bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing for the creation of an MGAT1 deficient CHO cell line to control HIV-1 vaccine glycosylation
Authors: Byrne Gabriel , O’Rourke Sara M. , Alexander David L. , Yu Bin , Doran Rachel C. , Wright Meredith , Chen Qiushi , Azadi Parastoo , Berman Phillip W.
Published: July 2018

Over the last decade multiple broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (bN-mAbs) to the HIV-1 envelope protein, gp120, have been described. Surprisingly many of these recognize epitopes consisting of both amino acid and glycan residues. Moreover, the glycans required for binding of these bN-mAbs are early intermediates in the N-linked glycosylation pathway. This type of glycosylation substantially alters the mass and net charge of HIV envelope (Env) proteins compared to molecules with the same amino acid sequence but possessing mature, complex (sialic acid containing) carbohydrates. Since cell lines suitable for biopharmaceutical production that limit N-linked glycosylation to mannose-5 (Man5) or earlier intermediates are not readily available, the production of vaccine immunogens displaying these glycan dependent epitopes has been challenging. Here we report the development of a stable suspension adapted CHO cell line that limits glycosylation to Man5and earlier intermediates. This cell line was created using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system and contains a mutation that inactivates the gene encoding Mannosyl (Alpha-1,3-)-Glycoprotein Beta-1,2-N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase (MGAT1). Monomeric gp120s produced in the MGAT1-CHO cell line exhibit improved binding to prototypic glycan dependent bN-mAbs directed to the V1/V2 domain (e.g. PG9) and the V3 stem (e.g. PGT128 and 10–1074) while preserving the structure of the important glycan independent epitopes (e.g. VRC01). The ability of the MGAT1-CHO cell line to limit glycosylation to early intermediates in the N-linked glycosylation pathway, without impairing the doubling time or ability to grow at high cell densities, suggest that it will be a useful substrate for the biopharmaceutical production of HIV-1 vaccine immunogens.
Fluoxetine effects on behavior and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in female C57BL/6J mice across the estrous cycle
Authors: Yohn Christine N. , Shifman Sophie , Garino Alexander , Diethorn Emma , Bokka Leshya , Ashamalla Sandra A. , Adam Samuels Benjamin
Published: July 2018

Some mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder, are more prevalent in women than in men. However, historically preclinical studies in rodents have a lower inclusion rate of females than males, possibly due to the fact that behavior can be affected by the estrous cycle. Several studies have demonstrated that chronic antidepressant treatment can decrease anxiety-like behaviors and increase adult hippocampal neurogenesis in male rodents. However, very few studies have conclusively looked at the effects of antidepressants on behavior and neurogenesis across the estrous cycle in naturally cycling female rodents. Here we analyze the effects of chronic treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine (Prozac) on behavior and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in naturally cycling C57BL/6J females across all four phases of the estrous cycle. Interestingly, we find that the effects of fluoxetine on both behavior and adult hippocampal neurogenesis are driven by mice specifically in the estrus or diestrus phases of the estrous cycle. Taken together our data is the first to illustrate the impact of fluoxetine on brain and behavior across all four stages of the murine estrous cycle.

Highlights

Chronic fluoxetine reduces anxiety-like behaviors in naturally cycling female mice

Chronic fluoxetine increases adult hippocampal neurogenesis in naturally cycling female mice

The effects of chronic fluoxetine on behavior and adult hippocampal neurogenesis are driven by the estrus and diestrus phases of the estrous cycle
Replisome preservation by a single-stranded DNA gate in the CMG helicase
Authors: Wasserman Michael R. , Schauer Grant D. , O’Donnell Michael E. , Liu Shixin
Published: July 2018

The eukaryotic replicative helicase CMG is assembled at replication origins and is thought to remain topologically closed until termination. Upon encountering a lesion, CMG must vacate a stalled fork to allow DNA repair. However, the fate of CMG under these stress conditions remains unclear. Here, using correlative single-molecule fluorescence and force microscopy, we show that when uncoupled from a DNA polymerase, CMG opens a single-stranded (ss) DNA gate to traverse a forked junction and reside on double-stranded (ds) DNA. Surprisingly, CMG undergoes rapid diffusion on dsDNA and can transition back onto ssDNA for continued fork progression. The accessory protein Mcm10 is required for robust ssDNA gating. These results reveal an Mcm10-induced pathway that preserves CMG on DNA and allows it to access a repaired fork for swift replication recovery.
Detecting adaptive differentiation in structured populations with genomic data and common gardens
Authors: Josephs Emily B. , Berg Jeremy J. , Ross-Ibarra Jeffrey , Coop Graham
Published: July 2018

Adaptation in quantitative traits often occurs through subtle shifts in allele frequencies at many loci, a process called polygenic adaptation. While a number of methods have been developed to detect polygenic adaptation in human populations, we lack clear strategies for doing so in many other systems. In particular, there is an opportunity to develop new methods that leverage datasets with genomic data and common garden trait measurements to systematically detect the quantitative traits important for adaptation. Here, we develop methods that do just this, using principal components of the relatedness matrix to detect excess divergence consistent with polygenic adaptation and using a conditional test to control for confounding effects due to population structure. We apply these methods to inbred maize lines from the USDA germplasm pool and maize landraces from Europe. Ultimately, these methods can be applied to additional domesticated and wild species to give us a broader picture of the specific traits that contribute to adaptation and the overall importance of polygenic adaptation in shaping quantitative trait variation.
PLUG (Pruning of Local Unrealistic Geometries) removes restrictions on biophysical modeling for protein design
Authors: Hallen Mark A.
Published: July 2018

Protein design algorithms must search an enormous conformational space to identify favorable conformations. As a result, those that perform this search with guarantees of accuracy generally start with a conformational pruning step, such as dead-end elimination (DEE). However, the mathematical assumptions of DEE-based pruning algorithms have up to now severely restricted the biophysical model that can feasibly be used in protein design. To lift these restrictions, I propose to prune local unrealistic geometries (PLUG) using a linear programming-based method. PLUG’s biophysical model consists only of well-known lower bounds on interatomic distances. PLUG is intended as pre-processing for energy-based protein design calculations, whose biophysical model need not support DEE pruning. Based on 96 test cases, PLUG is at least as effective at pruning as DEE for larger protein designs—the type that most require pruning. When combined with the LUTE protein design algorithm, PLUG greatly facilitates designs that account for continuous entropy, large multistate designs with continuous flexibility, and designs with extensive continuous backbone flexibility and advanced non-pairwise energy functions. Many of these designs are tractable only with PLUG, either for empirical reasons (LUTE’s machine learning step achieves an accurate fit only after PLUG pruning), or for theoretical reasons (many energy functions are fundamentally incompatible with DEE).
Lmx1a drives Cux2 expression in the cortical hem through activation of a conserved intronic enhancer
Authors: Fregoso Santiago P. , Dwyer Brett E. , Franco Santos J.
Published: July 2018

During neocortical development, neurons are produced by a diverse pool of neural progenitors. A subset of progenitors express theCux2gene and are fate-restricted to produce certain neuronal subtypes, but the upstream pathways that specify these progenitor fates remain unknown. To uncover the transcriptional networks that regulateCux2expression in the forebrain, we characterized a conservedCux2enhancer that we find recapitulatesCux2expression specifically in the cortical hem. Using a bioinformatic approach, we found several potential transcription factor (TF) binding sites for cortical hem-patterning TFs. We found that the homeobox transcription factor, Lmx1a, can activate theCux2enhancerin vitro. Furthermore, we show that multiple Lmx1a binding sites required for enhancer activity in the cortical hemin vivo. Mis-expression of Lmx1a in neocortical progenitors caused an increase inCux2+-lineage cells. Finally, we compared several conserved human enhancers with cortical hem-restricted activity and found that recurrent Lmx1a binding sites are a top shared feature. Uncovering the network of TFs involved in regulatingCux2expression will increase our understanding of the mechanisms pivotal in establishingCux2-lineage fates in the developing forebrain.

Summary Statement

Analysis of a cortical hem-specificCux2enhancer reveals role forLmx1aas a critical upstream regulator ofCux2expression patterns in neural progenitors during early forebrain development.
Marker-assisted pyramiding of two major broad-spectrum bacterial blight resistance genes,Xa21andXa33into an elite maintainer line of rice, DRR17B
Authors: Balachiranjeevi CH , Bhaskar Naik S , Abhilash Kumar V , Harika G , Mahadev Swamy H.K , Hajira Sk , Dilip Kumar T , Anila M , Kale R.R , Yugender A , Pranathi K , Koushik M.B.V.N , Suneetha K , Bhadana V.P , Hariprasad A.S , Prasad M.S , Laha G.S , Rekha G , Balachandran S.M , Madhav M.S , Senguttuvel P , Fiyaz A.R , Viraktamath B.C , Giri A , Swamy B.P.M , Ali J , Sundaram R.M
Published: July 2018

Bacterial blight (BB) disease reduces the yield of rice varieties and hybrids considerably in many tropical rice growing countries like India. The present study highlights the development of durable BB resistance into the background of an elite maintainer of rice, DRR17B, by incorporating two major dominant genes,Xa21andXa33through marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB). Through two sets of backcrosses, the two BB resistance genes were transferred separately to DRR17B. In this process, at each stage of backcrossing, foreground selection was carried out for the target resistance genes and for non-fertility restorer alleles concerning the major fertility restorer genesRf3andRf4, using gene-specific PCR-based markers, while background selection was done using a set of 61 and 64 parental polymorphic SSR markers respectively. Backcross derived lines possessing eitherXa21orXa33along with maximum genome recovery of DRR17B were identified at BC3F1generation and selfed to develop BC3F2s. Plants harboringXa21orXa33in homozygous condition were identified among BC3F2s and were intercrossed with each other to combine both the genes. The intercross F1plants (ICF1) were selfed and the intercross F2(ICF2) plants possessing bothXa21andXa33in homozygous condition were identified with the help of markers. They were then advanced further by selfing until ICF4generation. Selected ICF4lines were evaluated for their resistance against BB with eight virulent isolates and for key agro-morphological traits. Six promising two-gene pyramiding lines of DRR17B with high level of BB resistance and agro-morphological attributes similar or superior to DRR17B with complete maintenance ability have been identified. These lines with elevated level of durable resistance may be handy tool for BB resistance breeding.
Mammalian vesicular glutamate transporter VGLUT1 reduces synaptic vesicle super-pool size and spontaneous release frequency
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Min , François Urielle , Silm Katlin , Angelo Maria Florencia , Busch Maria Victoria Fernández , Maged Mona , Martin Christelle , Cordelières Fabrice P. , Deshors Melissa , Pons Stéphanie , Maskos Uwe , Bemelmans Alexis-Pierre , Wojcik Sonja M. , El Mestikawy Salah , Humeau Yann , Herzog Etienne
Published: July 2018

Glutamate secretion at excitatory synapses is tightly regulated to allow for the precise tuning of synaptic strength. Vesicular Glutamate Transporters (VGLUT) accumulate glutamate into synaptic vesicles (SV) and thereby regulate quantal size. Further, the number of release sites and the release probability of SVs maybe regulated by the organization of active zone proteins and SV clusters. In the present work, we uncover a mechanism mediating an increased SV clustering through a tripartite interaction of VGLUT1, endophilinA1 and intersectin1. This strengthening of SV clusters results in a combined reduction of axonal SV super-pool size and miniature excitatory events frequency. Our findings support a model in which clustered vesicles are held together through multiple weak interactions between SH3 domains and proline rich sequences of synaptic proteins. In mammals, VGLUT1 gained a poly-proline sequence that recruits endophilinA1 and turns the transporter into a dual regulator of quantal release parameters at excitatory synapses.
A fish rots from the head down: how to use the leading digits of ecological data to detect their falsification
Authors: Cerri J.
Published: July 2018

Managing wildlife populations requires good data. Researchers and policy makers need reliable population estimates and, in case of commercial or recreational harvesting, also trustworthy information about the number of removed individuals. However, auditing schemes are often weak and political or economic pressure could lead to data fabrication or falsification. Time-series data and population models are crucial to detect anomalies, but they are not always available nor feasible. Therefore, researchers need other tools to identify suspicious patterns in ecological and environmental data, to prioritize their controls. We showed how the Benford’s law might be used to identify anomalies and potential manipulation in ecological data, by testing for the goodness-of-fit of the leading digits with the Benford’s distribution. For this task, we inspected two datasets that were found to be falsified, containing data about estimated large carnivore populations in Romania and Soviet commercial whale catches in the Pacific Ocean. In both the two datasets, the first and second digits numerical series deviated from the expected Benford’s distribution. In data about large carnivores, the first too digits, taken together, also deviated from the expected Benford’s distribution and were characterized by a high Mean Absolute Deviation. In Soviet whale catches, while the single digits deviated from the Benford’s distribution and the Mean Absolute Deviation was high, the first two digits were not anomalous. This controversy invites researchers to combine multiple measures of nonconformity and to be cautious in analyzing mixtures of data. Testing the distribution of the leading digits might be a very useful tool to inspect ecological datasets and to detect potential falsifications, with great implications for policymakers and researchers as well. For example, if policymakers revealed anomalies in harvesting data or population estimates, commercial or recreational harvesting could be suspended and controls strengthened. On the other hand, revealing falsification in ecological research would be crucial for evidence-based conservation, as well as for research evaluation.
Differential retention of transposable element-derived sequences in outcrossing Arabidopsis genomes
Authors: Legrand Sylvain , Caron Thibault , Maumus Florian , Schvartzman Sol , Quadrana Leandro , Durand Eléonore , Gallina Sophie , Pauwels Maxime , Mazoyer Clément , Huyghe Lucie , Colot Vincent , Hanikenne Marc , Castric Vincent
Published: July 2018

Transposable elements (TEs) have initially been viewed as pure genomic parasites but are now recognized as central genome architects and powerful agents of rapid adaptation. A proper evaluation of their evolutionary significance has been hampered by the paucity of short scale phylogenetic comparisons between closely related species. Here, we characterized the dynamics of TE accumulation at the micro-evolutionary scale by comparing two closely related plant species, Arabidopsis lyrata and A. halleri. Joint genome annotation in these two outcrossing species confirmed that both contain two distinct populations of TEs with either ‘recent’ or ‘old’ insertion histories. Identification of rare segregating insertions suggests that diverse TE families contribute to the ongoing dynamics of TE accumulation in the two species. TE fragments that have been maintained in both species, i.e. those that are orthologous, tend to be located on average closer to genes than those that are retained in one species only. Moreover, compared to non-orthologous TE insertions, those that are orthologous tend to produce fewer short interfering RNAs, are less heavily methylated when found within or adjacent to genes and these tend to have lower expression levels. These findings suggest that long-term retention of TE insertions reflects their frequent acquisition of adaptive roles and/or the deleterious effects of removing TE insertions when they are close to genes. Overall, our results indicate a rapid evolutionary dynamics of the TE landscape in these two outcrossing species, with an important input of a diverse set of new insertions with variable propensity to resist deletion.
Multiscale Adaptive Gabor Expansion (MAGE): Improved Detection of Transient Oscillatory Burst Amplitude and Phase
Authors: Canolty Ryan T. , Womelsdorf Thilo
Published: July 2018

Since Denis Gabor’s pioneering paper on the discrete Gabor Expansion (Gabor, 1946), time-frequency signal analysis has proven to be an important tool for many fields. In neurophysiology, time-frequency analysis has often been used to characterize and describe transient bursts in local field potential data. However, these transient bursts have a wide range of variable durations, suggesting that a time-frequency-scale dictionary composed of elementary signal “atoms” may prove useful to more accurately match recorded bursts. While overcomplete multiscale dictionaries are useful, generating a sparse code over such dictionaries is a difficult computational problem. Existing adaptive algorithms for discovering a sparse description are slow and computationally intensive. Here we describe the Multiscale Adaptive Gabor Expansion (MAGE), which uses an implicit dictionary of parametric time-frequency-scale Gabor atoms to perform fast parameter reassignment to accelerate discovery of a sparse decomposition. Using analytic expressions together with numerical computation, MAGE is a greedy pursuit algorithm similar to Matching Pursuit, restricted to a dictionary of multiscale Gaussian-envelope Gabor atoms. MAGE parameter reassignment is robust in the presence of moderate noise. By expressing a unknown signal as a weighted sum of Gabor atoms, MAGE permits a more accurate estimate of the amplitude and phase of transient bursts than existing methods.
Confidence boosts serial dependence in orientation estimation
Authors: Samaha Jason , Switzky Missy , Postle Bradley R.
Published: July 2018

In the absence of external feedback, a decision maker must rely on a subjective estimate of their decision accuracy in order to appropriately guide behavior. Normative models of perceptual decision making relate subjective estimates of internal signal quality (e.g. confidence) directly to the internal signal quality itself, thereby making it unknowable whether the subjective estimate or the underlying signal is what drives behavior. We constructed stimuli that dissociated human observer’s performance on a visual estimation task from their subjective estimates of confidence in their performance, thus violating normative principles. To understand whether confidence influences future decision making, we examined serial dependence in observer’s responses, a phenomenon whereby the estimate of a stimulus on the current trial can be biased towards the stimulus from the previous trial. We found that when decisions were made with high confidence, they conferred stronger biases upon the following trial, suggesting that confidence may enhance serial dependence. Critically, this finding was true also when confidence was experimentally dissociated from task performance, indicating that subjective confidence, independent of signal quality, can amplify serial dependence. These findings demonstrate an effect of confidence on future behavior, independent of task performance, and suggest that perceptual decisions incorporate recent history in an uncertainty-weighted manner, but where the uncertainty carried forward is a subjectively estimated and possibly suboptimal readout of objective sensory uncertainty.
Molecular structure, DFT studies and UV–Vis absorption of two new linear fused ring chalcones: (E)-1-(anthracen-9-yl)-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one and (E)-1-(anthracen-9-yl)-3-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Zainuri Dian Alwani , Razak Ibrahim Abdul , Arshad Suhana
Published: July 2018

The title compounds, C24H18O2 and C24H17FO2, were synthesized using the Claisen–Schmidt condensation method and characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy. Weak intermolecular C—H...O, C—H...π and π–π hydrogen-bonding interactions help to stabilize the crystal structures of both compounds. The geometrical parameters obtained from the molecular structure were optimized using density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p) level, showing a good correlation with the experimental results. The small HOMO–LUMO energy gaps of 3.11 and 3.07 eV enhances the non-linear responses of these molecular systems.
The nexus between external debt, corruption and economic growth: evidence from five SSA countries
Authors: Shittu Waliu Olawale , Hassan Sallahuddin , Nawaz Muhammad Atif
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of external debt and corruption on economic growth in the selected five Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, from 1990 to 2015.

Design/methodology/approach

Panel unit root and panel cointegration tests are employed to test for stationarity of the series and the long-run relationship, respectively. Fully modified OLS and dynamic OLS techniques are also employed to examine the long-run coefficients of the variables of the model, as well as panel Granger causality test, in order to examine the direction of causality among the variables.

Findings

The results indicate that there is a negative relationship between external debt and economic growth, as well as a bi-directional causality between the two variables. The findings also indicate a positive relationship between corruption and economic growth, as well as a uni-directional causality running from economic growth through corruption.

Research limitations/implications

The study recommends that the governments of the selected countries should address the menace of rising external debt through the adoption of other sources of capital for investment. Such include more openness of the economy for more capital, by easing restrictions on genuine imports and exports of valuable goods and services. It also suggests that the issue of corruption be tackled head-on, by such penalties that tend to make corruption less attractive.

Originality/value

While the relationship between economic growth and external debt, on the one hand, and corruption and economic growth, on the other hand, have received considerable attentions, the trio of external debt, corruption and economic growth have not been found combined in a model, to the best of the authors’ knowledge. Also, the countries under consideration, who jointly account for about 47 percent of the entire SSA countries’ stock of external debt, have not been jointly found in any recent panel studies involving the selected variables.
Corporate governance and firm value: a comparative analysis of state and non-state owned companies in the context of Pakistan
Authors: Bhat Kalim Ullah , Chen Yan , Jebran Khalil , Bhutto Niaz Ahmed
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how corporate governance instruments impact firm value in the context of Pakistan. This paper considers state- and non-state-owned enterprises and examines whether the influence of corporate governance on firm value varies across firms having different nature of ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

This study opts for an unbalanced sample of state- and non-state-owned enterprises for the period 2010-2014. Panel data regression is adopted for estimation of main results. The suitable model, i.e. fixed and random effect model, is selected using Hausman specification test.

Findings

The notable findings show that board independence has a significant and positive relationship with firm value only for state-owned companies. Furthermore, the results show that market capitalization and return on assets have a significant and positive association with firm value for both state- and non-state-owned enterprises. All other variables are found insignificant for both state- and non-state-owned companies, but the results are consistent with those reported in previous studies.

Practical implication

The findings of the study suggest that fair induction of independent directors, appropriate board size and cost-benefit analysis to conduct frequent meetings can help corporations to improve their performance.

Originality/value

This study is adding to the current literature by providing new insights and shows that the impact of corporate governance on firm value varies across firms of different types of ownership, i.e. state- and non-state-owned enterprises.
Related party transactions, corporate governance and earnings management
Authors: Marchini Pier Luigi , Mazza Tatiana , Medioli Alice
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Following the contingency perspective, this paper aims to examine if a good corporate governance structure is able to reduce earnings management made through related party transactions. The authors expect that a high-quality corporate governance influences private benefit acquisition and reduces the positive association between related party transactions and earnings management.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage least squares instrumental variable approach is used to further address endogeneity concerns in this study. The model is organized into three parts: the construction of the corporate governance indicator, the first stage regression to compute the predicted corporate governance indicator and the second stage regression (ordinary least squares multivariate regressions) to analyze the relationship between related party transactions and earnings management. The analysis focuses on a sample of Italian listed companies over the period 2007-2012.

Findings

The study finds that the interaction between sales-related party transactions and corporate governance is negatively associated with abnormal accruals, signaling that corporate governance quality reduces the positive association between sales-related party transactions and earnings management, consistently with the contingency perspective.

Originality/value

The research contributes to literature by empirically testing the assumption of contingency perspective. In particular, the results provide new insights to the academic community, underlying that good corporate governance mechanism helps to reduce earnings management behavior through related party transactions.
Comparative learning challenges experienced by students in rural universities of developing nations in Sub-Sahara Africa
Authors: Uleanya Chinaza , Gamede Bongani Thulani
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the common learning challenges experienced by undergraduates in selected rural universities in Nigeria and South Africa. Rural universities are strategically established and expected to enhance sustainable development by meeting the needs of host communities. Hence, an attempt is made to trace factors hindering the attainment of the goals.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research method was adopted for data collection. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to 2,335 randomly selected third-year students.

Findings

The outcome of the study shows that six common learning challenges: cognitive learning challenges, easy loss of concentration, previous learning experiences, distance, student–lecturer relationship as well as policy making and implementation are experienced by undergraduates in the two universities.

Research limitations/implications

This research shows the common challenges experienced by undergraduates in rural universities. However, the study is limited to two selected universities in Nigeria and South Africa.

Practical implications

These results are useful in guiding education stakeholders in policy making and how quality education can be provided for rural-based undergraduates.

Originality/value

The research suggests various ways by which common learning challenges experienced by students in rural universities can be overcome. It will be of immense value to curriculum designers and implementers toward sustainable nation building.
Comparative case study: when brands handle online confrontations
Authors: Choy Christine Hiu Ying , Wu Fang
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine the theoretical links among three important variables by empirically testing the cases of two international brands.

Design/methodology/approach

By using a comparative case study design, this study conducts a content analysis of a total of 490 Facebook comments regarding online confrontational crises: Dolce & Gabbana’s photo fiasco and Laneige’s discriminative sales incident.

Findings

The findings suggest that when evaluating whether or not a company has shouldered responsibility in online confrontational crises, social media users tend to be more influenced by how timely, active and consistent the organization’s reaction is than by the organization’s mere use of concession crisis communication strategies (CCSs). The individual-level perception (perceived degree of organizational crisis responsibility-taking) is a stronger predictor of social media users’ reaction than organization strategies. The earlier that social media user has a perceived improvement in the organization, the more effective is the organization’s strategy to minimize the effects of social media as crisis mobilizer.

Originality/value

This study confirms theories formulated in a Western context with actual cases from Eastern cultures. Theoretically, this study sheds light on the importance of the individual-level perception for effective use of organization strategy in crisis. This study also suggests the relative significance of positive forms of crisis response, concessions CCSs and their relationship with the perceived degree of crisis responsibility-taking.
Eliciting and representing the supply chain strategy of a business unit
Authors: Perez-Franco Roberto Joaquin , Phadnis Shardul
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a practical method to elicit – in a manner grounded in fact – the “as is” supply chain strategy that a business unit currently has in place. It also proposes a framework to represent the supply chain strategy of a business unit in a clear and actionable manner.

Design/methodology/approach

A framework to represent the supply chain strategy of a business unit was developed through inductive theory generation. A method to elicit the current, “as is” supply chain strategy of a business unit was developed through collaborative management research projects and validated by several third-party projects.

Findings

In different projects – many conducted by third parties – the method was found to be a useful approach to elicit the “as is” supply chain strategy of a business unit. Practitioners found value in representing a supply chain strategy as a conceptual system serving as a logical bridge between the overall strategy and the supply chain operations of the business units.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed framework may have limited scalability beyond a single business unit. The proposed method may be less useful when the supply chain strategy is undergoing a dramatic transformation, or when the participants from the company are either not fully engaged in the exercise or knowledgeable about the strategic rationale behind activities.

Originality/value

The paper provides an innovative approach to tap into the tacit knowledge of the organization to reveal the patterns of decisions underpinning its current supply chain strategy and to characterize the supply chain strategy of a business unit as a conceptual system.
Competitive manufacturing for reshoring textile and clothing supply chains to high-cost environment
Authors: Pal Rudrajeet , Harper Sara , Vellesalu Ann
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and prioritise the success factors and challenges related to competitive manufacturing (CM) capabilities in a high-cost environment, and identify their potential to support future reshoring in textile and clothing (T&C) supply chains, with judgements from the practitioners’ perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A Delphi study method is adopted with industry practitioners from the region of Western Sweden. Following a literature review on reshoring to identify relevant factors related to CM capabilities, a multiple round Delphi is designed to rank the success factors and challenges, and to further evaluate the likelihood of the success factors to lead to future reshoring. Additional semi-structured interviews are conducted to provide deeper explanation.

Findings

Empirical insights are both conforming to, and deviant from, evidences from extant literature. Moderate agreement is seen among the practitioners on the success factors; time- and product/process-related ones being ranked the highest. Low consensus is reached for the challenges, however, those related to high costs and lack of local resources were key concerns. Some anomalies from previous conception emerge among the challenges regarding increased costs of production, inventory and product variety trade-offs, and low skillset presence.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to reshoring research by identifying and prioritising value-driven success factors and cost-related challenges to CM in high-cost environments, for labour-intensive T&C industries. In connection, some interesting paradoxes originate when dealing with multiple success factors.

Practical implications

Valuable insights are generated for informed decision making related to CM and future choice of its location.

Originality/value

Along with the decisive knowledge of the reshoring success factors and challenges, the study offers an interesting T&C practitioners’ perspective.
Discovering critical-subaltern voices: an interpretive approach for transforming OD
Authors: Sinha Chandranshu
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The dialogic nature of new organization development practices brought a dramatic shift in relation to the way OD has had been practiced in the past. However, contemporary literature indicates that OD still has to go a long way if it has to play a central role. The purpose of this paper is to speculate for the concerns being raised about OD practices and propose an interpretive approach to fill in the gaps.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper traces OD’s glorious journey, which began with egalitarian values. This section builds on the dynamics of power and politics which was integral to the OD movement and further reviews and critiques the contributions of new OD approaches that has its foundations in postmodernism and social constructionism. In the second part, the paper discusses the critical perspective and introduces the concept of subaltern to fill in the gaps in new OD approaches. Further, the paper finds a ground to integrate and redefine the boundaries of critical and subaltern studies.

Findings

The paper proposes an interpretive approach for designing and carrying out OD interventions and introduces the concept of critical-subaltern OD. This approach recognizes the importance to engage with the dialectics or contradictions present between (and within) OD interventions. Through this interpretive approach, the author positions critical-subaltern voices as an integral part of OD interventions and change management.

Practical implications

The interpretive approach gives an insight into the unacknowledged and unheard socially constructed realities of change and OD practices for sensemaking. The approach would also be instrumental in enhancing the levels of engagement and productivity in unacknowledged and non-dominant employees.

Originality/value

This paper is a departure from the modern literature of critical management studies and builds on the critical theory on OD. The paper proposes by roping in the benefits of subaltern studies into OD practices. The paper builds ways to include voices of those, who never gain a voice. In brief, toward the end of the paper, the author proposes an interpretive approach and moves toward critical-subaltern OD. Through this interpretive approach, the author positions critical-subaltern voices as an integral part of OD interventions and change management.
Institutional types and institutional change in healthcare ecosystems
Authors: Pop Oana Maria , Leroi-Werelds Sara , Roijakkers Nadine , Andreassen Tor W.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a typology of institutions enabling or constraining customer centricity and value co-creation in service ecosystems; illustrate the various types of institutions with examples from healthcare; and provide case study evidence on how pharmaceutical companies react to and induce institutional change.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a typology of institutions enabling or constraining customer centricity and value co-creation is proposed and illustrated with examples from healthcare. Next, to clarify how companies deal with these institutions by reacting to or inducing institutional change, two case companies from the pharmaceutical industry are described.

Findings

The research identifies and illustrates nine types of institutions (culture, structure, processes, metrics, language, practices, IP, legislation and general beliefs) grouped by three levels of analysis (micro, meso and macro). Furthermore, the findings of the two case studies indicate that companies react to, but also proactively induce, institutional change.

Research limitations/implications

The investigation is limited to two case studies.

Practical implications

Organizations need to understand the micro-, meso- and macro-level institutions of their service ecosystem; react to institutional changes imposed by other actors; and proactively change institutions by breaking, making or maintaining them.

Social implications

Pharmaceutical companies can improve patient well-being by inducing institutional change.

Originality/value

This research develops a mid-range theory of service ecosystem institutions by developing a typology. This typology is empirically examined in a healthcare context.
A 2-tuple integrated DEA-based approach for neuromarketing technology evaluation
Authors: Dursun Mehtap , Goker Nazli
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Neuromarketing, which is an interdisciplinary area, concentrates on evaluating consumers’ cognitive and emotional reactions to different marketing stimuli. In spite of advantages, neuromarketing still requires development and lacks a strong theoretical framework. Techniques that are used in neuromarketing studies have different superiorities and limitations, and thus, there is a need for the evaluation of the relevance of these techniques. The purpose of this study is to introduce a novel integrated approach for the neuromarketing research area.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach combines 2-tuple linguistic representation model and data envelopment analysis to obtain the most efficient neuromarketing technique. It is apt to handle information provided by using both linguistic and numerical scales with multiple information sources. Furthermore, it allows managers to deal with heterogeneous information, without loss of information.

Findings

The proposed approach indicates that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is the best performing neuromarketing technology. Recently, fMRI has been widely used in neuromarketing research. In spite of its high cost, its main superiorities are improved spatial and temporal resolutions. On the other hand, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and positron emission tomography (PET) are ranked at the bottom because of their poor resolutions and lower willingness of participants.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a common weight data envelopment analysis (DEA)-based decision model to cope with heterogeneous information collected by the experts to determine the best performing neuromarketing technology. The decision procedure enables the decision-makers to handle the problems of loss of information and multi-granularity by using the fusion of 2-tuple linguistic representation model and fuzzy information. Moreover, a DEA-based common weight model does not require subjective experts’ opinions to weight the evaluation criteria.
Multi-criteria-based fusion for clustering texts and images case study on Flickr
Authors: Khatir Nadjia , Nait-bahloul Safia
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate a new fusion technique of visual and textual clusters of objects from a real multimedia data-driven collection to improve the performance of multimedia applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors focused on using multi-criteria for clustering texts and images. The algorithm consists of these steps: first is text representation using the statistical method of weighting, second is image representation using a bag of words feature descriptors methods and finally application of multi-criteria clustering.

Findings

As an application for event detection based on social multimedia data, in particular, Flickr platform. Several experiments were conducted to choose the appropriate parameters for a better scheme of clustering. The new approach achieves better performance when aggregate text clustering is done with image clustering for event detection.

Research limitations/implications

Further researches would be investigated on other social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter for a generalization of the technique.

Originality/value

This study contributes to multimedia data mining through the new fusion technique of clustering. The technique has its root in such strong field as the field of multi-criteria clustering and decision-making support.
A TOPSIS-based approach for sustainable layout design: activity relation chart evaluation
Authors: Durmusoglu Zeynep D.U.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose an approach for assessing sustainability aspect of facility layouts. Activity relationship chart (ARC) is a widely used assistive tool for facility layout design which assesses closeness requirement among all pairs. In a typical ARC, there are six closeness ratings which may be assigned to each pair of departments. Ratings are evaluated by considering a single factor or an overall rating is provided. On the other hand, there may be more than one criterion which has to be evaluated separately and then a fair decision should be taken by considering the relative weight of factors. With this purpose in mind, ARC alternatives are evaluated on the basis of three factors which are environmental aspect, safety concerns and manufacturing efficiency factors by using TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, more than one ARC alternatives are evaluated by considering environmental, safety and manufacturing efficiency factors. Alternatives are then ranked via TOPSIS. An empirical case study is also presented to validate how effective the proposed model performs.

Findings

The TOPSIS method can be successfully used to choose the most sustainable ARC alternative appropriately by the help of experts. The proposed approach can be beneficial to researchers and practitioners for better understanding the ARC evaluation problem from the perspective of sustainability.

Practical implications

The obtained results confirm that the proposed model can assist practitioners in refining their decision processes, particularly in cases where there are many ARC alternatives to be considered.

Originality/value

This is the first time that this method is used in such a context. This study contributes to literature by presenting practical applications of TOPSIS in the ARC assessment field. It should be highlighted that there is no comparable research on the evaluation of ARCs using TOPSIS. Thus, this study fills the gap by providing an analytical approach in this area.
Empirical examination of theoretical model of workplace envy: evidences from Jordan
Authors: Ghadi Mohammed Yasin
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to report the findings of a study examining the role of workplace envy as a mediator between set of antecedents and consequences. A theoretical model proposed to be tested empirically by Mishra (2009).

Design/methodology/approach

A pre-determined questionnaire was completed by 169 employees working in several jobs at four organizations in Jordan. Only 142 were usable for the present study, resulting in a response rate of 84 per cent. The data collection period took only one month from March 2017 to April 2017.

Findings

Six hypotheses were developed in this study. The results from multiple-regression analysis indicate that the three proposed antecedents (i.e. neuroticism, conscientiousness and perceived competitiveness) significantly predict workplace envy. In addition, workplace envy significantly predicts counterproductive behaviours and organizational citizenship behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

Organizations must set a range of methods that help in reducing the envy at work. A starting point to do that is to measure both; the levels of envy and its main determinants among all employees in the organization. After this assessment, the aim is to build intervention methods aimed at striving to reduce workplace envy. Furthermore, the proposed model of this study may provide managers with new insights into reducing envy at work. These might be, but not specific to: stress management programmes, teaching employees ethical solutions for conflicts at work and conducting informal activities between employees.

Originality/value

This is one of the studies, to author knowledge, that tested variety of antecedents and consequences of workplace envy in a Jordanian context. As a result, testing the proposed model addresses previous research concerns that envy has not thoroughly investigated and requires empirical consideration.