bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pre-infection 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels and association with severity of COVID-19 illness
Authors: Dror Amiel A. , Morozov Nicole G. , Daoud Amani , Namir Yoav , Orly Yakir , Shachar Yair , Lifshitz Mark , Segal Ella , Fischer Lior , Mizrachi Matti , Eisenbach Netanel , Rayan Doaa , Gruber Maayan , Bashkin Amir , Kaykov Edward , Barhoum Masad , Edelstein Michael , Sela Eyal
Published: June 2021

Objective

Studies have demonstrated a potential link between low vitamin D levels and both an increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and poorer clinical outcomes but have not established temporality. This retrospective study examined if, and to what degree, a relationship exists between pre-infection serum vitamin D levels and disease severity and mortality of SARS-CoV-19.

Design and patients

The records of individuals admitted between April 7th, 2020 and February 4th, 2021 to the Galilee Medical Center (GMC) in Nahariya, Israel with positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for SARS-CoV-2 were searched for vitamin D (VitD) levels measured 14 to 730 days prior to the positive PCR test.

Measurements

Patients admitted to GMC with COVID-19 were categorized according to disease severity and VitD level. Association between pre-infection VitD levels and COVID-19 severity was ascertained utilizing a multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Of 1176 patients admitted, 253 had VitD levels prior to COVID-19 infection. Compared with mildly or moderately diseased patients, those with severe or critical COVID-19 disease were more likely to have pre-infection vitamin D deficiency of less than 20 ng/mL (OR=14.30, 95%, 4.01-50.9; p < .001); be older (OR=1.039 for each year, 95% CI for OR, 1.017-1.061; p< .01), and have diabetes (OR=2.031, 95% CI for OR, 1.04-3.36; p= 0.038). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with higher rates of mortality (p<0.001) and comorbidities including COPD (p=0.006), diabetes (p=0.026), and hypertension (p=0.016).

Conclusions

Among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, pre-infection deficiency of vitamin D was associated with increased disease severity and mortality.
Socioeconomic Status, Biological Aging, and Memory in a Diverse National Sample of Older US Men and Women
Authors: Avila Justina F. , Turney Indira C. , Esie Precious , Vonk Jet M. J. , Weir Vanessa R. , Belsky Daniel W. , Manly Jennifer J.
Published: June 2021

Importance

Exposure to socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with rapid cognitive aging. Biological aging, the progressive loss of system integrity that occurs as we age is proposed as a modifiable process mediating this health inequality.

Objective

To test the hypothesis that socioeconomic disparities in cognitive aging in older adults is explained by accelerated biological aging.

Design

Observational cohort study.

Setting

U.S. Health and Retirement Study DNA-methylation sub-study.

Participants

N=3,648 (49% male) adults aged 50-100 (M=70, SD=10) with DNA methylation data.

Exposures

Socioeconomic status (SES) was measured from years of education and household wealth. The extent and pace of biological aging were quantified using three DNA-methylation measures: PhenoAge, GrimAge, and DunedinPoAm.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Cognitive aging was measured from repeated longitudinal assessments of immediate and delayed word recall. Latent growth curve modeling estimated participants’ level of memory performance and rate of decline over 2-11 follow-up assessments spanning 2-20 years. Models were estimated to assess whether the relationship between SES and memory trajectories was mediated by biological aging.

Results

Older adults with lower SES had lower memory performance, faster decline and exhibited accelerated biological aging (SES β=.33, 99% CI[.30-.36], biological-aging measure effect size associations ranged from .08 to .20). Accelerated biological aging was associated with decreased memory performance and faster memory decline (effect-size range .03 to .18). Higher SES was associated with slower biological aging for White and Black men and women, but not Latinx participants. The relationship between biological aging measures and memory was weaker for Black and Latinx participants compared with White people. In mediation analysis, biological aging accounted for 3-9% of the SES-memory gradient in White participants. There was no evidence of mediation in Black or Latinx participants.

Conclusions and Relevance

Among a national sample of older adults, DNA-methylation measures of biological aging were associated with memory trajectories in White, but not Black or Latinx older adults. These results challenge the assumption that DNA-methylation biomarkers of aging that were developed in primarily White people can quantify aging processes affecting cognition in Black and Latinx older adults.
Selective retinal ganglion cell loss and optic neuropathy in a humanized mouse model of familial dysautonomia
Authors: Chekuri Anil , Logan Emily M. , Krauson Aram J. , Salani Monica , Ackerman Sophie , Kirchner Emily G. , Bolduc Jessica M. , Wang Xia , Dietrich Paula , Dragatsis Ioannis , Vandenberghe Luk H. , Slaugenhaupt Susan A. , Morini Elisabetta
Published: June 2021

Familial dysautonomia (FD) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease caused by a splicing mutation in the gene encoding Elongator complex protein 1 (ELP1, also known asIKBKAP). This mutation results in tissue-specific skipping of exon 20 with a corresponding reduction of ELP1 protein, predominantly in the central and peripheral nervous system. Although FD patients have a complex neurological phenotype caused by continuous depletion of sensory and autonomic neurons, progressive visual decline leading to blindness is one of the most problematic aspect of the disease, as it severely affects their quality of life. To better understand the disease mechanism as well as to test thein vivoefficacy of targeted therapies for FD, we have recently generated a novel phenotypic mouse model,TgFD9; Elp1∆20/flox. This mouse exhibits most of the clinical features of the disease and accurately recapitulates the tissue-specific splicing defect observed in FD patients. Driven by the dire need to develop therapies targeting retinal degeneration in FD, herein, we comprehensively characterized the progression of the retinal phenotype in this mouse, and we demonstrated that it is possible to correctELP1splicing defect in the retina using the splicing modulator compound (SMC) BPN-15477.
Mapping tree species for restoration potential resilient to climate change
Authors: van Tiel Nina , Lyu Lisha , Fopp Fabian , Brun Philipp , van den Hoogen Johan , Karger Dirk Nikolaus , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Crowther Thomas W. , Pellissier Loïc
Published: June 2021

The restoration of forest ecosystems is associated with key benefits for biodiversity and ecosystem services. Where possible, ecosystem restoration efforts should be guided by a detailed knowledge of the native flora to regenerate ecosystems in a way that benefits natural biodiversity, ecosystem services, and nature’s contribution to people. Machine learning can map the ecological suitability of tree species globally, which then can guide restoration efforts, especially in regions where knowledge about the native tree flora is still insufficient. We developed an algorithm that combines ecological niche modelling and geographic distributions that allows for the high resolution (1km) global mapping of the native range and suitability of 3,987 tree species under current and future climatic conditions. We show that in most regions where forest cover could be potentially increased, heterogeneity in ecological conditions and narrow species niche width limit species occupancy, so that in several areas with reforestation potential, a large amount of potentially suitable species would be required for successful reforestation. Local tree planting efforts should consider a wide variety of species to ensure that the equally large variety of ecological conditions can be covered. Under climate change, a large fraction of the surface for restoration will suffer significant turnover in suitability, so that areas that are suitable for many species under current conditions will not be suitable in the future anymore. Such a turnover due to shifting climate is less pronounced in regions containing species with broader geographical distributions. This indicates that if restoration decisions are solely based on current climatic conditions, a large fraction of the restored area will become unsuitable in the future. Decisions on forest restoration should therefore take the niche width of a tree species into account to mitigate the risk of climate-driven ecosystem degradation.
Drug Repurposing for the SARS-CoV-2 Papain-Like Protease
Authors: Cho Chia-Chuan D. , Li Shuhua G. , Yang Kai S. , Lalonde Tyler J. , Yu Ge , Qiao Yuchen , Xu Shiqing , Liu Wenshe Ray
Published: June 2021

As the pathogen of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 encodes two essential cysteine proteases that process the pathogen’s two large polypeptide translates ORF1a and ORF1ab in human host cells to form 15 functionally important, mature nonstructural proteins. One of the two enzymes, papain-like protease or PLpro, also possesses deubiquitination and deISGylation activities that suppresses host innate immune responses toward SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, PLpro is a potential COVID-19 drug target. To repurpose drugs for PLpro, we experimentally screened 33 deubiquitinase and 37 cysteine protease inhibitors on their inhibition of PLpro. Our results showed that 15 deubiquitinase and 1 cysteine protease inhibitors exhibit potent inhibition of PLpro at 200μM. More comprehensive characterizations revealed 7 inhibitors GRL0617, SJB2-043, TCID, DUB-IN-1, DUB-IN-3, PR-619, and S130 with an IC50value below 60μM and four inhibitors GRL0617, SJB2-043, TCID, and PR-619 with an IC50value below 10μM. Among four inhibitors with an IC50value below 10μM, SJB2-043 is the most unique in that it doesn’t fully inhibit PLpro but has an outstanding IC50value of 0.56μM. SJB2-043 likely binds to an allosteric site of PLpro to convene its inhibition effect, which needs to be further investigated. As a pilot study, the current work indicates that COVID-19 drug repurposing by targeting PLpro holds promises but in-depth analysis of repurposed drugs is necessary to avoid omitting allosteric inhibitors.
When to be vaccinated? What to consider? Modelling decision-making and time preference for COVID-19 vaccine through a conjoint experiment approach
Authors: Yuen Samson W.H. , Yue Ricci P.H. , Lau Bobo H.B. , Chan Cecilia L. W. , Ng Siu-Man
Published: June 2021

How do citizens choose COVID-19 vaccines, and when do they wish to be vaccinated? A choice-based conjoint experiment was fielded in Hong Kong to examine factors that shape citizens’ preference toward COVID-19 vaccines and their time preference to be vaccinated, which is overlooked in extant literature. Results suggest people are most concerned about vaccines’ efficacy and severe side-effects, and that cash incentives are not useful in enhancing vaccine appeal. The majority of respondents show low intention for immediate vaccination, and many of them want to delay their vaccination. Further analysis shows that their time preference is shaped more by respondent characteristics than vaccine attributes. In particular, confidence in the vaccine, trust in government, and working in high-risk professions are associated with earlier timing for vaccine uptake. Meanwhile, forced COVID testing would delay vaccination. The findings offer a novel view in understanding how people decide whether and when to receive new vaccines, which have pivotal implications for a head start of any mass vaccination programs.

Highlights

People are most concerned about vaccines’ efficacy and severe side-effects when choosing COVID-19 vaccines

Cash incentives are not useful in enhancing vaccines’ appeal

Time preference of vaccination is shaped more by respondent characteristics than vaccine attributes

Forced COVID testing might delay vaccination decision
Precise annotation of Drosophila mitochondrial genomes leads to insights into AT-rich regions
Authors: Liang Guangcai , Chang Jia , Yau Tung On , Li Xin , He Bingjun , Ruan Jishou , Bu Wenjun , Gao Shan
Published: June 2021

In the present study, we performed precise annotation of Drosophila melanogaster, D. simulans, D. grimshawi, Bactrocera oleae mitochondrial (mt) genomes by pan RNA-seq analysis. Our new annotations corrected or modified some of the previous annotations and two important findings were reported for the first time, including the discovery of the conserved polyA(+) and polyA(−) motifs in the control regions (CRs) of insect mt genomes and the adding of CCAs to the 3’ ends of two antisense tRNAs in D. melanogaster mt genome. Using PacBio cDNA-seq data from D. simulans, we precisely annotated the Transcription Initiation Sites (TISs) of the mt Heavy and Light strands in Drosophila mt genomes and reported that the polyA(+) and polyA(−) motifs in the CRs are associated with TISs. The discovery of the conserved polyA(+) and polyA(−) motifs provides insights into many polyA and polyT sequences in CRs of insect mt genomes, leading to reveal the mt transcription and its regulation in invertebrates. In addition, we provided a high-quality, well-curated and precisely annotated D. simulans mt genome (GenBank: MN611461), which should be included into the NCBI RefSeq database to replace the current reference genome NC_005781.
Genome-wide association analyses of symptom severity among clozapine-treated patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder
Authors: Okhuijsen-Pfeifer C. , van der Horst M.Z. , Bousman C.A. , Lin B. , van Eijk K.R. , Ripke S. , Ayhan Y. , Babaoglu M.O. , Bak M. , Alink W. , van Beek H. , Beld E. , Bouhuis A. , Edlinger M. , Erdogan I.M. , Ertuğrul A. , Yoca G. , Everall I.P. , Görlitz T. ,   GROUP Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis investigators, Grootens K.P. , Gutwinski S. , Hallikainen T. , Jeger-Land E. , de Koning M. , Lähteenvuo M. , Legge S.E. , Leucht S. , Morgenroth C. , Müderrisoğlu A. , Narang A. , Pantelis C. , Pardiñas A.F. , Oviedo-Salcedo T. , Schneider-Thoma J. , Schreiter S. , Repo-Tiihonen E. , Tuppurainen H. , Veereschild M. , Veerman S. , de Vos M. , Wagner E. , Cohen D. , Bogers J.P.A.M. , Walters J.T.R. , Anil Yağcıoğlu A.E. , Tiihonen J. , Hasan A. , Luykx J.J.
Published: June 2021

Clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic for patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, response is highly variable and possible genetic underpinnings of this variability remain unknown. Here, we performed polygenic risk score (PRS) analyses to estimate the amount of variance in symptom severity among clozapine-treated patients explained by PRSs (R2) and examined the association between symptom severity and genotype-predicted CYP1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP2C19 enzyme activity. Genome-wide association (GWA) analyses were performed to explore loci associated with symptom severity. A multicenter cohort of 804 patients (after quality control N=684) with schizophrenia spectrum disorder treated with clozapine were cross-sectionally assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and/or the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale. GWA and PRS regression analyses were conducted. Genotype-predicted CYP1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP2C19 enzyme activities were calculated. Schizophrenia-PRS was most significantly and positively associated with low symptom severity (p=1.03×10−3; R2=1.85). Cross-disorder-PRS was also positively associated with lower CGI-S score (p=0.01; R2=0.81). Compared to the lowest tertile, patients in the highest schizophrenia-PRS tertile had 1.94 times (p=6.84×10−4) increased probability of low symptom severity. Higher genotype-predicted CYP2C19 enzyme activity was independently associated with lower symptom severity (p=8.44×10−3). While no locus surpassed the genome-wide significance threshold, rs1923778 within NFIB showed a suggestive association (p=3.78×10−7) with symptom severity. We show that high schizophrenia-PRS and genotype-predicted CYP2C19 enzyme activity are independently associated with lower symptom severity among individuals treated with clozapine. Our findings open avenues for future pharmacogenomic projects investigating the potential of PRS and genotype-predicted CYP-activity in schizophrenia.
Anti-spike protein receptor-binding domain IgG levels after COVID-19 infection or vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in a seroprevalence study
Authors: Soeorg Hiie , Jõgi Piia , Naaber Paul , Ottas Aigar , Toompere Karolin , Lutsar Irja
Published: June 2021

Purpose

In a country-wide seroprevalence study of COVID-19 in Estonia we aimed to determine the seroprevalence and the dynamics of IgG against SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination or positive PCR-test.

Methods

Leftover blood samples were selected between February 8 to March 25, 2021, by SYNLAB Estonia from all counties and age groups (0-9, 10-19, 20-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-100 years) proportionally to the whole Estonian population and tested for IgG against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (anti-S-RBD IgG) using Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant assay. Antibody levels after positive PCR-test or vaccination were described by nonlinear model.

Results

A total of 2517 samples were tested. Overall seroprevalence (95% CI) was 20.1% (18.5-21.7%), similar in all age groups. If all individuals vaccinated with the first dose at least 14 days before antibody measurement were assumed to be seronegative, the overall seroprevalence was 15.8% (14.4-17.3%), 4-fold larger than the proportion of confirmed COVID-19 cases. According to nonlinear models, age increased anti-S-RBD IgG production after positive PCR-test but decreased after vaccination. The peak of anti-S-RBD IgG in a 52-year-old (median age of PCR-positive and/or vaccinated individuals) was significantly higher after vaccination compared with positive PCR-test (22082 (12897…26875) vs 6732 (2321…8243) AU/mL), but half-life was similar (26.5 (6.9…46.1) vs 38.3 (8.2…68.5) days).

Conclusion

One year after the start of COVID-19 pandemic the actual prevalence of infection is still underestimated compared with confirmed COVID-19 cases, underlining the importance of seroepidemiological studies. Older individuals have lower anti-S-RBD IgG level after vaccination, but similar decline rate to younger.
Patterns of gene expression in pollen of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) indicate down-regulation as a feature of thermotolerance
Authors: Masoomi-Aladizgeh Farhad , McKay Matthew J. , Asar Yasmin , Haynes Paul A. , Atwell Brian J.
Published: June 2021

Reproductive performance in plants is impaired as maximum temperatures consistently approach 40°C. However, the timing of heatwaves critically affects their impact. We studied the molecular responses of cotton male reproductive stages, to investigate the vulnerability of maturing pollen to high temperature. Tetrads, uninucleate and binucleate microspores, and mature pollen were subjected to SWATH-MS and RNA-seq analyses after exposure to 38/28°C (day/night) for 5 days. The results indicated that molecular signatures were down-regulated over developmental stages in response to heat. This was more evident in leaves where three-quarters of differentially changed proteins were decreased in abundance. Functional analysis showed that translation of genes increased in tetrads after exposure to heat; however, the reverse pattern was observed in mature pollen and leaves. Proteins involved in transport were highly abundant in tetrads, whereas in later stages of development and leaves, heat suppressed cell-to-cell communication. Moreover, a large number of heat shock proteins (HSPs) were identified in heat-affected tetrads, but these proteins were less abundant in mature pollen and leaves. We speculate that the sensitivity of tetrad cells to heat is related to increased activity of translation involved in non-essential pathways. Molecular signatures during pollen development after heatwaves provide markers for future genetic improvement.
Cyclic Microchip Assay for Measurement of Hundreds of Functional Proteins in Single Neurons
Authors: Yang Liwei , Ball Avery , Liu Jesse , Jain Tanya , Li Yue-Ming , Wang Jun
Published: June 2021

Proteins are responsible for nearly all cell functions throughout cellular life. To date, the molecular functions of hundreds of proteins have been studied as they are critical to cellular processes. Those proteins are varied dramatically at different statuses and differential stages of the cells even in the same tissue. The existing single-cell tools can only analyze dozens of proteins and thus have not been able to fully characterize a cell yet. Herein, we present a single-cell cyclic multiplex in situ tagging (CycMIST) technology that affords the comprehensive functional proteome profiling of single cells. It permits multiple, separate rounds of multiplex assays of the same single cells on a microchip where each round detects 40-50 proteins. A decoding process is followed to assign protein identities and quantify protein detection signals. We demonstrate the technology on a neuron cell line by detecting 182 proteins that includes surface makers, neuron function proteins, neurodegeneration markers, signaling pathway proteins and transcription factors. Further study on 5XFAD mouse, an Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) model, cells validate the utility of our technology which reveals the deep heterogeneity of brain cells. Through comparison with control mouse cells, the differentially expressed proteins in the AD mouse model have been detected. The single-cell CycMIST technology can potentially analyze the entire functional proteome spectrum, and thus it may offer new insights into cell machinery and advance many fields including systems biology, drug discovery, molecular diagnostics, and clinical studies.
NOCICEPTRA: Gene and microRNA signatures and their trajectories characterizing human iPSC-derived nociceptor maturation
Authors: Zeidler Maximilian , Kummer Kai K. , Schöpf Clemens L. , Kalpachidou Theodora , Kern Georg , Cader M. Zameel , Kress Michaela
Published: June 2021

Nociceptors are primary afferent neurons serving the reception of acute pain but also the transit into maladaptive pain disorders. Since native human nociceptors are hardly available for mechanistic functional research, and rodent models do not necessarily mirror human pathologies in all aspects, human iPSC-derived nociceptors (iDN) offer superior advantages as a human model system. Unbiased mRNA::microRNA co-sequencing, immunofluorescence staining and qPCR validations, revealed expression trajectories as well as miRNA target spaces throughout the transition of pluripotent cells into iDNs. mRNA and miRNA candidates emerged as regulatory hubs for neurite outgrowth, synapse development and ion channel expression. The exploratory data analysis tool NOCICEPTRA is provided as a containerized platform to retrieve experimentally determined expression trajectories, and to query custom gene sets for pathway and disease enrichments. Querying NOCICEPTRA for marker genes of cortical neurogenesis revealed distinct similarities and differences for cortical and peripheral neurons. The platform provides a public domain neuroresource to exploit the entire data sets and explore miRNA and mRNA as hubs regulating human nociceptor differentiation and function.
Complexin-1 regulated transition in the assembly of single neuronal SNARE complex
Authors: Hao Tongrui , Feng Nan , Gong Fan , Liu Jiaquan , Ma Lu , Ren Yu-Xuan
Published: June 2021

Neurotransmitter release is mediated by the synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Important proteins in this process have been identified including the molecular machine Synaptic-soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment receptor (SNARE) proteins, and other regulators. Complexin (Cpx) is one of the vital regulators in this process. The functions of Cpx are proposed to maintain a proper primed vesicle pool by preventing its premature depletion, which facilitates the vesicle fusion in the presence of Ca2+. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. Using dual-trap optical tweezers, we detected the interaction of complexin-1 (CpxI) with SNARE. We found that the CpxI stabilizes partially folded SNARE complexes by competing with C-terminal of Vamp protein and interacting with the C-terminal of t-SNARE complex.
Frequency distribution of space groups in soluble and membrane proteins and their complexes
Authors: Gaur Rajneesh K.
Published: June 2021

The space-group frequency distributions for two types of proteins and their complexes are explored. Based on the incremental availability of data in the Protein Data Bank, an analytical assessment shows a preferential distribution of three space groups, i.e.
P212121 > P1211 > C121, in soluble and membrane proteins as well as in their complexes. In membrane proteins, the order of the three space groups is P212121 > C121 > P1211. The distribution of these space groups also shows the same pattern whether a protein crystallizes with a monomer or an oligomer in the asymmetric unit. The results also indicate that the sizes of the two entities in the structures of soluble proteins crystallized as complexes do not influence the frequency distribution of space groups. In general, it can be concluded that the space-group frequency distribution is homogenous across different types of proteins and their complexes.
Robust fault-tolerant attitude control of spacecraft using hybrid actuators
Authors: Xu Yiqi
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to address the spacecraft attitude control problem using hybrid actuators in the presence of actuator saturation, uncertainties and faults, inertia uncertainties and external disturbances.

Design/methodology/approach

A hybrid actuator configuration is used where thrusters are engaged for rapid attitude maneuvers, while reaction wheels (RWs) are used for fine pointing.

Findings

The key advantages are two-fold: a finite-time high-level controller is designed to produce the three-axis virtual control torques; an online robust control allocation (RobCA) scheme is proposed to redistribute virtual control signals to the actuators with taking into account the actuator saturation, uncertainties and faults; and the RobCA scheme allows a smooth switch between thrusters and RWs, which handles the inaccuracy problem of thrusters and saturation problem of RWs.

Practical implications

An online RobCA algorithm is designed that maps the total control demands onto individual actuator settings and allows a smooth switch between thrusters and RWs. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.

Originality/value

This work may be used on modern space missions, which impose higher requirements on smooth switching of spacecraft thrusters and RWs.
Do organizational citizenship behavior for the environment predict triple bottom line performance in manufacturing firms?
Authors: Khan Noor Ullah , Irshad Ateeq-ur-Rehman , Ahmed Adeel , Khattak Amira
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Organizational citizenship behavior for the environment (OCBE) is vital for manufacturing firms' ability to improve their triple bottom line (TBL) performance. This study's objective was to examine the direct relationship between three OCBE key dimensions, i.e. eco-initiatives (EIs), eco-civic-initiatives and eco-helping (EH) and TBL performance, i.e. economic (ECOP), social (SOP) and environmental (ENP).

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative design was used based on the positivist approach. A sample of 350 manufacturing firms was targeted using random probability sampling via a survey questionnaire. The data were analyzed through the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique employing AMOS 24 software.

Findings

Research findings confirmed a significant direct positive relationship between components of OCBE, i.e. EIs, eco-civic- initiatives and EH and TBL performance within ISO14001-certified Malaysian manufacturing firms.

Research limitations/implications

This research presents vital implications for both managers and organizations. The findings revealed that the three OCBE key dimensions, i.e. (EIs, eco-civic-initiatives and EH) are essential for enhancing TBL performance (ECOP, SOP and ENP), respectively. Manufacturing firms should modify the traditional OCB toward pro-environmental OCBE to improve TBL performance.

Originality/value

This research focuses on the impact of OCBE key types, i.e. EIs, eco-civic-initiatives and EH on TBL performance (ECOP, ENP and SOP) dimensions among ISO14001-certified Malaysian manufacturing firms.
Double-diffusive convection of a nanofluid in a porous cavity containing rotating hexagon and circular cylinders: ISPH simulations
Authors: Aly Abdelraheem M. , Raizah Zehba
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to apply an incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics (ISPH) method to simulate the Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) free convection flow of a nanofluid in a porous cavity containing rotating hexagonal and two circular cylinders under the impacts of Soret and Dufour numbers.

Design/methodology/approach

The inner shapes are rotating around a cavity center by a uniform circular motion at angular rate

ω. An inner hexagonal shape has higher temperature Th and concentration Ch than the inner two circular cylinders in which the temperature is Tc and concentration is Cc. The performed numerical simulations are presented in terms of the streamlines, isotherms and isoconcentration as well as the profiles of average Nusselt and Sherwood numbers.

Findings

The results indicated that the uniform motions of inner shapes are changing the characteristics of the fluid flow, temperature and concentration inside a cavity. An augmentation on a Hartman parameter slows down the flow speed and an inclination angle of a magnetic field raises the flow speed. A rise in the Soret number accompanied by a reduction in the Dufour number lead to a growth in the concentration distribution in a cavity.

Originality/value

ISPH method is used to simulate the double-diffusive convection of novel rotating shapes in a porous cavity. The inner novel shapes are rotating hexagonal and two circular cylinders.
The impact of quality framework application on patients’ satisfaction
Authors: Abu-Rumman Ayman , Al Shraah Ata , Al-Madi Faisal , Alfalah Tasneem
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore if the application of the customer results criteria contained within the King Abdullah II Award for Excellence (KAIIAE) is correlated with high levels of patient satisfaction within a large hospital based in Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a mixed methodology, supported by a pragmatist theoretical approach, a satisfaction survey was conducted with patients accessing the hospital as an in-patient across a range of specialities gathering feedback about different aspects of their care. The results were compared with a self-assessment completed by different speciality teams about the existence and maturity of customer result arrangements implemented as a result of the (KAIIAE).

Findings

The findings confirmed that quality awards such as the KAIIAE can effectively be applied in a health-care setting and can help provide a framework for improving patient experience and satisfaction. A correlation was found with those specialties that self-assessed themselves more highly in terms of these arrangements and the overall levels of patient satisfaction with that specialty, suggesting that the products of working towards the KAIIAE such as establishing effective patient experience monitoring arrangements and improved learning from complaints, has a positive impact on patient satisfaction.

Originality/value

There are limited studies which focus specifically on customer results and on the use of the KAIIAE more generally. This study therefore makes a valuable contribution in adding to the debate about the strategic value of working towards formal quality improvement models and awards in health-care settings.
Innovation in talent management practices: creating an innovative employer branding strategy to attract generation Z
Authors: Pandita Deepika
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This research paper focuses on the arriving new generation, “Gen Z,” and how an organization can target this new talent through innovation in its employer branding. This paper aims to enhance the readers’ understanding of how generation Z is different from the previous generations and their unique preferences. This study also attempts to probe and help readers understand innovative practices in employer branding and what tools can be used under this umbrella to influence and attract the increasing workforce of generation Z to the labor market.

Design/methodology/approach

There were 21 in-depth semi-structured interviews taken from human resources (HR) heads of various organizations, a few mid-managers, consultants and HR experts based in India. Each interview was transcribed, and a technique of inductive content analysis was used. Broad themes and several new items emerged that looked at innovation in employer branding.

Findings

It was found through this study that Gen Z has high career aspirations, working styles, attributes, education preferences and has an innovative mindset. This demands a flexibility of being independent and confident. They prefer diversity not just through race and gender but also through identity and orientation. Most important, money is not the only priority for them when it comes to their career development. They also want themselves to be associates with a workplace exhibiting community support. They are driven by an innovative mindset where they resort to creative means to achieve their goals.

Research limitations/implications

The research paper is exploratory. The model and hypotheses the author arrives at must be verified empirically by collecting primary data through validated instruments by the relevant stakeholders in the organization, specifically the stakeholders specializing in the domain of talent acquisition and talent management, to add additional weight and meaning to the literature.

Practical implications

As the members of Gen Z are about to step into the labor market, the proposed finding in this research paper would help current industrial practitioners rethink how they will design their policies to entice and integrate Gen Z into the workplace.

Originality/value

Realizing that companies’ experience with millennials’ entry into the workforce might not have prepared them to win with Gen Z, the author has examined what makes Gen Z different from earlier cohorts on how do they approach the workplace. Understanding the unique behavioral differences, the author has proposed organizations’ practices to appeal to them to work with them. Adding to the existing literature on “Generation Z” and “Employer Branding,” the author has linked both in the paper with a qualitative study and proposed a model to build Generation Z’s employer brand.
Factors affecting consumer purchase intentions of organic food through fuzzy AHP
Authors: Arora Anchal , Rani Nishu , Devi Chandrika , Gupta Sanjay
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Organic food market has grown rapidly on a global level and so is the interest of customers. The present paper ranks the factors and sub-criteria which are taken into consideration while making organic purchase decisions resulting in understanding the behaviour of consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

The present paper considered a sample of 550 respondents in the area of Punjab. Fuzzy AHP technique was applied to understand the key factors and sub-criteria which play a major role in organic food purchase decisions. The paper is empirical and descriptive in nature. The factors considered for the study include price, consumer knowledge, trust, attitude, behavioural intentions, subjective norms, perceived personal relevance and perceived consumer effectiveness.

Findings

The three major influential factors include price, trust and attitude ranked in the same order of preference which majorly affects the purchase decisions and talking about sub-criteria the three major criteria to purchase organic food include: “Price plays a significant role in purchase decisions (P2)”, “Organic food keeps me fit and healthy (A1)” and “Organic food intake makes me feel energetic (A2)”.

Research limitations/implications

The present paper is limited to the area of Punjab and majorly eight factors have been taken into consideration. Further research can be explored on broader geographical and cultural areas with new dimensions in criteria and sub-criteria.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper will surely help the marketers to understand the behavioural intentions and preferences of the customers. Accordingly, they will strategize the policies to convert organic food market into a niche market with a high growth rate.

Originality/value

The existing literature explored various key factors. However, the present study comes up with ranking to the factors according to their priority in purchase decisions. This will definitely help marketers, business houses, practitioners and academicians about the key factors which affect purchase decisions, and it will surely add incredible knowledge into the existing database.
The undergraduate dissertation as a reflection of education for sustainability and professional identity: the faculty of education of Bilbao
Authors: Idoiaga Mondragon Nahia , Axpe Saez Inge , Berciano Ainhoa
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The undergraduate dissertation (UD) can be considered to be a reflection of the influence of the sustainable developmental goals (SDG) and the professional identity of the students. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the extent to which the topics of the UD reflect the SDG, considering, moreover, that they may be related to the professional identity developed by the students throughout the degree.

Design/methodology/approach

This work researches the topic of 308 UDs graded as “Excellent” in the Faculty of Education of Bilbao (FEB), using a lexical analysis method.

Findings

The results show two main branches: one associated with Childhood and Social Education Degrees (related to gender equality and socio-educational transformation); and another linked to the Primary Education Degree (language learning, innovation and new technologies). These analyses show the influence of the 5th (40.8%) and 4th (38.4%) SDGs in the topics chosen for the UDs.

Research limitations/implications

The findings provide valuable insights into the current state of Education for Sustainable Development in the Faculty, but should be complemented with an analysis of the topics of all the UDs, to have a more real vision of the situation.

Originality/value

This study analyses, for the first time, the topics of the UDs from the perspective of sustainability, taking into account the dissertations that reach a standard of excellence in the FEB. These results provide relevant information that can be very helpful to detect the specific needs for the design and implementation of an awareness-raising action that will lead to working on sustainability in a transversal way in the education degrees of the FEB.
Closer together or further apart? Club convergence in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries
Authors: Gunduz Lokman , Alshamsi Hamad Mohammed Rahman Humaid , Ulukus Mehmet Yasin
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the per capita income convergence of 57 member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) over the period 1990–2017 and to investigate the determinants of convergence club formations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied the methodology of Phillips and Sul (2007, 2009) to identify the convergence clubs and estimated several-ordered logit models to determine the key drivers.

Findings

The results support existence of two convergence clubs and one diverging unit, indicating that 30 and 26 member countries form two separate groups converging to their own steady-state paths. They also suggest a significant productivity divergence between these clubs. The authors showed that the number of convergence clubs started to decline after the global financial crisis in 2008. Moreover, they found that fixed capital formation, education and political stability are key drivers of convergence club membership.

Practical implications

There is a strong need for large-scale policy interventions to close the gap between leading and lagging clubs of the OIC. A substantial investment in human and physical capital seems necessary for lower-income OIC countries.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study on the existence of convergence clubs among member countries of the OIC.
Social media interactions and brand luxuriousness: the role of materialism
Authors: Colella Giuseppe , Amatulli Cesare , Martínez-Ruiz María Pilar
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims at investigating how the level of brand–consumer interaction between luxury brands and consumers on social media may affect the perception of brands’ luxuriousness. In particular, this study is focused on the moderating role of consumers’ materialism.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a quantitative approach. Data were collected with two online experiments. Study 1 was run to test whether a luxury brand’s product description was perceived as more luxurious when published on a social media platform versus the brand’s website, and if consumers’ materialism influences this effect. Study 2 explains the underlying psychological mechanism by underlining the mediating role of psychological distance.

Findings

The results show that branded luxury products are perceived as more luxurious when these are communicated on a social media platform (vs on the brand’s Web page), and consumers are high (vs low) in materialism, due to high psychological distance.

Originality/value

Previous literature has neglected the relationship between materialism and social media communication, as well as the potential differential effect that a high versus low level of brand–consumer interaction may have, for luxury brands, in the online context. This study fills this gap by investigating the role of a consumer-related characteristic (i.e. the level of materialism) that represents an important dimension in luxury consumption. Moreover, this study sheds light on the mediating role of psychological distance in the context of luxury brands’ online communication.
Social capital leading to innovation: understanding moderating effects of the environment in the Zimbabwean small and medium enterprise context
Authors: Urban Boris , Mutendadzamera Kudzanai
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Realizing the value of social capital to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies, where relationship networks play a big role in filling the gaps that are left by dysfunctional institutions, the purpose of this paper is to gain an empirical understanding of various forms of social capital in relation to the innovation of SMEs in Zimbabwe.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data is collected from SMEs across several regions in Harare, where instrument validity is checked with confirmatory factor analysis, and hypotheses are tested using moderated regression analyses.

Findings

A positive influence is observed for both alliance capital and reputational capital on innovation, while non-significant moderating effects in terms of environmental hostility and dynamism are noted for these relationships

Practical implications

On a practical level, to increase levels of innovation, SME owner-managers need to secure stronger investments into their social infrastructure by developing (both physical and digital) alliance and reputational capitals

Originality/value

By segregating various forms of social capital, an original understanding is attained in terms of how entrepreneurs actively leverage alliance and reputational forms of social capitals to increase their levels of innovation. The theoretical and empirical understanding of the social capital-innovation link is enhanced, and the study constructs now have broader application as their psychometric properties have been established in an under-researched African market context.
Prescribing pattern of proton pump inhibitors among patients visiting the outpatient general medicine clinic in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nepal
Authors: Basyal Bijaya , Marasine Nirmal Raj , Sankhi Sabina , Lamichhane Rajendra , Uprety Bipashwi Nath
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prescribing pattern of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients visiting the outpatient general medical clinic in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.

Design/methodology/approach

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 419 patients aged ≥18 years, visiting the outpatient general medicine clinic of a tertiary hospital and prescribed with at least one PPI, from July to September 2016 using a purposive sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were performed using IBM-SPSS 20.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA).

Findings

Patients were mostly less than 30 years (30.78%) and female (58.95%). Pantoprazole was the most frequently prescribed PPIs (57.04%). The majority of PPIs were prescribed for acid peptic disorder (APD) (33.65%), followed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prophylaxis (30.79%). Most of the PPIs were prescribed for twice-daily administration (68.26%). Nearly one-fourth (21.72%) of the patients presented with at least one additional medical condition, and almost all (99%) patients were receiving at least one additional drug along with PPIs.

Originality/value

The study suggests that PPIs are frequently prescribed and their use has been extended to other conditions that in fact do not require acid anti-secretory therapy. Result has highlighted the need for an interdisciplinary collaboration between pharmacists and medical professionals for the rational use of PPIs and promotion of PPIs prescription from the National List of Essential Medicines.
The buy-in benchmark in Islamic banking: combined effect of brand role clarity and employee brand commitment towards employee brand equity
Authors: Altaf Mohsin , Saleem Irfan , Mustafa Faisal , Anwar Farooq
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Employee position is acknowledged as central in service brand management to achieve competitive advantage. Hence, this study aims to illustrate the importance of brand role clarity (BRC) and employee brand commitment (EBC) by investigating the moderating role of EBC on the relationship between BRC and employee brand equity (EBE) in Islamic banking.

Design/methodology/approach

Data is collected from 259 respondents who are involved in Islamic banking. Proportionate stratified random sampling was used to select bank branches for the study, and simple random sampling was adopted to choose respondents within these bank branches.

Findings

Building on the insight obtained from data analysis, the results of this study demonstrate that the EBC strengthens the significant relationship between employee BRC and EBE. It indicates that EBC is vital in affecting the employee BRC on EBE.

Originality/value

The importance of BRC and EBC has been widely discussed in the literature that both of these variables are essential sources of EBE. However, empirical studies on the combined effect of EBC and BRC on EBE have not been considered in past studies.