bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
It’s risky to wander in September: modelling the epidemic potential of Rift Valley fever in a Sahelian setting
Authors: Cecilia Hélène , Métras Raphaëlle , Fall Assane Gueye , Lo Modou Moustapha , Lancelot Renaud , Ezanno Pauline
Published: February 2020

Estimating the epidemic potential of vector-borne diseases, along with the relative contribution of underlying mechanisms, is crucial for animal and human health worldwide. In West African Sahel, several outbreaks of Rift Valley fever (RVF) have occurred over the last decades, but uncertainty remains about the conditions necessary to trigger these outbreaks. We use the basic reproduction number (R0) as a measure of RVF epidemic potential in Northern Senegal, and map its value in two distinct ecosystems, namely the Ferlo and the Senegal river delta and valley. We consider three consecutive rainy seasons (July-November 2014, 2015 and 2016) and account for several vector and animal species. Namely, we parametrize our model with estimates of Aedes vexans arabiensis, Culex poicilipes, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, cattle, sheep and goats abundances. The impact of RVF virus introduction is assessed every week, in 4367 pixels of 3,5km2. The results of our analysis indicate that September was the month with highest epidemic potential in each study area, while at-risk locations varied between seasons. We show that decreased vector densities do not highly reduce R0 and that cattle immunity has a greater impact on reducing transmission than small ruminants immunity. The host preferences of vectors and the temperature-dependent time interval between their blood meals are crucial parameters needing further biological investigations.

Highlights

September is a period of high Rift Valley fever epidemic potential in northern Senegal regardless of the year, but exact locations where epidemics might start change between rainy seasons.

Decreased vector densities during the rainy season did not highly reduce the epidemic potential of at-risk locations.

High levels of immunity in cattle populations reduce more Rift Valley fever virus transmission than a high immunity in small ruminants in our study area. This aspect should be investigated further for targeted vaccination campaigns.

Precise estimates of vector feeding preferences and the temperature-dependent lenght of their gonotrophic cycle are key to ensure a good detection of at-risk pixels.
High laboratory mouse pre-weaning mortality associated with litter overlap, advanced mother age, small and large litters
Authors: Morello Gabriela Munhoz , Hultgren Jan , Capas-Peneda Sara , Whiltshire Marc , Thomas Aurelie , Wardle-Jones Hannah , Brajon Sophie , Gilbert Colin , Olsson I. Anna S.
Published: February 2020

High and variable pre-weaning mortality is a persistent problem among the main mouse strains used in biomedical research. If a modest 15% mortality rate is assumed across all mouse strains used in the EU, approximately 1 million more pups must be produced yearly to compensate for those which die. A few environmental and social factors have been identified as affecting pup mortality, but optimizing these factors does not cease the problem. This study is the first large study to mine data records from 219,975 pups from two breeding facilities to determine the major risk factors associated with mouse pre-weaning mortality. It was hypothesized that litter overlap (i.e. the presence of older siblings in the cage when new pups are born), a recurrent social configuration in trio-housed mice, is associated with increased newborn mortality, along with high mother age, large litter size, as well as a high number and age of older siblings in the cage. The estimated probability of pup death was two to seven percentage points higher in cages with compared to those without litter overlap. Litter overlap was associated with an increase in percentage of litter losses of 19% and 103%, respectively, in the two breeding facilities. Increased number and age of older siblings, high mother age, small litter size (less than four pups born) and large litter size (over 11 pups born) were associated with increased probability of pup death. Results suggest that common social cage configurations at breeding facilities are dangerous for the survivability of young mouse pups. The underlying mechanisms and strategies to avoid these situations should be further investigated.
Global Screening of Sentrin-Specific Protease Family Substrates in SUMOylation
Authors: Wang Yunzhi , Wu Xiaohui , Ge Rui , Song Lei , Li Kai , Tian Sha , Cai Lili , Liu Mingwei , Shi Wenhao , Yu Guoying , Zhen Bei , Wang Yi , He Fuchu , Qin Jun , Ding Chen
Published: February 2020

Post-translational modification of proteins by the addition of small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) is a dynamic process, in which deSUMOylation is carried out by members of the Sentrin/SUMO-specific protease (SENP) family. While identification of SUMOylation sites at global scale has made great progress, much less effort has been made on the SENP family-dependent deSUMOylation. Here we report a dataset of 3,763 high confident SUMO1 modification sites and their dependence on the 6 members of SENP proteins. Interrogation of the dataset led to the discovery that SENP3 regulates the innate immune response via deSUMOylation of DHX15 and PCBP2 and recruitment of inflammatory molecules. Collectively, this dataset presents a site-resolved network of the SUMO-SENP system, providing information for potential substrates of the SENP proteins.
Anxiety and the neurobiology of temporally uncertain threat anticipation
Authors: Hur Juyoen , Smith Jason F. , DeYoung Kathryn A. , Anderson Allegra S. , Kuang Jinyi , Kim Hyung Cho , Tillman Rachael M. , Kuhn Manuel , Fox Andrew S. , Shackman Alexander J.
Published: February 2020

When extreme, anxiety—a state of distress and arousal prototypically evoked by uncertain danger—can be debilitating. Uncertain anticipation is a shared feature of situations that elicit signs and symptoms of anxiety across psychiatric disorders, species, and assays. Despite the profound significance of anxiety for human health and wellbeing, the neurobiology of uncertain-threat anticipation remains unsettled. Leveraging a paradigm adapted from animal research and optimized for functional MRI signal decomposition, we examined the neural circuits engaged during the anticipation of temporally uncertain and certain threat in 99 men and women. Results revealed that the neural systems recruited by uncertain and certain threat anticipation are anatomically co-localized in fronto-cortical regions, extended amygdala, and periaqueductal gray. Comparison of the threat conditions demonstrated that this circuitry can be fractionated, with fronto-cortical regions showing relatively stronger engagement during the anticipation of uncertain threat, and the extended amygdala showing the reverse pattern. Although there is widespread agreement that the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and dorsal amygdala—the two major subdivisions of the extended amygdala—play a critical role in orchestrating adaptive responses to potential danger, their precise contributions to human anxiety have remained contentious. Follow-up analyses demonstrated that these regions show statistically indistinguishable responses to temporally uncertain and certain threat anticipation. These observations provide a framework for conceptualizing anxiety and fear, for understanding the functional neuroanatomy of threat anticipation in humans, and for accelerating the development of more effective intervention strategies for pathological anxiety.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Anxiety—an emotion prototypically associated with the anticipation of uncertain harm—has profound significance for public health, yet the underlying neurobiology remains unclear. Leveraging a novel neuroimaging paradigm in a relatively large sample, we identify a core circuit responsive to both uncertain and certain threat anticipation, and show that this circuitry can be fractionated into subdivisions with a bias for one kind of threat or the other. The extended-amygdala occupies center-stage in neuropsychiatric models of anxiety, but its functional architecture has remained contentious. Here we demonstrate that its major subdivisions show statistically indistinguishable responses to temporally uncertain and certain threat. Collectively, these observations indicate the need to revise how we think about the neurobiology of anxiety and fear.

RESOURCE SHARING

Raw data are available at the National Institute of Mental Health’s Data Archive. Key statistical maps are or will be publicly available at NeuroVault.org.
Effective Biophysical Modeling of Cell Free Transcription and Translation Processes
Authors: Adhikari Abhinav , Vilkhovoy Michael , Vadhin Sandra , Lim Ha Eun , Varner Jeffrey D.
Published: February 2020

Transcription and translation are at the heart of metabolism and signal transduction. In this study, we developed an effective biophysical modeling approach to simulate transcription and translation processes. We tested this approach by simulating the dynamics of two cell free synthetic circuits. First, we considered a simple circuit in which sigma factor 70 induced the expression of green fluorescent protein. This relatively simple case was then followed by a more complex negative feedback circuit in which two control genes were coupled to the expression of a third reporter gene, green fluorescent protein. While many of the model parameters were estimated from previous biophysical literature, the remaining unknown model parameters for each circuit were estimated from messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein measurements using multi-objective optimization. In particular, either the literature parameter estimates were used directly in the model simulations, or characteristic literature values were used to establish feasible ranges for the multiobjective parameter search. Next, global sensitivity analysis was used to determine the influence of individual model parameters on the expression dynamics. Taken together, the effective biophysical modeling approach captured the expression dynamics, including the transcription dynamics, for the two synthetic cell free circuits. While we considered only two circuits here, this approach could potentially be extended to simulate other genetic circuits in both cell free and whole cell biomolecular applications. The model code, parameters, and analysis scripts are available for download under an MIT software license from the Varnerlab GitHub repository.
Methods for High Fidelity Spectral Data Collection for Generating Ground Truth Data for Simulated Tissues
Authors: Gong Alex T. , Dulal Arjun , Crane Matthew M. , Reihsen Troy E. , Sweet Robert M. , Mendenhall Alexander R.
Published: February 2020

Our research is focused on creating and simulating hyper-realistic artificial human tissue analogues. Generation and simulation of macroscopic biological material depends upon accurate ground-truth data on spectral properties of materials. Here, we developed methods for high fidelity spectral data collection using two differently colored simulated skin tissue samples and a portable spectral imaging camera. Using the standard procedure, we developed, we quantified the reproducibility of the spectral image signatures of the two synthetic skin samples under natural and artificial lighting conditions commonly found in clinical settings. We found high coefficients of determination for all measures taken under the same lighting. As expected, we found the spectral image signature of each sample was dependent on the illumination source. Our results confirm that illumination spectra data should be included with spectral image data. The high-fidelity methods for spectral image data collection we developed here should facilitate accurate collection of spectral image signature data for gross biological samples and synthetic materials collected under the same illumination source.
Top-down Control of Inhibition Reshapes Neural Dynamics Giving Rise to a Diversity of Computations
Authors: Chen Zhen , Padmanabhan Krishnan
Published: February 2020

Growing evidence shows that top-down projections from excitatory neurons in higher brain areas selectively synapse onto local inhibitory interneurons in sensory systems. While this connectivity is conserved across sensory modalities, the role of this feedback in shaping the dynamics of local circuits, and the resultant computational benefits it provides remains poorly understood. Using rate models of neuronal firing in a network consisting of excitatory, inhibitory and top-down populations, we found that changes in the weight of feedback to inhibitory neurons generated diverse network dynamics and complex transitions between these dynamics. Additionally, modulation of the weight of top-down feedback supported a number of computations, including both pattern separation and oscillatory synchrony. A bifurcation analysis of the network identified a new mechanism by which gamma oscillations could be generated in a model of neural circuits, which we termedTop-down control ofInhibitoryNeuronGamma (TING). We identified the unique roles that top-down feedback of inhibition plays in shaping network dynamics and computation, and the ways in which these dynamics can be deployed to process sensory inputs.

Significance Statement

The functional role of feedback projections, connecting excitatory neurons in higher brain areas to inhibitory neurons in primary sensory regions, remains a fundamental open question in neuroscience. Growing evidence suggests that this architecture is recapitulated across a diverse array of sensory systems, ranging from vision to olfaction. Using a rate model of top-down feedback onto inhibition, we found that changes in the weight of feedback support both pattern separation and oscillatory synchrony, including a mechanism by which top-down inputs could entrain gamma oscillations within local networks. These dual functions were accomplished via a codimension-2 bifurcation in the dynamical system. Our results highlight a key role for this top-down feedback, gating inhibition to facilitate often diametrically different local computations.
Predicting missing links in global host-parasite networks
Authors: Farrell Maxwell J. , Elmasri Mohamad , Stephens David , Davies T. Jonathan
Published: February 2020

Parasites that infect multiple species cause major health burdens globally, but for many, the full suite of susceptible hosts is unknown. Predicting undocumented host-parasite associations will help expand knowledge of parasite host specificities, promote the development of theory in disease ecology and evolution, and support surveillance of multi-host infectious diseases. Analysis of global species interaction networks allows for leveraging of information across taxa, but link prediction at this scale is often limited by extreme network sparsity, and lack of comparable trait data across species.

Here we use recently developed methods to predict missing links in global mammal-parasite networks using readily available data: network properties and evolutionary relationships among hosts. We demonstrate how these link predictions can efficiently guide the collection of species interaction data and increase the completeness of global species interaction networks.

We amalgamate a global mammal host-parasite interaction network (>29,000 interactions) and apply a hierarchical Bayesian approach for link prediction that leverages information on network structure and scaled phylogenetic distances among hosts. We use these predictions to guide targeted literature searches of the most likely yet undocumented interactions, and identify empirical evidence supporting many of the top “missing” links.

We find that link prediction in global host-parasite networks can accurately predict parasites of humans, domesticated animals, and endangered wildlife, representing a combination of published interactions missing from existing global databases, and potential but currently undocumented associations.

Our study provides further insight into the use of phylogenies for predicting host-parasite interactions, and highlights the utility of iterated prediction and targeted search to efficiently guide the collection of host-parasite interaction. These data are critical for understanding the evolution of host specificity, and may be used to support disease surveillance through a process of predicting missing links, and targeting research towards the most likely undocumented interactions.
Expressions for Bayesian confidence of drift diffusion observers in dynamic stimuli tasks
Authors: Calder-Travis Joshua , Bogacz Rafal , Yeung Nick
Published: February 2020

We introduce a new approach to modelling decision confidence, with the aim of enabling computationally cheap predictions while taking into account, and thereby exploiting, trial-by-trial variability in dynamic stimuli. Using the framework of the drift diffusion model of decision making, along with time-dependent thresholds and the idea of a Bayesian confidence readout, we derive expressions for the probability distribution over confidence reports. In line with current models of confidence, the derivations allow for the accumulation of “pipeline” evidence that has been received but not processed by the time of response, the effect of drift rate variability, and metacognitive noise. The expressions are valid for stimuli that change over the course of a trial with normally-distributed fluctuations in the evidence they provide. A number of approximations are made to arrive at the final expressions, and we test all approximations via simulation. The derived expressions contain only a small number of standard functions, and require evaluating only once per trial, making trial-by-trial modelling of confidence data in dynamic stimuli tasks more feasible. We conclude by using the expressions to gain insight into the confidence of optimal observers, and empirically observed patterns.
An enhanced target-enrichment bait set for Hexacorallia provides phylogenomic resolution of the staghorn corals (Acroporidae) and close relatives
Authors: Cowman Peter F. , Quattrini Andrea M. , Bridge Thomas C.L. , Watkins-Colwell Gregory J. , Fadli Nur , Grinblat Mila , Roberts Thomas E. , McFadden Catherine S. , Miller David J. , Baird Andrew H.
Published: February 2020

The phylogenetic utility of targeted enrichment methods has been demonstrated in taxa that often have a history of single gene marker development. These genomic capture methods are now being applied to resolve evolutionary relationships from deep to shallow timescales in clades that were previously deficient in molecular marker development and lacking robust morphological characters that reflect evolutionary relationships. Effectively capturing 1000s of loci, however, in a diverse group across a broad time scale requires a bait set that incorporates multiple baits per locus. We redesigned a custom bait set for the cnidarian class Anthozoa to target 1,436 UCE loci and 1,572 exon regions within the subclass Hexacorallia. We test this redesigned bait set on 99 specimens of hard corals (Scleractinia) spanning both the “complex” (Acroporidae, Agariciidae) and “robust” (Fungiidae) clades. With focused sampling in the staghorn coral genusAcroporawe explore the ability of capture data to inform the taxonomy of a clade deficient in molecular resolution. A mean of 1850 (± 298) loci were captured per taxon (955 UCEs, 894 exons). A 75% complete concatenated alignment included 1792 loci (991 UCE, 801 exons) and ∼1.87 million base pairs. Parsimony informative sites varied from 48% for alignments including all three families, to 1.5% among samples within a singleAcroporaspecies. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses recover highly resolved topologies and robust molecular relationships not previously found with traditional markers within the Acroporidae. Species level relationships within theAcroporagenus do not support traditional morphological groups or morphological phylogenies. Both UCE and exon datasets delineated six well-supported clades withinAcropora.The enhanced bait set for Hexacorallia will allow researchers to survey the evolutionary history of important groups of reef building corals where previous molecular marker development has been unsuccessful.
Bacteriophages targetingAcinetobacter baumanniicapsule induce antimicrobial resensitization
Authors: Altamirano Fernando Gordillo , Forsyth John H. , Patwa Ruzeen , Kostoulias Xenia , Trim Michael , Subedi Dinesh , Archer Stuart , Morris Faye C. , Oliveira Cody , Kielty Luisa , Korneev Denis , O’Bryan Moira K. , Lithgow Trevor J. , Peleg Anton Y. , Barr Jeremy J.
Published: February 2020

Carbapenem-resistantAcinetobacter baumanniiis responsible for frequent, hard-to-treat and often fatal healthcare-associated infections. Phage therapy, the use of viruses that infect and kill bacteria, is an approach gaining significant clinical interest to combat antibiotic-resistant infections. However, a major limitation is that bacteria can develop resistance against phages. Here, we isolated phages with activity against a panel ofA. baumanniistrains and focused on clinical isolates AB900 and A9844 and their phages for detailed characterization. As expected, coincubation of the phages with their hostsin vitroresulted in the emergence of phage-resistant bacterial mutants. Genome sequence analysis revealed that phage-resistant mutants harbored loss-of-function mutations in genes from the K locus, responsible for the biosynthesis of the bacterial capsule. Using molecular biology techniques, phage adsorption assays, and quantitative evaluation of capsule production, we established that the bacterial capsule serves as the primary receptor for these phages. As a collateral phenotype of impaired capsule production, the phage-resistant strains could not form biofilms, became fully sensitized to the human complement system, showed increased susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics, and became vulnerable to additional phages. Finally, in a murine model of bacteremia, the phage-resistantA. baumanniidemonstrated a diminished capacity to colonize blood and solid tissues. This study demonstrates that phages can be used not only for their lytic activity but, if combined witha posterioriknowledge of their receptors and the mechanism of bacterial resistance, for their potential synergy with other antimicrobial agents, thus providing even broader clinical options for phage therapy.
The vulnerability of working memory to distraction is rhythmic
Authors: Wöstmann Malte , Lui Troby Ka-Yan , Friese Kai-Hendrik , Kreitewolf Jens , Naujokat Malte , Obleser Jonas
Published: February 2020

Recent research posits that the cognitive system samples target stimuli in a rhythmic fashion, characterized by target detection fluctuating at frequencies of ~3–8 Hz. Besides prioritized encoding of targets, a key cognitive function is the protection of working memory from distractor intrusion. Here, we test to which degree the vulnerability of working memory to distraction is rhythmic. In an Irrelevant-Speech Task,N= 23 human participants had to retain the serial order of nine numbers in working memory while being distracted by task-irrelevant speech with variable temporal onsets. The magnitude of the distractor-evoked N1 component in the event-related potential as well as behavioural recall accuracy, both measures of memory distraction, were periodically modulated by distractor onset time in approximately 2–4 cycles per second (Hz). Critically, an underlying 2.5-Hz rhythm explained variation in both measures of distraction such that stronger phasic distractor encoding mediated lower phasic memory recall accuracy. In a behavioural follow-up experiment, we tested whether these results would replicate in a task design without rhythmic presentation of target items. Participants (N= 6 with on average >2,500 trials, each) retained two line-figures in memory while being distracted by acoustic noise of varying onset across trials. In agreement with the main experiment, the temporal onset of the distractor periodically modulated memory performance. These results suggest that during working memory retention, the human cognitive system implements distractor suppression in a temporally dynamic fashion, reflected in ~400-ms long cycles of high versus low distractibility.
Maternal separation stress experienced by parents affects ovarian function in first generation of mice
Authors: Khodamoradi Kajal , Khosravizadeh Zahra , Amini-Khoei Hossein , Hosseini Seyed Reza , Dehpour Ahmad Reza , Hassanzadeh Gholamreza
Published: February 2020

The maternal separation stress during postnatal development can adversely affect one’s adulthood. Some parents’ experiences may not only affect the phenotype of parents but also alter the reaction to environmental impacts in the offspring. The aim of this study is to investigate consequences of maternal separation stress in female first generation of mice whose parents were exposed to maternal separation stress. Maternal separation in pups was performed during post-natal days (PND) 2 to 14. Then, female pups of the first-generation were used in present study. The histological changes in ovaries, ROS production (using DCFH-DA assay), mRNA expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, TLR4, BAX, BCL2 and TNFα genes (using RT-PCR), levels of IL-18, IL-1β, ATP and GPx (using ELISA) and also protein expression of caspase-3 and NLRP3 (using immunocytochemistry) were assessed. Our findings showed that maternal separation stress experienced by parents significantly affects the numbers of primordial and primary follicles. Furthermore, ROS production increased and concentrations of ATP and GPx reduced in the first generation. Also, expression of cytokines and genes involved in inflammation and apoptosis including NLRP3, caspase-1, TLR4, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-18 and BCL2 were significantly affected in the first generation. Our results also showed that this stress significantly increased percentage of caspase-3 and NLRP3 positive cells in the ovarian tissue of the first generation. Our findings suggest that maternal separation stress experienced by parents may influence activation of inflammatory response in the ovarian tissue of their first generation which may induce apoptosis and consequently disturb folliculogenesis process.
From the Roundabout of Molecular Events to Nanomaterial-Induced Chronic Inflammation Prediction
Authors: Majaron Hana , Kokot Boštjan , Sebastijanović Aleksandar , Voss Carola , Podlipec Rok , Zawilska Patrycja , Berthing Trine , López Carolina Ballester , Danielsen Pernille Høgh , Contini Claudia , Ivanov Mikhail , Krišelj Ana , Čotar Petra , Zhou Qiaoxia , Ponti Jessica , Zhernovkov Vadim , Schneemilch Matthew , Doumandji Zahra , Pušnik Mojca , Umek Polona , Pajk Stane , Joubert Olivier , Schmid Otmar , Urbančič Iztok , Irmler Martin , Beckers Johannes , Lobaskin Vladimir , Halappanavar Sabina , Quirke Nick , Lyubartsev Alexander P. , Vogel Ulla , Koklič Tilen , Stoeger Tobias , Štrancar Janez
Published: February 2020

Nanomaterial-induced diseases cannot be reliably predicted because of the lack of clearly identified causal relationships, in particular between acute exposures and chronic symptoms. By applying advanced microscopies and omics toin vitroandin vivosystems, together within silicomolecular modelling, we have here determined that the long-lasting response to a single exposure originates in the counteracting of a newly discovered nanomaterial quarantining and nanomaterial cycling among different lung cell types. This allows us to predict the nanomaterial-induced spectrum of lung inflammation using onlyin vitromeasurements andin silicomodelling. Besides its profound implications for cost-efficient animal-free predictive toxicology, our work also paves the way to a better mechanistic understanding of nanomaterial- induced cancer, fibrosis, and other chronic diseases.
Nonlinear aeroelastic modeling of aircraft using support vector machine method
Authors: Bagherzadeh Seyed Amin
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a nonlinear model for aeroelastic aircraft that can predict the flight parameters throughout the investigated flight envelopes.

Design/methodology/approach

A system identification method based on the support vector machine (SVM) is developed and applied to the nonlinear dynamics of an aeroelastic aircraft. In the proposed non-parametric gray-box method, force and moment coefficients are estimated based on the state variables, flight conditions and control commands. Then, flight parameters are estimated using aircraft equations of motion. Nonlinear system identification is performed using the SVM network by minimizing errors between the calculated and estimated force and moment coefficients. To that end, a least squares algorithm is used as the training rule to optimize the generalization bound given for the regression.

Findings

The results confirm that the SVM is successful at the aircraft system identification. The precision of the SVM model is preserved when the models are excited by input commands different from the training ones. Also, the generalization of the SVM model is acceptable at non-trained flight conditions within the trained flight conditions. Considering the precision and generalization of the model, the results indicate that the SVM is more successful than the well-known methods such as artificial neural networks.

Practical implications

In this paper, both the simulated and real flight data of the F/A-18 aircraft are used to provide aeroelastic models for its lateral-directional dynamics.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a non-parametric system identification method for aeroelastic aircraft based on the SVM method for the first time. Up to the author’s best knowledge, the SVM is not used for the aircraft system identification or the aircraft parameter estimation until now.
The determinants of integrated reporting quality in financial institutions
Authors: Vitolla Filippo , Raimo Nicola , Rubino Michele , Garzoni Antonello
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the financial and country-level determinants of integrated reporting quality in the financial industry. Specifically, this study analyses the impact of profitability, size, leverage and civil law system on the integrated reporting quality.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses were tested using a regression model on a sample of 87 financial institutions. An integrated reporting (IR)-quality scoreboard was used to measure report quality.

Findings

The results show that IR quality is significantly and positively influenced by profitability, size, financial leverage and the civil law system.

Practical implications

The results have particularly important implications for large, profitable financial institutions that make greater use of financial leverage and that are localized in non-civil law countries. Managers should increase transparency by expanding the content and quality of the information contained in the integrated reports.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by revealing several financial factors that influence IR quality. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate IR quality in the context of the financial industry.
Towards professionalising Canadian retail management careers
Authors: Gunn Frances , Cappuccitti Anna , Lee Seung Hwan (Mark)
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate patterns in the social construction of occupational jurisdiction and related professional career identity. It examines the agency associated with framing messages that influence perceptions about the professional nature and value of retail management careers. The aim is to identify sources which produce influential messages about perceptions about retail management careers and the content of these messages.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilises a qualitative research methodology (focus-group interviews) to explore the observations of people involved with the monitoring and management of career messages. Two focus groups were conducted with a) nine Canadian retail practitioners and b) seven post-secondary educators from retail management education programmes.

Findings

The focus groups identify five sources of influential messages including (1) part-time retail work experience, (2) educational institutions, (3) parents, (4) retail industry/practitioners and (5) media. They also identify three content themes presented by these sources including (1) the importance of educational requirements, (2) the nature of occupational roles and (3) the value of the career.

Research limitations/implications

The significance and generalisability of the results are limited by the size and nature of the sample.

Practical implications

This study makes a practical contribution by identifying potential career awareness strategies.

Originality/value

This research makes a theoretical contribution by expanding understanding of the role of communication with career perceptions and with the related constitution of career professionalisation.
Sustainability of digital humanities projects as a publication and documentation challenge
Authors: Edmond Jennifer , Morselli Francesca
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper proposes a new perspective on the enormous and unresolved challenge to existing practices of publication and documentation posed by the outputs of digital research projects in the humanities, where much good work is being lost due to resource or technical challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper documents and analyses both the existing literature on promoting sustainability for the outputs of digital humanities projects and the innovative approach of a single large-scale project.

Findings

The findings of the research presented show that sustainability planning for large-scale research projects needs to consider data and technology but also community, communications and process knowledge simultaneously. In addition, it should focus not only on a project as a collection of tangible and intangible assets, but also on the potential user base for these assets and what these users consider valuable about them.

Research limitations/implications

The conclusions of the paper have been formulated in the context of one specific project. As such, it may amplify the specificities of this project in its results.

Practical implications

An approach to project sustainability following the recommendations outlined in this paper would include a number of uncommon features, such as a longer development horizon, wider perspective on project results, and an audit of tacit and explicit knowledge.

Social Implications

These results can ultimately preserve public investment in projects.

Originality/value

This paper supplements more reductive models for project sustainability with a more holistic approach that others may learn from in mapping and sustaining user value for their projects for the medium to long terms.
The macroeconomic effects of monetary policy shocks under fiscal constrained
Authors: Jesus Diego Pitta de , Besarria Cássio da Nóbrega , Maia Sinézio Fernandes
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the macroeconomic effects of a monetary policy shock considering that fiscal policy is under fiscal constraints. For that, a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model was developed for Brazil, which was estimated through Bayesian econometrics.

Design/methodology/approach

In the basic model, the government does not have any type of fiscal restriction. The other two estimated models, however, consider that the fiscal authority implements some kind of fiscal rule. One of these rules is the Constitutional Amendment 95/2016 (EA 95/2016), which includes a limitation for government spending. The other Alternative Rule seeks to represent the characteristics of a more austere fiscal rule, as proposed by Wesselbaum (2017).

Findings

It was possible to verify in this paper that the implementation of EA 95/2016 by the Brazilian government does not produce statistically different results and that it reduces the welfare of the households in relation to the scenario without fiscal rule. Thus, the proportionate benefit of EA 95/2016 is less than the cost associated with this fiscal rule (less welfare). If the government adopts a fiscal constraint similar to the Alternative Rule, it is possible to considerably reduce the interaction between fiscal and monetary policy, thereby reducing the fiscal dominance policy over monetary policy. However, the cost in terms of welfare is much higher than the baseline scenario. Thus, the fiscal authority is subject to a trade-off among public debt stabilization and household welfare.

Originality/value

The study intends to contribute to the literature on three specific points. First, the monetary–fiscal policy interaction within a representative model of the Brazilian economy is discussed. In addition, the study considers that the government can adopt EA 95/2016 and the Alternative Rule, used in the US economy. Second, the impacts of EA 95/2016 and the Alternative Rule on household welfare will be quantified. Finally, two types of individuals (Ricardian and non-Ricardian agents) and two sectors of production (wholesalers and retailers) are considered. In this paper, the DSGE model is estimated, since the previously mentioned authors performed simulations
How effective is government spending on environmental protection in a developing country?
Authors: Moshiri Saeed , Daneshmand Arian
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The objective of this paper is twofold as follows: first, it explores the relationship between economic growth and the environment in the context of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) in Iran, as a semi-industrialized and largest developing economy in the Middle East. Second, it investigates the effectiveness of government spending on environmental protection.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the ecological footprint data and an ARDL model to gauge the income and government spending effects on environmental improvement. This method avoids the problems associated with using the regression including a squared income.

Findings

The results find no evidence for a turning point in the income–pollution relationship and no significant impact of government spending on reducing footprint. We conjecture that the structure of the economy and the weak institutional quality may explain the results.

Research limitations/implications

This includes limited time series data on institutional quality indices and their small variations over time.

Practical implications

Creating an environmental fund using the oil windfall and applying environmental tax/subsidies policies will help address increasing environmental challenges in energy-rich developing countries. Education and public awareness about environmental problems and their impacts on the standard of living are also nonexpensive but effective ways to increase citizen's engagement towards improving environment.

Social implications

The EKC may take different forms in various countries depending on their economic structure and institution qualities.

Originality/value

The paper uses the ARDL method rather than a commonly used regression with a squared income to estimate the EKC. It also uses ecological footprint as a measure of environmental damage. Exploring government effectiveness in managing public good is also novel in the empirical literature.
The relationship between spiritual leadership to quality of work life and ethical behavior and its implication to increasing the organizational citizenship behavior
Authors: Pio Riane Johnly , Lengkong Florence Daisy Jetty
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between spiritual leadership, quality of work life (QWL), ethical behavior, and its implication to organizational citizenship behavior (OCB).

Design/methodology/approach

The study design is the quantitative method as an explanatory research with the purpose to explain the phenomena or pattern of correlation between the concepts (Solimun et al., 2017). Focus on this study is the employees in three private hospitals managed by foundations or religious-based institutions as research areas, namely (1) Adventist Hospital; (2) Pancaran Kasih Hospital; (3) Siti Maryam Hospital, Manado, Indonesia. The population in this study was all the employees, and the sample size is 150 respondents (using Slovin’s Formula), by simple random sampling. The analytical method used to test the hypothesis of the research was structural equation modeling (SEM) covariance based called partial least square (PLS).

Findings

The spiritual leadership has the direct effect QWL. The spiritual leadership has the direct effect on ethical behavior. The spiritual leadership does not have the direct effect on OCB. QWL has the direct effect on OCB. The ethical behavior has the direct effect on OCB. The spiritual leadership has the indirect effect on OCB, with QWL and ethical behavior as mediation variables.

Originality/value

This is one of few research studies comprehensively investigating the relationship between spiritual leadership (as exogenous variable), with QWL and ethical behavior (as intervening variable) and OCB (as endogenous variable). Based on the views and opinions of some of the mentioned writers, we assume that spiritual leadership has a relationship with OCB mediated by QWL or ethical behavior.
Work–family culture and organizational commitment
Authors: Agarwala Tanuja , Arizkuren Amaia , Del Castillo Elsa , Muñiz Marta
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To understand whether the three dimensions of work–family culture, namely managerial support, negative consequences and organizational time demands relate in different ways with different types of commitment; affective, continuance and normative. The relationships were examined in a three-country cross-national context.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire survey was conducted in India, Peru and Spain among executives and managers drawn from both the manufacturing and the services sectors.

Findings

The three countries were both similar and different with Peru and Spain more similar to each other than with India. Managerial support dimension of work–family culture predicted affective commitment across all the three countries. Differences were found with respect to predictors of normative commitment. Managerial support predicted normative commitment for Spain. Lower negative career consequences resulted in decreased normative commitment among the managers in Peru and Spain.

Research limitations/implications

The study has limitations of generalizability and common method variance.

Practical implications

Human resource managers will find the study useful to determine which dimensions of work–family culture would predict the outcomes desired. The study has implications for the design of human resource practices in the industry.

Originality/value

The study is the first that addresses the three dimensions of work–family culture and organizational commitment in a cross-national context. The study suggests that the way in which work–family culture is conceptualized and experienced by employees may vary even among countries classified as “collectivist.”
Development of the “special-vocational-education-service-quality scale”
Authors: Georgiadou Ioanna , Vlachou Anastasia , Stavroussi Panayiota
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a scale for the evaluation of the perceived quality of services provided to students with disabilities by Special Vocational Education (SVE) institutions in Greece.

Design/methodology/approach

SVE service quality was approached on the basis of the performance-only model. The participatory research paradigm was followed, engaging students with disability and specifically with intellectual disability in several stages of the instrument development. The methodological design included two phases for the establishment and testing of the reliability and validity of the scale.

Findings

The findings of the study support a multifactorial construct of SVE service quality consisting of five factors: responsiveness, surroundings, personalization, training and facilities adequacy.

Research limitations/implications

Generalization of results should be attempted with concern. The type and severity of disability should be considered in future use of the scale. The construct of training for students with disability needs to be further investigated.

Practical implications

SVE-Service-Quality Scale may be used in SVE settings highlighting areas of improvement or as an instrument for the assessment of implemented interventions.

Social implications

Participatory research may serve as an empowerment opportunity for students with disability, whose active engagement in the research design allows for a small-scale yet valuable social impact, promoting emancipation for people with disability.

Originality/value

The study draws attention on the field of SVE service quality where research is scarce, introducing SVE in the discussion about educational service quality assessment.
Applied R in the Classroom
Authors: Long J. D. , Turner Dusty
Published: February 2020

R, with support from a number of add‐on packages, is an excellent teaching tool that can greatly enhance learning of exploratory data analysis (EDA) and linear regression. This article illustrates using R along with the packagestidyverse,GGally,esquisseandlindiato walk through an example of basic EDA and linear regression that might be used in an introductory class along with code examples for every step. Teaching with R can give learners control of their analysis, lower the intimidating coding barrier, and provide a platform on which to learn modeling and analysis.
Durie v Gardiner: Public Libel Law and Stare Non Decisis
Authors: Stephenson Randall
Published: February 2020

This note examines the controversial case of Durie v Gardiner, a recent decision of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand, which radically altered the nation's public libel jurisprudence. It argues that Durie is incorrect as a matter of public libel law for three reasons. First, both Durie judgments failed to engage in freedom of expression theorising. Second, this undertheorising has caused significant confusion in Durie, including misinterpretation of material facts, breakdown of the ‘theory‐doctrine’ interface, and a precipitous and unwarranted dismissal of the Court of Appeal's settled public libel principles. Third, owing to these difficulties, the Durie courts were in no position to import a new ‘public interest’ defence from foreign jurisdictions. Above all, by hastening towards wholesale law reform and ignoring its earlier comparative law deliberations, Durie arguably scuppers public libel law's best hope for advancement.