bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid genomic convergent evolution in experimental populations of Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata)
Authors: van der Zee Mijke J. , Whiting James R. , Paris Josephine R. , Bassar Ron D. , Travis Joseph , Weigel Detlef , Reznick David N. , Fraser Bonnie A.
Published: February 2021

It is now accepted that phenotypic evolution can occur quickly but the genetic basis of rapid adaptation to natural environments is largely unknown in multicellular organisms. Population genomic studies of experimental populations of Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata) provide a unique opportunity to study this phenomenon. Guppy populations that were transplanted from high-predation (HP) to low-predation (LP) environments have been shown to mimic naturally-colonised LP populations phenotypically in as few as 8 generations. The new phenotypes persist in subsequent generations in lab environments, indicating their high heritability. Here, we compared whole genome variation in four populations recently introduced into LP sites along with the corresponding HP source population. We examined genome-wide patterns of genetic variation to estimate past demography, and uncovered signatures of selection with a combination of genome scans and a novel multivariate approach based on allele frequency change vectors. We were able to identify a limited number of candidate loci for convergent evolution across the genome. In particular, we found a region on chromosome 15 under strong selection in three of the four populations, with our multivariate approach revealing subtle parallel changes in allele frequency in all four populations across this region. Investigating patterns of genome-wide selection in this uniquely replicated experiment offers remarkable insight into the mechanisms underlying rapid adaptation, providing a basis for comparison with other species and populations experiencing rapidly changing environments.

IMPACT STATEMENT

The genetic basis of rapid adaptation to new environments is largely unknown. Here we take advantage of a unique replicated experiment in the wild, where guppies from a high predation source were introduced into four low predation localities. Previous reports document census size fluctuations and rapid phenotypic evolution in these populations. We used genome-wide sequencing to understand past demography and selection. We detected clear signals of population growth and bottlenecks at the genome-wide level matching known census population data changes. We then identified candidate regions of selection across the genome, some of which were shared between populations. In particular, using a novel multivariate method, we identified parallel allele frequency change at a strong candidate locus for adaptation to low predation. These results and methods will be of use to those studying evolution at a recent, ecological timescale.
Cutevariant: a GUI-based desktop application to explore genetics variations
Authors: Schutz Sacha , Marijon Pierre , Montier Tristan , Genin Emmanuelle
Published: February 2021

Cutevariant is a user-friendly GUI based desktop application for genomic research designed to search for variations in DNA samples collected in annotated files and encoded in the Variant Calling Format. The application imports data into a local relational database wherefrom complex filter-queries can be built either from the intuitive GUI or using a Domain Specific Language (DSL). Cutevariant provides more features than any existing applications without compromising on performance. The plugin based architecture provides highly customizable features. Cutevariant is distributed as a multiplatform client-side software under an open source licence and is available athttps://github.com/labsquare/Cutevariant. It has been designed from the beginning to be easily adopted by IT-agnostic end-users.
Type IV pili share a conserved mechanism of motor-independent retraction that is an inherent property of the pilus filament
Authors: Chlebek Jennifer L. , Craig Lisa , Dalia Ankur B.
Published: February 2021

Type IV pili (T4P) are dynamic surface appendages that promote virulence, biofilm formation, horizontal gene transfer, and motility in diverse bacterial species. Pilus dynamic activity is best characterized in T4P that use distinct ATPase motors for pilus extension and retraction. Many T4P systems, however, lack a dedicated retraction motor and the mechanism underlying this motor-independent retraction remains a mystery. Using theVibrio choleraecompetence pilus as a model system, we identify mutations in the major pilin gene that enhance motor-independent retraction. These mutants produced less stable pili, likely due to diminished pilin-pilin interactions within the filament. One mutation adds a bulky residue to α1C, a universally conserved feature of type IV pilins. We found that inserting a bulky residue into α1C of the retraction motor-dependentAcinetobacter baylyicom-petence T4P is sufficient to induce motor-independent retraction. Conversely, removing bulky residues from α1C of the retraction motor-independentV. choleraetoxin-co-regulated T4P stabilizes the filament and prevents retraction. Furthermore, alignment of pilins from the broader type IV filament (T4F) family indicated that retraction motor-independent T4P, Com pili, and type II secretion systems generally encode larger residues within α1C oriented toward the pilus core compared to retraction motor-dependent T4P. Together, our data demonstrate that motor-independent retraction relies on the inherent instability of the pilus filament that may be conserved in diverse T4Fs. This provides the first evidence for a long-standing, yet untested, model in which pili retract in the absence of a motor by spontaneous de-polymerization.

SIGNIFICANCE

Extracellular pilus filaments are critical for the virulence and persistence of many bacterial pathogens. A crucial property of these filaments is their ability to dynamically extend and retract from the bacterial surface. A detailed mechanistic understanding of pilus retraction, however, remains lacking in many systems. Here, we reveal that pilus retraction is an inherent property of the pilus filament. These observations are broadly relevant to diverse pilus systems, including those in many bacterial pathogens, and may help inform novel therapeutic strategies that aim to target pilus dynamic activity.
Connectivity patterns that shape olfactory representation in a mushroom body network model
Authors: Zavitz Daniel , Amematsro Elom A. , Borisyuk Alla , Caron Sophie J.C.
Published: February 2021

Cerebellum-like structures — such as the insect mushroom body — are found in many brains and share a basic fan-out–fan-in network architecture. How the specific structural features of these networks give rise to their learning function remains largely unknown. To investigate this structure–function relationship, we developed a minimal computational model of the extensively studied Drosophila melanogaster mushroom body. We show how well-defined connectivity patterns between the Kenyon cells — the constituent neurons of the mushroom body — and their input projection neurons endow different functions, enabling the mushroom body to process olfactory information more efficiently. First, biases in the likelihoods at which individual projection neurons connect to Kenyon cells allow the mushroom body to prioritize the learning of particular, ethologically meaningful odors. Second, groups of projection neurons connecting preferentially to the same Kenyon cells facilitate the mushroom body to generalize across similar odors. Altogether, our results demonstrate how different connectivity patterns shape the representation space of a well-studied cerebellum-like network and impact its learning outcomes.
Ultra-sensitive nanoLC-MS of sub nanogram protein samples using second generation micro pillar array LC technology with Orbitrap Exploris 480 and FAIMS PRO
Authors: Stejskal Karel , de Beeck Jeff Op , Dürnberger Gerhard , Jacobs Paul , Mechtler Karl
Published: February 2021

In the light of the ongoing single-cell revolution, scientific disciplines are combining forces to retrieve as much relevant data as possible from trace amounts of biological material. For single cell proteomics, this implies optimizing the entire workflow from initial cell isolation down to sample preparation, liquid chromatography (LC) separation, mass spectrometer (MS) data acquisition and data analysis. To demonstrate the potential for single cell and limited sample proteomics, we report on a series of benchmarking experiments where we combine LC separation on a new generation of micro pillar array columns with state-of-the-art Orbitrap MS/MS detection and High-Field Asymmetric Waveform Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS). This dedicated limited sample column has a reduced cross section and micro pillar dimensions that have been further downscaled (inter pillar distance and pillar diameter by a factor of 2), resulting in improved chromatography at reduced void times. A dilution series of a HeLa tryptic digest (5-0.05 ng/μL) was used to explore the sensitivity that can be achieved. Comparative processing of the MS/MS data with Sequest HT, MS Amanda, Mascot and SpectroMine pointed out the benefits of using Sequest HT together with INFERYS when analyzing sample amounts below 1 ng. 2855 protein groups were identified from just 1 ng of HeLa tryptic digest hereby increasing detection sensitivity as compared to a previous contribution by a factor well above 10. By successfully identifying 1486 protein groups from as little as 250 pg of HeLa tryptic digest, we demonstrate outstanding sensitivity with great promise for use in limited sample proteomics workflows.
Synthetic multistability in mammalian cells
Authors: Zhu Ronghui , del Rio-Salgado Jesus M. , Garcia-Ojalvo Jordi , Elowitz Michael B.
Published: February 2021

In multicellular organisms, gene regulatory circuits generate thousands of molecularly distinct, mitotically heritable states, through the property of multistability. Designing synthetic multistable circuits would provide insight into natural cell fate control circuit architectures and allow engineering of multicellular programs that require interactions among cells in distinct states. Here we introduce MultiFate, a naturally-inspired, synthetic circuit that supports long-term, controllable, and expandable multistability in mammalian cells. MultiFate uses engineered zinc finger transcription factors that transcriptionally self-activate as homodimers and mutually inhibit one another through heterodimerization. Using model-based design, we engineered MultiFate circuits that generate up to seven states, each stable for at least 18 days. MultiFate permits controlled state-switching and modulation of state stability through external inputs, and can be easily expanded with additional transcription factors. Together, these results provide a foundation for engineering multicellular behaviors in mammalian cells.
A new type of mouse gaze shift is led by directed saccades
Authors: Zahler Sebastian H. , Taylor David E. , Wong Joey Y. , Adams Julia M. , Feinberg Evan H.
Published: February 2021

Animals investigate their environments by directing their gaze towards salient stimuli. In the prevailing view, mouse gaze shifts are led by head rotations that trigger compensatory, brainstem-mediated eye movements, including saccades to reset the eyes. These “recentering” saccades are attributed to head movement-related vestibular and optokinetic cues. However, microstimulating mouse superior colliculus (SC) elicits directed head and eye movements that resemble SC-dependent sensory-guided gaze shifts made by other species, raising the possibility mice generate additional types of gaze shifts. We investigated this possibility by tracking eye and attempted head movements in a head-fixed preparation that eliminates head movement-related sensory cues. We found tactile stimuli evoke gaze shifts involving directed saccades that precede attempted head rotations. Optogenetic perturbations revealed SC drives touch-evoked gaze shifts. Thus, mice make sensory-guided, SC-dependent gaze shifts led by directed saccades. Our findings uncover diversity in mouse gaze shifts and provide a foundation for studying head-eye coupling.
Participant followup rate can bias structural imaging measures in longitudinal studies
Authors: Beare Richard , Ball Gareth , Yang Joseph Yuan-Mou , Moran Chris , Srikanth Velandai , Seal Marc ,   the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: February 2021

Longitudinal MRI analysis is essential to accurately describe neuroanatomical changes over time. Loss of participants to followup (dropout) in longitudinal studies is inevitable and can lead to great difficulty in interpretation of statistical results if dropout is correlated with a study outcome or exposure. Beyond this, technical aspects of longitudinal MRI analysis require specialised processing pipelines to improve reliability while avoiding bias towards individual timepoints. In this article we test whether there is an additional problem that must be considered in longitudinal imaging studies, namely whether dropout has an impact on the function of FreeSurfer, a popular software pipeline used to estimate important structural brain metrics.

We find that the number of acquisitions available per individual can impact the estimation of cortical thickness and brain volume using the FreeSurfer longitudinal pipeline, and can induce group differences in brain metrics. The effect on trajectories of brain metrics is smaller than the effect on brain metrics.

Highlights

Longitudinal MRI analysis is essential to accurately track neuroanatomical changes over time

Longitudinal MRI analysis requires specialised processing pipelines to reduce bias towards single timepoints

Participant drop out or loss can bias neuroanatomical measures derived from longitudinal pipelines

We find that group differences in the number of acquisitions available to analyse can cause group differences in estimated cortical thickness and brain volume

This bias appears to be due to the number of scans used to create individualised templates in the Freesurfer longitudinal pipeline

The effect on estimates of brain metric trajectories appears smaller than the effect on the estimates of brain metrics
5-hydroxymethylcytosine mediated active demethylation is required for neuronal differentiation and function
Authors: Stoyanova Elitsa , Riad Michael , Rao Anjana , Heintz Nathaniel
Published: February 2021

Although high levels of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) accumulate in neurons, it is not known whether 5hmC can serve as an intermediate in DNA demethylation in postmitotic neurons. We report high resolution mapping of DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, chromatin accessibility, and histone marks in developing postmitotic Purkinje cells (PCs). Our data reveal new relationships between PC transcriptional and epigenetic programs, and identify a class of genes that lose both 5mC and 5hmC during terminal differentiation. Deletion of the 5hmC writers Tet1, Tet2, and Tet3 from postmitotic PCs prevents loss of 5mC and 5hmC in regulatory domains and gene bodies and hinders transcriptional and epigenetic developmental transitions, resulting in hyper-excitability and increased susceptibility to excitotoxic drugs. Our data demonstrate that Tet-mediated active DNA demethylation occurs in vivo, and that acquisition of the precise molecular and electrophysiological properties of adult PCs requires continued oxidation of 5mC to 5hmC during the final phases of differentiation.
A Framework for Sensor-based Assessment of Upper-limb Functioning
Authors: David Ann , Subash Tanya , Varadhan SKM , Melendez-Calderon Alejandro , Balasubramanian Sivakumar
Published: February 2021

Abstract

The ultimate goal of any upper-limb neurorehabilitation procedure is to improve upper-limb functioning in daily life. While clinic-based assessments provide an assessment of what a patient can do, they do not completely reflect what a patient does in his/her daily life. The compensatory use of the less affected upper-limb (e.g. “learned non-use”) in daily life is a common behavioral pattern seen in patients with hemiparesis. To this end, there has been an increasing interest in the use of wearable sensors to objectively assess upper-limb functioning. This paper presents a framework for assessing upper-limb functioning using sensors by providing: (a) a set of definitions of important construct associated with upper-limb functioning; (b) presenting different visualization methods for evaluating upper-limb functioning, along ways to qualitatively analyze different visualization methods; and (c) two new measures for quantifying how much an upper-limb is used and the relative bias in the use of the two upper-limbs. The demonstration of some of these components is presented using data collected from inertial measurement units from a previous study. The proposed framework can help guide the future technical and clinical work in this area to realize a valid, objective, and robust tool for assessing upper-limb functioning. This will in turn drive the refinement and standardization of the assessment of upper-limb functioning.
An Activator Locks Kv7.1 Channels Open by Electro-Mechanical Uncoupling and Allosterically Modulates its Pore
Authors: Möller Melina , Schreiber Julian A. , Zaydman Mark , Beller Zachary , Becker Sebastian , Ritter Nadine , Wrobel Eva , Strutz-Seebohm Nathalie , Decher Niels , Cui Jianmin , Schmitt Nicole , Düfer Martina , Wünsch Bernhard , Seebohm Guiscard
Published: February 2021

Loss-of-function mutations in Kv7.1 often lead to long QT syndrome (LQTS), a cardiac repolarization disorder associated with increased risk of arrhythmia and subsequent sudden cardiac death. The discovery of agonisticIKsmodulators may offer a new potential strategy in pharmacological treatment of this disorder. The benzodiazepine (R)-L3 potently activates Kv7.1 channels and shortens action potential duration, thus may represent a starting point for drug development. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying modulation by (R)-L3 are still unknown. By combining alanine scanning mutagenesis, non-canonical amino acid incorporation, voltage-clamp electrophysiology and fluorometry, andin silicoprotein modelling, we showed that (R)-L3 not only stimulates currents by allosteric modulation of the pore domain but also alters the kinetics independently from the pore domain effects. We identified novel (R)-L3-interacting key residues in the lower S4-segment of Kv7.1 and observed an uncoupling of the outer S4 segment with the inner S5, S6 and selectivity filter segments. Summarizing, we provide structural and functional evidence for two independent Kv7.1 activating mechanisms by a single modulator.
Weblinks for the Daresbury Laue software source code and information. Addendum
Authors: Hao Quan , Harding Marjorie M. , Helliwell John R. , Szebenyi D. Marian
Published: February 2021

The weblinks for the Daresbury Laue software source code and information have become hidden from a simple google search. This Addendum makes clear where the software source code and information can now be found.
A variational method for calculating the longitudinal deformation of a shield tunnel in soft soil caused by grouting under tunnel
Authors: Di Honggui , Huang Shihao , Fu Longlong , Wang Binglong
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The paper aims to predict longitudinal deformation of a tunnel caused by grouting under the tunnel bottom in advance according to the grouting parameters, which can ensure the safety of the tunnel structure during the grouting process and also help to design the grouting parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopted the analytical approach for calculating the longitudinal deformation of a shield tunnel caused by grouting under a tunnel, including usage of the Mindlin’s solution, the minimum potential energy principle and case validation.

Findings

The paper provides a variational method for calculating the longitudinal deformation of a shield tunnel in soft soil caused by grouting under the tunnel, which has high computational efficiency and accuracy.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study how the longitudinal deformation of a shield tunnel in soft soil caused by grouting under the tunnel can be calculated.
Green innovation: a multidomain systematic review
Authors: Oduro Stephen , Maccario Guglielmo , De Nisco Alessandro
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper examines the status and evolution of green innovation research from 1948 to 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a systematic review of 293 peer-reviewed scholarly articles, the authors classify journal outlets, publication trends, research methods (research type, approach, design), themes/topics focus, country and regional distribution and theoretical perspectives, identifying main trends. They apply mixed methodologies, integrating both content and descriptive analyses.

Findings

Results reveal the following critical conclusions: (1) publication trends disclose a steady growth of interest in green innovation research in the last decade (2011–2018), with most of the articles appearing in top-ranked journal outlets; (2) empirical studies involving quantitative surveys dominate the field over other methods like experiments, case studies (qualitative) and conceptual models; (3) research themes/topics are multi-perspectives, covering management and strategic dimension of green innovation (e.g. green innovation integration and adoption strategy; collaboration and networking in green innovation; green innovation management systems, green supply chain management, etc.), performance (financial, non-financial and both), drivers/antecedents and consumer green behavior; however, the “management and strategy” papers are by far higher; (4) studies are preponderately multi-country focused, concentrated in Europe and Australasia, with a low concentration in emerging markets like Africa and South America; And (5) the field lacks the adoption and development of novel theories. So far, the research fields principally focus on the “Porter hypothesis” and resource-based view in terms of the theory-driven studies. Based on these findings, knowledge gaps are identified, as are limitations and actionable agenda for future research.

Originality/value

As the first systematic review to adopt a comprehensive, holistic approach in synthesizing and summarizing research vis-à-vis the phenomenon of green innovation, the study offers practitioners and researchers an insightful understanding of the relevant issues that have been investigated on green innovation, thereby anchoring the evolutions for further sustainable-oriented research and improvement in management practices.
Learning style instruments in Arab countries: an analysis of existing literature
Authors: Yousef Darwish Abdulrahman
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine learning style instruments used in Arab countries to measure higher education students’ learning styles, identify the most common instruments and determine whether the reliability and validity of these instruments have been verified in Arab contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive review of the existing literature using several databases and search engines. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages were used to present the results.

Findings

There are only a few published studies related to learning styles in Arab countries, with the majority published between 2012 and 2016 using samples drawn from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq. The most common learning style instrument is the Felder–Silverman/Solomon Index of Learning Styles. The reliability and validity of this instrument require further investigation.

Research limitations/implications

This study is not without limitations. First, it covers only publications in the English language. Second, the paper focuses on research involving higher education students. Third, only research that was available online was used in this study. Nonetheless, the findings have several implications for researchers, educators and human resource development managers. For researchers, this study highlights research gaps that need to be filled. It also serves as a basis for more analytical and in-depth studies. The data also helps educators become more informed about the learning style instruments commonly used in the Arab context and whether the results from these instruments are dependable. Human resource development managers can draw on these findings to choose instruments that have proven reliable and valid.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to examine learning style instruments used in Arab countries and to explore whether the reliability and validity of these instruments have been verified in Arab contexts. This paper is a useful contribution to research into learning styles and learning style instruments.
Weighted grey relational analysis to evaluate multilevel dispatching rules in wafer fabrication
Authors: Chia Yee Goh , Jeng Feng Chin , Chik Mohd Azizi Bin , Mokhtar Mohzani
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This research proposes weighted grey relational analysis (WGRA) method to evaluate the performance of 325 multilevel dispatching rules in the wafer fabrication process.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology involves multilevel dispatching rule generation, simulations, WGRA and result analysis. A complete permutation of multilevel dispatching rules, including the partial orders, is generated from five basic rules. Performance measures include cycle time, move, tool idling and queue time. The simulation model and data are obtained from a wafer fab in Malaysia. Two seasons varying in customer orders and objective weights are defined. Finally, to benchmark performance and investigate the effect of varying values of coefficient, the models are compared against TOPSIS and VIKOR.

Findings

Results show that the seasons prefer different multilevel dispatching rules. In Normal season, the ideal first basic dispatching rule is critical ratio (CR) and CR followed by shortest processing time (SPT) is the best precedence pairing. In Peak season, the superiority of the rule no longer heavily relies on the first basic rule but rather depends on the combination of tiebreaker rules and on-time delivery (OTD) followed by CR is considered the best precedence pairing. Compared to VIKOR and TOPSIS, WGRA generates more stable rankings in this study. The performance of multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods is influenced by the data variability, as a higher variability produces a much consistent ranking.

Research limitations/implications

As research implications, the application illustrates the effectiveness and practicality of the WGRA model in analyzing multilevel dispatching rules, considering the complexity of the semiconductor wafer fabrication system. The methodology is useful for researchers wishing to integrate MCDM model into multilevel dispatching rules. The limitation of the research is that the results were obtained from a simulation model. Also, the rules, criteria and weights assigned in WGRA were decided by the management. Lastly, the distinguishing coefficient is fixed at 0.5 and the effect to the ranking requires further study.

Originality/value

The research is the first deployment WGRA in ranking multilevel dispatching rules. Multilevel dispatching rules are rarely studied in scheduling research although studies show that the tiebreakers affect the performances of the dispatching rules. The scheduling reflects the characteristics of wafer fabrication and general job shop, such as threshold and look-ahead policies.
Stability analysis, solitary wave and explicit power series solutions of a (2 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation in a multicomponent plasma
Authors: Tian Shou-Fu , Wang Xiao-Fei , Zhang Tian-Tian , Qiu Wang-Hua
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the stability analysis and optical solitary wave solutions of a (2 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation, which are derived from a multicomponent plasma with nonextensive distribution.

Design Methodology Approach

Based on the ansatz and sub-equation theories, the authors use a direct method to find stability analysis and optical solitary wave solutions of the (2 + 1)-dimensional equation.

Findings

By considering the ansatz method, the authors successfully construct the bright and dark soliton solutions of the equation. The sub-equation method is also extended to find its complexitons solutions. Moreover, the explicit power series solution is also derived with its convergence analysis. Finally, the influences of each parameter on these solutions are discussed via graphical analysis.

Originality Value

The dynamics of these solutions are analyzed to enrich the diversity of the dynamics of high-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation type nonlinear wave fields.
Do implicit prices show differences in tourists’ valuation on hotel attributes in different time periods and different markets? A case of Beijing
Authors: Shang Tiancheng , Shang Kaiti , Liu Peihong , Sun Xiaotong , Li Xinxin
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the implicit prices of hotel attributes in different time periods and different markets.

Design/methodology/approach

With data from the travel meta-search engine, this paper chose 3- to 5-star hotels in Beijing’s central business district and use hedonic price models.

Findings

The results suggest that the attributes with significant implicit prices differ in different time periods; the same attributes with different implicit prices in different time periods; the same attributes with different implicit prices in different market segments.

Originality/value

This study may help to explain the different findings on the relationship between the attributes and room rates of Chinese star-rated hotels in different time periods, and will be useful in both revenue optimization efforts and the design of new hotels projects.
A hedonic model of the association between grocery brand provision and residential rental prices in England
Authors: Clark Stephen , Hood Nick , Birkin Mark
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to measure the association between local retail grocery provision and private residential rental prices in England. Renting is an important sector of the housing market in England and local grocery provision is an important aspect of service provision and consumers are known to be highly sensitive to the branding of this type of retailing.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a novel data source from a property rental Web platform to estimate a hedonic model for the rental market. These models incorporate information on the nature of the properties and their neighbourhoods, with an emphasis on how different retail brands are associated with rental prices. This retail brand is captured on two scales: the provision of local branded convenience stores and the provision of larger stores.

Findings

The study finds clear differentials in how the local grocery brand is associated with rental prices. When controlling for commonly explored confounding factors, “Luxury” retailers such as Waitrose and Marks and Spencer are associated with higher rental prices, while “Discounter” retailers are associated with lower rental prices. This finding has many implications, particularly in relation to potential price changes in an already challenging housing market for many people.

Research limitations/implications

This is an observational study and as such only associations (not causation) can be implied by these findings.

Originality/value

The focus of this research is on the private residential property market, an important market in England but one that has enjoyed less scrutiny than the sales or socially rented markets. Rather than using general accessibility to retail, this research has differentiated the association by the retail brand and store size, two very important aspects of consumer choice.
Capital requirements, institutional quality and credit crunch in the MENA region
Authors: Awdeh Ali , EL-Moussawi Chawki
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The introduction of Basel capital adequacy standards (I, II and III) has provoked a large body of empirical and theoretical literature that aimed to detect the consequences of risk-based capital rules on bank lending behaviour and credit availability (and the possible emergence of the credit crunch phenomenon), and came up with divergent conclusions. This study aims at participating in this continuous debate but detecting the applicability of the credit crunch theory in the MENA region, taking into consideration the impact of the institutional environment, which may play a role in mitigating the supply-side credit crunch.

Design/methodology/approach

This study exploits the Fixed Effects method on a dataset of 210 banks from 14 MENA countries over the period 1999–2016. The paper exploits the percentage change in bank credit as a dependent variable, capital requirements and three institutional quality variables as explanatory variables, in addition to a set of micro- and macro-economic variables.

Findings

The study finds that the implementation of higher capitalisation ratios does participate in a significant decline in bank credit supply. Additionally, by testing the impact of institutional factors on bank lending, it reveals that good governance and political stability encourage banks to extend credit and soften the credit crunch, while higher level of financial freedom discourages banks from expanding loan supply and even magnifies the decline of credit following tightening capital requirements.

Practical implications

This paper provides very important insight for MENA policymakers and bank regulators by highlighting the importance of the institutional environment factors in amplifying or softening the effect of higher capital requirements in their economies.

Originality/value

In addition to examining an understudied sample of countries, this paper's originality and value added are represented mainly by testing the impact of institutional environment and governance level on bank lending behaviour.
Vulnerability of poorly literate adult consumers regarding over-the-counter drugs
Authors: Bernardes Juliana Reis , Mattoso Cecília Lima de Queirós , Bouzada Marco Aurelio Carino , Araujo Claudia Affonso Silva
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims at verifying the impact of literacy on over-the-counter (OTC) drug consumer vulnerability as evaluated by health literacy and label comprehension.

Design/methodology/approach

The item response theory (IRT) was used to estimate the health literacy of two groups and the two-way analysis of variance tests was used to test the hypotheses for the existence of mean differences between the two populations. The convenience sample involved 188 OTC consumers: 94 (50%) poorly literate and 94 (50%) university students/graduates.

Findings

University consumers/graduates have a level of health literacy and label comprehension that is superior to those presented by poor literate consumers. Also, age does not influence the level of health literacy by OTC drug users but has a significant impact on the understanding of OTC drug labels. Finally, the level of schooling and the “age group,” simultaneously, does not impact the understanding of OTC drug labels or health literacy.

Research limitations/implications

This study has added in the field of knowledge by investigating the behavior of poor literate consumers in Brazil, a developing country. The results may be relevant to Marketing professionals, especially those in the pharmaceutical industry, and to police makers, as they help identify the main problems faced by poorly literate consumers.

Practical implications

It is necessary to raise awareness of the dangers of self-medication and wrong use of medications, mainly focused on people with low literacy. As a suggestion, a simple glossary presented along with the label could provide explanations of scientific terms, thus increasing health literacy and reducing the vulnerability of the consumers.

Social implications

This study showed that when using common words such as gastritis to define a health problem, there is a higher degree of correctness. These results suggest the adoption of a more straightforward language and more precise explanations. By doing that, the pharmaceutical industry and policymakers will improve their social impact by increasing consumer power and taking care of the health of the most vulnerable population: the illiterate people.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the international literature, as it enhances and clarifies the knowledge about the customers’ power and vulnerability in developing countries. It fills a gap by evaluating label comprehension and heath literacy at the same time, giving an academic contribution for pharmaceutical consumers’ studies.
Work–family conflict, affective commitment, leadership and job satisfaction: a moderated mediation analysis
Authors: Panda Abinash , Jain Nikunj Kumar , Nambudiri Ranjeet
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The detrimental influence of perceived work–family conflict (WFC) on employees' job-related attitudes has been examined in individualistic cultures. However, this relationship needs to be studied in collectivist societies, where the “family” is a salient social institution with family-centric work ethics. This study empirically investigates the role of nurturant task leadership (NTL) behavior in attenuating (1) the negative direct effect of perceived WFC on job satisfaction and (2) the negative indirect effect of perceived WFC on job satisfaction, mediated through affective commitment (AC) on a sample of employees from a public sector bank in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a cross-sectional research design, and the data were collected from 244 executives working in the banking sector of India. The direct, indirect and moderated effects were analyzed using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression.

Findings

NTL behavior was found to moderate the negative direct relationships between perceived WFC and job satisfaction as well as the negative indirect relationship between perceived WFC and job satisfaction, mediated through AC.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to existing literature on WFC by introducing an important boundary condition in NTL behavior, thus providing impetus to further research in this direction through research designs that allow for causal inference and generalizability.

Practical implications

Findings from this study can provide useful pointers to organizations dealing with employee performance challenges owing to WFC. Results indicate that leaders who exhibit NTL behavior are more likely to attenuate the negative influence of WFC on employee attitudes and performance.

Originality/value

This study is among the first empirical examination of the effectiveness of NTL behavior in mitigating the negative effects of perceived WFC on job satisfaction.
The different shades of innovation emergence in smart service systems: the case of Italian cluster for aerospace technology
Authors: Troisi Orlando , Visvizi Anna , Grimaldi Mara
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the emergence of innovation in smart service systems to conceptualize how actor’s relationships through technology-enabled interactions can give birth to novel technologies, processes, strategies and value. The objectives of the study are: to detect the different enablers that activate innovation in smart service systems; and to explore how these can lead dynamically to the emergence of different innovation patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical research adopts an approach based on constructivist grounded theory, performed through observation and semi-structured interviews to investigate the development of innovation in the Italian CTNA (Italian acronym of National Cluster for Aerospace Technology).

Findings

The identification and re-elaboration of the novelties that emerged from the analysis of the Cluster allow the elaboration of a diagram that classifies five different shades of innovation, introduced through some related theoretical propositions: technological; process; business model and data-driven; social and eco-sustainable; and practice-based.

Originality/value

The paper embraces a synthesis view that detects the enabling structural and systems dimensions for innovation (the “what”) and the way in which these can be combined to create new technologies, resources, values and social rules (the “how” dimension). The classification of five different kinds of innovation can contribute to enrich extant research on value co-creation and innovation and can shed light on how given technologies and relational strategies can produce varied innovation outcomes according to the diverse stakeholders engaged.
Servitization strategy, manufacturing organizations and firm performance: a theoretical framework
Authors: Feng Changli , Jiang Lin , Ma Ruize , Bai Chao
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the available literature on the relationship between servitization strategy and firm performance, which identifies the main streams and theoretical foundations of research and provides guidelines for future research in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the relationship between servitization strategy and manufacturing firm performance by gathering and analyzing existing research published between 1988 and 2019 through bibliometric analysis and content analysis, and then unpacking the processes and impacts servitization has on firm performance.

Findings

This paper analyzes the evolution of the concept and servitization strategy of manufacturing organizations, and the relationship between servitization strategy and manufacturing company performance. Then, the authors establish an integrated theoretical framework aimed at conveying the factors and providing a practical reference.

Practical implications

The paper establishes an integrated theoretical framework on servitization and firm performance. The results of the systematic analysis of the literature can be used to inform managers about implementing servitization. Managers need to measure the benefits of servitization from two aspects: financial performance and non-financial performance. And managers need to consider some internal and external influencing factors to achieve a strategic–environmental–organizational fit that will bring better benefits to the firm.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the existing research in three different ways. First, the study perfects the gap of research on the range of all of the factors within the relationship between servitization strategy and manufacturing company performance. Second, the study demonstrates a clear indication of how existing studies’ differences influence the research outcomes. Third, this paper proposes research problems and future research directions.
Patterns of overkill in sexual homicides
Authors: Chopin Julien , Beauregard Eric
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the presence of overkill in sexual homicide. More specifically, the study examines whether overkill is a valid indicator of an organized or disorganized sexual homicide. Moreover, the study tests the presence of various patterns of sexual homicide involving overkill.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample used in this study consists of 662 cases of extrafamilial SHs with (n = 145) and without (n = 517) evidence of overkill, respectively. A binomial regression was used to compare at the multivariate level the two groups of crimes, while a latent class analysis was used to determine whether overkill could be associated with different patterns of sexual homicide.

Findings

Findings from bivariate and logistic regression analyses show that the presence of overkill may be associated with both organized and disorganized sexual homicides. Moreover, latent class analysis suggests that there are three distinct patterns of overkill in sexual homicide: impulsive, sadistic and personal.

Originality/value

This study is the first to empirically analyze overkill in sexual homicides and to propose a classification using crime-commission process characteristics.
Peruvian small and medium-sized enterprises and COVID-19: Time for a new start!
Authors: Durst Susanne , Palacios Acuache Mariano Martin Genaro , Bruns Guido
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Crises of any type have become an integral part of business activity and responses to them could make the difference between survival and failure. This applies in particular to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Taking the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as a starting point, this study aims to investigate how Peruvian SMEs have been coping with COVID-19 so far. Based on that a conceptual framework is proposed which highlights the practice of SMEs trying to deal with a new type of crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on an exploratory qualitative research design involving 25 semi-structured interviews conducted in Peruvian SMEs.

Findings

The findings demonstrate how the Peruvian firms studied to adapt to the new situation and initiate responses to increasing the chance of survival. Furthermore, the role of the companies’ decision-makers, as well as the role of crisis management and other related approaches in the companies are shown.

Research limitations/implications

The paper expands the underdeveloped body of knowledge regarding crisis management in Latin America in general and crisis management in SMEs by providing insight into how Peruvian SMEs perceive and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Practical implications

The findings presented in this paper have implications for both managers and managerial staff of SMEs but also for the people in charge of the curricula at universities and other teaching-focused institutes.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study of crisis management on the impacts of COVID-19 with a dedicated focus on SMEs from Latin America. It provides fresh insight into current reactions to the Pandemic.
Tax avoidance and audit report lag in South Africa: the moderating effect of auditor type
Authors: Gontara Hela , Khlif Hichem
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between audit report lag (ARL) and tax avoidance and test whether external auditor type affects this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

ARL is measured as the number of days from fiscal year-end to the date of the auditor’s report, while tax avoidance is measured using effective tax rate.

Findings

Using a sample of 45 South African companies over the period of 2010–2013, the authors document that ARL is positively associated with tax avoidance and this relationship remains positive when the company is audited by a Big-4 audit firm and not significant when the company is audited by a non-Big-4.

Originality/value

The authors’ findings have important implications for auditors aiming to reduce audit risk as they may consider the impact of tax avoidance and pay more attention to companies with a high degree of tax avoidance.