bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The disequilibrium of double descent: changing inheritance norms among Himba pastoralists
Authors: Scelza Brooke A. , Prall Sean P. , Levine Nancy E.
Published: July 2019

Matrilineal systems in sub-Saharan Africa tend to co-occur with horticulture and are rare among pastoralists, with the causal arrow pointing from the introduction of cattle to the loss of matriliny. However, most work on this topic stems from either phylogenetic analyses or historical data. To better understand the shift from matrilineal to patrilineal inheritance that occurred among Bantu populations after the adoption of pastoralism, data from societies that are currently in transition are needed. Himba pastoralists, who practice ‘double descent’, may represent one such society. Using multi-generational ethnography and structured survey data, we describe current norms and preferences about inheritance, as well as associated norms related to female autonomy. We find that preferences for patrilineal inheritance are strong, despite the current practice of matrilineal cattle inheritance. We also find that a preference for patriliny predicts greater acceptance of norm violating behaviour favouring sons over nephews. Finally, we show that there are important generational differences in how men view women's autonomy, which are probably attributable to both changing norms about inheritance and exposure to majority-culture views on women's roles. Our data shed light on how systemic change like the shifts in descent reckoning that occurred during the Bantu expansion can occur.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The evolution of female-biased kinship in humans and other mammals’.
From matrimonial practices to genetic diversity in Southeast Asian populations: the signature of the matrilineal puzzle
Authors: Ly Goki , Laurent Romain , Lafosse Sophie , Monidarin Chou , Diffloth Gérard , Bourdier Frédéric , Evrard Olivier , Toupance Bruno , Pavard Samuel , Chaix Raphaëlle
Published: July 2019

In matrilineal populations, the descent group affiliation is transmitted by women whereas the socio-political power frequently remains in the hands of men. This situation, named the ‘matrilineal puzzle’, is expected to promote local endogamy as a coping mechanism allowing men to maintain their decision-making power over their natal descent group. In this paper, we revisit this ‘matrilineal puzzle’ from a population genetics' point of view. Indeed, such tendency for local endogamy in matrilineal populations is expected to increase their genetic inbreeding and generate isolation-by-distance patterns between villages. To test this hypothesis, we collected ethno-demographic data for 3261 couples and high-density genetic data for 675 individuals from 11 Southeast Asian populations with a wide range of social organizations: matrilineal and matrilocal populations (M), patrilineal and patrilocal populations (P) or cognatic populations with predominant matrilocal residence (C). We observed that M and C populations have higher levels of village endogamy than P populations, and that such higher village endogamy leads to higher genetic inbreeding. M populations also exhibit isolation-by-distance patterns between villages. We interpret such genetic patterns as the signature of the ‘matrilineal puzzle’. Notably, our results suggest that any form of matrilocal marriage (whatever the descent rule is) increases village endogamy. These findings suggest that male dominance, when combined with matrilocality, constrains inter-village migrations, and constitutes an underexplored cultural process shaping genetic patterns in human populations.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The evolution of female-biased kinship in humans and other mammals’.
Pain in clients attending a South African voluntary counselling and testing centre was frequent and extensive but did not depend on HIV status
Authors: Wadley Antonia L , Lazarus Erica , Gray Glenda E , Mitchell Duncan , Kamerman Peter R
Published: July 2019

Background

The frequency of pain is reported to be high in people living with HIV (PLWH), but valid comparisons between PLWH and HIV-negative cohorts are rare. We investigated whether HIV infection influenced frequency and characteristics of pain in adults undergoing voluntary testing for HIV.

Methods

Participants were recruited from a HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) centre at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto, South Africa. Pain was assessed using the Wisconsin Brief Pain Questionnaire. Depressive and anxiety symptomatology was determined using the Hopkins Symptom checklist-25. We then stratified by HIV status.

Results

Data from 535 black South Africans were analysed: HIV-infected n=70, HIV uninfected n=465. Overall, frequency of pain was high with 59% (95%CI: 55; 63, n: 316/535) of participants reporting pain, with no difference related to HIV status: HIV-infected 50% (95% CI: 37; 61, n: 35/70), HIV-uninfected 60% (95%CI: 56; 65, n: 281/465). Pain intensity and number of pain sites were similar between the groups as were symptoms of anxiety and depression: mean HSCL-25 1.72 (95% CI 1.57; 1.87) HIV-infected participants and 1.68 (95% CI: 1.63; 1.73) HIV-uninfected participants. Univariate analysis showed female sex and greater depressive and anxiety symptomatology associated with having pain. In a conservative multivariable model, only depressive and anxiety symptomatology was retained in the model.

Conclusion

The high frequency of pain found in both HIV infected and uninfected individuals presenting at a VCT centre was more likely to be associated with depression and anxiety, than with the presence or absence of HIV.
Evaluation of Indicators of Reproducibility and Transparency in Published Cardiology Literature
Authors: Anderson J. Michael , Wright Bryan , Tritz Daniel , Horn Jarryd , Parker Ian , Bergeron Daniel , Cook Sharolyn , Vassar Matt
Published: July 2019

Background

The extent of reproducibility in cardiology research remains unclear. Therefore, our main objective was to determine the quality of research published in cardiology journals using eight indicators of reproducibility.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional study design, we conducted an advanced search of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) catalog for publications from 2014-2018 in journals pertaining to cardiology. Journals must have been published in the English language and must have been indexed in MEDLINE. Once the initial list of publications from all cardiology journals was obtained, we searched for full-text PDF versions using Open Access, Google Scholar, and PubMed. Studies were analyzed using a pilot-tested Google Form to evaluate the presence of information that was deemed necessary to reproduce the study in its entirety.

Results

After exclusions, we included 132 studies containing empirical data. Of these studies, the majority (126/132, 95.5%) did not provide the raw data collected while conducting the study, 0/132 (0%) provided step-by-step analysis scripts, and 117/132 (88.6%) failed to provide sufficient materials needed to reproduce the study.

Conclusions

The presentation of studies published in cardiology journals does not appear to facilitate reproducible research. Considerable improvements to the framework of biomedical science, specifically in the field of cardiology, are necessary. Solutions to increase the reproducibility and transparency of published works in cardiology journals is warranted, including addressing inadequate sharing of materials, raw data, and key methodological details.
Community standards to facilitate development and address challenges in metabolic modeling
Authors: Carey Maureen A. , Dräger Andreas , Papin Jason A. , Yurkovich James T.
Published: July 2019

Standardization of data and models facilitates effective communication, especially in computational systems biology. However, both the development and consistent use of standards and resources remains challenging. As a result, the amount, quality, and format of the information contained within systems biology models are not consistent and therefore present challenges for widespread use and communication. Here, we focused on these standards, resources, and challenges in the field of metabolic modeling by conducting a community-wide survey. We used this feedback to (1) outline the major challenges that our field faces and to propose solutions and (2) identify a set of features that defines what a “gold standard” metabolic network reconstruction looks like concerning content, annotation, and simulation capabilities. We anticipate that this community-driven outline will help the long-term development of community-inspired resources as well as produce high-quality, accessible models. More broadly, we hope that these efforts can serve as blueprints for other computational modeling communities to ensure continued development of both practical, usable standards and reproducible, knowledge-rich models.
An online tool for calculating initial rates from continuous enzyme kinetic traces
Authors: Olp Michael D. , Kalous Kelsey S. , Smith Brian C.
Published: July 2019

A computer program was developed for semi-automated calculation of initial rates from continuous kinetic traces during the evaluation of Michaelis-Menten and EC50/IC50 kinetic parameters from high-throughput enzyme assays. The tool allows users to interactively fit kinetic traces using convenient browser-based selection tools, ameliorating tedious steps involved in defining linear ranges in general purpose programs like Microsoft Excel while still maintaining the simplicity of the “ruler and pencil” method of determining initial rates. As a test case, we quickly and accurately analyzed over 500 continuous enzyme kinetic traces resulting from experimental data on the response of Sirt1 to small-molecule activators. For a given titration series, our program allows simultaneous visualization of individual initial rates and the resulting Michaelis-Menten or EC50/IC50 kinetic model fit. In addition to serving as a convenient program for practicing enzymologists, our tool is also a useful teaching aid to visually demonstrate in real-time how incorrect initial rate fits can affect calculated steady-state kinetic parameters. For the convenience of the research community, we have made our program freely available online at https://continuous-enzyme-kinetics.herokuapp.com/continuous-enzyme-kinetics.
Streamlined production, purification, and comparison of recombinant extracellular polyhydroxybutyrate depolymerases
Authors: Martínez-Tobón Diana I. , Waters Brennan , Elias Anastasia L. , Sauvageau Dominic
Published: July 2019

Heterologous production of extracellular polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) depolymerases (PhaZs) has been of interest for over 30 years, but implementation is sometimes difficult and can limit the scope of research. With the constant development of tools to improve recombinant protein production inEscherichia coli, we propose a method that takes characteristics of PhaZs from different bacterial strains into account. Recombinant His-tagged versions of PhaZs (rPhaZ) fromComamonas testosteroni31A,Cupriavidussp.,Marinobacter algicolaDG893,Pseudomonas stutzeri, andRalstoniasp. were successfully produced with varying expression, solubility, and purity levels. PhaZs fromC. testosteroniandP. stutzeriwere more amenable to heterologous expression in all aspects; however, strategies were developed to circumvent low expression and purity for the other PhaZs. Degradation activity of the rPhaZs was compared using a simple PHB plate-based method, adapted to test for various pH and temperatures. rPhaZ fromM. algicolapresented the highest activity at 15 °C, and rPhaZs fromCupriavidussp. andRalstoniasp. had the highest activity at pH 5.4. The methods proposed herein can be used to test the production of soluble recombinant PhaZs, and to perform preliminary evaluation for applications that require PHB degradation.
A Whole-Genome Approach Discovers Novel Genetic and Non-Genetic Variance Components Modulated by Lifestyle for Cardiovascular Health
Authors: Zhou Xuan , van der Werf Julius , Carson-Chahhoud Kristin , Ni Guiyan , McGrath John , Hyppönen Elina , Lee S. Hong
Published: July 2019

Both genetic and non-genetic factors can predispose individuals to cardiovascular risk. Finding ways to alter these predispositions is important for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Here, we use a novel whole-genome framework to estimate genetic and non-genetic effects on—hence their predispositions to—cardiovascular risk and determine whether they vary with respect to lifestyle factors. We performed analyses on the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC, N=6,896-7,180) and validated findings using the UK Biobank (UKBB, N=14,076-34,538). Cardiovascular risk was measured using 23 traits in the ARIC and eight traits in the UKBB, such as body mass index (BMI), resting heart rate, white blood cell count and blood pressure; and lifestyle factors included information on physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption and dietary intake. Physical activity altered both genetic and non-genetic effects on heart rate and BMI, genetic effects on HDL cholesterol level, and non-genetic effects on waist-to-hip ratio. Alcohol consumption altered both genetic and non-genetic effects on BMI, while smoking altered non-genetic effects on heart rate, pulse pressure, and white blood cell count. In addition, saturated fat intake modified genetic effects on BMI, and total daily energy intake modified non-genetic effects on waist-to-hip ratio. These results highlight the relevance of lifestyle changes for CVD prevention. We also stratified individuals according to their genetic predispositions and showed notable differences in the effects of lifestyle on cardiovascular risk across stratified groups, implying the need for individualizing lifestyle changes for CVD prevention. Finally, we showed that neglecting lifestyle modulation of genetic and non-genetic effects will on average reduce SNP heritability estimates of cardiovascular traits by a small yet significant amount, primarily owing to overestimation of residual variance. Thus, current SNP heritability estimates for cardiovascular traits, which commonly do not consider modulating effects of lifestyle covariates, are likely underestimated.
Cryopreservation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes is not detrimental to their molecular and functional properties
Authors: van den Brink Lettine , Brandão Karina O. , Grandela Catarina , Mol Mervyn P.H. , Mummery Christine L. , Verkerk Arie O. , Davis Richard P.
Published: July 2019

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have emerged as a powerful platform for in vitro modelling of cardiac diseases, safety pharmacology, and drug screening. All these applications require large quantities of well-characterised and standardised batches of hiPSC-CMs. Cryopreservation of hiPSC-CMs without affecting their biochemical or biophysical phenotype is essential for facilitating this, but ideally requires the cells being unchanged by the freeze-thaw procedure. We therefore compared the in vitro functional and molecular characteristics of fresh and cryopreserved hiPSC-CMs generated from two independent hiPSC lines. While the frozen hiPSC-CMs exhibited poorer replating than their freshly-derived counterparts, there was no difference in the proportion of cardiomyocytes retrieved from the mixed population when this was factored in. Interestingly, cryopreserved hiPSC-CMs from one line exhibited longer action potential durations. These results provide evidence that cryopreservation does not compromise the in vitro molecular, physiological and mechanical properties of hiPSC-CMs, though can lead to an enrichment in ventricular myocytes. It also validates this procedure for storing hiPSC-CMs, thereby allowing the same batch of hiPSC-CMs to be used for multiple applications and evaluations.
Inference of past demography, dormancy and self-fertilization rates from whole genome sequence data
Authors: Sellinger Thibaut , Abu Awad Diala , Möst Markus , Tellier Aurélien
Published: July 2019

Several methods based on the Sequential Markovian Coalescent (SMC) have been developed to use full genome sequence data to uncover population demographic history, which is of interest in its own right and a key requirement to generate a null model for selection tests. While these methods can be applied to all possible species, the underlying assumptions are sexual reproduction at each generation and no overlap of generations. However, in many plant, invertebrate, fungi and other species, those assumptions are often violated due to different ecological and life history traits, such as self-fertilization or long term dormant structures (seed or egg-banking). We develop a novel SMC-based method to infer 1) the rates of seed/egg-bank and of self-fertilization, and 2) the populations’ past demographic history. Using simulated data sets, we demonstrate the accuracy of our method for a wide range of demographic scenarios and for sequence lengths from one to 30 Mb using four sampled genomes. Finally, we apply our method to a Swedish and a German population ofArabidopsis thalianademonstrating a selfing rate ofca.0.8 and the absence of any detectable seed-bank. In contrast, we show that the water fleaDaphnia pulexexhibits a long lived egg-bank of three to 18 generations. In conclusion, we here present a novel method to infer accurate demographies and life-history traits for species with selfing and/or seed/egg-banks. Finally, we provide recommendations on the use of SMC-based methods for non-model organisms, highlighting the importance of the per site and the effective ratios of recombination over mutation.
Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Candida albicans; hospital based study
Authors: Njeru Albert , Mwafaida Joseph
Published: July 2019

Background

Chlamydia and candidiasis have only mild or no symptoms at all. When symptoms develop, they are often mistaken for something else like urinary tract infections or yeast infections. These infections affect both men and woman of all backgrounds and economic levels.

Objective

The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (C.trachomatis) and Candida albicans (C.albicans) infections among attendees of Kilifi Medical Centre in Kilifi county, Kenya was studied.

Methodology

Urethral and vaginal swabs samples were aseptically collected from 305 subjects, examined for Candida albicans and Chlamydia trachomatis using standard microbiological methods. The swabs were analyzed using direct wet smears, Gram-stained smear and culture techniques.

Results

Of the 305 participants, 181 (59.34%) females and 124 (40.66%) males were tested with the overall prevalence of 53.44 % for both Chlamydia trachomatis and Candida albicans with females having a higher infection rate (35.14 %) for chlamydia and candidasis than men (17.71). Amongst the different age groups investigated, candida and chlamydia distribution was highest in participants aged 28-32 years (21.97 %).The infection rate of C.trachomatis (14.43 %) among the male participants was higher than the infection rate revealed among the female participants of 1.97 % while the infection rate of C.albicans was higher among the female participants (33.77 %) compared to the 3.28 % recorded in male participants with no co-infections revealed.

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrated a significant difference between male and female chlamydia and candida infections with women being severely affected than men. The study recommended routine screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) which is essential in preventing infections transmissions, assessment of the role of socio-demographic and behavioral risks on Chlamydia trachomatis and Candida albicans, proper treatment of all candida and chlamydia by use of correct/effective medicines, contact tracing and treatment of sexual partners and health education.
Establishment of Proximity-dependent Biotinylation Approaches in Different Plant Model Systems
Authors: Arora Deepanksha , Abel Nikolaj B. , Liu Chen , Van Damme Petra , Yperman Klaas , Vu Lam Dai , Wang Jie , Tornkvist Anna , Impens Francis , Korbei Barbara , Eeckhout Dominique , Van Leene Jelle , Goossens Alain , De Jaeger Geert , Ott Thomas , Moschou Panagiotis , Van Damme Daniël
Published: July 2019

Proximity-dependent biotin labelling (PDL) uses a promiscuous biotin ligase (PBL) or a peroxidase fused to a protein of interest. This enables covalent biotin labelling of proteins and allows subsequent capture and identification of interacting and neighbouring proteins without the need for the protein complex to remain intact. To date, only few papers report on the use of PDL in plants. Here we present the results of a systematic study applying a variety of PDL approaches in several plant systems using various conditions and bait proteins. We show that TurboID is the most promiscuous variant in several plant model systems and establish protocols which combine Mass Spectrometry-based analysis with harsh extraction and washing conditions. We demonstrate the applicability of TurboID in capturing membrane-associated protein interactomes usingLotus japonicussymbiotically active receptor kinases as test-case. We further benchmark the efficiency of various PBLs in comparison with one-step affinity purification approaches. We identified both known as well as novel interactors of the endocytic TPLATE complex. We furthermore present a straightforward strategy to identify both non-biotinylated as well as biotinylated peptides in a single experimental setup. Finally, we provide initial evidence that our approach has the potential to infer structural information of protein complexes.
A role for the P2Y1 receptor in nonsynaptic cross-depolarization in the rat dorsal root ganglia
Authors: Carvalho Gil B. , Mulpuri Yatendra , Damasio Antonio , Spigelman Igor
Published: July 2019

Non-synaptic transmission is pervasive throughout the nervous system. It appears especially prevalent in peripheral ganglia, where non-synaptic interactions between neighboring cell bodies have been described in both physiological and pathological conditions, a phenomenon referred to as cross-depolarization (CD) and thought to play a role in sensory processing and chronic pain. CD has been proposed to be mediated by a chemical agent, but its identity has remained elusive. Here, we report that in the rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG), the P2Y1 purinergic receptor (P2RY1) plays an important role in regulating CD. The effect of P2RY1 is cell-type specific: pharmacological blockade of P2RY1 inhibited CD in A-type neurons while enhancing it in unmyelinated C-type cells. In the nodose ganglion of the vagus, CD requires extracellular calcium in a large percentage of cells. In contrast, we show that in the DRG extracellular calcium appears to play no major role, pointing to a mechanistic difference between the two peripheral ganglia. Furthermore, we show that DRG glial cells also play a cell-type specific role in CD regulation. Fluorocitrate-induced glial inactivation had no effect on A-cells but enhanced CD in C-cells. These findings shed light on the mechanism of CD in the DRG and pave the way for further analysis of non-synaptic neuronal communication in sensory ganglia.

Highlights

The purinergic receptor P2RY1 plays a regulatory role in non-synaptic crossdepolarization (CD) in the mammalian DRG

The effect of P2RY1 is cell type-specific: it enhances CD in myelinated A-type neurons, but inhibits it in unmyelinated C-cells

CD in the DRG does not require extracellular calcium. This is in contrast with the nodose ganglion, where extracellular calcium plays an important role in nonsynaptic interactions

CD is also modulated by DRG glial cells. Glia selectively inhibit CD in C-type neurons
Comparison of Non-linear and Linear Models of Single Channel EEG in patients and normal subjects
Authors: ZhuoJun Gu , ZhiQiang Huang , Xiao Zhu , ShenXun Shi
Published: July 2019

This article examines the possibility of using non-linear models(Support Vector Regression) to model the single channel EEG signals from psychiatric patients and a group of normal participants, to predict psychology trait ratings, like attention, anxiety, alertness, fatigue, sleepiness and depression. It used linear models as benchmarks, and the results showed non-linear models outperformed the benchmarks, as well as more advanced linear methods, like principle component regression. It is thus concluded that using single channel in practical situations to monitor these traits would be possible.
VariantSpark, A Random Forest Machine Learning Implementation for Ultra High Dimensional Data
Authors: Bayat Arash , Szul Piotr , O’Brien Aidan R. , Dunne Robert , Luo Oscar J. , Jain Yatish , Hosking Brendan , Bauer Denis C.
Published: July 2019

The demands on machine learning methods to cater for ultra high dimensional datasets, datasets with millions of features, have been increasing in domains like life sciences and the Internet of Things (IoT). While Random Forests are suitable for “wide” datasets, current implementations such as Google’s PLANET lack the ability to scale to such dimensions. Recent improvements by Yggdrasil begin to address these limitations but do not extend to Random Forest. This paper introduces CursedForest, a novel Random Forest implementation on top of Apache Spark and part of the VariantSpark platform, which parallelises processing of all nodes over the entire forest. CursedForest is 9 and up to 89 times faster than Google’s PLANET and Yggdrasil, respectively, and is the first method capable of scaling to millions of features.
Encoding variability accounts for false recognition of noncorresponding lures on the forced-choice Mnemonic Similarity Task
Authors: Rollins Leslie , Khuu Alexis , Lodi Nafeesa
Published: July 2019

On forced-choice tests of recognition memory, performance is best when targets are paired with novel foils (A-X), followed by corresponding lures (A-A′), and then noncorresponding lures (A-B′). The current study tested the prediction that encoding variability accounts for reduced performance on A-B′ trials. Young adults (n = 43) completed the forced-choice Mnemonic Similarity Task while eye movements were recorded. Errors on the A-B′ test format were attributable to encoding variability; incorrect A-B′ trials were associated with more fixations to the B stimulus than the A stimulus at encoding. However, encoding variability did not account for accuracy on the A-A′ test format.
A novel hybrid control approach for modular automation system: a case study of sensorless interior permanent magnet in-wheel motor
Authors: Li Yong , Huang Yanjun , Xu Xing
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Sensorless interior permanent magnet in-wheel motor (IPMIWM), as an exemplar of modular automation system, has attracted considerable interests in recent years. This paper aims to investigate a novel hybrid control approach for the sensorless IPMIWM from a cyber-physical systems (CPS) perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The control approach is presented based on the hybrid dynamical theory. In the standstill-low (S-L) speed, the rotor position/speed signal is estimated by the method of the high frequency (HF) voltage signal injection. The least square support vector machine (LS-SVM) is used to acquire the rotor position/speed signal in medium-high (M-H) speed operation. Hybrid automata model of the IPMIWM is established due to its hybrid dynamic characteristics in wide speed range. A hybrid state observer (HSO), including a discrete state observer (DSO) and a continuous state observer (CSO), is designed for rotor position/speed estimation of the IPMIWM.

Findings

The hardware-in-the-loop testing based on dSPACE is carried out on the test bench. Experimental investigations demonstrate the hybrid control approach can not only identify the rotor position/speed signal with a certain load but also be able to reject the load disturbance. The reliability and the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid control approach were verified.

Originality/value

The proposed hybrid control approach for the sensorless IPMIWM promotes the deep combination and coordination of sensorless IPMIWM drive system. It also theoretically supports and extends the development of the hybrid control of the highly integrated modular automation system.
Why the new orange juice consumption model favors global trade and growth in orange production
Authors: Allegra Valeria , Zarbà Carla , La Via Giovanni , Zarbà Alfonso Silvio
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze international orange trade as different types of orange juice seem to obtain the favor of newer food consumption patterns as opposed to fresh oranges. In addition, the authors will outline market tendencies that could be useful to stakeholders interested in any way in the sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This document uses the Lafay index (LFI) in order to evaluate the intra-sectoral trade specialization; however, the social network analysis (SNA) approach is used to connect the international trade relations and to refine, classify and prioritize the countries having a central role in the orange juice world trade network. For both indexes, UNCOMTRADE has been used.

Findings

The findings show that the growing orange juice trade is the leading global growth factor as opposed to the sale of fresh oranges. It appears that major trade revenues come from orange juice concentrate (Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice (FCOJ)). Business takes place mostly in Europe.

Originality/value

This study shows for the first time that the current orange juice export competitiveness is crucial to the long-term survival of the orange sector. This study valuably contributes to the less known literature regarding FCOJ and Not From Concentrate orange juice trade relevance.
Framework contracts for medicine inventory management in public healthcare
Authors: Jalil Muhammad Naiman , Malik Wafa , Javaid Areeb , Khan Ali Jan
Published: July 2019

Learning outcomes

This paper aims to highlight the implications of financial planning for public procurement process for medicine purchase. The purpose of this case is also to understand how the choice of contract type in public procurement impacts medicine inventory levels and availability. It finally highlights the appropriate configuration of framework procurement contract for procurement of discrete goods in the context of public sector procurement.

Case overview/synopsis

Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD), Government of the Punjab provides free public health-care services in the Punjab province. Public health-care services of P&SHD are organised in a tiered manner with almost 3,000 primary and secondary medical facilities dispersed throughout the Punjab province. P&SHD maintains inventories of approximately 300 medicines to support medical service provision.

Complexity academic level

This case can be taught in procurement and inventory management module of MBA level operations management course. It can also be used in executive course on public sector procurement management. The case aims to highlight the interrelation between inventory planning and procurement management process. Hence, it should be used after participants have understood inventory models, procurement process and procurement contract types. Standard readings or cases on inventory and procurement management that cover topics such economic order quantity, procurement process steps and procurement contracts can be used to develop this understanding.

Supplementary materials

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

Subject code

CSS 9: Operations and logistics.
Exploring entrepreneurial orientation and intentions among technical university students
Authors: Sahoo Swagatika , Panda Rajeev Kumar
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the impact of the contextual antecedents on the individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) of university graduates, which, in turn, affects their entrepreneurial intentions (EIs).

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were collected in the form of 510 valid responses from engineering students across two technical universities in India, through a structured questionnaire consisting of scales adapted from the extant literature, and the data were empirically validated in this study. The reliability and validity measures of the constructs were validated through the confirmatory factor analysis, and the proposed hypotheses were validated using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results of this empirical analysis validate that the contextual antecedents have a significant positive impact on students’ entrepreneurial orientation (EO), which, in turn, has a significant positive influence on EIs.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis depicts the significance of EO as a perceptual driver at the individual level and substantiates that the availability of resources such as startup capital, access to business information, social networks and supportive university context significantly affects the decision-making process of an individual to venture into an otherwise uncertain occupation of entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

The study has the likely potential to help university administrators and policymakers to allocate resources, develop strategies and provide effective entrepreneurial learning in entrepreneurship-oriented courses aimed at honing entrepreneurial skills and self-confidence of the university students. This holistic model can be used as a tool for resource planning and prioritising in order to provide the desired contextual support essential for fostering the IEO of the university students towards adopting entrepreneurial career, thereby assisting them to achieve their career goals and the broader objective of nation-building.

Originality/value

This study adopts an innovative approach to empirically validate the EO construct at the individual level, which has been studied at the organisation (firm) level till today. This research explores the relevant contextual antecedents and analyses their impact on IEO as well as the explanatory capacity of IEO to explain students’ EIs in the contextual backdrop of universities in a fast transitioning economy like India.
Characterising the airtightness of dwellings
Authors: Ashdown Minnie M.A. , Crawley Jenny , Biddulph Phillip , Wingfield Jez , Lowe Robert , Elwell Clifford A.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the distribution of dwelling airtightness test results for a developer, between 2007 and 2011. The changes in airtightness test results over time are discussed, and links between the airtightness test results and the construction technique are investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

A data set of airtightness test results was statistically analysed by applying probabilistic model of the distribution and using Bayesian parameter estimation techniques.

Findings

The inferred background distributions, those estimated to describe dwelling performance before secondary sealing, suggest an improvement in airtightness between 2008 and 2011, the mode decreases from 5.46±0.09 m3/m2h to 4.12±0.07 m3/m2h with a corresponding shift in practice towards a more target-driven approach. The most airtight dwellings are constructed from reinforced concrete frame, followed by “traditional” (dry lined masonry), timber frame and lightweight steel frame.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited by the size of the available data set (901 dwellings), and by the fact that the data set contains a larger proportion of flats to houses; however, the metadata has enabled the exploration of the link between construction practices and airtightness.

Practical implications

Developers need better guidance surrounding how to meet more stringent airtightness requirements through improvements to the primary air barrier, with incentives and support to deliver changes in practice. Furthermore, if a large number of dwellings undergo secondary sealing, this may have implications for the long-term efficiency of the dwelling stock.

Originality/value

This analysis investigates two issues that have not previously been studied on a significant number of dwellings: the changes to the distribution of airtightness results over time and the link between construction methods and airtightness.
“Think sustainable, act local” – a stakeholder-filter-model for translating SDGs into sustainability initiatives with local impact
Authors: Raub Steffen P. , Martin-Rios Carlos
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and illustrate a comprehensive framework for how hospitality firms can overcome the broad vs narrow dilemma in sustainable management. The authors develop a framework for how to break down the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) into actionable and context-specific subsets and select individual sustainability initiatives with maximum impact.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework focuses on sustainable innovation and management in hospitality and the issue-focused stakeholder perspective. The authors develop a theoretical framework for the selection of impactful sustainability initiatives in the hospitality industry. In addition, the paper provides a broad range of concrete examples for how different stakeholders can act as barriers or catalysts for the implementation of sustainability initiatives.

Findings

The major contribution of this paper is twofold. First, it recognizes that the solutions to the great sustainability challenges ahead involve the active participation of the hospitality industry in establishing partnerships with stakeholders. Second, it offers an ambitious roadmap for hospitality firms to identify local issues specific to sustainable management actions committed to advancing the social, environmental and economic dimensions of sustainability.

Originality/value

The framework has considerable practical implications in that it is centered on helping hospitality firms select an appropriate set of SDGs for their local context and translate them into specific sustainability initiatives that address these goals. The “stakeholder-filter model” methodology is aligned with an approach that is already being used for the development of sustainability initiatives outside the scope of the hospitality industry. As a result, the framework should have substantial practical value for the hospitality industry.
The impact of age on gay consumers’ reaction to the physical and social servicescape in gay bars
Authors: Olson Eric , Park Heelye (Jason)
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of physical servicescape, social servicescape and age on gay consumers’ evaluations of a LGBT advertisement of a gay bar of a gay bar.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 × 2 × 2 experimental design was used to test the effects with a sample of gay males in the USA. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA and bootstrapping mediation.

Findings

Results of this study indicate a statistically significant three-way interaction effect of the two independent variables and age on the gay bar’s perceived LGBT (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender)-friendliness. Perceived friendliness mediated the effects of the independent variables on behavioral intentions. Furthermore, the mediation effect was moderated by the age cohort.

Research limitations/implications

The findings indicate a changing perception of gay servicescape between the older and younger gay men. Implications for hospitality managers are provided.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the servicescape literature by expanding the realm of research to gay servicescape and gay consumers, an emergent and more visible hospitality segment.
The story of project-based action learning (PAL)
Authors: Law Kris M.Y. , Chuah K.B.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Since the late 1980s, the concepts of organizational learning (OL) and learning organization (LO) has prospered and been advocated as an effective strategy for organizational excellence. However, there was a lack of systematic documentation or cases reported proving the sustaining effect of OL. The purpose of this paper is to present a successful 15-year OL case in China, with which to prove PAL is a sustainable vehicle for OL.

Design/methodology/approach

This study documents a 15-year successful journey of a project-based action learning (PAL) driven OL setting in a multinational high-tech manufacturing company in China. The case study has been focusing on the progress of the four pillars in the PAL framework (i.e. policy and strategy; learning facilitation; resources and technology; and performance management) throughout the 15-year journey. Besides secondary data collection, on-site interviews with participants and the management of the company were carried out.

Findings

From this longitudinal case study, it can be seen that the four pillars form a very robust infrastructure supporting PAL for driving OL within the company. Each pillar is indispensable and evolves according to the needs of the others. Both management and learning team members perceived that PAL is an effective tool to drive OL within the case company.

Originality/value

This paper presents a unique15-year longitudinal examination of a successful OL story in a high-tech company in China, through the adoption of the PAL driven framework and the evolutionary road of the associated parts. While successful, this paper is considered as a “stage” summary of the long range road of OL adoption, with PAL proven to be a sustainable OL vehicle.
Integrating internal branding antecedents, customer and job satisfaction in the public sector
Authors: Eid Riyad , Al Zaabi Amna , Alzahmi Rashed , Elsantil Yasmeen
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The implementation of marketing concepts to the public sector is still a relatively new topic for researchers and practitioners. Moreover, although branding has become more prominent in the public sector, its role with employees is under explored. Following a review of internal branding and marketing literature in the private sector, the purpose of this study is enrich and contribute to the internal branding concept and the literature by expanding its insightful knowledge beyond that of the Western school of thought to the UAE government sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a quantitative survey conducted among 304 public sector employees. These were measured on a five-point Likert scale. To test the model and the hypothesized relationships among the constructs of the model, structural equation modeling was used.

Findings

The strength of the relationship between the constructs indicates that features of the suggested internal branding model are crucial to achieving both employee and customer satisfaction in the public sector.

Originality/value

This study provides new theoretical grounds for studying internal branding in the public sector. It also supplies public sector organizations with a number of operative factors that may be essential if they are to provide enhanced satisfaction to public needs. It further contributes to the existing body of knowledge by expanding its knowledge beyond the Western school of thoughts as the study is about a non-Western government culture. Finally, it is probably the first to provide an integrative perspective of internal branding constructs in the public sector.
Does humility facilitate knowledge sharing? Investigating the role of humble knowledge inquiry and response
Authors: Anand Amitabh , Walsh Isabelle , Moffett Sandra
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Despite the strong focus on virtues in firms, humility is little recognized in the management literature and, more particularly in the literature about knowledge sharing (KS). Despite efforts to foster KS among employees in firms, the effectiveness of this process narrows down to the dyadic relationship between the knowledge seeker and provider within firm. This paper aims to investigate the role of humility in the KS process in dyadic activity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors undertake an exploratory investigation to fill some of the gaps found in the literature. The paper draws insights from psychology, history, religion, current events and management literature.

Findings

The authors identify several individual propensities that help predict humility towards sharing knowledge from seeker (humble knowledge-inquiry) and provider perspectives (humble response). They propose a new conceptual process model of KS with humility as an important variable to consider. This work highlights several promising directions for future research.

Originality/value

As per the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper that investigates the role of humility in knowledge sharing from dyadic perspective. The authors also introduce concepts of humble knowledge inquiry and humble response in a dyadic context for effective knowledge sharing process.
Fraud interpretation and disclaimer audit opinion
Authors: Malau Walter Cameron , Ohalehi Paschal , Badr Eldin Soha , Yekini Kemi
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Financial transactions fraud (FTF) and financial statements fraud (FSF) grew exponentially during the past decades coupled with complex and sophisticated technological developments. This study aims to investigate the practitioners’ interpretation of fraud with recurring audit issues in the disclaimer audit opinions (DAOs) reports within the Solomon Islands public sector (SIPS).

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study involves qualitative data analysis. The analysis alongside theoretical developments is informed by the “fraud triangle” theory.

Findings

The research results revealed the practitioners’ acknowledgement of FSF, FTF and fraud in the SIPS, as generally prevalent and aligned to some components of the fraud triangle theory. This study is sceptic about the good intentions of the International Public-Sector Accounting Standards –Cash-basis framework and favours the Provincial Government Act 1997 and the Public Finance Management Act 2013 requirements. It further suggests that fraud is positively linked to repeated audited report issues and the executive management when DAOs issues appear repeatedly in annual audit reports.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on fraud and attempts to link the interpretation of fraud with recurring audit issues in the DAOs reports in the SIPS. It views fraud awareness and knowledge from the perspective of the audit practitioner. There is an increasing need to understand how fraud knowledge impacts decision making and the actions of auditors and others, an area that is underdeveloped.
Cybersecurity in accounting research
Authors: Haapamäki Elina , Sihvonen Jukka
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to update the cybersecurity-related accounting literature by synthesizing 39 recent theoretical and empirical studies on the topic. Furthermore, the paper provides a set of categories into which the studies fit.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a synthesis paper that summarizes the research literature on cybersecurity, introducing knowledge from the extant research and revealing areas requiring further examination.

Findings

This synthesis identifies a research framework that consists of the following research themes: cybersecurity and information sharing, cybersecurity investments, internal auditing and controls related to cybersecurity, disclosure of cybersecurity activities and security threats and security breaches.

Practical implications

Academics, practitioners and the public would benefit from a research framework that categorizes the research topics related to cybersecurity in the accounting field. This type of analysis is vital to enhance the understanding of the academic research on cybersecurity and can be used to support the identification of new lines for future research.

Originality/value

This is the first literature analysis of cybersecurity in the accounting field, and it has significant implications for research and practice by detailing, for example, the benefits of and obstacles to information sharing. This synthesis also highlights the importance of the model for cybersecurity investments. Further, the review emphasizes the role of internal auditing and controls to improve cybersecurity.