bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A membrane integral methyltransferase catalysing N-terminal histidine methylation of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases
Authors: Batth Tanveer S. , Simonsen Jonas L. , Hernández-Rollán Cristina , Brander Søren , Morth Jens Preben , Johansen Katja S. , Nørholm Morten H. H. , Hoof Jakob B. , Olsen Jesper V.
Published: October 2022

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are oxidative enzymes that help break down lignocellulose, making them highly attractive for improving biomass utilization in biotechnological purposes. The catalytically essential N-terminal histidine (His1) of LPMOs is post-translationally modified by methylation in filamentous fungi to protect them from auto-oxidative inactivation, however, the responsible methyltransferase enzyme is unknown. Using mass-spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics in combination with systematic CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screening in Aspergillus nidulans, we identified the N-terminal histidine methyltransferase (NHMT) encoded by the gene AN4663. Targeted proteomics confirmed that NHMT was solely responsible for His1 methylation of LPMOs. NHMT is predicted to encode a unique seven-transmembrane segment anchoring a soluble methyltransferase domain. Co-localization studies showed endoplasmic reticulum residence of NHMT and co-expression in the industrial production yeast Komagataella phaffii with LPMOs resulted in His1 methylation of the LPMOs. This demonstrates the biotechnological potential of recombinant production of proteins and peptides harbouring this unique post-translational modification.
The effect of morphine on rat microglial phagocytic activity: an in vitro study of brain region-, plating density-, sex-, morphine concentration-, and receptor-dependency
Authors: King’uyu David N. , Nti-Kyemereh Lily , Bonin Jesse L. , Feustel Paul J. , Tram Michelle , MacNamara Katherine C. , Kopec Ashley M.
Published: October 2022

Opioids have long been used for clinical pain management, but also have addictive properties that have contributed to the ongoing opioid epidemic. While opioid activation of opioid receptors is well known to contribute to reward and reinforcement, data now also suggest that opioid activation of immune signaling via toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) may also play a role in addiction-like processes. TLR4 expression is enriched in immune cells, and in the nervous system is primarily expressed in microglia. Microglial phagocytosis is important for developmental, homeostatic, and pathological processes. To examine how morphine impacts microglial phagocytosis, we isolated microglia from adult male and female rat cortex and striatum and plated themin vitroat 10,000 (10K) or 50,000 cells/well densities. Microglia were incubated with neutral fluorescent microbeads to stimulate phagocytosis in the presence of one of four morphine concentrations. We found that the brain region from which microglia are isolated and plating density, but not morphine concentration, impact cell survivalin vitro. We found that 10-12M morphine, but not higher concentrations, increases phagocytosis in striatal microgliain vitroindependent of sex and plating density, while 10-12M morphine increased phagocytosis in cortical microgliain vitroindependent of sex, but contingent on plating density. Finally, we demonstrate that the effect of 10-12M morphine in striatal microglia plated at 10K density is mediated via TLR4, and not µORs. Overall, our data suggest that in rats, a morphine-TLR4 signaling pathway increases phagocytic activity in microglia independent of sex. This may be useful information for better understanding the possible neural outcomes associated with morphine exposures.
Microbial communities from weathered outcrops of a sulfide-rich ultramafic intrusion, and implications for mine waste management
Authors: Hobart Kathryn K. , Greensky ZhaaZhaawaanong , Hernandez Kimberly , Feinberg Joshua M. , Bailey Jake V. , Jones Daniel S.
Published: October 2022

The Duluth Complex, Northeastern Minnesota, contains sulfide-rich magmatic intrusions that, collectively, represent one of the world’s largest known economic deposits of copper, nickel, and platinum group elements (Cu-Ni-PGEs). Previous work showed that microbial communities associated with experimentally-weathered Duluth Complex waste rock and tailings were dominated by uncultivated taxa and other populations not typically associated with mine waste. However, those experiments were designed for kinetic testing and do not necessarily represent the conditions expected for reclaimed mine waste or long-term weathering in the environment. We therefore used 16S rRNA gene methods to characterize the microbial communities present on the surfaces of naturally-weathered and historically disturbed outcrops of Duluth Complex material, as well as a circumneutral seep draining a reclaimed blast pit. Rock surfaces were dominated by diverse uncultured Ktedonobacteria, Acetobacteria, and Actinobacteria while seeps were dominated by Proteobacteria, including Leptothrix spp. and Methylovulum spp. All samples had abundant algae and other phototrophs. These communities were distinct from previously-described microbial assemblages from experimentally-weathered Duluth Complex rocks, suggested different energy and nutrient resources in the reclaimed rocks, outcrops, and seeps. Sulfide mineral incubations performed with and without algae showed that photosynthetic microorganisms could have an inhibitory effect on some of the autotrophic populations from the site, resulting in slightly lower sulfate release and differences in the dominant microorganisms. The microbial assemblages from these weathered outcrops show how communities are expected to develop during natural weathering of sulfide-rich Duluth Complex rocks, and represent baseline data that could be used to evaluate the effectiveness of future reclamation of tailings and waste rock produced by large scale mining operations.
Robust and easy-to-use one pot workflow for label free single cell proteomics
Authors: Matzinger Manuel , Müller Elisabeth , Dürnberger Gerhard , Pichler Peter , Mechtler Karl
Published: October 2022

The analysis of ultra-low input samples or even individual cells is essential to answering a multitude of biomedical questions, but current proteomic workflows are limited in their sensitivity and reproducibility. Here we report a comprehensive workflow that includes optimized strategies for all steps from cell lysis to data analysis. Thanks to convenient to handle 1 μL sample volume and standardized 384 well plates the workflow is easy for even novice users to implement. At the same time, it can be performed semi-automatized using the CellenONE®, which allows for highest reproducibility. To achieve high throughput, ultrashort gradient lengths down to 5 min were tested using advanced μ-pillar columns. Data-dependent acquisition (DDA), wide-window acquisition (WWA) and data-independent acquisition (DIA), and commonly used advanced data-analysis algorithms were benchmarked. Using DDA, 1790 proteins covering a dynamic range of four orders of magnitude were identified in a single cell. Using DIA, proteome coverage increased to more than 2200 proteins identified from single cell level input in a 20-min active gradient. The workflow enabled differentiation of two cell lines, demonstrating its suitability to cellular heterogeneity determination.
Using light and X-ray scattering to untangle complex neuronal orientations and validate diffusion MRI
Authors: Menzel Miriam , Gräßel David , Rajkovic Ivan , Zeineh Michael , Georgiadis Marios
Published: October 2022

Disentangling human brain connectivity requires an accurate description of neuronal trajectories. However, a detailed mapping of axonal orientations is challenging because axons can cross one another on a micrometer scale. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) can be used to infer neuronal connectivity because it is sensitive to axonal alignment, but it has limited resolution and specificity. Scattered Light Imaging (SLI) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) reveal neuronal orientations with microscopic resolution and high specificity, respectively. Here, we combine both techniques to achieve a cross-validated framework for imaging neuronal orientations, with comparison to dMRI. We evaluate brain regions that include unidirectional and crossing fiber tracts in human and vervet monkey brains. We find that SLI, SAXS, and dMRI all agree regarding major fiber pathways. SLI and SAXS further quantitatively agree regarding fiber crossings, while dMRI overestimates the amount of crossing fibers. In SLI, we find a reduction of peak distance with increasing out-of-plane fiber angles, confirming theoretical predictions, validated against both SAXS and dMRI. The combination of scattered light and X-ray imaging can provide quantitative micrometer 3D fiber orientations with high resolution and specificity, enabling detailed investigations of complex tract architecture in the animal and human brain.
Motor imagery training is beneficial for motor memory of upper and lower limb tasks in very old adults
Authors: Hilt Pauline M , Bertrand Mathilde , Féasson Léonard , Lebon Florent , Mourey France , Ruffino Célia , Rozand Vianney
Published: October 2022

Human aging is associated with a decline in the capacity to memorize recently acquired motor skills. Motor imagery training is a beneficial method to compensate for this deterioration in old adults. It is not yet known whether these beneficial effects are maintained in very old adults (>80 years), more affected by the degeneration processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a mental training session of motor imagery on the memorization of new motor skills acquired through physical practice in very old adults. Thirty very old adults performed 3 actual trials of a manual dexterity task (session 1) or a sequential footstep task (session 2) as fast as they could before and after a 20-min motor imagery training (mental-training group) or watching a documentary for 20 min (control group). Performance was improved after 3 actual trials for both tasks and both groups. For the control group, performance decreased in the manual dexterity task after the 20-min break and remained stable in the sequential stepping task. For the mental-training group, performance was maintained in the manual dexterity task after the 20-min motor imagery training and increased in the sequential stepping task. These results extended the benefits of motor imagery training to the very old population, showing that even a short motor imagery training improved their performance and favor the motor memory process. These results confirmed that motor imagery training is an effective method to complement traditional rehabilitation protocols.
Slow neural oscillations explain temporal fluctuations in distractibility
Authors: Lui Troby Ka-Yan , Obleser Jonas , Wöstmann Malte
Published: October 2022

Human environments comprise various sources of distraction, which often occur unexpectedly in time. The proneness to distraction (i.e., distractibility) is posited to be independent of attentional sampling of targets, but its temporal dynamics and neurobiological basis are largely unknown. Brain oscillations in the theta band (3 – 8 Hz) have been associated with fluctuating neural excitability, which is hypothesised here to explain rhythmic modulation of distractibility. In a pitch discrimination task (N = 30) with unexpected auditory distractors, we show that distractor-evoked neural responses in the electroencephalogram and perceptual susceptibility to distraction were co-modulated and cycled approximately 3 – 5 times per second. Pre-distractor neural phase in left inferior frontal and insular cortex regions explained fluctuating distractibility. Thus, human distractibility is not constant but fluctuates on a subsecond timescale. Furthermore, slow neural oscillations subserve the behavioural consequences of a hitherto largely unexplained but ever-increasing phenomenon in modern environments – distraction by unexpected sound.
Empagliflozin reduces renal lipotoxicity in experimental Alport syndrome
Authors: Ge Mengyuan , Molina Judith , Kim Jin-Ju , Mallela Shamroop K , Ahmad Anis , Santos Javier Varona , Al-Ali Hassan , Mitrofanova Alla , Sharma Kumar , Fontanesi Flavia , Merscher Sandra , Fornoni Alessia
Published: October 2022

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are anti-hyperglycemic agents that prevent glucose reabsorption in proximal tubular cells. SGLT2i improves renal outcomes in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients, indicating it may have beneficial effects beyond glycemic control. Here, we demonstrate that SGLT2i affects energy metabolism and renal lipotoxicity in experimental Alport syndrome (AS). In vitro, we found that SGLT2 protein expression levels in human and mouse podocytes were similar to tubular cells. Newly established immortalized podocytes from Col4a3 knockout mice (AS podocytes) accumulate lipid droplets along with increased apoptosis when compared to wildtype podocytes. Treatment with SGLT2i empagliflozin reduces lipid droplet accumulation and apoptosis in AS podocytes. Empagliflozin inhibits the utilization of glucose/pyruvate as a metabolic substrate in AS podocytes. In vivo, we demonstrate that empagliflozin reduces albuminuria and prolongs the survival of AS mice. Empagliflozin-treated AS mice show decreased serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in association with reduced triglyceride and cholesterol ester content in kidney cortices when compared to AS mice. Lipid accumulation in kidney cortices correlates with the decline in renal function. In summary, empagliflozin reduces renal lipotoxicity and improves kidney function in experimental AS in association with the energy substrates switch from glucose to fatty acids in podocytes.
Natural variation inC. elegansshort tandem repeats
Authors: Zhang Gaotian , Wang Ye , Andersen Erik C.
Published: October 2022

Short tandem repeats (STRs) represent an important class of genetic variation that can contribute to phenotypic differences. Although millions of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and short indels have been identified among wildCaenorhabditis elegansstrains, the natural diversity in STRs remains unknown. Here, we characterized the distribution of 31,991 STRs with motif lengths of 1–6 bp in the reference genome ofC. elegans. Of these STRs, 27,667 harbored polymorphisms across 540 wild strains and only 9691 polymorphic STRs (pSTRs) had complete genotype data for more than 90% of the strains. Compared with the reference genome, the pSTRs showed more contraction than expansion. We found that STRs with different motif lengths were enriched in different genomic features, among which coding regions showed the lowest STR diversity and constrained STR mutations. STR diversity also showed similar genetic divergence and selection signatures among wild strains as in previous studies using SNVs. We further identified STR variation in two mutation accumulation line panels that were derived from two wild strains and found background-dependent and fitness-dependent STR mutations. We also performed the first genome-wide association analyses between natural variation in STRs and organismal phenotypic variation among wildC. elegansstrains. Overall, our results delineate the first large-scale characterization of STR variation in wildC. elegansstrains and highlight the effects of selection on STR mutations.
The impact of budget deficit on economic growth and its channels in South Africa
Authors: Mavodyo Elisha
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper analyses the direct relationship between budget deficits and economic growth, the channels through which budget deficits inhibit growth and finally, the Granger causality between budget deficit and economic growth in South Africa over the period 1975 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

In a bid to control for endogeneity that is common in economic growth regressions, the author employed the dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) approach.

Findings

Towards analysing the direct relationship between budget deficit and economic growth, results show that a 10-percentage rise in the budget deficit slows economic growth by 0.2 percentage points. Results show that the growth inhibiting consequences of the budget deficit in South Africa are principally driven by negatively affecting private and public physical capital accumulation growth, as well as a drop in gross national savings. However, results show no evidence of a deficit reduction effect through long term-real interest rate. The findings reveal a one-way Granger causality running from budget deficits to economic growth.

Practical implications

Based on the findings in this article, expanding the fiscal deficit to support growth is not a viable policy option for the South African economy.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in establishing the Granger causality between budget deficit and economic growth, thus adding to the scant literature, as well as establishing the channels through which budget deficit retards economic growth for the South African economy.
Simulation and empirical validation of new sensitivity based reliability analysis technique for processors deployed in industrial drives
Authors: Rao N.S. Raghavendra , A. Chitra
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to extend a sensitivity-based reliability technique for the processors deployed in industrial drive (ID).

Design/methodology/approach

The processor provides flexible operation, re-configurability, and adaptable compatibility in industrial motor drive system. A sensitivity-based model allows a robust tool for validating the system design. Sensitivity is the probability of a partial failure rate for a distributed variable; sensitivity and failure rates are also complementary. Conversely, traditional power electronic components reliability estimating standards have overlooked it, and it is essential to update them to account for the sensitivity parameter. A new sensitivity-based reliability prediction methodology for a typical 32-bit microprocessor operating at 30ºC deployed in ID is presented to fill this gap. The proposed techniques are compared with the estimated processor reliability values obtained from various reliability standards using the validated advanced logistics development tool. The main contribution of this work is to provide a sensitivity extended reliability method over the conventional method directing toward improving reliability, availability, and maintainability in the design of ID.

Findings

The analysis shows that the sensitivity of the processor’s circuit increases due to increases in complexity of the system by reducing the overall mean time between failure upon comparing among conventional reliability standards.

Originality/value

The significance of this paper lies in the overall, sensitivity-based reliability technique for processors in comparison to the traditional reliability complexity in IDs.
A dynamic magnetostrictive model based on the Jiles–Atherton hysteresis model and field separation approach
Authors: Wang Yaqi , Li Lin , Zhao Xiaojun
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to combine the Jiles-Atherton (J-A) hysteresis model with the field separation approach to realize the accurate simulation of dynamic magnetostrictive characteristics of silicon steel sheet.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the energy loss of silicon steel sheet is divided into hysteresis loss Why, classical eddy current loss Wed and anomalous loss Wan according to the statistical theory of losses. The Why is calculated by static J-A hysteresis model, Wed and Wan are calculated by the analytical formulae. Then, based on the field separation approach, the dynamic magnetic field is derived. Finally, a new dynamic magnetostrictive model is proposed by means of the quadratic domain rotation model.

Findings

Comparison of simulation and experimental results verifies that the proposed model has high accuracy and strong universality.

Originality/value

The proposed method improves the existing method’s problem of relying on too much experimental data, and the method ensures the calculation accuracy, parameter identification accuracy and engineering practicability. Consequently, the presented work greatly facilitates further explorations and studies on simulation of dynamic magnetostrictive characteristics of silicon steel sheet.
Achieving sustainable competitiveness of tourism dynamics with resource-based view
Authors: Simarmata Elitua , Kusumastuti Retno , Wijaya Chandra
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This research aims to model the existing system of destination competitiveness, identifies leverage points and develop revised model to achieve sustainable competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

System dynamics is used as method of modeling destination competitiveness. Structure of model utilizes 9-factor model as reference. Leverage points are identified using system archetypes. Revised model is built with resource-based view (RBV). Case study was conducted in Samosir, Toba Lake. Data used are secondary data and results of in-depth interviews.

Findings

There are 3 sub-systemic characteristics (archetypes) that hinder competitiveness. They are limit to growth quality gap, fix that fails infrastructure and promotion, tragedy of common lake pollution. Destination was unable to meet tourist expectations. Tourists spending decreased, demand size was small. Industries are unable to increase capabilities. Professionals, entrepreneurs, local workers, supporting industries are less interested in entering industry. Government policies do not match with destination's needs. Lake as main attraction is getting polluted. To achieve sustainable competitiveness, destination must utilize their valuable, rare and inimitable (VRI) resources and capabilities to design unique experiences for tourists, hence sustainable.

Practical implications

Government policy should be shifted to prioritizing development of valuable, rare, inimitable and well-organized resources and capabilities of destination, to produce unique tourist experience and achieve sustainable competitiveness.

Originality/value

Methods and findings, combining system dynamics, system archetype, 9-factor model and RBV to achieve sustainable competitiveness is novel and can enrich tourism sustainable competitiveness theory/concept.
Using mindsets to boost health: how construal level and goal pursuit shape health message effectiveness on cessation behaviors
Authors: Maurer Herter Márcia , Borges Adilson , Costa Pinto Diego , Boto Ferreira Mario , S. Mattila Anna
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This research examines how construal level shapes the effectiveness of rational (vs emotional) messages for inducing cessation behaviors. Concrete mindsets foster self-improvement goals, whereas abstract mindsets boost self-relevance goals.

Design/methodology/approach

In four studies, this research examines the moderating role of construal level on health messages and the underlying mechanism of goal pursuit.

Findings

Results demonstrate that concrete (vs abstract) mindsets increase consumers’ intent to engage in cessation behaviors when exposed to rational (vs emotional) messages. Consistent with this study’s theorizing, the authors found that self-improvement goals underlie the effects for concrete mindsets, whereas self-relevance goals mediate the effects for abstract mindsets.

Research limitations/implications

The reported effects are limited to health messages focusing on cessation behaviors.

Practical implications

This research can help public policymakers to design more effective health messages to foster specific cessation behaviors – quitting smoking and reducing drinking – focusing on concrete (vs abstract) mindsets and rational (vs emotional) messages.

Originality/value

This investigation highlights construal level as an important moderator for message appeals (rational vs emotional) on cessation behaviors, along with the underlying mechanism of goal pursuit, thus contributing to health marketing literature.
Consumer wisdom: a mindful connection between healthy food advertising and obesity prevention
Authors: Hussain Khalid , Junaid Muhammad , Javed Muzhar , Ali Moazzam , Iqbal Asif
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of healthy food advertising (HFA) in preventing obesity (measured using the healthy eating attitude and perceived self-regulatory success) through the meta-cognitive role of consumer wisdom (CW). The meta-cognitive role of CW to better promote healthy eating attitude and behavior is relevant and underexplored.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 310 young consumers through an online survey. Reliability and validity were established using confirmatory factor analysis, and hypotheses were analyzed through structural equation modeling using MPlus V8.3.

Findings

The results reveal that HFA has a positive influence on all dimensions of CW: responsibility, purpose, perspective, reasoning and sustainability. All dimensions but one augment a positive healthy eating attitude, but only responsibility and sustainability enhance consumers’ self-regulatory success. The findings show that HFA does not directly prevent obesity, but CW mediates the relationship between that advertising and obesity prevention. These findings show that CW establishes a mindful connection between HFA and obesity control.

Research limitations/implications

This research extends the theory of CW in the context of healthful eating and contributes significantly to the advertising, hospitality and obesity literature.

Practical implications

This study also has implications for multiple stakeholders, including consumers, restaurant operators, hospitality managers, brand managers, the government and society in general.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study marks the first attempt to investigate the role of CW in preventing obesity. It is also the first study to examine the relationships of HFA with CW and a healthful attitude toward eating.
Professional identity, passion and career change during the pandemic: comparing nascent and experienced hospitality professionals
Authors: Chen Chun-Chu (Bamboo) , Tsai Frank C. , Chen Hsiangting Shatina
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Given that the recovery of the hospitality industry is hampered by worker shortages resulting from the loss of talents during the ongoing pandemic, the purpose of this study is to examine how professional identity affects hospitality employees’ psychological responses to the COVID-19 crisis and their intentions to leave the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study sample consisted of 1,188 US hospitality employees. The cross-sectional data were analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling, analysis of variance and multigroup analysis.

Findings

A double-barreled effect of professional identity on career change intention was identified. Hospitality employees possessing a stronger professional identity were found to be more passionate and satisfied with their careers and less likely to switch to other industries. However, these individuals also feel more distressed by the pandemic crisis, which is associated with a heightened level of career change intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study confirm the importance of identity building as a means of sustaining the hospitality workforce. As nascent professionals possess a weaker identity and stronger intention to leave the industry, immediate attention should be paid to these individuals.

Originality/value

This study expands the knowledge surrounding the influences of hospitality professional identity as it exerts a double-barreled effect on career change intention. Further insights regarding how hospitality employees at various career stages respond differently to the COVID-19 crisis are uncovered by examining the moderating effects of industry experience.
Modeling the dynamic effects of macroeconomic factors on housing performance in Kenya
Authors: Okuta Fredrick Otieno , Kivaa Titus , Kieti Raphael , Okaka James Ouma
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper studies the dynamic effects of selected macroeconomic factors on the performance of the housing market in Kenya using Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Models. This study aims to explain the dynamic effects of the macroeconomic factors on the three indicators of the housing market performance: housing prices growth, sales index and rent index.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used ARDL Models on time series data from 1975 to 2020 of the selected macroeconomic factors sourced from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Central Bank of Kenya and Hass Consult Limited.

Findings

The results indicate that household income, gross domestic product (GDP), inflation rates and exchange rates have both short-run and long-run effects on housing prices while interest rates, diaspora remittance, construction output and urban population have no significant effects on housing prices both in the short and long run. However, only household income, interest rates, private capital inflows and exchange rates have a significant effect on housing sales both in the short and long run. Furthermore, household income, GDP, interest rates and exchange rates significantly affect housing rental growth in the short and long run. The findings are key for policymaking, especially at the appraisal stages of real estate investments by the developers.

Practical implications

The authors recommend the use of both the traditional hedonic models in conjunction with the dynamic models during real estate project appraisals as this would ensure that developers only invest in the right projects in the right economic situations.

Originality/value

The imbalance between housing demand and supply has prompted an investigation into the role of macroeconomic variables on the housing market in Kenya. Although the effects of the variables have been documented, there is a need to document the short-run and long-term effects of the factors to precisely understand the behavior of the housing market as a way of shielding developers from economic losses.
Cultural adaptation and validation of the Others as Shamer scale: a barrier to effective health-care assessment
Authors: Gull Mahvia , Aqeel Muhammad , Kanwal Aniqa , Khan Kamran , Akhtar Tanvir
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Despite the fact that shame is recognized as a significant factor in clinical encounters, it is under-recognized, under-researched and under-theorized in health prevention, assessment and cross-cultural contexts. Thus, this study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the most widely used scale, the “Other as Shamer Scale” (OAS), to assess the risk and proclivities of external shame in adults. As in health care, there is a barrier between what is known through research in one culture and what is acceptable in practice in another culture.

Design/methodology/approach

The Urdu version was prepared using the standard back-translation method, and the study was conducted from June 2021 to January 2022. The translation and adaptation were completed in four steps: forward translation, adaptation and translation, back translation, committee approach and cross-language validation. The sample, selected through the purposive sampling method, is comprised of 200 adults (men = 100 and women = 100), with an age range of 18–60 years (M = 28, SD = 5.5), spanning all stages of life. The Cronbach's alpha reliability and factorial validity of the OAS were assessed through confirmatory factor analysis and Pearson correlation analyses. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability (at a two-week interval) were used to evaluate the reliability. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 22) software.

Findings

Preliminary analysis revealed that the overall instrument had good internal consistency (Urdu OAS a = 0.91; English OAS a = 0.92) as well as test–retest correlation coefficients for 15 days (r = 0.88). The factor loading of all items ranged from 0.69 to 0.9, which explained the significant level and indicated the model's overall goodness of fit.

Originality/value

Findings suggest that this scale has significant psychometric properties and the potential to be used as a valid, reliable and cost-effective clinical and research instrument. This study contributes to scientific knowledge and helps to develop and test indigenous cross-cultural instruments that can be used to examine external shame in Pakistani people.
Exploring the cornerstones of green, sustainable and socially responsible human resource management
Authors: Murillo-Ramos Lydia , Huertas-Valdivia Irene , García-Muiña Fernando E.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to delineate the fast-growing path of human resource management (HRM) research with a sustainable orientation and resolve confusion over the differences and interdependences of the various approaches that have emerged: green human resource management (GHRM), sustainable human resource management (Sustainable HRM), and socially responsible human resource management (SR-HRM).

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, bibliometrics and science mapping were used to analyze the field's conceptual structure based on 587 related documents extracted from the ISI Web of Science database. Co-word analysis with SciMAT software enabled the authors to map the main themes studied and identify evolution, importance, and relevance.

Findings

SR-HRM is the least developed of the three approaches analyzed and has been overlooked by the journals that publish the most work in the field of HR. The authors identify a lack of sustainability-related HRM studies on higher education and an ongoing need both to explore the role of culture in GHRM implementation and to explain further the potential non-green behavioral outcomes that can result from GHRM's use.

Practical implications

This study demonstrates how human resource factors are key to managing challenges such as aging workforce, unstable employment relationships, implementation of green supply chain management, and Industry 4.0.

Originality/value

This study explores in detail the interrelations among various emerging sustainable human resource approaches and subtopics derived from the interrelations to reveal hotspots, dilemmas, paradoxes, and research gaps.
From ontology to knowledge graph with agile methods: the case of COVID-19 CODO knowledge graph
Authors: DeBellis Michael , Dutta Biswanath
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the CODO ontology (COviD-19 Ontology) that captures epidemiological data about the COVID-19 pandemic in a knowledge graph that follows the FAIR principles. This study took information from spreadsheets and integrated it into a knowledge graph that could be queried with SPARQL and visualized with the Gruff tool in AllegroGraph.

Design/methodology/approach

The knowledge graph was designed with the Web Ontology Language. The methodology was a hybrid approach integrating the YAMO methodology for ontology design and Agile methods to define iterations and approach to requirements, testing and implementation.

Findings

The hybrid approach demonstrated that Agile can bring the same benefits to knowledge graph projects as it has to other projects. The two-person team went from an ontology to a large knowledge graph with approximately 5 M triples in a few months. The authors gathered useful real-world experience on how to most effectively transform “from strings to things.”

Originality/value

This study is the only FAIR model (to the best of the authors’ knowledge) to address epidemiology data for the COVID-19 pandemic. It also brought to light several practical issues that generalize to other studies wishing to go from an ontology to a large knowledge graph. This study is one of the first studies to document how the Agile approach can be used for knowledge graph development.
Fat tails and network interlinkages of crude oil and cryptocurrency during the COVID-19 health crisis
Authors: Ha Le Thanh
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The authors attempt to explore fat tails and network interlinkages of oil prices and the six largest cryptocurrencies from 1st January 2018 and 1st August 2021. The authors also investigate the influences of the COVID-19 pandemic on these network interlinkages.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors follow Diebold and Yilmaz (2012) to calculate the spillover index the dynamic correlation coefficient model firstly employed by Engle (2002) to study how the volatility of oil prices are transmitted to those of cryptocurrency return and liquidity and vice versa.

Findings

The results confirm the presence of time-varying interlinkages between the volatilities of the oil market and the cryptocurrency market. Notably, uncertain events like the COVID-19 health crisis significantly influence the time-varying interlinkages they augment dramatically during the COVID-19 health crisis. The turbulence of the cryptocurrency market, especially from Bitcoin and Ethereum, significantly impacts those of the oil market. The role of the oil market in transmitting the effect of respective shocks to the cryptocurrency market, on the other hand, is time-varying, which is only reported when the COVID-19 pandemic first appeared at the beginning of 2020. The turbulence of the cryptocurrency market in the system is greatly explained by themself rather than a transmission mechanism of shocks to the oil market.

Practical implications

Insightful knowledge about key antecedents of contagion among these markets also help policymakers design adequate policies to reduce these markets' vulnerabilities and minimize the spread of risk or uncertainty across these markets.

Originality/value

The most significant benefit of the approach is how simple it is to calculate net pairwise connectivity, which identifies transmission channels between these commodity and financial markets. The authors are also the first to use the quasi-maximum likelihood (QML) estimator to estimate the DCC model to measure the volatility spillover index to reflect the level of interdependence between the different markets. By using a daily and up to date database, the authors can observe the role of each market in transmitting and receiving the shocks between two different sub-periods: (1) before and (2) during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
Government failures and non-performing loans in Asian countries
Authors: Giammanco Maria Daniela , Gitto Lara , Ofria Ferdinando
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Non-performing loans (NPLs) may determine an overall weakness of the banking system within a country. The purpose of the present study is to analyze the impact of government failures on NPLs in Asian countries in the time span 2000–2020. The variables employed as proxies of government failures are public debt as % of gross domestic product (GDP) and a government ineffectiveness index proposed by the World Bank.

Design/methodology/approach

The econometric approach employed is a panel generalised time series (GLS) model with heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation specific to each panel.

Findings

The results confirm that public debt as % of GDP and governmental ineffectiveness impacted significantly on NPLs for Asian countries in the observed period.

Originality/value

The literature offers similar results only for some individual Asian countries, while a wider analysis is lacking for Asian macroareas. The present paper considers 31 Asian countries, and supports the idea that a healthy financial sector is correlated to institutional quality and political regime. Hence, policy makers are advised to monitor governance indicators to reduce NPLs.
The dynamics of workplace relationships among expatriates and host country nationals in international development organisations
Authors: Yusuf Rebecca , Fontinha Rita , Haak-Saheem Washika
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the dynamics of workplace relationships between expatriates and host country nationals (HCNs) in international development organisations (IDOs) through the lens of the social comparison theory. These relationships are likely influenced by the way human resource management (HRM) practices are implemented among individuals from both groups.

Design/methodology/approach

The auhtors used an inductive approach and analysed qualitative data from ten expatriates and twenty HCNs employed by five IDOs in Nigeria, a risk-prone context.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that both expatriates and HCNs perceive that the HRM practices implemented by IDOs are more favourable to expatriates. This leads to further social comparisons between members of both groups, affecting their workplace interactions.

Practical implications

The way expatriates and HCNs perceive and act towards these differential practices matters for the operations of IDOs. As such, the authors recommend that IDO management may consider acknowledging diversity in their workforce, enact inclusive practices and make deliberate investments on learning opportunities and maximise the continued investments in expatriate use.

Originality/value

This study contributes to expatriation literature by clarifying the extent to which the enactment of differential HRM practices in a risk-prone context can exacerbate upward social comparisons and significantly influence working relationships. The authors explore this outside the context of multinational enterprises, focusing on IDOs that play a valuable role in local societies.
An empirical investigation of customer characteristics on retail format selection – a mediating role of store image
Authors: Hiremath Suvarna , Panda Ansumalini , C. Prashantha , Pasumarti Srinivas Subbarao
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Food and grocery, which accounts for around 60% of the overall retail market in India, is the most promising area for launching a retail firm. The objective of this research paper is to conduct a thorough investigation of the impact of customers’ geographic, demographic and psychographic characteristics on the selection of retail store format choice behavior in the quickly growing Indian food and grocery retail industry, also to analyze the mediating role of store image on the store choice behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive research design is used to collect data using the survey method and a structured questionnaire. The data collected from more than 400 food and grocery retail customers from neighborhood Kirana stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets in Karnataka, India, would be analyzed using both descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and Structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. SEM techniques are used for validation of the model with independent constructs namely Demographics factors, Socio-Economic factors, Geographic factors, Lifestyle and Shopping Motives, a Mediating variable Store Image, and a dependent variable Store choice behavior. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is used to examine the suggested theoretical framework.

Findings

The model is tested to reveal the impact of shoppers’ age, gender, occupation, education, monthly household income, family size, and distance traveled to the store, which all play a role in their retail format choice. Also, the socio economic and life style factors of shoppers influence their purchasing decisions as well; store image partially mediates between customer characteristics and store choice behavior.

Implications

The study has practical implications for food and grocery retailer in understanding customer behavior in the context of changing customer demographic and psychographic features in the Indian retailing sector. The findings aid retail merchants, allowing them to develop more successful retail marketing strategies and gain a competitive advantage.

Originality

This study could serve as a springboard for future research in this field. Retail marketers will benefit from the findings in terms of format creation and reorientation of marketing strategies in the shortest time.
Understanding supply chain resilience through conceptual modelling techniques
Authors: Herrera Andrea , Velandia Paula , Sánchez Mario , Villalobos Jorge
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a conceptualization of the supply chain resilience domain using conceptual modelling techniques formalized through a metamodel and illustrated through an example.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses conceptual modelling techniques to build and modularize the metamodel, the latter to manage complexity. The metamodel was built iteratively and subsequently instantiated with an example of a yogurt factory to analyse its usefulness and theoretical relevance, and thus its contributions to the domain.

Findings

Conceptual modelling techniques can represent a complex domain such as supply chain resilience simply, and the proposed metamodel makes it possible to create models that become valuable decision support tools.

Originality/value

Consolidation and structuring of concepts in the supply chain resilience domain through conceptual modelling techniques.
Adapting to the COVID-19 world: a case study of collective learning in a social entrepreneurial organisation
Authors: Eslahchi Morteza
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how a social entrepreneurial organisation in Sweden collectively learned to adapt itself to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an abductive approach, this study conducted single case fieldwork on a social entrepreneurial organisation called SFE. The following research questions were asked: What are the changes in collective learning conditions that SFE has to face during the pandemic? What are the outcomes of collective learning during the pandemic in SFE?

Findings

This study results indicate that collective learning conditions were changed by restructuring the organisation’s design and teamwork during the pandemic, which facilitated sharing of knowledge and experiences. This collective learning helped the organisation develop new virtual projects during the pandemic. Another result of this collective learning was the members’ new shared understanding of the organisation’s vision.

Research limitations/implications

This study hopes to broaden the understanding of the relationship between collective learning in organisations and organisational adaptation in times of crisis.

Practical implications

This study can help leaders of social entrepreneurial organisations understand what changes are necessary to create a team that collectively learns.

Originality/value

The data had the advantage of being gathered as a real-time process, and the researcher witnessed how the organisation achieved adaptation as it happened and not just through its members’ reflection of it as a past phenomenon.