bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The accelerated infectious disease risk in the Anthropocene: more outbreaks and wider global spread
Authors: Morand Serge , Walther Bruno A.
Published: April 2020

The greatly accelerated economic growth during the Anthropocene has resulted in astonishing improvements in many aspects of human well-being, but has also caused the acceleration of risks, such as the interlinked biodiversity and climate crisis. Here, we report on another risk: the accelerated infectious disease risk associated with the number and geographic spread of human infectious disease outbreaks. Using the most complete, reliable, and up-to-date database on human infectious disease outbreaks (GIDEON), we show that the number of disease outbreaks, the number of diseases involved in these outbreaks, and the number of countries affected have increased during the entire Anthropocene. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of these outbreaks is becoming more globalized in the sense that the overall modularity of the disease networks across the globe has decreased, meaning disease outbreaks have become increasingly pandemic in their nature. This decrease in modularity is associated with tremendous increases in mobility, especially in air traffic. We also show that those countries and regions which are most central within these disease networks tend to be countries and global regions with higher GDPs. Therefore, one cost of greater economic growth and the associated increased global mobility is the increased risk of disease outbreaks and their wider spread. Finally, the recent global outbreaks of Covid-19 and monkeypox allowed us to demonstrate that the time of first occurrence in each country was correlated with each country’s centrality value in the disease network. We briefly discuss three different scenarios of how mobility may develop in the future which decision-makers might discuss in light of our results.
Identifying genomic markers associated with female re-mating rate inDrosophila pseudoobscuraby replicated bulk segregant analysis
Authors: Wiberg R Axel W , Price Tom A R , Wedell Nina , Ritchie Michael G
Published: April 2020

Identifying loci associated with a phenotype is a critical step in many evolutionary studies. Most methods require large sample sizes or breeding designs that can be prohibitively difficult. Here we apply a rarely used approach to identify SNP loci associated with a complex phenotype. We mate siblings from isofemale lines isolate genotypes from three wild populations. After phenotyping we perform whole genome sequencing of isofemale lines from the extremes of the phenotypic distribution of each population and identify SNPs that are consistently fixed for alternative alleles across line pairs. The focal phenotype is female remating rate in the flyDrosophila pseudoobscura,defined as the willingness of a female to mate with a second male after her first mating. This is an integral part of mating system evolution, sexual selection and sexual conflict, and is a quantitative polygenic trait.

About 200 SNPs are consistently fixed for alternate alleles in the three pairs of isofemale lines. We use different simulation approaches to explore how many SNPs would be expected to be fixed. We find the surprising result that we uncoverfewerobserved fixed SNPs than are expected by either simulation approach. We also complete functional analyses of these SNPs. Many lie near genes or regulatory regions known to be involved inDrosophilacourtship and mating behaviours, and some have previously been associated with re-mating rates in Genome-Wide Association Studies. Given the small sample size, these results should be treated with caution. Nevertheless, this study suggests that even from a relatively small number of isofemale lines established from wild populations, it is possible to identify candidate loci potentially associated with a complex quantitative trait. However, further work is required to understand modelling the expected distribution of differences.
“Identification and enrichment of SECReTEcis-acting RNA elements in theCoronaviridaeand other (+) single-strand RNA viruses”
Authors: Haimovich Gal , Olender Tsviya , Baez Camila , Gerst Jeffrey E.
Published: April 2020

cis-acting RNA motifs play a major role in regulating many aspects of RNA biology including posttranscriptional processing, nuclear export, RNA localization, translation and degradation. Here we analyzed the genomes of SARS-CoV-2 and other single-strand RNA (ssRNA) viruses for the presence of a uniquecisRNA element called SECReTE. This motif consists of 10 or more consecutive triplet nucleotide repeats where a pyrimidine nucleotide (C or U) in present every third base, and which we identified in mRNAs encoding secreted proteins in bacteria, yeast, and humans. This motif facilitates mRNA localization to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), along with the enhanced translation and secretion of translated protein. We now examined for SECReTE presence in Group IV and V RNA viruses, the former including theCoronaviridae, like SARS-CoV-2 and other positive (+)ssRNA viruses, and the latter consisting of negative (-) ssRNA viruses. Interestingly, the SARS-CoV-2 genome contains 40 SECReTE motifs at an abundance of ~1.3 SECReTEs/kilobase (kb). Moreover, all ssRNA viruses we examined contain multiple copies of this motif and appears in (+)ssRNA viruses as non-random in occurrence and independent of genome length. Importantly, (+)ssRNA viruses (e.g.Coronaviruses and Hepaciviruses), which utilize ER membranes to create double membrane vesicles to serve as viral replication centers (VRCs), contain more SECReTE motifs per kb as compared to (−)ssRNA viruses (e.g. Rabies, Mumps, and Influenza), that replicate in the nucleus or the cytoplasm, or other (+)ssRNA viruses (e.g. Enteroviruses and Flaviviruses) which employ different organellar membranes. As predicted by our earlier work, SECReTE sequences are mostly found in membranal or ER-associated/secreted proteins. Thus, we propose that SECReTE motifs could be important for the efficient translation and secretion of secreted viral proteins, as well as for VRC formation. Future studies of SECReTE function and identification of SECReTE-binding proteins could provide new drug targets to treat COVID-19 and other (+)ssRNA related diseases.
Multiple particle tracking detects changes in brain extracellular matrix structure and predicts neurodevelopmental age
Authors: McKenna Michael , Shackelford David , Pontes Hugo Ferreira , Ball Brendan , Gao Tora , Nance Elizabeth
Published: April 2020

Abstract Summary

Brain extracellular matrix (ECM) structure mediates many aspects of neuronal function. Probing changes in ECM structure could provide insights into aging and neurological disease. Herein, we demonstrate the ability to characterize changes in brain ECM structure using multiple particle tracking (MPT). MPT was carried out in organotypic rat brain slices to detect induced and naturally occurring changes in ECM structure. Induced degradation of neural ECM led to a significant increase in nanoparticle diffusive ability in the brain extracellular space. For structural changes that occur naturally during development, an inverse relationship existed between age and nanoparticle diffusion. Using the age-dependent dataset, we applied extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) to generate models capable of classifying nanoparticle trajectories. Collectively, this work demonstrates the utility of MPT combined with machine learning for measuring changes in brain ECM structure and predicting associated complex features such as developmental age.
Dysregulated gene expression throughTP53promoter swapping in osteosarcoma
Authors: Saba Karim H. , Difilippo Valeria , Kovac Michal , Cornmark Louise , Magnusson Linda , Nilsson Jenny , van den Bos Hilda , Spierings Diana C. J. , Bidgoli Mahtab , Jonson Tord , Sumathi Vaiyapuri P. , Brosjö Otte , Staaf Johan , Foijer Floris , Styring Emelie , Nathrath Michaela , Baumhoer Daniel , Nord Karolin H.
Published: April 2020

How massive genome rearrangements confer a competitive advantage to a cancer cell has remained an enigma. The malignant bone tumour osteosarcoma harbours an extreme number of structural variations and thereby holds the key to understand complex cancer genomes. Genome integrity in osteosarcoma is generally lost together with disruption of normalTP53gene function, the latter commonly through either missense mutations or structural alterations that separate the promoter region from the coding parts of the gene. To unravel the consequences of aTP53promoter relocated in this manner, we performed in-depth genetic analyses of osteosarcoma biopsies (n=148) and cell models. We show thatTP53structural variations are early events that not only facilitate further chromosomal alterations, but also allow theTP53promoter to upregulate genes erroneously placed under its control. Paradoxically, many of the induced genes are part of theTP53-associated transcriptome, suggesting a need to counterbalance loss ofTP53function through ‘separation-of-function’ mutations via promoter swapping. Our findings demonstrate how massive genome errors can functionally turn the promoter region of a tumour suppressor gene into a constitutively active oncogenic driver.
G9a methyltransferase governs cell identity in the lung and is required for KRAS G12D tumor development and propagation
Authors: Pribluda Ariel , Daemen Anneleen , Lima Anthony , Wang Xi , Hafner Marc , Poon Chungkee , Modrusan Zora , Katakam Anand Kumar , Foreman Oded , Eastham Jeffrey , Hung Jefferey , Haley Benjamin , Garcia Julia T , Jackson Erica L. , Junttila Melissa R.
Published: April 2020

Lung development, integrity and repair rely on precise Wnt signaling, which is corrupted in diverse diseases, including cancer. Here, we discover that G9a methyltransferase regulates Wnt signaling in the lung by controlling the transcriptional activity of chromatin-bound β-catenin, through a non-histone substrate. Inhibition of G9a induces transcriptional, morphologic, and molecular changes consistent with alveolar type 2 (AT2) lineage commitment. Mechanistically, G9a activity functions to support regenerative properties of KrasG12D tumors and normal AT2 cells – the predominant cell of origin of this cancer. Consequently, G9a inhibition preventsKrasG12Dlung adenocarcinoma tumor formation and propagation,and disrupts normal AT2 cell trans-differentiation. Consistent with these findings, low G9a expression in human lung adenocarcinoma correlates with enhanced AT2 gene expression and improved prognosis. These data reveal G9a as a critical regulator of Wnt signaling, implicating G9a as a potential target in lung cancer and other AT2-mediated lung pathologies.
Multiple plasmid origin-of-transfer substrates enable the spread of natural antimicrobial resistance to human pathogens
Authors: Zrimec Jan
Published: April 2020

Antimicrobial resistance poses a great danger to humanity, in part due to the widespread horizontal transfer of plasmids via conjugation. Modeling of plasmid transfer is essential to uncovering the fundamentals of resistance transfer and for development of predictive measures to limit the spread of resistance. However, a major limitation in the current understanding of plasmids is the inadequate characterization of the DNA transfer mechanisms, which conceals the actual potential for plasmid transfer in nature. Here, we consider that the plasmid-borne origin-of-transfer substrates encode specific DNA structural properties that can facilitate finding these regions in large datasets, and develop a DNA structure-based alignment procedure for typing the transfer substrates that outperforms mere sequence-based approaches. We identify thousands of yet undiscovered DNA transfer substrates, showing that actual plasmid mobility can in fact be 2-fold higher and span almost 2-fold more host species than is currently known. Over half of all mobile plasmids contain the means to transfer between different mobility groups, which links previously confined host ranges across ecological habitats into a robust plasmid transfer network. We show that this network in fact serves to transfer antimicrobial resistance from the environmental genetic reservoirs to human pathogens, which might be an important driver of the observed rapid resistance development in humans and thus an important point of focus for future prevention measures.
NMR backbone assignment and dynamics of Profilin from Heimdallarchaeota
Authors: Haq Syed Razaul , Survery Sabeen , Hurtig Fredrik , Lindås Ann-Christin , Chi Celestine N.
Published: April 2020

The origin of the eukaryotic cell is an unsettled scientific question. The Asgard superphylum has emerged as a compelling target for studying eukaryogenesis due to the previously unseen diversity of eukaryotic signature proteins. However, our knowledge about these proteins is still relegated to metagenomic data and very little is known about their structural properties. Additionally, it is still unclear if these proteins are functionally homologous to their eukaryotic counterparts. Here, we expressed, purified and structurally characterized profilin from Heimdallarchaeota in the Asgard superphylum. The structural analysis shows that while this profilin possess similar secondary structural elements as eukaryotic profilin, it contains additional secondary structural elements that could be critical for its function and an indication of divergent evolution.
A 2D coordination polymer assembled from a nickel(II) tetraazamacrocyclic cation and 4,4′-(dimethylsilanediyl)diphthalate(3–) linker
Authors: Gavrish Sergey P. , Shova Sergiu , Cazacu Maria , Lampeka Yaroslaw D.
Published: April 2020

The preformed nickel(II) complex of the 14-membered macrocyclic ligand 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam,L), when treated with 4,4′-(dimethylsilanediyl)diphthalic acid (H4A) in a DMF/H2O mixture (4:1v/v) under heating, leads to [Ni(L)]3(HA)2·3DMF (I·DMF). Redissolution of this compound in a DMF/H2O/MeOH mixture (4:1:30v/v/v) with mild acidification under gentle heating results in the formation of a similar compound but containing water and methanol molecules of crystallization, [Ni(L)]3(HA)2·5H2O·2MeOH (II·H2O). At lower temperature and concentration of reactants and longer reaction time, single crystals of composition {[{Ni(L)}3(HA)2]·4CH3OH}n(II·MeOH) were isolated. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of this compound, which, according to PXRD is isostructural withII·H2Obut different fromI·DMF, revealed its two-dimensional (2D) polymeric structure,i.e.poly[[bis{μ3-4-[(4-carboxy-3-carboxylatophenyl)dimethylsilyl]benzene-1,2-dicarboxylato-κ3O1:O2:O3′}tris(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-κ4N)trinickel(II)] methanol tetrasolvate], {[Ni3(C18H13O8Si)2(C10H24N4)3]·4CH3OH}n. It is built up of the monoprotonated tricarboxylate HA3−ligand coordinated in a monodentate manner in the axial positions of two crystallographically independent NiIIcations, one of which is located on a crystallographic inversion centre. Both metal ions adopt a slightly tetragonally elongatedtrans-N4O2octahedral geometry. The compound has a lamellar structure with polymeric layers oriented parallel to the (10\overline{2}) plane, which are in turn linkedviahydrogen bonds involving protonated carboxylic acid groups of the ligand. Bulk compoundsI·DMFandII·H2Owere characterized by FT–IR and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and thermogravimetry, which provide evidence of their structural differences.
An angle-changeable tracked robot with human-robot interaction in unstructured environments
Authors: Zong Chengguo , Ji Zhijian , Yu Junzhi , Yu Haisheng
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the adaptability of the tracked robot in complex working environment. It proposes an angle-changeable tracked robot with human–robot interaction in unstructured environment. The study aims to present the mechanical structure and human–robot interaction control system of the tracked robot and analyze the static stability of the robot working in three terrains, i.e. rugged terrain, sloped terrain and stairs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the mechanical structure and human–robot interaction control system of the tracked robot. To prevent the detachment of the tracks during obstacle navigation, a new type of passively adaptive device based on the relationship between the track’s variable angle and the forces is presented. Then three types of rough terrain are chosen to analyze the static stability of the tracked robot, i.e. rugged terrain, sloped terrain and stairs.

Findings

This paper provides the design method of the tracked robot. Owing to its appropriate dimensions, good mass distribution and limited velocity, the tracked robot remains stable on the complex terrains. The experimental results verify the effectiveness of the design method.

Originality/value

The theoretical analysis of this paper provides basic reference for the structural design of tracked robots.
CEO career horizons and earnings quality in family firms
Authors: Che-Ahmad Ayoib B. , Olarinoye Abdulmalik Salau , Mohamad Yusof Nor Zalina
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The present study examines the effect of the chief executive officer (CEO) career horizon (CH) problem on earnings quality (ERN) for selected family-controlled firms known to have a unique operational goal.

Design/methodology/approach

The generalised method of moment linear regression model was used on a sample of family-controlled firms in Malaysia from 2005 to 2016.

Findings

The study found a negative relationship between CH and ERN, measured by earnings persistence and earnings predictability. However, in the earnings predictability model, the reverse was found to be the case after interacting CH with CEO family affiliation, CEO experience and CEO equity. However, the use of a reputable auditor could not mitigate the CH problem. Also, the study obtained a closely related result in the earnings persistence model. The result aligns with the socio-emotional wealth (SEW) theory, which states that the goals of family-controlled firms go beyond financial objectives to include other non-financial objectives, and hence, their commitment to perpetuating their dynasty encourages them to preserve the quality of their earnings.

Originality/value

Existing studies on family firms and ERN have treated family firms as homogeneous entities by comparing family and non-family firms, using the underlying theoretical justification of the agency theory. However, this study departs from the agency theory, by considering those factors (i.e. the extent of CEO alignment with family owners and the choice of auditor), using the SEW theory, which establishes the differences among family firms. This work builds on that of Chen et al., (2018) and Ali and Zhang (2015), which suggested that corporate governance can mitigate the CH problem. Therefore, the strength of a CEO's attachment to the family firm (measured by CEO equity ownership and CEO affiliation to family members in family firms) and the choice of the auditor can explain the variation in the effect of the CH problem in family firms.
International ambidexterity in firms' innovation of multinational enterprises from emerging economies: an investigation of TMT attributes
Authors: Wu Hang , Chen Jin
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Extant research has integrated ambidexterity perspective into international business studies and calls for emerging market multinational enterprises (EM MNEs) to implement exploration and exploitation activities simultaneously in foreign markets. However, less attention has been paid to empirically test whether and how international ambidexterity can benefit the innovation performance of EM MNEs. Based on the data of international manufacturing firms in China, this paper explores the relationship between international ambidexterity and innovation performance and investigates four contingency factors of top management team (TMT): two external resource accumulation elements (i.e. TMT business ties and TMT political ties) and two internal resource integration elements (i.e. TMT contingency rewards and TMT social integration).

Design/methodology/approach

The author conducts multiple hierarchical linear regression analysis to test the hypothesis by collecting survey data from 227 MNEs from several Economic Development Zones located in Zhejiang province in China.

Findings

The results show that international ambidexterity is positively related to innovation performance, and the international ambidexterity–innovation performance relationship is amplified when TMTs build strong ties with external business partners and political departments, when EM MNEs link top managers' income to team collective performance and create a highly social integrated TMT.

Originality/value

The results contributes to answer the question that how well EM MNEs will succeed and enrich the context specificity of international ambidexterity. The findings also help us better understand the inconsistent empirical findings in organizational ambidexterity by uncovering the contingency role of several TMT attributes.
Leaders, teams and work engagement: a basic needs perspective
Authors: Robijn Wouter , Euwema Martin C. , Schaufeli Wilmar B. , Deprez Jana
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between engaging leadership and open conflict norms in teams, with work engagement. A mediating role of basic needs satisfaction between these relations is proposed based on self-determination theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling was used with 133 employees who rated their leader, their team and their own basic need satisfaction and engagement to analyze the direct and indirect effects simultaneously.

Findings

The analysis confirmed that both engaging leadership and open conflict norms had an indirect effect on work engagement through basic needs satisfaction. Furthermore, engaging leadership was positively related with open conflict norms.

Research limitations/implications

The current study adds to the validation of engaging leadership as it confirms that engaging leaders strengthen work engagement through basic need satisfaction. Furthermore, it shows that not only the leader is important, but the team can impact their well-being through the creation of other social resources as open conflict norms.

Originality/value

This paper provides evidence that not only leaders are important to increase work engagement through basic needs satisfaction but also other social resources, such as conflict management. This offers a brand new perspective and opportunities on how to increase work engagement using social resources as conflict management.
Risk disclosure and risk governance characteristics: evidence from a developing economy
Authors: Nahar Shamsun , Azim Mohammad Istiaq , Hossain Md Moazzem
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore to what extent risk disclosure is associated with banks’ governance characteristics. The research also focuses on how the business environment and culture may create a bank’s awareness of risk management and its disclosure. This study is conducted in a setting where banks are not mandated to follow international standards for their risk disclosures.

Design/methodology/approach

Using 300 bank-year observations comprising hand-collected private commercial bank data, the study uses regression analysis to investigate the influence of risk governance characteristics on risk disclosure.

Findings

This paper reports a positive relationship between risk disclosure and banks’ governance characteristics, such as the presence of various risk committees and a risk management unit.

Practical implications

Because studies are lacking on risk disclosure and risk governance conducted in developing countries, it is expected that this research will make a significant contribution to the literature and provide a foundation for further research in this field.

Social implications

This study complements the corporate governance literature, more specifically the risk governance literature, by incorporating agency theory, institutional theory and proprietary cost theory to provide robust evidence of the impact of risk governance practices in the context of a developing economy.

Originality/value

Previous studies on risk disclosure and governance determinants primarily involve developed countries. This paper’s contribution is to examine risk disclosure and risk governance characteristics in a developing country in which reporting according to international standards is effectively voluntary.
The effects of marketing on commercial banks' operating businesses and profitability: evidence from US bank holding companies
Authors: Chen Kai
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role that marketing plays in commercial bank management. Specifically, we examine the effects of marketing activities on banks' operating businesses, i.e. deposit, loan and service businesses. Furthermore, we investigate the effect of marketing activities on bank profitability.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of hypotheses about the associations of marketing activities with banks' deposits, loans, services and profitability are developed. The fixed-effects linear model with an AR (1) disturbance is applied on the panel dataset of FR Y-9C reports to test these hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that total loans and service proceeds are positively associated with marketing activities, which is measured by banks' advertising and marketing expenses. The effects of marketing activities on loan and service businesses are far-reaching to the second quarter in future. Moreover, the results reveal that profitability, measured as net income over total assets, increases with marketing activities.

Practical implications

From the findings of this study, bank managers can learn the strengths and weaknesses of their marketing strategies and therefore better coordinate the marketing resources used in different areas of business. The study provides bank managers with a direction to examine the weaknesses in their marketing management.

Originality/value

An issue in bank marketing that has not been explored yet is whether and how marketing activities affect commercial banks' specific businesses, such as deposits, loans and services, and how improvements in the specific businesses further affect bank profitability. This study is the first one to address this fundamental issue in bank marketing. Furthermore, the study provides the supplementary evidence that marketing contributes to commercial banks' profitability.
Subjectivities behind the wheel: transformations in work relations of drivers in Brazil
Authors: Capaverde Caroline Bastos , Medeiros Igor Baptista de Oliveira , Antonello Cláudia Simone , Rodrigues Maria Beatriz
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the processes of introducing apps (Easy Taxi and Uber) in the work routine of taxi and private drivers, exploring their work relations and identifying new forms of relationship between them and their passengers. The authors expose the complexity in which such processes occur in a dialogical way, aligning poststructuralist notions of actor–network theory with theorizations on subjectivity production.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 drivers of Easy Taxi and Uber apps in three Brazilian capitals.

Findings

Apps came to play a central role in the work practice of the drivers interviewed. The authors suggest that they offer more security, convenience, accessibility and agility, going beyond dependent forms of working and living, in overlapping networks and connections, enacting entities that guide workers and users to an increasingly programmed way of life.

Practical implications

New forms of thinking managerial relations with taxi and private drivers work and their work relations with other drivers and passengers.

Social implications

This kind of technology not only generates new social relations but also activates mechanisms of subjectivation that reverberate new forms of relating, working and living in contemporaneity.

Originality/value

Approaches on subjectivity regarding the adoption of technology in the practice of work in the contemporaneity, with the emergence of new working relations mediated by e-hailing technology.
From fans to buyers: antecedents of sponsor's products purchase intention
Authors: Silva Alfredo , Veríssimo José Manuel Cristóvão
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the indirect and direct effect of perceived congruence between fans' identification with a team and the intention to buy sponsor's products. The level of perceived congruence between the sponsor and the sports team, as well as fans' attitude toward the sponsor and their purchase intention toward products from the sponsoring company are analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 2,647 football fans who support two well-known Portuguese professional football teams completed a questionnaire. Structural equation modeling with multigroup analysis was carried out to test the model and the hypotheses.

Findings

Team identification has an effect on perceived congruence, on attitude toward sponsors and on intention to buy. The results also show the positive direct and indirect effects of both perceived congruence on attitude toward the sponsoring company and on purchase intention of sponsors' products. However, neither congruence nor attitude show significant results on purchase intention.

Originality/value

This study departs from previous studies, in that it investigates the direct and indirect (i.e. mediated) effects of perceived congruence. Firstly, it analyzes the mediating effect of perceived congruence between team identification and purchase intentions. Secondly, it explores the mediating effect of perceived congruence between team identification and attitude toward the sponsor.
A high-speed rolling bearing test rig supported by sliding bearing
Authors: Li Hui , Liu Heng , Qi Shemiao , Liu Yi
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a high-speed rolling bearing test rig supported by sliding bearing and its first experimental results.

Design/methodology/approach

Through analyzing the disadvantages of using rolling bearing as supporting bearing, the bottlenecks that need to be resolved urgently in the development of rolling bearing experimental technology, and the advantages of the sliding bearing, this study used the sliding bearing as the supporting bearing for the high-speed rolling bearing test rig for the purpose of prolonging the service life, increasing the load capacity and promoting the operating stability.

Findings

The experimental results show that the high-speed rolling bearing test rig supported by sliding bearing could stably rotate at 70,800 rpm without installing the test bearing; the temperature of the sliding bearing is increasing with the rotating speed and the maximum is less than 95°C. Moreover, the new test rig, installing an angular contact ball bearing as test bearing, could also stably rotate at 54,000 rpm with 2 kN axial load and 1 kN radial load; the temperature of the sliding bearing is increasing with the rotating speed and the maximum temperature is less than 97°C.

Practical implications

Rolling test rig has been established.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a high-speed rolling bearing test rig supported by sliding bearing, which greatly prolongs the service life, increases the load capacity and promotes the operating stability, moreover, reduces the risk of supporting bearing failure before the test bearing. This paper can also provide a new idea and reference for the design of similar bearing test rig.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-03-2020-0085/
How fashion influencers contribute to consumers' purchase intention
Authors: Chetioui Youssef , Benlafqih Hikma , Lebdaoui Hind
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study examines the impact of attitudes toward fashion influencers (FIs) on brand attitude and consumer purchase intention. It also aims to identify factors affecting consumers' attitudes toward FIs.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this goal, the authors propose a conceptual model that combines the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and theoretical outcomes of prior literature related to influencer marketing. Based on data collected from 610 Moroccan respondents, the authors empirically test the conceptual model using a partial least squares (PLS) estimation.

Findings

This study illustrates that attitudes toward FIs positively impact brand attitude and consumer purchase intention. The authors also demonstrate that perceived credibility, trust, perceived behavioral control, perceived subjective norms, perceived expertise and perceived congruence positively impact attitudes toward FIs.

Practical implications

The study findings help marketers and advertisers in the fashion industry to understand how influencer marketing contributes to consumer purchase intention. They also allow marketers to understand factors explaining attitudes toward FIs and therefore better select influencers capable of creating purchase intentions among existing and potential customers.

Originality/value

The present paper bridges a gap pertaining to antecedents and factors that impact attitudes toward FIs and consumer purchase intention. To the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to investigate the impact of attitudes toward influencers on both brand attitude and purchase intention in the fashion industry.
The impact of leadership on firm financial performance: the mediating role of employees' readiness to change
Authors: Katsaros Kleanthis K. , Tsirikas Athanasios N. , Kosta Georgia C.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The aim of the research is to investigate the influence of leadership on firm financial performance and to explore the mediating role of employees' readiness to change.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper hypothesizes that employees' readiness to change mediates the relationship between leadership and firm financial performance. A total of 213 employees of Greek shipping firms completed questionnaires examining their firms' leadership style and concurrently, their supervisors appraised their readiness to change. The research model was tested with the use of Structural Equation Modelling.

Findings

The research findings note the importance of leadership in fostering firm financial performance; they describe how each leadership style influences employees' readiness to change; as well as, they confirm that employee readiness mediates the relationship between leadership and firm financial performance. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are analysed.

Research limitations/implications

Given that the research was conducted during the severe Greek economic crisis, a time when employees' behaviour is highly influenced by distinctive and complex internal and external relationships, there is scope for further work to verify that the relationships identified in this study remain valid during periods when market conditions are more favourable.

Practical implications

The findings provide further support on the significance of employees' readiness to change and the paper suggests policies for its development.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in the finding that employees' readiness to change mediates the relationship between leadership and firm financial performance. Further, the study was carried out in Greek shipping industry that plays a vital role in the international shipping industry which is responsible for the carriage of around 90% of world trade.
Embracing the duality of consideration and initiating structure: CEO leadership behaviors and small firm performance
Authors: Basker Inger N. , Egeland Therese , Schei Vidar , Sandvik Alexander M.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper examines the relationship between chief executive officers' (CEOs') leadership behaviors (consideration and initiating structure) and firm and individual performance (i.e. profitability, affective commitment and employees' willingness to change) in small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) that need to adapt to changing environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data was collected from SMEs (28 firms, 235 employees) in the accounting industry along with objective performance register data (profit and return on assets). The predicted model was tested with multilevel structural equations modeling (MSEM) using a maximum likelihood estimator.

Findings

The CEO leadership behavior of initiating structure was positively related to firms' profitability, while the CEO leadership behavior of consideration was positively related to employees' willingness to change and affective commitment.

Practical implications

Small accounting firms typically offer standard services that are now being replaced by digital solutions. These firms have an incentive to offer new services, such as business advisory services. Therefore, leaders should embrace the duality of consideration and initiating structure to gain employees' willingness to change and optimize overall firm performance.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to leadership literature by examining a novel context (CEO consideration and initiation of structure in SMEs in uncertain environments) using a combination of firm performance measures (e.g. objective outcomes at the firm level and employees' willingness to change as a new measure at the individual level). In addition, it reports a comprehensive test of the full model using MSEM, the findings of which demonstrate the importance of dual leadership behaviors for CEOs.
Internal control and financial reporting quality of small firms
Authors: Krishnan Jagan , Krishnan Jayanthi , Liang Sophie
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The Dodd–Frank Act of 2010 exempts small, non-accelerated filers from compliance with Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) Section 404b internal control audits. However, these firms are required to comply with other internal control regulations, namely, SOX Sections 302 and 404a, starting in 2002 and 2007, respectively. A small number of these firms also voluntarily adopted (and sometimes dropped) Section 404b during 2004-2010. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a series of internal control regulations introduced by SOX on the financial reporting quality of small firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design for this study is empirical. Using unsigned and signed discretionary accruals as measures of financial reporting quality, the authors compare the financial reporting quality for adopters and non-adopters across four regulation regimes over the period 2000-2010: PRESOX, SOX 302, SOX 404a and SOX 404b.

Findings

The results indicate that most of the adopters and non-adopters benefited from SOX 302 and 404a compared with the PRESOX period. However, only the non-adopters gained incrementally when moving from SOX 302 to SOX 404a. Also, Section 404b benefited firms with material weaknesses, as well as firms without material weaknesses that had the lowest reporting quality, in the PRESOX period.

Research limitations/implications

This study helps inform the important policy debate on whether to increase the threshold that is used for the SOX 404b exemption. It shows incremental benefits for firms that adopted Section 404b audits, even when they were complying with Section 302 and Section 404a. Consequently, extending the exemption to more companies would result in a loss of the reporting quality benefit of 404b.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by focusing exclusively on non-accelerated filers and by examining differences across four regulation regimes over a long window compared to prior studies. It provides evidence that the financial reporting benefit of SOX 404b is not transitional, but rather extends for a few years even after some firms discontinued the 404b audits.
Phosphorus allocation to and resorption from leaves regulate the residence time of phosphorus in above‐ground forest biomass on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo
Authors: Tsujii Yuki , Aiba Shin‐ichiro , Kitayama Kanehiro
Published: April 2020

The residence time of phosphorus (P) in trees is a consequence of plant adaptation to P deficiency, with longer P residence time on soils with low P availability. P residence time has been studied at the leaf or canopy level but seldom at the whole‐tree level. Whereas P residence time at the leaf or canopy level is largely determined by leaf longevity and the resorption of P before leaf abscission, P residence time at the whole‐tree level will also be influenced by differences in P allocation to different plant parts because leaves and woody organs have distinct longevities.

We estimated the residence time of P in above‐ground tree biomass (AGB) as the ratio of P mass (i.e. leaves plus wood) to the annual flux of P via litterfall (i.e. fine litter plus coarse woody debris) for seven tropical rain forests with different soil P availabilities on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo. We analysed the effects of P allocation to and resorption from leaves on P residence time along a soil P gradient.

P residence time (2.7–9.8 years) was approximately one‐fifth of biomass residence time (AGB/annual litterfall mass; 19.8–48.8 years). This was due to a disproportionately greater relative allocation of P to leaves (P mass in leaves/P mass in AGB; 0.11–0.46), which had a smaller fraction of biomass (leaf biomass/AGB; 0.02–0.05) but a shorter longevity (1.0–1.8 years).

The relative allocation of P to leaves was often high on low‐P soils, and P residence time was expected to be short. By contrast, the resorption rate of P from leaves was also high on low‐P soils, which extended P residence time with P deficiency. Consequently, P residence time was nearly constant across the forests.

The short residence time of P relative to biomass indicates that P residence time depends largely on relative P allocation among plant organs. Similar P residence times among sites were maintained because greater P allocation to leaves on low‐P soils was effectively offset by higher P‐resorption efficiency.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Livestock overgrazing disrupts the positive associations between soil biodiversity and nitrogen availability
Authors: Wang Ling , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Zhao Xuan , Zhang Minna , Song Yueqing , Cai Jinting , Chang Qing , Li Zhiqiang , Chen Ying , Liu Jushan , Zhu Hui , Wang Deli , Han Guodong , Liang Cunzhu , Wang Chengjie , Xin Xiaoping
Published: April 2020

Livestock overgrazing influences both microbial communities and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the role of overgrazing in regulating the relationship between soil biodiversity and nitrogen availability remains largely unexplored.

We performed long‐term grazing exclusion experiments across eight sites along precipitation gradient covering three major types of grassland in northern China to compare the linkage between soil microbial diversity and N availability in overgrazed versus non‐grazed conditions.

We found a significantly positive association between fungal diversity and soil available N in non‐grazed grasslands. However, the positive association was absent in overgrazed environments. Bacterial diversity is not related to soil available N in either non‐grazed or overgrazed grasslands. Moreover, in bacterial community, we found a positive link between the relative abundance of Actinobacteria with soil available N in non‐grazed, but not overgrazed, grasslands. Instead we found the links between relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Acidobacteria with soil available N in overgrazed grasslands, but not non‐grazed, grasslands.

Synthesis. Our work provides evidence that the relationships between microbial diversity and ecosystem functions are context‐dependent, and so microbial community diversity is likely not the major driver of soil N mineralization in overgrazed grasslands. Our study suggests that high intensity anthropogenic activities in grasslands restrains the capacity of diverse soil microbial communities to sustain ecosystem function, and more broadly the capacity of entire ecosystems to maintain important ecosystem processes such as plant production. Our study also indicates that the fundamental microbial communities associated with N availability change with differing land management strategies (e.g. livestock grazing).

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Effective roles of ecological factors on nonmarine Ostracoda (Crustacea) in shallow waters of Malatya (Turkey)
Authors: Batmaz Filiz , Külköylüoğlu Okan , Akdemir Derya , Yavuzatmaca Mehmet
Published: April 2020

This study is aimed to understand effective roles of ecological factors on nonmarine ostracods in Malatya province where 125 different aquatic bodies were randomly sampled during 3–10 August 2015. Totally, 24 of 25 species identified were new reports for the province while Cypridopsis lusatica was a new record for Turkey. The most common species Ilyocypris bradyi was collected from 12 different habitat types. Fifteen species based on their percent similarities among habitat types were clustered into five groups. The first two axes of Canonical Correspondence Analyses explained 66.1% relationship between species and environmental variables. Salinity, water temperature and chloride were found to be the most effective variables on species occurrence. Except chloride and oxidation–reduction potential, there was no significant difference in the mean numbers of environmental variables among the sampling sites with and without species (p < .05). Five most abundant species portrayed the highest ecological tolerance ranges for water temperature. Heterocypris incongruens revealed the highest optimum and tolerance range for dissolved oxygen while Heterocypris salina showed maximum ranges for salinity. Increasing numbers of sampling sites did not increase the percent species numbers per site. Species distribution varied among the habitats. Accordingly, species with swimming ability tend to inhabit more stagnant water bodies while species without such ability were found in flowing waters. This implies that species with good dispersion modes may avoid negative effects of changes in ecological conditions. Thus, our results reveal that biotic factors can also be effective on species as much as abiotic ones.
A 24‐Year Follow‐up Study on Recidivism in Male Mentally Disordered Sexual Offenders With and Without Psychotic Disorders
Authors: Baudin Christian , Nilsson Thomas , Wallinius Märta , Sturup Joakim , Andiné Peter
Published: April 2020

There is a lack of knowledge on mentally disordered sex offenders (MDSOs) targeting adult victims, especially regarding recidivism patterns and the specific subgroup with psychiatric disorders. This paper presents index offense data, clinical data, and recidivism patterns over up to 24 years in a cohort of 146 MDSOs, with and without psychotic disorders, sentenced in Sweden between 1993 and 1997. At the time of the offense, all offenders were affected by clinical, developmental, and criminal history factors. MDSOs with psychotic disorders only marginally differed from those without, the former being less likely to have been institutionalized during childhood, intoxicated during the index offense, or diagnosed with a personality disorder, substance use disorder, or paraphilic disorder. In the cohort, 3.4% of the MDSOs were reconvicted for a new sex offense over 2 years, 9.6% over 5 years, 13.0% over 10 years, and 17.1% over the entire follow‐up period of 24 years. In MDSOs with psychotic disorders, no subjects were reconvicted during the first 2 years, while 2.6% were reconvicted over 5 years, 5.3% over 10 years, and 7.9% over 24 years. Recidivism rates for violent and general reoffenses were 39.0% and 37.7%, respectively, for the cohort of MDSOs, and subjects with psychotic disorders reoffended significantly later in general offenses. In conclusion, MDSOs with psychotic disorders showed the same recidivism pattern as MDSOs without psychotic disorders. Furthermore, recidivism research may preferably focus on follow‐up periods of 5–10 years since most offenders appear to recidivate within this timeframe.