bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tunica intima compensation for reduced stiffness of the tunica media in aging renal arteries as measured with scanning acoustic microscopy
Authors: Miura Katsutoshi
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Aging causes stiffness and decreased function of the renal artery (RA). Histological study with light microscopy can reveal microscopic structural remodeling but no functional changes. The present study aimed to clarify the association between structural and functional aging of the RA through the use of scanning acoustic microscopy.

Methods

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cross-sections of renal arteries from 64 autopsy cases were examined. Speed-of-sound (SOS) values of three layers, which correspond to the stiffness, were compared among different age groups. SOS of the tunica media was examined in terms of blood pressure (BP) and SOS of the ascending aorta. Vulnerability to proteases was assessed by SOS reduction after collagenase treatment.

Results

The tunica intima presented inward hypertrophy with luminal narrowing, and the tunica media showed outward hypertrophic remodeling with aging. SOS of the tunica media and internal and external elastic laminae showed a reverse correlation with age. SOS of the tunica media was negatively correlated with BP and strongly associated with that of the aorta. The tunica media of young RAs were more sensitive to collagenase compared with the old ones.

Conclusions

Scanning acoustic microscopy is useful for observing the aging process of the RA. This technique simultaneously shows structural and mechanical information from each portion of the RA. In the process of aging, the RA loses contractile function and elasticity as a result of protease digestion. The tunica media and the internal and external elastic laminae exhibit reduced stiffness, but the tunica intima stiffens with atherosclerosis. As a consequence, the RA’s outer shape changes from round to oval with inward and outward hypertrophy. This indicates that the inner resistant intima supports the mechanical weakness of the tunica media to compensate for an increase in BP with aging.
Rab2 drives axonal transport of dense core vesicles and lysosomal organelles
Authors: Lund Viktor K. , Lycas Matthew D. , Schack Anders , Andersen Rita C. , Gether Ulrik , Kjaerulff Ole
Published: June 2020

Long range fast axonal transport of neuropeptide-containing dense core vesicles (DCVs), endolysosomal organelles and presynaptic components is critical for maintaining the functionality of neurons. How the transport of DCVs is orchestrated remains an important unresolved question. The small GTPase Rab2 has previously been shown to mediate DCV biogenesis and endosome-lysosome fusion. Here we use theDrosophilamodel system to demonstrate that Rab2 also plays a critical role in bidirectional axonal transport of DCVs, endosomes and lysosomal organelles, most likely by controlling molecular motors. We further show that the lysosomal motility factor Arl8 is required as well for axonal transport of DCVs, but unlike Rab2 is also critical for DCV exit from cell bodies into axons. Our results uncover the mechanisms responsible for axonal transport of DCVs and reveal surprising parallels between the regulation of DCVs and lysosomal motility.
High-fat diet impacts the colon and its transcriptome in a sex-dependent manner that is modifiable by estrogens
Authors: Hases L. , Archer A. , Indukuri R. , Birgersson M. , Savva C. , Korach-André M. , Williams C.
Published: June 2020

Epidemiological studies highlight a strong association between obesity and colorectal cancer (CRC), especially in men. Estrogen, on the other hand, is associated with protection against both the metabolic syndrome and CRC. The colon is the first organ to respond to a high-fat diet (HFD), and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in the intestine appears to prevent CRC. How estrogen impacts the colon under HFD condition has, however, not been investigated. Estrogen can act through three different receptors (ERα, ERβ, GPER1) which all may impact metabolism. In an effort to dissect this, we fed mice a control diet or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 13 weeks and administered receptor-selective estrogenic ligands for the last three weeks. We recorded corresponding physiological impact on fat distribution, fasting glucose, colon crypt proliferation and immune cell infiltration, and the colon transcriptome response. We identify clear sex-differences at the transcriptome level, both at base line and after HFD and ligand treatments. An unexpected observation was the significant sex-differences and impact by HFD and estrogens on circadian clock gene expression, such asNpas2andArntl (Bmal1), in the colon. Both sexes also exhibited an increased infiltration of F4/80+ macrophages as a result of HFD. In males, but not females, this was accompanied by changes in colonic epithelial cell proliferation. ERα-selective PPT treatment had significant systemic effects, reducing body weight in both sexes, whereas ERβ-selective DPN treatment did not impact body weight, but reduced infiltration of F4/80+ macrophages in colon of both sexes and attenuated HFD-induced proliferation of male colon crypts. Both ERα and ERβ activation contributed to circadian clock gene regulations. We detail for the first time how HFD and estrogens modulate the colon transcriptome and physiology in a sex and ER-specific manner.
Protein structure search to support the development of protein structure prediction methods
Authors: Ayoub Ronald , Lee Yugyung
Published: June 2020

Protein structure prediction is a long-standing unsolved problem in molecular biology that has seen renewed interest with the recent success of deep learning with AlphaFold at CASP13. While developing and evaluating protein structure prediction methods, researchers may want to identify the most similar known structures to their predicted structures. These predicted structures often have low sequence and structure similarity to known structures. We show how RUPEE, a purely geometric protein structure search, is able to identify the structures most similar to structure predictions, regardless of how they vary from known structures, something existing protein structure searches struggle with. RUPEE accomplishes this through the use of a novel linear encoding of protein structures as a sequence of residue descriptors. Using a fast Needleman-Wunsch algorithm, RUPEE is able to perform alignments on the sequences of residue descriptors for every available structure. This is followed by a series of increasingly accurate structure alignments from TM-align alignments initialized with the Needleman-Wunsch residue descriptor alignments to standard TM-align alignments of the final results. By using alignment normalization effectively at each stage, RUPEE also can execute containment searches in addition to full-length searches to identify structural motifs within proteins. We compare the results of RUPEE to mTM-align, SSM, CATHEDRAL and VAST using a benchmark derived from the protein structure predictions submitted to CASP13. RUPEE identifies better alignments on average with respect to RMSD and TM-score as well as Q-score and SSAP-score, scores specific to SSM and CATHEDRAL, respectively. Finally, we show a sample of the top-scoring alignments that RUPEE identified that none of the other protein structure searches we compared to were able to identify.

The RUPEE protein structure search is available athttps://ayoubresearch.com. Code and data are available athttps://github.com/rayoub/rupee.
ZFP982 confers mouse embryonic stem cell characteristics by regulating expression of Nanog, Zfp42 and Dppa3
Authors: Dehghanian Fariba , Bovio Patrick Piero , Hojati Zohreh , Vogel Tanja
Published: June 2020

We here used multi-omics analyses to identify and characterize zinc finger protein 982 (Zfp982) that confers stemness characteristics by regulating expression of Nanog, Zfp42 and Dppa3 in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC). Network-based expression analyses comparing the transcriptional profiles of mESC and differentiated cells revealed high expression of Zfp982 in stem cells. Moreover, Zfp982 showed transcriptional overlap with Yap1, the major co-activator of the Hippo pathway. Quantitative proteomics and co-immunoprecipitation revealed interaction of ZFP982 with YAP1. ZFP982 used a GCAGAGKC motif to bind to chromatin, for example near the stemness conferring genes Nanog, Zfp42 and Dppa3 as shown by ChIP-seq. Loss-of-function experiments in mESC established that expression of Zfp982 is necessary to maintain stem cell characteristics. Zfp982 expression decreased with progressive differentiation, and knockdown of Zfp982 resulted in neural differentiation of mESC. ZFP982 localized to the nucleus in mESC and translocated to the cytoplasm upon neuronal differentiation. Similarly, YAP1 localized to the cytoplasm upon differentiation, but in mESC YAP1 was present in the nucleus and cytoplasm.

Graphical Abstract

ZFP982 is a regulator of stemness of mouse embryonic stem cells and acts as transcription factor by activating expression of stem cell genes including Nanog, Dppa3 and Zfp42.

Highlights

Zfp982 is a new mouse stem cell defining marker gene.

Zfp982 is co-expressed with Yap1 and stem cell marker genes in mESC.

ZFP982 binds to DNA and induces expression of master genes of stemness in mESC.

Expression of Zfp982 gene prevents neural differentiation and maintains stem cell characteristics.

ZFP982 and YAP1 interact in mESC and translocate to the cytoplasm upon neural differentiation.
Distinct growth stages shaped by an interplay of deterministic and neutral processes are indispensable for functional anammox biofilms
Authors: Niederdorfer Robert , Fragner Lisa , Yuan Ling , Hausherr Damian , Wei Jing , Magyar Paul , Joss Adriano , Ju Feng , Bürgmann Helmut
Published: June 2020

Complex microbial biofilms orchestrating mainstream anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) represent one of the most promising energy-efficient mechanisms of fixed nitrogen elimination from anthropogenic waste waters. However, little is known about the ecological processes that are driving microbial community assembly leading to functional anammox biofilms in engineered ecosystems. Here, we use fluorescence in situ hybridization and 16S rRNA sequencing combined with network modelling to elucidate the contribution of stochastic and deterministic processes during anammox biofilm development from first colonization to maturation in a carrier-based anammox reactor. We find that distinct stages of biofilm development emerge naturally in terms of structure and community composition. These stages are characterized by dynamic succession and an interplay of stochastic and deterministic processes. The staged process of biofilm establishment appears to be the prerequisite for the anticipated growth of anammox bacteria and for reaching a biofilm community structure with the desired metabolic capacities. We discuss the relevance of this improved understanding of anammox community ecology and biofilm development concerning its practical application in the start-up and configuration of anammox biofilm reactors.
Analyzing hCov Genome Sequences: Predicting Virulence and Mutation
Authors: Sawmya Shashata , Saha Arpita , Tasnim Sadia , Toufikuzzaman Md. , Anjum Naser , Rafid Ali Haisam Muhammad , Rahman M. Saifur , Rahman M. Sohel
Published: June 2020

Background

Covid-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence of coronavirus, has affected millions of people all over the world and taken thousands of lives. It is of utmost importance that the character of this deadly virus be studied and its nature be analyzed.

Methods

We present here an analysis pipeline comprising a classification exercise to identify the virulence of the genome sequences and extraction of important features from its genetic material that are used subsequently to predict mutation at those interesting sites using deep learning techniques.

Results

We have classified the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences with high accuracy and predicted the mutations in the sites of Interest.

Conclusions

In a nutshell, we have prepared an analysis pipeline for hCov genome sequences leveraging the power of machine intelligence and uncovered what remained apparently shrouded by raw data.
Schizosaccharomyces pombeKAT5 contributes to resection and repair of a DNA double strand break
Authors: Li Tingting , Petreaca Ruben C. , Forsburg Susan L.
Published: June 2020

Chromatin remodeling is essential for effective repair of a DNA double strand break. KAT5 (S. pombeMst1, human TIP60) is a MYST family histone acetyltransferase conserved from yeast to humans that coordinates various DNA damage response activities at a DNA double strand break (DSB), including histone remodeling and activation of the DNA damage checkpoint. InS. pombe, mutations inmst1+causes sensitivity to DNA damaging drugs. Here we show that Mst1 is recruited to DSBs. Mutation ofmst1+disrupts recruitment of repair proteins and delays resection. These defects are partially rescued by deletion ofpku70, which has been previously shown to antagonize repair by homologous recombination. These phenotypes ofmst1are similar topht1-4KR, a non-acetylatable form of histone variant H2A.Z, which has been proposed to affect resection. Our data suggest that Mst1 functions to direct repair of DSBs towards homologous recombination pathways by modulating resection at the double strand break.
An expanding bacterial colony forms a depletion zone with growing droplets
Authors: Ma H. , Bell J. , Tang J.X.
Published: June 2020

Many species of bacteria have developed means to spread on solid surfaces. This study focuses on the expansion ofPseudomonas aeruginosaon an agar gel surface. We report the occurrence and spread of a depletion zone, where the layer of bacteria on the agar becoming thinner. The depletion zone occurs within an expanded colony under conditions of minimal water evaporation. It is colocalized with a higher concentration of rhamnolipids, the biosurfactants that are produced by the bacteria and accumulate in the older region of the colony. With continued growth in bacterial population, dense droplets occur and coalesce in the depletion zone, displaying remarkable fluid dynamic behavior. Whereas expansion of a central depletion zone requires activities of live bacteria, new zones can be seeded by adding rhamnolipids. These depletion zones due to the added surfactants expand quickly, even on plates covered by bacteria that have been killed by ultraviolet light. We propose a model to account for the observed properties, taking into consideration bacterial growth and secretion, osmotic swelling, fluid volume expansion, cell-cell interaction, and interfacial fluid dynamics involving Marangoni flow.

Significance

Bacterial growth and pattern formation have strong bearing on their biological functions, such as their spread and accumulation, biofilm growth & its effects on infection and antibiotic resistance. The bacterial species of this study,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is a human pathogen responsible for frequent infections in wounds, airways, and urinary tract, particularly when involving the use of catheters. The findings of this study and the mechanisms we propose offer new insights on the important behaviors of bacterial collective motility, pattern dynamics, and biofilm growth.
Predicting antibiotic resistance in hospitalized patients by applying machine learning to electronic medical records
Authors: Lewin-Epstein Ohad , Baruch Shoham , Hadany Lilach , Stein Gideon Y , Obolski Uri
Published: June 2020

Background

Computerized decision support systems are becoming increasingly prevalent with advances in data collection and machine learning algorithms. However, they are scarcely used for empiric antibiotic therapy. Here we accurately predict the antibiotic resistance profiles of bacterial infections of hospitalized patients using machine learning algorithms applied to patients’ electronic medical records.

Methods

The data included antibiotic resistance results of bacterial cultures from hospitalized patients, alongside their electronic medical records. Five antibiotics were examined: Ceftazidime (n=2942), Gentamicin (n=4360), Imipenem (n=2235), Ofloxacin (n=3117) and Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim (n=3544). We applied lasso logistic regression, neural networks, gradient boosted trees, and an ensemble combining all three algorithms, to predict antibiotic resistance. Variable influence was gauged by permutation tests and Shapely Additive Explanations analysis.

Results

The ensemble model outperformed the separate models and produced accurate predictions on a test set data. When no knowledge regarding the infecting bacterial species was assumed, the ensemble model yielded area under the receiver-operating-characteristic (auROC) scores of 0.73-0.79, for different antibiotics. Including information regarding the bacterial species improved the auROCs to 0.8-0.88. The effects of different variables on the predictions were assessed and found consistent with previously identified risk factors for antibiotic resistance.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates the potential of machine learning models to accurately predict antibiotic resistance of bacterial infections of hospitalized patients. Moreover, we show that rapid information regarding the infecting bacterial species can improve predictions substantially. The implementation of such systems should be seriously considered by clinicians to aid correct empiric therapy and to potentially reduce antibiotic misuse.

40-word summary

Machine learning models were applied to large and diverse datasets of medical records of hospitalized patients, to predict antibiotic resistance profiles of bacterial infections. The models achieved high accuracy predictions and interpretable results regarding the drivers of antibiotic resistance.
Estimating the parameters of SIR model of COVID-19 cases in India during lock down periods
Authors: BAGAL DILIP KUMAR , RATH ARATI , Barua Abhishek , Patnaik Dulu
Published: June 2020

From the pandemic scenario of COVID-19 disease cases in all over the world, the outbreak prediction becomes very complex for the emerging scientifically research. Several epidemiological mathematical models of spread are increasing day by day to forecast correctly. Here, the classical SIR modelling approach is carried out to study the different parameters of this model in case of India county. This type of approach analyzed by considering different governmental lock down measures in India. There are some assumptions were taken into account for fitting the model in Python simulation in each lock down scenario. The predicted parameters of SIR model showed some improvement in each case of lock down in India. The outcome results showed the extreme interventions should be taken to tackle this type of pandemic situation in near future.
Long-term Trend in Infant Mortality in India: A Joinpoint Regression Analysis for 1981-2018
Authors: Chaurasia Aalok Ranjan
Published: June 2020

Infant mortality rate (IMR) in India remains high by international standards. India accounts for largest number of global infant deaths. This study analyses the trend in IMR in India over almost four decades beginning 1981 through 2018. The analysis is based on the official estimates of IMR available through sample registration system. Long-term trend in IMR is analysed by using joinpoint regression analysis which reveals that the trend in IMR in India changed four times during the period 1981-2018 and the trend has been different for different states of the country. The annual proportionate decrease in IMR was the most rapid during 1985-92 in the country and in most of its states but slowed down considerably during the period 1992-99. The significant deceleration in the decrease in IMR during 1992-99 appears to be the result of the policy shift in the delivery of maternal and child health services. Had the decrease in IMR not decelerated during 1992-99, the IMR in India would have been decreased to less than 20 by 2018.
Exposure to cough aerosols and development of pulmonary COVID-19
Authors: Driessche Koen Vanden , Nestele Jeremy , Grouwels Jeroen , Duval Els LIM
Published: June 2020

Half a year after the emergence of COVID-19, research is still going on to gain insight in the importance of different SARS-CoV-2 transmission routes and their impact on the clinical picture of COVID-19. Our findings suggest that coughing is not as important for transmission as initially anticipated and we discuss the potentially important role for loud conversation as a driver for transmission.

Disclosure

None of the authors have any financial associations or other possible conflicts of interest to declare.
Regional Difference in Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Tokyo: Results from the community point-of-care antibody testing
Authors: Takita Morihito , Matsumura Tomoko , Yamamoto Kana , Yamashita Erika , Hosoda Kazutaka , Hamaki Tamae , Kusumi Eiji
Published: June 2020

The serosurvey is an alternative way to know the magnitude of the population infected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) since the expansion of capacity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was delayed. We herein report seroprevalence of COVID-19 accessed in the two community clinics in Tokyo. The point-of-care immunodiagnostic test was implemented to detect the SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibody in the peripheral capillary blood. The overall positive percentage of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody is 3.83% (95% confidence interval: 2.76-5.16) for the entire cohort (n =1,071). The central Tokyo of 23 special wards exhibited a significantly higher prevalence compared to the other area of Tokyo (p =0.02, 4.68% [95%CI: 3.08-6.79] versus 1.83 [0.68-3.95] in central and suburban Tokyo, respectively). The seroprevalence of the cohort surveyed in this study is low for herd immunity, which suggests the need for robust disease control and prevention. A community-based approach, rather than state or prefectural levels, is of importance to figure out profiles of the SARS-COV-2 outbreak.
Serum RNA profiling in the 10-year period prior to diagnosis of testicular germ cell tumour
Authors: Burton Joshua , Umu Sinan U. , Langseth Hilde , Grotmol Tom , Grimsrud Tom K. , Haugen Trine B. , Rounge Trine B.
Published: June 2020

Although testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT) overall is highly curable, patients may experience late effects after treatment. An increased understanding of the mechanisms behind the development of TGCT may pave the way for better outcome for patients. To elucidate molecular changes prior to TGCT diagnosis we sequenced small RNAs in serum from 69 patients who were later diagnosed with TGCT and 111 matched controls. The deep RNA profiles, with on average 18 million sequences per sample, comprised of nine classes of RNA, including microRNA. We found that circulating RNA signals differed significantly between cases and controls regardless of time to diagnosis. Different levels of TSIX related to X-chromosome inactivation and TEX101 involved in spermatozoa production are among the interesting findings. The RNA signals differed between seminoma and nonseminoma TGCT subtypes, with seminoma cases showing lower levels of RNAs and nonseminoma cases showing higher levels of RNAs, compared with controls. The differentially expressed RNAs were typically associated with cancer related pathways. Our results indicate that circulating RNA profiles change during TGCT development according to histology and may be useful for early detection of this tumour type.
Nutrient-dependent control of RNA polymerase II elongation rate regulates specific gene expression programs by alternative polyadenylation
Authors: Yague-Sanz Carlo , Vanrobaeys Yann , Fernandez Ronan , Duval Maxime , Larochelle Marc , Beaudoin Jude , Berro Julien , Labbé Simon , Jacques Pierre-Étienne , Bachand François
Published: June 2020

Transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is a dynamic process with frequent variations in the elongation rate. However, the physiological relevance of variations in RNAPII elongation kinetics has remained unclear. Here we show in yeast that a RNAPII mutant that reduces the transcription elongation rate causes widespread changes in alternative polyadenylation (APA). We unveil two mechanisms by which APA affects gene expression in the slow mutant: 3′ UTR shortening and gene derepression by premature transcription termination of upstream interfering noncoding RNAs. Strikingly, the genes affected by these mechanisms are enriched for functions involved in phosphate uptake and purine synthesis, processes essential for maintenance of the intracellular nucleotide pool. As nucleotide concentration regulates transcription elongation, our findings argue that RNAPII is a sensor of nucleotide availability and that genes important for nucleotide pool maintenance have adopted regulatory mechanisms responsive to reduced rates of transcription elongation.
A historical comparative analysis of the community transformation of Tin Hau temples in Sai Kung and Shaukiwan
Authors: Hung Chung Fun Steven
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This article investigates social history in Hong Kong and compares their community transformation with two Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong, namely the Sai Kung Tin Hau and Hip Tin Temple and Shaukiwan Tin Hau Old Temple.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conducts a historical comparison to evaluate the vitality of traditional regions in Hong Kong with particular attention to the extent and intensity of its religious practice.

Findings

The paper fills a gap in the literature by comprehensively investigating Chinese temple related societies and communities. Most previous studies of Chinese temples and their rituals have treated them in isolation from their political contexts, emphasizing topics such as iconography over details of temple communities and their relationships with other elements of the social structure.

Originality/value

The research works from the point of view how the religious situation reflects important social characteristics and transformation of Shaukiwan and Sai Kung which were contemporary urban communities.
Residential satisfaction among low-income single-mother households: the case of residential welfare facilities in South Korea
Authors: Cho Minjung
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper examines residential satisfaction in welfare housing facilities exclusively built for low-income single-mother households in South Korea. The main objective is to identify predictors from among various domains such as sociodemographic and psychological characteristics of residents, as well as objective and subjective characteristics of their residential environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method field study evaluates data obtained via structured questionnaires administered to 233 low-income single mothers in 23 residential welfare facilities across South Korea, supplemented by facility observations and interviews with housing staff from 16 facilities.

Findings

Residential satisfaction was found to be a multidimensional construct predicted by a number of variables, with psychological characteristics being dominant. Significant predictors were also identified among physical and sociospatial environmental characteristics, such as plan type, management and service and personal space.

Practical implications

The results of this study highlight the significance of the human aspects of management and the sociospatial quality of housing unit spaces to provide a sense of protection and privacy for the residents, which emphasizes the importance of management, design and policy improvements to increase satisfaction in welfare facility residents.

Originality/value

Currently, data for special housing conditions of female-headed households in unstable housing affordability are relatively few and outdated. A critical examination of the physical and sociospatial quality of short-term subsidized public housing for low-income single-mother households in South Korea expands the current knowledge in this field to various sociodemographic and cultural contexts.
Integrated predictive control and fault diagnosis algorithm for single inductor-based DC-DC converters for photovoltaic systems
Authors: M. Venkateswaran , C. Govindaraju , T.K. Santhosh
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Power converters are an integral part of the energy conversion process in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems which is used to match the solar PV generation with the load requirements. The increased penetration of renewable invokes intermittency in the generated power affecting the reliability and continuous energy supply of such converters. DC-DC converters deployed in solar PV systems impose stringent restrictions on supplied power, continuous operation and fault prediction scenarios by continuously observing state variables to ensure continuous operation of the converter.

Design/methodology/approach

A converter deployed for a mission-critical application has to ensure continuous regulated output for which the converter has to ensure fault-free operation. The fault diagnostic algorithm relies on the measurement of a state variable to assess the type of fault. In the same line, a predictive controller depends on the measurement of a state variable to predict the control variable of a converter system to regulate the converter output around a fixed or a variable reference. Consequently, both the fault diagnosis and the predictive control algorithms depend on the measurement of a state variable. Once measured, the available data can be used for both algorithms interchangeably.

Findings

The objective of this work is to integrate the fault diagnostic and the predictive control algorithms while sharing the measurement requirements of both these control algorithms. The integrated algorithms thus proposed could be applied to any converter with a single inductor in its energy buffer stage.

Originality/value

laboratory prototype is created to verify the feasibility of the integrated predictive control and fault diagnosis algorithm. As the proposed method combine the fault detection algorithm along with predictive control, a load step variation and manual fault creation methods are used to verify the feasibility of the converter as with the simulation analysis. The value for the capacitors and inductors were chosen based on the charge-second and volt-second balance equations obtained from the steady-state analysis of boost converter.
Scaling workforce development: using MOOCs to reduce costs and narrow the skills gap
Authors: Rosendale Joseph , Wilkie LeAnn
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to examine both benefits and managers’ perceptions of open, online educational courses, as compared to more traditional means of employee training and development both to better engage workforce personnel as well as a cost reduction tool.

Design/methodology/approach

Using empirical survey data along with supporting background literature, the authors use a qualitative and practical approach to recommend best practices in the OD and training field.

Findings

Antiquated in-house training and development programs are costly and may not meet the needs of the 21st century workforce. Managers must be open to online, free-sourced training options as a way to reduce T&D budgets and attract and retain top talent.

Originality/value

While MOOCs continue to receive academic attention, this article is novel insofar as it analyzes the value of non-traditional educational options mainly from the organizational and management perspective. By surveying hiring managers and offering specific implementation steps, the depth of field in this body of literature is rightfully expanded.
Survey on people’s attitudes and constraints of rooftop gardening in Dhulikhel
Authors: Thapa Sandesh , Bhandari Rakshya , Nainabasti Anjal
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to observe the people’s response regarding rooftop farming in one of the rapidly developing area of Kavrepalanchok district, Dhulikhel, as rooftop farming is aimed in solving food security problem in urban area by providing quality materials for nutritional requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design of this study was random sampling survey with replacement techniques as respondents without concrete roof were not selected for the study. This study was aimed at recording the people’s response in one of the most accessible way, which would be easy for interpretation and analysis.

Findings

The major finding was that all of the respondents found rooftop farming beneficial but not all could practice it because of many constraints associated with rooftop farming. Most of them have fear of roof damage, so they are not adopting it. However, the respondents who are practicing rooftop farming find it difficult to manage because of lack of proper knowledge. Planting materials include plastic bags, crates, polythene and many other non-recyclable components.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first ever conducted in their country. Surveys related to rooftop gardening have not been done in the authors’ country till date. This is one of the present needs to improve the urban farming status, thus survey on rooftop farming and solving its constraints is necessary.
Proud powerful, grateful powerless: the interactive effect of power and emotion on gift giving
Authors: Septianto Felix , Nallaperuma Kaushalya , Bandyopadhyay Argho , Dolan Rebecca
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Drawing upon the evolutionary psychology perspective, the current research aims to investigate the conditions under which power (high vs low) and emotion (pride vs gratitude) can influence consumers to purchase products for others via two fundamental motives (the signaling and affiliative motives).

Design/methodology/approach

Three experiments are conducted. Study 1 demonstrates that consumers with high (low) power are more likely to choose a wine promoted with pride (gratitude) appeals. Study 2 shows that consumers in the high- (low-) power condition report a higher willingness to pay for a wine promoted with pride (gratitude) appeals. Study 3 replicates the findings of Study 2 using a different product advertisement (chocolate bars).

Findings

This study provides concrete empirical evidence that powerful consumers experiencing pride will engage in gift giving because of an increased signaling motive. In contrast, powerless consumers experiencing gratitude will engage in gift giving because of an increased affiliative motive.

Research limitations/implications

This study explores the context of gift giving using wine and chocolate bars as the products. It would thus be of interest to examine and extend the effects in motivating other prosocial behaviors such as donating and volunteering.

Practical implications

The findings suggest how different states of power can be temporarily and purposively triggered and matched with the desired emotional appeals within adverting messages to increase persuasion.

Originality/value

This study illustrates a novel mechanism for gift giving from the evolutionary psychology perspective by showing that gift giving can be motivated by two distinct pathways – affiliative and signaling motives. Further, it tests how the interactive effects of power (high vs low) and emotion (pride vs gratitude) can activate such motives.
Antecedents and consequences of tourists’ attachment in driving guests’ booking intention: a case of Airbnb, Malaysia
Authors: Tiamiyu Tosin , Quoquab Farzana , Mohammad Jihad
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Airbnb has emerged as one of the most prominent examples of sharing economy platforms in the tourism industry. The growing popularity of Airbnb among tourists has boost revenue in the accommodation rental industry. Considering its significant impact on tourism industry growth, this paper aims to shed some light on guests’ booking intentions on Airbnb, Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A web-based survey was designed to collect the data, which yielded 174 usable and valid responses. Structural equation modelling, partial least square technique was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The results confirmed that Airbnb’s reputation and guests’ unique experience expectation positively affect guests’ attachment to Airbnb, which, in turn, drives guest booking intention. However, price consciousness did not exert any effect on guests’ attachment to Airbnb.

Practical implications

The findings of this study will equip Airbnb managers, accommodation platform owners and service providers in developing appropriate marketing plans and strategies to better understand the implications of both internal and external causes that may lead to guests’ intention to book their accommodations.

Originality/value

This research has its merits in adding value to the tourism literature by understanding the drivers of guests’ booking intentions on Airbnb. Furthermore, the study findings contribute to the existing literature by investigating few new linkages such as the role of guests’ attachment to Airbnb as a mediator between guests’ unique experience expectation, price consciousness, reputation and guests’ booking intention.
Human capital threshold, foreign direct investment and economic growth: evidence from sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Anetor Friday Osemenshan
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the mediating effect of human capital in foreign direct investment (FDI) and growth nexus and establish the threshold of human capital in 28 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries over the period 1999–2017.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a secondary source of data obtained from the World Development Indicator and used the system generalized method of moments and dynamic panel threshold regression (TR) to analyze the data.

Findings

This study found that FDI and human capital have no significant impact on the economic growth in SSA. However, when the interactive term of FDI and human capital was introduced in the model, the economic growth effect of FDI became positive and significant, while the coefficient of the interactive term is negative and significant. This presupposes that SSA does not have a sufficient high-quality workforce that can absorb and transform the spillover benefits of FDI into economic growth. As a result, this study applied the TR to determine the minimum level of human capital and established a threshold level at 63.91%.

Practical implications

It, therefore, becomes pertinent for policymakers in the SSA region to have a human capital policy to build up their absorptive capacities to fully take advantage of FDI.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study lies in establishing a threshold of human capital at 63.91% for countries in the SSA region.
Cash transfers and political support: evidence from Ecuador
Authors: Ponce Juan , Curvale Carolina
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper evaluates the argument that conditional cash transfer program recipients vote for the incumbent. We also test the hypothesis stating that ceasing to receive the benefit hinders support for the incumbent.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a regression discontinuity design, we assess the impact of the Bono de Desarrollo Humano cash transfer program on pro-incumbent voting of each of these four groups.

Findings

We did not find a significant impact of the transfer on pro-incumbent vote intention in any of the pairwise comparisons, which suggests that contextual factors determining retrospective voting may play an important role in shaping the relationship between pro-incumbent voting and social policy transfers.

Originality/value

Drawing on quasi-experimental evidence from Ecuador, where the eligibility criteria of the program changed exogenously, we evaluate the impacts of several treatments on pro-incumbent voting. We are able to identify four distinct groups: recipients under both eligibility criteria, nonrecipients under both criteria, new recipients and new nonrecipients.
Blended learning in higher education: a transition to experiential classrooms
Authors: Nayar Burna , Koul Surabhi
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the learning effectiveness and engagement of blended learning tools in a management course of negotiation skills. The study addresses the dilemma brought to light through literature regarding the learning effectiveness of roleplays as a teaching tool in negotiation training. The study compares the impact of traditional roleplays vis-à-vis roleplays fused with blended tools on learner's performance. The endeavour is to investigate the learning effectiveness of traditional tools (roleplay simulation and lecture) vs blended learning tools (flipped classroom, massive open online courses, independent study fused with roleplay simulation).

Design/methodology/approach

The current study delves into a negotiation course to conduct experimental research comparing traditional and blended learning tools. The total number of students who participated in this study were 80.

Findings

The findings indicate the improved learning effectiveness of blended learning tools vis-à-vis traditional tools. Generation Z students were more engaged with the use of blended learning tools and enjoyed the experience. The study recommends blended learning tools for educators aiming to transition from traditional learning to interactive learning to create experiential classrooms.

Research limitations/implications

Limited sample size and single group experimentation are some limitations of the study. Some latent flaws in the implementation of roleplay simulations in negotiation training were revealed during the study. The study focuses solely on a negotiations course taught to management students.

Practical implications

The study would help academic institutes to comply with the pressing need to impart experiential learning in the classroom. The research would act as a bridge between the industry expectations and academia deliverables.

Social implications

The study would help academic institutes to comply with the pressing need to impart experiential learning through blended learning in the classroom. The research would act as a bridge between the industry expectations and academia deliverables.

Originality/value

The study addresses the dilemma in the literature, which, on the one hand, upholds the learning effectiveness of roleplays as a teaching tool, and on the other hand, suggests that roleplays have lost their applicability due to advancement in students' exposure to technology. The study in itself is unique, as it addresses the need for higher student engagement in the classroom.
Effectiveness of a Japanese-style health program in Minowa Town, Matsumoto city and Nagano city, Japan
Authors: Fujimori Satomi , Maruo Suchinda Jarupat , Watanabe Toshiaki , Taki Naoya , Sasamori Fumihito , Kobayashi Kazuki , Akasaki Hisaki , Okuhara Masao , Uchiyama Ryoji , Ashida Kazuki , Tabuchi Hisaaki , Terasawa Koji
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study aims to establish a Japanese-style healthcare program customized for Japan and Asia under ISO 9001: 2008 (ISO: International Organization for Standardization) to improve problem areas and to inspect the effectiveness of the program. Furthermore, the authors wanted to create this health program using the ISO widely available in Asian countries and make an international contribution.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors implemented a 6- to 10-month health program in Minowa Town, Matsumoto City and Nagano City in Japan. This study assessed findings from pedometric, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements and physical fitness, blood chemistry and brain function tests.

Findings

The comparisons were made by examining the interaction effects between groups of participants. Groups from three regions in Japan showed significant differences on the physical fitness tests; regarding the 10-meter obstacle walk, the results of the Minowa participants showed the greatest improvement and the Matsumoto participants showed the second greatest improvement. In the six-min walk, the time of the Minowa participants significantly improved.

Research limitations/implications

This health education program, which has been conducted by the Japanese authors since 1998, measures anthropometry, brain function and physical fitness and performs blood tests before and after the program and it measures energy consumption with a pedometer during the program. With the aim of improving exercise via encouragement from friends and a sense of community with fellow participants, participants learn together with hands-on training in tai chi and aerobics about the importance of ongoing exercise and proper nutrition. This health education met the Health Education ISO in 2014.

Practical implications

Since 2010, Nagano Prefecture, including Minowa Town, Matsumoto City and Nagano City, where our study was carried out, has been the area with the highest life expectancy rates in Japan.

Social implications

The authors want to make this health promotion through ISO widely available in Asian countries and an international contribution.

Originality/value

This study aimed to appropriately establish a Japanese-style healthcare program under the ISO 9001:2008 to improve problem areas and inspect its effectiveness.
The global order, regional integration and multiculturally diverse stakeholders
Authors: Igwe Paul Agu , Lock Deborah , Ochinanwata Chinedu , Nwakpu Ekwutosi Sanita , Nwedu Cosmos N.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how regional organizations manage its affairs, peace-building and economic development focussing on a crucial analytical dimension: the link between global order, regional integration and multi-culturally diverse stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper focusses on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by grounding the arguments based on the conceptualization of regional integration and “stakeholder management”. It offers an exploration of concepts of the “new global order”, “multilateralism”, “institutions”, effective stakeholder collaboration and cross-cultural management.

Findings

Defined in terms of EU-style institutionalization’ ECOWAS is one of the modes of regionalism classified as failed. The organization has struggled with the member-states internal crisis, inter-state border crisis, a growing army of unemployed youths, high political-instability, militant terrorism, cybersecurity and farmers-herders conflict. Also, it has a poor implementation of treaties and poor cultural communications.

Originality/value

Besides contributing to the emerging interest in the understanding of how regional organizations improve organizational efficiency, this study develops an interest in stakeholder management from the perspective of political, economic and peace-building organizations with different national, cultural and political experiences.