bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A biomechanical switch regulates the transition towards homeostasis in esophageal epithelium
Authors: McGinn Jamie , Hallou Adrien , Han Seungmin , Krizic Kata , Ulyanchenko Svetlana , Iglesias-Bartolome Ramiro , England Frances J. , Verstreken Christophe , Chalut Kevin J. , Jensen Kim B. , Simons Benjamin D. , Alcolea Maria P.
Published: February 2021

Epithelial cells are highly dynamic and can rapidly adapt their behavior in response to tissue perturbations and increasing tissue demands. However, the processes that finely control these responses and, particularly, the mechanisms that ensure the correct switch to and from normal tissue homeostasis are largely unknown. Here we explore changes in cell behavior happening at the interface between postnatal development and homeostasis in the epithelium of the mouse esophagus, as a physiological model exemplifying a rapid but controlled tissue growth transition. Single cell RNA sequencing and histological analysis of the mouse esophagus reveal significant mechanical changes in the epithelium upon tissue maturation. Organ stretching experiments further indicate that tissue strain caused by the differential growth of the mouse esophagus relative to the entire body promotes the emergence of a defined committed population in the progenitor compartment as homeostasis is established. Our results point to a simple mechanism whereby the mechanical changes experienced at the whole tissue level are integrated with those “sensed” at the cellular level to control epithelial cell behavior and tissue maintenance.
Visualizing cellular and tissue ultrastructure using Ten-fold Robust Expansion Microscopy (TREx)
Authors: Damstra Hugo G.J. , Mohar Boaz , Eddison Mark , Akhmanova Anna , Kapitein Lukas C. , Tillberg Paul W.
Published: February 2021

Expansion microscopy (ExM) is a powerful technique to overcome the diffraction limit of light microscopy that can be applied in both tissues and cells. In ExM, samples are embedded in a swellable polymer gel to physically expand the sample and isotropically increase resolution in x, y and z. The maximum resolution increase is limited by the expansion factor of the gel, which is four-fold for the original ExM protocol. Variations on the original ExM method have been reported that allow for greater expansion factors but at the cost of ease of adoption or versatility. Here, we systematically explore the ExM recipe space and present a novel method termed Ten-fold Robust Expansion Microscopy (TREx) that, like the original ExM method, requires no specialized equipment or procedures. We demonstrate that TREx gels expand ten-fold, can be handled easily, and can be applied to both thick mouse brain tissue sections and cultured human cells enabling high-resolution subcellular imaging with a single expansion step. Furthermore, we show that TREx can provide ultrastructural context to subcellular protein localization by combining antibody-stained samples with off-the-shelf small molecule stains for both total protein and membranes.
Improved alpha-beta power reduction via combined Electrical and Ultrasonic stimulation in a Parkinsonian Cortex-Basal Ganglia-Thalamus Computational Model
Authors: Tarnaud Thomas , Joseph Wout , Schoeters Ruben , Martens Luc , Tanghe Emmeric
Published: February 2021

Objective

To investigate computationally the interaction of combined electrical and ultrasonic modulation of isolated neurons and of the Parkinsonian cortex-basal ganglia-thalamus loop.

Methods

Continuous-wave or pulsed electrical and ultrasonic neuromodulation is applied to isolated Otsuka plateau-potential generating subthalamic nucleus (STN) and Pospischil regular, fast and low-threshold spiking cortical cells in a temporally-alternating or simultaneous manner. Similar combinations of electrical/ultrasonic waveforms are applied to a Parkinsonian biophysical cortex-basal ganglia-thalamus neuronal network. Ultrasound-neuron interaction is modelled respectively for isolated neurons and the neuronal network with the NICE and SONIC implementations of the bilayer sonophore underlying mechanism. Reduction inα—βspectral energy is used as a proxy to express improvement in Parkinson’s disease by insonication and electrostimulation.

Results

Simultaneous electro-acoustic stimulation achieves a given level of neuronal activity at lower intensities compared to the separate stimulation modalities. Conversely, temporally alternating stimulation with 50 Hz electrical and ultrasound pulses is capable of eliciting 100 Hz STN firing rates. Furthermore, combination of ultrasound with hyperpolarizing currents can alter cortical cell relative spiking regimes. In the Parkinsonian neuronal network, high-frequency pulsed separated electrical and ultrasonic deep brain stimulation (DBS) reduce pathologicalα—βpower by entraining STN-neurons. In contrast, continuous-wave ultrasound reduces pathological oscillations by silencing the STN. Compared to the separated stimulation modalities, temporally simultaneous or alternating electro-acoustic stimulation can achieve higher reductions inα—βpower for the same contraints on electrical/ultrasonic intensity.

Conclusion

Continuous-wave and pulsed ultrasound reduce pathological oscillations by different mechanisms. Electroacoustic stimulation further improvesα—βpower for given safety limits and is capable of altering cortical relative spiking regimes.

Significance

focused ultrasound has the potential of becoming a non-invasive alternative of conventional DBS for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Here, we elaborate on proposed benefits of combined electro-acoustic stimulation in terms of improved dynamic range, efficiency, resolution, and neuronal selectivity.
Effects of awareness and task relevance on neurocomputational models of mismatch negativity generation
Authors: Schlossmacher Insa , Lucka Felix , Peters Antje , Bruchmann Maximilian , Straube Thomas
Published: February 2021

Detection of regularities and their violations in sensory input is key to perception. Violations are indexed by an early EEG component called the mismatch negativity (MMN) – even if participants are distracted or unaware of the stimuli. On a mechanistic level, two dominant models have been suggested to contribute to the MMN: adaptation and prediction. Whether and how context conditions, such as awareness and task relevance, modulate the mechanisms of MMN generation is unknown. We conducted an EEG study disentangling influences of task relevance and awareness on the visual MMN. Then, we estimated different computational models for the generation of single-trial amplitudes in the MMN time window. Amplitudes were best explained by a prediction error model when stimuli were task-relevant but by an adaptation model when task-irrelevant and unaware. Thus, mismatch generation does not rely on one predominant mechanism but mechanisms vary with task relevance of stimuli.
Compensatory variability in network parameters enhances memory performance in theDrosophilamushroom body
Authors: Abdelrahman Nada Y. , Vasilaki Eleni , Lin Andrew C.
Published: February 2021

Neural circuits use homeostatic compensation to achieve consistent behaviour despite variability in underlying intrinsic and network parameters. However, it remains unclear how compensation regulates variability across a population of the same type of neurons within an individual, and what computational benefits might result from such compensation. We address these questions in theDrosophilamushroom body, the fly’s olfactory memory center. In a computational model, we show that memory performance is degraded when the mushroom body’s principal neurons, Kenyon cells (KCs), vary realistically in key parameters governing their excitability, because the resulting inter-KC variability in average activity levels makes odor representations less separable. However, memory performance is rescued while maintaining realistic variability if parameters compensate for each other to equalize KC average activity. Such compensation can be achieved through both activity-dependent and activity-independent mechanisms. Finally, we show that correlations predicted by our model’s compensatory mechanisms appear in theDrosophilahemibrain connectome. These findings reveal compensatory variability in the mushroom body and describe its computational benefits for associative memory.

Significance statement

How does variability between neurons affect neural circuit function? How might neurons behave similarly despite having different underlying features? We addressed these questions in neurons called Kenyon cells, which store olfactory memories in flies. Kenyon cells differ among themselves in key features that affect how active they are, and in a model of the fly’s memory circuit, adding this inter-neuronal variability made the model fly worse at learning the values of multiple odors. However, memory performance was rescued if compensation between the variable underlying features allowed Kenyon cells to be equally active on average, and we found the hypothesized compensatory variability in real Kenyon cells’ anatomy. This work reveals the existence and computational benefits of compensatory variability in neural networks.
DeepDRIM: a deep neural network to reconstruct cell-type-specific gene regulatory network using single-cell RNA-Seq Data
Authors: Chen Jiaxing , Cheong Chinwang , Lan Liang , Zhou Xin , Liu Jiming , Lyu Aiping , Cheung William K , Zhang Lu
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Single-cell RNA sequencing is used to capture cell-specific gene expression, thus allowing reconstruction of gene regulatory networks. The existing algorithms struggle to deal with dropouts and cellular heterogeneity, and commonly require pseudotime-ordered cells. Here, we describe DeepDRIM a supervised deep neural network that represents gene pair joint expression as images and considers the neighborhood context to eliminate the transitive interactions. Deep-DRIM yields significantly better performance than the other nine algorithms used on the eight cell lines tested, and can be used to successfully discriminate key functional modules between patients with mild and severe symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Comparison of starch granule sizes of maize seeds between parental lines and derived hybrids suggests a maternal inheritance trend
Authors: Niu Liangjie , Wang Wei
Published: February 2021

Maize (Zea mays) starch is an important agricultural commodity that serves as food, feed, and a raw material for industrial purposes. It is organized into starch granules (SG) inside amyloplasts and is highly accumulated in endosperms. Maize hybrids, which exhibits heterosis over their parents, are globally grown due to higher vigor of the F1 plants. However, the parental effect on the size of SG in F1 hybrid seeds remains unclear. Here we compared the seed SG sizes among two parental inbred lines (Chang7-2 and Zheng58) as well as their reciprocal hybrids. SG was observedin situandin vitrowith SEM. The size of seed SG in hybrids was more like that of female parents, especially for large SG population. Thus, the control of SG size exhibits a maternal inheritance trend in the context of plastid (amyloplast) inheritance. Our results provide some insight on selecting parental inbred lines for breeding maize hybrids with different SG sizes.
Modeling of histone modifications reveals formation mechanism and function of bivalent chromatin
Authors: Zhao Wei , Qiao Lingxia , Yan Shiyu , Nie Qing , Zhang Lei
Published: February 2021

Bivalent chromatin is characterized by occupation of both activating histone modifications and repressive histone modifications. While bivalent chromatin is known to link with many biological processes, the mechanisms responsible for its multiple functions remain unclear. Here, we develop a mathematical model that involves antagonistic histone modifications H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 to capture the key features of bivalent chromatin. Three necessary conditions for the emergence of bivalent chromatin are identified, including advantageous methylating activity over demethylating activity, frequent noise conversions of modifications, and sufficient nonlinearity. The first condition is further confirmed by analyzing the experimental data from a recent study. Investigation of the composition of bivalent chromatin reveals that bivalent nucleosomes carrying both H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 account for no more than half of nucleosomes at the bivalent chromatin domain. We identify that bivalent chromatin not only allows transitions to multiple states but also serves as a stepping stone to facilitate a step-wise transition between repressive chromatin state and activating chromatin state, and thus elucidate crucial roles of bivalent chromatin in mediating phenotypical plasticity during cell fate determination.
The flavin monooxygenase Bs3 triggers cell death in plants, impairs growth in yeast and produces H2O2in vitro
Authors: Krönauer Christina , Lahaye Thomas
Published: February 2021

The pepper resistance geneBs3triggers a hypersensitive response (HR) upon transcriptional activation by the corresponding transcription activator-like effector AvrBs3 from the bacterial pathogenXanthomonas. Bs3 is homologous to flavin monooxygenases (FMOs), an enzyme class that has NADPH oxidase activity and can produce H2O2, a hallmark metabolite in plant immune reactions. Histochemical staining of infected pepper leaves and a translational fusion of Bs3 to the redox reporter roGFP2 both indicated that the Bs3-dependent HR induces a local increase in H2O2levelsin planta. Moreover, ourin vitrostudies with recombinant Bs3 protein confirmed its NADPH oxidase activity. To test if the NADPH oxidation of Bs3 induces HR, we adapted previous studies which have uncovered mutations in fungal FMOs that result in higher NADPH oxidase activity. We replicated one of these mutations and demonstrated that the generated recombinant Bs3S211Aprotein has twofold higher NADPH oxidase activity than wildtype Bs3in vitro. Translational fusions to roGFP2 showed that Bs3S211Aalso had increased NADPH oxidase activityin planta. Interestingly, while the mutant derivative Bs3S211Ahad an increase in NADPH oxidase capacity, it did not trigger HRin planta. Ultimately, this reveals that Bs3 produces H2O2in planta, but that the H2O2produced by Bs3 on its own is not sufficient to trigger HR. We also demonstrated that expression of Bs3 not only triggered HR in plants, but also inhibited proliferation of yeast, which lends this model system to be utilized for the genetic dissection of Bs3 function in future studies.

One sentence summary

The executor-type resistance protein Bs3 from pepper (Capsicum annuum) acts as an NADPH oxidase but reactive oxygen species produced by Bs3 are not sufficient to trigger plant cell death
A Drug-free, Self-destruction Strategy to Combat Bacterial Infections by Using the Intrinsically formed Magnetic Nanoparticles in Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Kaushik Swati , Thomas Jijo , Panwar Vineeta , Murugesan Preethi , Chopra Vianni , Salaria Navita , Singh Rupali , Roy Himadri Shekar , Kumar Rajesh , Gautam Vikas , Ghosh Deepa
Published: February 2021

The growing number of multiple drug resistant (MDR) bacteria and the dwindling pipeline of new antibiotics are driving us towards a ‘post-antibiotic era’ in which even common infections would become difficult to treat. To address this, an antibiotic-free strategy that can combat multiple bacteria is recommended. Most of the proposed approaches nevertheless have several limitations, including bacterial targeting. To overcome such limitations, the proposed strategy employs the bacterial machinery to self-destruct. Herein, the biosynthesis of magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) is reported for the first time in multiple pathogenic bacteria, including MDR bacteria. The intracellular MNPs composed of superparamagnetic zinc ferrites were formed in presence of iron and zinc precursors. Exposure of the treated bacteria/biofilms to an alternating magnetic field (AMF) exhibited hyperthermia (5-6°C) and a dramatic decrease in bacterial viability, suggesting the MNPs therapeutic potential. Likewise, the bacteria existingin vivobiosynthesize the MNPs by mining these elements from the host. To determine its therapeutic efficacy, the infected tissues were exposed directly to AMF. A 3-4 log reduction in bacterial burden, as compared to antibiotics treatment, confirmed the significance of using naturally existing MNPs to combat bacterial infections. The proposed broad–spectrum approach can therefore aid in overcoming the challenges facing anti-bacterial therapies.
In silico, in vitroandin cellulomodels for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 spike/human ACE2 complex, viral entry and cell fusion
Authors: Lapaillerie D. , Charlier C. , Fernandes H. S. , Sousa S. , Lesbats P. , Weigel P. , Favereaux A. , Guyonnet-Dupérat V. , Parissi V.
Published: February 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiologic agent responsible for the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Productive SARS-CoV-2 infection relies on viral entry into cells expressing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Indeed, viral entry into cells is mostly mediated by the early interaction between the viral spike protein S and its ACE2 receptor. The S/ACE2 complex is, thus, the first contact point between the incoming virus and its cellular target; consequently, it has been considered an attractive therapeutic target. To further characterize this interaction and the cellular processes engaged in the entry step of the virus, we set up variousin silico, in vitroandin celluloapproaches that allowed us to specifically monitor the S/ACE2 association. We report here a novel computational model of the SARS-CoV-2 S/ACE2 complex as well as its biochemical and biophysical monitoring using pulldown, AlphaLISA and biolayer interferometry (BLI) binding assays. This led us to determine the kinetic parameters of the S/ACE2 association and dissociation steps. In parallel to thesein vitroapproaches, we developedin cellulotransduction assays using SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyped lentiviral vectors and HEK293T-ACE2 cell lines generated in-house. This allowed us to recapitulate the early replication stage of the infection mediated by the S/ACE2 interaction and to detect cell fusion induced by the interaction. Finally, a cell imaging system was set up to directly monitor the S/ACE2 interaction in a cellular context, and a flow cytometry assay was developed to quantify this association at the cell surface. Together, these different approaches are available for both basic and clinical research aiming to characterize the entry step of the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and its variants as well as to investigate the possible chemical modulation of this interaction. All these models will help in identifying new antiviral agents and new chemical tools for dissecting the virus entry step.
Autoregulation dependent and independent mechanisms are responsible for the systemic control of nodule formation by the plant N demand
Authors: Pervent Marjorie , Lambert Ilana , Tauzin Marc , Karouani Alicia , Nigg Martha , Jardinaud Marie-Françoise , Severac Dany , Colella Stefano , Martin-Magniette Marie-Laure , Lepetit Marc
Published: February 2021

In legumes interacting with rhizobia the formation of symbiotic organs responsible for the acquisition of atmospheric nitrogen is depending of the plant nitrogen (N) demand. We discriminated between local and systemic impact of nitrogen on nodule formation usingMedicago truncatulaplants cultivated in split-root systems. We obtained evidence of the control of nodule formation by whole plant systemic N-satisfaction signaling but obtained little evidence of a local control by mineral nitrogen. We characterized the impact of systemic N signaling on the root transcriptome reprogramming associated to nodule formation. We identified, large genes clusters displaying common expression profiles in response to systemic N signaling enriched in particular fonctions required during these biological processes. We found evidence of a strong effect of SUNN in the control by systemic N signaling of many genes involved in the early interaction with rhizobium as well as organogenesis supporting a role of autoregulation pathway in systemic N signaling. However, we also found evidence that major SUNN independent systemic N signaling controls were maintained in the mutant. This study shed light on the unexpected high complexity of the control of nodule formation by systemic N signaling, that probably involves multiple pathways.
Systematic monitoring of 2-Cys peroxiredoxin-derived redox signals unveiled its role in attenuating carbon assimilation rate
Authors: Lampl Nardy , Nissan Idan , Lev Raz , Gilad Gal , Hipsch Matanel , Rosenwasser Shilo
Published: February 2021

Transmission of reductive cues from the photosynthetic electron transport chain to redox-regulated proteins plays a crucial role in activating chloroplast metabolism. However, deciphering the role of their counterbalanced oxidative signals is challenging due to monitoring difficulties. Here, we demonstrate the light-depended redox modification of chloroplast-targeted 2-Cys peroxiredoxins and introduce peroxiredoxin-based biosensors to monitor photosynthetically-derived oxidative signals. By employing a set of genetically encoded biosensors, we show the induction of oxidative signals under habitual light intensities and their inverse relationship with NADPH levels, unraveling the combined activity of reducing and oxidizing signals in fine-tuning chloroplast metabolism. A faster increase in carbon assimilation rates during photosynthesis induction phase was measured in plants deficient in 2-Cys peroxiredoxins compared to wild-type, suggesting the involvement of oxidative signals in attenuating photosynthesis under variable light environments. We suggest that oxidative signals measured by peroxiredoxin-based biosensors reflect the limitation to photosynthesis imposed by the redox regulatory system.

One-Sentence Summary

A genetically encoded biosensor unmasked the dominant role of photosynthetically-derived oxidative signals under habitual conditions.
Board diversity and firm efficiency: evidence from China
Authors: Ali Farman , Wang Man , Jebran Khalil , Ali Syed Tauseef
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how multiple facets of board diversity influence technical efficiency (TE) and total factor productivity (TFP).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors measure board diversity in two dimensions: relation-related dimension (age and gender) and task-related dimension (tenure, education and expertise). The authors use a balanced panel data of 806 nonfinancial Chinese firms over the period 2009–2017. The authors use a two-stage approach for analysis. In the first stage, the authors use a non-parametric frontier approach to calculate the TE and factor productivity scores. In the second stage, the authors regressed these scores on board diversity attributes (relation-related diversity and task-related diversity).

Findings

By using tobit regression and two-step system GMM, the authors find that board diversity improves TE and TFP. The authors’ analyses illustrate that a higher diversity on corporate board (in terms of age, gender, tenure, education and expertise) positively influence firm efficiency.

Practical implications

The findings have important implications for policymakers. The findings suggest that regulators should devise policies to encourage board diversity. Because a diverse board can bring knowledge, skills, abilities, expertise and experience of diverse group members, which will ultimately enhance a firm’s efficiency. Especially, in the emerging markets (such as China), there is still a need for standard governance mechanisms; therefore, the authors suggest that policymakers should develop regulations and promote diversity of directors as one of the factors for improving the governance mechanisms, which will ultimately improve firms productivity.

Originality/value

Prior studies mostly considered only one dimension (such as gender) of diversity and, therefore, have overlooked how other dimensions influence firms. The authors consider several dimensions of diversity and quantify them into relation-related (age and gender) and task-related (tenure, education and expertise) attributes and show how they influence firms’ efficiency. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively investigate how several facets of diversity influence a firm’s TE and TFP.
Information management roles in real estate development lifecycle: literature review on BIM and IPD framework
Authors: Bilge Eymen Cagatay , Yaman Hakan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Integrated project delivery (IPD) and building information modeling (BIM) has begun to be used in real estate development projects over the past decade to improve collaboration, communication and efficiency. However, the use of BIM and IPD in projects does not always imply that the information is well used and managed. This study aims to explain how information management should be carried out in BIM and IPD projects, what activities should be managed by the information manager and which stakeholder should play this role and why?

Design/methodology/approach

This study provides a framework on the subject by conducting a comprehensive systematic review in the field of real estate development, BIM, IPD and information management. In this context, the Web of Science and Scopus databases have been systematically reviewed, n = 45 out of a total of n = 1,356 articles and additionally, the BIM documents and standards prepared by public institutions and organizations and industry reports have been examined in detail.

Findings

The framework for information management roles was established by reviewing the literature. According to this framework, information management activities of information managers are listed in the table that covers all phases of real estate development. The owner should undertake this role as it is the entity that oversees the built asset from planning to the management of that facility.

Originality/value

In terms of acquiring information management roles, there is no research on BIM and IPD projects and who will take over this role. This study desired to close this gap in the literature.
Critique and the video production classroom: providing students the skills to navigate new media literacies
Authors: Nixon Jessie
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate how teaching the discourse of critique, an integral part of the video production process, can be used to eliminate barriers for young people in gaining new media literacy skills helping more young people become producers rather than consumers of digital media.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes an instrumental qualitative case study (Stake, 2000) in two elective high school video production classrooms in the Midwestern region of the USA. The author conducted observations, video and audio recorded critique sessions, conducted semi-structured interviews and collected artifacts throughout production including storyboards, brainstorms and rough and final cuts of videos.

Findings

Throughout critique, young video producers used argumentation strategies to cocreate meaning, multiple methods of inquiry and questioning, critically evaluated feedback and synthesized their ideas and those of their peers to achieve their intended artistic vision. Young video producers used feedback in the following ways: incorporated feedback directly into their work, rejected and ignored feedback, or incorporated some element of the feedback in a way not originally intended.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates how teaching the discourse of critique can be used to eliminate barriers for young people in gaining new media literacy skills. Educators can teach argumentation and inquiry strategies through using thinking guides that encourage active processing and through engaging near peer mentors. Classroom educators can integrate the arts-based practice of the pitch critique session to maximize the impact of peer-to-peer learning.
Investigating trust in the Israeli banking system from the reciprocating perspectives of customers and bankers: a mixed methods study
Authors: Kidron Aviv
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study identifies predictors of customers' trust in banks at both the banking system level and toward individual banks. A mixed methods technique is utilized which combines both customers' and bankers' perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes mixed methods, including a questionnaire survey of 1017 bank customers from retail banks, together with qualitative research derived from ten interviews with Israeli bankers.

Findings

The quantitative study shows that transparency is mediated between perception of price fairness and integrity of the banking system level and trust toward individual banks. Customer satisfaction was found to be a mediator between integrity of the banking system and trust in the individual bank. Qualitative analysis of interviews with bankers yielded six themes: integrity, transparency, price perception, service, bank image and regulation.

Research limitations/implications

This study adumbrates specific aspects of the banking system and of individual banks. Cultural differences pertaining to trust might validate the findings when the study is replicated in other countries.

Originality/value

Since customers are universally considered as key bank stakeholders, insights are provided concerning determinants at the banking system level and toward individual banks, both crucial to explain trust. From both managerial and policymaking perspectives, this study contains valuable practical implications.
The vulnerability sourcebook and climate impact chains – a standardised framework for a climate vulnerability and risk assessment
Authors: Zebisch Marc , Schneiderbauer Stefan , Fritzsche Kerstin , Bubeck Philip , Kienberger Stefan , Kahlenborn Walter , Schwan Susanne , Below Till
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to present the “Vulnerability Sourcebook” methodology, a standardised framework for the assessment of climate vulnerability and risk in the context of adaptation planning. The Vulnerability Sourcebook has been developed for the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and has been applied in more than twenty countries worldwide.

Design/methodology/approach

It is based on a participative development of so-called climate impact chains, which are an analytical concept to better understand, systemise and prioritise the climate factors as well as environmental and socio-economic factors that drive climate related threats, vulnerabilities and risks in a specific system. Impact chains serve as the backbone for an operational climate vulnerability assessment with indicators based on quantitative approaches (data, models) combined with expert assessments. In this paper, the authors present the concept and applications of the original Vulnerability Sourcebook, published in 2015, which was based on the IPCC AR4 concept of climate vulnerability. In Section 6 of this paper, the authors report how this concept has been adapted to the current IPCC AR5 concept of climate risks.

Findings

The application of the Sourcebook is demonstrated in three case studies in Bolivia, Pakistan and Burundi. The results indicate that particularly the participative development of impact chains helped with generating a common picture on climate vulnerabilities and commitment for adaptation planning within a region. The mixed methods approach (considering quantitative and qualitative information) allows for a flexible application in different contexts. Challenges are mainly the availability of climate (change) and socio-economic data, as well as the transparency of value-based decisions in the process.

Originality/value

The Vulnerability Sourcebook offers a standardised framework for the assessment of climate vulnerability and risk in the context of adaptation planning.
Do the flipped impacts of hotels matter to the popularity of Airbnb?
Authors: Yi Bowen , Shi Da , Shi Fangfang , Zhang Liang
Published: February 2021

Purpose

By building on cooperation–competition theory, this study aims to investigate the multidimensional flipped effects of neighborhood hotels on Airbnb listings’ popularity, examining the degree to which such impacts are influenced by hotel types and geographical areas.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explores the interdependent and competitive relationship between neighborhood hotels and Airbnb from the perspective of effects on Airbnb listings’ popularity by exploring a data set covering 10,492 Airbnb listings and 2,691 hotels from Ctrip.

Findings

Results reveal that neighborhood hotels’ number of reviews, review ratings and prices each have positive spillover effects on Airbnb listings’ popularity, while quality assurance labels and negative review topic sentiments exert competitive effects on Airbnb popularity. Moreover, the number of budget chain hotels and high-star hotels have positive and negative effects on Airbnb popularity, respectively. Geographical areas also have a moderating effect on the relationship between various hotel-related influencing factors and Airbnb.

Practical implications

This study can offer hotel managers and Airbnb operators a clearer understanding of these businesses’ coexisting relationship. Findings can also provide Airbnb-specific guidelines for practitioners in terms of site selection, promotional features and development strategies for Airbnb listings.

Originality/value

This study establishes a cooperation–competition relationship model between hotels and Airbnb and considers the flipped effects of hotels on Airbnb for the first time. It expands previous studies by considering the multidimensional effects of hotels on Airbnb listings’ popularity and by examining the influences of hotel types and geographical areas on hotels’ impacts on Airbnb.
Employees’ sabotage formation in upscale hotels based on conservation of resources theory (COR): antecedents and strategies of attachment intervention
Authors: Meng Bo , Choi Kyuhwan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Rooted in conservation of resources (COR) theory (frequently applied to conflict and stress). The purpose of this study is to classify customer stressors into dysfunctional attitude and behavior and proposes strategies, such as parent and colleague attachment, as a resource pool to prevent employees’ sabotage behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-step method was adopted by the suggestion from Anderson and Gerbing (1998) with an on-site survey carried out within ten upscale hotels.

Findings

Study results indicated that dysfunctional customers significantly influence service sabotage through job burnout and depression. In addition, attachment was demonstrated as an effective strategy by examining its moderating effects.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretically, the mechanism of sabotage formation was clarified as external customers’ factors (i.e. dysfunctional attitude and behavior) as well as internal psychological factors (i.e. negative states such as burnout and depression). Practically, the attachment (i.e. colleagues and parents) was identified as an effective moderator for preventing sabotage, although only in the early stage (i.e. depression stage).

Originality/value

For the first time, the current study attempts to explain the sabotage formation process by using COR with the integration of intervention.
Evaluation of interaction between housing infrastructure resilience factors against flood hazard based on rough DEMATEL approach
Authors: Sen Mrinal Kanti , Dutta Subhrajit , Kabir Golam
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Housing infrastructure is the basic need for people of a community and due to disaster many houses may severaly damaged. Stakeholders and decision makers should focus on this issue and make the infrastructure more resilient against natural hazards. As dependency plays a very important role in resilience, it is important to study the dependencies and correlations among the housing infrastructure resilience factors. The evaluation of dependencies involve vagueness due to subjective judgement of experts.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, the interaction between the housing infrastructure resilience factors are evaluated by using two different approaches such as crisp DEMATEL (Decision-Making and Trial Evaluation Laboratory) and rough DEMATEL (intregated crisp DEMATEL and rough set theory), where rough theory addressed the involvement of vagueness. These two approaches are compared with each other to find the effectiveness of rough DEMATEL over crisp DEMATEL.

Findings

The important factors of housing infrastructure resilience are identified by using both the approaches against flood hazard.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of rough DEMATEL method is that it does not differentiate the type of influence such as positive or negative.

Practical implications

The outcome of the work will helps the stakeholders and ecission makers to make the infrastructure more resilient.

Originality/value

This study identify the imporatnat resilience factors of housing infrastructure against flood hazard by using two methodologies.
The drivers of social entrepreneurship: agency, context, compassion and opportunism
Authors: Stirzaker Rebecca , Galloway Laura , Muhonen Jatta , Christopoulos Dimitris
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The paper refers to the drivers of social entrepreneurship and critically explores the notion that it is prompted by a personal mission to enable some social or ideologically motivated altruism. It refers to Shapero's Entrepreneurial Event Theory and the adaptation of it for social entrepreneurship in Mair and Noboa (2006) and develops these so that both agency and context may be considered.

Design/methodology/approach

Fieldwork comprised a qualitative sample of 12 life-story narratives of social entrepreneurs in Central Scotland. The location was chosen because of its reputation for support of social entrepreneurship, and the qualitative methodology allowed for a depth of inspection and analysis of complex and situational experiences.

Findings

Findings include observation of altruism but there are other drivers, including the appeal of the social entrepreneurship business model. Context emerges as a critical feature of social entrepreneurship too, including spurs for altruism and the human, financial and social capitals, skills and experiences of social entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

The paper finds that the social entrepreneurship process involves both agency and context and is complex, and for some, reflects a strategic approach similar to commercial entrepreneurship. The paper also proposes further adaptation to Entrepreneurial Event Theory to capture this complexity of the social entrepreneurship process.
Teachers' learning in extraordinary times: shifting to a digitally facilitated approach to lesson study
Authors: Calleja James , Camilleri Patrick
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The research reported in this paper brings forth the experiences of three teachers working in different schools. These teachers learned about lesson study through a course offered at the University of Malta while, at the same time, leading a lesson study with colleagues at their school. With the COVID-19 outbreak, these teachers had, out of necessity, to adopt and accommodate for their lesson study to an exclusive online approach. This paper, hence, focuses on teachers' learning as they shifted their lesson study online.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a case study that delves into the experiences and perceptual insights that these teachers manifested in shifting to an exclusive online lesson study situation. Data collection is derived from a focus group discussion, teacher reflective entries and detailed reports documenting the lesson study process and experiences. Employing technological frames as the theoretical lens, a description-analysis-interpretation approach was employed to analyse and interpret reflections and grounded experiential perceptions that the respondents disclosed during their lesson study journey.

Findings

Notwithstanding their initial discerned sense of loss and unpreparedness of being constrained to migrate lesson study to exclusive online means, teachers eventually recognised that digitally mediated collaborative practices enhanced self-reflection about the lesson study process. Therefore, the extraordinary situation that the teachers in this study experienced not only disrupted their modus operandi but also allowed them to discern new opportunities for learning about digital technology use in lesson study.

Practical implications

Disruption, brought about by unforeseen circumstances, takes teachers and professional development facilitators out of their comfort zones, invariably helping them grow out of their limitations and rethink lesson study practices.

Originality/value

Intentionally driven disruptions prompt teachers to resolve their dissatisfactory situations by thinking out of the box, eventually helping them to improve their professional practices.
Learning and teaching of Islamic economics: conventional approach or Tawhidi methodology
Authors: Azid Toseef , Kayani Zafar , Rawashdeh Osamah Hussien , Shirazi Nasim Shah
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the methodology of mainstream Islamic economics and also gives an alternative approach which is yet not very much taught in the different academic institutions, i.e. Tawhidi methodology. From the curriculum of the different academic institutions and also from the literature, it is observed that mainstream Islamic economics is the imitation of the conventional economics and mainly neoclassical economics. Maqasid-i-Shari’ah is not matching with the Tawhidi one.

Design/methodology/approach

It is based on the self-observations of the authors where they taught during their academic career.

Findings

This study found that the mainstream Islamic economics could not be able to solve the local and global issues because it is the replica of the conventional economics only there are some injunctions of Shari’ah.

Research limitations/implications

This study gives the guideline to the student of Islamic economics that how they will be able to understand the methodology of Islamic economics and finance.

Practical implications

It provides the guidance to the academicians and policymakers, especially those belonging to the Muslim countries.

Social implications

It also provides the glimpses to the social scientist about the solutions of the social and economic issues at the local and global levels.

Originality/value

It is an original effort.
Soft computing based audio signal analysis for accident prediction
Authors: Valiveti Hima Bindu , B. Anil Kumar , Duggineni Lakshmi Chaitanya , Namburu Swetha , Kuraparthi Swaraja
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Road accidents, an inadvertent mishap can be detected automatically and alerts sent instantly with the collaboration of image processing techniques and on-road video surveillance systems. However, to rely exclusively on visual information especially under adverse conditions like night times, dark areas and unfavourable weather conditions such as snowfall, rain, and fog which result in faint visibility lead to incertitude. The main goal of the proposed work is certainty of accident occurrence.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors of this work propose a method for detecting road accidents by analyzing audio signals to identify hazardous situations such as tire skidding and car crashes. The motive of this project is to build a simple and complete audio event detection system using signal feature extraction methods to improve its detection accuracy. The experimental analysis is carried out on a publicly available real time data-set consisting of audio samples like car crashes and tire skidding. The Temporal features of the recorded audio signal like Energy Volume Zero Crossing Rate 28ZCR2529 and the Spectral features like Spectral Centroid Spectral Spread Spectral Roll of factor Spectral Flux the Psychoacoustic features Energy Sub Bands ratio and Gammatonegram are computed. The extracted features are pre-processed and trained and tested using Support Vector Machine (SVM) and K-nearest neighborhood (KNN) classification algorithms for exact prediction of the accident occurrence for various SNR ranges. The combination of Gammatonegram with Temporal and Spectral features of the validates to be superior compared to the existing detection techniques.

Findings

Temporal, Spectral, Psychoacoustic features, gammetonegram of the recorded audio signal are extracted. A High level vector is generated based on centroid and the extracted features are classified with the help of machine learning algorithms like SVM, KNN and DT. The audio samples collected have varied SNR ranges and the accuracy of the classification algorithms is thoroughly tested.

Practical implications

Denoising of the audio samples for perfect feature extraction was a tedious chore.

Originality/value

The existing literature cites extraction of Temporal and Spectral features and then the application of classification algorithms. For perfect classification, the authors have chosen to construct a high level vector from all the four extracted Temporal, Spectral, Psycho acoustic and Gammetonegram features. The classification algorithms are employed on samples collected at varied SNR ranges.