bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cuticular wax coverage and its transpiration barrier properties in Quercus coccifera L. leaves: does the environment matter?
Authors: Bueno Amauri , Sancho-Knapik Domingo , Gil-Pelegrín Eustaquio , Leide Jana , Peguero-Pina José Javier , Burghardt Markus , Riederer Markus
Published: November 2019

Plants prevent uncontrolled water loss by synthesizing, depositing and maintaining a hydrophobic layer over their primary aerial organs—the plant cuticle. Quercus coccifera L. can plastically respond to environmental conditions at the cuticular level. When exposed to hot summer conditions with high vapour-pressure deficit (VPD) and intense solar radiation (Mediterranean atmospheric conditions; MED), this plant species accumulates leaf cuticular waxes even over the stomata, thereby decreasing transpirational water loss. However, under mild summer conditions with moderate VPD and regular solar radiation (temperate atmospheric conditions; TEM), this effect is sharply reduced. Despite the ecophysiological importance of the cuticular waxes of Q. coccifera, the wax composition and its contribution to avoiding uncontrolled dehydration remain unknown. Thus, we determined several leaf traits for plants exposed to both MED and TEM conditions. Further, we qualitatively and quantitatively investigated the cuticular lipid composition by gas chromatography. Finally, we measured the minimum leaf conductance (gmin) as an indicator of the efficacy of the cuticular transpiration barrier. The MED leaves were smaller, stiffer and contained a higher load of cuticular lipids than TEM leaves. The amounts of leaf cutin and cuticular waxes of MED plants were 1.4 times and 2.6 times higher than that found for TEM plants, respectively. In detail, MED plants produced higher amounts of all compound classes of cuticular waxes, except for the equivalence of alkanoic acids. Although MED leaves contained higher cutin and cuticular wax loads, the gmin was not different between the two habitats. Our findings suggest that the qualitative accumulation of equivalent cuticular waxes might compensate for the higher wax amount of MED plants, thereby contributing equally to the efficacy of the cuticular transpirational barrier of Q. coccifera. In conclusion, we showed that atmospheric conditions profoundly affect the cuticular lipid composition of Q. coccifera leaves, but do not alter its transpiration barrier properties.
Discussion report: receivables and securities in private international law
Authors: Galehr Stella , Grosz Tessa
Published: November 2019

Under the title Receivables and Securities in Private International Law, the conference, hosted by the Interdisciplinary Association of Comparative and Private International Law, was made topical by a proposal from the European Commission to regulate the applicable law on the third-party effects of assignment of claims (COM (2018) 96). The conference divided its focus into two panels: the first dealing with COM (2018) 96 from different perspectives, and the second discussing the law applicable to proprietary effects of transactions in securities.
European rules on the law applicable to third-party effects of assignments: a never-ending story?
Authors: Kieninger Eva-Maria
Published: November 2019

The proper conflicts rule on the third-party effects of assignments of claims is again on the agenda of the European legislator after attempts to regulate it in the 2009 Rome Regulation had failed. Since that time, divergent national enactments and decisions by Member States' courts as well as a vigorous academic debate have not made the task easier. The article tries to explore some of the practical and theoretical difficulties, which the European legislator is facing, as well as possible ways to cut the Gordian knot.
Predicting Dynamic Patterns of Short-Term Movement
Authors: Milusheva Sveta
Published: November 2019

Short-term human mobility has important health consequences, but measuring short-term movement using survey data is difficult and costly, and use of mobile phone data to study short-term movement is only possible in locations that can access the data. Combining several accessible data sources, Senegal is used as a case study to predict short-term movement within the country. The focus is on two main drivers of movement—economic and social—which explain almost 70 percent of the variation in short-term movement. Comparing real and predicted short-term movement to measure the impact of population movement on the spread of malaria in Senegal, the predictions generated by the model provide estimates for the effect that are not significantly different from the estimates using the real data. Given that the data used in this paper are often accessible in other country settings, this paper demonstrates how predictive modeling can be used by policy makers to estimate short-term mobility.
Is Informal Redistribution Costly? Evidence from a Lab-in-the-Field Experiment in Senegal
Authors: Boltz Marie , Marazyan Karine , Villar Paola
Published: November 2019

In Sub-Saharan Africa, individuals frequently transfer a substantial share of their resources to members of their social networks. Social pressure to redistribute, however, can induce disincentive effects on resource allocation decisions. This paper measures and characterizes the costs of redistributive pressure by estimating individuals’ willingness to pay (WTP) to hide their income. The study estimates a social tax due to informal redistribution of 10 percent. Moreover, it shows that individuals are willing to escape from the redistributive pressure exerted mainly by extended family members.
Using the Association Between Antibiotic Susceptibility and Genetic Relatedness to Rescue Old Drugs for Empiric Use
Authors: MacFadden Derek R , Coburn Bryan , Břinda Karel , Corbeil Antoine , Daneman Nick , Fisman David , Lee Robyn S , Lipsitch Marc , McGeer Allison , Melano Roberto G. , Mubareka Samira , Hanage William P
Published: November 2019

Background

Rising rates of antibiotic resistance have led to the use of broader spectrum antibiotics and increasingly compromise empiric therapy. Knowing the antibiotic susceptibility of a pathogen’s close genetic relative(s) may improve empiric antibiotic selection.

Methods

Using genomic and phenotypic data from three separate clinically-derived databases of Escherichia coli isolates, we evaluated multiple genomic methods and statistical models for predicting antibiotic susceptibility, focusing on potentially rapidly available information such as lineage or genetic distance from archived isolates. We applied these methods to derive and validate prediction of antibiotic susceptibility to common antibiotics.

Results

We evaluated 968 separate episodes of suspected and confirmed infection with Escherichia coli from three geographically and temporally separated databases in Ontario, Canada, from 2010-2018. The most common sequence type (ST) was ST131 (30%). Antibiotic susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were lowest (<=72%). Across all approaches, model performance (AUC) ranges for predicting antibiotic susceptibility were greatest for ciprofloxacin (0.76-0.97), and lowest for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (0.51-0.80). When a model predicted a susceptible isolate, the resulting (post-test) probabilities of susceptibility were sufficient to warrant empiric therapy for most antibiotics (mean 92%). An approach combining multiple models could permit the use of narrower spectrum oral agents in 2 out of every 3 patients while maintaining high treatment adequacy (∼90%).

Conclusions

Methods based on genetic relatedness to archived samples in E. coli could be used to rescue older and typically unsuitable agents for use as empiric antibiotic therapy, as well as improve decisions to select newer broader spectrum agents.

Rapid genomic approaches that capitalize on the association between genetic relatedness and phenotype can improve our selection of antibiotics, allowing us to rescue older drugs for empiric use and better select newer and broader spectrum agents.
Effects of temperature on Zika dynamics and control
Authors: Ngonghala Calistus N , Ryan Sadie J. , Tesla Blanka , Demakovskys Leah R. , Mordecai Erin A , Murdock Courtney C. , Bonds Matthew H.
Published: November 2019

When a formerly rare pathogen emerges to cause a pandemic, it is critical to understand the ecology of the disease dynamics and its potential effects on disease control. Here, we take advantage of newly available experimental data to parameterize a temperature-dependent dynamical model of Zika virus (ZIKV) transmission, and analyze the effects of temperature variability and the parameters related to control strategies on ZIKVR0and the final epidemic size (i.e., total number of human cases). Sensitivity analyses identified thatR0and the final epidemic size were largely driven by different parameters, with the exception of temperature, which is the dominant driver of epidemic dynamics in the models. Our estimate ofR0had a single optimum temperature (≈ 30° C), comparable to recently published results (≈ 29°)1. However, the total number of human cases (“final epidemic size”) is maximized across a wider temperature range, from 24 to 36°C. The models indicate that the disease is highly sensitive to seasonal temperature variation. For example, although the model predicts that Zika transmission cannot occur at a constant temperature of 22°C, with seasonal variation of 5°C around a mean of 22°C, the model predicts a larger epidemic than what would occur at a constant 30°C, the temperature predicted to maximizeR0. This suggests that the potential geographic range of Zika is wider than indicated from staticR0models, underscoring the importance of climate dynamics and variation on emerging infectious diseases.
Single-cell RNA-seq data reveals TNBC tumor heterogeneity through characterizing subclone compositions and proportions
Authors: Wang Weida , Xu Jinyuan , Wang Shuyuan , Xia Peng , Zhang Li , Yu Lei , Wu Jie , Song Qian , Zhang Bo , Xu Chaohan , Xiao Yun
Published: November 2019

Understanding subclonal architecture and their biological functions poses one of the key challenges to deeply portray and investigative the cause of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here we combine single-cell and bulk sequencing data to analyze tumor heterogeneity through characterizing subclone compositions and proportions. Based on sing-cell RNA-seq data (GSE118389) we identified five distinct cell subpopulations and characterized their biological functions based on their gene markers. According to the results of functional annotation, we found that C1 and C2 are related to immune functions, while C5 is related to programmed cell death. Then based on subclonal basis gene expression matrix, we applied deconvolution algorithm on TCGA tissue RNA-seq data and observed that microenvironment is diverse among TNBC subclones, especially C1 is closely related to T cells. What’s more, we also found that high C5 proportions would led to poor survival outcome, log-rank testp-value and HR [95%CI] for five years overall survival in GSE96058 dataset were 0.0158 and 2.557 [1.160-5.636]. Collectively, our analysis reveals both intra-tumor and inter-tumor heterogeneity and their association with subclonal microenvironment in TNBC (subclone compositions and proportions), and uncovers the organic combination of subclones dictating poor outcomes in this disease.

Highlights

We applied deconvolution algorithm on subclonal basis gene expression matrix to link single cells and bulk tissue together.
Biophysical characterization reveals the similarities of liposomes produced using microfluidics and electroformation
Authors: Schaich Michael , Sobota Diana , Sleath Hannah , Cama Jehangir , Keyser Ulrich F.
Published: November 2019

Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs) are a versatile tool in many branches of science, including biophysics and synthetic biology. Octanol-Assisted Liposome Assembly (OLA), a recently developed microfluidic technique enables the production and testing of GUVs within a single device under highly controlled experimental conditions. It is therefore gaining significant interest as a platform for use in drug discovery, the production of artificial cells and more generally for controlled studies of the properties of lipid membranes. In this work, we expand the capabilities of the OLA technique by forming GUVs of tunable binary lipid mixtures of DOPC, DOPG and DOPE. Using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching we investigated the lateral diffusion coefficients of lipids in OLA liposomes and found the expected values in the range of 1 μm2/s for the lipid systems tested. We studied the OLA derived GUVs under a range of conditions and compared the results with electroformed vesicles. Overall, we found the lateral diffusion coefficients of lipids in vesicles obtained with OLA to be quantitatively similar to those in vesicles obtained via traditional electroformation. Our results provide a quantitative biophysical validation of the quality of OLA derived GUVs, which will facilitate the wider use of this versatile platform.
μ2-Methanol-κ2
O:O-bis[(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2
N,N′)bis(2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoato)-κO;κ2
O,O′-copper(II)]
Authors: Sun Junshan
Published: November 2019

In the title compound, [Cu2(C7HF4O2)4(C12H8N2)2(CH3OH)], the molecule lies on a twofold rotation axis in space group C2/c. The Cu2+ ion exhibits a distorted octahedral sphere with two N atoms from the phenanthroline ligand, three O atoms from the 2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoate ligands and one O atom from a methanol molecule. The distortion from an octahedral shape is a consequence of the Jahn–Teller effect of CuII and the small bite angle for the bidentate fluorobenzoate ligand [54.50 (11)°]. The methanol molecule bridges two symmetry-related CuII atoms to form the complete molecule. In the bidentate fluorobenzoate ligand, one F atom is disordered over two positions of equal occupancy. In the crystal structure, only weak intermolecular interactions are observed.
1-Nitro-4-(1-propyn-1-yl)benzene
Authors: Campos Fernandez Cristian Saul , Pineda Leslie W. , Cabezas Pizarro Jorge
Published: November 2019

The title compound, C9H7NO2, was prepared by alkynylation of 4-iodonitrobenzene with 1,3-dilithiopropyne in the presence of 1 equivalent of CuI and catalytic amounts of Pd(PPh3)2Cl2. The complete molecule is generated by crystallographic twofold symmetry with the C—N and C—C[triple-bond]C—C units lying on the rotation axis. No directional interactions beyond normal van der Waals contacts could be identified in the packing.
New electrical parameters extraction method based on simplified 3D model using finite element analysis
Authors: González-Teodoro Jorge Rafael , Romero-Cadaval Enrique González , Asensi Rafael , Prieto Roberto , Kindl Vladimir
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the presentation of an electrical equivalent circuit for inductive components as well as the methodology for electrical parameter extraction by using a 3 D finite element analysis (FEA) tool.

Design/methodology/approach

A parameter extraction based on energies has been modified for three dimensions. Some simplifications are needed in a real model to make the 3 D finite element method (FEM) analysis operative for design engineers. Material properties for the components are modified at the pre-modeling step and a corrector factor is used at the post-modeling step to achieve the desired accuracy.

Findings

The current hardware computational limitations do not allow the 3 D FEA for every magnetic component, and due to the component asymmetries, the 2 D analysis are not precise enough. The application of the new methodology for three dimensions to several actual components has shown its usefulness and accuracy. Details concerning model parameters extration are presented with simulation and measurement results at different operation frequencies from 1 kHz to 1 GHz being the range of switching frequencies used by power electronic converters based on Si, SiC or GaN semiconductors.

Practical implications

This new model includes the high-frequency effects (skin effect, proximity effect, interleaving and core gap) and other effects can be only analyzed in 3 D analysis for non-symmetric components. The electrical parameters like resistance and inductance (self and mutual ones) are frequency-dependent; thus, the model represents the frequency behavior of windings in detail. These parameters determine the efficiency for the inductive component and operation capabilities for the power converters (as in the voltage boost factor), which define their success on the market.

Originality/value

The user can develop 3 D finite element method (FEM)-based analyses with geometrical simplifications, reducing the CPU time and extracting electrical parameters. The corrector factor presented in this paper allows obtaining the electrical parameters when 3D FE simulation would have developed without any geometry simplications. The contribution permits that the simulations do not need a high computational resource, and the simulation times are reduced drastically. Also, the reduced CPU time needed per simulation gives a potential tool to optimize the non-symmetric components with 3 D FEM analysis.
Calibration of laser welding model based on optimization techniques
Authors: Petrasova Iveta , Kotlan Václav , Šroubová Lenka , Karban Pavel , Doležel Ivo
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the calibration of a laser welding model suitable for solving problems with input data that are either unknown or known only approximately.

Design/methodology/approach

The calibration starts from the measured temperature profile of the weld, and the aim is to get a similar profile by the solution of the model. The corresponding procedure is based on replacing the material characteristics that are known only approximately by polynomial or rational functions whose coefficients are determined using a suitable optimization process. The algorithm is supplemented with a simplified model of the keyhole shape.

Findings

The big advantage of the proposed approach is the velocity of solution of the problem and low consumption of the sources (hardware and software). In comparison with solving the full model of laser welding, the methodology provides results of a still acceptable accuracy by several orders faster. On the other hand, the results also depend on the strategy of selecting the points at which the temperature is verified and on “manual” setting of the deformation parameters.

Research limitations/implications

Application of the methodology is conditioned by several experiments with the used material (without experiment it is impossible to carry out the calibration and set the shape of the keyhole), while the full model allows it. On the other hand, the full model is not able to predict the errors in the case when some input data is unknown or known only approximately and the results have to be also confirmed experimentally.

Practical implications

The presented methodology may be used for determining unknown material characteristics and faster modelling of laser welding.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a novel methodology for evaluation of quality of laser welds in cases of unknown or partially unknown material parameters and substantial acceleration (by 2-3 orders) of the numerical solution of the model of laser welding.
Optimal design of the compensation networks of an inductive wireless power transfer system
Authors: Bertoluzzo Manuele , Sieni Elisabetta
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present an approach to the design of the compensation networks (CNs) based on a genetic optimization algorithm. The algorithm is applied to CNs with T-topology and considers the effects of the parasitic series resistances of their inductive components. The effectiveness of the algorithm is verified using Bode diagrams and simulation results.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper at first describes the problem and the approach followed to reach a set of optimal solutions, then explains the optimization algorithm, reports the obtained solutions and selects the optimal CNs. Finally, the actual performance of the wireless power transfer system (WPTS) when the selected CNs are used are checked.

Findings

This approach gave interesting results and made available a number of different sizing solutions of complex networks in a very short time. Most of the obtained solutions outperform the widely used series-series compensation. An accurate post processing of the obtained result is mandatory to discriminate the solutions that could be implemented from those that in a real system would originate uncontrolled high frequency current oscillation.

Originality/value

This paper offers a rather new approach to solve the problem of sizing the CNs of a dynamic WPTS. This approach makes available a large number of optimal solutions to the problem in a short time, without solving complex system of equations.
A process account of the relationship between informal learning and expressions of anger and anxiety
Authors: Federman Jessica E.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how negative emotions lead to differential relationships with informal learning. Informal learning is posited to serve as a coping mechanism and positively influence performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a conceptual, process-based framework to explain the relationship between informal learning and stressful emotions of anger and anxiety.

Findings

The proposed framework in this paper suggests that informal learning in conjunction with emotion regulation can help neutralize negative emotions and promote improved cognitive functioning, better social functioning and higher task performance. From a practical perspective, the provided framework should help managers and organizational leaders better understand the emergence of negative emotion and how to constructively channel employee well-being from them.

Originality/value

Much of the informal learning literature has investigated dispositional and situational influences, without regard to the role that discrete emotions play in influencing cognitive, behavioral and motivational learning processes. This paper addresses this gap through a theoretical framework that explains the relationship between negative emotions and informal learning.
The effects of socio-political context on Tourism
Authors: Shahrabani Shosh , Teitler-Regev Sharon , Desivilya Syna Helena , Tsoukatos Evangelos , Ambrosio Vitor , Correia Loureiro Sandra Maria , Voulgaris Fotini
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of tourists’ perceptions of political and economic instability and risks of terrorism on their intentions to travel to countries associated with various risks.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 648 Greek, Israeli and Portuguese students completed a questionnaire focusing on their perceptions concerning factors that shape their travel decisions.

Findings

The findings showed that among tourists from Greece and Portugal, the experience of economic crisis and the salience of economic and political hardships mitigated their intentions to travel to destinations with similar problems. These factors had no effect on Israelis, who have not experienced such problems in their country. Frequent terrorist incidents diminished the intentions of Greek tourists to travel to destinations marked by terrorism, such as Israel. Thus, different factors affect tourists’ travel-related decisions in each of the three countries.

Originality/value

The study sheds light on how potential tourists construe the risks of traveling to specific destination countries based on hazards in their home countries, a topic that to date has received little research attention.
A model to align strategy formulation and implementation in higher education institutions in Brazil
Authors: Heinzen Daiane Aparecida de Melo , Loveridge Denis , Marinho Sidnei Vieira
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create ways of improving the alignment of strategy formulation and implementation in Brazil’s higher education institutions (HEIs).

Design/methodology/approach

Evolution of scenarios and models through a 12-step process to assist strategy formulation and implementation for managerial/social activity in Brazil’s HEIs. Simple set theory was used as a backbone to assist scenario building. Two models were created. First, focused on an autopoietic model relating to Brazil’s HEIs. The second embedded the autopoietic model in a limited number of forces in Brazil that influence the HEIs but lie beyond their control. The process was corroborated by survey methods using respondents from Brazil and elsewhere.

Findings

In total, 22 respondents from within and outside Brazil confirmed the content of the scenarios while a small sample from within Brazil’s HEIs confirmed their usefulness in assisting strategy formulation and implementation.

Practical implications

Further experience in using the autopoietic model is needed to widen its corroboration beyond experience in this study.

Originality/value

Confirmation of a 12-step scenario-based process for strategy formulation and implementation and corroboration of its usefulness through a limited sample of respondents.
Using mobile methods to understand multifaceted heritage organisations
Authors: Johnstone Jane Hamilton , Bryce Derek , Alexander Matthew J.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the possibilities associated with go-along technique and other mobile qualitative methods augmenting other qualitative methods as a novel approach to developing understanding of multifaceted organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study explores the challenges associated with “static” qualitative methods for understanding multifaceted organisations and evaluates how a range of mobile methods can achieve a greater depth of analysis when researching complex hospitality and tourism settings. The paper uses an illustrative empirical case where mobile methods are used as part of a multi-method qualitative study exploring ancestral tourism in a large, heterogeneous tourism organisation.

Findings

This research highlights how mobile methods can service to: broaden the scope of interviews through introducing enhanced meaning and spontaneity; afford opportunity to explore and verify interview findings in informal settings; and widen participation in the study through ongoing recruitment of participants.

Practical implications

The authors identify implications for researchers working within hospitality and tourism who can gain additional insight by augmenting qualitative studies with mobile methods.

Originality/value

This paper identifies challenges in using more static qualitative methods when seeking understanding of complex, multifaceted tourism organisations where work activities are mobile and spatially dispersed. This research highlights the value of mobile methods in combination with other qualitative methods, to gain greater understanding of these organisations.
The shape of justice repair
Authors: Konradt Udo , Okimoto Tyler , Garbers Yvonne , Otte Kai-Philip
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of supervisor’s unfair treatment on follower’s retributive and restorative justice perceptions. The main goal is to find asymmetric nonlinear trajectories in the relationship between the severity of unfair treatment and employees’ orientation toward retributive/restorative justice.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an experimental policy-capturing design that varied five levels of transgression severity (none to very high) within supervisor–subordinate relationship injustice situations, 168 employees rated their retributive/restorative justice preferences. Latent growth curve modeling was used to fit the overall patterns of change.

Findings

As hypothesized, the trajectory of restorative justice was convex and progressed in a negative exponential shape, whereas the retributive justice trajectory was concave but followed a less steep positive exponential shape.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation is a threat to the external validity of the results. Scenario-based surveys may not fully generalize to actual organizational situations.

Practical implications

These findings help managers to understand how unjust treatment can shape employees’ expectations and, thus, address it adequately. This is important to retain qualified personnel and to minimize workplace disengagement in the aftermath of poor treatment.

Social implications

Restorative justice is of great importance for minor and moderate violations of justice.

Originality/value

By illustrating different trajectories, this study extends research on restorative and retributive justice in organizations. The results help to understand when people expect restoration and are motivated to punish wrongdoers.
Modeling of the city evacuation plan in case of earthquake with particle swarm optimization (PSO) and imperialist competition algorithm (ICA)
Authors: Asadi Morteza , Karami Jalal
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the number of shelters, specify some optimal paths among building blocks towards shelters, and assign population to shelters.

Design/methodology/approach

Imperialist competition algorithm (ICA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) were used to optimize the objectives of this study.

Findings

The optimal value for PSO objective function was with the number of function evaluations (NFE) of 5300 and the optimal value of ICA objective function was with NFE of 1062. Repetition test for both algorithms showed that imperialist competition algorithm enjoys better stability and constancy and higher speed of convergence compared to particle swarm algorithm. This has been also shown in larger environments. 92% of the existing populations have access to shelters at a distance of less than600 meters. This means that evacuation from the building blocks to shelters takes less than 8 minutes. The average distance from a block (for example, a residential complex) to an optimal shelter is approximately273meters. The greatest risk of route and shelter has been 239 and 121, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

To address these goals, four following objective functions were considered: a) minimization of the distance for getting all the people to shelters b) the lowest total risk of the discharge path c) minimization of the total time required to transfer people to shelters or hospitals if necessary, and d) the lowest total risk in shelters.

Social implications

Over the recent decades, the frequency of so-called ‘natural’ disasters has increased significantly worldwide and resulted in escalating human and economic losses. Among them, the earthquake is one of the major concerns of the various stakeholders related to urban planning.

Originality/value

In addition, the maximum time of discharge from the helter to the hospital has been 17 minutes, which means the presence of good access to selected shelters.
Why include the BOP in your international marketing strategy
Authors: Nagy May , Bennett Dag , Graham Charles
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the premise that brand growth can come from targeting the poorest consumers at the bottom of the economic pyramid (BOP). This study is the first that uses quantitative marketplace data covering BOP consumer purchase records.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses newly available panel data from Egypt covering 15 months and 35 categories of frequently bought consumer goods. Brand penetration rates for socio-demographic tiers are established to explore brand purchasing. The metrics are: penetration, the number of buyers a brand has; and loyalty as measured by purchase frequency and share of category requirements.

Findings

Buyer behaviour patterns for the poorest consumers do not differ much from those in advanced economies; all brand performance metrics vary according to brand penetration – a double jeopardy effect, and the biggest brands are those that target the whole market, including the base.

Research limitations/implications

Data are from one country only and while the results confirm that patterns of brand buying in this BOP segment are like those in other markets, more research needs to be done to confirm the finding.

Practical implications

The biggest brands are those with the most customers, even if those customers are poor and do not buy very often. Growth can therefore be based on marketing interventions that appeal to the largest possible customer base.

Social implications

There are 2bn BOP consumers worldwide. This research shows that they may already be marginal members of modern economies and consumer culture.

Originality/value

This paper extends previous research on brand buying behaviour for the first time to the vast base of poor consumers who make up around half of the world’s population. This research shows that strategic approaches that emphasise increasing penetration are most likely to result in brand growth.
Halal transportation adoption among pharmaceuticals and comestics manufacturers
Authors: Ngah Abdul Hafaz , Ramayah T. , Ali Mohd Helmi , Khan Mohd Imran
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This study aims to identify the factors influencing the decision to the Halal transportation adoption among pharmaceuticals and cosmetics manufacturers.

Design/methodology/approach

Base on the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, applying the purposive sampling method, data were gathered from questionnaires distributed to the participants of Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) and Halal festival (Halfest). Out of 110 questionnaires distributed, only 97 data from 102 respondents could be used for further analysis. SMART-PLS 3.2.7 was used to analyze the data for this study using a structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

Perceived benefits, competitive pressure (COMP) and customer pressure were found to have a significant relationship with the intention to adopt Halal warehousing services, the organizational readiness was found to be a not significant factor in the adoption of Halal transportation. Top management attitudes (TMAs) moderate the positive relationship between COMP and the intention to adopt Halal transportation services.

Research limitations/implications

This paper focuses on the Halal manufacturers in the pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industry who attended MIHAS and Halfest, which still not adopting Halal transportation activities.

Practical implications

The findings provide useful information to a better understanding of the factors influencing the adoption of Halal transportation among Malaysian Halal cosmetics and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Related parties such as the government, the Halal transport service providers and the customers could use these findings to plan further action to enhance the adoption of Halal transport adoption.

Originality/value

The study revealed the capability of the TOE framework to identify the factors influencing the decision to adopt Halal transportation among Malaysian Halal cosmetics and pharmaceutical manufacturers. TMA was found to have a moderation effect on the relationship between COMP and the intention to adopt Halal transportation.
iSpace: principles for a phenomenology of space user in smart real estate
Authors: Lecomte Patrick
Published: November 2019

Purpose

As smart technologies become an integral part of real estate in smart cities, the purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of ubiquitous computing on space users in smart real estate.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis builds on two fields of knowledge rarely referenced in real estate studies: computer sciences and social sciences. The paper starts by analysing the idiosyncrasies of a new type of space user in smart real estate, known as the Cyber-dasein in reference to Heidegger’s phenomenology. The Cyber-dasein serves as an archetypical space user in smart environments.

Findings

The paper introduces digital-time as a new realm of real estate, and discusses the use of “experienced utility” in hedonic pricing models of smart real estate. It concludes by advocating a multidisciplinary collaborative approach for future research on real estate in smart environments.

Practical implications

There is a need for the real estate sector to decide on a metric for the new digital dimension of real estate owing to the implementation of smart technologies in the built environment.

Originality/value

This is the first research paper on this important topic. It is totally original and new.
Explorative and exploitative strategies and export performance
Authors: Khalid Saba
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the moderating effects of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on the relationship of exploitation and exploration strategies with export performance. Drawing on the current literature, this conceptual paper develops a framework that first links the exploitative and explorative strategies with the export performance. Later, propositions are developed to indicate different combinations of individual dimensions of EO as moderating factors to this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper which builds on prior conceptual and empirical management research.

Findings

The preliminary conceptual findings suggest that the exploitative strategy is valuable in the short run after new entry, while explorative strategy is significant in the long run only after new entry. For the moderating effects, a combination of high innovation, high proactiveness and high risk-taking may positively influence both the strategies with export performance. While low innovativeness but high proactiveness and high risk-taking is assumed to positively moderate the exploitative strategy and export performance relationship, a negative moderating role is seen for explorative strategy and export performance. Similarly, high innovativeness but low risk-taking and low proactiveness will negatively moderate the relationship between exploitative/explorative strategy and export performance.

Originality/value

The current literature warrants research on this topic. For example, literature lacks studies regarding a better understanding of the impact of export market exploitation and exploration on export performance. Further, the impact of EO on performance is well acknowledged in the literature, but their relative influence on the performance of exporting firms remains inconclusive.
The role of technology in collaborative consumer communities
Authors: Guillemot Samuel , Privat Hélène
Published: November 2019

Purpose

While some collaborative consumption activities are underpinned by commercial logics and dispositions, local collaborative consumer communities are organised around non-commercial values and driven by the desire to organise social relationships differently. These communities are based on the notions of a commons, sharing and reciprocity. However, because they make little use of digital tools (internet to coordinate the exchange of services, social media to communicate), they are not very visible to consumers. This paper aims to identify these non-commercial organisations’ relationship to digital tools and determine how these organisations can generate individual and/or collective well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examined the case of the local exchange trading system (LETS), a local collaborative consumer community that practices a moneyless exchange of services. A qualitative study was conducted based on 23 in-depth interviews with LETS managers.

Findings

Due to the communities’ local roots and regular face-to-face meet-ups, there did not seem to be a pressing need to use an online platform to coordinate the exchange of services. However, the results showed that the use of digital tools increased these communities’ well-being potential (e.g. development of social ties, solidarity and social equality) while reducing their negative effects (e.g. fatigue due to community involvement and difficulty integrating new members). They also introduce the notions of generation, founder’s personality and management team’s dynamism into the collaborative consumption literature.

Originality/value

It is important to focus on how these “alternative” markets function. Consumers use them but without abandoning more traditional markets. Understanding how they work improves the understanding of the competition they pose to traditional services and how the different ecosystems complement one another.
Nursing students and depressive symptomatology: an observational study in University of Palermo
Authors: Santangelo Omar Enzo , Provenzano Sandro , Giordano Domiziana , Alagna Enrico , Armetta Francesco , Gliubizzi Claudia , Terranova Antonio , D'Anna Giuseppe , Barresi Dalila , Grigis Dimple , Genovese Cristina , Squeri Raffaele , Firenze Alberto
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Depression is a common and serious medical illness, considered as a public health issue because it interferes with the interpersonal, social and professional functioning of the individual, and its frequency is constantly increasing. According to a recent review, approximately 34 per cent of nursing students had experienced depression worldwide. The university period may represent a moment in which the mental well-being of students is subjected to stress with a relative predisposition to the development of diseases related to mood disorders. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence and examine the socio-demographic correlates of depressive symptomatology.

Design/methodology/approach

In April 2019, a questionnaire was administered to all the nursing students of University of Palermo of the three years of course, accompanied by informed consent. Multivariable logistic regression was performed. The statistical significance level chosen for all analyses was 0.05. The results were analyzed using the STATA statistical software version 14. Results are expressed as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95 per cent confidence intervals.

Findings

The sample consists of 493 students who completed the questionnaire, and the average age of the sample participants is 21.88 years. The multivariable logistic regression model shows that the risk to have depressive symptomatology is significantly associated with the following independent variables: female gender (aOR 1.91), being single (aOR 1.87), second year of study (aOR 1.94), third year of study (aOR 1.92), not performing regular physical activity (aOR 1.78) and perceived low health status (aOR 3.08).

Originality/value

This study shows that belonging to the female gender, being further along in the years of study, having a chronic illness and perceiving a low state of health are all factors that can increase the risk of developing the symptoms of depression; rather, regular physical activity, friendship and romantic relationships can be considered factors protecting them from the risk of falling into depression that can undermine both the study and work performance. Certainly, it is important to analyze all the involved variables to improve the global health not only of the nursing students but of all the students.
Developing a framework for considering blockchain pilots in the supply chain – lessons from early industry adopters
Authors: van Hoek Remko
Published: November 2019

Purpose

There is a lot of interest in blockchain technology in the supply chain, but to date, there is little empirical research to support managerial decision-making. Verhoeven et al. (2018) suggested five screens for ensuring mindful development of use cases for blockchain in the supply chain. This paper aims to extend the Verhoeven et al.’s (2018) framework and empirical research beyond the use case stage into the pilot stage.

Design/methodology/approach

Three case studies in different industries (logistics services, consumer products and retail), supply chain positions (manufacturer, carrier, and retailer) and geographies (Europe and USA) are conducted to explore lessons learned by early adopters of blockchain technology in the supply chain.

Findings

The case studies indicate that the Verhoeven et al.’s (2018) screens, with one added screen, are helpful in considering “what to adopt.” Based on the insights from the case studies, it is also possible to develop pilot design considerations that can inform “where to start.” Lessons learned include that there is value in scoping pilots in a targeted manner, including the use of existing technology in the pilot (as opposed to replacing existing technology) and that there is the ability to start a pilot fast, provided the existence of executive and stakeholder engagement.

Practical implications

In addition to the need to be being mindful in considering what use case for blockchain in the supply chain to potentially adopt, mindful consideration of blockchain technology in the supply chain extends into the design of pilots. Six specific design considerations are offered.

Originality/value

Based on the insights from early adopters in industry, the author extends guidance for the mindful adoption of blockchain in the supply chain beyond the development of use cases, into the design of actual pilots. These insights directly address calls for research from literature (including from Dobrovnik et al., 2018 and Ferdows, 2018).