bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population-level deep sequencing reveals the interplay of clonal and sexual reproduction in the fungal wheat pathogenZymoseptoria tritici
Authors: Singh Nikhil Kumar , Chanclud Emilie , Croll Daniel
Published: July 2020

Pathogens can rapidly surmount crop resistance challenging global food security. On annual crops, pathogens must re-infect from environmental sources at the beginning of every growing season. Fungal pathogens evolved mixed reproductive strategies to cope with the distinct life cycle challenges of colonizing plants, spreading within fields and ultimately producing propagules for survival in winter. However, how genotypic diversity evolves over this period remains largely unknown. Here, we performed a deep hierarchical sampling in a single experimental wheat field infected by the major fungal pathogenZymoseptoria tritici. We analyzed whole genome sequences of 177 isolates collected from twelve distinct cultivars replicated in space at three time points of the growing season. The field population was highly diverse with 37 SNPs per kilobase and a linkage disequilibrium decay within 200-700 bp. We found that ~20% of the individual isolates were grouping into 15 clonal groups. Pairs of clones were disproportionally found at short distance (<5m) but a low degree of dispersal occurred also at the scale of the entire field consistent with a predominant leaf-to-leaf dispersal. We found no association of wheat cultivars and clonal genotypes with the exception of one cultivar. Surprisingly, levels of clonality did not increase over time in the field although reproduction is thought to be exclusively asexual during the growing season. Our study shows that the pathogen establishes vast and stable gene pools in single fields over the growing season. Monitoring short-term evolutionary changes in crop pathogens will inform more durable strategies to contain diseases.

Data summary

All Illumina sequencing datasets are available from the NCBI Sequence Read Archive (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sra). The Supplementary Tables S1-S3 list the exact strain names, collection location, genotype and genetic diversity indices.
Ingestion of poisonous eggs from the invasive apple snailPomacea canaliculataadversely affects bullfrogLithobathes catesbeianusintestine morphophysiology
Authors: Brola Tabata R. , Dreon Marcos S. , Fernández Patricia E. , Portiansky Enrique L. , Heras Horacio
Published: July 2020

The poisonous eggs ofPomacea canaliculata(Caenogastropoda, Ampullariidae) hardly have any predator. This invasive snail, listed among the 100 worst invasive species, is a serious crop pest and a vector of a human parasitosis. Females lay eggs in pink-reddish masses, presumably as a warning coloration of their chemical defenses. Egg ingestion alters rodents’ gastrointestinal tract and is lethal if injected, but its effect on other taxa is unknown. Here we explored the toxic effects ofPomacea canaliculataeggs on bullfrogLithobathes catesbeianus(Anura, Ranidae).

Juvenile bullfrogs were gavaged with egg extracts and their digestive tract analyzed after 24 h and 48 h using histological, immunohistochemical and lectin-histochemical techniques. Toxicity was also evaluated by intraperitoneal injection of eggs extracts.

Egg extract ingestion adversely affected small intestine of bullfrogs. Short term (24 h) effects included large, reversible changes of the intestinal wall, villi morphology, and changes in the glycosylation patterns of enterocytes. The mucosal area increased and infiltration of inflammatory cells, mainly eosinophils and macrophages, were observed together with a weak hemorrhage. Most of these changes reversed after 48 h. Besides, intraperitoneal injection of egg extract was nontoxic to bullfrog juveniles and no lethality or behavioral changes were observed, a remarkable difference with egg’ effect on mammals.

As a whole, these results indicate that toxins of apple snail eggs reversibly modify gut morphology, which may alter bullfrog physiology limiting their ability to absorb egg nutrients. This study extends the known targets of the apple snail egg defenses against predation to amphibians.
Orientation of Temporal Interference for Non-Invasive Deep Brain Stimulation in Epilepsy
Authors: Missey Florian , Rusina Evgeniia , Acerbo Emma , Botzanowski Boris , Carron Romain , Trébuchon Agnès , Bartolomei Fabrice , Jirsa Viktor , Williamson Adam
Published: July 2020

In patients with focal drug-resistant epilepsy, electrical stimulation from intracranial electrodes is frequently used for the localization of seizure onset zones and related pathological networks. The ability of electrically stimulated tissue to generate beta and gamma range oscillations, called rapid-discharges, is a frequent indication of an epileptogenic zone. However, a limit of intracranial stimulation is the fixed physical location and number of implanted electrodes, leaving numerous clinically and functionally relevant brain regions unexplored. Here, we demonstrate an alternative technique relying exclusively on nonpenetrating surface electrodes, namely an orientation-tunable form of temporally-interfering (TI) electric fields to target the CA3 of the mouse hippocampus which focally evokes seizure-like events (SLEs) having the characteristic frequencies of rapid-discharges, but without the necessity of the implanted electrodes. The orientation of the topical electrodes with respect to the orientation of the hippocampus is demonstrated to strongly control the threshold for evoking SLEs. Additionally, we demonstrate the use of square waves as an alternative to sine waves for TI stimulation. An orientation-dependent analysis of classic implanted electrodes to evoke SLEs in the hippocampus is subsequently utilized to support the results of the minimally-invasive temporally-interfering fields. The principles of orientation-tunable TI stimulation seen here can be generally applicable in a wide range of other excitable tissues and brain regions, overcoming several limitations of fixed electrodes which penetrate tissue.
The Connexin 43 Carboxyl Terminal Mimetic Peptide αCT1 Prompts Differentiation of a Collagen Scar Matrix Resembling Unwounded Skin
Authors: Montgomery Jade , Richardson William J. , Rhett J. Matthew , Bustos Francis , Degen Katherine , Ghatnekar Gautam S. , Grek Christina L. , Marsh Spencer , Jourdan L. Jane , Holmes Jeffrey W. , Gourdie Robert G.
Published: July 2020

Phase II clinical trials have reported that acute treatment of surgical skin wounds with the therapeutic peptide αCT1 improves cutaneous scar appearance by 47% 9-months post-surgery – though mode-of-action remains unknown. Scar matrix structure in biopsies 2 to 6 weeks post-wounding treated topically with αCT1 or control treatments from human subjects, Sprague-Dawley rats, and IAF hairless guinea pigs were compared. The sole effect on scar structure in humans was that αCT1-treated scars had less alignment of collagen fibers relative to control wounds, a state that resembles unwounded skin. This more random alignment was recapitulated in both animal models, together with transient increases in collagen density, although the guinea pig was found to more closely replicate the pattern of response to αCT1 in human scars, compared to rat. Fibroblasts treated with αCT1in vitroshowed decreased directionality and an agent-based computational model parameterized with fibroblast motility data predicted collagen alignments in simulated scars consistent with that observed experimentally in human and the animal models. In conclusion, αCT1 prompts decreased directionality of fibroblast movement and the generation of a 3D collagen matrix post-wounding that is similar to unwounded skin – changes that correlate with long-term improvement in scar appearance.
Label-free imaging of immune cell dynamics in the living retina using adaptive optics
Authors: Joseph Aby , Chu Colin J , Feng Guanping , Dholakia Kosha , Schallek Jesse
Published: July 2020

Our recent work characterized the movement of single blood cells within the retinal vasculature of healthy mice (Joseph et al. 2019) using adaptive optics ophthalmoscopy. Here we apply this technique to the context of acute inflammation and discover both infiltrating and tissue-resident immune cells to be visible without any labelling in the living retina using near - infrared light alone. Intravital imaging of immune cells can be negatively impacted by surgical manipulation, exogenous dyes, transgenic manipulation and phototoxicity. These confounds are now overcome, using phase contrast and time-lapse videography to reveal the dynamic behavior of myeloid cells as they interact, extravasate and survey the retina. Cellular motility and differential vascular responses can be measured noninvasively and in vivo across hours to months at the same retinal location, from initiation to the resolution of inflammation. As comparable systems are already available for clinical research, this approach could be readily translated to human application.

Impact statement

Immune cell motility and vascular response are imagedin vivoand label-free in the CNS for the first time, using high-resolution phase-contrast adaptive optics retinal imaging.
Enhanced health facility surveys to support malaria control and elimination across different transmission settings in The Philippines
Authors: Reyes Ralph A. , Fornace Kimberly M. , Macalinao Maria Lourdes M. , Boncayao Beaulah L. , De La Fuente Ellaine S. , Sabanal Hennessey M. , Bareng Alison Paolo N. , Medado Inez Andrea P. , Mercado Edelwisa S. , Luchavez Jennifer S. , Hafalla Julius Clemence R. , Drakeley Chris J. , Espino Fe Esperanza J.
Published: July 2020

Following substantial progress in malaria control in the Philippines, new surveillance approaches are needed to identify and target residual malaria transmission. This study evaluated an enhanced surveillance approach using rolling cross-sectional surveys of all health facility attendees augmented with molecular diagnostics and geolocation. Facility surveys were carried out in 3 sites representing different transmission intensities: Morong, Bataan (pre-elimination), Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro (stable-medium risk) and Rizal, Palawan (high risk, control). Only 1 RDT positive infection and no PCR confirmed infections were found in Bataan and Occidental Mindoro suggesting the absence of transmission. In Rizal, inclusion of all health facility attendees, regardless of symptoms, and use of molecular diagnostics identified an additional 313 infected individuals in addition to 300 cases identified by routine screening of febrile patients with RDT or microscopy. Of these, the majority (313/613) were subpatent infections and only detected using molecular methods. Simultaneous collection of GPS coordinates on tablet-based applications allowed real-time mapping of malaria infections. Risk factor analysis showed higher risks in children and indigenous groups, with bednet use having a protective effect. Subpatent infections were more common in men and older age groups. Overall, malaria risks were not associated with patient status and some of non-patient clinic attendees reported febrile illnesses (1.9%, 26/1369) despite not seeking treatment highlighting the widespread distribution of infection in communities. Together, these data illustrate the utility of health-facility based surveys to augment surveillance data to increase the probability of detecting infections in the wider community.
A national cross-sectional survey of public perceptions, knowledge, and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Leigh Jeanna Parsons , Fiest Kirsten , Brundin-Mather Rebecca , Plotnikoff Kara , Soo Andrea , Sypes Emma E. , Whalen-Browne Liam , Ahmed Sofia B. , Burns Karen E.A. , Fox-Robichaud Alison , Kupsch Shelly , Longmore Shelly , Murthy Srinivas , Niven Daniel J. , Rochwerg Bram , Stelfox Henry T.
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Efforts to mitigate the global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have largely relied on broad compliance with public health recommendations yet navigating the high volume of evolving information and misinformation related to SARS-CoV-2 can be challenging. We assessed national public perceptions (e.g., severity, concerns, health), knowledge (e.g., transmission, information sources), and behaviors (e.g., physical distancing) related to COVID-19 in Canada to understand public perspectives and inform future public health initiatives.

Methods

We administered a national online survey with the goal of obtaining responses from 2000 adults residing in Canada. Respondent sampling was stratified by age, sex, and region. We used descriptive statistics to summarize respondent characteristics and tested for significant overall regional differences using chi-squared tests and t-tests, as appropriate.

Results

We collected 1,996 eligible questionnaires between April 26th and May 1st, 2020. One-fifth (20%) of respondents knew someone diagnosed with COVID-19, but few had tested positive themselves (0.6%). Negative impacts of pandemic conditions were evidenced in several areas, including concerns about healthcare (e.g. sufficient equipment, 52%), pandemic stress (45%), and worsening social (49%) and mental/emotional (39%) health. Most respondents (88%) felt they had good to excellent knowledge of virus transmission, and predominantly accessed (74%) and trusted (60%) Canadian news television, newspapers/magazines, or non-government news websites for COVID-19 information. We found high compliance with distancing measures (80% either self-isolating or always physical distancing). We identified regional differences in perceptions, knowledge, and behaviors related to COVID-19.

Discussion

We found that knowledge about COVID-19 is largely acquired through domestic news sources, which may explain high self-reported compliance with prevention measures. The results highlight the broader impact of a pandemic on the general public’s overall health and wellbeing, outside of personal infection. The study findings should be used to inform public health communications during COVID-19 and future pandemics.
Reflection of connectivism in medical education and learning motivation during COVID-19
Authors: Lee Jun Xin , Ahmad Azman Ahmad Hathim , Ng Jing Yi , Ismail Noor Akmal Shareela
Published: July 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only affected the global healthcare and economy but threatened the world of education altogether. Malaysia is not spared from this pandemic as all universities were forced to close and initiate online learning with the implementation of Movement Control Order since mid-March 2020.The abrupt shift from conventional medical education to fully virtual learning definitely deserves a reflection on how it affects the learning motivation among medical students. Hence, this is the first study that compares the effect of digital learning on learning motivation among medical students in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A modified Students Motivation towards Science Learning (SMTSL) was used to assess the learning motivation of UKM medical students throughout Year 1-5. The number of students that use digital learning during COVID-19 is significantly higher compared to before COVID-19 (p<0.05). However, there is no significant difference (p=0.872) in learning motivation among medical students before and during COVID-19 crisis. Higher frequency in digital learning usage frequency does not exert a great impact on learning motivation. Reflections from each participant were collated to justify the current situation. This could be due to motivation coming from the very choice to pursue medicine as a doctor, which is mainly influenced by intrinsic motivation, and ability to adapt in difficult situations. Thus, medical educators should be creative in enhancing extrinsic motivation by making use of digital learning as a platform so that medical students are able to independently fish for information in the vast pool of digital information and apply in actual medical practice in the future for life-long learning.
Ward-Level Factors Associated with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Acquisition − an Electronic Medical Records study in Singapore
Authors: Tun Zaw Myo , Fisher Dale A , Salmon Sharon , Tam Clarence C
Published: July 2020

Background
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is endemic in hospitals worldwide. When patients are transferred between wards within a hospital, their risk of acquiring MRSA may change. In this study, we investigated how ward characteristics and connectivity are associated with MRSA acquisition.
Methods
We analysed electronic medical records on patient transfers and MRSA screening of in-patients at an acute-care tertiary hospital in Singapore to investigate whether ward characteristics and connectivity within the hospital network were associated with MRSA acquisition rates over a period of four years.
Results
Most patient transfers concentrated in a stable core network of wards. Factors associated with increased rate of MRSA acquisition were ward MRSA admission prevalence (rate ratio (RR): 1.50, 95% CI: 1.28, 1.71, per one percentage point increase), admission to a critical care ward (RR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.14, 3.06) and average number of patients in the ward on a typical day (RR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.68, for every 10 patients quarterly). Admission to an oncology ward (RR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.93) (compared to medical ward), and median length of stay (RR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.54, 0.93) were associated with lower acquisition rates. We did not find evidence that network measures of ward connectivity, including in-degree, weighted in-degree, influenced MRSA acquisition rate after adjusting for other ward characteristics.
Conclusion
Ward MRSA admission prevalence, critical care ward, ward patient capacity, ward specialty, and median length of stay, rather than relative connectivity of the ward in the hospital network were associated with MRSA acquisition.
No evidence of viral polymorphisms associated with Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome Temporally Associated With SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS)
Authors: Pang Juanita , Boshier Florencia A.T. , Alders Nele , Dixon Garth , Breuer Judith
Published: July 2020

Generally, children and teenagers do not become seriously ill with COVID-19. However, in countries with high rates of coronavirus disease, children with the syndrome COVID-19 associated inflammation syndrome referred to as PIMS-TS have been reported. Similarities noted between SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein sequences and those of other super antigens has prompted the suggestion that this might be the mechanism by SARS-CoV-ST triggers PIMS-TS. It has also been suggested that the D614G variant found more commonly in the US and across European countries may explain why PIMS-TS appears to be common in these countries. Here we analysed viral sequences from 13 paediatric COVID-19 patients of whom five were diagnosed with PIMS-TS. This is the first characterisation of viruses from PIMS-TS patients. In contrast to what has been hypothesised, we found no evidence of unique sequences associated with the viruses from PIMS-TS patients.
Striatal functional connectivity in psychosis relapse: A comparison between antipsychotic adherent and non-adherent patients at the time of relapse
Authors: Rubio Jose M , Lencz Todd , Barber Anita , Bassaw Franchesica , Ventura Gabriela , Germano Nicole , Malhotra Anil K , Kane John M
Published: July 2020

Most individuals with psychotic disorders relapse over their course of illness. Relapse pathophysiology is generally not well captured in studies that do not account for antipsychotic non-adherence, which is common and often unnoticed in schizophrenia. This study was explicitly designed to understand relapse in patients with guaranteed antipsychotic delivery. We compared individuals with psychosis breakthrough on antipsychotic maintenance medication (BAMM, n=23), for whom antipsychotic adherence prior to relapse was confirmed by using long acting injectable antipsychotics, and individuals who at the time of relapse were antipsychotic free (APF, n=27), as they had declared treatment non-adherence. Resting state functional MRI was acquired to conduct a region of interest (ROI) analyses. We generated functional connectivity maps to calculate striatal connectivity index (SCI) values, a prognostic biomarker of treatment response in first episode schizophrenia. Group differences in SCI values (BAMM vs APF) were compared in a linear regression model. We hypothesized that individuals in the BAMM group would have greater aberrant striatal function, thus lower SCI values, than in individuals in the APF group. Furthermore, we conducted exploratory group comparisons at the ROI level. As predicted, the BAMM group had significantly lower SCI values (ß=0.95, standard error=0.378, p=0.013). Group comparisons at the ROI level indicate differences in functional connectivity of dorsal striatum, and greater decoupling in striato-cerebellar connections among the BAMM group. A prognostic biomarker of treatment response in first episode psychosis showed differences by antipsychotic exposure upon relapse, suggesting that relapse during continued antipsychotic treatment may be characterized by aberrant striatal function.
Effect of 2,4-dinitrophenol dye doping on tristhioureazinc(II) sulfate single crystals: a potential nonlinear optical material
Authors: Durgababu G. , Nagaraju G. J. , Bhagavannarayana G.
Published: July 2020

Good quality single crystals of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP)-doped tristhioureazinc(II) sulfate (ZTS) were successfully grown by employing the simple and cost effective slow-evaporation solution technique. To study the effect of doping on various device properties, the grown single crystals were subjected to powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), high-resolution XRD, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Vickers hardness testing, and UV–visible, photoluminescence (PL) and Fourier transform IR (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques. The crystal structure of DNP-doped ZTS bulk single crystals remained the same as the crystal structure of ZTS. However, the changes in intensities of the diffraction peaks in the PXRD spectra indicated the incorporation of dopants into the crystalline matrix. FTIR studies confirm the incorporation of dopants into the crystalline matrix, shown by the shifting of certain prominent absorption bands towards higher energy. This also indicated the induced useful strain due to doping, leading to charge transfer and the enhancement of nonlinear optical properties. The cut-off wavelength and optical band gap energy of pure ZTS and DNP-doped ZTS crystals were studied by UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, revealing a slight reduction in the optical band gap energy due to doping, which in turn revealed the enhancement of the optical range. PL studies revealed an enhanced optical range of photoluminescence in ZTS crystals. Second harmonic generation (SGH) studies carried out by the Kurtz powder technique revealed the enhancement of SHG value due to DNP doping. To ensure the thermal stability and mechanical strength of the grown crystals with doping (required from the point of view of device applications), TGA and Vicker's hardness studies were performed.
Organisational responses to mandatory modern slavery disclosure legislation: a failure of experimentalist governance?
Authors: Rogerson Michael , Crane Andrew , Soundararajan Vivek , Grosvold Johanne , Cho Charles H.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates how organisations are responding to mandatory modern slavery disclosure legislation. Experimentalist governance suggests that organisations faced with disclosure requirements such as those contained in the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 will compete with one another, and in doing so, improve compliance. The authors seek to understand whether this is the case.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is set in the UK public sector. The authors conduct interviews with over 25% of UK universities that are within the scope of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and examine their reporting and disclosure under that legislation.

Findings

The authors find that, contrary to the logic of experimentalist governance, universities' disclosures as reflected in their modern slavery statements are persistently poor on detail, lack variation and have led to little meaningful action to tackle modern slavery. They show that this is due to a herding effect that results in universities responding as a sector rather than independently; a built-in incapacity to effectively manage supply chains; and insufficient attention to the issue at the board level. The authors also identity important boundary conditions of experimentalist governance.

Research limitations/implications

The generalisability of the authors’ findings is restricted to the public sector.

Practical implications

In contexts where disclosure under the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 is not a core offering of the sector, and where competition is limited, there is little incentive to engage in a “race to the top” in terms of disclosure. As such, pro-forma compliance prevails and the effectiveness of disclosure as a tool to drive change in supply chains to safeguard workers is relatively ineffective. Instead, organisations must develop better knowledge of their supply chains and executives and a more critical eye for modern slavery to be combatted effectively. Accountants and their systems and skills can facilitate this development.

Originality/value

This is the first investigation of the organisational processes and activities which underpin disclosures related to modern slavery disclosure legislation. This paper contributes to the accounting and disclosure modern slavery literature by investigating public sector organisations' processes, activities and responses to mandatory reporting legislation on modern slavery.
Wealth and consumption inequality: an interquantile analysis
Authors: Martín-Legendre Juan Ignacio , Castellanos-García Pablo , Sánchez-Santos José Manuel
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the changes in wealth and consumption inequality in Spain and estimate the consumption effects of housing and financial wealth.

Design/methodology/approach

The estimations are made using micro-data from the Spanish Survey of Household Finances (2002–2014) applying cross-section, panel and interquartile techniques.

Findings

The findings of this paper suggest that there was an increase in wealth inequality during the period under analysis and a reduction in consumption inequality. Also, the authors find a significant positive effect of wealth on consumer expenditure. Disaggregating by asset type, the value of the main residence is the category with the highest estimated effect on consumption, whereas the remaining types of assets, although still positive and generally significant, have more modest effects on consumption. However, the estimated coefficients and their significance can change substantially depending on the phase of the economic cycle and the position of the household in the income distribution.

Originality/value

These results provide new empirical evidence on the effects of household wealth changes on their consumption behavior, the differences depending on the household's position in the distribution and the fluctuations of these estimated coefficients throughout a period of profound economic upheavals.
Workplace bullying and intention to leave: a moderated mediation model of emotional exhaustion and supervisory support
Authors: Srivastava Shalini , Agarwal Swati
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study investigates the association between workplace bullying and intention to leave. The study further attempts to understand the mediating and moderating roles of emotional exhaustion and supervisory support respectively on workplace bullying and intention to leave relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Statistical tools like SPSS and PROCESS Hayes were used for the analysis. Techniques like CFA, regression, moderation mediation analysis were used.

Findings

Utilizing conservation of resources (COR) theory and a sample of 480 employees from hospitality sector in India, we found that WPB was positively related to intention to leave. We also found that supervisory support moderated the relationships between emotional exhaustion and intention to leave and emotional exhaustion acted as a mediator between workplace bullying and intention to leave.

Research limitations/implications

First, for the survey self-report questionnaire was employed; hence, it may be biased due to the social desirability effect. However, the researcher has stated that for workplace behavior like an intention to leave and supervisory support, the self-report survey is applicable (Bennett and Robinson, 2000). This study is limited in scope to measure cause-and-effect relationship because it is a cross-sectional study. Therefore, in correlation, the chronological order cannot be established as data were collected at the same time.

Practical implications

First, the result of the study established that workplace bullying can result in high intention to leave which will adversely affect the organization in the long term. Therefore, it is necessary that managers and businesses need to act to reduce workplace bullying. The managers in the organization should facilitate the friendly work environment and implement practices that are detrimental to bullying behaviors.

Social implications

Since workplace bullying not only affects the target but also the team’s success and organization and the society as a whole, the organization should think of exploring the impact of workplace bullying on team cohesiveness and organizational performance.

Originality/value

This study seeks to explore in more detail the problem of bullying in the hospitality sector in India. The impetus for the study was the growing concern that bullying is creating a lot of turmoil in the life of employees making them either face the situation by being emotionally strong or leave the organization.
Pattern classification using tolerance rough sets based on non-additive grey relational analysis and DEMATEL
Authors: Jiang Peng , Wang Wenbao , Hu Yi-Chung , Chiu Yu-Jing , Tsao Shu-Ju
Published: July 2020

Purpose

It is challenging to derive an appropriate tolerance relation for tolerance rough set-based classifiers (TRSCs). The traditional tolerance rough set employs a simple distance function to determine the tolerance relation. However, such a simple function does not take into account criterion weights and the interaction among criteria. Further, the traditional tolerance relation ignores interdependencies concerning direct and indirect influences among patterns. This study aimed to incorporate interaction and interdependencies into the tolerance relation to develop non-additive grey TRSCs (NG-TRSCs).

Design/methodology/approach

For pattern classification, this study applied non-additive grey relational analysis (GRA) and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique to solve problems arising from interaction and interdependencies, respectively.

Findings

The classification accuracy rates derived from the proposed NG-TRSC were compared to those of other TRSCs with distinctive features. The results showed that the proposed classifier was superior to the other TRSCs considered.

Practical implications

In addition to pattern classification, the proposed non-additive grey DEMATEL can further benefit the applications for managerial decision-making because it simplifies the operations for decision-makers and enhances the applicability of DEMATEL.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the field by proposing the non-additive grey tolerance rough set (NG-TRS) for pattern classification. The proposed NG-TRSC can be constructed by integrating the non-additive GRA with DEMATEL by using a genetic algorithm to determine the relevant parameters.
The conundrum of professionalising building surveying in Malaysia
Authors: Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Rashid , Suresh Subashini , Renukappa Suresh
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to track the series of setbacks by a few like-minded persons since the early 1990s to entrench building surveying as a profession in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were sourced from elite interviews with authoritative individuals who have been championing building surveying as a profession and supplemented by secondary sources.

Findings

Established professional bodies became hostile to what they perceived as attempts to encroach on their professional jurisdictions. There was even a move to subjugate building surveyors to the auxiliary role. The ultimate aim to obtain statutory “ring fence” around the proposed building surveying profession did not find favour with lawmakers.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of small sample size was compensated by referral to past publications.

Practical implications

Latecomers face an uphill challenge in negotiating for legitimacy from established professions and lawmakers alike in a situation when no new work demand avails. Building surveyors in Malaysia have to either wait for external changes which would allow their traditional role to be formally recognised or take up new specialisations.

Originality/value

Additional empirical findings were uncovered to complement past studies. The main contribution lies in demonstrating the explanatory powers of the sociological lens for future studies on professions in the construction industry.
Labour supply dynamics at the extensive and intensive margins of the UK men and women
Authors: Cai Lixin
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to enhance understanding labour supply dynamics of the UK workers by examining whether and to what extent there is state dependence in the labour supply at both the extensive and intensive margins.

Design/methodology/approach

A dynamic two-tiered Tobit model is applied to the first seven waves of Understanding Society: the UK Household Longitudinal Study. The model used accounts for observed and unobserved individual heterogeneity and serially correlated transitory shocks to labour supply to draw inferences on state dependence.

Findings

The results show that both observed and unobserved individual heterogeneity contributes to observed inter-temporal persistence of the labour supply of the UK workers, and the persistence remains after these factors are controlled for, suggesting true state dependence at both the extensive and intensive margins of the labour supply. The study also finds that at both the margins, the state dependence of labour supply is larger for females than for males and that for both genders the state dependence is larger for people with low education, mature aged workers and people with long-standing illness or impairment. The results also show that estimates from a conventional Tobit model may produce misleading inferences regarding labour supply at the extensive and intensive margins.

Originality/value

This study adds to the international literature on labour supply dynamics by providing empirical evidence for both the extensive and intensive margins of labour supply, while previous studies tend to focus on the extensive margin of labour force participation only. Also, unlike earlier studies that often focus on females, this study compares labour supply dynamics between males and females. The study also compares the estimates from the more flexible two-tiered Tobit model with that from the conventional Tobit model.
The relevance of international marketing strategy to emerging-market exporting firms: from a systematic review towards a conceptual framework
Authors: İpek İlayda
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Given the fact that emerging economies have idiosyncratic characteristics, international marketing strategies of emerging-market exporting firms have been firmly acknowledged to be rather peculiar compared to exporting firms based in developed countries. In this sense, it is therefore incumbent to synthesize the stream of research on international marketing strategy with a particular focus on emerging-market exporting firms. Accordingly, the main purpose of this study is to critically assess the related empirical body of research, and to build a conceptual framework for further development by drawing on the knowledge gaps identified.

Design/methodology/approach

To serve the research objective, this study adopts a systematic literature review methodology. In this sense, 51 articles were content-analyzed as to theoretical underpinnings, scope of research, research methodology, and empirical issues; and a comprehensive conceptual framework and research propositions were developed.

Findings

The findings of this review delineate that the pertinent literature is characterized by some contextual, methodological, and empirical weaknesses. In a nutshell, although the last decades have witnessed a burgeoning interest; the pertinent literature is still at the introductory stage and needs additional improvement.

Originality/value

By addressing the research gap concerning the requirement to synthesize and compile the empirical line of research on international marketing strategy of emerging-market exporting firms, this review study provides novel and valuable insights into the existing knowledge on the subject.
Environmentally responsible freight transport service providers' assessment under data-driven information uncertainty
Authors: Kumar Aalok , Anbanandam Ramesh
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Freight transportation practices accounted for a significant share of environmental degradation and climate change over the years. Therefore, environmentally responsible transport practices (ERTPs) become a serious concern of freight shippers and transport service providers. Past studies generally ignored the assessment of ERTPs of freight transport companies during a transport service contract. To bridge the above literature gap, this paper proposed a hierarchical framework for evaluating freight transport companies based on ERTPs.

Design/methodology/approach

In a data-driven decision-making environment, transport firm selection is affected by multiple expert inputs, lack of information availability, decision-making ambiguity and background of experts. The evaluation of such decisions requires a multi-criteria decision-making method under a group decision-making approach. This paper used a data-driven method based on the intuitionistic fuzzy-set-based analytic hierarchy process (IF-AHP) and VIseKriterijumska Kompromisno Rangiranje (IF-VIKOR) method. The applicability of the proposed framework is validated with the Indian freight transport industry.

Findings

The result analysis shows that environmental knowledge sharing among freight transport actors, quality of organizations human resource, collaborative green awareness training programs, promoting environmental awareness program for employees and compliance of government transport emission law and practice have been ranked top five ERTPs which significantly contribute to the environmental sustainability of freight transport industry. The proposed framework also ranked freight transport companies based on ERTPs.

Research limitations/implications

This research is expected to provide a reference to develop ERTPs in the emerging economies freight transport industry and contribute to the development of a sustainable freight transport system.

Originality/value

This study assesses the environmental responsibility of the freight transportation industry. The emerging economies logistics planners can use proposed framework for assessing the performance of freight transportation companies based on ERTPs.
Combining realized measures to forecast REIT volatility
Authors: Zhou Jian
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to show that the best-performing realized measures vary across markets when it comes to forecast real estate investment trust (REIT) volatility. This finding provides little guidance for practitioners on which one to use when facing a new market. The authors attempt to fill the hole by seeking a common estimator, which can study for different markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors do so by drawing upon the general forecasting literature, which finds that combinations of individual forecasts often outperform even the best individual forecast. The authors carry out the study by first introducing a number of commonly used realized measures and then considering several different combination strategies. The authors apply all of the individual measures and their different combinations to three major global REIT markets (Australia, UK and US).

Findings

The findings show that both unconstrained and constrained versions of the regression-based combinations consistently rank among the group of best forecasters across the three markets under study. None of their peers can do it including the three simple combinations and all of the individual measures. The conclusions are robust to the choice of evaluation metrics and of the out-of-sample evaluation periods.

Originality/value

The study provides practitioners with easy-to-follow insights on how to forecast REIT volatility, that is, use a regression-based combination of individual realized measures. The study has also extended the thin real estate literature on using high-frequency data to examine REIT volatility.
Risk perception in PPP infrastructure project financing in India
Authors: Gupta Pankaj Kumar , Verma Harender
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the risk perception of project sponsors in financing of public–private partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used is survey questionnaire that seeks the perception of risk managers in PPP projects. Rating and relative ranking of risk at various phases of PPP project have been analyzed and supplemented by unstructured interviews.

Findings

This paper shows that the perception of project sponsors for various levels of project risk categories differ significantly in PPP infrastructure projects. The practices of assessing risk and handling differ among the financing institutions. The ranking of risks shows a disagreement among respondents for relative importance. The project financiers that include major banks and financial institutions funding for the PPP infrastructure projects perceive risks differently, and their disagreement on the relative importance of risks may create a sub-optimality in risk management, and the essence of project sponsorship may be lost.

Research limitations/implications

This paper examines the perceptions of the various risks involved in PPP infrastructure project financing. The authors emphasize on the infrastructure projects in the transportation and energy sector that are undertaken in the PPPs. This research can further be extended to the other infrastructure sectors such as roads, shipping and communication.

Practical implications

Experiences reveal that risk perception profoundly influence the implementation of infrastructure projects involving PPPs. To ensure smooth implementation and success of PPP infrastructure projects, the project sponsors must align, synchronize and develop consensus on the various funding and non-funding risks into the project curriculum.

Social implications

The PPP infrastructure projects carry huge investment and are of strategic importance to the nation and society. In order that the provision of infrastructure which can be most economically and efficiently delivered through PPPs, the risk concordance assumes crucial importance.

Originality/value

The authors believe that this research may provide new direction to the visible and invisible misbalances in risk postures of project partners, which has been a cause of concern to the government and policymakers in India in the recent times.
From reflection to action: a case study of an art psychotherapy group which drew on occupational therapy perspectives
Authors: Coles Ali , Elliott Tom
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to describe service user experiences of an art psychotherapy group which drew on occupational therapy perspectives to help adults with severe and enduring mental health difficulties move forward in their recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach incorporating outcome data was used. The data gathered comprised attendance, facilitators’ clinical notes, photographs of participant artworks, the Psychological Outcome Profiles questionnaire (PSYCHLOPS: www.psychlops.org), a post-therapy feedback form, discussion at post-therapy individual review sessions and participants’ achievements post-group.

Findings

All but one participant scored the group as “very helpful” or “helpful” and all felt that the group had helped them with the personal aims they had identified. The PSYCHLOPS questionnaire yielded a large average effect size, indicating positive change in terms of problems, functioning and well-being. Participants identified several ways in which the group was helpful, and their artwork and reflections indicate how they used the art making in the group to pursue their recovery goals. The service user experiences and outcomes suggest that this group was effective in facilitating recovery for these adults with severe and enduring mental health difficulties.

Originality/value

This group was innovative in integrating approaches from the different professional specialisms and the findings encourage further investigation into this way of working.
Still worlds apart: flourishing in people with mental health problems
Authors: Allen Rosie Elizabeth , Carson Jerome , Merrifield Bethany , Bush Stacey
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare a group of service users with mental health problems with a community comparison group of gym attenders.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional questionnaire surveys were conducted at a large gym (n = 181) and two community mental health facilities (n = 127) in the Greater Manchester area using a convenience sample approach. All participants completed the PERMA Scale, a measure of flourishing.

Findings

Gym attenders scored significantly higher on the five elements of PERMA. Their physical health ratings were almost double. They also had significantly lower levels of negative emotions and loneliness and higher levels of overall happiness.

Research limitations/implications

This study only considered levels of flourishing. Previous studies of quality of life have shown similar disparities between people with mental health problems and others.

Practical implications

Professor Seligman has claimed that improving levels of flourishing is the main aim of positive psychology. The present study suggests this may be especially challenging for people with mental health problems.

Social implications

The concept of flourishing could provide a more positive non-medical focus for mental health services, in the development of what some have called positive psychiatry. This complements the current recovery model.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to compare flourishing levels between individuals with mental health problems and a community comparison group using the PERMA Scale.