bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuous administration of the p38α inhibitor neflamapimod during the subacute phase after transient ischemia-induced stroke in the rat promotes dose-dependent functional recovery accompanied by increase in brain BDNF protein level
Authors: Alam John , Krakovsky Michael , Germann Ursula , Levy Aharon
Published: April 2020

There is unmet need for effective stroke therapies. Numerous neuroprotection attempts for acute cerebral ischemia have failed and there is growing interest in developing therapies that widen the treatment initiation window and promote functional recovery through increasing synaptic plasticity. The p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase is an already proven target for acute experimental stroke intervention and was hypothesized to also contribute to neuroinflammation-mediated impairment of recovery during the subacute phase. Neflamapimod, an orally bioavailable, brain-penetrant, potent and selective small molecule p38α inhibitor was evaluated as a subacute phase stroke treatment to promote recovery in this research study. Neflamapimod administration at two clinically relevant dose levels was initiated outside of the previously characterized neuroprotection window of less than 24 hours after stroke for p38α inhibitors to rats after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Continuous administration of neflamapimod, starting at 48 hours after reperfusion, significantly improved behavioral outcomes assessed by the modified neurological severity score at four- and six-weeks post stroke in a dose-dependent manner. Neflamapimod also demonstrated beneficial effects on additional measures of sensory and motor function and resulted in a dose-related increase in the terminal brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein level in both the injured and uninjured brain hemisphere. Variable interleukin-1β levels were detected in the injured brain hemisphere at study termination in a subset of the animals within every test group, implying ongoing, chronic inflammation, however, no clear neflamapimod effect on interleukin-1β production was observable. The dose-relatedin vivoefficacy of neflamapimod offers the possibility of both expanding the window for initiation of therapy after stroke and for improving recovery after a completed stroke. Since neflamapimod is already in mid-stage clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, the current results make it especially attractive for evaluation in a proof-of- concept clinical trial as therapeutic to promote recovery after ischemic stroke.
OpSeF: Open source Python framework for collaborative instance segmentation of bioimages
Authors: Rasse Tobias M. , Hollandi Réka , Horváth Péter
Published: April 2020

Various pre-trained deep learning models for the segmentation of bioimages have been made available as ‘developer-to-end-user’ solutions. They usually require neither knowledge of machine learning nor coding skills, are optimized for ease of use, and deployability on laptops. However, testing these tools individually is tedious and success is uncertain.

Here, we present the ‘Op’en ‘Se’gmentation ‘F’ramework (OpSeF), a Python framework for deep learning-based instance segmentation. OpSeF aims at facilitating the collaboration of biomedical users with experienced image analysts. It builds on the analysts’ knowledge in Python, machine learning, and workflow design to solve complex analysis tasks at any scale in a reproducible, well-documented way. OpSeF defines standard inputs and outputs, thereby facilitating modular workflow design and interoperability with other software. Users play an important role in problem definition, quality control, and manual refinement of results. All analyst tasks are optimized for deployment on Linux workstations or GPU clusters, all user tasks may be performed on any laptop in ImageJ.

OpSeF semi-automates preprocessing, convolutional neural network (CNN)-based segmentation in 2D or 3D, and post-processing. It facilitates benchmarking of multiple models in parallel. OpSeF streamlines the optimization of parameters for pre- and post-processing such, that an available model may frequently be used without retraining. Even if sufficiently good results are not achievable with this approach, intermediate results can inform the analysts in the selection of the most promising CNN-architecture in which the biomedical user might invest the effort of manually labeling training data.

We provide Jupyter notebooks that document sample workflows based on various image collections. Analysts may find these notebooks useful to illustrate common segmentation challenges, as they prepare the advanced user for gradually taking over some of their tasks and completing their projects independently. The notebooks may also be used to explore the analysis options available within OpSeF in an interactive way and to document and share final workflows.

Currently, three mechanistically distinct CNN-based segmentation methods, the U-Net implementation used in Cellprofiler 3.0, StarDist, and Cellpose have been integrated within OpSeF. The addition of new networks requires little, the addition of new models requires no coding skills. Thus, OpSeF might soon become both an interactive model repository, in which pre-trained models might be shared, evaluated, and reused with ease.
Dynamics of theBacillus subtilisMin system
Authors: Feddersen Helge , Würthner Laeschkir , Frey Erwin , Bramkamp Marc
Published: April 2020

Division site selection is a vital process to ensure generation of viable offspring. In many rod-shaped bacteria a dynamic protein system, termed the Min system, acts as a central regulator of division site placement. The Min system is best studied inEscherichia coliwhere it shows a remarkable oscillation from pole to pole with a time-averaged density minimum at midcell. Several components of the Min system are conserved in the Gram-positive model organismBacillus subtilis. However, inB. subtilisit is believed that the system forms a stationary bipolar gradient from the cell poles to midcell. Here, we show that the Min system ofB. subtilislocalizes dynamically to active sites of division, often organized in clusters. We provide physical modelling using measured diffusion constants that describe the observed enrichment of the Min system at the septum. Modelling suggests that the observed localization pattern of Min proteins corresponds to a dynamic equilibrium state. Our data provide evidence for the importance of ongoing septation for the Min dynamics, consistent with a major role of the Min system to control active division sites, but not cell pole areas.
The Function Annotations of ST3GAL4 in Human LAMP1 and Lassa virus GP-C Interaction from the Perspective of Systems Virology
Authors: Chukwudozie Onyeka S.
Published: April 2020

Lassa virus (LASV) is a single-stranded RNA virus that has plagued the Sub-Saharan part of Africa, precisely Nigeria where various pathogenic strains with varied genomic isoforms have been identified. The human lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) is alternately required for the micropinocytosis of LASV. Therefore, it is of interest to understand the mechanism of action of the host LAMP1 with LASV protein during infection. The role of ST3 beta-galactoside alpha-2, 3-sialyltransferase 4 (ST3GAL4) in the interaction between LASV (glycoprotein) GP-C and the human LAMP1 is relevant in this context. Deposited curated protein sequences of both LAMP1 and LASV GP-C were retrieved for the study. The ST3GAL4 associated data was constructed and analyzed from weighted network analysis to infer the function annotations and molecular mediators that characterize the LASV infection. The gene network shows that glycoprotein sialylation, sialyltransferase enzymatic activities and glycosphingolipid biosynthesis are linked with the ST3GAL4 function. However, the physical interaction of FAM 213A, CD8B molecule and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 inhibitor (PCSK1N) with ST3GAL4 is intriguing in this perspective. There are eleven glycosylated asparagine sequons of the human LAMP1 but only nine were assigned a sialylated glycan cap to mediate the LASV GP-C and LAMP1 interaction having exceeded a recommended glycosylation threshold of 0.5. Therefore, the sialylated glycans of the human LAMP1 are a total of 9 and these sialylated glycans mediates the molecular recognition between LASV and LAMP1. This study therefore, predicts that there is a cellular interchange betweenN-linkedglycosylation properties of the human LAMP1 and LASV glycoprotein, and sialylation functions of ST3GAL4 in LASV infectivity. Further studies and the clinical trial of this predictive model on the sialylated glycans of LAMP1 will facilitate the understanding of LASV micropinocytosis process in host cell.
Suspended multiwalled, acid-functionalized carbon nanotubes promote aggregation of the opportunistic pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Kovach Kristin , Sabaraya Indu Venu , Patel Parth , Kirisits Mary Jo , Saleh Navid B. , Gordon Vernita D.
Published: April 2020

The increasing prevalence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as components of new functional materials has the unintended consequence of causing increases in CNT concentrations in aqueous environments. Aqueous systems are reservoirs for bacteria, including human and animal pathogens, that can form biofilms. At high concentrations, CNTs have been shown to display biocidal effects; however, at low concentrations, the interaction between CNTs and bacteria is more complicated, and antimicrobial action is highly dependent upon the properties of the CNTs in suspension. Here, impact of low concentrations of multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs) on the biofilm-forming opportunistic human pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosais studied. Using phase contrast and confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and antibiotic tolerance assays, it is found that sub-lethal concentrations (2 mg/L) of MWCNTs promote aggregation ofP. aeruginosainto multicellular clusters. However, the antibiotic tolerance of these “young” bacterial-CNT aggregates is similar to that of CNT-free cultures. Overall, our results indicate that the co-occurrence of MWCNTs andP. aeruginosain aqueous systems, which promotes the increased number and size of bacterial aggregates, could increase the dose to which humans or animals are exposed.
A model explaining mRNA level fluctuations based on activity demands and RNA age
Authors: Xu Zhongneng , Asakawa Shuichi
Published: April 2020

Cellular RNA levels are usually fluctuated and are affected by many factors. However, knowledge on the fundamental relationships between RNA abundance, environmental stimuli, and RNA activities is lacking, and the effects of RNA age on RNA levels remain unknown. A model based on activity demands and RNA age was developed to explore the mechanisms of RNA level fluctuations. With single cell time-series gene expression experimental data, we could assess transcription rates, RNA degradation rates, RNA life spans, RNA demands, accumulated transcription amounts, and accumulated RNA degradation amounts by this model. The model could also predict RNA levels under simulation backgrounds, such as stimuli leading to regular oscillations in RNA abundance, stable RNA levels over time being resulted from the long shortage of total RNA activity or uncontrollable transcription, and relationship between RNA levels and protein levels. Given explaining partly mechanisms of some RNA level fluctuations by the present model, further proves and suitable applications are expected.
Polymorphism and phase transformation in the dimethyl sulfoxide solvate of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-1,4-diiodobenzene
Authors: Bond Andrew D. , Truscott Chris L.
Published: April 2020

A new polymorph (form II) is reported for the 1:1 dimethyl sulfoxide solvate of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-1,4-diiodobenzene (TFDIB·DMSO or C6F4I2·C2H6SO). The structure is similar to that of a previously reported polymorph (form I) [Britton (2003).Acta Cryst.E59, o1332–o1333], containing layers of TFDIB molecules with DMSO molecules between, accepting I...O halogen bonds from two TFDIB molecules. Re-examination of form I over the temperature range 300–120 K shows that it undergoes a phase transformation around 220 K, where the DMSO molecules undergo re-orientation and become ordered. The unit cell expands byca0.5 Å along thecaxis and contracts byca1.0 Å along theaaxis, and the space-group symmetry is reduced fromPnmatoP212121. Refinement of form I against data collected at 220 K captures the (average) structure of the crystal prior to the phase transformation, with the DMSO molecules showing four distinct disorder components, corresponding to an overlay of the 297 and 120 K structures. Assessment of the intermolecular interaction energies using thePIXELmethod indicates that the various orientations of the DMSO molecules have very similar total interaction energies with the molecules of the TFDIB framework. The phase transformation is driven by interactions between DMSO molecules, whereby re-orientation at lower temperature yields significantly closer and more stabilizing interactions between neighbouring DMSO molecules, which lock in an ordered arrangement along the shortenedaaxis.
2,3-Diethylbenzo[g]quinoxaline
Authors: Crundwell Guy , Leeds Ashley
Published: April 2020

The title compound, C16H16N2, was synthesized by dispersing 3,4-hexanedione in a methanol–water solution containing the acid catalyst NH4HF2, then adding 1,2-diaminonaphthalene. The fused-ring system of the title compound is close to planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.028 Å); one of the pendant methyl C atoms lies close to the ring plane [deviation = 0.071 (2) Å; N—C—C—C = −0.27 (18)°] whereas the other is significantly displaced [–1.7136 (18) Å; 91.64 (16)°]. The molecules pack in space group I\overline{4} in a distinctive criss-cross motif supported by numerous aromatic π–π stacking interactions [shortest centroid–centroid separation = 3.5805 (6) Å].
Effects of external hydrogen on hydrogen-assisted crack initiation in type 304 stainless steel
Authors: Chen Xingyang , Ma Linlin , Xie Haoping , Zhao Fengting , Ye Yufeng , Zhang Lin
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a crack initiation mechanism of the external hydrogen effect on type 304 stainless steel, as well as on fatigue crack propagation in the presence of hydrogen gas.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of external hydrogen on hydrogen-assisted crack initiation in type 304 stainless steel were discussed by performing fatigue crack growth rate and fatigue life tests in 5 MPa argon and hydrogen.

Findings

Hydrogen can reduce the incubation period of fatigue crack initiation of smooth fatigue specimens and greatly promote the fatigue crack growth rate during the subsequent fatigue cycle. During the fatigue cycle, hydrogen invades into matrix through the intrusion and extrusion and segregates at the boundaries of α′ martensite and austenite. As the fatigue cycle increased, hydrogen-induced cracks would initiate along the slip bands. The crack initiation progress would greatly accelerate in the presence of hydrogen.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is an original work carried out by the authors on the hydrogen environment embrittlement of type 304 stainless steel. The effects of external hydrogen and argon were compared to provide understanding on the hydrogen-assisted crack initiation behaviors during cycle loading.
Flight reconfiguration system – an emergency system of the future
Authors: Grzybowski Piotr , Szpakowska-Peas Ewelina
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the idea and partial result of research on flight reconfiguration system (FRS) which is to be used in case of pilot incapacitation while performing the single-pilot operations for defining and guiding an aircraft to a safe destination.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple problems with the development of emergency systems which could deal with crisis on-board occurs, e.g. definition of emergency destination which is dealing with the thread, ensuring that route to an emergency destination is safe, avoiding of air traffic and making sure that aircraft performance limitations would not be exceeded. FRS is a sophisticated hardware design, gathering data from aircraft on-board systems, commanding autopilot where to go and informing air traffic on crisis on-board. Developed algorithm analyzes data from onboard systems, internal database to calculate potential safe places and best routes to them. Multi-criteria decision-making is used to choose the best of them and execute it when needed.

Findings

Algorithms and hardware were tested in a simulated environment. An exemplary research experiment oriented on finding emergency destination and flying to it in the Software-In-The-Loop environment was presented.

Research limitations/implications

Currently, the use of the system is limited to use on-board of well-equipped CS-23 class aircraft and is limited to use in good weather conditions.

Practical implications

The use of FRS will in case of emergency constitute a new category of emergency maneuver, used for dealing with no-human pilot available on-board situations – autonomous emergency destination finding and route execution.

Originality/value

This study helps in the introduction of multi-stage decision-making to autonomously reconfigure route.
Food and cultural norms: rural mothers' selection of nutrition intake for their young children
Authors: Baloch Fozia Ahmed , Jogezai Nazir Ahmed , Mohamed Ismail Shaik Abul Malik
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aimed at exploring food related cultural norms that influence rural mothers' food selection for their primary school aged children (aged 4–7 years).

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative study conducted in northern parts of Balochistan province of Pakistan. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) was applied as the theoretical framework of the study. Within a qualitative research method four focused group interviews with 30 rural mothers were employed to generate data.

Findings

The study found that mothers’ food selection for their children was heavily influenced by certain cultural norms that have become taboos with the passage of time. It is evident through findings that subjective norms have a greater influence on mothers' behaviour than their attitude and perceived behavioural control (PBC).

Originality/value

We ensure originality of this research paper as fewer researches have been conducted to further elaborate the link between socio-cultural norms and food selection. In particular, the influence of this close relationship on child health has been of limited consideration in a developing context. This paper has neither been published elsewhere, nor it is currently under consideration for publication in any other journal.
Fuzzy guided integrative factors-based spectrum decision-making in cognitive radio networks
Authors: Ch Suneetha , S Srinivasa Rao , Ramesh K.S.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Electronic devices aid communication during new communication phases and the scope of cognitive radio networks has changed communication paradigms through efficient use of spectrums. The communication prototype of cognitive radio networks defines user roles as primary user and secondary user in the context of the spectrum allocation and use. The users who have licensed authority of the spectrum are denoted as primary users, while other eligible users who access the corresponding spectrum are secondary users.

Design/methodology/approach

The multiple factors of transmission service quality can have a negative influence due to improper scheduling of spectrum bands between primary users and secondary users. There are considerable contributions in contemporary literature concerning spectrum band scheduling under spectrum sensing. However, the majority of the scheduling models are intended to manage a limited number of transmission service quality factors. Moreover, these service quality factors are functional and derived algorithmically from the current corresponding spectrum. However, there is evidence of credible performance deficiency regarding contemporary spectrum sensing methods

Findings

This article intends to portray a fuzzy guided integrated factors-based spectrum band sharing within the spectrum used by secondary users. This study attempts to explain the significance of this proposal compared to other contemporary models.

Originality/value

This article intends to portray a fuzzy guided integrated factors-based spectrum band sharing within the spectrum used by secondary users. This study attempts to explain the significance of this proposal compared to other contemporary models.
Market response towards different types of politically connected firms during political events: evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Wong Wai-Yan , Hooy Chee-Wooi
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the market responses towards four types of politically connected (PCON) firms during two political events – general election and change of leader in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors capture the market response using cumulative abnormal return and further test it using regression analysis. The authors use a sample of 376 politically connected (PCON) and non-politically connected (non-PCON) firms from 2002 to 2013.

Findings

The market reacted negatively towards government-linked companies (GLC) during both events, showing that GLCs are negatively perceived by the market during political instability. On the other hand, the reaction of the market towards firms connected by businessmen does not differ from other firms. When compared to the findings of past literature, it shows the decreasing influence that businessmen have over the government leader. In further analysis, this study finds firms that are connected to the incoming government leader recorded a higher CAR as compared to firms connected to the outgoing government leader.

Practical implications

The authors’ study offers several practical implications. Knowing how the market responds to the different types of political connections might prove beneficial to investors. With this information, investors can recognize stocks with potential returns before the event date and may consider buying or selling them to capture a short-term profit. The authors’ findings may also have important implications for the management of PCON firms in terms of implementing an effective risk management and asset allocation plan to safeguard their value during political events that may disrupt the stability of their firms.

Originality/value

This paper provides an insight on how the markets have a different perception towards different types of politically connected firms during short-run political events. Past studies usually categorize political connection into a single category. With this separation, the authors are able to see how their individual CAR differs from other types of PCON.
A detailed review on non-orthogonal multiple accessbased spatial modulation systems
Authors: Jadhav Kishor Purushottam , Mahor Amita , Bhowmick Anirban , N. Anveshkumar
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is a much hopeful scheme, which is deployed to enhance the spectral efficiency (SE) significantly, and it also enhances the massive access that has attained substantial concern from industrial and academic domains. However, the deployment of superposition coding (SC) at the receiver side resulted in interference. For reducing this interference, “multi-antenna NOMA” seems to be an emerging solution. Particularly, by using the channel state information at the transmitter, spatial beam forming could be deployed that eliminates the interference in an effective manner.

Design/methodology/approach

This survey analyzes the literature review and diverse techniques regarding the NOMA-based spatial modulation (SM) environment. It reviews a bunch of research papers and states a significant analysis. Initially, the analysis depicts various transmit antenna selection techniques that are contributed in different papers. This survey offers a comprehensive study regarding the chronological review and performance achievements in each contribution. The analytical review also concerns on the amplitude phase modulation (APM) selection schemes adopted in several contributions. Moreover, the objective functions adopted in the reviewed works are also analyzed. Finally, the survey extends with various research issues and its gaps that can be useful for the researchers to promote improved future works on NOMA-based SM.

Findings

This paper contributes to a review related to NOMA-based SM systems. Various techniques and performance measures adopted in each paper are analyzed and described in this survey. More particularly, the selection of transmission antenna and APM are also examined in this review work. Moreover, the defined objective function of each paper is also observed and made a chronological review as well. Finally, the research challenges along with the gaps on NOMA-based SM systems are also elaborated.

Originality/value

This paper presents a brief analysis of NOMA-based SM systems. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first work that uses NOMA-based SM systems to enhance SE.
Consumer preference for novelty in processed foods: a developing country perspective
Authors: Alphonce Roselyne , Waized Betty Mamuya , Larsen Marianne Nylandsted
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to explore consumer preferences for novel and other quality attributes in processed foods. It focuses on preferences for product origin, certification on food quality and standards and tradeoffs between novelty (fortification and highly processed) and other quality attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 317 consumers were randomly selected at a high-end supermarket and a traditional local market in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Stated and revealed preference approaches were used to investigate their preferences for different attributes in processed foods. A hypothetical choice experiment was used to assess consumer preference for six baby food attributes and the tradeoffs between the attributes, while the revealed preference method included questions on consumer's actual processed food purchasing and consumption habits. In addition, consumers were asked a series of hierarchical questions assessing the motivation underpinning their choices for different products attributes.

Findings

When making choices for processed food attributes, consumers are reluctant to choose novel technologies and have a strong preference for natural, nutritious, tasty and quality processed food attributes. However, they are willing to forego their preference for naturalness and to overcome their reluctance to trying novel technologies when the novelty is embedded with such quality benefits as nutrition, but not so when the embedded benefit is convenience. They are also willing to trade off their preference for nutrition for a sensory taste. This suggests that micronutrient deficiencies can be reduced among women and children under five by employing the appropriate strategies in processed food formulation. Further, the preference for product origin highlights the opportunity for national brands to fill the gap created by the increasing demand for processed foods in Tanzania.

Research limitations/implications

The study claims a developing country perspective but is only representing consumers in one city in a developing country. However, this study speculates that consumers with representative characteristics in such context are likely to behave the same. Furthermore, although this study controlled for a hypothetical bias, having a hypothetical choice experiment with non-shoppers (non-purchasers) could have triggered the hypothetical bias, making participants concentrate more on non-price than price attributes.

Originality/value

The paper offers a developing country perspective on consumers' preferences for novelty in processed foods and tradeoffs with other quality attributes.
Quality of life for type II diabetes mellitus patients in a suburban tertiary hospital in Thailand
Authors: Komaratat Chankawee , Auemaneekul Naruemon , Kittipichai Wirin
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purposes of this paper were to assess the quality of life (QoL) in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM) in a suburban tertiary hospital and determine the factors that affect the QoL including individual characteristics, health factors, self-care behaviors and social support.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was a cross-sectional study among DM type II cases being treated in a suburban tertiary hospital in Thailand. Data were collected by personal interview from 188 patients in 2018. Diabetes-39 was administered to assess QoL.

Findings

54.3 percent of patients had good QoL. Total score of QoL was moderate which found an average score of 216.0 ± 41.0, 46.8% had moderate level in self-care behaviors and 56.4 percent had moderate level in social support. The factors associated with QoL in patients were cerebrovascular disease (Fisher = 7.2, p = 0.01), self-care behaviors (rs = 0.191, p = 0.008) and social support (rs = 0.229, p = 0.002).

Originality/value

Health care system ought to develop a policy driven to improve the QoL in DM type II patients by encouraging self-care behaviors and social support for DM type II patients.
The multi-objective supplier selection problem with fuzzy parameters and solving the order allocation problem with coverage
Authors: Khalilzadeh Mohammad , Karami Arya , Hajikhani Alborz
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to deal with supplier selection problem. The supplier selection problem has significantly become attractive to researchers and practitioners in recent years. Many real-world supply chain problems are assumed as multiple objectives combinatorial optimization problems.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors propose a multi-objective model with fuzzy parameters to select suppliers and allocate orders considering multiple periods, multiple resources, multiple products and two-echelon supply chain. The objective functions consist of total purchase costs, transportation, order and on-time delivery, coverage and the weights of suppliers. Distance-based partial and general coverage of suppliers makes the number of orders of products more realistic. In this model, the weights of suppliers are determined by fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method, as a multi-criteria decision analysis method, in the objective function. Also, the authors consider the parameters related to delays as triangular fuzzy numbers.

Findings

A small-sized numerical example is provided to clearly show the proposed model. The exact epsilon constraint method is used to solve this given multi-objective combinatorial optimization problem. Subsequently, the sensitivity analysis is conducted to testify the proposed model. The obtained results demonstrate the validity of the proposed multiple objectives mixed integer mathematical programming model and the efficiency of the solution approach.

Originality/value

In real-life situations, supplier selection parameters are uncertain and incomplete. Hence, the fuzzy set theory is used to tackle uncertainty. In this paper, a multi-objective supplier selection problem is formulated taking into consideration the coverage of suppliers and suppliers’ weights. Integrating coverage of suppliers to select and allocate the order to them can be mentioned as the main contribution of this study. The proposed model considers the delay from suppliers as fuzzy parameters.
Linking authoritarian leadership to employee organizational embeddedness, LMX and performance in a high-power distance culture: a mediation-moderated analysis
Authors: Siddique C. Muhammad , Siddique Hinna Fatima , Siddique Shama Urooj
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study has two primary objectives: (1) to shed light on the mechanism by which authoritarian leadership unfolds its impact on such critical aspects of subordinates' work lives as job satisfaction and in-role performance and (2) to identify the moderating conditions which place limits on the impact of authoritarian leadership on work outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected on 552 supervisor-subordinate dyads from the United Arab Emirates. A series of research hypotheses were tested using a mixed-method statistical approach, including CFA and moderated hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

As predicted, authoritarian leadership exerts negative impact on subordinates' job satisfaction and performance through poor quality LMX and weak employee organizational embeddedness. Both LMX and employee embeddedness mediated the negative relationship between authoritarian leadership and outcome measures while power distance moderated the relationship of authoritarian leadership with LMX and employee organizational embeddedness. Low power distance orientation was found to exacerbate the negative impact of authoritarian leadership on the quality of both LMX relationships and employee embeddedness.

Research limitations/implications

The study shares limitations of most studies cast in the survey research design.

Practical implications

The findings underscore the importance of work environment in nurturing high quality LMX relationships and employee organizational embeddedness to buffer the negative effect of authoritarian leadership on subordinates' job satisfaction and performance. In high power distance cultures where workplace inequality is largely rationalized, subordinates who perceive their leaders as authoritarian tend to show low job satisfaction and poor in-role performance. These findings illustrate the importance of management intervention in the early stage of recruitment and selection to attract managers receptive to egalitarian leadership approaches who can equip subordinates with appropriate resources to enhance their job satisfaction and performance outcomes.

Originality/value

The study offers valuable new insights into the mechanism by which authoritarian leadership influences work outcomes in a high-power distance culture. It represents first systematic effort in the Middle Eastern context to identify the conditions that mediate the linkage between authoritarian leadership and work outcomes. The study adds value to the literature by investigating the moderating role of power distance at the individual level of analysis. It detects significant differences in subordinates' perception of power inequality in the workplace in a culture viewed as a high-power distance culture and illustrates how such differences in turn shape the quality of LMX and employee organizational embeddedness.
Intangible heritage, and future past of rural Vietnam: a hero’s journey and creative place-making of Yen Tu’s tourism
Authors: Goh Sandra , Yeoman Ian Seymour
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to look at the future development of new tourism attractions through the visionary project of a leading Vietnamese developer in a remote area of Northern Vietnam in the Quang Ninh province.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from the theoretical perspective of place-making and the hero’s journey, this paper draws insights from a case study, an interview with two key informants in the private sector and literature review, to generate the drivers that will shape the future of tourism development in Yen Tu.

Findings

This paper identifies the visionary hero (leader), intangible heritage and creative place-making as the key drivers that will reconstruct and repackage the past for developing tourism destinations.

Originality/value

This paper extends the existing knowledge in the literature about the natural heritage and sacred mountains of Yen Tu, and included creative place-making to gain insights into the future of tourism development in rural areas.
Empirical evaluation of the antecedents of energy-efficient home appliances: application of extended theory of planned behavior
Authors: Waris Idrees , Ahmed Waqar
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to predict the antecedents of consumers' purchase intention of energy-efficient home appliances. This study incorporated two additional constructs (knowledge of eco-labels and knowledge of eco-labels) in the model of the theory of planned behavior. Consumers' enhanced trust for energy-efficient products is crucial to purchase intention. The second construct is consumers' knowledge of eco-labels. Knowledge of eco-labels would help to assess consumers' tendency toward environmental problems and intention to purchase energy-efficient home appliances.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative approach using a survey (questionnaire) method to collect data of respondents. Non-probability quota based on age and convenience sampling techniques were employed to select the participants of this study.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that consumer knowledge of eco-labels, green trust, subjective norm, attitude and perceived behavioral control have positive influence on purchase intention of energy-efficient home appliances.

Originality/value

Eco-labels are served as a marketing tool to distinguish producer's products from others. Prior studies have only focused on consumers' general knowledge. This study helps marketers to understand and design strategies to generate more value for green consumers. This study also contributes to the literature on green marketing by employing the theory of planned behavior.
An assessment of corporate social responsibility on customer company identification and loyalty in banking industry: a PLS-SEM analysis
Authors: Raza Ali , Rather Raouf Ahmad , Iqbal Muhammad Khalid , Bhutta Umair Saeed
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to address the need for a more in-depth empirical investigation of exploring the link between the adoption of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and different aspects of customer behavior in a developing country. This paper develops a research framework and assesses the mediating role of trust, customer-company identification (CCI) and electronic-service quality (E-SQ) between customer perceptions of CSR and customer loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

Working with a sample of 280 banking customers in Pakistan, partial least square based structural equation modeling is used to test the conceptual model.

Findings

Surprisingly, results suggest that CSR is not directly related to customer loyalty, which is contradictory to previously established findings conducted in developed countries. Thus, confirming a full mediation of CCI, E-SQ and trust in enhancing the effect of CSR on customer loyalty. The study also confirms that CSR is positively related to E-SQ, and E-SQ also directly affects CCI.

Practical implications

Banks should adhere to honest CSR practices and effectively communicate and advertise these practices to increase awareness and knowledge among the customers. Similarly, banks should advance in technological expertise to generate customer identification, which then leads to their loyalty.

Originality/value

Previous studies conferred short-term customer’s reactions, such as purchase intention and brand image. Still, this research discusses the long-term effect of CSR on customer behavior, such as the loyalty of the customers. Moreover, this is the pioneer study that investigates how CSR actions influence customer perceptions about E-SQ and how electronic services affect customer identification with a bank.
Slogans, brands and purchase behaviour of students
Authors: Rybaczewska Maria , Jirapathomsakul Siriphat , Liu Yiduo , Chow Wai Tsing , Nguyen Mai Thanh , Sparks Leigh
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend the understanding of the influence of slogans (e.g. “Dare for More”) on brand awareness and purchase behaviour of students.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected thorough 34 in-depth face-to-face interviews with university students, using the customer decision process model as an approach.

Findings

The authors’ research confirmed that conciseness, rhythm and jingle are key features strengthening customers’ recall and recognition, both being moderators of slogans’ power. The role and influence of slogans depend on the stage of the customer decision-making process. Key influencers remain product quality, popularity and price, but appropriate and memorable slogans enhance products’ differentiation and sale.

Practical implications

The authors’ findings deliver a particular justification for marketers not to promise young consumers too much through slogans, as this leads to too high expectations adversely influencing their post-purchase feelings. During the information search, slogans can create or strengthen or weaken the willingness to buy the advertised product, depending on the slogan, thus emphasising the need for care over slogan design and use.

Originality/value

This research expands the understanding of slogans and brand awareness from the perspective of their impact on purchase behaviour. The results revealed that the model approach to shopping behaviour does not confirm the belief that slogans influence consumers the most during the phase of Evaluation of Alternatives. Slogans provide a reference point for young consumers to decide whether they are satisfied or dissatisfied with their purchase during the post-purchase phase and provide information during the information search phase. The authors’ results add to the literature in terms of the criteria determining consumers’ recognition and recall of slogans.
Urban heavy metal contamination limits bumblebee colony growth
Authors: Sivakoff Frances S. , Prajzner Scott P. , Gardiner Mary M.
Published: April 2020

Post‐industrial shrinking cities contain abundant vacant land and are increasingly recognized for their pollinator conservation potential. At the same time, the industrial legacies of these urban ecosystems have resulted in elevated levels of heavy metals in surface soils, which could negatively affect bee populations.

We investigated whether foraging within heavy metal contaminated landscapes represents a fitness cost for the common Eastern bumblebee Bombus impatiens, by placing colonies in residential backyards along an urban to rural gradient extending south and east from the city of Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Bees foraged in the landscape for 3 weeks, after which time we counted the total number of workers and larvae present in the colony and analysed castes for the presence of heavy metals. We then assessed the relationship between landscape composition, heavy metal loads and caste abundance.

Colonies located in urban landscapes were more likely to be exposed to lead (Pb). Elevated concentrations of Pb within workers were negatively correlated with both the number of workers and the number of larvae present.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings raise concern that lead (Pb) contamination could represent a significant challenge to bee conservation in cities. To elucidate risks posed by this pollutant, we highlight a need to quantify lethal and sub‐lethal effects of Pb exposure using laboratory and field‐based studies. Further, identifying routes of exposure and landscape factors that influence exposure risk is necessary to implement mitigation strategies as part of urban conservation initiatives.
Production of set‐type yoghurt using Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus durans strains with probiotic potential as starter adjuncts
Authors: Akpinar Asli , Saygili Derya , Yerlikaya Oktay
Published: April 2020

The study investigated the potential use of Enterococcus faecium and E.durans strains as adjunct cultures in the production of set‐type probiotic yoghurt. There were significant changes and differences in the pH, titratable acidity, textural properties and microbiological properties of the products containing adjunct culture during the storage period (P < 0.05), whereas there were no statistically significant differences between the sensory properties (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the use of Enterococcus species that have known probiotic properties as the adjunct culture in yoghurt production can also positively affect the physical, chemical and rheological properties in addition to its positive effects to the functional properties by increasing the viable probiotic bacterial counts.
Menopause and the workplace: New directions in HRM research and HR practice
Authors: Atkinson Carol , Beck Vanessa , Brewis Jo , Davies Andrea , Duberley Joanne
Published: April 2020

This paper offers two key arguments. The first is that HRM scholars and HR practitioners need to pay a good deal more attention to the bi‐directional relationship between menopause and the workplace—how menopausal symptoms can affect women's experience of work and how work can exacerbate a woman's symptoms. We outline the social responsibility, demographic, legal and business cases which explain the urgency of more research and more concerted practice in this area. Our second argument concerns the importance of future research and practice adopting an intersectional political economy approach, in order to better understand the considerable differences between how women going through menopause transition experience work. Here, we offer arguments ranging from the macro‐ through the meso‐ down to the micro‐level of these differences, in so doing setting an agenda for the work to come on this very significant issue.
Examining the Relationship Between Self‐Reported Drinking and In‐Laboratory Drinking and Craving: Is There Concordance?
Authors: DeMartini Kelly S. , Pittman Brian , Krystal John H. , O’Malley Stephanie S. , Krishnan‐Sarin Suchitra
Published: April 2020

Background

In‐laboratory drinking sessions that allow direct assessment of drinking and craving are an emerging method for testing novel pharmacotherapy compounds and behavioral interventions for alcohol use disorders. Despite wide implementation, limited evidence supports the concordance between drinking in the laboratory and in a natural setting. This study examined the relationship between self‐reports of drinking prior to and drinking and craving during an alcohol drinking paradigm (ADP).

Methods

Participants were adult heavy drinkers (N = 64) who participated in a pharmacotherapy study. Participants completed self‐report alcohol assessments and a baseline ADP session prior to any medication administration. Alcohol craving was assessed during priming and ad lib ADP phases. Outcomes were the associations of total drinks consumed in‐laboratory and summary drinking measures for the 30 days prior to the ADP and reports of maximum drinks (past year and lifetime). Additional outcomes were the association of self‐reported drinking and alcohol craving during the ADP and the concordance between self‐report and ADP World Health Organization (WHO) drinking classifications.

Results

Number of drinking days, average drinks per drinking occasion, and lifetime and past‐year maximum drinks were all related to drinking in the laboratory. Heavy drinking days were not related to drinking in the laboratory but were associated with ADP craving. Alcohol craving was also associated with other measures of self‐reported drinking. There was also a significant association between WHO drinking risk classification and in‐laboratory drinking.

Conclusions

The observed relationships between self‐reported drinking and drinking in‐laboratory across drinking indices suggest that in‐laboratory alcohol consumption may reflect participants’ real‐world alcohol consumption, supporting the value of laboratory‐based drinking paradigms. The demonstrated relationship with self‐reported drinking and ADP alcohol craving further supports the value of such paradigms to model key drinking predictors. These results provide support for the validity of laboratory‐based paradigms to accurately reflect participants’ recent drinking levels.