bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of basal complex protein that is essential for maturation of transmission-stage malaria parasites
Authors: Clements Rebecca L. , Morano Alexander A. , Navarro Francesca M. , McGee James P. , Du Esrah W. , Streva Vincent A. , Lindner Scott E. , Dvorin Jeffrey D.
Published: August 2022

Malaria remains a global driver of morbidity and mortality. To generate new antimalarials, one must elucidate the fundamental cell biology of
Plasmodium falciparum
, the parasite responsible for the deadliest cases of malaria. A membranous and proteinaceous scaffold called the inner membrane complex (IMC) supports the parasite during morphological changes, including segmentation of daughter cells during asexual replication and formation of transmission-stage gametocytes. The basal complex lines the edge of the IMC during segmentation and likely facilitates IMC expansion. It is unknown, however, what drives IMC expansion during gametocytogenesis. We describe the discovery of a basal complex protein, PfBLEB, which we find to be essential for gametocytogenesis. Parasites lacking PfBLEB harbor defects in IMC expansion and are unable to form mature gametocytes. This article demonstrates a role for a basal complex protein outside of asexual division, and, importantly, highlights a potential molecular target for the ablation of malaria transmission.
A flexible and highly sensitive organic electrochemical transistor-based biosensor for continuous and wireless nitric oxide detection
Authors: Deng Yuping , Qi Hui , Ma Yuan , Liu Shangbin , Zhao Mingyou , Guo Zhenhu , Jie Yongsheng , Zheng Rui , Jing Jinzhu , Chen Kuntao , Ding He , Lv Guoqing , Zhang Kaiyuan , Li Rongfeng , Cheng Huanyu , Zhao Lingyun , Sheng Xing , Zhang Milin , Yin Lan
Published: August 2022

As nitric oxide (NO) plays significant roles in a variety of physiological processes, the capability for real-time and accurate detection of NO in live organisms is in great demand. Traditional assessments of NO rely on indirect colorimetric techniques or electrochemical sensors that often comprise rigid constituent materials and can hardly satisfy sensitivity and spatial resolution simultaneously. Here, we report a flexible and highly sensitive biosensor based on organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) capable of continuous and wireless detection of NO in biological systems. By modifying the geometry of the active channel and the gate electrodes of OECTs, devices achieve optimum signal amplification of NO. The sensor exhibits a low response limit, a wide linear range, high sensitivity, and excellent selectivity, with a miniaturized active sensing region compared with a conventional electrochemical sensor. The device demonstrates continuous detection of the nanomolar range of NO in cultured cells for hours without significant signal drift. Real-time and wireless measurement of NO is accomplished for 8 d in the articular cavity of New Zealand White rabbits with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture injuries. The observed high level of NO is associated with the onset of osteoarthritis (OA) at the later stage. The proposed device platform could provide critical information for the early diagnosis of chronic diseases and timely medical intervention to optimize therapeutic efficacy.
Doing remembering as a multimodal accomplishment
Authors: Pfänder Stefan , Freyburger Philipp , Marzo Daniela , Satti Ignacio
Published: August 2022

The present study investigates how remembering is publicly displayed during storytelling in Oral History Interviews with Italian-speaking witnesses of labor camps during WWII. We focus on the use of the first-person indicativemi ricordo(‘I remember’). In this particular narrative genre,mi ricordois recurrently used by narrators, as it makes the act of remembering publicly accessible. Drawing upon the methods of Interactional Linguistics, we identify two practices involving the use ofmi ricordo: projecting the transition to the narration of a specific episode and displaying epistemic credibility towards facts. We argue that these practices correspond respectively to prospective and retrospective scopes ofmi ricordo. Furthermore, a fine-grained multimodal analysis shows that narrators make the scopes ofmi ricordorecognizable through recurrent multimodal gestalts, which encompass verbal, prosodic and bodily resources. In the discussion, we argue that the recognizable gestalts are routinized ways of dealing with the emergent character of remembering in oral history interviews and with the interactional tasks that are relevant in this particular communicative genre. The findings highlight that doing remembering is a multimodal accomplishment.
Support for cancer prevention public health policies: results from a nationally representative sample of residents in the United States
Authors: Glasgow Trevin E , Miller Carrie A , McGuire Kandace P , Freudenberger Devon C , Fuemmeler Bernard F
Published: August 2022

Assessing public support of health policies designed to reduce cancer risk is important for policy implementation. This study aimed to identify support for cancer prevention policies and factors associated with support. Data were obtained from the Health Information National Trends Survey. Support for three types of cancer prevention policies were evaluated: tobacco, alcohol, and junk food regulations. Linear and logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the relationship between support for the different types of policies and sociodemographic, lifestyle behaviors, and cancer beliefs. Certain policies, such as providing warning labels on cigarettes (69.9% support) and requiring specific health warnings on alcohol containers (65.1% support), were popular. Banning outdoor advertising of alcohol was not popular (34.4% support). There were individual differences associated with policy support. For example, respondents who were 75 years or older (B = 0.61, p < .001) or female (B = 0.14, p < .008) were more likely to support tobacco polices compared to their counterparts (i.e., younger or male). Respondents who identified as politically conservative (B = −0.20, p < .004) or those who endorsed high cancer fatalistic beliefs (e.g., there’s not much you can do to lower your chances of getting cancer, B = −0.07, p < .012) were less likely to support alcohol policies compared to those who were liberal or had lower cancer fatalistic beliefs. Generally, support was high for most policy questions. However, support varied by different individual factors. The findings also highlight that there may be opportunities to increase understanding and awareness about cancer prevention policies, especially among some segments of the population.
Neighborhood conditions and birth outcomes
Authors: Eick Stephanie M. , Cushing Lara , Goin Dana E. , Padula Amy M. , Andrade Aileen , DeMicco Erin , Woodruff Tracey J. , Morello-Frosch Rachel
Published: August 2022

Background:

Living in a disadvantaged neighborhood has been associated with adverse birth outcomes. Most prior studies have conceptualized neighborhoods using census boundaries and few have examined the role of neighborhood perceptions, which may better capture the neighborhood environment. In the present study, we examined associations between extrinsic and perceived neighborhood quality measures and adverse birth outcomes.

Methods:

Participants resided in the San Francisco Bay Area of California and were enrolled in Chemicals in Our Bodies, a prospective birth cohort (N = 817). The Index of Concentration at the Extremes (ICE) for income, Area Deprivation Index (ADI), and the Urban Displacement Project’s measure of gentrification were included as census block group-level extrinsic neighborhood quality measures. Poor perceived neighborhood quality was assessed using an interview questionnaire. Linear regression models were utilized to examine associations between extrinsic and perceived neighborhood quality measures, and gestational age and birthweight for gestational age z-scores. Covariates in adjusted models were chosen via a directed acyclic graph (DAG) and included maternal age, education, and marital status.

Results:

In adjusted models, having poor perceived neighborhood quality was associated with higher birthweight z-scores, relative to those who did not perceive their neighborhood as poor quality (β = 0.21, 95% confidence intervals = 0.01, 0.42). Relative to the least disadvantaged tertile, the upper tertile of the ADI was associated with a modest reduction in gestational age (β = –0.35, 95% confidence intervals = –0.67, –0.02).

Conclusions:

In the Chemicals in Our Bodies study population, extrinsic and perceived neighborhood quality measures were inconsistently associated with adverse birth outcomes.
Early Versus Late Administration of P2Y12 Inhibitors in Non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Delayed Cardiac Catheterization
Authors: Lycouras Maggie M. , Clark Collin M. , Mills Kevin , Gupta Aman , Chilbert Maya R.
Published: August 2022

Regardless of early invasive or ischemia-guided approaches to non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) management, P2Y12 inhibitors remain the backbone in therapy. The ideal timing of administration remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of early versus late administration of P2Y12 inhibitors in patients presenting with an NSTEMI who go to the catheterization laboratory beyond 24 hours from presentation. We performed a single center, retrospective cohort study. Patients were classified into groups depending on whether they received early versus late administration of a P2Y12 inhibitor. The primary outcome was the rate of major and clinically relevant, nonmajor bleeding (CRNMB). Secondary outcomes included troponin peak and length of stay after cardiac catheterization. Of the 121 patients included, 53 patients were in the early and 68 patients were in the late group. The number of bleeding events were similar between both groups (P = 1.00). There were 3 (5.7%) major bleeding events in the early group and 5 (7.4%) bleeding events in the late group. There were 5 (9.4%) CRNMB events in the early group and 6 (8.8%) CRNMB events in the late group. There was a significant difference in troponin peak, 4.56 ng/mL in the early group and 1.77 ng/mL in the late group (P = 0.02). The rate of bleeding did not differ between patients who received early or late administration of P2Y12 inhibitors for NSTEMI management who undergo delayed cardiac catheterization.
Results From a Proficiency Testing Pilot for Immunosuppressant Microsampling Assays
Authors: Veenhof Herman , Koster Remco A. , Junier Lenneke A.T. , Zweipfenning Peter , Touw Daan J.
Published: August 2022

Background:

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of immunosuppressive drugs is important for the prevention of allograft rejection in transplant patients. Several hospitals offer a microsampling service that provides patients the opportunity to sample a drop of blood from a fingerprick at home that can then be sent to the laboratory by mail. The aim of this study was to pilot an external quality control program.

Methods:

Fourteen laboratories from 7 countries participated (fully or partly) in 3 rounds of proficiency testing for the immunosuppressants tacrolimus, ciclosporin, everolimus, sirolimus, and mycophenolic acid. The microsampling devices included the following: Whatman 903 and DMPK-C, HemaXis, Mitra, and Capitainer-B. All assays were based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. In round 2, microsamples as well as liquid whole blood samples were sent, and 1 of these samples was a patient sample.

Results:

Imprecision CV% values for the tacrolimus microsamples reported by individual laboratories ranged from 13.2% to 18.2%, 11.7%–16.3%, and 12.2%–18.6% for rounds 1, 2, and 3, respectively. For liquid whole blood (round 2), the imprecision CV% values ranged from 3.9%–4.9%. For the other immunosuppressants, the results were similar. A great variety in analytical procedures was observed, especially the extraction method. For the patient sample, the microsample results led to different clinical decisions compared with that of the whole blood sample.

Conclusions:

Immunosuppressant microsampling methods show great interlaboratory variation compared with whole blood methods. This variation can influence clinical decision-making. Thus, harmonization and standardization are needed. Proficiency testing should be performed regularly for laboratories that use immunosuppressant microsampling techniques in patient care.
Validation of the clinical applicability of the brief self-administered waterless empirical taste test during the era of COVID-19
Authors: Jiang Rong-San , Wang Jing-Jie
Published: August 2022

Background:

This study was performed to test the clinical applicability of a new taste test, the Brief Self-Administered Waterless Empirical Taste Test (B-WETT®) in the era of COVID-19.

Methods:

Sixty healthy volunteers and 60 patients experiencing gustatory dysfunction were enrolled. All subjects received both the Self-Administered Waterless Empirical Taste Test (WETT®) and the new B-WETT® which are comprised of disposable plastic strips containing sucrose, citric acid, sodium chloride, caffeine and monosodium glutamate tastants to evaluate taste function. The healthy volunteers were re-tested with the WETT® and B-WETT® after an inter-test interval of at least 7 days to measure retest reliability.

Results:

The sum scores of 5 tastants of the first test was 25.7 for males and 29.5 for females in WETT®, and 12.4 for males and 15.2 for females in B-WETT®. There were significant differences in the sum scores between males and females whether in WETT® or B-WETT®. The sum scores strongly correlated between WETT and B-WETT, whether in the healthy volunteers or in patients with gustatory dysfunction (r>0.7). There was also a strong correlation between the first and second tests of B-WETT® for the sum scores.

Conclusion:

This study shows that B-WETT® is a valid and reliable taste test, and is convenient for use in the era of COVID-19 to evaluate the taste function of patients.
Histologic Variants of Kaposi Sarcoma in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Zheng Wei , Obeng Rebecca C. , Graham Rondell P. , Lui Shu , Cheng Jerome , Alexiev Borislav A. , Quigley Brian , Krasinskas Alyssa , Yang Guang-Yu , Escobar David , Liu Xiuli , Navale Pooja , Reid Michelle D. , Westerhoff Maria , Xue Yue
Published: August 2022

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) can pose diagnostic challenges in biopsy specimens. Multiple histologic variants of cutaneous KS have been described; however, the histomorphologic spectrum of gastrointestinal (GI) KS has not been systematically studied. This large series comprehensively evaluated 46 cases of KS involving the GI tract and identified 7 histomorphologic variants, some that have not been previously described. Five of them are inconspicuous but have unique morphologic patterns, including lymphangioma/lymphangiectatic–like (n=17), mucosal hemorrhage/telangiectatic–like (n=17), mucosal inflammation–like (n=15), granulation tissue–like (n=13), and mucosal prolapse–like (n=4) variants. These variants can be easily misdiagnosed or misinterpreted on routine examination if KS is not considered, and if the immunohistochemical stain for human herpesvirus-8 is not performed. The other 2 morphologic variants present as spindle cell proliferations and are the GI stromal tumor–like (n=8) and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor–like (n=2). These variants raise a broad differential diagnosis of spindle cell tumors of the GI tract and could pose diagnostic challenges. In summary, GI KS lesions exhibit variable, often unconventional histomorphologic patterns. KS should be included in the differential diagnosis even if features of conventional KS are not seen, particularly in limited biopsies in immunocompromised patients, such as those with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Although the clinical significance of these morphologic variants is yet to be determined, they are nonetheless important from a diagnostic standpoint. Misdiagnosis and delay in appropriate management can be avoided by recognizing the morphologic diversity of GI KS and appropriately utilizing the human herpesvirus-8 immunohistochemical stain.
A Primary Gastrointestinal Presentation and Novel Genetic Variant of Dyskeratosis Congenita in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Lee Jeffrey , Cheeseman Edward , Matheus Maria , Kasi Nagraj
Published: August 2022

Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a rare telomerase disorder affecting high turnover cells. Malfunction of protective proteins in DC results in patient genomes with shortened germline telomeres leading to genetic instability, cellular apoptosis, and overall cellular lifespan degradation. Classically, reports of DC described a triad of dysplastic nails, reticular skin pigmentation, and oral leukoplakia. However, more recent reports have focused on disease presentation affecting other high turnover organ systems including the gastrointestinal system. Patients may present with dysphagia because of esophageal stricture/web, diarrhea secondary to enteropathy or enterocolitis. We present a pediatric patient who presented with feeding difficulty secondary to an esophageal stricture as the primary manifestation of DC. She was diagnosed with Revesz Syndrome, a rare subtype of DC, along with a novel genetic variant not previously reported. This report serves to bring awareness to gastroenterologists that DC, though classically thought to present with dermatological findings, can present with primary gastrointestinal manifestations.
Effect of Function-Based Approach to Nontraumatic Major Lower Extremity Amputation on 5-Year Mortality
Authors: Zolper Elizabeth G , Deldar Romina , Haffner Zoe K , Sayyed Adaah A , Meshkin Dean H , Hill Christine B , Bekeny Jenna C , Fan Kenneth L , Evans Karen K , Attinger Christopher E
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND:

Five-year mortality rates after lower extremity amputation in the chronic wound population have long been regarded as high and inevitable. We theorize that function-based surgical technique and multidisciplinary care improve mortality and assess our institution’s mortality rates after major lower extremity amputation (MLEA).

STUDY DESIGN:

We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent primary nontraumatic MLEA at our institution from 2010 to 2013. Major amputations included below knee amputation, through knee amputation, and above knee amputation. Our function-based surgical approach to MLEA is guided by 4 tenets: (1) optimization of limb biomechanics, (2) maximal soft tissue preservation, (3) multidisciplinary team approach, and (4) addressing nerves during primary amputation to prevent postamputation pain. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox regression were performed to estimate cumulative 5-year mortality and to identify predictors of 5-year mortality, respectively.

RESULTS:

A total of 188 patients underwent MLEA. Median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 4. Estimated 5-year mortality was 40% overall and 43% for diabetic patients. When stratified by amputation level, 5-year mortalities were 36.3% for below knee amputation, 60.9% for through knee amputation, and 44.0% for above knee amputation. Charlson Comorbidity Index (hazard ratio 1.24, p < 0.001) and end-stage renal disease (hazard ratio 3.38, p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of 5-year mortality.

CONCLUSIONS:

We demonstrate the lowest mortality rate reported for MLEA. Improved functional and mortality outcomes can be achieved with a function-based surgical approach to MLEA and close follow-up by a multidisciplinary team. Future studies, using standardized reporting of mortality data and incorporating patient-reported outcomes, are warranted to correlate return to function and mortality.
Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 VOC neutralization and novel mAb reveal protection against Omicron
Authors: Hao Linhui , Hsiang Tien-Ying , Dalmat Ronit R. , Ireton Renee , Morton Jennifer , Stokes Caleb , Netland Jason , Hale Malika , Thouvenel Chris , Wald Anna , Franko Nicholas M , Huden Kristen , Chu Helen , Greninger Alex , Tilles Sasha , Barrett Lynn K. , Van Voorhis Wesley C. , Munt Jennifer , Scobey Trevor , Baric Ralph S. , Rawlings David , Pepper Marion , Drain Paul K. , Gale Michael
Published: August 2022

To evaluate SARS-CoV-2 variants we isolated SARS-CoV-2 temporally during the pandemic starting with first appearance of virus in the Western hemisphere near Seattle, WA, USA, and isolated each known major variant class, revealing the dynamics of emergence and complete take-over of all new cases by current Omicron variants. We assessed virus neutralization in a first-ever full comparison across variants and evaluated a novel monoclonal antibody (Mab). We found that convalescence greater than 5-months provides little-to-no protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants, vaccination enhances immunity against variants with the exception of Omicron BA.1, and paired testing of vaccine sera against ancestral virus compared to Omicron BA.1 shows that 3-dose vaccine regimen provides over 50-fold enhanced protection against Omicron BA.1 compared to a 2-dose regimen. We also reveal a novel Mab that effectively neutralizes Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants over clinically-approved Mabs. Our observations underscore the need for continued vaccination efforts, with innovation for vaccine and Mab improvement, for protection against variants of SARS-CoV-2.

We isolated SARS-CoV-2 temporally starting with emergence of virus in the Western hemisphere. Neutralization analyses across all variant lineages show that vaccine-boost regimen provides protection against Omicron BA.1. We reveal a Mab that protects against Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants.
Exploring oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction as a mechanism linking bisphenol S exposure to vascular disease in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and a mouse model of postnatal exposure
Authors: Easson Sarah , Singh Radha , Connors Liam , Scheidl Taylor , Baker Larissa , Jadli Anshul , Zhu Hai-Lei , Thompson Jennifer
Published: August 2022

Background

Structural analogues used to replace bisphenol A (BPA) since the introduction of new regulatory restrictions are considered emerging environmental toxicants and remain understudied with respect to their biological actions and health effects. Studies reveal a link between BPA exposure and vascular disease in human populations, whereas the vascular effects of BPA substitutes remain largely unknown.

Objectives

To determine the effect of BPS, a commonly used BPA substitute, on redox balance, nitric oxide (NO) availability and microvascular NO-dependent dilation.

Methods

In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NO after exposure to BPS was measured using fluorescent probes for DCFDA and DAF-FM diacetate, respectively. The contribution of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) uncoupling to ROS generation was determined by measuring ROS in the presence or absence of an eNOS inhibitor (L-NAME) or eNOS co-factor, BH4, while the contribution of mitochondria-derived ROS was determined by treating cells with mitochondria-specific antioxidants prior to BPS exposure. Bioenergetic profiles were assessed using Seahorse extracellular flux analysis and mitochondria membrane polarization was measured with TMRE and JC-1 assays. In a mouse model of low dose BPS exposure, NO-mediated endothelial function was assessed in pressurized microvessels by inducing endothelium-dependent dilation in the presence or absence of L-NAME.

Results

BPS exposure (≥ 25 nM) reduced NO and increased ROS production in HUVEC, the latter corrected by treating cells with L-NAME or BH4. BPS exposure led to a loss of mitochondria membrane potential but had no impact on bioenergetic parameters except for a decrease in the spare respiratory capacity. Treatment of HUVEC with mitochondria-specific antioxidants abolished the effect of BPS on NO and ROS. NO-mediated vasodilation was impaired in male mice exposed to BPS.

Discussion

Exposure to BPS may promote cardiovascular disease by perturbing NO-mediated vascular homeostasis through the induction of oxidative stress.
Intrinsic disorder in CENP-ACse4 tail and its chaperone facilitates synergistic association for kinetochore stabilization
Authors: Shukla Shivangi , Bhattacharya Anusri , Agarwal Prakhar , Malik Nikita , Duraisamy Kalaiyarasi , Sri Rangan Nithyakalyani , Hosur Ramakrishna V. , Kumar Ashutosh
Published: August 2022

The kinetochore is a complex multiprotein network that assembles at a specialized DNA locus called the centromere to ensure faithful chromosome segregation. The centromere is epigenetically marked by a histone H3 variant – the CenH3. The budding yeast CenH3, called Cse4, consists of an unusually long and disordered N-terminal tail that has a role in kinetochore assembly. Its disordered chaperone, Scm3 is involved in its centromeric deposition as well as in the maintenance of a segregation-competent kinetochore. The dynamics of the Cse4 N-tail and chaperone interaction have not been studied, leaving a gap in our understanding of their roles at the centromere. Previously, we had shown that Scm3 is an intrinsically disordered protein. Here, using NMR and a variety of biophysical and bioinformatics tools, we show that Cse4 N-tail is also disordered, the two proteins interact with each other at multiple sites, and this interaction reduces the disorder in Scm3; the chain opens up relative to the native state ensemble and the conformational exchange is reduced. Interestingly, this interaction between the two intrinsically disordered protein is fairly specific as seen by positive and negative controls, and is majorly driven by electrostatics as both the proteins have multiple acidic and basic regions. The complex retains a fair amount of disorder, which facilitates a synergistic association with the essential inner kinetochore Ctf19-Mcm21-Okp1-Ame1 complex; a model has been suggested to this effect. Given the abundance of intrinsic disorder in the kinetochore proteins, this type of interaction and adaptation may be prevalent in other proteins as well for mediating kinetochore assembly. Thus, the present study, on one hand, provides significant structural and mechanistic insights into the complex and dynamic process of kinetochore assembly, and on the other hand, illustrates a mechanism that intrinsically disordered proteins would adapt to mediate the formation of complex multiprotein networks, in general.

Graphical Abstract
Perceived barriers in the dissemination of an organisational alcohol policy as part of implementing an alcohol prevention programme among managers
Authors: Elling Devy L. , Wilson Martinez Martina , Sundqvist Kristina
Published: August 2022

Purpose

An alcohol prevention programme, consisting of the implementation of an organisational alcohol policy and skills development training for managers, was delivered in Swedish workplaces. Previous findings revealed challenges in policy implementation because of the lack of dissemination amongst managers. This study aims to describe perceived dissemination barriers of the organisational alcohol policy by managers.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey (n = 193 managers) was performed to identify common dissemination barriers in the workplace and complementary case illustrations derived from semi-structured interviews (n = 18 managers) were used to understand the dissemination barriers of the organisational alcohol policy. Frequency distributions were presented to describe common perceived barriers.

Findings

Sixty-five per cent of managers reported that their workplace had not changed their approach to addressing alcohol-related issues compared to their usual practice before programme delivery. Various organisational factors, such as deprioritisation of programme dissemination, lack of communication and inadequate strategies were some of the common barriers perceived by managers. Moreover, managers reported uncertainties regarding any changes concerning the workplace’s approach for addressing alcohol-related issues. Increased efforts in disseminating the organisational alcohol policy can reduce uncertainties among managers.

Practical implications

A thorough process evaluation to understand processes in programme delivery and implementation is necessary to ensure the uptake of the intervention.

Originality/value

This study highlighted the complexity of disseminating an alcohol policy in a dynamic setting, such as the workplace, and provided the importance of addressing organisational obstacles.
Scientific realism, the necessity of causal contact in measurement and emergent variables
Authors: Cadogan John W. , Lee Nick
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to correct errors in, and comment on the claims made in the comment papers of Rigdon (2022) and Henseler and Schuberth (2022), and to tidy up any substantive oversights made in Cadogan and Lee (2022).

Design/methodology/approach

The study discusses and clarifies the gap between Rigdon’s notion of scientific realism and the metaphysical, semantic and epistemological commitments that are broadly agreed to be key principles of scientific realism. The study also examines the ontological status of the variables that Henseler and Schuberth claim are emergent using emergence logic grounded in the notion that variables are only truly emergent if they demonstrate a failure of generative atomism.

Findings

In scientific realism, hypothetical causal contact between the unobserved and the observed is a key foundational stance, and as such, Rigdon’s concept proxy framework (CPF) is inherently anti-realist in nature. Furthermore, Henseler and Schuberth’s suggestion that composite-creating statistical packages [such as partial least squares (PLS)] can model emergent variables should be treated with skepticism by realists.

Research limitations/implications

Claims made by Rigdon regarding the realism of CPF are unfounded, and claims by Henseler and Schuberth regarding the universal suitability of partial least squares (PLS) as a tool for use by researchers of all ontological stripes (see their Table 5) do not appear to be well-grounded.

Practical implications

Those aspiring to do science according to the precepts of scientific realism need to be careful in assessing claims in the literature. For instance, despite Rigdon’s assertion that CPF is a realist framework, we show that it is not. Consequently, some of Rigdon’s core criticisms of the common factor logic make no sense for the realist. Likewise, if the variables resulting from composite creating statistical packages (like PLS) are not really emergent (contrary to Henseler and Schuberth) and so are not real, their utility as tools for scientific realist inquiry are called into question.

Originality/value

This study assesses PLS using the Eleatic Principle and examines H&S’s version of emergent variables from an ontological perspective.
Higher education students’ motivation to transfer learning: a scoping review
Authors: Bredenkamp Doreen , Botma Yvonne , Nyoni Champion N.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

There is a need for higher education to produce graduates who are motivated to transfer learning into the workplace. Motivated graduates are work-ready and associated with increased performance. Presently, the research field around motivation to transfer learning by students in higher education is not clear and is inconsistent.

Design/methodology/approach

This scoping review provides an overview of the characteristics of the literature, including key concepts, recommendations and gaps based on eight published articles on the motivation of students in higher education to transfer learning.

Findings

The results reflected a research field, which focused primarily on the influence of specific factors, namely student characteristics, educational design, the workplace environment, and on higher education students' motivation to transfer learning. The lack of a shared conceptual definition of motivation to transfer learning in higher education appears to influence the description of the results from the included studies. Most of the previous studies applied rigorous research designs.

Originality/value

This seemingly stunted research field related to higher education students' motivation to transfer learning needs to be amplified to influence the development of work-ready graduates from higher education. Approaches towards including all elements of motivation, expanding to other fields in higher education, including low-income countries, may be a proximal step in enhancing the trajectory of this research field.
Effective marketing strategies for global FMCG brands during COVID-19 pandemic crisis
Authors: Niros Meletios I. , Niros Angelica , Pollalis Yannis , Ding Qing Shan
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study proposes marketing strategies for global fast-moving consumer good (FMCG) brands to survive and thrive in the turbulent economic environment created by COVID-19. The authors investigate the indirect effects of consumer ethnocentrism (CET) and consumer confidence (CC) on customer equity drivers (CEDs)’ effectiveness in influencing repurchase intention (RI) for global FMCG brands.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the mall-intercept technique. Respondents were randomly approached at popular retail and shopping destinations in Athens, Greece, and 228 customer participants completed the survey.

Findings

CET and CC weaken the positive relationship between certain CEDs and RI of FMCG brands. Particularly, the effects of relationship equity (RE) and value equity (VE) on strengthening repeated purchases are higher for low-confidence or low-ethnocentric consumers. Thus, marketing strategies for enhancing value and creating stronger consumer–brand relationships are more effective in boosting repeated purchases during economic turbulence.

Practical implications

Practitioners and academicians can use the insights obtained from this study to determine how to allocate resources and adopt the most effective marketing strategies in local environments based on consumer preference for domestic or global products and consumer morale and expectations for future financial status.

Originality/value

This research unveils the mechanism behind the moderating effects of CET and CC on the effectiveness of CEDs in global FMCG settings using social identity and system justification theory. Turbulence in international and local markets due to the pandemic has revealed that marketing function needs to redesign strategies and coordinate practices to boost repeat purchases.
Time-varying predictability of financial stress on inequality in United Kingdom
Authors: Berisha Edmond , Gabauer David , Gupta Rangan , Nel Jacobus
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Existing empirical evidence suggests that episodes of financial stress (crises) can act as driver of growth of inequality. Consequently, in this study, the authors explore the time-varying predictive power of an index of financial stress for growth in income (and consumption) inequality in the UK. The authors focus on the UK since income (and consumption) inequality data are available at a high frequency, i.e. on a quarterly basis for over 40 years (June, 1975 to March, 2016).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use Wang and Rossi's approach to analyze the time-varying impact of financial stress on inequality. Hence, the method provides a more appropriate inference of the effect rather than a constant parameter Granger causality method. Besides, understandably, the time-varying approach helps to depict the time-variation in the strength of predictability of financial stress on inequality.

Findings

This study’s findings point that financial distress correspond to subsequent increases in inequality, with the index of financial stress containing important information in predicting growth in income inequality for both in and out-of-sample periods. Interestingly, the strength of the in-sample predictive power is high post the period of the global financial crisis, as was observed in the early part of the sample. The authors believe these findings highlight an important role of financial stress for inequality – an area of investigation that has in general remained untouched.

Originality/value

Accurate prediction of inequality at a higher frequency should be more relevant to policymakers in designing appropriate policies to circumvent the wide-ranging negative impacts of inequality, compared to when predictions are only available at the lower annual frequency.
The journey of culture and social responsibility and its relationship with organizational performance: pathway and perspectives
Authors: Reis Alexandre dos , Veríssimo José Manuel Cristovão
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to map and analyze the academic production regarding the relationship among organizational culture (OC), corporate social responsibility (CSR) and organizational performance (OP), based on 240 papers listed in the Web of Science (WoS) database.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was performed based on a bibliometric analysis supported by the VOSviewer software, followed by a content analysis of 37 prominent publications.

Findings

The results make it possible to identify the geographical and institutional profile of the production, the level of collaboration and interaction between the researchers and their theoretical base of reference, and to consolidate the main characteristics, trends, and future directions of research in this field.

Practical implications

This study propitiates a vast and practical repertoire that addresses business issues involving the relationship among OC, CSR and OP aiming to help the managers to interpret their local realities and challenges, especially due to positive impacts that such relationship can generate in the business.

Originality/value

A systematic literature review involving specifically the themes of OC, CSR, and OP in a scenario of gradual growth in the number of publications and interest in these themes.
Using digital communications to manage the farmers’ market brand image
Authors: Garner Benjamin
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the way one farmers’ market organization used an e-newsletter to establish and maintain their brand image as a socially responsible local food outlet. This research analyzed managerial communication efforts to promote farmers’ market products through email marketing. This analysis also revealed the positive and negative brand images that the e-newsletter communicates and how those align or fail to align with public opinion about of farmers’ markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The author spent 2.5 years participating in the farmers’ market organization that comprises the focus of this study, and this included conducting multiple studies using interview, survey and ethnographic methods. The data set for the present study includes two years’ worth of marketing messages from the e-newsletter campaign, which included 31 e-newsletters. Thematic analysis (Terry et al., 2017) was used to discover the dominant messages and values present. Analysis extended to textual messages, images, timing, design and overall newsletter content.

Findings

The results show that the digital communications at the Lawrence Farmers’ Market (LFM) promoted messages of getting to know your local farmer, eating fresh and healthy food and supporting local products. Additionally, the market frequently attempted to make the market accessible by communicating operating days and times. Finally, the newsletter message analysis also revealed that the LFM brand could be characterized as lacking consistency, having poor organization, and using poor design principles.

Originality/value

This research extends the knowledge of how farmers’ market organizations engage in brand image management. While there are scores of studies on consumer preferences, we have very few that analyze the ways farmers' market organizations spread key brand ideas to consumers. Additionally, this research offers other implications for nonprofits, looking to improve their brand image with limited resources.
Main challenges and best practices to be adopted in management training for Industry 4.0
Authors: Cazeri Gustavo Tietz , Santa-Eulalia Luis Antonio , Fioravanti Andre Ricardo , Pavan Serafim Milena , Rampasso Izabela Simon , Anholon Rosley
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The objectives of this study are twofold: identify the main challenges in performing training on Industry 4.0 concepts to managers operating in the manufacturing sector who are not familiar with them but aspire for an Industry 4.0 broad view and validate training practices that can be adopted to reduce managerial knowledge differences.

Design/methodology/approach

A Delphi method was carried out in two rounds to identify the Industry 4.0 training challenges and a Fuzzy Delphi method was applied in one round to validate the training practices. Both methods used the same set of participants composed of experts in training for Industry 4.0. Results were discussed considering literature statements.

Findings

In total, 11 challenges in Industry 4.0 training were identified and grouped into: challenges associated with the necessary knowledge, challenges of breaking paradigm, challenges associated with training characteristics and challenges associated with expected results. In total, 11 training practices were directly validated, including actions to be adopted before, during, and after the training process.

Originality/value

The findings are relevant for professionals, academics, or consultants as the findings enable better training planning and execution. No similar papers were found in scientific databases, reinforcing this present study's originality and contribution.
Studying caste and occupational mobility in India: questioning “positionality” in ethnographic research
Authors: Sahoo Barsa Priyadarsinee
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges the author had encountered and the counter-strategies she had adopted to overcome them while conducting ethnography for the first time during her doctoral research. In this paper, the author hopes to provide guidance for future researchers by discussing the role she played in her research, the experiences she gained as a result of it, the difficulties she faced and the strategies she employed to overcome these difficulties.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the social constructionist perspective, this paper analyses the experience that the author had gained during her field study. As a novice researcher, the author entered the field to study the relationship between caste and occupational mobility. The caste that she had selected was the Kansari caste to which the author belongs. Therefore, her position as a researcher while conducting ethnography became a crucial part of the methodological challenges the author faced. While insider ethnography has its advantages and disadvantages, this paper does not discuss these aspects of the methodology. Instead, it discusses how, as a novice researcher, the author had to negotiate her position as an insider and outsider.

Findings

While analysing her experience as a novice researcher, the author found that her journey of conducting insider ethnography was of rediscovering herself as a Kansari as well as a researcher. Through this research, the author found that as an insider ethnographer, certain strategies had to be adopted in the field by the researcher to be objective and unbiased throughout the research process. For example, whenever the author conducted an interview, she tried to try to say less, listen more and be as objective as possible, without allowing her preconceptions to influence the information she gathered from the field.

Originality/value

This is an original paper based on the primary data collected by the author.
The means to substantive performance improvements – environmental management control systems in ISO 14001– certified SMEs
Authors: Johnstone Leanne
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to address how the ISO 14001 standardisation and certification process improves substantive performance in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the development of an environmental management control system (EMCS).

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative cross-case interview design with those responsible for the implementation of an environmental management system (certified to ISO 14001) in SMEs is adopted to inductively “theorise” the EMCS.

Findings

The design and monitoring of environmental controls are often beyond the scope of the SMEs’ top management team and include extra-organisational dimensions such as the external audit and institutional requirements. This suggests more complex control pathways for SMEs to produce EMCS that primarily function as packages and are broader than the analytical level of the firm. Here, controlling for environmental performance exists at strategic and operational levels, as well as beyond the SMEs’ boundaries.

Practical implications

Various internal controls are put forward for SME owner-managers to meet environmental targets (e.g. gamification and interpersonal communication strategies). This builds upon a broader accountability perspective wherein formalised hierarchical control is only one route for ensuring sustainable action within the ISO 14001-certified SMEs.

Social implications

This study contributes to a more sustainable society through developing an understanding of how environmental sustainability is substantively managed by SMEs to improve performance for current and future generations.

Originality/value

This paper, to the best of the author’s knowledge, is one of the first to establish how SMEs control for environmental sustainability from empirically derived evidence. In doing so, it provides an example of the EMCS for the SME context.
Assessing impact of consumer perceived CSR on consumer attitude and purchase behaviour in retail segment: a stakeholder theory perspective
Authors: Rathore Pradeep , Saha Esha , Chakraborty Sayan , Tiwari Aviral Kumar
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between the perception of consumers about corporate social responsibility (CSR) and consumers’ purchasing behaviour in the retail sector. Specifically, this study investigates the impact of perceived CSR on consumer attitude and behaviour and the influence of attitude on the relationship between perceived CSR and purchase behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study for collection of the data, an online questionnaire was distributed among the Indian retail consumers. From the collected primary data set, 249 data points were found fit for analysis. Further, the direct, indirect and moderating effects were evaluated using the structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

It is identified that while perceived CSR has a significant influence on consumer purchase behaviour, consumer attitude is having an insignificant impact on the relationship between perceived CSR and purchase behaviour. The findings of this study also show that consumer demographics do not have any moderating impact on the relationship between perceived CSR and purchase behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study are useful to retail managers interested in enhancing CSR. The results of this study suggest that retailers should focus on strengthening consumers’ perceptions about retailers’ CSR initiatives and enhancing co-creation activities. As an extension to this research, further study can include more potential mediators like consumer effectiveness and timing of CSR initiatives.

Originality/value

This study applies stakeholder theory as well as extends the classic theory of planned behaviour model and proposes the establishment of links among consumers’ perceptions about CSR, consumer attitude and behaviour around the retail sector. In addition, this study considers not only overall consumer behaviour but also specific dimensions of consumer behaviour, namely, loyalty, intention and satisfaction.