bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Urine Findings with Metabolic Syndrome Traits in a Population of Patients with Nephrolithiasis
Authors: Hood Virginia L. , Sternberg Kevan M. , de Waal Desiree , Asplin John R. , Mulligan Carley , Callas Peter W.
Published: March 2021

Background and objectives

The odds of nephrolithiasis increase with more metabolic syndrome (met-s) traits. We evaluated associations of metabolic and dietary factors from urine studies and stone composition with met-s traits in a large cohort of stone-forming patients.

Design, setting, participants & measurements

Patients >18 years, who were evaluated for stones with 24 h urine collections, July 2009-December 2018, had records reviewed retrospectively. Patient factors, laboratory values and diagnoses were identified within 6 months of urine collection and stone composition within 1 year. Four groups with 0, 1, 2, ≥ 3 met-s traits (hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes) were evaluated. Trends across groups were tested using linear contrasts in analysis of variance and analysis of covariance.

Results

1473 patients met inclusion criteria (835 with stone composition). Met-s groups were 0=684, 1=425, 2=211, 3 and 4 =153. There were no differences among groups for urine volume, calcium or ammonium (NH4) excretion. There was a significant trend (p<0.001) for more met-s traits being associated with decreasing urine pH, increasing age, calculated dietary protein, urine uric acid, oxalate, citrate, titratable acid (TAP), net acid excretion (eNAE) and uric acid supersaturation. The ratio of ammonium to net acid excretion did not differ among the groups.

After adjustment for protein intake, the fall in urine pH remained strong, while the upward trend in TAP excretion was attenuated and NH4 decreased. Calcium oxalate stones were most common, but there was a trend for more uric acid (p<0.001) and fewer calcium phosphate (p=0.09) and calcium oxalate stones (p=0.01) with more met-s traits.

Conclusions

Stone forming patients with met-s have a defined pattern of metabolic and dietary risk factors that contribute to an increased risk of stone formation including higher acid excretion, largely the result of higher protein intake, and lower urine pH.
P2X2 receptor subunit interfaces are missense variant hotspots where mutations tend to increase apparent ATP affinity
Authors: Gasparri Federica , Sarkar Debayan , Bielickaite Sarune , Poulsen Mette Homann , Hauser Alexander Sebastian , Pless Stephan Alexander
Published: March 2021

Background and Purpose

P2X receptors (P2XRs) are trimeric ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs) that open a cation-selective pore in response to ATP binding to their large extracellular domain (ECD). The seven known P2XR subtypes can assemble as homo- or heterotrimeric complexes and contribute to numerous physiological functions, including nociception, inflammation and hearing. The overall structure of P2XRs is well established, but little is known about the spectrum and prevalence of human genetic variations and the functional implications in specific domains.

Experimental Approach

Here we examine the impact of P2X2 receptor (P2X2R) inter-subunit interface missense variants identified in the human population or through structural predictions. We test both single and double mutants through electrophysiological and biochemical approaches.

Key results

We demonstrate that predicted ECD inter-subunit interfaces display a higher-than-expected density of missense variations and that the majority of mutations that disrupt putative inter-subunit interactions result in channels with higher apparent ATP affinity. Lastly, we show that double mutants at the subunit interface show significant energetic coupling, especially if located in close proximity.

Conclusions and Implications

We provide the first structural mapping of the mutational burden across the human population in a LGIC and show that the density of missense mutations is constrained between protein domains, indicating evolutionary selection at the domain level. Our data may indicate that, unlike other LGICs, P2X2Rs have evolved an intrinsically high threshold for activation, possibly to allow for additional modulation or as a cellular protection mechanism against overstimulation.

Bullet point summary

‘What is already known’:

P2X2 receptors are ATP-activated ion channels implicated in hearing and nociceptice pathways

‘What this study adds’:

A structural mapping of missense variants observed in the human population

We identify the intersubunit-interface as a variant hotspot and decipher functional impact of mutations

‘Clinical significance’:

The development of both inhibitors and activators of P2X2 receptor function may be required
The Marburg Collection: A Golden Gate DNA Assembly Framework for Synthetic Biology Applications inVibrio natriegens
Authors: Stukenberg Daniel , Hensel Tobias , Hoff Josef , Daniel Benjamin , Inckemann René , Tedeschi Jamie N. , Nousch Franziska , Fritz Georg
Published: March 2021

Vibrio natriegensis known as the world’s fastest growing organism with a doubling time of less than 10 minutes. This incredible growth speed empowersV. natriegensas a chassis for synthetic and molecular biology, potentially replacingE. coliin many applications. While first genetic parts have been built and tested forV. natriegens, a comprehensive toolkit containing well-characterized and standardized parts did not exist. To close this gap, we created the Marburg Collection – a highly flexible Golden Gate Assembly-based cloning toolbox optimized for the emerging chassis organismV. natriegens. The Marburg Collection overcomes the paradigm of plasmid construction – integrating inserts into a backbone – by enabling thede novoassembly of plasmids from basic genetic parts. This allows users to select the plasmid replication origin and resistance part independently, which is highly advantageous when limited knowledge about the behavior of those parts in the target organism is available. Additional design highlights of the Marburg Collection are novel connector parts, which facilitate modular circuit assembly and, optionally, the inversion of individual transcription units to reduce transcriptional crosstalk in multigene constructs. To quantitatively characterize the genetic parts contained in the Marburg Collection inV. natriegens, we developed a reliable microplate reader measurement workflow for reporter experiments and overcame organismspecific challenges. We think the Marburg Collection with its thoroughly characterized parts will provide a valuable resource for the growingV. natriegenscommunity.
Inferring cell cycle phases from a partially temporal network of protein interactions
Authors: Lucas Maxime , Morris Arthur , Townsend-Teague Alex , Tichit Laurent , Habermann Bianca H. , Barrat Alain
Published: March 2021

The temporal organisation of biological systems into phases and subphases is often crucial to their functioning. Identifying this multiscale organisation can yield insight into the underlying biological mechanisms at play. To date, however, this identification requiresa prioribiological knowledge of the system under study. Here, we recover the temporal organisation of the cell cycle of budding yeast into phases and subphases, in an automated way. To do so, we model the cell cycle as a partially temporal network of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) by combining a traditional static PPI network with protein concentration or RNA expression time series data. Then, we cluster the snapshots of this temporal network to infer phases, which show good agreement with our biological knowledge of the cell cycle. We systematically test the robustness of the approach and investigate the effect of having only partial temporal information. Our results show for the first time that a temporal network with only partial temporal information, i.e. for some of the PPIs, is sufficient to infer the temporal organization of a system. The generality of the method makes it suitable for application to other, less well-known biological systems for which the temporal organisation of processes plays an important role.
D155Y Substitution of SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a Weakens Binding with Caveolin-1
Authors: Gupta Suchetana , Mallick Ditipriya , Banerjee Kumarjeet , Mukherjee Shrimon , Sarkar Soumyadev , Lee Sonny TM , Basuchowdhuri Partha , Jana Siddhartha S
Published: March 2021

The clinical manifestation of the recent pandemic COVID-19, caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, varies from mild to severe respiratory illness. Although environmental, demographic and co-morbidity factors have an impact on the severity of the disease, contribution of the mutations in each of the viral genes towards the degree of severity needs a deeper understanding for designing a better therapeutic approach against COVID-19. Open Reading Frame-3a (ORF3a) protein has been found to be mutated at several positions. In this work, we have studied the effect of one of the most frequently occurring mutants, D155Y of ORF3a protein, found in Indian COVID-19 patients. Using computational simulations we demonstrated that the substitution at 155th changed the amino acids involved in salt bridge formation, hydrogen-bond occupancy, interactome clusters, and the stability of the protein compared with the other substitutions found in Indian patients. Protein-protein docking using HADDOCK analysis revealed that substitution D155Y weakened the binding affinity of ORF3a with caveolin-1 compared with the other substitutions, suggesting its importance in the overall stability of ORF3a-caveolin-1 complex, which may modulate the virulence property of SARS-CoV-2.
Overabundance ofAsaiaandSerratiabacteria is associated with deltamethrin insecticide susceptibility inAnopheles coluzziifrom Agboville, Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Pelloquin Bethanie , Kristan Mojca , Edi Constant , Meiwald Anne , Clark Emma , Jeffries Claire L. , Walker Thomas , Dada Nsa , Messenger Louisa A.
Published: March 2021

Background

Insecticide resistance among mosquito species is now a pervasive phenomenon, which threatens to jeopardise global malaria vector control efforts. Evidence of links between the mosquito microbiota and insecticide resistance is emerging, with significant enrichment of insecticide degrading bacteria and enzymes in resistant populations. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, we characterised and compared the microbiota ofAnopheles(An.)coluzziiin relation to their deltamethrin resistance and exposure profiles.

Results

Comparisons between 2-3 day old deltamethrin resistant and susceptible mosquitoes, demonstrated significant differences in microbiota diversity (PERMANOVA, pseudo-F = 19.44, p=0.0015).Ochrobactrum, LysinibacillusandStenotrophomonasgenera, each of which comprised insecticide degrading species, were significantly enriched in resistant mosquitoes. Susceptible mosquitoes had a significant reduction in alpha diversity compared to resistant individuals (Shannon index: H=13.91, q=0.0003, Faith’s phylogenetic diversity: H=6.68, q=0.01), withAsaiaandSerratiadominating microbial profiles. There was no significant difference in deltamethrin exposed and unexposed 5-6 day old individuals, suggesting that insecticide exposure had minimal impact on microbial composition.SerratiaandAsaiawere also dominant in 5-6 day old mosquitoes, regardless of exposure or phenotype, and had reduced microbial diversity compared with 2-3 day old mosquitoes.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed significant alterations ofAn. coluzziimicrobiota associated with deltamethrin resistance, highlighting the potential for identification of novel microbial markers for insecticide resistance surveillance. qPCR detection ofSerratiaandAsaiawas consistent with 16S rRNA sequencing, suggesting that population level field screening of the bacterial microbiota may be feasibly integrated into wider resistance monitoring if reliable and reproducible markers associated with phenotype can be identified.
Purkinje Cell Activity in Medial and Lateral Cerebellum During Suppression of Voluntary Eye Movements in Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Avila Eric , Flierman Nico A. , Holland Peter J. , Roelfsema Pieter R. , Frens Maarten A. , Badura Aleksandra , De Zeeuw Chris I.
Published: March 2021

Volitional suppression of responses to distracting external stimuli enables us to achieve our goals. This volitional inhibition of a specific behavior is supposed to be mainly mediated by the cerebral cortex. However, recent evidence supports the involvement of the cerebellum in this process. It is currently not known whether different parts of the cerebellar cortex play differential or synergistic roles in planning and execution of this behavior. Here, we measured Purkinje cell (PC) responses in the medial and lateral cerebellum in two rhesus macaques during a pro- and antisaccade task. During an antisaccade trial, non-human primates were instructed to make a saccadic eye movement away from a target, rather than towards it, as in prosaccade trials. Our data shows that the cerebellum plays an important role not only during execution of the saccades, but also during the volitional inhibition of eye movements towards the target. Simple Spike (SS) modulation during the instruction and execution period of pro- and antisaccades was prominent in PCs of both medial and lateral cerebellum. However, only the SS activity in the lateral cerebellar cortex contained information about trial identity and showed a stronger reciprocal interaction with complex spikes. Moreover, SS activity of different PC groups modulated bidirectionally in both regions, but the PCs that showed facilitating and suppressive activity were predominantly associated with instruction and execution, respectively. These findings show that different cerebellar regions and PC groups contribute to goal-directed behavior and volitional inhibition, but with different propensities, highlighting the rich repertoire of cerebellar control in executive functions.

Significance Statement

The antisaccade task is commonly used in research and clinical evaluation as a test of volitional and flexible control of behavior. It requires volitional suppression of prosaccades, a function that has been attributed to the neocortex. However, recent findings indicate that cerebellum also contributes to this behavior. We recorded from neurons in the medial and lateral cerebellum to evaluate their responses in this task. We found that both regions significantly modulated their activity during this task, but only cells in the lateral cerebellum encoded the stimulus identity in each trial. These results indicate that the cerebellum actively contributes to the control of flexible behavior and that lateral and medial cerebellum play different roles during volitional eye movements.
TNFAIP8 is a novel phosphoinositide-binding inhibitory regulator of Rho GTPases that promotes cancer cell migration
Authors: Lin Mei , Sun Honghong , Fayngerts Svetlana A. , Huangyang Peiwei , Chen Youhai H.
Published: March 2021

More than half of human tumors exhibit aberrantly dysregulated phosphoinositide signaling, yet how this is controlled remains not fully understood. While somatic mutations of PI3K, PTEN and Ras account for many cases of the hyperactivated lipid signals, other mechanisms for these dysfunctions in cancer are also being discovered. We report here that TNFAIP8 interacts with PtdIns(4,5)P2and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3and is likely to be hijacked by cancer cells to facilitate directional migration during malignant transformation. TNFAIP8 maintains the quiescent cellular state by sequestering inactive Rho GTPases in the cytosolic pool, which can be set free upon chemoattractant activation at the leading edge. Consequently, loss of TNFAIP8 results in severe defects of chemotaxis and adhesion. Thus, TNFAIP8, whose expression can be induced by inflammatory cytokines such as TNFαfrom tumor microenvironment, represents a molecular bridge from inflammation to cancer by linking NF-κB pathway to phosphoinositide signaling. Our study on the conserved hydrophobic cavity structure will also advisein silicodrug screening and development of new TNFAIP8-based strategies to combat malignant human diseases.
Metagenomic insight into the plant growth-promoting potential of a diesel-degrading bacterial consortium for enhanced rhizoremediation application
Authors: Eze Michael O. , Thiel Volker , Hose Grant C. , George Simon C. , Daniel Rolf
Published: March 2021

The slow rate of natural attenuation of organic pollutants, together with unwanted environmental impacts of traditional remediation strategies, has necessitated the exploration of plant-microbe systems for enhanced bioremediation applications. The identification of microorganisms capable of promoting both plant growth and hydrocarbon degradation is crucial to the success of plant-based remediation techniques. Through successive enrichments of a soil sample from a historic oil-contaminated site in Wietze, Germany, we isolated a plant growth-promoting and hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial consortium. Metagenome analysis of the consortium led to the identification of genes and taxa putatively associated with these processes. The majority of the coding DNA sequences involved in these reactions were affiliated toAcidocella aminolyticaandAcidobacterium capsulatum.In microcosm experiments performed in association withMedicago sativaL., the consortium achieved 91% rhizodegradation of diesel fuel hydrocarbons within 60 days, indicating its potential for biotechnological applications in the remediation of sites contaminated by organic pollutants.
Bacterial small RNAs and host epigenetic effectors of a transgenerational memory of pathogens inC. elegans
Authors: Legüe Marcela , Aguila Blanca , Pollak Bernardo , Calixto Andrea
Published: March 2021

The inheritance of memories is adaptive for survival. Microbes interact with all organisms challenging their immunity and triggering behavioral adaptations. Some of these behaviors induced by bacteria can be inherited although the mechanisms of action are largely unexplored. In this work, we useC. elegansand its bacteria to study the transgenerational RNA dynamics of an interspecies crosstalk leading to a heritable behavior. Heritable responses to bacterial pathogens in the nematode include avoidance and pathogen-induced diapause (PIDF), a state of suspended animation to evade the pathogen threat. We identify a small RNA RsmY, involved in quorum sensing fromP. aeruginosaas required for initiation of PIDF. Histone methyltransferase SET-18/SMYD3 is also needed for PIDF initiation inC. elegans. In contrast, SET-25/EHMT2 is necessary for the maintenance of the memory of pathogen exposure in the transgenerational lineage. This work can be a starting point to understanding microbiome-induced inheritance of acquired traits.
Coping with COVID: pivoting perspectives from teaching a third-year undergraduate financial accounting course
Authors: Morris Richard D. , Dai Lili , De Groote Sander , Holmes Emma , Lau Leonard , Li Chao Kevin , Nguyen Phuc
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused upheaval in university teaching practices. This paper aims to document how the teaching team on a large third-year undergraduate financial accounting course in an Australian university coped with the impact of the virus. Changes in teaching practices when classes shifted from face-to-face to online instruction during the COVID-19 crisis are described and examined using the crisis management process framework of Pearson and Clair (1998). Teaching team members were asked to write brief reflections on their experiences teaching the course during the period from February to July 2020. These were then thematically analysed and included as outcomes within the Pearson and Clair (1998) framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Description of COVID-19 induced changes to teaching a large undergraduate financial accounting course at an Australian university.

Findings

Six outcomes emerged: learning new technology; collegiality; the course review; the online delivery experience; redesigning assessments and; time investment; conjectures are offered about the survival of some of the changes made during the year.

Research limitations/implications

The research only covers one teaching team’s experience but that is the purpose of the special issue.

Practical implications

Lessons for the future are explored.

Social implications

The implications of online teaching are explored.

Originality/value

The paper provides a historical record of how the teaching team on a large undergraduate financial accounting course coped with an unexpected, major event that necessitated rapid and radical changes to teaching methods.
Integration maturity analysis for a small citrus producers' supply chain in a developing country
Authors: Peña Orozco Diego León , Gonzalez-Feliu Jesus , Rivera Leonardo , Mejía Ramirez Camilo Andres
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to determine the convenience of using a contract model as an integration mechanism for decision-making in a decentralized supply chain of small agricultural producers in a developing country, taking as hypothesis coordinated chain achieves better management. The analysis is based on information obtained by direct inquiry to 99 small producers in the region, about planning, production, marketing and distribution in the chain, supplemented with secondary information sources.

Design/methodology/approach

As a methodology an analysis of maturity in the chain based on the Capability Maturity Model Integration is done, whose evaluation is later analyzed as a fuzzy logic model, with the support of the fuzzy logic of the MATLAB toolbox, to study the convenience of the use of the contract against the other mechanisms, and to establish an approximation to the level of readiness of the chain toward integration.

Findings

Results obtained show that the small farmer supply chain studied, from a maturity perspective, has a strong disposition for the use of contracts as an integration mechanism.

Research limitations/implications

The supply chain for small producers presents a high dispersion, little consolidated offer capacity and lack of coordination. Limitations in terms of information and criteria unification are a challenge for future research. Results have socioeconomic implications for small producers and can serve as a guide to formulate policies by the governments in Latin American countries.

Practical implications

As practical implications, it can be stated that the use of supply contracts is a real mechanism that can be implemented in this type of chain, to break the mistrust between the echelons and improve the supply chain performance. This research will allow to establish support programs from local governments for the sustainability and improving income of small producers. In addition, contracts will allow to formalize the linkage of small producers to a sustainable commercial network.

Social implications

Small agricultural producers in developing countries live in unfavorable conditions, with socioeconomic limitations. This work offers an alternative for their productive activity development that will allow them access to marketing chains in a safe way and improve their living conditions.

Originality/value

Previous studies related to the maturity toward the chain integration and fuzzy logic as a hybrid methodology, were not found in the literature, and less even applied to a chain of small agricultural products.
Ethically questionable negotiation tactics: the differential roles of national, societal and individual cultural values
Authors: Stefanidis Abraham , Banai Moshe , Schinzel Ursula , Erkuş Ahmet
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to refine theory of negotiation by empirically investigating the extent to which national-, societal- and individual-level cultures relate to negotiators' tendency to endorse questionable negotiation tactics.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess the hypothesized relationships between culture and ethically questionable negotiation tactics at three cultural levels of analysis, the authors collected data from Turks who reside in Turkey and in Germany and from Greeks who reside in Greece and in Cyprus. Respondents' national-level cultural values were inferred from their nationality, respondents' societal-level cultural values were inferred from their country of residency, and respondents' individual-level cultural values were inferred from their discrete and unique individuality.

Findings

At the national level, the authors found that Turks in Turkey and Germany scored significantly higher than Greeks in Greece and Cyprus on the endorsement of pretending negotiation tactics. At the societal level, the authors found that Turkish negotiators in Germany displayed higher levels of lying negotiation tactics and lower levels of pretending negotiation tactics than Turkish negotiators in Turkey. Greek negotiators in Greece endorsed deceiving and lying tactics more than Greek negotiators in Cyprus. At the individual level, the authors found that negotiators who score high on vertical individualism and collectivism endorse questionable negotiation tactics significantly more than negotiators who score high on horizontal individualism and collectivism.

Originality/value

The authors empirically demonstrate how national-, societal- and individual-level cultures differentially influence negotiators' tendency to endorse questionable negotiation tactics. The study's trilevel analysis allows for integrating the societal-level theories of negotiators' acculturation and cultural adjustment to a host culture, highlighting the importance of bicultural identity.
Riteband: combatting the challenges of cross-industry innovation
Authors: Agnihotri Arpita , Bhattacharya Saurabh
Published: March 2021

Study Level/Applicability

Case can be taught at the undergraduate or postgraduate level, including executive Master of Business Administration programs.

Subject Area

This case is intended for courses in strategic management, entrepreneurship and innovation at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Case Overview

The case is about challenges faced by Linda Portnoff, the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Riteband, a Sweden-based fintech startup. In March 2020, Portnoff was conducting beta testing of Riteband’s app, which experts considered the world’s first stock exchange for music trading. After completing a PhD, Portnoff who was working as a Research Analyst, left her job to pursue entrepreneurship. Through Riteband, Portnoff helped to resolve pain points of artists who were forced to give the copyright of their music tracks or albums to distributors, in lieu of funds or promotional campaigns that distributors arranged for them. Portnoff invested in developing a patent-pending machine learning-based algorithm that based on several parameters could predict the likelihood of a music track or an album to become a success. Based on this prediction and royalty that artists were interested in sharing with fans, shares were issued to investors, who were also fans of the artists. As Portnoff identified an innovative business opportunity to trade music on a stock exchange based on Riteband’s machine learning algorithm, competition in Riteband’s strategic group was also becoming intense. Consequently, Portnoff was facing challenges of establishing competitive advantage of Riteband. Furthermore, as women in general faced challenges in raising funds for their startups, and even though Portnoff obtained some funding for Riteband, but overall, funding was a challenge for her as well. Moreover, as machine learning was a technical aspect for artists and potential investors, Portnoff also faced challenges to monetize on its machine learning algorithm.

Expected learning outcomes

By the end of the case study discussion, students should be able to: understand the principles of cross-industry innovation and explain the creation of new business opportunities based on cross-industry innovation; differentiate between direct and indirect competitors through strategic group analysis and further critically analyze the competitive advantage of business over other direct competitors; determine ways of reducing gender biases in venture capital funding; describe how machine learning works and further formulate ways to monetize a business through machine learning; and demonstrate the application of the value proposition canvas and business model canvas.

Subject codes

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship; CSS 11: Strategy.
Using diversity, equity and inclusion to drive outcomes at CareerStaff unlimited
Authors: Guglielmo Michael , Edwards Shawn , DiBernardino Frank , Coughlin Matthew
Published: March 2021

Study level/applicability

This case was designed not only for MBA and executive education but also undergraduate courses in human resources (HR), leadership development, HR metrics and change management. It is ideal for introducing the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), the balanced scorecard and talent retention.

Subject area

The case deals with initiating and integrating DE&I programs into a company. It highlights how and when to start, change management issues during roll-out and convincing senior leadership why a program such as the one the protagonist started adds value to an organization.

Case Overview

In early 2018, Kate McKinnon, AVP of HR for CareerStaff Unlimited (CSU), a temporary staffing company and division of Genesis HealthCare, reflected on the late 2016 decision to develop women for leadership roles at the company. With a rather unconventional implementation of the Women’s Leadership Group (WLG), Kate successfully developed fifteen female individual contributors, many of whom were promoted to leadership roles by early 2018. Kate was concerned about maintaining the momentum necessary to continue (and expand) the program of identifying, developing, promoting, and retaining women and other diverse employees across the company. She also wanted to measure a clear correlation between the WLG and CSU’s financial and customer outcomes. It was time to plan phase two of the program, including further improvement of the DE&I efforts at CSU.

Expected learning outcomes

The learning outcome of this paper are as follows: focused programs, led by courageous and committed leaders, improve gender equity. DE&I is a business imperative, as much as a legal/risk challenge. To be understood, approved and communicated, HR Initiatives must add value and be aligned with the company strategy along with financial and customer outcomes. People development and growth contribute to top talent retention.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Social implications

Given the issues the USA is encountering after the George Floyd death and protests, this is a good way to demonstrate how courageous leadership can start to facilitate change in organizations.

Subject code

CSS 6: Human Resources.
Not over my backyard: the regulatory conflict between 5G rollout and environmental and historic preservation
Authors: Cramer Benjamin W.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the environmental and historic preservation precedents that have been adopted and acknowledged by telecommunications firms when expanding their physical infrastructures.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper will conduct a policy analysis of contradictory regulatory goals that are expected to arise during the near-future rollout of 5G in the USA. This will be done via traditional legal research combined with a critical policy focus. Particular attention will be given to the public interest remedies that have been established for companies that have used private or public property.

Findings

Due to the spatial requirements of 5G network infrastructure, telecommunications policy (in which network development is paramount) is expected to conflict with land use-oriented regulations (environmental and historic preservation) in places where new 5G infrastructure must be approved and built.

Social implications

Ultimately, the paper will argue that conflicts will arise in local areas where the 5G rollout is expected to impact environmentally pristine areas or historic buildings.

Originality/value

Research in the environmental effects of 5G technology in general is becoming common, but conflicts between network construction and particular environmental or historic preservation regulations has not been the topic of organized research thus far.
Identifying high-frequency–low-severity construction safety risks: an empirical study based on official supervision reports in Shanghai
Authors: Wang Guangbin , Liu Muyang , Cao Dongping , Tan Dan
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Few of the established risk identification methods refer to low-severity yet high-frequency safety risks data that may lead to several safety risks being ignored, thus reducing the potential of learning from a considerable number of cases. The purpose of this study is to explore a new valid method based on preaccident safety supervision data to identify these minor construction safety risks during routine construction operations.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 329 official construction safety supervision reports containing 5,159 safety problem records from Shanghai between 2016 and 2018 served as raw material for in-depth analysis. Given the characteristics of the data collected, text mining integrated with natural language processing was applied to review the supervision reports and group safety risks automatically.

Findings

This study clarifies the way in which the supervision data should be employed to analyze high-frequency–low-severity safety risks. From these data, seven unsafe-act-related and nine unsafe-condition-related risks are identified. Regarding unsafe-act-related risks, inappropriate human behaviors could usually occur in personnel management, contract management, expense management, material management and acceptance work. For unsafe-condition-related risks, hoisting, scaffolding and reinforcement works are the main generators of onsite safety hazards during construction operations.

Practical implications

The study includes implications for project managers and supervisors to facilitate more effective proactive risk management by paying more attention to collecting and employing the supervision data established in each routine inspection.

Originality/value

Whereas previous research focused on analyzing severe accidents, this study seeks to identify the high-frequency–low-severity construction safety risks using the preaccident supervision data. The findings could provide a new thought and research direction for construction safety risk management.
Project control and forecast assessment of building projects in Pakistan using earned value management
Authors: Zahoor Hafiz , Khan Rashid Mehmood , Nawaz Ahsan , Ayaz Muhammad , Maqsoom Ahsen
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Earned Value Management (EVM) is widely used as a project performance measurement and forecasting technique. Nonetheless, it has not been fully explored in Pakistani construction industry; where conventional progress reporting methodology (CPRM) is being followed having certain confines. It reports only the financial progress of a project, expresses feeble association between the duration and cost of activities, and forecasts flawed schedule and completion cost. This research implements EVM on under-construction building projects in Pakistan, and compares its upshots with the projects' actual records and with the outcomes of CPRM.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess the implementation of EVM on building projects, a set of specific criteria was established. Work Breakdown Structure, Organization Breakdown Structure and Control Points were established. The study has compared the EVM metrics with CPRM outcomes on three under-study building projects, and has deliberated on their mutual differences as well as their relationship with actual cost and schedule performance. Monthly figures of actual spending and completed activities were periodically recorded and compared with planned values for status indication. The graphs were generated to observe the correlation between the results of EVM and CPRM. The data was then extrapolated to forecast the schedule and cost values at completion.

Findings

The study discovered that trends of EVM in quantifying the project's cost and schedule performance were strongly correlated and were closer to the actual progress. It has also verified the EVM's soundness in forecasting the cost and schedule, required for project's completion. Contrarily, CPRM metrics could not precisely visualize the current and future, cost and schedule performance.

Originality/value

The case study concludes that EVM's incorporation in progress reporting regime can revolutionize the assessment procedures in Pakistan by rightly indicating the project's current status as well as visualizing the future performance. The study's methodology can also be extrapolated in other countries having similar work environment and economic conditions.
Does well-being differ across customer value cocreation practice styles? An empirical study in a chronic health context
Authors: Pham Tram-Anh Ngoc , Sweeney Jillian Carol , Soutar Geoffrey Norman
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Drawing on an extensive range of activities across different types, including mandatory (customer), mandatory (customer or organisation), voluntary in-role and voluntary extra-role activities, this study aims to identify different health-care customer value cocreation practice styles based on the combinations of value cocreation activities they undertake and empirically examine how customers adopting different styles differ in terms of well-being and satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted across health customers with a variety of chronic conditions. Data were collected from three focus groups and an online survey.

Findings

Five customer practice styles, namely, the highly active, other-oriented, provider-oriented, self-oriented and passive compliant customers, were revealed. While a moderate to a high level of activities is often recommended as it is associated with higher levels of physical, psychological, existential and social well-being and customer satisfaction, the results also suggest there is no single ideal style as different styles may be associated with the same level of outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

As customers cocreate value differently, it is crucial to understand the underlying heterogeneity and its implications to outcomes.

Practical implications

Highly active and provider-oriented are the two styles that should be particularly encouraged because of their association with positive outcomes. Personalised strategies need to be developed and resources need to be put in place to build productive relationships amongst service providers, customers and peers and to increase the perceived value of such interactions so as to shift customers towards more active styles.

Originality/value

The study advances the understanding of customer value cocreation and its link to well-being by empirically deriving five distinct practice styles and demonstrating how they differ across meaningful well-being and satisfaction dimensions.
Promoting authenticity through celebrity brands
Authors: Kennedy Amanda , Baxter Stacey M. , Kulczynski Alicia
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the importance of celebrity brands in influencing consumer perceptions of celebrity authenticity, which drives positive consumer attitudes and intentions. In addition, the notion of low-celebrity investment is investigated as a factor that diminishes the positive outcomes associated with celebrity brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 examines the effect of brand situation (endorsement versus celebrity brand) on consumer attitudes and intentions. Studies 2 and 3 investigate the role of celebrity authenticity in explaining the effects observed in Study 1. Study 4 examines celebrity investment as a bound of the phenomenon.

Findings

Study 1 demonstrates that consumers report heightened attitudes and intentions towards celebrity brands when compared to endorsements. Studies 2 and 3 provide evidence that authenticity explains the effects observed in Study 1. Results of Study 4 show that when consumers are aware of low-celebrity investment, the celebrity is viewed as inauthentic regardless of brand situation.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited as it focuses only on known celebrity endorsers who were matched with products that had a high level of fit. In addition, purchase intentions were measured as opposed to the study of actual purchase behaviour.

Practical implications

This research has important implications for the development of endorsements and celebrity brands by demonstrating that consumers view celebrities as authentic when they are involved with brands for reasons other than monetary compensation.

Originality/value

This research shows that consumers have heightened attitudes and intentions towards celebrity brands compared to endorsements. This research identifies celebrity authenticity as the process underlying the observed phenomenon. However, celebrity investment is identified as a boundary condition demonstrating that knowledge of low investment results in a celebrity being viewed as inauthentic.
COVID-19 and the targets of SDG 8: reflections on Brazilian scenario
Authors: Anholon Rosley , Rampasso Izabela Simon , Martins Vitor W.B. , Serafim Milena P. , Leal Filho Walter , Quelhas Osvaldo L.G.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to present reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic impacts in the search for the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) disseminated by the United Nations. These reflections are made considering the Brazilian scenario.

Design/methodology/approach

As this paper is a viewpoint, several information presented here are based on authors’ opinion. However, to enhance the information basis and present examples, a bibliographic research was also conducted.

Findings

Analyzing the targets of SDG 8 and the probable crisis in the Brazilian economy as a consequence of the pandemic, the authors believe that this crisis will impact the achievement of these targets.

Practical implications

The reflections presented here can contribute with the debates about the search for decent work in Brazil. It is worth to remember that the development of actions aligned with SDG 8 targets generates more than only economic gains, as these contribute for building a more just, egalitarian and inclusive society.

Originality/value

This viewpoint calls attention to issues that demand urgent public policies; otherwise, these issues can generate losses to an entire generation of Brazilians.
Experimental and numerical investigation of hybrid armor against a ballistic impact
Authors: Ahmed Payman S. , Fadhil Basim M. , Mshir Samir , Salar Mohamed
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The main challenge in preparing body armor is achieving a high protection level by using lightweight materials with minimum cost.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a three-hybrid multilayered armor system is prepared for protection against a ballistic impact wave. These armor systems consist of glass or ceramic tile as a front layer followed by three intermediate layers made of woven fiber reinforced polymer composites and a back layer made of either aluminum or polypropylene.

Findings

All armor systems were successful in impeding the projectile from perforating, that is materials selection played an important role in stopping the ballistic impact wave. Almost an identical ballistic behavior was recorded between the experimental and numerical simulation by using ANSYS AUTODYN which means that the simulation could be used in advance to reduce the time required for practical experiments and the cost of using materials in experimental tests will be lessened. The effect of projectile geometry also had been studied, and it showed a noticeable role in changing ballistic behavior.

Originality/value

The originality of this research is in using carbon and glass fiber which are woven together in addition to adding polypropylene layers in armor preparation.
Bryant and Sharer: seven challenges most likely to make-or-break leaders
Authors: Leavy Brian
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This interview with Adam Bryant and Kevin Sharer, the authors of “The CEO Test: Mastering the Challenges that Make or Break All Leaders,” examines the relationship between the leaders and followers and the key challenges that tend to determine leadership success or failure.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors told S&L’s interviewer Brian Leavy: “We focus specifically on leading others - illuminating seven of the most common make-or-break challenges, and then showing how to navigate them effectively.”

Findings

The authors' research found that “It’s the leader’s job to capture the essence of what matters and then be able to boil down the strategy to just a handful of memorable ideas so that everyone understands, remembers and knows how to contribute to its success.”

Practical implications

Leaders have to learn that listening is a multidimensional practice that requires commitment and constant attention, and the aim is to get a true sense of the nature of their organization and its dynamics.

Originality/value

Much of the on-going outpouring of leadership literature tends to focus on the personal qualities and characteristics of the individual leader. Less studied are the dynamics of the relationship between the leader and the led, or the nature and content of the role itself and the key tasks associated with it. One exception is "The CEO Test: Mastering the Challenges that Make or Break All Leaders" by Adam Bryant and Kevin Sharer. Their "overarching framework to mastering the inner game of leadership is to embrace it as a series of paradoxes,” is an original perspective.
A study on the role of social media in promoting sustainable tourism in the states of Assam and Odisha
Authors: Chatterjee Joyeeta , Dsilva Nigel Raylyn
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the role played by social media platforms in promoting sustainable tourism in the states of Assam and Odisha. The study provides insights on sustainable tourism and related products of the above-mentioned destinations that need to be promoted on social media. It also recommends strategies to augment the sustainable tourism in the two states.