bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning dynamics by computational integration of single cell genomic and lineage information
Authors: Wang Shou-Wen , Klein Allon M.
Published: May 2021

A goal of single cell genome-wide profiling is to reconstruct dynamic transitions during cell differentiation, disease onset, and drug response. Single cell assays have recently been integrated with lineage tracing, a set of methods that identify cells of common ancestry to establishbona fidedynamic relationships between cell states. These integrated methods have revealed unappreciated cell dynamics, but their analysis faces recurrent challenges arising from noisy, dispersed lineage data. Here, we develop coherent, sparse optimization (CoSpar) as a robust computational approach to infer cell dynamics from single-cell genomics integrated with lineage tracing. CoSpar is robust to severe down-sampling and dispersion of lineage data, which enables simpler, lower-cost experimental designs and requires less calibration. In datasets representing hematopoiesis, reprogramming, and directed differentiation, CoSpar identifies fate biases not previously detected, predicting transcription factors and receptors implicated in fate choice. Documentation and detailed examples for common experimental designs are available athttps://cospar.readthedocs.io/.
The non-genomic vitamin D pathway links β-amyloid to autophagic apoptosis in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lai Rai-Hua , Hsu Yueh-Ying , Shie Feng-Shiun , Chen Mei-Hsin , Juang Jyh-Lyh
Published: May 2021

Vitamin D is an important hormonal molecule, which exerts genomic and non-genomic actions in maintaining brain development and adult brain health. Many epidemiological studies have associated vitamin D deficiency with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Nevertheless, the underlying signaling pathway through which this occurs remains to be characterized. We were intrigued to find that although vitamin D levels are significantly low in AD patients, their hippocampal vitamin D receptor (VDR) levels are inversely increased in the cytosol of the brain cells, and colocalized with Aβ42 plaques, gliosis and autophagosomes, suggesting that a non-genomic form of VDR is implicated in AD. Mechanistically, Aβ42 induces the conversion of nuclear heterodimer of VDR/RXR heterodimer into a cytoplasmic VDR/p53 heterodimer. The cytosolic VDR/p53 complex mediates the Aβ42–induced autophagic apoptosis. Reduction of p53 activity in AD mice reverses the VDR/RXR formation and rescues AD brain pathologies and cognitive impairment. In line with the impaired genomic VDR pathway, the transgenic AD mice fed a vitamin D sufficient diet exhibit lower plasma vitamin D levels since early disease phases, raising the possibility that vitamin D deficiency may actually be an early manifestation of AD. Despite the deficiency of vitamin D in AD mice, vitamin D supplementation not only has no benefit but lead to exacerbated Aβ42 depositions and cognitive impairment. Together, these data indicate that the impaired genomic vitamin D pathway links Aβ42 to induce autophagic apoptosis, and suggest that VDR/p53 pathway could be targeted for the treatment of AD.

Significance Statement

Vitamin D exerts a genomic action for neuroprotection through VDR/RXR transcriptional complex. Thus, insufficient vitamin D has been linked to AD, but the signaling pathway involved remains unclear. Surprisingly, we find that the genomic action of VDR/RXR to be compromised and converted into a non-genomic VDR/p53 complex in promoting AD neurodegeneration. The cytosolic VDR/p53 complex contribute to autophagy-induced neuronal apoptosis. The VDR/RXR pathway can be a new therapeutic target for AD because targeting VDR/p53 ameliorates AD. Importantly, we provide evidence that vitamin D deficiency might be an early AD manifestation, and vitamin D supplementation exacerbates AD. This work uncovers a non-genomic VDR action in promoting AD and suggests a potential aggravating effect of vitamin D supplementation on AD.
Generation of dynamic three-dimensional genome structure through phase separation of chromatin
Authors: Fujishiro Shin , Sasai Masaki
Published: May 2021

Three-dimensional genome structure and dynamics play critical roles in regulating DNA functions. Flexible chromatin structure and movements suggested that the genome is dynamically phase-separated to form A (active) and B (inactive) compartments in interphase nuclei. Here, we examined this hypothesis by developing a polymer model of the whole genome of human cells and assessing the impact of phase separation on genome structure. Upon entry to the G1 phase, the simulated genome expanded according to heterogeneous repulsion among chromatin chains, which moved chromatin heterogeneously, inducing phase separation of chromatin. This repulsion-driven phase separation quantitatively reproduces the experimentally observed chromatin domains, A/B compartments, lamina-associated domains, and nucleolus-associated domains, consistently explaining nuclei of different human cells and predicting their dynamic fluctuations. We propose that phase separation induced by heterogeneous repulsive interactions among chromatin chains largely determines dynamic genome organization.

Significance

DNA functions in living cells are crucially affected by the three-dimensional genome structure and dynamics. We analyzed the whole genome of human cells by developing a polymer model of interphase nuclei. The model revealed the essential importance of the unfolding process of chromosomes from the condensed mitotic state for describing the interphase nuclei; through the unfolding process, heterogeneous repulsive interactions among chromatin chains induced phase separation of chromatin, which quantitatively explains the experimentally observed various genomic data. We can use this model structure as a platform to analyze the relationship among genome structure, dynamics, and functions.
Genomic surveillance of vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faeciumreveals spread of a linear plasmid conferring a nutrient utilization advantage
Authors: Boumasmoud Mathilde , Haunreiter Vanina Dengler , Schweizer Tiziano A. , Meyer Lilly , Chakrakodi Bhavya , Schreiber Peter W. , Seidl Kati , Kühnert Denise , Kouyos Roger D. , Zinkernagel Annelies S.
Published: May 2021

Healthcare-associated outbreaks of vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faecium(VREfm) are a worldwide problem with increasing prevalence. The genomic plasticity of this hospital-adapted pathogen contributes to its efficient spread despite infection control measures. Here, we aimed to identify the genomic and phenotypic determinants of healthcare-associated transmission of VREfm. We assessed the VREfm transmission networks at the tertiary-care University Hospital of Zurich (USZ) between October 2014 and February 2018 and investigated microevolutionary dynamics of this pathogen. We performed whole-genome sequencing for the 69 VREfm isolates collected during this timeframe and assessed the population structure and variability of the vancomycin resistance transposon. Phylogenomic analysis allowed us to reconstruct transmission networks and to unveil external or indirect transmission networks, not detectable by traditional surveillance. Notably, it unveiled a persistent clone, sampled 31 times over a 29-month period. Exploring the evolutionary dynamics of this clone and characterizing the phenotypic consequences revealed the spread of a variant with decreased daptomycin susceptibility and the acquired ability to utilize N-acetyl-galactosamine (GalNAc), one of the primary constituents of the human gut mucins. This nutrient utilization advantage was conferred by a novel plasmid, termed pELF_USZ, which exhibited a linear topology. This plasmid, which was harbored by two distinct clones, was transferable by conjugation. Overall, this work provides an example of the potential of the integration of epidemiological, functional genomic and evolutionary perspectives to understand adaptation strategies contributing to the successful spread of VREfm.

Significance statement

Sequencing microbial pathogens causing outbreaks has become a common practice to characterize transmission networks. In addition to the signal provided by vertical evolution, bacterial genomes harbor mobile genetic elements, shared horizontally between clones. While macroevolutionary studies have revealed an important role of plasmids and genes encoding carbohydrate utilization systems in the adaptation ofEnterococcus faeciumto the hospital environment, mechanisms of dissemination and the specific function of many of these genetic determinants remain to be elucidated. Here, we characterize a plasmid providing a nutrient utilization advantage and show evidence for its clonal and horizontal spread at a local scale. Further studies integrating epidemiological, functional genomics and evolutionary perspectives will be critical to identify changes shaping the success of this pathogen.
Crop loss identification at field parcel scale using satellite remote sensing and machine learning
Authors: Hiremath Santosh , Wittke Samantha , Palosuo Taru , Kaivosoja Jere , Tao Fulu , Proll Maximilian , Puttonen Eetu , Peltonen-Sainio Pirjo , Marttinen Pekka , Mamitsuka Hiroshi
Published: May 2021

Identifying crop loss at field parcel scale using satellite images is challenging: first, crop loss is caused by many factors during the growing season; second, reliable reference data about crop loss are lacking; third, there are many ways to define crop loss. This study investigates the feasibility of using satellite images to train machine learning (ML) models to classify agricultural field parcels into those with and without crop loss. The reference data for this study was provided by Finnish Food Authority (FFA) containing crop loss information of approximately 1.4 million field parcels in Finland covering about 3.5 million ha from 2000 to 2015. This reference data was combined with Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from Landsat 7 images, in which more than 80% of the possible data are missing. Despite the hard problem with extremely noisy data, among the four ML models we tested, random forest (with mean imputation and missing value indicators) achieved the average AUC (area under the ROC curve) of 0.688±0.059 over all 16 years with the range [0.602, 0.795] in identifying new crop-loss fields based on reference fields of the same year. To our knowledge, this is one of the first large scale benchmark study of using machine learning for crop loss classification at field parcel scale. The classification setting and trained models have numerous potential applications, for example, allowing government agencies or insurance companies to verify crop-loss claims by farmers and realise efficient agricultural monitoring.
Agrin/Lrp4 signal constrains MuSK activity during neuromuscular synapse development in appendicular muscle
Authors: Walker Lauren J , Roque Rebecca A , Navarro Maria F , Granato Michael
Published: May 2021

The receptor tyrosine kinase MuSK, its co-receptor Lrp4 and the Agrin ligand constitute a signaling pathway critical in axial muscle for neuromuscular synapse development, yet whether this pathway functions similarly in appendicular muscle is unclear. Here, using the larval zebrafish pectoral fin, equivalent to tetrapod forelimbs, we show that like axial muscle, developing appendicular muscles develop aneural acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clusters prior to innervation. As motor axons arrive, neural AChR clusters form, eventually leading to functional synapses in a MuSK-dependent manner. Surprisingly, we find that loss of Agrin or Lrp4 function, which abolishes synaptic AChR clusters in axial muscle, results in enlarged presynaptic nerve endings and progressively expanding appendicular AChR clusters, mimicking the consequences of motoneuron ablation. Moreover,muskdepletion inlrp4mutants partially restores synaptic AChR patterning. Combined, our results provide compelling evidence that, in contrast to axial muscle in which Agrin/Lrp4 stimulates MuSK activity, Agrin/Lrp4 signaling in appendicular muscle constrains MuSK activity to organize neuromuscular synapses. Thus, we reveal a previously unappreciated role for Agrin/Lrp4 signaling, thereby highlighting distinct differences between axial and appendicular synapse development.
Improved methods for protein and single-molecule RNA detection inC. elegansembryos
Authors: Parker Dylan M. , Winkenbach Lindsay P. , Parker Annemarie , Boyson Sam , Nishimura Erin Osborne
Published: May 2021

Visualization of gene products inCaenorhabditis eleganshas provided insights into the molecular and biological functions of many novel genes in their native contexts. Single-molecule FluorescenceIn SituHybridization (smFISH) and Immunofluorescence (IF) visualize the abundance and localization of mRNAs and proteins, respectively, allowing researchers to elucidate the localization, dynamics, and functions of many genes. Here, we describe several improvements and optimizations to existing IF and smFISH approaches specifically for use inC. elegansembryos. We present 1) optimized fixation and permeabilization steps to preserve cellular morphology while maintaining probe and antibody accessibility, 2) a streamlined, in-tube approach that negates freeze-cracking, 3) the smiFISH (single molecule inexpensive FISH) adaptation that reduces cost, 4) an assessment of optimal anti-fade products, and 5) straightforward quantification and data analysis methods. Most importantly, published IF and smFISH protocols have predominantly been mutually exclusive, preventing exploration of relationships between an mRNA and a relevant protein in the same sample. Here, we present methods to combine IF and smFISH protocols inC. elegansembryos including an efficient method harnessing nanobodies. Finally, we discuss tricks and tips to help the reader optimize and troubleshoot individual steps in each protocol.
Corrosion of a chrome-moly pipe transporting sulfuric acid in a demineralization section: a failure analysis
Authors: Marquez Andres , Maharaj Chris
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to carry out an analysis of the corrosion failure on a chrome-moly pipeline transporting highly concentrated sulfuric acid in a demineralization section at a petrochemical plant, along with the feasibility of using inhibitors to minimize the corrosive effects of sulfuric acid.

Design/methodology/approach

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, high-resolution optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and accelerated corrosion experiments (ACE) were performed.

Findings

Erosion-corrosion failure was confirmed by the significant reduction in thickness of the internal surface of the material exposed to sulfuric acid, as well as the formation of an oxide scale/layer. ACE accurately predicted high material loss from exposure to sulfuric acid. Moreover, adding ascorbic acid as a corrosion inhibitor (even at low concentrations) was found to reduce the oxidation by more than 50% in the presence of sulfuric acid.

Originality/value

The main idea/purpose of this work relies on the analysis of recurrent real-life corrosion-attributed failures that are common in industry but are not properly addressed for a variety of reasons, poor management and lack of corrosion preventive strategies being the main ones. This study once again highlights readily available solutions/implementations that are capable of not only addressing technically the issue investigated but also, and as important, economically. By using microscopic imaging, reliable well-tested and widely used characterization methods, all combined with basic experiments and tests, the nature of the repetitive failure investigated was clearly demonstrated as well as readily available alternatives to minimize it in the short term. Nevertheless, implementing material selection techniques appropriately as effective corrosion prevention/control and cost-saving strategies must be enforced in any process.
An assessment of the determinants of licensing of university patents: a survey of Spanish universities
Authors: Miranda F. Javier , Pérez-Mayo Jesús , García-Gallego José Manuel , Valero-Amaro Víctor , Rubio Sergio
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This work tries to shed light on what factors can influence, positively or negatively, the decision to license a patent from a university, in order to offer some recommendations that can contribute to increasing the number of patents licensed from universities.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample of researchers at Spanish universities who have already registered patents, this work shows that the individual factors of the researcher outweigh the institutional factors in determining the decision to patent an invention. Likewise, the probability of patenting an invention is higher when the researcher's level of participation in the process is greater.

Findings

The results of our study allow us to affirm that, in the Spanish university setting, individual factors play a more important role in one's decision to license a patent than institutional factors. In this sense, the collaboration of companies or experts from outside of academia in the research from which the patent was granted is the most relevant factor.

Originality/value

This work, the first study of this type to be carried out in Europe, concludes with a recommendation for reinforcing the structure and functionality of technology transfer offices as a basic policy for the promotion and facilitation of commercial exploitation of innovation in the universities.
Webcare as a signal: exhaustive-selective webcare strategy and brand evaluation
Authors: Jeesha Krishnan , Purani Keyoor
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Keeping in mind the growing significance of online reviews, management of responses to the customer reviews – webcare – is becoming important in recent times. How a firm responds to online reviews can send a signal to the readers of the reviews contributing to their brand evaluations. From a strategic perspective, a firm should decide if they should respond to all reviews or respond to only a select few reviews. This study aims to provide an understanding of how exhaustive and selective webcare influence brand evaluations. It also explores the role of review balance and review frame, which potentially act as moderators, on such influences.

Design/methodology/approach

Three scenario-based experiments were used to manipulate the webcare strategy (exhaustive-selective) and the potential moderators (review balance and review frame). The 910 participants of the single-stage experiments were identified using an online panel managed by UK-based Prolific Academic.

Findings

Exhaustive webcare is found to be the most effective strategy for influencing brand evaluations in all conditions. Also, two interesting results were found, which can have practical implications. A selective negative strategy is as effective as an exhaustive webcare in almost all cases, and a selective positive webcare is as good as not having a webcare in nearly all cases. Changes in webcare effectiveness due to the influence of review balance and review frame were established.

Research limitations/implications

With the review reader perspective and focus on brand management, this study may trigger enquiries into effects of webcare strategies on brand evaluations and other outcomes such as word-of-mouth. The interaction effects of the various strategies adopted together on brand evaluation and loyalty have not been explored and would be of interest to academicians and managers.

Practical implications

Firms need to plan a careful resource deployment while responding to the online consumer reviews as responding to a select few reviews may yield the same effects as that of exhaustive webcare. Brand managers may find responding only to positive reviews futile, as it could be as good as having no webcare. Also, the strategy of responding to reviews needs to be adapted based on the online review platform where the set in which the review is read is different.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies focusing on the effects of webcare on brand evaluations from a review reader perspective as against the dominant reviewer perspective. This research also presents hitherto unexplored effects of an exhaustive-selective webcare strategy on brand evaluations.
Entropy generation of a nanofluid in a porous cavity with sinusoidal temperature at the walls and a heat source bellow
Authors: Cimpean Dalia Sabina , Pop Ioan
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the analysis of the entropy generation in an inclined square cavity filled with a porous media saturated by a nanofluid with sinusoidal temperature distribution on the side walls, adiabatic conditions on the upper wall and a heat source at the lower wall.

Design/methodology/approach

The two-phase nanofluid model including the Brownian diffusion and thermophoresis effects has been used for simulation of nanofluid transport inside the porous cavity. The governing equations and the entropy generation owing to fluid friction, heat and mass transfer are transformed in terms of the dimensionless variables, and the results are obtained by using the finite difference method of the second-order accuracy.

Findings

The numerical results of the model are investigated, and the effect of different important parameters, such as inclination angle of the cavity, amplitude ratio of the sinusoidal temperature or phase deviation, is discussed. The results for no inclination of the cavity is compared and successfully validated with previous reported results of the literature. The important findings of the study are focused mainly on the existence of the irreversibility phenomena which are affected by the conditions of the model and the values of the studied parameters.

Originality/value

The originality of this work is given by the presented mathematical model, the numerical solution with new results for entropy generation in an inclined porous cavity filled by a nanofluid and the applications for design of electronic or energy devices.
Socioeconomic status (SES) and the benefits of the “continuous assessment and progression system (CAPS)” in lower secondary education in Myanmar
Authors: Yoshida Natsuho
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study investigated the trends of repetition and dropout rates in Myanmar's lower secondary education before and after the introduction of the “Continuous Assessment and Progression System (CAPS)” and probed the dependence of these tendencies on high-, middle- and low- socioeconomic status (SES). The obtained results were then examined to extract effective policy implications for the achievement of universal secondary education as specified in the Sustainable Development Goals.

Design/methodology/approach

Before and after the CAPS introduction at four government secondary schools, grade repetition and dropout rate trends were examined with respect to differences in students' SES. The analysis utilised a sample of 7,272 students from target secondary schools in urban Yangon Region, Myanmar.

Findings

It was found that since the introduction of CAPS, the grade repetition rates had fallen significantly in all SES groups, so was effective regardless of students' SES. The results also demonstrated the influence of unequal CAPS on dropout rates: in the middle-SES group, significant falls to nearly zero post-CAPS implementation. The high-SES group was at ceiling pre- and post-CAPS, so was unaffected. However, in the low-SES group, high dropout rates persisted, indicating that the poor socioeconomic backgrounds of these students significantly reduced the benefits of CAPS.

Originality/value

Rather than using cross-sectional data such as education statistics, this study used longitudinal data based on academic enrollment registries that included information on individual enrollment statuses, which allowed for the relationships between grade repetition, school dropout, education policies and socioeconomic circumstances to be elucidated.
Generational conflict, alcohol use and brotherhood: an exploratory survey of a rural career fire department in the Midwest
Authors: Miller Anastasia , Jahnke Sara A. , Singh Karan P.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this article was to identify factors impacting burnout, resilience and quality of life in rural career firefighters. In addition, sources of stress and the impact of generational differences were explored.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory cross-sectional survey was conducted at a rural career fire department.

Findings

The findings of the project indicate that the firefighters had high levels of compassion satisfaction (CS) and relatively low levels of secondary traumatic stress and burnout; displayed moderate to high psychological resilience and the majority felt moderate to high organizational support, but there was a noticeable minority who did not feel supported by the department. Findings indicate that organizational support is significantly related to both burnout and resilience. The majority of the men (88.3%) reported moderate to high risk for alcohol-related problems and over three-quarters (78.6%) reported binge drinking behavior in the past year. Qualitative findings highlight generational differences and chain of command challenges as primary stressors.

Originality/value

This is a unique study in that it focuses on a rural career department. What was found were issues similar to those facing urban career fire departments.
Does farmers' trust towards buyers drive their entrepreneurial orientation?
Authors: Xhoxhi Orjon , Dentoni Domenico , Imami Drini , Skreli Engjell , Sokoli Olta
Published: May 2021

Purpose

In contexts of transition economies generally characterized by weak formal institutions, a rich literature remarks the important role of informal institutions in fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems. Nevertheless, in the agricultural context, little is known yet about how and why institutions shape farmer entrepreneurship. To better understand how informal institutions shape farmer entrepreneurship, this paper investigates how farmers' trust towards their buyers influence their entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in the rural context of a transition economy.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured survey was conducted in June–July 2017 with Albanian dairy farmers. In total, 238 milk producers were interviewed. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is employed to develop measures for the latent variables of the study (e.g. farmers' trust, EO), and an instrumental variable (IV) approach is employed to estimate the effect of farmers' trust towards the buyer on their EO, by using farmers' reciprocity as a suitable IV.

Findings

Empirical findings reveal that innovativeness, risk-taking and proactivity represent effective dimensions of farmers' EO also in the rural context of a transition economy. Furthermore, farmers' trust towards their buyers shapes their EO, and, at the same time, younger and wealthier farmers are more likely to have higher levels of EO.

Research limitations/implications

The results show that there is an association between farmers’ wealth and their EO. This relationship can go both ways. However, cross-sectional studies are not appropriate to investigate feedback loops.

Originality/value

This study addresses a knowledge gap in the institution–entrepreneurship literature in transition economies, by making two contributions. First, it tests the measurement model for farmers' EO, an established psychological antecedent of farmers' entrepreneurial activity. Second, it tests the hypothesis that farmers' trust towards their buyers may influence their EO.
Shadow banking from China's perspective: an empirical analysis of bank-issued wealth management products
Authors: Shah Syed Mehmood Raza , Fu Qiang , Abbas Ghulam , Arshad Muhammad Usman
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Wealth Management Products (WMPs) are the largest and most crucial component of China's Shadow banking, which are off the balance sheet and considered as a substitute for deposits. Commercial banks in China are involved in the issuance of WMPs mainly to; evade the regulatory restrictions, move non-performing loans away from the balance sheet, chase the profits and take advantage of yield spread (the difference between WMPs yield and deposit rate).

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors investigate what bank related characteristics and needs; influenced and prompted the issuance of WMPs. By using a quarterly panel data from 2010 to 2019, this study performed the fixed effects approach favored by the Hausman specification test, and a feasible generalized least square (FGLS) estimation method is employed to deal with any issues of heteroscedasticity and auto-correlation.

Findings

This study found that there is a positive and significant association between the non-performing loan ratio and the issuance of WMPs. Moreover, profitability and spread were found to play an essential role in the issuance of WMPs. The findings of this study suggest that WMPs are issued for multi-purpose, and off the balance sheet status of these products makes them very lucrative for regulated Chinese commercial banks.

Research limitations/implications

Non-guaranteed WMPs are considered as an item of shadow banking in China, as banks do not consolidate this type of WMPs into their balance sheet; due to that reason, there is no individual bank data available for the amount of WMPs. The authors use the number of WMPs issued by banks as a proxy for the bank's exposure to the WMPs business.

Practical implications

From a regulatory perspective, this study helps regulators to understand the risk associated with the issuance of WMPs; by providing empirical evidence that Chinese banks issue WMPs to hide the actual risk of non-performing loans, and this practice could mislead the regulators to evaluate the bank credit risk and loan quality. This study also identifies that Chinese banks issue WMPs for multi-purpose; this can help potential investors to understand the dynamics of WMPs issuance.

Originality/value

This research is innovative in its orientation because it is designed to investigate the less explored wealth management products (WMPs) issued by Chinese banks. This study's content includes not only innovation but also contributes to the existing literature on the shadow banking sector in terms of regulatory arbitrage. Moreover, the inclusion of FGLS estimation models, ten years of quarterly data, and the top 30 Chinese banks (covers 70% of the total Chinese commercial banking system's assets) make this research more comprehensive and significant.
Professional competence and business ethics
Authors: Murdock Maryna , Richie Nivine , Sackley William , White Heath
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine if the failure of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to persecute Madoff is, in fact, an ethical failure. The authors turn to the extension of Aristotelian theory of moral values, virtue epistemology, to identify specific failures. The authors generalize this study’s conclusions to an overall responsibility of regulatory agencies to exercise epistemic virtues in their decision-making process. The authors explore how behavioral biases confound the execution of epistemic duty, and how awareness of behavioral biases can alleviate epistemic failures. The authors conclude this study with recommendations to prevent future frauds of Madoff proportions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors rely on recent advances in virtue epistemology and behavioral finance. The authors combine these two theoretical approaches to better understand the duty of competence inherent in being a finance professional, and even more so in being a regulator entrusted with overseeing financial industry, and psychological biases that may prevent finance professionals and regulators from performing this duty.

Findings

The paper concludes that the SEC employees failed to exercise epistemic virtues in their handling of the complaints implicating Madoff’s firm of fraud. This failure reveals a consistent pattern of behavioral biases in decision-making. The authors posit that knowledge of ethical theory, specifically virtue epistemology, as well as awareness of behavioral biases, which inhibit epistemically virtuous cognitive process, can improve the functioning of both finance industry and its overseers. The authors suggest that future finance professionals and regulators need to acquire this knowledge while pursuing their undergraduate education: it is the duty of business schools to facilitate this progress.

Originality/value

This paper combines the theory of virtue epistemology with the current knowledge of behavioral biases, which distort rational decision-making, to explain the failures of regulators to analyze fraud reports. The authors extend this finding to recommend the inclusion of the theory of virtue epistemology in business schools’ ethics curriculum.
Building a virtual factory: an integrated design approach to building smart factories
Authors: Yildiz Emre , Møller Charles
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The complexity of manufacturing systems, on-going production and existing constraints on the shop floor remain among the main challenges for the analysis, design and development of the models in product, process and factory domains. The potential of different virtual factory (VF) tools and approaches to support simultaneous engineering for the design, and development of these domains has been addressed in the literature. To fulfil this potential, there is a need for an approach which integrates the product, process and production systems for designing and developing VF and its validation in real-life cases. This paper aims to present an integrated design approach for VF design and development, as well as a demonstration implemented in a wind turbine manufacturing plant.

Design/methodology/approach

As the research calls for instrumental knowledge to discover the effects of intervention on the operations of an enterprise, design science research methodology is considered to be a well-suited methodology for exploring practical usefulness of a generic design to close the theory–practice gap. The study was planned as an exploratory research activity which encompassed the simultaneous design and development of artefacts and retrospective analysis of the design and implementation processes. The extended VF concept, architecture, a demonstration and procedures followed during the research work are presented and evaluated.

Findings

The artefacts (models and methods) and the VF demonstrator, which was evaluated by industry experts and scholars based on the role of the VF in improving the performance in the evaluation and reconfiguration of new or existing factories, reduce the ramp-up and design times, supporting management decisions. Preliminary results are presented and discussed.

Research limitations/implications

The concept VF model, its architecture and general methodology as an integrated design and development approach, can be adopted and used for VF design and development both for discrete and continuous manufacturing plants. The development and demonstration were limited, however, because real-time synchronisation, 3D laser scanning data and a commonly shared data model, to enable the integration of different VF tools, were not achievable.

Originality/value

The paper presents a novel VF concept and architecture, which integrates product, process and production systems. Moreover, design and development methods of the concept and its demonstration for a wind turbine manufacturing plant are presented. The paper, therefore, contributes to the information systems and manufacturing engineering field by identifying a novel concept and approach to the effective design and development of a VF and its function in the analysis, design and development of manufacturing systems.
“Alexa, define empowerment”: voice assistants at home, appropriation and technoperformances
Authors: Kudina Olya , Coeckelbergh Mark
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to show how the production of meaning is a matter of people interacting with technologies, throughout their appropriation and in co-performances. The researchers rely on the case of household-based voice assistants that endorse speaking as a primary mode of interaction with technologies. By analyzing the ethical significance of voice assistants as co-producers of moral meaning intervening in the material and socio-cultural space of the home, the paper invites their informed and critical use as a form of (re-)empowerment while acknowledging their productive role in human values.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents an empirically informed philosophical analysis. Using the conceptual frameworks of technological appropriation and human–technological performances, while drawing on the interviews with voice assistants’ users and literature studies, this paper unravels the meaning-making processes in relation to these technologies in the household use. It additionally draws on a Wittgensteinian perspective to attend to the productive role of language and link to wider cultural meanings.

Findings

By combining two approaches, appropriation and technoperformances, and analyzing the themes of privacy, power and knowledge, the paper shows how voice assistants help to shape a specific moral subject: embodied in space and made as it performatively responds to the device and makes sense of it together with others.

Originality/value

The researchers show how through making sense of technologies in appropriation and performatively responding to them, people can change and intervene in the power structures that technologies suggest.
Entrepreneurial education exposure: a comparative investigation between technical and nontechnical higher education
Authors: Adelaja Ayotunde Adetola
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the significance of entrepreneurial education on entrepreneurial intention between students of technical and nontechnical higher education institution after exposure to entrepreneurial education.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts the TPB model and tests the difference in intention between two different samples after they have been exposed to entrepreneurial education. Therefore, the data were analyzed using linear regression and students T-test. Data were collected from students studying at technical and nontechnical higher education institutions in Nigeria at the end of the semester to verify that they have been exposed to entrepreneurial education.

Findings

The findings reveal a weak significant relationship between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intention among nontechnical students, and no significant relationship was found among technical students after entrepreneurial education exposure. Further findings reveal no significant relationship between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intention when the samples are combined.

Practical implications

In response to the volatile economy and uncertain employment opportunities for graduates in Nigeria, the ministry of education and the management of higher education institutions (universities and polytechnics) have to integrate into the entrepreneurial education curriculum change of mindset, needed entrepreneurial skills, capabilities and entrepreneurial competence that is able to nurture the intention of students toward entrepreneurship opportunities identification and exploration in their immediate and extended markets.

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive empirical evidence of effectiveness of entrepreneurial education and intention between students with technical and nontechnical education background after entrepreneurial education exposure. This study is among the first that will put the survey timing into consideration. Therefore, fills important gap in the entrepreneurship literature.
Probing the impact of transformational leadership on job embeddedness: the moderating role of job characteristics
Authors: Khalid Usman , Mushtaq Rabia , Khan Abdul Zahid , Mahmood Faisal
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate how transformational leadership can increase job embeddedness in their employees that persuade them to stay in their organization and how this relationship is contingent upon the job characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Sample of 328 useable responses was available for analysis. Questionnaires were distributed to the employees who are working in different Pakistani organizations. Regression analysis was used to test for hypotheses.

Findings

The findings support that there is a significant impact of transformational leadership for shaping job embeddedness, and the results endorsed the role of job characteristics as a moderator in describing the relationship of transformational leadership and job embeddedness. Transformational leaders would motivate employees to work together in productive manners in challenging work settings.

Originality/value

This paper makes three key contributions to the literature on job design. First, this inquiry shows that a strong link does exist between transformational leadership in creating organizational job embeddedness. Second, it highlights how job characteristics of highly challenging work settings may shape employees’ job embeddedness. Third, this paper offers a novel perspective in leadership research by incorporating high challenging work setting (i.e. job characteristics) as moderator. Managers may get new insight by opting for transformational leaders' attributes and concentrating on high challenging work settings for creating embeddedness in employees to prolong their stay with the job and firm.
Branding cities, regions and countries: the roadmap of place brand equity
Authors: Mariutti Fabiana Gondim , Engracia Giraldi Janaina de Moura
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is two-fold: to expand the understanding of brand equity for places (e.g. countries, regions or cities) and propose two frameworks to increase its value.

Design/methodology/approach

By interviewing international participants, this study was exploratory and interpretative; thematic analysis was performed for a broader understanding about place brand equity.

Findings

The Roadmap of Brand Equity is provided by proposing three “pathways” founded on core value drivers as “road signs” (potential influences or main variables of the value of a place brand), which are required to be strategically monitored and aligned to place branding activities to enhance the value of a city, region or country. Value drivers of place brand equity and the roadmap of place brand equity are proposed through the figures.

Research limitations/implications

A natural progression of this study is the investigation of place brand equity by applying statistical procedures for measuring places. Due to specific locations’ (often) unfavorable and threatening reputations worldwide, the key value-drivers (government initiatives, stakeholders' perceptions, residents’ engagement, news media, social media and real data indexes) are noted as influential partakers – either separated or combined – when analyzing their brand equity.

Practical implications

Both proposed archetypes suggest applications for several co-creators involved in public or private places, which can be beneficial for both emerging and non-emerging countries, regions or cities. Furthermore, both may be applied to the analysis of other places (e.g. universities, schools, museums, public squares, airports, hospitals, etc.).

Social implications

This study may inspire planning and actions for public policies, including private partnerships, government initiatives and practical endeavors.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to perform an analysis of brand equity of places under a qualitative approach and to propose strategical frameworks for both research and practice.
The effect of powder age in high speed sintering of poly(propylene)
Authors: Williams Rhys J. , Fox Luke , Majewski Candice
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to demonstrate for the first time that the cheap, commodity polymer, poly(propylene), can be successfully processed using high speed sintering, and that it can be recycled several times through the process, with little to no detriment to either the polymer itself or the parts obtained. This is significant as a step towards the realisation of high speed sintering as a technology for high-volume manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

A poly(propylene) powder designed for laser sintering was used to build parts on a high speed sintering machine. The unsintered powder was then collected and reused. Repeating this process allowed creation of seven generations of aged powder. A variety of characterisation techniques were then used to measure polymer, powder and part properties for each generation to discern any effects arising from ageing in the machine.

Findings

It was found that poly(propylene) could be used successfully in high speed sintering, albeit with a low build success rate. Increased powder age was found to correlate to an increase in the build success rate, changes in microscopic and bulk powder properties and improvement to the dimensional accuracy of the parts obtained. By contrast, no discernible correlations were seen between powder age and polymer molecular weight, or between powder age and the tensile properties of parts.

Originality/value

This is the first report of the use of poly(propylene) in high speed sintering. It is also first study regarding powder recyclability in high speed sintering, both in general and using poly(propylene) specifically.
The complexity of the therapeutic experience within the therapeutic community based on an ex-patient’s account
Authors: Ivanova Daniela , Howe Andrew John , Burns Patricia , Jones Merryn
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effectiveness of the therapeutic community and to look at the potential changes that some patients may experience following treatment at the therapeutic communities (TC).

Design/methodology/approach

A thematic analysis was conducted on an e-mail sent by an ex-patient of the TC. The text was reviewed multiple times and codes were generated. Based on the data found, three themes were identified. The e-mail was sent to the patient’s primary therapist, who was asked to provide an account of the e-mail. The therapist was sent six questions created by the authors of the paper; the responses were used to compare the two perspectives.

Findings

The main findings entailed the changes the patient went through after her treatment at the TC. The patient’s account described her inability to process the adversities she had been through at the time and therefore her inability to communicate them. However, the impact the service had on the patient, according to the e-mail was evident years later. The lack of a support network during treatment at the TC and evidence of one following treatment seemed to be the key factor in the patient’s improvement.

Originality/value

The authors confirm that the research presented in this paper is their original work. The authors hereby acknowledge that all material included in this piece of work, that has been published or written by another person has been referenced accordingly.