeSi2 nanofilm was considerably small strained, which was also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, implying a weak interface interaction between the film and the substrate.
A novel methodology to study nanoporous alumina by small-angle neutron scattering
Authors: Christoulaki Anastasia , Chennevière Alexis , Grillo Isabelle , Porcar Lionel , Dubois Emmanuelle , Jouault Nicolas
Published: June 2019

Nanoporous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes are promising host systems for confinement of condensed matter. Characterizing their structure and composition is thus of primary importance for studying the behavior of confined objects. Here a novel methodology to extract quantitative information on the structure and composition of well defined AAO membranes by combining small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging is reported. In particular, (i) information about the pore hexagonal arrangement is extracted from SEM analysis, (ii) the best SANS experimental conditions to perform reliable measurements are determined and (iii) a detailed fitting method is proposed, in which the probed length in the fitting model is a critical parameter related to the longitudinal pore ordering. Finally, to validate this strategy, it is applied to characterize AAOs prepared under different conditions and it is shown that the experimental SANS data can be fully reproduced by a core/shell model, indicating the existence of a contaminated shell. This original approach, based on a detailed and complete description of the SANS data, can be applied to a variety of confining media and will allow the further investigation of condensed matter under confinement.
Co-crystal structure of the Fusobacterium ulcerans ZTP riboswitch using an X-ray free-electron laser
Authors: Jones Christopher , Tran Brandon , Conrad Chelsie , Stagno Jason , Trachman Robert , Fischer Pontus , Meents Alke , Ferré-D'Amaré Adrian
Published: June 2019

Riboswitches are conformationally dynamic RNAs that regulate gene expression by binding specific small molecules. ZTP riboswitches bind the purine-biosynthetic intermediate 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside 5′-monophosphate (ZMP) and its triphosphorylated form (ZTP). Ligand binding to this riboswitch ultimately upregulates genes involved in folate and purine metabolism. Using an X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL), the room-temperature structure of the Fusobacterium ulcerans ZTP riboswitch bound to ZMP has now been determined at 4.1 Å resolution. This model, which was refined against a data set from ∼750 diffraction images (each from a single crystal), was found to be consistent with that previously obtained from data collected at 100 K using conventional synchrotron X-radiation. These experiments demonstrate the feasibility of time-resolved XFEL experiments to understand how the ZTP riboswitch accommodates cognate ligand binding.
LAT1 (SLC7A5) and CD98hc (SLC3A2) complex dynamics revealed by single-particle cryo-EM
Authors: Chiduza George N. , Johnson Rachel M. , Wright Gareth S. A. , Antonyuk Svetlana V. , Muench Stephen P. , Hasnain S. Samar
Published: June 2019

Solute carriers are a large class of transporters that play key roles in normal and disease physiology. Among the solute carriers, heteromeric amino-acid transporters (HATs) are unique in their quaternary structure. LAT1–CD98hc, a HAT, transports essential amino acids and drugs across the blood–brain barrier and into cancer cells. It is therefore an important target both biologically and therapeutically. During the course of this work, cryo-EM structures of LAT1–CD98hc in the inward-facing conformation and in either the substrate-bound or apo states were reported to 3.3–3.5 Å resolution [Yanet al.(2019),Nature (London),568, 127–130]. Here, these structures are analyzed together with our lower resolution cryo-EM structure, and multibody 3D auto-refinement against single-particle cryo-EM data was used to characterize the dynamics of the interaction of CD98hc and LAT1. It is shown that the CD98hc ectodomain and the LAT1 extracellular surface share no substantial interface. This allows the CD98hc ectodomain to have a high degree of movement within the extracellular space. The functional implications of these aspects are discussed together with the structure determination.
Do extra ingredients on the package lead to extra calorie estimates?
Authors: Zhu Guowei , Chryssochoidis George , Zhou Li
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to address how adding food ingredients to a packaged base food affects consumers’ calorie estimation of the new augmented product.

Design/methodology/approach

The four performed experiments and analyses of variance demonstrate an underlying psychological mechanism, explained below.

Findings

Results show that the healthiness of the added food ingredient (AFI) does not matter if the base food is healthy, and consumers’ calorie estimates of the augmented packaged food product are accurate. When, however, the food base is unhealthy, and the AFI is healthy, consumers underestimate the new product calories. This underestimation effect increases further when the healthy ingredients multiply. This underestimation effect endures when these ingredients are presented in a visual form, but it becomes smaller when these ingredients are presented in a verbal form. A justification mechanism is relevant.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should test across the broader range of the food product matrix. There is a great diversity of AFI presentations, and further research may deal with the impact of AFIs of these different forms on consumers’ calorie estimation and healthiness perceptions. Research may also test sensory-arousing mechanisms that can help understand how consumers perceive the calories of the augmented food.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that consumers should be cautious of the judgment bias caused by the presence of an AFI on food packages and raise their awareness regarding nutrition implications and dietary effects. From the perspective of food manufacturers, although adding healthy AFIs to unhealthy base foods may increase consumers’ purchase intention and bring higher profits, it may not be sustainable as a marketing strategy in the long term and has immediate ethical implications.

Social implications

Policymakers should introduce voluntary schemes to monitor and restrict the improper presentation of AFIs, aiming to rule out the abuse of healthy AFIs on unhealthy packaged food.

Originality/value

This work offers three major original and valuable contributions. It explains the effects of AFIs on calorie estimation and consumer healthiness perceptions in a context not studied before, namely, packaged food products. Next, it advances the literature on consumer judgment error and heuristics concerning product package attributes. As adding ingredients is integral to product line extension decisions, the results also clarify how marketing can safeguard firm social responsibility in combating obesity.
Different strokes for different folks
Authors: Bijedić Teita , Piper Alan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Migrant enterprises comprise about 10 per cent of all enterprises in Germany and are therefore a crucial part of the German economy and its entrepreneurial ecosystems. Relatedly, migrant entrepreneurship is a highly recognized topic within political discussions as well as within entrepreneurship research. While there is already an impressive body of work regarding the nature and quality of migrant enterprises, many questions regarding the personal motives and satisfaction of migrant entrepreneurs still remain unanswered, particularly with regards to their job satisfaction. Thus, this study aims to address such questions regarding the job satisfaction of entrepreneurs with different backgrounds.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the German Socio-Economic Panel data set, the authors close this research gap by investigating the job satisfaction of migrant entrepreneurs in Germany compared with native entrepreneurs.

Findings

First generation migrants show, in general, less job satisfaction than the native population. Second generation male migrant entrepreneurs’ show less job satisfaction; however, this association is reversed for females: second generation female migrant entrepreneurs are more satisfied with their self-employment than their native counterparts.

Originality/value

These differing results lead to differing implications for policymakers who wish to create and develop entrepreneurial and labour market support for different target groups.
Student perceptions and trust of sustainability information
Authors: Hay Rachel , Eagle Lynne , Saleem Muhammad Abid , Vandommele Lisa , Li Siqiwen
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report student attitudes and beliefs towards climate change adaptation and sustainability-related behaviours.

Design/methodology/approach

A paper-based questionnaire was completed by 247 first-year (students in their first semester of study) and third-year (students in their final semester of study) students in the same year (2012) of the study (Table I). A factor analysis shows that common themes previously identified failed to reflect the diverse range of influences on young people, including family, friends and news media.

Findings

Contrary to the literature, few significant differences were found in sustainability-related behaviours between first- and third-semester students, with an increase in scepticism regarding the reality of climate change among the latter.

Research limitations/implications

The study focused on Australian undergraduate university business students. As a single-institution case study, the results may not be generalised to all university students. As such the authors recommended that the study be completed in other universities from around the world. The study was undertaken over one year, but the participants may not have necessarily been the same students in third semester as they were in first semester. Therefore, it is recommended that the study be repeated in future years so that the same cohort can be measured over time, providing a more accurate account of the development of student knowledge and perceptions of sustainability during their time at university.

Practical implications

Achieving significant long-term changes in behaviours will be a substantial challenge for tertiary curricula. The findings of this study can inform instructors in higher education of student attitudes towards sustainability and climate change adaption and in turn inform changes to tertiary curriculum in sustainability and climate change adaption.

Originality/value

This paper reports on the second phase of a longitudinal research project examining the effects of an undergraduate business studies curriculum on student views of sustainability. The authors confirm that the research is original and that all of the data provided in the study are real and authentic. Neither the entire work nor any of its parts have been previously published.
Enrollment management analytics: a practical framework
Authors: Delcoure Natalya , Carmona Jesus S.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of data analytics in addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities facing institutions of higher education, with a special emphasis on enrollment management for the example of a college of business administration in a Hispanic-serving four-year institution of higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

After reviewing previous research on this subject, the authors propose adding a new stratum to higher education analytics, enrollment management analytics, which uniquely identifies the actions associated with attracting and recruiting students, accounts for institutional differences and leads to students’ successful matriculation at institutions.

Findings

The authors demonstrate on the example of a professional college in a four-year institution of higher education how the utilization of modern analytical tools and techniques develop actionable decisions in the students’ recruitment process, which leads to their matriculation.

Originality/value

A definition and a new stratum in higher education analytics are proposed for enrollment management analytics.
Citizen participation in crime prevention: a study in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Lau Pang Heng , Ali Kamsiah
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss citizen participation in crime prevention in Kuching, Malaysia. This is a study of how citizen participated in crime prevention has helped in crime reduction in Kuching. Roles of citizen in crime prevention with the police have been included in this study. Result showed that citizen and police joint crime prevention has succeeded in crime reduction in Kuching.

Design/methodology/approach

Three methods of data collection were used in this research study: first, face-to-face interviews of 500 head of households in Kuching. They are selected using systematic sampling among the 159,000 households in Kuching. Second, in-depth interviews of 36 respondents involving community leaders and crime watch groups; and third, secondary crime statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police. It is based on actual crime reported to the police.

Findings

Police and citizen involvement in crime prevention are effective in reducing crime. Citizen participation in crime prevention was 80.6 per cent. The higher the frequency police and citizen involvement in crime prevention patrols, the lesser the level of crime. With increased joint patrol by police and citizen in the neighbourhood, the level of crime will be lower, and safety will improve, and this is particular valid in the case of the nine geographical areas covered under Kuching police district.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused on citizen participation in crime prevention in Kuching police district only.

Practical implications

Police and citizen participation in crime prevention play a key role in crime reduction. This study argued that police and citizen frequent patrol will improve safety in the community. Training plays a key role for citizen to participate in crime prevention. Joint crime prevention patrol calls for a new breed of police officers who can work with the citizens. In return, the citizens trust the police to lead them in crime prevention.

Social implications

With citizen participation in crime prevention, the community will be safer, peaceful resulting in less crime. Citizens acted as an eye and ear to the police. As and when a citizen see a suspicious person in the neighbourhood, he informs the police. When the police arrives, the suspicious person who may have a criminal intent will either be arrested by the police or escaped before the police arrived.

Originality/value

This paper provides an insight into crime prevention exercise involving the citizens. The same concept can be implemented throughout Malaysia. Police needs to involve citizens always in crime prevention. Police and the community are one big family.
From expatriation to global migration
Authors: Latukha Marina , Soyiri Joseph , Shagalkina Mariia , Rysakova Liana
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, the authors aim to examine the role of talent management (TM) practices in talent migration from developed countries to Ghana that may enhance country’s economic development through knowledge transfer. The paper also investigates the determinants of migration to the African countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Discussing the importance of self-initiated expatriates (SIEs), and how TM practices may contribute to global migration, the authors develop a set of propositions and build a theoretical framework showing how firms from Ghana can push SIEs to a longer stay in Ghana stimulating inward migration by implementing TM practices.

Findings

The authors claim that in the Ghanaian context expatriates may become migrants by overcoming negative perceptions about Ghana as a destination. Besides the authors argue that talent attraction and talent retention practices with governmental support, play an important role in inward migration to Ghana.

Research limitations/implications

New agenda for talent managers in Africa, namely addressing the possibilities for expatriates’ retention by developing and implementing TM practices to ensure knowledge transferring from developed countries is suggested.

Originality/value

The theoretical framework provides a useful starting point for explaining the interconnections of TM and the conversion from expatriation to the global migration phenomena by African countries that broaden the TM scope beyond individual and organizational aspects. The authors state that TM systems take on the principal role of addressing talent migration especially in the African context and are capable of converting expatriates, specifically SIEs, into migrants to solve important tasks related to knowledge attraction to developing countries.
Analyzing the influence of employee values on knowledge management in sport organizations
Authors: Delshab Vahid , Winand Mathieu , Sadeghi Boroujerdi Saeed , Pyun Do Young , Mahmoudian Abed
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between employee values and knowledge management (KM) in sport organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Data (N = 234) were collected online through a structured questionnaire from employees of 33 sport organizations in Iran. To test the hypotheses, Pearson correlation test and a regression analysis was conducted.

Findings

The results from the study revealed that there were significant relationships between employee values and KM. Both instrumental and terminal values significantly influenced KM.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation of this study is related to the generalizability of the results. Therefore, the current study is required to be replicated with other sport organizations in various sectors (public or private) to improve external validity of the results.

Practical implications

Based on this study, employees of sport organizations in developing countries tend to store knowledge more than sharing and applying it. The findings can be used by human resources and KM practitioners who are interested in developing organizational knowledge through employees’ values.

Originality/value

Through this study, the positive roles of employee instrumental and terminal values, as the key drivers in determining intangible assets in organizations, were found.
Designing smelter industry investment competitiveness policy in Indonesia through system dynamics model
Authors: Hanafi Muhammad , Wibisono Dermawan , Mangkusubroto Kuntoro , Siallagan Manahan , Badriyah Mila Jamilah Khatun
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This research aims to examine the smelter industry’s investment competitiveness in Indonesia as well as to find solutions to improve its competitive advantage for the nation.

Design/methodology/approach

This research applies a sequential mixed-methods approach with a second quantitative phase building on an initial first qualitative phase. The qualitative phase is conducted by interviews to find the root causes of problems as well as solutions to gain smelter industries’ competitiveness. The quantitative phase is conducted by a system dynamics model. A descriptive causal loop diagram is created based on interviews and focus group discussions to describe the problems. The concept of competitive advantage of a nation from Porter’s diamond model is applied in this research.

Findings

The results reveal the complexity of smelter industries in Indonesia. The paper also addresses the causes of problems and interaction of variables using a causal loop diagram. To gain the smelter industry’s competitiveness, this paper suggests the potential policy development to increase competitiveness of the smelter industry such as policy for different fiscal incentives to each different mineral, effective export duty and exploration obligation.

Practical implications

The result of this study provides a good basis for government in making policy to improve the competitive advantage of the smelter industry investment in Indonesia.

Originality/value

This is the first research on smelter industry competitiveness that applies Porter’s diamond model and system dynamics model to find solutions in designing appropriate policy to gain competitiveness.
Ready and willing to learn: exploring personal antecedents to taking on learning challenges
Authors: Rigolizzo Michele
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the personal antecedents to taking on the challenge of learning, particularly when there is competition for time at work. Taking on challenging tasks, particularly those that enhance learning, is a critical behavior in today’s dynamic business environments. This paper explores how individual differences motivate people to choose a challenging task over an easy one.

Design/methodology/approach

A behavioral measure was used to determine if working adults higher in learning goal orientation, curiosity, and need for cognition were more likely to take on a challenging task, even when there was competition for their time. Structural equation modeling was used to more deeply examine whether these constructs independently contribute to the outcome.

Findings

Goal orientation, curiosity and need for cognition each significantly predicted whether working adults took on a challenging task. Additional analysis revealed that learning goal orientation, curiosity, and need for cognition loaded onto a single factor.

Research limitations/implications

This paper answers calls for the use of direct measurement in social science research. Rather than asking individuals about what they have done or would do, the study observes what choices working adults actually make when confronted with the opportunity to learn.

Originality/value

Contributing to the recent surge of work on informal learning behaviors, this paper examines a critical learning behavior – that of taking on challenging tasks. It demonstrates that even if individuals are ready learn (have the time and resources), there are key individual differences that drive whether they are willing to do so.
A study on anticorrosive property of phenolic components from Pachysandra terminalis against low carbon steel corrosion in acidic medium
Authors: Chitra Subramanian , Chung Ill-Min , Kim Seung-Hyun , Prabakaran Mayakrishnan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The study aims to find new anticorrosive components from a plant source, namely, Pachysandra terminalis Sieb. et Zucc. (P. terminalis), a traditional medicinal shrub predominantly used by Tujia people.

Design/methodology/approach

Because phenolic components from plants are known for its numerous values in several fields, the corrosion inhibitive ability of P. terminalis extract was analyzed by electrochemical studies (polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) and surface examination (by scanning electron microscopy [SEM], energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy [EDX] and atomic force microscopy [AFM]).

Findings

The examination of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC) and individual phenols (UHPLC) showed the presence of 85.21 mg/g (TPC), 25.38 mg/g (TFC), protocatechuic acid (62.10 µg/g), gentisic acid (60.21µg/g), rutin (50.12 µg/g), kaempferol (46.58 µg/g) and p-Coumaric acid (42.35µg/g) . The polarization study shows that the maximum shift is (16 mV), imposing a mixed mode of inhibition, dominantly anodic. The surface morphology studies by SEM, EDX and AFM confirmed the adsorption of phytochemical components on the low carbon steel surface blocking the active sites.

Originality/value

The study unveils the inhibitive nature of P. terminalis, preventing aggressive attack by 0.5 M HCl on low carbon steel. This also exhibits few phenols present in methanolic leaf extract which may be the role player of corrosion inhibition.
Financial reputation repair through environmental performance
Authors: Matozza Felice , Biscotti Anna Maria , Mafrolla Elisabetta
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether firms in polluting industries improve their environmental performance to effectively repair their financial reputation in the aftermath of an accounting restatement – a financial reputation-damaging event.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors test their hypotheses using multiple regression analysis of a sample of firms listed in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)-adopting countries. They use a comparative empirical design in which a sample of firms that underwent a restatement (henceforth, restating firms) are compared with control groups of pair- and multiple-matched firms that did not undergo restatements (non-restating firms).

Findings

The study finds that restating firms have higher environmental performance in the aftermath of restatement events. Additionally, the authors demonstrate that this environmentally based reputation repair positively influences the financial reputation of the firms, as measured by analyst coverage and recommendations and which previously decreased because of the restatement event.

Practical implications

Because environmental levers are a substantial contextual factor in polluting industries, shifting the stakeholder debate to firms’ environmental commitment can improve financial stakeholders’ opinions and favour the repair of the multifaceted reputation of the financially damaged firm.

Social implications

With a worldwide growing attention to environment there is a critical need for understanding how polluting firms integrate sustainability and financial reputation. We demostrate that polluting firms recover from a financial failure pursuing their environmental performance.

Originality/value

Contributing to the behavioural theory of reputation repair and in line with the legitimacy perspective in environmental disclosure research, this paper shows that polluting firms recover from a loss to their financial reputation by diverting stakeholders’ attention towards the environmental field, thus restoring their financial reputation, as financial analysts value environmental performance improvement – a substantial contextual factor of polluting firms’ reputation repair process.
Barriers to circular food supply chains in China
Authors: Farooque Muhammad , Zhang Abraham , Liu Yanping
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to identify and systematically analyze the causal-effect relationships among barriers to circular food supply chains in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Grounded in multiple organizational theories, this paper develops a theoretical framework for identifying relevant barriers to integrating circular economy philosophy in food supply chain management. The study uses 105 responses from Chinese food supply chain stakeholders including food processors, sales and distribution channels, consumers and government officials. It applies a fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method to examine the causal-effect relationships among the identified barriers.

Findings

Overall, the results suggest two key cause barriers: first, weak environmental regulations and enforcement, and second, lack of market preference/pressure. Meanwhile, lack of collaboration/support from supply chain actors is the most prominent barrier. The key cause and prominent barriers are also identified for each of the supply chain stakeholder involved.

Research implications

The study offers practical insights for overcoming barriers to integrating circular economy philosophy in the management of supply chains in the Chinese food sector, as well as in other contexts where similar challenges are faced. It also sheds light on which organizational theories are most suitable for guiding similar studies.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first barrier study on circular food supply chains. The use of multiple organizational theories for the development of the theoretical framework is unique in barrier studies. The study offers insights from multiple stakeholders in the Chinese food supply chains.
The differences in agent effects on sustainable supply chain management: an activity theory construction
Authors: Malik Mohsin , Abdallah Salam , Orr Stuart , Chaudhary Uzma
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper responds to calls from the literature for research identifying the difference between the effect of internal agents and external agents, such as customers, suppliers and government on sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). The paper also determines whether there is a dynamic or interactive relationship between the two types of agents.

Design/methodology/approach

Activity theory was used as the theoretical framework for understanding how internal and external agents affected both SSCM motivation and facilitation and possible interactions between the two. A cluster analysis identified how internal and external agents affected SSCM initiatives, interactions, the conditions under which this occurs and the mechanisms of this effect.

Findings

Internal and external agents differ in the type, sequence and diversity of their effect on SSCM. While external agents had both an SSCM motivating and facilitation effect, internal agents only had a facilitating effect. Customers were only a significant SSCM motivation in 35% of the cases. Government regulations had a dynamic effect, changing from motivation to facilitation as the SSCM initiative developed. External agent SSCM motivation and facilitation were more internalized in organizations which were more internationally oriented.

Practical implications

Local institutional frameworks motivate and facilitate SSCM initiatives, while head office initiatives and international best practice agencies encourage an integrated combination of external agent motivation and facilitation and internal facilitation.

Originality/value

The findings extend the SSCM literature by identifying the processes of agent SSCM motivation and facilitation, the dynamic nature of agent SSCM effects and the mechanism through which externally motivated and facilitated SSCM becomes internalized.
Institutional pressures for corporate social responsibility implementation: a study of Indian executives
Authors: Jha Aruna , Aggrawal Vijita Singh
Published: June 2019

Purpose

India has recently entered mandatory corporate social responsibility (CSR) spend era. It is important to unravel the pressures of CSR implementation in the Indian context to understand how a better fit between business strategy and CSR spend can be achieved. This study aims to validate a model that integrates pressures, CSR implementation and financial performance through reputation within the institutional theory framework.

Design/methodology/approach

It is based on a questionnaire survey of 162 top-level and middle-level CSR managers in India and semi-structured interviews with eight top-level executives.

Findings

The study concludes that local community, government, peers and media are important institutional pressures of CSR implementation in India. Reputation partially mediates the relationship between CSR implementation and financial performance.

Practical implications

The study findings can help managers to know which stakeholders (government, media, peers and local community) are exerting statistically significant institutional pressures and how CSR initiatives be designed to cater to their requirements. Though CSR spend is mandatory in India, a strategic orientation towards it would enable the firms to derive value for the stakeholders associated with the business.

Originality/value

Relationship between pressures of CSR and CSR implementation has not yet been explored in the Indian context. Such a relationship tells us why is CSR taken up and influence of which of the pressure groups is considered important while implementing CSR. The study will help to understand the relationship between CSR–reputation–financial performance as perceived by Indian managers and to assess whether they perceive corporate reputation building as one of the most important outcomes of CSR.
The adoption of international sustainability and integrated reporting guidelines within a mandatory reporting framework: lessons from South Africa
Authors: Wachira Mumbi Maria , Berndt Thomas , Romero Carlos Martinez
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to explore factors influencing voluntary adoption of international sustainability and integrated reporting guidelines within a mandatory reporting framework. Given South Africa’s political history, the authors argue that accounting practice can be used to secure the legitimacy and transparency of businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

Two logistic regression equations are used to predict the likelihood of firms’ subscribing to either Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or the Integrated Reporting () framework, respectively. The authors consider annual, sustainability and integrated reports issued for the financial year ended 2014.

Findings

The results show a statistically and significant positive association between the adoption of the GRI’s guidelines and the level of transparency of non-financial disclosures and environmental sensitiveness. The application of the  framework is also associated with the level of a firm’s transparency score and with its respective analyst following, which acts as a measure for capital markets requiring a high information environment.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates the development of integrated and sustainability reporting (SR) practices within an emerging market. By drawing distinctions between locally developed South African codes of corporate governance, namely, King I-III and international guidelines proxied by the GRI’s guidelines for SR, and the  framework, the authors show that South African firms still adopt international guidelines despite the mandatory framework in place.