bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low heritability and high phenotypic plasticity of salivary cortisol in response to environmental heterogeneity in a wild pinniped
Authors: Nagel Rebecca , Kaiser Sylvia , Stainfield Claire , Toscani Camille , Fox-Clarke Cameron , Paijmans Anneke J. , Castro Camila Costa , Vendrami David L. J. , Forcada Jaume , Hoffman Joseph I.
Published: October 2021

Individuals are unique in how they interact with and respond to their environment. Correspondingly, unpredictable challenges or environmental stressors often produce an individualized response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and its downstream effector cortisol. We used a fully crossed, repeated measures design to investigate the factors shaping individual variation in baseline cortisol in Antarctic fur seal pups and their mothers. Saliva samples were collected from focal individuals at two breeding colonies, one with low and the other with high density, during two consecutive years of contrasting food availability. Mothers and pups were sampled concurrently at birth and shortly before weaning, while pups were additionally sampled every 20 days. We found that heritability was low for baseline cortisol, while within-individual repeatability and among-individual variability were high. A substantial proportion of the variation in baseline cortisol could be explained in pups and mothers by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors including sex, weight, day, season, and colony of birth. Our findings provide detailed insights into the individualization of endocrine phenotypes and their genetic and environmental drivers in a wild pinniped. Furthermore, the strong associations between cortisol and life history traits that we report in fur seals could have important implications for understanding the population dynamics of species impacted by environmental change.
Artificial reefs geographical location matters more than shape, age and depth for sessile invertebrate colonization in the Gulf of Lion (NorthWestern Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Blouet Sylvain , Bramanti Lorenzo , Guizien Katell
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Artificial reefs (ARs) have been used to support fishing activities. Sessile invertebrates are essential components of trophic networks within ARs, supporting fish productivity. However, colonization by sessile invertebrates is possible only after effective larval dispersal from source populations, usually in natural habitat. While most studies focused on short term colonization by pioneer species, we propose to test the relevance of geographic location, shape, age and depth of immersion on the ARs long term colonization by species found in natural stable communities in the Gulf of Lion. We recorded the presence of five sessile invertebrates species, with contrasting life history traits and regional distribution in the natural rocky habitat, on ARs with different shapes deployed during two immersion time periods (1985 and the 2000s) and in two depth ranges (<20m and >20m). At the local level (∼5kms), neither shape, depth nor immersion duration differentiated ARs assemblages. At the regional scale (>30kms), colonization patterns differed between species, resulting in diverse assemblages. This study highlights the primacy of geographical positioning over shape, immersion duration and depth in ARs colonization, suggesting it should be accounted for in maritime spatial planning.
Progressive chromatin silencing of ABA biosynthesis gene permits seed germination in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yang Deyue , Zhao Fengli , Zhu Danling , Chen Xi , Kong Xiangxiong , Wu Yufeng , Chen Min , Du Jiamu , Qu Li-jia , Wu Zhe
Published: October 2021

Seed germination represents a major developmental switch in plants that is vital to agricultural, but how this process is controlled at the chromatin level remains obscure. Here we demonstrate that successful germination in Arabidopsis requires a chromatin mechanism that progressively silences NCED6, which encodes a rate-limiting enzyme for abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis, through the cooperative action of the RNA-binding protein RZ-1 and the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). Simultaneous inactivation of RZ-1 and PRC2 blocks germination and synergistically derepresses NCEDs and hundreds of genes. At NCED6, by promoting H3 deacetylation and suppressing H3K4me3, RZ-1 facilitates transcriptional silencing and also a H3K27me3 accumulation process that occurs during seed germination and early seedling growth. Genome-wide analysis reveals RZ-1 is preferentially required for transcriptional silencing of many PRC2 targets early during seed germination when H3K27me3 is not yet established. We propose RZ-1 confers a novel silencing mechanism to compensate and coordinate with PRC2. Our work highlights the progressive chromatin silencing of ABA biosynthesis genes via synergized action of the RNA-binding protein RZ1 and PRC2, which is vital for seed germination.
Expression analysis and single-nucleotide polymorphisms of MLPH and PMEL17 genes associated with melanin deposition in Xuefeng black-bone chickens
Authors: Dengyuying  , Pengcanyang  , Liuxu  , Hechangqing  , Guosongchang  , Quxiangyong
Published: October 2021

Melanin deposition related genes such as MLPH and PMEL17 play an important role in black-bone chicken. This study was aimed to identify and associate SNPs in the MLPH and PMEL17 genes with melanin content of pectoral muscle (MCPM) in Xuefeng black-bone chicken. A total of 120 Xuefeng black-bone chickens at 120-day-old were randomly selected to measure blackness of pectoral muscle (BPM), according to the degree of BPM selected 22 high blackness (HB) and 22 low blackness (LB) chickens to determine the MCPM, and extract DNA and mRNA. The results indicated that the MCPM in the HB group was higher than in the LB group (P < 0.01), and the L value in the HB group was lower than in the LB group (P < 0.01). And we measured the mRNA expression levels of MLPH and PMEL17 genes in pectoral muscle by quantitative real-time PCR. The results revealed that the mRNA expression levels of MLPH gene (P < 0.05) and PMEL17 gene (P < 0.01) in the HB group was higher than in the LB group, and the mRNA relative expression level of MLPH and PMEL17 genes with MCPM was positive correlation (P < 0.01). And the sequencing results found that a total of 17 SNPs were found in MLPH gene, the C-1411T was associated with MCPM (P < 0.05), there was no difference in MCPM among other locus (P > 0.05). And there were 10 SNPs in PMEL17 gene, the G-1843C, C-2812T, and G-2794A were associated with MCPM (P < 0.05), there was no difference in the MCPM among other locus (P > 0.05). These SNPs could be molecular markers for breeding selection of blackness traits.
Development of a highly sensitive luciferase-based reporter system to study two-step protein secretion in cyanobacteria
Authors: Russo David A. , Zedler Julie A. Z. , Conradi Fabian D. , Schuergers Nils , Jensen Poul Erik , Mullineaux Conrad W. , Wilde Annegret , Pohnert Georg
Published: October 2021

Cyanobacteria, ubiquitous oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria, interact with the environment and their surrounding microbiome through the secretion of a variety of small molecules and proteins. The release of these compounds is mediated by sophisticated multi-protein complexes, also known as secretion systems. Genomic analyses indicate that protein and metabolite secretion systems are widely found in cyanobacteria; however little is known regarding their function, regulation and secreted effectors. One such system, the type IVa pilus system (T4aPS), is responsible for the assembly of dynamic cell surface appendages, type IVa pili (T4aP), that mediate ecologically relevant processes such as phototactic motility, natural competence and adhesion. Several studies have suggested that the T4aPS can also act as a two-step protein secretion system in cyanobacteria akin to the homologous type II secretion system in heterotrophic bacteria. To determine whether the T4aP are involved in two-step secretion of non-pilin proteins, we developed a NanoLuc-based quantitative secretion reporter for the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The NLuc reporter presented a wide dynamic range with at least one order of magnitude more sensitivity than traditional immunoblotting. Application of the reporter to a collection of Synechocystis T4aPS mutants demonstrated that two-step protein secretion in cyanobacteria is independent of T4aP. In addition, our data suggest that secretion differences typically observed in T4aPS mutants are likely due to a disruption of cell envelope homeostasis. This study opens the door to explore protein secretion in cyanobacteria further.

Importance

Protein secretion allows bacteria to interact and communicate with the external environment. Secretion is also biotechnologically relevant, where it is often beneficial to target proteins to the extracellular space. Due to a shortage of quantitative assays, many aspects of protein secretion are not understood. Here we introduce a NanoLuc (NLuc)-based secretion reporter in cyanobacteria. NLuc is highly sensitive and can be assayed rapidly and in small volumes. The NLuc reporter allowed us to clarify the role of type IVa pili in protein secretion and identify mutations that increase secretion yield. This study expands our knowledge on cyanobacterial secretion and offers a valuable tool for future studies of protein secretion systems in cyanobacteria.
Extracellular signalling modulates Scar/WAVE complex activity through Abi phosphorylation
Authors: Singh Shashi Prakash , Thomason Peter A. , Insall Robert H.
Published: October 2021

The lamellipodia and pseudopodia of migrating cells are produced and maintained by the Scar/WAVE complex. Thus, actin-based cell migration is largely controlled through regulation of Scar/WAVE. Here we report that the Abi subunit - not Scar/WAVE – is phosphorylated in response to extracellular signalling. Like Scar, Abi is phosphorylated after the complex has been activated, implying that Abi phosphorylation modulates pseudopodia, rather than causing new ones to be made. Consistent with this, Scar/WAVE complex mutants that cannot bind Rac are also not phosphorylated. Several environmental cues also affect Abi phosphorylation - cell-substrate adhesion promotes it and increased extracellular osmolarity diminishes it. Both unphosphorylatable and phosphomimetic Abi efficiently rescue the chemotaxis of Abi KO cells and pseudopodia formation, confirming that Abi phosphorylation is not required for activation or inactivation of the Scar/WAVE complex. However, pseudopodia and Scar/WAVE patches in the cells with unphosphorylatable Abi protrude for longer, altering pseudopod dynamics and cell speed. Cells in which Scar and Abi are both unphosphorylatable can still form pseudopods, but migrate substantially faster. We conclude that extracellular signals and environmental responses modulate cell migration by tuning the behaviour of the Scar/WAVE complex after it has been activated.
Deep learning-based tumor microenvironment segmentation is predictive of tumor mutations and patient survival in non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Rączkowski Łukasz , Paśnik Iwona , Kukiełka Michał , Nicoś Marcin , Budzinska Magdalena A. , Kucharczyk Tomasz , Szumiło Justyna , Krawczyk Paweł , Crosetto Nicola , Szczurek Ewa
Published: October 2021

Despite the fact that tumor microenvironment (TME) and gene mutations are the main determinants of progression of the deadliest cancer in the world – lung cancer – their interrelations are not well understood. Digital pathology data provide a unique insight into the spatial composition of the TME. Various spatial metrics and machine learning approaches were proposed for prediction of either patient survival or gene mutations from these data. Still, these approaches are limited in the scope of analyzed features and in their explainability and as such fail to transfer to clinical practice. Here, we generated 23,199 image patches from 55 hematoxylin-and-eosin (H&E)-stained lung cancer tissue sections and annotated them into 9 different tissue classes. Using this dataset, we trained a deep neural network ARA-CNN, achieving per-class AUC ranging from 0.72 to 0.99. We applied the trained network to segment 467 lung cancer H&E images downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We used the segmented images to compute human interpretable features reflecting the heterogeneous composition of the TME, and successfully utilized them to predict patient survival (c-index 0.723) and cancer gene mutations (largest AUC 73.5% for PDGFRB). Our approach can be generalized to different cancer types to inform precision medicine strategies.
Can single-component protein condensates form multiphase architectures?
Authors: Garaizar Adiran , Espinosa Jorge R. , Joseph Jerelle A. , Krainer Georg , Shen Yi , Knowles Tuomas P.J. , Collepardo-Guevara Rosana
Published: October 2021

Phase-separated biomolecular condensates that contain multiple coexisting phases are widespread in vitro and in cells. Multiphase condensates emerge readily within multi-component mixtures of biomolecules (e.g. proteins and nucleic acids) when the different components present sufficient physicochemical diversity (e.g. in inter-molecular forces, structure, and chemical composition) to sustain separate coexisting phases. Because such diversity is highly coupled to the solution conditions (e.g. temperature, pH, salt, composition), it can manifest itself immediately from the nucleation and growth stages of condensate formation, develop spontaneously due to external stimuli, or progressively as the condensates age. Here, we investigate thermodynamic factors that can explain the intrinsic transformation of single-component condensates into multiphase architectures during the nonequilibrium process of ageing. We develop a multiscale model that integrates atomistic simulations of proteins, sequence-dependent coarse-grained simulations of condensates, and a minimal model of dynamically ageing condensates with non-conservative inter-molecular forces. Our nonequilibrium simulations of condensate ageing predict that single-component condensates that are initially homogeneous and liquid-like can transform into gel-core/liquid-shell or liquid-core/gel-shell multiphase condensates as they age, due to gradual and irreversible enhancement of inter-protein interactions. The type of multiphase architecture is determined by the ageing mechanism, the molecular organization of the gel and liquid phases, and the chemical make up of the protein. Notably, we predict that inter-protein disorder-to-order transitions within the prion-like domains of intracellular proteins could lead to the required non-conservative enhancement of inter-molecular interactions. Our study, therefore, predicts a potential mechanism

Significance Statement

Biomolecular condensates are highly diverse systems spanning not only homogeneous liquid droplets, but also gels, glasses, and even multiphase architectures that contain various coexisting liquid-like and/or gel-like inner phases. Multiphase architectures form when the different biomolecular components in a multi-component condensate establish sufficiently imbalanced inter-molecular forces to sustain different coexisting phases. While such a requirement seems, at first glance, impossible to fulfil for a condensate formed exclusively of chemically-identical proteins (i.e., single-component), our simulations predict conditions under which this may be possible. During condensate ageing, a sufficiently large imbalance in inter-molecular interactions can emerge intrinsically from the accumulation of protein structural transitions—driving even single-component condensates into nonequilibrium liquid-core/gel-shell or gel-core/liquid-shell multiphase architectures.
SBMate: A Framework for Evaluating Quality of Annotations in Systems Biology Models
Authors: Shin Woosub , Hellerstein Joseph L. , Munarko Yuda , Neal Maxwell L. , Nickerson David P. , Rampadarath Anand K. , Sauro Herbert M. , Gennari John H.
Published: October 2021

The interests in repurposing and reusing systems biology models have been growing in recent years. Semantic annotations play an important role for this, as they provide crucial information on the meanings and functions of models. However, there are a limited number of tools that evaluate the existence or quality of such annotations. In this paper, we introduce SBMate, a python package that would serve as a framework for evaluating the quality of annotations in systems biology models. Three default metrics are provided: coverage, consistency, and specificity. Coverage checks whether annotations exist in a model. Consistency tests if the annotations are appropriate for the given model element. Finally, specificity represents how detailed the annotations are. We analyzed 1,000 curated models from the BioModels repository using the three metrics and discussed the results. Additional metrics can be easily added to extend the current version of SBMate.
Threshold Selection for Brain Connectomes
Authors: Theis Nicholas , Rubin Jonathan , Cape Joshua , Iyengar Satish , Prasad Konasale M.
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Structural and functional brain connectomes built using macroscale data collected through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may contain noise that contributes to false-positive edges, which can obscure structure-function relationships with implications for data interpretation. Thresholding procedures are routinely applied in practice to optimize network density by removing low-signal edges, but there is limited consensus regarding the appropriate selection of thresholds. We compare existing methods and propose a novel alternative objective function thresholding (OFT) method.

Methods

The performance of thresholding approaches, including a percolation-based approach and an objective function-based approach, is assessed by (a) computing the normalized mutual information (NMI) of community structure between a known network and a simulated, perturbed networks to which various forms of thresholding have been applied, and (b) comparing the density and the clustering coefficient (CC) between the baseline and thresholded networks.

Results

In our analysis, the proposed objective function-based threshold exhibits the best performance in terms of high similarity between the underlying networks and their perturbed, thresholded counterparts, as quantified by NMI and CC analysis on the simulated functional networks.

Discussion

Existing network thresholding methods yield widely different results when graph metrics are computed. Thresholding based on the objective function appears to maintain a set of edges such that the resulting network shares the community structure and clustering features present in the original network. This outcome provides proof-of-principle evidence that thresholding based on the objective function could offer a useful approach to reducing the network density of functional connectivity data.

Impact Statement

Network thresholding refers to removing edges between node pairs in a functional network that have weak edge-weights that may arise from unwanted variability or noise. Since edge-weight cutoffs used to generate a binary network can be sensitive to thresholding, we introduce a novel thresholding algorithm. We find that when applied to networks derived via perturbations, namely through simulated functional connectivity of a known network, this approach yields a binary network that is more similar to the known network compared to using existing thresholding approaches. Thus, our algorithm is a competitive candidate for use in thresholding of brain connectome.
Annotation of Putative Circadian Rhythm-Associated Genes in Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera : Liviidae)
Authors: Reynolds Max , de Oliveira Lucas , Vosburg Chad , Paris Thomson , Massimino Crissy , Norus Jordan , Ortiz Yasmin , Espino Michelle , Davis Nina , Masse Ron , Neiman Alan , Holcomb Rachel , Gervais Kylie , Kemp Melissa , Hoang Maria , Shippy Teresa D. , Hosmani Prashant S. , Flores-Gonzalez Mirella , Mueller Lukas A. , Hunter Wayne B. , Benoit Joshua B. , Brown Susan J. , D’Elia Tom , Saha Surya
Published: October 2021

The circadian rhythm is a process involving multiple genes that generates an internal molecular clock, allowing organisms to anticipate environmental conditions produced by the earth’s rotation on its axis. This report presents the results of the manual curation of twenty-seven genes likely associated with circadian rhythm in the genome of Diaphorina citri, the Asian citrus psyllid. This insect acts as the vector of the bacterial pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the causal agent of citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing). This disease is the most severe detriment to citrus industries and has drastically decreased crop yields worldwide. Based on the genes identified in the psyllid genome, namely cry1 and cry2, D. citri likely possesses a circadian model similar to that of the lepidopteran butterfly, Danaus plexippus. Manual annotation of these genes will allow future molecular therapeutics to be developed that can disrupt the psyllid biology.
Endoglin deficiency elicits hypoxia-driven congestive heart failure in zebrafish
Authors: Lelièvre Etienne , Bureau Charlotte , Bordat Yann , Frétaud Maxence , Langevin Christelle , Jopling Chris , Kissa Karima
Published: October 2021

Hereditary hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare genetic disease relying on mutations affecting components of Bone Morphogenetic Protein and Transforming Growth Factor-β (BMP/TGF-β) signaling pathway in endothelial cells. This disorder is characterized by arterio-venous malformations prone to rupture. and ensuing hemorrhages are responsible for iron deficiency anemia. Along with Activin receptor-like kinase ALK1, Endoglin is involved in the vast majority of HHT cases. In this report, we characterized zebrafish endoglin locus and demonstrated that it produces two phylogenetically conserved protein isoforms using a distinctive alternative splicing mechanism. Functional analysis of a Crispr/Cas9 zebrafish Endoglin mutant revealed that Endoglin deficiency results in massive death during the course from juvenile stage to adulthood. Endoglin deficient fish develop a cardiomegaly resulting in heart failure and hypochromic anemia which both stem from chronic hypoxia. Histological analysis and confocal imaging evidenced structural alterations of the developing gill and its underlying vascular network that tally with hypoxia. Finally, phenylhydrazine treatment demonstrated that lowering hematocrit/blood viscosity alleviates heart failure and enhances survival of Endoglin deficient fish. Altogether, our data indicate that Endoglin is crucial for gill vascular development and that further studies using zebrafish in general and this endoglin mutant in particular will provide crucial hints regarding the molecular and cellular events altered in HHT for the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Summary Statement

Endoglin deficiency in zebrafish recapitulates critical aspects of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) and will thus constitute a valuable model in large scale screens for HHT-active drugs.
Neural mechanisms underlying anxiety-related deficits of attentional inhibition: direct ERP evidence from the Pd component
Authors: Liping Hu , Zhang Huikang , Hongsi Tang , Shen Lin , Wu Rui , Yan Huang
Published: October 2021

Behavioral evidence shows that anxious individuals tend to be distracted by irrelevant stimulation not only for threat-related stimuli but also for non-emotional neutral stimuli. These findings suggest that anxious individuals may have a general impairment of attentional control, especially inhibition function. However, the neural mechanism underlying the anxiety-related impairment in attentional control is unclear. Here, in a visual search task with geometric stimuli, we examined attentional processing of the non-emotional neutral distractor on participants with different levels of anxiety, using the event-related-potential (ERP) indices of attentional selection (N2 posterior contralateral [N2pc]) and top-down inhibition (distractor positivity [Pd]). We found that distractor-evoked Pd amplitudes were negatively correlated with trait-anxiety scores, i.e., the higher the level of anxiety, the worse the ability of attentional inhibition. In contrast, the amplitudes of distractor-evoked N2pc did not vary with anxiety levels, suggesting that trait-anxiety level does not affect stimulus-driven attentional capture. We also observed attentional processing of target stimuli and found that the peak latency of target-evoked N2pc was delayed as anxiety levels rise, suggesting that anxiety impairs the efficiency of top-down attentional selection of the target. The present study provides direct neurophysiological evidence for general anxiety-related impairment of attentional control.
Development of risk factors taxonomy in ramp operations for corporate sustainability
Authors: Yazgan Ebru , Durmaz Vildan , Yilmaz Ayse Kucuk
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This research has the potential to contribute to the understanding of the sustainable ground handling operations framework. Ramp operations as the main system of ground handling include critical services for aircraft/airlines. The purpose of this study is to identify the risk factors in ramp operations for all related stakeholders’ awareness to enhance flight safety. Classifying risk factors, the four main performance fields under risk taxonomy is determined. Thus, managers may allocate resources effectively to handle related threats for corporate sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

New taxonomy with human performance value indicators, which sources from the environment is developed. New developed taxonomy is entitled as “environmental value approach,” which represents environmental value-based approach. The developed new risk factors taxonomy is divided into groups such as ramp personnel, organizational, sustainability-based risk factors: triple view and ergonomics obtained from an extensive literature review and experts’ opinions in the field of human performance.

Findings

The findings of this research show that managers need a risk management-oriented approach to manage the human factor affecting performance and sustainability. The newly developed taxonomy offers not only identifying the sources of unsafe operational risk factors but also using as a decision-support tool to manage risks for achieving their sustainability goals. When managerial decisions are made according to risk taxonomy and managing these risks, then corporate performance and individual performance may improve.

Originality/value

The new taxonomy presents the performance-based management of the human factor with a holistic and systematic risk management-based approach. There is no risk taxonomy study designed considering ramp operations and sustainability-based human factor performance.
“Actions speak louder than words”: an impact of service recovery antecedents on customer delight in quick-service restaurants
Authors: Agnihotri Durgesh , Kulshreshtha Kushagra , Tripathi Vikas , Chaturvedi Pallavi
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to conceptualize and analyze a framework that provides greater understanding toward the impact of service recovery antecedents such as role clarity, customer service orientation, employee empowerment and employee relational behavior on customer satisfaction and customer delight in the context of quick-service restaurants (QSRs).

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 408 participants who had experienced service recovery efforts by leading QSRs on social media. The current paper draws upon the prevailing literature to test a series of research hypotheses through structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings of the study have confirmed that antecedents of service recovery are good to describe customer satisfaction and customer delight in the setting of QSRs. Besides, the study provides an understanding on how monetary compensation moderates the relationship between customer delight and customer satisfaction.

Practical implications

This study carries an understanding on how frontline employees must operate in a non-conventional and innovative way to resolve customers' issues and show commitment with truthfulness to provide excellent services to make customers feel delightful.

Originality/value

This is a unique study to understand the role of service recovery antecedents to describe customer satisfaction and customer delight in the social media environment. In addition, the results support the possibilities of implementing prompt service recovery efforts using social media.
Impact of audit committee characteristics and external audit quality on firm performance: evidence from India
Authors: Al-ahdal Waleed M. , Hashim Hafiza Aishah
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of audit committee characteristics and external audit quality on the performance of non-financial public limited companies listed on the National Stock Exchange 100.

Design/methodology/approach

One-way random effect panel data regression was applied to 74 non-financial firms in the Nifty 100 from 2014 until 2019. The overall audit committee index and external audit index were built based on the new Indian Companies Act, 2013 and on a review of the literature to capture the impact of the new Act on firm financial performance.

Findings

The outcome of the study revealed that there is lack of evidence to show that audit committee characteristics improve the performance of top Indian non-financial listed firms. However, external audit quality was found to have a significant positive impact on the financial performance of firms as measured by Tobin’s Q, while firm size and leverage were found to have a significant impact on the financial performance of firms as measured by return on assets and return on equity.

Practical implications

This paper will be greatly beneficial for financial practitioners and policymakers because it provides practical suggestions and recommendations about the types of external audit that are indispensable for the overall effectiveness and performance of firms. The study findings may also aid strategic policy formulation and execution for better corporate governance practices for the purpose of profit and wealth maximisation.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, to date, no previous research has evaluated the effects of audit committee features and external audit quality on the financial performance of firms in India after the implementation of the new Companies Act, 2013. Hence, this study fills this void in the present literature by examining the overall features of the audit committee and external audit and their impact on firm performance in the setting of India.
Sustainable relevancy in the changing library job market in Kuwait
Authors: Buarki Hanadi Jumah , Alomar Mashael , Abdulhadi Munirah
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The Library and Information Science (LIS) discipline face challenges such as technology applications and information overload in its effort to remain relevant in the challenging job market. This study aims to determine the skills and knowledge needed for LIS professionals in the job market to rethink the current syllabus and offer better future employability.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a survey method to collect data concerning personal information, LIS employment opportunities, job titles and skills needed. Content analysis followed to determine librarianship job listings and the need for LIS graduate jobs in Kuwait.

Findings

The findings suggested difficulties and challenges; they also compiled a comprehensive list of skills needed and recommended courses and institutions hiring LIS graduates. The research improves decision-making in syllabus development and experiences recommended by employers.

Practical implications

Academic departments can follow this research to develop and update their syllabuses according to the requirements of the job market, thus offering better future job opportunities.

Social implications

As LIS graduates are provided with better education, the updating of their employability skills will help them socially by recognising their employment status and economically by raising their pay.

Originality/value

The research is the first in Kuwait to collect LIS job titles and analyse employability needs.
Numerical analysis of magneto-natural convection and thermal radiation of SWCNT nanofluid inside T-inverted shaped corrugated cavity containing porous medium
Authors: Massoudi Mohamed Dhia , Ben Hamida Mohamed Bechir , Almeshaal Mohammed A. , Rothan Yahya Ali , Hajlaoui Khalil
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine numerically the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) free convection and thermal radiation heat transfer of single walled carbon nanotubes-water nanofluid within T-inverted shaped corrugated cavity comprising porous media including uniform heat source/sink for solar energy power plants applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The two-dimensional numerical simulation is performed by drawing on Comsol Multiphysics program, based on the finite element process.

Findings

The important results obtained show that increasing numbers of Rayleigh and Darcy and the parameter of radiation enhance the flow of convection heat. Furthermore, by increasing the corrugation height, the convection flow increases, but it decreases with the multiplication of the corrugation height. The use of a flat cavity provides better output than a corrugated cavity.

Originality/value

The role of surface corrugation parameters on the efficiency of free convection and heat transfer of thermal radiation within the porous media containing the T-inverted corrugated cavity including uniform heat source/sink under the impact of Lorentz forces has never been explored. A contrast is also established between a flat cavity and a corrugated one.
Information system for visually impaired in Indian universities: a user’s perspectives
Authors: Bhardwaj Raj Kumar
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to comprehend the perceptions of visually impaired users in development of information systems in Indian universities. This will help higher educational institutions in India to fulfil information requirements of visually impaired users.

Design/methodology/approach

A twofold method was used in the study: survey of visually impaired students in four universities; design and development of an online information system for visually impaired (ISVI). A structured questionnaire was used for survey of visually impaired users in Indian universities. The questionnaire with 33 open-ended questions was distributed among 603 visually impaired users and 316 responses were received. Stratified sampling technique was used in data collection. Response rate was 52.4%. The received responses were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19 and presented through tables and figures.

Findings

Majority of respondents revealed that lack of content availability in vernacular language, poor information resources access mechanism, less volume of course content and poor maintenance of assistive software(s) and devices and non-standardized e-resources compatible with the assistive software(s) are some major inhibits faced. Majority of respondents revealed that they prefer scribes in examinations because use of assistive technology (AT) is time-consuming. Lack of training and confidence in using AT is another reason for preferring scribes in examinations.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted on a limited number of visually impaired uses in Indian universities. Also, the online system ISVI contains a sample collection related to undergraduate courses only.

Practical implications

This study will help Indian universities to identify problems faced by visually impaired users. Findings of the study can help faculty members, decision-makers to understand the perspective of visually impaired. Besides this, the study can also help government agencies in formulating policies. Findings will help in developing robust information resources suiting the needs of visually impaired.

Originality/value

This study developed an online system ISVI (www.isvi.in) suitable to address the requirements of visually impaired students. Furthermore, it can guide policymakers, faculty members and information professionals in developing seamless open access information systems.
Modelling resilient fashion retail supply chain strategies to mitigate the COVID-19 impact
Authors: Sarma P.R.S. , Kumar Aalok , Choudhary Nishat Alam , Mangla Sachin Kumar
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to develop supply chain strategies for the fashion retail supply chain (FRSC), likely to be disrupted by the current pandemic (COVID-19) under physical and online retail stores. The resilient retail supply chain design is proposed under budget allocation and merchandise capacity constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilises the theory of constraint (ToC) and goal programming (GP) to address the COVID-19 impact on FRSC. The budgetary and capacity constraints are formulated with a constraint optimisation model and tested with six different priorities to deal with the physical and online stores. Next, all priorities are developed under different FRSC business scenarios. The ToC-GP-based optimisation model is validated with one of the Indian fashion retail supply chains.

Findings

The proposed optimisation model presents the optimal retailing strategies for selling fashion goods over physical and online platforms. The multiple scenarios are presented for developing trade-offs among different strategies to maximise the retailer's merchandise performance. This paper also highlighted the strategic movement from high merchandise density stores to low merchandise density stores. This implies a reduction of sales targets and aspiration levels of both online and physical fashion stores.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model is validated with one of the fashion retailers in India. Other nations or multiple fashion retailers might be considered for more generalisation of findings in the future.

Practical implications

This research helps fashion retail supply chain managers deal with consumer demand uncertainty over physical and online stores in pandemic times. Limitation: Other nations or multiple fashion retailers might be considered for more generalisation of findings in the future.

Originality/value

This is the first study that considered the impact of COVID-19 on the retail fashion supply chain. The effect of physical and online platforms is mainly discussed from consumer marketing perspectives, but an inventory and resilience perspective is missing in earlier studies. The role of merchandise planning is highlighted in this study.
Perceptions, reality and semantics: exploring perceptions of coaching and academic advising as distinct roles
Authors: Sepulveda Alicia , Birnbaum Matthew
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Coaching in higher education has become increasingly common across the United States. Our qualitative study explores the perceptions of coaches and advisors, as they consider academic coaching as a role distinct from academic advising.

Design/methodology/approach

Our study adopts a qualitative research approach. Two focus groups were conducted with 14 coaching and academic advising professionals.

Findings

Our findings identify at least three major themes when considering academic coaching as a role distinct from academic advising: (1) Potential role overlap, (2) Caseload disparities and (3) Philosophical differences. The indiscriminate use of the title of “coach” contributed to confusion, ambiguity and tension.

Practical implications

Without a clear understanding of the coach role as a distinct type of support in higher education, confusion and ambiguity are likely to continue.

Originality/value

No studies have explored the perceptions of coaches and advisors, as they consider academic coaching as a role distinct in the United States.
Human resource transformation in India: examining the role digital human resource technology and human resource role
Authors: Jani Ashutosh , Muduli Ashutosh , Kishore Kaushal
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Human resource (HR) transformation research has not studied the role of digital HR technology and HR role in the context of Indian organisations. To address the gap, the current research aims to investigate the impact of HR role and digital HR technology on successful HR transformation. Further, the research shall investigate the mediating role of various HR roles (i.e. administrative, employee champion, change agent and strategic partner role) on digital HR technology and business outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a post-positivist methodology using survey method. Data has been collected from 918 executives representing several sectors of Fortune 500 Indian companies. Validated instrument has been used and the collected data are analysed using AMOS and structural equation modelling.

Findings

HR transformation using Digital human resource technology (HRT) can significantly enhance business outcome of fortune 500 companies of India if it is mediated by different HR role (strategic, employee champion, change agent and administrative expert). The result also proved that just implementation and adaption of the Digital HRT may not guarantee HR Transformation unless HR optimise the specific role as per the need of the hour.

Originality/value

HR transformation research has not studied the role of digital HR technology and HR role in the context of fortune 500 Indian organisations.
Environmental quality awareness, green trust, green self-efficacy and environmental attitude in influencing green purchase behaviour
Authors: Sh. Ahmad Fauziah , Rosli Nennie Trianna , Quoquab Farzana
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of green trust (GT), environmental quality awareness (EQA), green self-efficacy (GSE) and environmental attitude (EA) towards green purchase behaviour (GPB). The mediating effect of EA is also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Attribution theory and the attitude-behaviour gap model were used to develop the research model. Data were collected through an online survey, which yielded 321 complete and usable responses. The partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM; SmartPLS, Version 3) technique was used to test the study hypotheses.

Findings

The analysis revealed that GT, GSE and EA affect GPB positively. It was also found that EA mediates the relationship between “environmental quality awareness and green purchase behaviour” and “green self-efficacy and green purchase behaviour”. However, EA did not mediate the link between “green trust and green purchase behaviour”.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide insightful implications for social and green marketers, including an understanding of the complex customer behaviour in purchasing green products, which will eventually enable them to formulate better green marketing strategies.

Originality/value

This study is amongst the pioneers in investigating the effect of EQA in relation to GPB. Furthermore, the mediating effect of EA in the link between “environmental quality awareness and green purchase behaviour”, “green trust and green purchase behaviour” and “green self-efficacy and green purchase behaviour” is also a new contribution to the literature. Finally, this study explains the drivers of consumers’ GPB, thereby providing a novel understanding of the field.
Improving blood safety and availability: a collective mindfulness perspective in the supply chain
Authors: Lusiantoro Luluk , Yates Nicola
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Maintaining a safe and available supply of blood requires a mindfully coordinated supply chain (SC) and is fundamental to the effective operation of health systems across the world. This study investigates how blood supply chain (BSC) actors demonstrate collective mindfulness (CM) principles in their operations and how these demonstrations lead to improvements in blood safety and availability (BSA) in different operational contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

Six case studies drawn from two contrasting BSCs, the UK and Indonesia, which differ in structure and regulation are investigated in this research. Qualitative data are collected and analysed using template analysis.

Findings

The cases reveal how the CM principles are demonstrated in the supply chain context in a range of operational conditions and their impact on BSA. The BSC actors in the more centralised and tightly regulated cases display more behaviours consistent with more of the CM principles over a greater range of operational conditions compared to those in the more decentralised and loosely regulated cases. As such, more improvements in BSA are found in the former compared to the latter cases.

Originality/value

This paper is considered the first to investigate the demonstration of CM principles at the SC as opposed to the single organisational level. It proposes an alternative approach to understanding and evaluating reliability performance using behavioural rather than statistical principles.
How does performance vary between early and late adopters of Industry 4.0? A qualitative viewpoint
Authors: Antony Jiju , Sony Michael , McDermott Olivia , Furterer Sandy , Pepper Matthew
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Industry 4.0 is a new trend among organizations. Some organizations have been early adopters or later adopters of Industry 4.0. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how performance effects vary between early and late adopters of Industry 4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies a qualitative research methodology using grounded theory. 14 senior management professionals who have implemented Industry 4.0 participated in this study through a theoretical and snowball sampling approach. These professionals were from manufacturing and service sectors, from North America, Europe and Asia. The study used semi structured open-ended interviews to capture the organizational performance on operational, financial, environmental and social dimensions.

Findings

The findings were analyzed in terms of four broad themes which emerged from the interviews. In operational performance the operational and implementation cost will be higher for early adopters. The late adopters may enjoy the advantage in terms of improved business models. In terms of financial performance, the early adopters may see a marginal increase in profit and increased stock price compared to late adopters. The performance on the environmental dimension will see early adopters enjoying material efficiency, energy savings and an improved image of the company compared to late adopters. In social performance, the early adopters will provide a better quality of work life, safer manufacturing environment. However, the resistance from labor unions will be higher for early adopters compared to late adopters.

Practical implications

Organizations must decide the timing of implementation of Industry 4.0. This study will act as a guide wherein they can decide to be an early adopter or late adopter based on knowledge of the resulting performance consequences.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that studies the performance effects of early versus late adopters of Industry 4.0.