bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overlapping and distinct roles of CDPK family members in the pre-erythrocytic cycle of the rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium berghei
Authors: Govindasamy K. , Bhanot P.
Published: October 2019

Invasion of, development within, and exit from hepatocytes by Plasmodium is essential for the parasite to establish the malaria-causing erythrocytic cycle. Identification of signaling pathways that operate during the pre-erythrocytic cycle provides insights into a critical stage of infection and potential targets for chemoprevention of disease. Calcium Dependent Protein Kinases (CDPK) represent a kinase family that is present in Plasmodium but absent in mammals. We demonstrate that P. berghei homologs of CDPK1, CDPK4 and CDPK5 play overlapping but distinct roles in sporozoite invasion and parasite egress from hepatocytes. All three kinases are expressed in sporozoites. All three are required for optimal motility of sporozoites and consequently their invasion of hepatocytes. Increased cGMP compensates for the functional loss of CDPK1 and CDPK5 during sporozoite invasion but cannot overcome CDPK4’s loss. CDPK1 and CDPK5 expression is downregulated after sporozoite invasion. CDPK5 reappears in a subset of late stage liver stages and is present in all merosomes. Chemical inhibition of CDPK4 and depletion of CDPK5 in liver stages suggests that these kinases play a role in the formation and/or release of merosomes from mature liver stages. Furthermore, depletion of CDPK5 in merosomes significantly delays a merosome-initiated erythrocytic cycle without affecting the infectivity of hepatic merozoites. These data suggest that CDPK5 is required for the release of hepatic merozoites from merosomes. Our work provides the first evidence that sporozoite invasion requires CDPK1 and CDPK5 and that the release of hepatic merozoites is a regulated process.

Significance

The malaria-parasite Plasmodium begins its mammalian cycle by infecting hepatocytes in the liver. A single parasite differentiates into tens of thousands of hepatic merozoites which exit the host cell in vesicles called merosomes. Hepatic merozoites initiate the first round of erythrocytic infection that leads to disease symptoms. We show that optimal invasion of liver cells by Plasmodium requires the action of three closely-related parasite kinases, CDPK1, 4 and 5. Loss of any of the three enzymes in the parasite significantly reduces infection of liver cells. CDPK5 is also required for the release of hepatic merozoites from merosomes and therefore for initiating the erythrocytic cycle. A better understanding of how these kinases function could lead to drugs that prevent malaria.
Obstacles to Studying Alternative Splicing Using scRNA-seq
Authors: Westoby Jennifer , Artemov Pavel , Hemberg Martin , Ferguson-Smith Anne
Published: October 2019

Background

Early single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) studies suggested that it was unusual to see more than one isoform being produced from a gene in a single cell, even when multiple isoforms were detected in matched bulk RNA-seq samples. However, these studies generally did not consider the impact of dropouts or isoform quantification errors, potentially confounding the results of these analyses.

Results

In this study, we take a simulation based approach in which we explicitly account for dropouts and isoform quantification errors. We use our simulations to ask to what extent it is possible to study alternative splicing using scRNA-seq. Additionally, we ask what limitations must be overcome to make splicing analysis feasible. We find that the high rate of dropouts associated with scRNA-seq is a major obstacle to studying alternative splicing. In mice and other well established model organisms, the relatively low rate of isoform quantification errors poses a lesser obstacle to splicing analysis. We find that different models of isoform choice meaningfully change our simulation results.

Conclusions

To accurately study alternative splicing with single-cell RNA-seq, a better understanding of isoform choice and the errors associated with scRNA-seq is required. An increase in the capture efficiency of scRNA-seq would also be beneficial. Until some or all of the above are achieved, we do not recommend attempting to resolve isoforms in individual cells using scRNA-seq.
Schizophrenia risk from locus-specific human endogenous retroviruses
Authors: Duarte Rodrigo R.R. , Bendall Matthew L. , de Mulder Miguel , Ormsby Christopher E. , Beckerle Greta A. , Selvackadunco Sashika , Troakes Claire , Reyes-Terán Gustavo , Crandall Keith A. , Srivastava Deepak P. , Nixon Douglas F. , Powell Timothy R.
Published: October 2019

Schizophrenia genome-wide association studies highlight the substantial contribution of risk attributed to the non-coding genome where human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are encoded. These ancient viral elements have previously been overlooked in genetic and transcriptomic studies due to their poor annotation and repetitive nature. Using a new, comprehensive HERV annotation, we found that the fraction of the genome where HERVs are located (the ‘retrogenome’) is enriched for schizophrenia risk variants, and that there are 148 disparate HERVs involved in susceptibility. Analysis of RNA-sequencing data from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of 259 schizophrenia cases and 279 controls from the CommonMind Consortium showed that HERVs are actively expressed in the brain (n = 3,979), regulated in cis by common genetic variants (n = 1,759), and differentially expressed in patients (n = 81). Convergent analyses implicate LTR25_6q21 and ERVLE_8q24.3h as HERVs of etiological relevance to schizophrenia, which are co-regulated with genes involved in neuronal and mitochondrial function, respectively. Our findings provide a strong rationale for exploring the retrogenome and the expression of these locus-specific HERVs as novel risk factors for schizophrenia and potential diagnostic biomarkers and treatment targets.
Estimation of High-Order Aberrations and Anisotropic Magnification from Cryo-EM Datasets in RELION-3.1
Authors: Zivanov Jasenko , Nakane Takanori , Scheres Sjors H.W.
Published: October 2019

We present methods that detect three types of aberrations in single-particle cryo-EM data sets: symmetrical and antisymmetrical optical aberrations and magnification anisotropy. Because our methods only depend on the availability of a preliminary 3D reconstruction from the data, they can be used to correct for these aberrations for any given cryo-EM data set, a posteriori. Using five publicly available data sets, we show that considering these aberrations improves the resolution of the 3D reconstruction when the effects are present. The methods are implemented in version 3.1 of our open-source software package RELION.
A catalog of homoplasmic and heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA variants in humans
Authors: Bolze Alexandre , Mendez Fernando , White Simon , Tanudjaja Francisco , Isaksson Magnus , Jiang Ruomu , Rossi Andrew Dei , Cirulli Elizabeth T. , Rashkin Misha , Metcalf William J. , Grzymski Joseph J. , Lee William , Lu James T. , Washington Nicole L.
Published: October 2019

High quality population allele frequencies of DNA variants can be used to discover new biology, and study rare disorders. Here, we created a public catalog of mitochondrial DNA variants based on a population of 195,983 individuals. We focused on 3 criteria: (i) the population is not enriched for mitochondrial disorders, or other clinical phenotypes, (ii) all genomes are sequenced and analyzed in the same clinical laboratory, and (iii) both homoplasmic and heteroplasmic variants are reported. We found that 47% of the mitochondrial genome was invariant in this population, including large stretches in the 2 rRNA genes. This information could be used to annotate the mitochondrial genome in future studies. We also showed how to use this resource for the interpretation of pathogenic variants for rare mitochondrial disorders. For example, 42% of variants previously reported to be pathogenic for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) should be reclassified.
Cryo-EM structure of the mitochondrial protein-import channel TOM complex from Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Tucker Kyle , Park Eunyong
Published: October 2019

Nearly all mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nuclear genome and imported into mitochondria following synthesis on cytosolic ribosomes. These precursor proteins are translocated into mitochondria by the TOM complex, a protein-conducting channel in the mitochondrial outer membrane. Using cryo-EM, we have obtained high-resolution structures of both apo and presequence-bound core TOM complexes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae in dimeric and tetrameric forms. Dimeric TOM consists of two copies each of five proteins arranged in two-fold symmetry—Tom40, a pore-forming β-barrel with an overall negatively-charged inner surface, and four auxiliary α-helical transmembrane proteins. The structure suggests that presequences for mitochondrial targeting insert into the Tom40 channel mainly by electrostatic and polar interactions. The tetrameric complex is essentially a dimer of dimeric TOM, which may be capable of forming higher-order oligomers. Our study reveals the molecular organization of the TOM complex and provides new insights about the mechanism of protein translocation into mitochondria.
Physical activity reduces colorectal cancer risk independent of BMI—A two-sample Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Zhang Xiaomeng , Theodoratou Evropi , Li Xue , Farrington Susan M , Law Philip J , Broderick Peter , Walker Marion , Rees Jessica MB , Houlston Richard S , Tomlinson Ian PM , Campbell Harry , Dunlop Malcolm G , Timofeeva Maria
Published: October 2019

Background

Evidence from observational studies suggests a protective role for physical activity (PA) against colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. However, it has yet to be established a causal relationship. We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) study to examine causality between physical activity and CRC risk.

Methods

We used common genetic variants associated with self-reported and accelerometer-based physical activity as instrumental variables (IVs) in this MR study. The IVs were derived from the largest available genome-wide association study (GWAS) of physical activity, namely UK Biobank. We analysed the effect of the IVs for physical activity in a large CRC GWAS that included 31 197 cases and 61 770 controls. We applied inverse variance weighted (IVW) method as the main analysis method.

Results

Our results demonstrate a protective effect between accelerometer-based physical activity and CRC risk (the outlier-adjusted ORIVW was 0.92 per one standard deviation (SD) increase of accelerometer-base physical activity [95% CI: 0.87-0.98, P: 0.01]). The effect between self-reported physical activity and CRC risk was not statistically significant but was also supportive of an inverse association (the outlier-adjusted ORIVW was 0.61 per 1 SD increase of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [95%CI: 0.36-1.06, P: 0.08]).

Conclusions

The findings of this large MR study show for the first time that objectively measured physical activity is causally implicated in reducing CRC risk. The limitations of the study are that it is based on only two genetic instruments and that it has limited power, despite the study size. Nonetheless, at a population level, these findings provide strong reinforcing evidence to support public health policy measures that encourage exercise, even in obese individuals.
Saturation mutagenesis genome engineering of infective ΦX174 bacteriophage via unamplified oligo pools and golden gate assembly
Authors: Faber Matthew S. , Van Leuven James T. , Ederer Martina M. , Sapozhnikov Yesol , Wilson Zoë L. , Wichman Holly A. , Whitehead Timothy A. , Miller Craig R.
Published: October 2019

Here we present a novel protocol for the construction of saturation single-site—and massive multi-site—mutant libraries of a bacteriophage. We segmented the ΦX174 genome into 14 non-toxic and non-replicative fragments compatible with golden gate assembly. We next used nicking mutagenesis with oligonucleotides prepared from unamplified oligo pools with individual segments as templates to prepare near-comprehensive single-site mutagenesis libraries of genes encoding the F capsid protein (421 amino acids scanned) and G spike protein (172 amino acids scanned). Libraries possessed greater than 99% of all 11,860 programmed mutations. Golden Gate cloning was then used to assemble the complete ΦX174 mutant genome and generate libraries of infective viruses. This protocol will enable reverse genetics experiments for studying viral evolution and, with some modifications, can be applied for engineering of therapeutically relevant bacteriophages with larger genomes.
Stop Codon Context Influences Genome-Wide Stimulation of Termination Codon Readthrough by Aminoglycosides
Authors: Wangen Jamie R , Green Rachel
Published: October 2019

Stop codon readthrough (SCR) occurs when the ribosome miscodes at a stop codon. Such readthrough events can be therapeutically desirable when a premature termination codon (PTC) is found in a critical gene. To study SCR in vivo in a genome-wide manner, we treated mammalian cells with aminoglycosides and performed ribosome profiling. We find that in addition to stimulating readthrough of PTCs, aminoglycosides stimulate readthrough of normal termination codons (NTCs) genome-wide. Stop codon identity, the nucleotide following the stop codon, and the surrounding mRNA sequence context all influence the likelihood of SCR. In comparison to NTCs, downstream stop codons in 3′UTRs are recognized less efficiently by ribosomes, suggesting that targeting of critical stop codons for readthrough may be achievable without general disruption of translation termination. Finally, we find that G418 treatment globally alters gene expression with substantial effects on translation of histone genes, selenoprotein genes, andS-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AMD1).
Perfect colorings of patterns with multiple orbits
Authors: Junio Allan , Walo Ma. Lailani
Published: October 2019

This paper studies colorings of patterns with multiple orbits, particularly those colorings where the orbits share colors. The main problem is determining when such colorings become perfect. This problem is attacked by characterizing all perfect colorings of patterns through the construction of sufficient and necessary conditions for a coloring to be perfect. These results are then applied on symmetrical objects to construct both perfect and non-perfect colorings.
Smart management of the reconstruction process of post-conflict cities
Authors: Assem Ayman , Abdelmohsen Sherif , Ezzeldin Mohamed
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Cities lying within conflict zones have continually faced hardships of both war aftermath and long-term sustainable reconstruction. Challenges have surpassed the typical question of recovery from post-conflict trauma, preserving urban heritage and iconic elements of the built environment, to face issues of critical decision making, rebuilding effectiveness and funding mechanisms, leading to time-consuming processes that lack adequate consistent long-term management. Some approaches have explored methods of effective long-term city reconstruction management but have not fully developed comprehensive approaches that alleviate the management of such complex processes. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors devise an approach for the smart management of post-conflict city reconstruction. The authors focus on evaluation, strategic planning, reconstruction projects and implementation. The authors integrate building information modeling and geographic/geospatial information systems in a platform that allows for real-time analysis, reporting, strategic planning and decision making for managing reconstruction operations and projects among involved stakeholders including government agencies, funding organizations, city managers and public participants.

Findings

The approach suggested a smart management system for the reconstruction process of post-conflict cities. Implementing this system was shown to provide a multi-objective solution for post-conflict city reconstruction based on its interlinked modules.

Research limitations/implications

Results may lack generalizability and require testing on several cases to provide rigorous findings for different case studies.

Practical implications

Implications include developing smart management systems for use by city managers and government authorities in post-conflict zones, as well as bottom-up decision making by including participant citizens especially populations in the diaspora.

Originality/value

The approach offers an integrated platform that informs city reconstruction decision makers, allowing for strategic planning tools for efficient planning, monitoring tools for continuous management during and after reconstruction, and effective platforms for communication among all stakeholders.
Company values guiding the recruitment of employees with a foreign background
Authors: Lämsä Anna-Maija , Mattila Markku , Lähdesmäki Merja , Suutari Timo
Published: October 2019

Purpose

In this paper, the following research question is addressed: Why do business organisations recruit employees with a foreign background? This was examined in terms of the values that guide organisations and their management. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focused on two businesses in Finland that are pioneers in the recruitment of immigrants. A case study approach was adopted. The research data consist of interviews and documentary data. The data were analysed using content analysis in accordance with grounded theory.

Findings

Companies can act as an enabling force in the integration of immigrants into the local labour market, especially when the company’s value basis extends beyond only economic values.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted only in two case companies in Finland.

Practical implications

Companies have the potential to affect local people’s attitudes towards immigrants as workers. This is important because many western societies are likely to face a labour shortage in the future due to the ageing population and low birth rate.

Originality/value

Prior research has mostly investigated the topic from the viewpoints of the immigrants themselves and of policy makers. The value of this study is that it makes the employers’ viewpoint visible. The dominant theories applied in the field of immigrant recruitment are inadequate to explain employers’ behaviour because of their underlying assumption of the overwhelming importance of economic values in decision making.
Blue-collar workers, career success and innovation in manufacturing
Authors: Cillo Valentina , Garcia-Perez Alexeis , Del Giudice Manlio , Vicentini Francesca
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of the relationship between employees’ knowledge and organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a structural equation model, feedback received from 237 blue-collar workers from multinational high-tech manufacturing enterprises in Italy was studied to understand, from a dynamic capabilities perspective, the role of soft skills in the career success of production workers.

Findings

The results of the analysis indicate a positive relationship between workers’ commitment to develop their soft skills and their career success, as well as a positive relationship between an organisation’s approach to both knowledge exploration and knowledge exploitation and the prospects for career success of blue-collar workers.

Research limitations/implications

The research has both theoretical and practical implications, as any efforts by researchers and practitioners to find effective ways to motivate the workforce will be likely to lead to a positive attitude towards learning and, ultimately, to improved business performance.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper is the focus on the personality and interpersonal attributes of workforce – blue-collar workers – and how they can affect business performance in highly innovative contexts.
Exploring transdisciplinary approaches to facilitate disaster risk reduction
Authors: Matsuura Shohei , Razak Khamarrul Azahari
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look into how collaborations among science and technology groups and other stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region can facilitate implementation of national and local disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies through education, training and field practice. Case studies on transdisciplinary approach (TDA) that integrates cross-cutting DRR issues and various stakeholders through science and technology are introduced from several countries in the region as attempts to holistically support societies build and strengthen their disaster resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

First, through literature review, the transition from single discipline to TDA is illustrated in which various stakeholders of different disciplines work together to achieve a common societal goal. This is followed by introduction of several case studies of actual TDA implementation for DRR in which information had been gathered through surveys and interviews with international science and technology stakeholders. Finally, through analysis and discussion, the study identifies the key roles of science and technology stakeholders for facilitating TDA for DRR.

Findings

The study concludes with key findings on the specific roles of science and technology including provision of education and training to build capacities of DRR practitioners to effectively plan and implement DRR measures, support to evidence-based decision making through locally specific scientific assessments and analysis and validation scientific information on the actual field for DRR practitioners and agencies. In materializing these roles into action, institutionalization of supporting policies and budget provision that promotes TDA are suggested.

Originality/value

Even though TDA is not a new concept and many stakeholders understand its importance, TDA has not been widely exercised mainly due to conventional practices of experts and organizations working only within their groups and disciplines. With this understanding, this study has newly identified eight key elements that can be used as a guide and checklist for DRR stakeholders to effectively implement TDA for strengthening disaster resilience of their societies.
Workers’ safety behaviors in the off-site manufacturing plant
Authors: Liu Qinjun , Ye Gui , Feng Yingbin
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Although research on prefabricated construction has gained increasing attention in recent years, limited efforts have been devoted to investigating safety issues in the off-site manufacture, especially workers’ behavioral intentions to work safely. Thus, research is needed to identify the motivational factors determining off-site construction workers’ safety behaviors. The purpose of this paper is to investigate workers’ safety behavior by examining the determinants of behavioral intention in the off-site manufacturing plants in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Theory of planned behavior (TPB) was modified and used in this study to explain how the elements in the hypothesized model interact. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Structural equation modeling technique with partial least-squares estimation was used to analyze the data collected.

Findings

The findings of this study indicated that workers’ tendency to engage in safety behavior is positively related to attitude toward the behavior, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and behavioral habit, among which attitude toward the behavior and behavioral habit have most significant influences on safety behavior. This finding provides a better explanation on the pathways and the impacts of the crucial factors on the safety behaviors for the off-site manufacture.

Originality/value

The possible innovation of this research lies in its attempt to understand the antecedents of workers’ safety behavior in the off-site construction environment, which may make original contributions to construction safety research and practice. The findings of this study contribute to the body of knowledge in TPB. Corresponding countermeasures are put forward in order to improve workers’ safety behavior in off-site construction.
An exploratory study on how SMEs are open to external sources of information
Authors: Idrissi Fakhreddine Moulay Othman , Castonguay Yan
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw on recent developments in the open innovation literature to explore whether the openness of SMEs to the four categories of external sources of information (ESI) is complementary, substitute or independent, while assessing the determinants of SMEs’ openness to these ESI.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on data from a survey of 451 manufacturing SMEs in the province of Québec, Canada. Data have been elaborated through a multivariate probit model to empirically show that SMEs are considered to be simultaneously open to different ESI. The results of this study show significant heterogeneity in the determinants of SMEs’ openness to these ESI.

Findings

The study found that the SMEs’ openness to different ESI seems to be complementary rather than substitute; and not all variables included in the model explain the SMEs’ openness to the different ESI.

Practical implications

The paper provides practical implications for managers and policy makers including the SMEs’ managers’ role to recognize the consolidation of different ESI jointly instead of separately. Furthermore, managers and policy makers should attempt to provide a fair context to SMEs to manage their openness ecosystem.

Originality/value

This study is virtually the first to investigate both the complementarity and the determinants of SMEs’ openness to different ESI using a sophisticated econometric model.
Entropy generation analysis of nanoliquid flow through microchannel considering heat source and different shapes of nanoparticle
Authors: Gireesha B.J. , Sindhu S.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the steady state flow of nanoliquid through microchannel with the aid of internal heat source and different shapes of nanoparticle. The influence of MoS2 and TiO2 particles of nano size on flow and thermal fields is examined. The governing equations are modelled and then solved numerically. The obtained physical model is nondimensionalized using dimensionless quantities. The nondimensional equations are treated with numerical scheme. The outcome of the current work is presented graphically. Diverse substantial quantities such as entropy generation, Bejan number and Nusselt number for distinct parameters are depicted through graphs. The result established that nanoparticle of blade shape acquires larger thermal conductivity. Entropy analysis is carried out to explore the impact of various parameters such as nanoparticle volume fraction, magnetic parameter, radiation parameter and heat source parameter.

Design/methodology/approach

The resultant boundary value problem is converted into initial value problem using shooting scheme. Then the flow model is resolved using Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg-Fourth-Fifth order technique.

Findings

It is emphasized that entropy generation for the fluid satisfies N(ζ)(TiO2−water) > N(ζ)(MoS2−water). In addition to this, it is emphasized that N(ζ)sphere > N(ζ)brick > N(ζ)cylinder > N(ζ)platelet > N(ζ)blade. Also, it is obtained that blade-shaped nanoparticle has higher thermal conductivity for both MoS2 and TiO2.

Originality/value

Shape effects on Molybdenum disulphide and TiO2 nanoparticle in a microchannel with heat source is examined. The analysis of entropy shows that N(ζ)(TiO2−water) > N(ζ)(MoS2−water).
Developing a low-fluid pressure safety valve design through a numerical analysis approach
Authors: Barbaryan T. , Hoseinzadeh S. , Heyns P.S. , Barbaryan M.S.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This study aims to develop a new design for the fluid-safety valve to make it more environmentally friendly.

Design/methodology/approach

Computational fluid dynamics is carried out to analyse the behaviour of flow in both traditional and new safety valves.

Findings

The possibility of failure in the new design under the maximum allowable working pressure is analysed using finite element analysis.

Originality/value

Investigating a new low-fluid pressure safety valve design.
The drivers of E-banking entrepreneurship: an empirical study
Authors: Al-Omoush Khaled Saleh , Al Attar Mohammad Khalid , Saleh Isam Hamad , Alsmadi Ayman Abdalmajeed
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the drivers of e-banking entrepreneurship. The impact of e-banking entrepreneurship on banks’ performance in the banking industry is also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was developed to collect data from 16 banks with a sample of 214 respondents. Structural equation modeling using PLS was conducted to analyze the data.

Findings

The results reveal a significant impact of top management support, organizational context, technological context and social capital on the degree of e-business entrepreneurship. The findings also reveal a direct impact of e-banking entrepreneurship on achieving a competitive advantage, financial performance and customer performance.

Originality/value

The present empirical study contributes to a better understanding of the existing theories and practices of banking entrepreneurship and e-innovations in today’s banking industry. This study also provides insights into the drivers and the role of e-entrepreneurship in this industry for improving the opportunities of competitiveness and growth. The findings of the present study are of importance to both academic and practitioner audiences. The present study provides empirical evidence to bolster e-banking technology as an enabler of banking entrepreneurship and improving performance. Additionally, these findings provide directives to managers regarding the untapped opportunities and potential that innovative e-banking technology can offer in a highly volatile and rapidly changing environment.
Future of the arts festivals: do the views of managers and attendees match?
Authors: Luonila Mervi , Kinnunen Maarit
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To make sense of the relationship between the festival attendance and the aims in arts festival management, the purpose of this paper is to explore the key characteristics for success and analyze the perceptions of the future in arts festival productions.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study uses interviews with festival managers and empathy-based stories (MEBS) written by members of festival audience. Discourse analysis is employed for answering the questions: What are the characteristics of a successful festival, and what could ruin it?

Findings

The paper highlights the importance of interaction with the audience orchestrated by the festival organization. Such interaction co-constructs a more holistic festival experience valued by both parties, which supports the sustainability and future success.

Research limitations/implications

The research data are limited to one country, and music festivals dominate the data.

Practical implications

Among managers, there is a need to consider audiences as consumers and as producers in the current competitive climate in the arts and cultural field and clarify the role of the audience as a partner in the networked festival production by placing the attendee at the core of the strategic planning process of arts festivals.

Originality/value

The research combines the views of the demand-and-supply side. It adds to the knowledge in arts and festival management by exploring the relationship between attendance and the aims of arts festival management in general, and the key characteristics of success in the arts festival context in particular. MEBS offers new interesting opportunities for future research in qualitative festival research.
The role of banking regulation in the development of Islamic banking financing in Indonesia
Authors: Nastiti Nur Dyah , Kasri Rahmatina Awaliah
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The 2015 global economic crisis has triggered the issuance of several banking regulations in Indonesia, including those related to temporary stimulus for Islamic banks and branchless banking (fintech). However, few studies attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of such regulations. Thus, this study aims to determine the role and assess the effectiveness of such banking regulations.

Design/methodology/approach

The data used cover all 12 Islamic commercial banks in Indonesia during the stimulus period of Q3.2015 to Q2.2017. The variables included were banks’ fundamental factors (Islamic financing, capital adequacy ratio, investment, non-performing financing, return on asset, efficiency, financing deposit ratio and fintech) and macroeconomic variables (inflation, exchange rate and money supply). The model was analyzed by using multiple linear regressions with generalized least square estimation technique.

Findings

The main finding suggests that the stimulus regulation indeed played a positive role in the acceleration of Islamic bank financing. However, the fintech-related regulation was not yet effective to achieve the goal, at least in the short term. Furthermore, the study found that return of assets, operational efficiency, financing deposit ratio and money supply also influenced Islamic financing.

Practical implications

For policymakers, the effectiveness of the temporary stimulus in accelerating Islamic banking financing and preventing the possible negative impacts of the external crisis provides indications that the regulator could conduct similar policy in the future. More generally, the findings are also expected to enrich Islamic banking literature.

Originality/value

This is possibly one of the few studies to investigate the role and effectiveness of banking regulations on Islamic banking financing in Indonesia.
Application of Linked Open Data to the coding and dissemination of Spanish Civil War photographic archives
Authors: Robledano-Arillo Jesús , Navarro-Bonilla Diego , Cerdá-Díaz Julio
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual model for coding and dissemination of data associated with historical photographic archives. The model is based on Linked Open Data technology and seeks to exhaustively represent the most relevant characteristics for the tasks of contextualization of the documentary groupings and units, management, document retrieval, dissemination and sharing of data about the historical photographs.

Design/methodology/approach

An OWL ontology, called Ontophoto, was constructed following an adaptation of the methodology proposed by Uschold and Gruninger and Gruninger and Fox. The ontology was implemented using Protégé 5.5 software. Next a Graph DB® graph database application (Ontotext) was created to generate a query system based on the SPARQL language. To validate the consistency and effectiveness of the model and ontology, a competency questions methodology has been applied using a sample from the Skogler photographic archive.

Findings

The model facilitates the generation of systems for dissemination and retrieval of iconographic data for historical research, overcoming some of the limitations with respect to the design of methods of content and contextual information representation for heritage photographic archives.

Research limitations/implications

This study is based on a sample. Future work should consider the implementation of the model on the totality of a photographic collection.

Originality/value

This paper presents a comprehensive ontological model that allows the creation of distributed systems of knowledge representation, which can be queried through SPARQL language.
The impact of ISO 26000 social responsibility standard adoption on firm financial performance
Authors: Chakroun Salma , Salhi Bassem , Ben Amar Anis , Jarboui Anis
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the ISO 26000 (global corporate social responsibility standard) adoption and financial performance. The current study aims to explore whether ISO 26000 social responsibility standard adoption has an impact on financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a sample consisting of French companies listed on the CAC-All-Tradable index for the period 2010-2017. This study is motivated by using panel data estimated feasible generalized least squares method.

Findings

The results show that that good corporate governance can improve the financial performance. This positive impact is also noticed in the case of labor relations and conditions, environment and community involvement. However, it does not apply to human rights, fair operating practices and consumer issues, as there is no significant relationship between these dimensions and the financial performance.

Practical implications

The findings may be of interest to the academic researchers, investors and regulators. For academic researchers, it is interested in discovering how the adoption of ISO 26000 can improve financial performance. For investors, the results show that it is appropriate for different countries to adopt the ISO 26000 guidelines and introduce societal practices in their activities.

Originality/value

This paper extends the existing literature by examining the effect of the ISO 26000 standard for financial performance in the French context. The study of corporate social responsibility through its seven societal dimensions has enabled us to understand the guidelines relating to the ISO 26000 standard.
Does CEO power moderate the link between ESG performance and financial performance?
Authors: Velte Patrick
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Based on stakeholder and upper echelons theory, this study aims to analyze whether the link between environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and financial performance is moderated by chief executive officer (CEO) power.

Design/methodology/approach

Listed corporations with reference to the German two-tier system (HDAX and SDAX) for the business years 2010-2018 (775 firm-year observations) have been included. Fixed effects panel regression analysis was conducted to analyze the link between ESG performance (in total and its three pillars) and financial performance (ROA), with special reference to the interaction of a CEO power index.

Findings

While ESG performance has a positive impact on financial performance, the link is more pronounced by CEO power. Thus, in line with prior research on the one-tier system, CEO incentives can positively contribute to the CSR-business case in the German two-tier system. The results remain constant after conducting several robustness checks.

Originality/value

A key contribution to the empirical CSR literature can be stated, as the moderating role of CEO power in the ESG–financial performance link is rather neglected in prior studies. Thus, corporate governance and sustainability should be classified as interactive aspects for the business case of a successful stakeholder management.
Race, criminalization, and embedded discrimination in immigration court
Authors: VanNatta Michelle
Published: October 2019

Purpose

As the US criminal justice system and immigration system increasingly interconnect, even immigration policy that is facially race-neutral may involve biased practices. The purpose of this paper is to examine how institutional racism in criminal legal processes creates particular barriers for many individuals of Latin American and/or African descent facing deportation proceedings in US immigration courts, particularly in assertions regarding gang affiliation.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on ethnographic observation. The work utilized a grounded theory approach. The observation took place at public master calendar hearings at a Midwestern immigration court between 2013 and 2015, yielding over 400 pages of fieldnotes that were coded and analyzed for patterns.

Findings

Non-citizens in the USA, including lawful permanent residents, are subject to deportation if labeled “criminal.” Racial profiling and criminalization of communities of color create heightened risk of deportation. Assumptions that common tattoos or urban fashion indicate criminality, reliance on Facebook posts to “prove” gang membership, and the use of arrest records as evidence of criminality even if charges were dropped all put immigrants of Latin American and/or African descent at heightened risk.

Research limitations/implications

The ethnographic method used has strong validity but weaker reliability and generalizability.

Practical implications

This paper can help analysts, policymakers and advocates consider how to adapt systems to increase equity.

Originality/value

This research provides direct examples and ethnographic evidence of how race and cultural bias in criminal legal processes and immigration policies can affect people in deportation proceedings.
AI in talent acquisition: a review of AI-applications used in recruitment and selection
Authors: Albert Edward Tristram
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the current use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the recruitment and selection of candidates. More specifically, this research investigates the level, rate and potential adoption areas for AI-tools across the hiring process.

Design/methodology/approach

To fulfill that purpose, a two-step approach was adopted. First, the literature was extensively reviewed to identify potential AI-application areas supporting the recruitment and selection (R&S) process. Second, primary research was carried out in the form of semi-structured thematic interviews with different types of R&S specialists including HR managers, consultants and academics to evaluate how much of the AI-applications areas identified in the literature review are being used in practice.

Findings

This study presents a multitude of findings. First, it identifies 11 areas across the R&S Process where AI-applications can be applied. However, practitioners currently seem to rely mostly on three: chatbots, screening software and task automation tools. Second, most companies adopting these AI-tools tend to be larger, tech-focussed and/or innovative firms. Finally, despite the exponential rate of AI-adoption, companies have yet to reach an inflection point as they currently show reluctance to invest in that technology for R&S.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the qualitative and exploratory nature behind the research, this study displays a significant amount of subjectivity, and therefore, lacks generalisability. Despite this limitation, this study opens the door to many opportunities for academic research, both qualitative and quantitative.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the huge research gap surrounding AI in R&S, pertaining specifically to the scarcity and poor quality of the current academic literature. Furthermore, this research provides a comprehensive overview of the state of AI in R&S, which will be helpful for academics and practitioners looking to rapidly gain a holistic understanding of AI in R&S.
Backpacker tourism: a perspective article
Authors: Chen Gang-Hua , Huang Songshan (Sam)
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to contemplate the past development of backpacker tourism research and assess the future development of backpacker tourism research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors evaluate the research on backpacker tourism in the past in the following three aspects, namely, research themes, research methods and geographical and cultural contexts of research.

Findings

Backpackers and backpacker tourism have been evolving in the past 75 years, just as other groups of travelers and forms of travel have. With the rapid pace of globalization in our time, backpacker tourism and its kinship forms will remain an important international tourism phenomenon, with root reasons in different types of economies and societies. As such, it will remain to be a significant research subject for tourism researchers in the future.

Originality/value

This paper contemplates the past development and assesses the future development of backpacker tourism research.
Diversity excellence in tourism research: a perspective article
Authors: Khoo-Lattimore Catheryn
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend this notion of inclusivity to the tourism academy, question how we as tourism researchers and academics “do” diversity and reflect on how we can achieve diversity excellence.

Design/methodology/approach

An inward reflexivity on the tourism literature from 1949, and projecting the future of diversity excellence in the tourism academy.

Findings

The tourism academy has begun to embrace diversity in research, making the next 75 years look hopeful.

Originality/value

The notion of diversity excellence in research was introduced for the first time with suggestions for strategies to begin achieving it.
Reduced redox‐dependent mechanism and glucose‐mediated reversal in gentamicin‐resistant Vibrio alginolyticus
Authors: Zhang Song , Wang Jie , Jiang Ming , Xu Di , Peng Bo , Peng Xuan‐xian , Li Hui
Published: October 2019

Strategy of managing antibiotic‐resistant Vibrio alginolyticus, a bacterial pathogen that threatens human health and animal farming, is not available due to the lack of knowledge about the underlying mechanism of antibiotic resistance. Here, we showed that gentamicin‐resistant V. alginolyticus (VA‐RGEN) has four mutations on metabolism and one mutation on a two‐component system by whole‐genome and PCR‐based sequencing, indicating the metabolic shift in VA‐RGEN. Thus, metabolic profile was investigated by GC–MS based metabolomics. Glucose was identified as a crucial biomarker, whose abundance was decreased in VA‐RGEN. Further analysis with iPath, and gene expression and enzyme activity of the pyruvate cycle (the P cycle) demonstrated a global depressed metabolic pathway network in VA‐RGEN. Consistently, NADH, sodium‐pumping NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Na(+)‐NQR) system, membrane potential and intracellular gentamicin were decreased in VA‐RGEN. These findings indicate that the reduced redox state contributes to antibiotic resistance. Interestingly, exogenous glucose potentiated gentamicin to efficiently kill VA‐RGEN through the promotion of the P cycle, NADH, membrane potential and intracellular gentamicin. The potentiation was further confirmed in a zebrafish model. These results indicate that the gentamicin resistance reduces the P cycle and Na(+)‐NQR system and thereby decreases redox state, membrane potential and gentamicin uptake, which can be reversed by exogenous glucose.
Fear and Loathing (of others): Race, Class and Contestation of Space in Washington, DC
Authors: Summers Brandi Thompson , Howell Kathryn
Published: October 2019

Our article explores the cultural politics of public space and the placemaking politics of urban redevelopment in the Atlas District of Washington, DC, a popular commercial district undergoing rapid gentrification. The major questions we address are, how do race and class impact the ways public space is controlled and/or managed in the context of rapid changes in the built, economic and social environments of the neighborhood? What role do those narratives play in justifying changes in and management of public space? We focus on uses of public space and describe how various forms of power are linked to the control of space in the context of gentrification. Our analysis focuses on designated public space in the Atlas District—the Starburst Plaza. By analyzing everyday practices around community control at the Starburst Plaza, this case study focuses on the discrete methods by which the symbolic and material inequities promulgated by the neoliberal state are reconfigured through struggles to define and manage contested public spaces.