bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HGC: fast hierarchical clustering for large-scale single-cell data
Authors: Zou Ziheng , Hua Kui , Zhang Xuegong
Published: February 2021

Clustering is a key step in revealing heterogeneities in single-cell data. Cell heterogeneity can be explored at different resolutions and the resulted varying cell states are inherently nested. However, most existing single-cell clustering methods output a fixed number of clusters without the hierarchical information. Classical hierarchical clustering provides dendrogram of cells, but cannot scale to large datasets due to the high computational complexity. We present HGC, a fastHierarchicalGraph-basedClustering method to address both problems. It combines the advantages of graph-based clustering and hierarchical clustering. On the shared nearest neighbor graph of cells, HGC constructs the hierarchical tree with linear time complexity. Experiments showed that HGC enables multiresolution exploration of the biological hierarchy underlying the data, achieves state-of-the-art accuracy on benchmark data, and can scale to large datasets. HGC is freely available for academic use athttps://www.github.com/XuegongLab/HGC.

Contact

zhangxg@tsinghua.edu.cn,stevenhuakui@gmail.com
c-MAF dependent perivascular macrophages regulate diet induced metabolic syndrome
Authors: Silva Hernandez Moura , Kitoko Jamil Zola , Queiroz Camila Pereira , Kroehling Lina , Matheis Fanny , Yang Katharine Lu , Ren-Fielding Christine , Littman Dan Rudolph , Bozza Marcelo Torres , Mucida Daniel , Lafaille Juan José
Published: February 2021

Macrophages are an essential part of tissue development and physiology. Perivascular macrophages have been described in tissues and appear to play a role in development and disease processes, although it remains unclear what are the key features of these cells. Here, we identify a subpopulation of perivascular macrophages in several organs, characterized by their dependence on the transcription factor c-MAF, displaying non-conventional macrophage markers including LYVE1, Folate receptor 2 and CD38. Conditional deletion of c-MAF in macrophage lineages caused ablation of perivascular macrophages in the brain and altered muscularis macrophages program in the intestine. In the white adipose tissue (WAT), c-MAF deficient perivascular macrophages displayed an altered gene expression profile, which was linked to an increased vascular branching into the tissue. Upon feeding on high fat diet (HFD), mice with c-MAF deficient macrophages showed improved metabolic parameters compared to wild-type mice, including less weight gain, greater glucose tolerance and reduced inflammatory cell profile in WAT. These results define c-MAF as a central regulator of perivascular macrophages cell identity and transcriptional programin vivoand reveal a novel role for this tissue resident macrophage population in the regulation of metabolic syndrome.
Heterologous expression of human pro-inflammatory Caspase-1 inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeand comparison to pro-apoptotic Caspase-8
Authors: Valenti Marta , Molina María , Cid Víctor J
Published: February 2021

Caspases are a family of cysteine proteases that play an essential role in inflammation, apoptosis, cell death, and development. Here we delve into the effects caused by heterologous expression of human Caspase-1 in the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaeand compare them to those of Caspase-8. Overexpression of both caspases in the heterologous model led to their activation, and caused mitochondrial depolarization, ROS production, damage to different organelles, and cell death. All these effects were dependent on their protease activity, and Caspase-8 was more aggressive than Caspase-1. Growth arrest could be at least partially explained by dysfunction of the actin cytoskeleton as a consequence of the processing of the yeast Bni1 formin, which we identify here as a likely direct substrate of both caspases. Through the modulation of theGAL1promoter by using different galactose:glucose ratios in the culture medium, we have established a scenario in which Caspase-1 is sufficiently expressed to become activated while yeast growth is not impaired. Finally, we used the yeast model to explore the role of death-fold domains (DD) of both caspases in their activity. Peculiarly, the DDs of either caspase showed an opposite involvement in its intrinsic activity, as the deletion of the caspase activation and recruitment domain (CARD) of Caspase-1 enhanced its activity, while the deletion of the death effector domain (DED) of Caspase-8 diminished it. We propose the yeast model as a useful and manageable tool to explore Caspase-1 structure-function relationships, the impact of mutations or the activity of putative inhibitors or regulators.
Age-related deficits in rapid visuomotor decision-making
Authors: Gómez-Granados Ana , Barany Deborah A. , Schrayer Margaret , Kurtzer Isaac , Bonnet Cédrick , Singh Tarkeshwar
Published: February 2021

Many goal-directed actions that require rapid visuomotor planning and perceptual decision-making are affected in older adults, causing difficulties in execution of many functional activities of daily living. Visuomotor planning and perceptual decision-making are mediated by the dorsal and ventral visual streams, respectively, but it is unclear how age-induced changes in sensory processing in these streams contribute to declines in goal-directed actions. Previously, we have shown that in healthy adults task demands affect the integration of sensory information between the two streams and more motorically demanding tasks induce earlier decisions and more decision errors. Here, we asked the question if older adults would exhibit larger declines in interactions between the two streams during demanding motor tasks. Older adults (n=15) and young controls (n=26) performed a simple reaching task and a more demanding interception task towards virtual objects. In some blocks of trials, participants also had to select an appropriate movement based on the shape of the object. Our results showed that older adults made a similar number of initial decision errors during both the reaching and interception tasks but corrected fewer of those errors during movement. During the more demanding interception decision task, older adults made more decision- and execution-related errors than young adults, which were related to early initiation of their movements. Together, these results suggest that older adults have a reduced ability to integrate new perceptual information to guide online action, which may reflect impaired ventral-dorsal stream interactions.

Highlights

Older adults showed reduced performance in a visuomotor decision-making task

Initial decision errors were similar between young and older adults

Older adults were less likely to correct initial decision errors

More demanding movements were associated with earlier and less accurate decisions
Enhanced MATE transporter DTX6/PQT15 confers paraquat resistance
Authors: Xia Jin-Qiu , Nazish Tahmina , Javaid Ayesha , Ali Mohsin , Liu Qian-Qian , Wang Liang , Zhang Zheng-Yi , Zhang Zi-Sheng , Huang Yi-Jie , Wu Jie , Yang Zhi-Sen , Sun Lin-Feng , Chen Yu-Xing , Xiang Cheng-Bin
Published: February 2021

Paraquat is one of the most widely used non-selective herbicides and has elicited the emergence of paraquat resistant weeds. However, the molecular mechanisms of paraquat resistance are not completely understood. Here we report an Arabidopsis gain-of-function mutantpqt15-Dwith significantly enhanced resistance to paraquat and the correspondingPQT15encoding the MATE transporter DTX6. A point mutation at +932 bp inDTX6causing the G311E amino acid residue change brings about the enhanced paraquat resistance ofpqt15-D. Overexpression ofDTX6/PQT15in the wild type also confers strong paraquat resistance, whereas theDTX6/PQT15knockout mutants exhibits hypersensitive phenotype to paraquat. Moreover, heterologous expression ofDTX6andDTX6-DinE. colisignificantly enhances bacterial resistance to paraquat. DTX6/PQT15 mainly localizes in the plasma membrane as shown by DTX6-GFP and functions as a paraquat efflux transporter as demonstrated by paraquat efflux assays with isolated protoplasts and bacterial cells. Taken together, our results demonstrate that DTX6/PQT15 is an efflux transporter and confers paraquat resistance by exporting paraquat out of cytosol, therefore unraveling a molecular mechanism of paraquat resistance in higher plants and providing a promising candidate of generating paraquat resistance crops.
A DNA-origami NanoTrap for studying the diffusion barriers formed by Phe-Gly-rich nucleoporins
Authors: Shen Qi , Tian Taoran , Xiong Qiancheng , Ellis Fisher Patrick D. , Xiong Yong , Melia Thomas J. , Lusk C. Patrick , Lin Chenxiang
Published: February 2021

DNA nanotechnology provides a versatile and powerful tool to dissect the structure-function relationship of biomolecular machines like the nuclear pore complex (NPC), an enormous protein assembly that controls molecular traffic between the nucleus and cytoplasm. To understand how the intrinsically disordered, Phe-Gly-rich nucleoporins (FG-nups) within the NPC’s central transport channel impede the diffusion of macromolecules, we built a DNA-origami NanoTrap. The NanoTrap comprises precisely arranged FG-nups in an NPC-like channel, which sits on a baseplate that captures macromolecules that pass through the FG network. Using this biomimetic construct, we determined that the FG-motif type, grafting density and spatial arrangement are critical determinants of an effective diffusion barrier. Further, we observe that diffusion barriers formed with cohesive FG-interactions dominate in mixed-FG-nup scenarios. Our DNA-origami platform thus sheds light on how NPCs sieve inert macromolecules and will provide a valuable tool for studying nuclear transport.
Biophysical and proteomic analyses suggest functions ofPseudomonas syringaepvtomatoDC3000 extracellular vesicles in bacterial growth during plant infection
Authors: Janda Martin , Ludwig Christina , Rybak Katarzyna , Meng Chen , Stigliano Egidio , Botzenhardt Leon , Szulc Beata , Sklenar Jan , Menke Frank L.H. , Malone Jacob G. , Brachmann Andreas , Klingl Andreas , Robatzek Silke
Published: February 2021

Vesiculation is a process employed by Gram-negative bacteria to release extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the environment. Bacterial EVs contain molecular cargo from the donor bacterium and play important roles in bacterial survival and growth. Here, we describe EV production in plant-pathogenicPseudomonas syringaepv.tomatoDC3000 (PtoDC3000), the causal agent of bacterial speck disease. CulturedPtoDC3000 exhibited EV structures both on the cell surface and in the vicinity of bacterial cells, observed as outer membrane vesicle (OMV) release. We used in-solution trypsin digestion coupled to mass spectrometry to identify 369 proteins enriched in EVs recovered from culturedPtoDC3000. The predicted localization profile of EV proteins supports the production of EVs also in the form of outer-inner-membrane vesicles (OIMVs). EV production varied slightly between bacterial lifestyles and also occurredin planta. The potential contribution of EVs toPtoDC3000 plant infection was assessed using plant treatments and bioinformatic analysis of the EV-enriched proteins. While these results identify immunogenic activities of the EVs, they also point at roles for EVs in bacterial defences and nutrient acquisition byPtoDC3000.
Detection of translational noncrystallographic symmetry in Patterson functions
Authors: Caballero Iracema , Sammito Massimo D. , Afonine Pavel V. , Usón Isabel , Read Randy J. , McCoy Airlie J.
Published: February 2021

Detection of translational noncrystallographic symmetry (TNCS) can be critical for success in crystallographic phasing, particularly when molecular-replacement models are poor or anomalous phasing information is weak. If the correct TNCS is detected then expected intensity factors for each reflection can be refined, so that the maximum-likelihood functions underlying molecular replacement and single-wavelength anomalous dispersion use appropriate structure-factor normalization and variance terms. Here, an analysis of a curated database of protein structures from the Protein Data Bank to investigate how TNCS manifests in the Patterson function is described. These studies informed an algorithm for the detection of TNCS, which includes a method for detecting the number of vectors involved in any commensurate modulation (the TNCS order). The algorithm generates a ranked list of possible TNCS associations in the asymmetric unit for exploration during structure solution.
Environmental impact of pollutants from commercial aircrafts at Hasan Polatkan airport
Authors: Atasoy Vehbi Emrah , Suzer Ahmet Esat , Ekici Selcuk
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the environmental impact of various pollutant emissions including carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and hydrocarbon (HC) from aircraft exhaust gases during the landing and take-off (LTO) cycles at Eskisehir Hasan Polatkan Airport, Turkey, between 2017 and 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology approach used to calculate the emissions from aircrafts is based on the ICAO databank and the actual data records taken from Presidency of The Republic of Turkey Directorate of Communications (DoC).

Findings

The maximum amount of total fuel burnt during the two years is 80.898 and 70.168 tons in 2017 and 2018, respectively, while the average fuel burnt per year from 2017 to 2018 is approximately 369.773 tons. The highest CO, CO2, NOx and HC emissions are found to be 248.3 kg in 2017, 261.380 tons, 1.708 tons and 22.15 kg, during the 2018 year, respectively. Average CO, HC, NOx and CO2 emissions amount per year are observed to be 1.392 tons, 135 kg, 6.909 tons and 1,143 tons, respectively. Considering the average of total emission amount as an environmental factor, as expected, CO2 emissions contributed the most to the total emissions while HC emissions contributed the least to the total emissions from the airport.

Practical implications

The study presents the approach in determining the amounts of emissions released into the interannual atmosphere and it explicitly provides researchers and policymakers how to follow emissions from commercial aircraft activities at different airports.

Originality/value

The value of the study lies in the transparent computation of the amounts of pollutants by providing the data directly from the first hand-DoC.
Data literacy and management of research data – a prerequisite for the sharing of research data
Authors: Palsdottir Agusta
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the knowledge and attitude about research data management, the use of data management methods and the perceived need for support, in relation to participants’ field of research.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quantitative study. Data were collected by an email survey and sent to 792 academic researchers and doctoral students. Total response rate was 18% (N = 139). The measurement instrument consisted of six sets of questions: about data management plans, the assignment of additional information to research data, about metadata, standard file naming systems, training at data management methods and the storing of research data.

Findings

The main finding is that knowledge about the procedures of data management is limited, and data management is not a normal practice in the researcher's work. They were, however, in general, of the opinion that the university should take the lead by recommending and offering access to the necessary tools of data management. Taken together, the results indicate that there is an urgent need to increase the researcher's understanding of the importance of data management that is based on professional knowledge and to provide them with resources and training that enables them to make effective and productive use of data management methods.

Research limitations/implications

The survey was sent to all members of the population but not a sample of it. Because of the response rate, the results cannot be generalized to all researchers at the university. Nevertheless, the findings may provide an important understanding about their research data procedures, in particular what characterizes their knowledge about data management and attitude towards it.

Practical implications

Awareness of these issues is essential for information specialists at academic libraries, together with other units within the universities, to be able to design infrastructures and develop services that suit the needs of the research community. The findings can be used, to develop data policies and services, based on professional knowledge of best practices and recognized standards that assist the research community at data management.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the existing literature about research data management by examining the results by participants’ field of research. Recognition of the issues is critical in order for information specialists in collaboration with universities to design relevant infrastructures and services for academics and doctoral students that can promote their research data management.
The impact of online reviews on product returns
Authors: Li Xiaofei , Ma Baolong , Chu Hongrui
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The value of online reviews has been well documented by academics and practitioners. However, to maximise the benefits of consumer reviews, online sellers must avoid the negative consequences associated with customer feedback, such as reputation loss, or product returns after purchase. In developing a better understanding of the relationships between online reviews and their potential for negative impacts, this research aims to explore product returns. Through a quantitative model, this research demonstrates why online reviews can result in product return behaviours.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses were tested via two studies. In Study 1, the authors examine the direct effects of review valence and review volume on product returns by analysing secondary data on 4,995 stores on China's Taobao.com. Study 2 further extends and validates the findings of Study 1 with a survey sample of 795 participants across several online shopping platforms. This analysis examines the mechanics and conditions that influence the relationships between online reviews and product returns through partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The results show that both review valence (i.e. average star ratings) and the number of reviews can increase the probability of product returns due to the high expectations that result from positive online reviews. Further, the effect of review valence on product returns is stronger for first-time purchasers at a store. In terms of mitigation, the analysis shows that bilateral communications between sellers and buyers can temper the unrealistic expectations set by positive reviews, leading to fewer product returns.

Originality/value

This research adds to the literature on online reviews by exploring the negative consequences of online reviews and the role they play in online purchasing decisions. The findings also provide direct evidence as to why online reviews can result in more product returns, adding clarity to extant research which contains conflicting conclusions as to how online reviews affect product return behaviours.
Reason versus feeling: relational norms influence gift choices
Authors: Yu Lingzhi , Zhao Tingting , Fan Xiucheng
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Relational norms, referring to shared values about behavioral rules, distinguish communal and exchange relationships based on different reciprocal expectations between actors. This research explains how reciprocal expectations behind the two relationships trigger gift givers' disparate behavioral goals and further determine their gift choices.

Design/methodology/approach

The current work uses three lab experiments (N = 482) and one consumer survey (N = 422) to collect Chinese gifting data. Multiple data-analysis methods – crosstab analysis, ANOVA, linear regression and bootstrapping procedures – confirm the hypotheses.

Findings

Gift givers distinguish communal and exchange recipients. When selecting gifts for communal (exchange) recipients, people depended more strongly on rational analyses (intuition), preferring products superior on cognitive (affective) attributions. Further, givers primed to be rational decision-makers by anticipating that recipients would evaluate the gifts immediately in their presence, regardless of the communal or exchange context, preferred cognitively superior products.

Practical implications

From a managerial perspective, marketers can make targeted recommendations by highlighting the appropriate attribute dimension (cognitive or affective) after learning givers' reciprocal expectations.

Originality/value

This work contributes to the gift-giving literature by revealing the direct link between gifting goals and gift choices, extending the understanding of consumers' gift-selection strategies.
Salespersons' self-monitoring, psychological capital and sales performance
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Li Ping , Zheng Yi , Jiang Ling (Alice) , Yang Zhilin
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Drawing on conservation of resources (COR) theory and the motivation-opportunity-ability (MOA) framework, this study examines how salespersons' self-monitoring and psychological capital influence sales performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses survey data from 293 salespersons employed in China and their archival sales performance to test the hypotheses posited.

Findings

The results show that both salespersons' self-monitoring and psychological capital enhance sales performance via adaptive selling. However, these elements are primarily substitutes in influencing adaptive selling. In addition, by dividing social capital into two types (i.e. family-based social capital and customer-based social capital), the results reveal that salespersons' self-monitoring enhances family-based social capital, but not customer-based social capital. Finally, customer-based social capital, but not family-based capital, improves sales performance.

Research limitations/implications

This paper extends the literature on sales force management, which examines various psychological traits and their influences on sales performance. While self-monitoring and psychological capital have been investigated separately, this research simultaneously examines these two factors by drawing on resource conservation theory. Furthermore, it explores how these psychological traits impact salespersons' ability development (i.e. adaptive selling) and capital accumulation (i.e., family-based social capital and customer-based social capital), which, in turn, affect sales performance.

Practical implications

The results offer managerial insights into sales force selection and management. In particular, managers should encourage salespersons to obtain greater customer-based social capital, which is more valuable than family-based social capital in boosting sales performance.

Social implications

The present research is also beneficial for employee psychological health management, as it seeks to illuminate the role of psychological traits, ability development and capital accumulation. It offers insights into sociological research on social capital by categorizing it into family-based and customer-based capital.

Originality/value

This paper extends the literature on salespersons' psychological traits, selling abilities and social capital by examining the impacts of self-monitoring and psychological capital on adaptive selling and social capital. Specifically, this study examines the interplay between self-monitoring and psychological capital from the perspective of resources conservation theory.
Understanding Chinese consumers' pre-purchase value expectations: the role of country of origin effect
Authors: Qu Mengnan , Quach Sara , Thaichon Park , Frazer Lorelle , Lawley Meredith , Arli Denni , Weaven Scott , Roberts Robin E.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of country of origin (COO) on customers' value expectation and willingness to pay by employing signalling theory and cue utilisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 386 customers via an online survey in the context of Australian food retail franchise stores in China.

Findings

The findings indicate that COO origin is an important determinant of customer expectations including service quality, social value, emotional value, monetary price, behavioural price and reputation. Furthermore, the only social value was a significant predictor of willingness to pay. Although the direct effect of COO on willingness to purchase was not significant, the COO had a significant indirect effect on willingness to pay via social value. Finally, the COO has a stronger effect on monetary price expectation among customers who were aware of the country brands than those who were unaware.

Originality/value

The study extends the body of knowledge related to the effect of COO during the pre-purchase process and provides important implications for retailers who are looking to enter an overseas market such as China.
The role of characters featured on digital stickers in forming usage intention: internet-only banks in Korea
Authors: Lee Jong Ho , Jun Jaehyeon , Park Junsung , Yoo Joon Woo , Park Heejun
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Digital stickers are being used frequently due to a rapid increase in the usage of mobile messenger services. Moreover, characters featured on digital stickers are being used as spokes-characters for brand marketing and advertisements. These characters create positive consumer attitude toward the brand and the brand's product or service.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 307 surveys collected in Korea, this paper examines the relationship between the dimensions of the characters and the usage intention of an Internet-only banking service.

Findings

Results indicate that unlike conventional spokes-characters, the expertise of sticker characters does not have an influence on usage intention. However, all three dimensions of characters are effective in forming a positive brand equity, and this has a mediating role in enhancing usage intention.

Originality/value

Current research has brought academic attention to characters featured on digital stickers and have verified their significant role. Moreover, in an Internet-only banking context, branding strategy is an effective way to encourage customers to use services. Theoretical implications are addressed, as are implications for managers who are looking for a character that will execute effective marketing campaigns.
Black swan: bibliometric analysis and development of research agenda
Authors: Parameswar Nakul , Chaubey Akriti , Dhir Sanjay
Published: February 2021

Purpose

There has been an increasing interest amongst the researchers to work and explore, “Black Swan” events which are not well studied. However, the “Black Swan” events hold an eminent relevance amongst academicians and practitioners. The present study offers nuanced understanding of “Black Swan” events.

Design/methodology/approach

We undertook an extensive bibliometric analysis of the extant literature using “Black Swan” as guiding keyword with the help of SCOPUS database.

Findings

The search for articles only yielded 59 articles. Our analyses highlight the prominent works, authors and journals. Further, this study reveal the research gaps that may help guide future scholars interested in “Black Swan” events to examine in different context.

Research limitations/implications

The current study develops a research agenda and offers numerous research directions. Research on “Black Swan” events can be apprehended at three different stages – pre-black swan event, about black swan event and post-black swan event with identified sub-themes.

Originality/value

This paper is the pioneer research work to dedicatedly analyse the existing set of literature with “Black Swan”.
How does Schwartz's theory of human values affect the proenvironmental behavior model?
Authors: Primc Kaja , Ogorevc Marko , Slabe-Erker Renata , Bartolj Tjaša , Murovec Nika
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The diversity of perspectives means that one can find many factors and models of proenvironmental behavior. However, they typically suffer from limitations and varying degrees of validity in specific contexts, suggesting that today the prime goal should be to learn and improve the models which have been already developed. In this study, the authors build on the model for predicting proenvironmental behavior developed by Oreg and Katz-Gerro (2006), namely one of the most comprehensive cross-national proenvironmental behavior models and one of the few not to be limited to either a local or single-country context or specific proenvironmental behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

By using the statistical matching technique, the authors merged data from two existing databases without common identifiers – the International Social Survey Program (environmental module) and the European Social Survey (Round 5). The resulting multinational data concerning 9,710 observations enabled a replication with extensions of Oreg and Katz-Gerro's (2006) proenvironmental behavior model that incorporates newly added Schwartz's theory of human values. To achieve the study's main objective, that is, to present improvements to the original model of proenvironmental behavior, the authors used structural equation modeling (SEM) procedures to estimate four competing models in the R program.

Findings

This study implies that Schwartz's individually measured motivational types of values (benevolence [BE], universalism [UN], self-direction [SD]) are predictors of people's proenvironmental behavior, while his conceptualization of post-materialism yields a better model fit than Inglehart's country-level post-materialism scores. The results also corroborate previous findings that post-materialist values can stimulate proenvironmental behaviors through attitudes, perceived behavioral control and intentions. The present study reveals that proenvironmental attitudes did not change substantially in the 10-year period, even though the world's environmental and sustainability challenges have largely increased. Surprisingly, the mean value of several of the perceived threat variables even decreased.

Originality/value

The authors externally validate one of the most comprehensive proenvironmental behavior models by reproducing it using new multinational large-sample data with nearly 10,000 observations collected 10 years later. The most significant addition to the original model introduced in the current study is the inclusion of Schwartz's motivational types of values, which are measured at the individual level, namely BE, UN and SD. The authors also extend the model by adding proenvironmental behavior measures and group the construct into three latent variables: saving natural resources, green purchasing and environmental activism.
Designing business intelligence (BI) for production, distribution and customer services: a case study of a UAE-based organization
Authors: Nuseir Mohammed T.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Business intelligence (BI) is a strategic approach that can use analytical tools to collect and integrate information, apply business rules and ensure the appropriate visible output of organizational information. This study aims to present the design and implementation of BI in areas of business process improvement for production, distribution and customer services.

Design/methodology/approach

This study highlights the process of BI in the production, distribution and customer services based on the National Food Products Company (NFPC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study discusses the step-by-step development process of BI and refers to graphical illustrations of the business needs and the organization's target key performance indicators (KPI).

Findings

Based on the business needs and chosen KPIs to maximize production and improve distribution and customer services the BI tool shows that the “star scheme” is the most appropriate one. Relational Online Analytical Processing (ROLAP) based on Mondrian system is employed as Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) architecture since the NFPC's technological infrastructure was better adapted to this vision. The analysis starts with data retrieval from two databases' customer' and production and distribution databases. Finally, visualization and reporting processes that respect the end-users improve the NFPC's decisions.

Practical implications

The study will help other organizations, BI developers, data warehouses (DW) developers and administrators, project managers as well as academic researchers understand how to develop a successful BI framework and implement BI based on business needs.

Originality/value

This is a unique and original study on the BI experience from a UAE-based organization and will encourage other organizations to apply BI in their business process.
Does the research meeting affect the shareholding ratio of institutional investors in listed companies? Empirical evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Jingqin , Ye Yong
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper discusses whether institutional investors change the shareholding ratio of listed companies through research meeting, and whether this active investment mode can really improve the investment efficiency of institutional investors.

Design/methodology/approach

Using empirical research method, this study designs and conducts an empirical research according to empirical research's basic norms. Thus, we acquire needed and credible empirical data. This study analyzes whether institutional investors seek their private interest in researched companies by analyzing their research meetings and the shareholding ratios of different types of institutional investors using Shenzhen Stock Exchange data on listed firms from 2014 to 2018.

Findings

This study finds that the research meetings of institutional investors provide participants with reliable information which supports the decision of institutional investors to change their shareholding ratio. The stock price growth rate strengthens the positive correlation between the research meetings of institutional investors and the shareholding ratio of institutional investors. Additionally, transactional institutional investors increase the shareholding ratio, while holding institutional investors do not.

Originality/value

This paper combines the behavior of institutional investors with the holding status of institutional investors, and discusses the impact of institutional investors' behavior on investment decisions. At the same time, it classifies the institutional investors and discusses the attitude of different types of institutional investors towards this active investment mode.
Using scaled FE solutions for an efficient coupled electromagnetic–thermal induction machine model
Authors: Nell Martin Marco , Groschup Benedikt , Hameyer Kay
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to use a scaling approach to scale the solutions of a beforehand-simulated finite element (FE) solution of an induction machine (IM). The scaling procedure is coupled to an analytic three-node-lumped parameter thermal network (LPTN) model enabling the possibility to adjust the machine losses in the simulation to the actual calculated temperature.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed scaling procedure of IMs allows the possibility to scale the solutions, particularly the losses, of a beforehand-performed FE simulation owing to temperature changes and therefore enables the possibility of a very general multiphysics approach by coupling the FE simulation results of the IM to a thermal model in a very fast and efficient way. The thermal capacities and resistances of the three-node thermal network model are parameterized by analytical formulations and an optimization procedure. For the parameterization of the model, temperature measurements of the IM operated in the 30-min short-time mode are used.

Findings

This approach allows an efficient calculation of the machine temperature under consideration of temperature-dependent losses. Using the proposed scaling procedure, the time to simulate the thermal behavior of an IM in a continuous operation mode is less than 5 s. The scaling procedure of IMs enables a rapid calculation of the thermal behavior using FE simulation data.

Originality/value

The approach uses a scaling procedure for the FE solutions of IMs, which results in the possibility to weakly couple a finite element method model and a LPTN model in a very efficient way.
Improving materials logistics plan in road construction projects using discrete event simulation
Authors: Alvanchi Amin , Baniassadi Farshid , Shahsavari Mahdi , Kashani Hamed
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Motivated by the high cost of material movements in road construction projects, past studies have used analytical methods to optimize materials logistics plans. A key shortcoming of these methods is their inability to capture the uncertain, dynamic and complex characteristics of the road construction material logistics. Failure to incorporate these characteristics can lead to sub-optimal results. The purpose of this study is to propose the use of discrete event simulation (DES) to address the existing shortfall.

Design/methodology/approach

Despite the powerful capabilities of DES models in capturing the operational complexities of construction projects, they have not been previously utilized to optimize the material logistics of road construction projects. The proposed DES-based method in this research captures the operational details of material logistics and uses a heuristic approach to overcome the combinatorial problem of numerous choices. The method was applied to a 63.5 km real-world road construction project case to demonstrate its capabilities.

Findings

Six different material types from 28 material sources were used in the case. Approximately 1.5% of the material logistics costs were saved by following the proposed method and choosing appropriate material sources.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the body of knowledge by leveraging the capabilities of DES and presenting a novel method for improving the materials logistics plan of road construction projects. The proposed method provides practitioners with the basis for capturing the key operational details that were overlooked in the past. The proposed method can be adopted in road construction projects to reduce the overall material procurement cost.
Planned retirement age: do attachment to work and expectations relating to workplace adjustments matter?
Authors: Dufour Marie-Eve , Saba Tania , Ballesteros Leiva Felix
Published: February 2021

Purpose

In the context of population aging, retirement has become a central issue in academic, professional and government discourse. A consensus can be seen to be emerging around the idea of postponing retirement in favor of promoting active aging. From this perspective, the purpose of this study, using work-role attachment theory and met expectations theory, is to focus on the pre-retirement period and aims to better understand how certain individual factors and expectations explain the planned age of retirement.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was administered in 2015 to employees aged 45 and over working at a Canadian firm in the high-technology sector.

Findings

The results show that career commitment, attachment to work and expectations relating to workplace adjustments prior to retirement were positively associated with planned retirement age, whereas expectations relating to professional development showed a negative association with this variable.

Practical implications

This study fits into a line of research focusing on the end-of-career period and sheds light on the decision to retire by looking closely at the impact of employment conditions and human resource management practices on this decision. In a labor market context marked by high numbers of workers aged 55 and older, combined with the increasingly critical need for skilled labor and considering the expectations of workers leading up to their retirement could help to better plan these workers' end-of-career period.

Originality/value

Many studies have examined the characteristics of retirees after retirement. The authors’ study is one of the few that examines the aspirations of workers between the ages of 45 and 55 who are still employed but are beginning to consider their retirement plans, including the decision to continue working longer. Its originality also lies in combining work-role attachment theory and met expectations theory.
Culture, institutional quality and earnings management: an international evidence
Authors: Yamen Ahmed , Kuzey Cemil , Dinc Muhammet Sait
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper examines the link between culture, institutional quality and real earnings management and accrual earnings management by combing the study by Hofstede (2001) and Enomoto et al. (2015). The paper tries to test the effect of culture on institutional quality and both real earnings management (REM) and accrual earnings management (AEM).

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of the research paper includes 38 countries. Hofstede cultural dimensions are used to measure cultural values. Public governance indicators published by the World Bank are used as a proxy for measuring the institutional quality. Earning management scores constructed by Enomoto et al. (2015, p. 191) are used for measuring real earnings management (REM) and accrual earnings management (AEM). Partial Least Square (PLS) based Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) is used to test the relationship between culture, institutional quality and earnings management.

Findings

The results support the relationship between culture and institutional quality. Also, the results reveal a significant relationship between culture and accrual earnings management, but an insignificant relationship between culture and real earnings management. In addition to that, another important finding is that institutional quality has a significant impact on real earnings management, but has no significant effect on accrual earnings management.

Practical implications

The results suggest that standard setters need to consider the quality of institutions to improve the quality of financial reports. Also, it highlights the role of both formal and informal cultures in shaping financial reports.

Originality/value

For the best of our knowledge, this the first time to test the link between culture and institutional quality and comparing the impact on both real earnings management and accrual earnings management.
Will comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) help in youth development?
Authors: Ramaswamy Hari Hara Sudhan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this review is to critically analyse the extant research and help readers understand the ways the school-based comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) can contribute towards youth development and urge policymakers to implement nationwide good-quality, scientific, culturally relevant, age-appropriate and holistic school-based CSE.

Design/methodology/approach

This literature review has been designed using the extant information available on Google Scholar, Web of Science (WoS) and PubMed.

Findings

The findings of this review inform that there is a significant need amongst the youth of the day for good-quality, scientific, culturally relevant, age-appropriate and holistic school-based CSE. Also, the findings suggest that there are significant associations between school-based CSE and youth development.

Research limitations/implications

This research paper although draws from extant literature about sexuality education and its delivery across the globe, it applies the sexuality education scenario in India.

Practical implications

The findings of this review aim to implicate nationwide policy-level changes to implement CSE in the school curricula. There are more practical behavioural changes that CSE could foster amongst students, which are discussed in the review.

Social implications

Due to the behavioural changes that CSE could foster amongst students, it may help in the upbringing of responsible citizens who are free of health complications, who can make independent health-related decisions and look after each other in the community.

Originality/value

This review is an original contribution from the author. Whilst there is extant literature about CSE and youth development, this article fills the void by investigating the interdependent contributions that both the concepts can make to one another and encourages more research on this topic.
Perceived supervisor support and learner’s career curiosity: the mediating effect of sense of belonging, engagement and self-efficacy
Authors: Okolie Ugochukwu Chinonso , Ochinanwata Chinedu , Ochinanwata Nonso , Igwe Paul Agu , Okorie Gloria Obiageli
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study investigates the relationship between perceived supervisor support (PSS) and learner career curiosity and tests the mediating role of sense of belonging, engagement and learning self-efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a three-wave repeated cross-sectional data collected from 509 final-year undergraduate students of 11 Nigerian public universities, who had completed the compulsory work placement to analyze the influence of PSS on learner’s career curiosity via a parallel mediation involving sense of belonging, engagement (behavioural, emotional and cognitive) and self-efficacy.

Findings

The results show that engagement mediates the path through which PSS influences career curiosity. However, the authors found no evidence that sense of belonging and self-efficacy mediated the relationship between PSS and learner’s career curiosity in this population.

Originality/value

The findings of this study highlight the importance of PSS as a resource that influences learner’s career curiosity, particularly during a work placement.
A comparative evaluation between the impact of previous outbreaks and COVID-19 on the tourism industry
Authors: Ozbay Gulcin , Sariisik Mehmet , Ceylan Veli , Çakmak Muzaffer
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to make a comparative evaluation of the impacts of previous outbreaks and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the tourism industry. COVID-19 appears to have disrupted all memorizations about epidemics ever seen. Nobody has anticipated that the outbreak in late December will spread rapidly across the world, be fatal and turn the world economy upside down. Severe acute respiratory syndrome, Ebola, Middle East respiratory syndrome and others caused limited losses in a limited geography, thus similar behaviors were expected at first in COVID-19. But it was not so. Today, people continue to lose their lives and experience economic difficulties. One of the most important distressed industries is undoubtedly tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a literature review. In this review, a comparative evaluation between the impact of previous outbreaks and COVID-19 on the tourism industry has been made based on statistics and previous research studies.

Findings

The information and figures obtained show that COVID-19 and previous outbreaks have such significant differences that cannot be compared. COVID-19 has been one of the worst to live in terms of spreading speed, the geography where it spreads, loss of lives and negative effects in the whole area.

Originality/value

It is noteworthy that COVID-19 is very severe in terms of death cases and also its impacts on the economy compared to other pandemics. It remains to be argued that COVID-19 can also be a reference in terms of possible new outbreaks in the future, and is an effective actor in determining future strategies.