bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phytotoxin synthesis genes and type III effector genes ofPseudomonas syringaepv.actinidiaebiovar 6 are regulated by culture conditions
Authors: Hirose Karin , Ishiga Yasuhiro , Fujikawa Takashi
Published: April 2020

The kiwifruit bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringaepv.actinidiae; Psa) causes severe damage to kiwifruit production worldwide. Psa biovar 6 (Psa6), which was isolated in Japan in 2015, produces two types of phytotoxins: coronatine and phaseolotoxin. To date, no other phytopathogenic bacteria are known to produce two phytotoxins. To elucidate the unique virulence of Psa6, we performed transcriptomic analysis of phytotoxin synthesis genes and type III effector genes inin vitrocultivation using various media. The genes related to phytotoxin synthesis and effectors of Psa6 were strictly regulated in the coronatine-inducing mediums (HS and HSC); 14 of 23 effector genes and ahrpLsigma factor gene were induced at 3 h after transferring to the media (early-inducible genes), and phytotoxin synthesis genes such asargDof phaseolotoxin andcflof coronatine were induced at 6 and 12 h after transferring to the media (late-inducible genes). In contrast, induction of these genes was not observed in thehrp-inducing medium. Next, to examine whether the changes in gene expression in different media is specific to Psa6, we investigated gene expression in other related bacteria. For Psa biovar 1 (Psa1), biovar 3 (Psa3), andP. s.pv.glycinea(Psg), no clear trends were observed in expression behavior across various culture media and incubation times. Therefore, Psa6 seems to exert its virulence efficiently by using two phytotoxins and effectors according to environmental changes. This is not seen in other biovars and pathovars, so it is thought that Psa6 has acquired its own balance of virulence.
Gain of gene regulatory network interconnectivity at the origin of vertebrates
Authors: Gil-Gálvez Alejandro , Jiménez-Gancedo Sandra , Acemel Rafael D. , Bertrand Stephanie , Schubert Michael , Escrivá Héctor , Tena Juan J. , Gómez-Skarmeta José Luis
Published: April 2020

Signaling pathways control a large number of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) during animal development, acting as major tools for body plan formation1. Remarkably, in contrast to the large number of transcription factors present in animal genomes, only a few of these pathways operate during development2. Moreover, most of them are largely conserved along metazoan evolution3. How evolution has generated a vast diversity of animal morphologies with such a limited number of tools is still largely unknown. Here we show that gain of interconnectivity between signaling pathways, and the GRNs they control, may have played a critical contribution to the origin of vertebrates. We perturbed the retinoic acid, Wnt, FGF and Nodal signaling pathways during gastrulation in amphioxus and zebrafish and comparatively examined its effects in gene expression and cis-regulatory elements (CREs). We found that multiple developmental genes gain response to these pathways through novel CREs in the vertebrate lineage. Moreover, in contrast to amphioxus, many of these CREs are highly interconnected and respond to multiple pathways in zebrafish. Furthermore, we found that vertebrate-specific cell types are more enriched in highly interconnected genes than those tissues with more ancestral origin. Thus, the increase of CREs in vertebrates integrating inputs from different signaling pathways probably contributed to gene expression complexity and the formation of new cell types and morphological novelties in this lineage.
Polycationic gold nanorods as multipurposein vitromicrotubule markers
Authors: Wedler Viktoria , Strauß Fabian , Sudhakar Swathi , Hermsdorf Gero Lutz , Stierhof York-Dieter , Schäffer Erik
Published: April 2020

Gold nanoparticles are intriguing because of their unique size- and shape-dependent chemical, electronic and optical properties. Various microscopy and biomedical applications are based on the particles’ biocompatibility, surface functionalizability, light absorption, and plasmon resonances. Gold nanorods (AuNRs) are particularly promising for various sensor applications due to their tip-enhanced plasmonic fields. For biomolecule attachment, AuNRs are often stabilized with amphiphilic molecules and functionalized with antibodies or biotin-binding proteins. However, by their intrinsic size such molecules block the most sensitive near-field region of the AuNRs. Here, we used short cationic thiols to covalently functionalize the gold surface. We show that the functionalization layer is thin and that these polycationic AuNRs bindin vitroto negatively charged microtubule filaments. Furthermore, we can plasmonically stimulate light emission from the AuNRs and, therefore, use them as bleach- and blinkfree microtubule markers. We confirmed colocalization by transmission electron microscopy or the combination of interference reflection and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy of fluorescently-labeled or plasmonic photoluminescent versions of the AuNRs. We expect that polycationic AuNRs may be applicable toin vivosystems and other negatively charged molecules like DNA. In the long-term, microtubule-bound AuNRs can be used as ultrasensitive single-molecule sensors for molecular machines that interact with microtubules.
Heritability jointly Explained by Host Genotype and Microbiome:Will Improve Traits Prediction?
Authors: Awany Denis , Chimusa Emile R.
Published: April 2020

As we observe the 70thanniversary of the publication by Robertson that formalized the notion of ‘heritability’, geneticists remain puzzled by the problem of missing/hidden heritability, where heritability estimates from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) fall short of that from twin-based studies. Many possible explanations have been offered for this discrepancy, including existence of genetic variants poorly captured by existing arrays, dominance, epistasis, and unaccounted-for environmental factors; albeit these remain controversial. We believe a substantial part of this problem could be solved or better understood by incorporating the host’s microbiota information in the GWAS model for heritability estimation; ultimately also increasing human traits prediction for clinical utility. This is because, despite empirical observations such as (i) the intimate role of the microbiome in many complex human phenotypes, (ii) the overlap between genetic variants associated with both microbiome attributes and complex diseases, and (iii) the existence of heritable bacterial taxa, current GWAS models for heritability estimate do not take into account the contributory role of the microbiome. Furthermore, heritability estimate from twin-based studies does not discern microbiome component of the observed total phenotypic variance. Here, we summarize the concept of heritability in GWAS and microbiome-wide association studies (MWAS), focusing on its estimation, from a statistical genetics perspective. We then discuss a possible method to incorporate the microbiome in the estimation of heritability in host GWAS.
Continuous Circulation of DENV-3 Genotype 3 in Delhi: A Single Hospital Based Surveillance Study
Authors: Padhi Abhishek , Gupta Ekta , Singh Gaurav , Parveen Shama , Islam Arshi , Tarai Bansidhar
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Delhi is hyperendemic for dengue virus (DENV) where all the four DENV have been previously reported. A constant vigilance of circulating dengue virus serotypes is important in surveillance, since the introduction of a new variant to areas affected by pre-existing serotypes constitutes a risk factor for DHF and Dengue Shock Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES

This retrospective study was carried out with an objective to determine the circulating serotype and genotype of Dengue virus in acute phase blood samples of patients who reported to a tertiary liver care hospital in New Delhi during the last two years (2017 – 2018).

METHODS

The data of clinician-initiated testing for dengue NS1 antigen was searched in the institutional hospital information system. The serum sample of dengue NS1 antigen positive cases confirmed by ELISA (PANBIO, Gyeonggi-do, ROK) and a fever duration of less than 5 days were retrieved from the laboratory archive. The dengue virus serotyping on these sample were carried out by reverse transcriptase PCR. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis was done for the capsid-pre membrane (CPrM) region to determine the genotype.

RESULTS

A total of 440 acute-phase samples were received. Twenty one(4.77%) were positive for dengue NS1 antigen with a mean age of 35.1 years and male to female ratio of 1.1:1. Eight cases (38.09%) were positive by Dengue RT-PCR and all belonged to DENV-3 serotypes. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed DENV-3 clustered to genotype III with 100% homology with 2008 Indian subcontinent strain.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that the present circulating dengue virus serotype in Delhi is DENV–3 genotype III. It is similar to previously isolated 2008 Indian subcontinent strain suggesting neither any change in serotype nor any further evolution of DENV-3. That explains the present relatively stable dengue endemicity in Delhi NCR.
Reverse plasticity underlies rapid evolution by clonal selection within populations of fibroblasts propagated on a novel soft substrate
Authors: Purkayastha Purboja , Pendyala Kavya , Saxena Ayush S. , Hakimjavadi Hesamedin , Chamala Srikar , Dixit Purushottam , Baer Charles F. , Lele Tanmay P.
Published: April 2020

Mechanical properties such as substrate stiffness are a ubiquitous feature of a cell’s environment. Many types of animal cells exhibit canonical phenotypic plasticity when grown on substrates of differing stiffness,in vitroandin vivo. Whether such plasticity is a multivariate optimum due to hundreds of millions of years of animal evolution, or instead is a compromise between conflicting selective demands, is unknown. We addressed these questions by means of experimental evolution of populations of mouse fibroblasts propagated for ~90 cell generations on soft or stiff substrates. The ancestral cells grow twice as fast on stiff substrate as on soft substrate and exhibit the canonical phenotypic plasticity. Soft-selected lines derived from a genetically diverse ancestral population increased growth rate on soft substrate to the ancestral level on stiff substrate and evolved the same multivariate phenotype. The pattern of plasticity in the soft-selected lines was opposite of the ancestral pattern, suggesting that reverse plasticity underlies the observed rapid evolution. Conversely, growth rate and phenotypes did not change in selected lines derived from clonal cells. Overall, our results suggest that the changes were the result of genetic evolution and not phenotypic plasticity per se. Whole-transcriptome analysis revealed consistent differentiation between ancestral and soft-selected populations, and that both emergent phenotypes and gene expression tended to revert in the soft-selected lines. However, the selected populations appear to have achieved the same phenotypic outcome by means of at least two distinct transcriptional architectures related to mechano-transduction and proliferation.
Artemisia annuaandArtemisia afraextracts exhibit strong bactericidal activity againstMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Martini Maria Carla , Zhang Tianbi , Williams John T. , Abramovitch Robert B. , Weathers Pamela J. , Shell Scarlet S.
Published: April 2020

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Emergence of drug-resistant and multidrug-resistantMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) strains is a major barrier to tuberculosis (TB) eradication, as it leads to longer treatment regimens and in many cases treatment failure. Thus, there is an urgent need to explore new TB drugs and combinations, in order to shorten TB treatment and improve outcomes. Here, we evaluate the potential of two medicinal plants,Artemisia annua, a natural source of artemisinin (AN), andArtemisia afra, as sources of novel antitubercular agents.

Aim of the study

Our goal was to measure the activity ofA. annuaandA. afraextracts against Mtb as potential natural and inexpensive therapies for TB treatment, or as sources of compounds that could be further developed into effective treatments.

Materials and Methods

The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ofA. annuaandA. afradichloromethane extracts were determined, and concentrations above the MICs were used to evaluate their ability to kill Mtb andMycobacterium abscessus in vitro.

Results

Previous studies showed thatA. annuaandA. afrainhibit Mtb growth. Here, we show for the first time thatArtemisiaextracts have a strong bactericidal activity against Mtb. The killing effect ofA. annuawas much stronger than equivalent concentrations of pure AN, suggesting thatA. annuaextracts kill Mtb through a combination of AN and additional compounds.A. afra, which produces very little AN, displayed bactericidal activity against Mtb that was substantial but weaker than that ofA. annua. In addition, we measured the activity ofArtemisiaextracts againstMycobacterium abscessus. Interestingly, we observed that whileA. annuais not bactericidal, it inhibits growth ofM. abscessus, highlighting the potential of this plant in combinatory therapies to treatM. abscessusinfections.

Conclusion

Our results indicate thatArtemisiaextracts have an enormous potential for treatment of TB andM. abscessusinfections, and that these plants contain bactericidal compounds in addition to AN. Combination of extracts with existing antibiotics may not only improve treatment outcomes but also reduce the emergence of resistance to other drugs.
HIV Vpr modulates the host DNA damage response at two independent steps to damage DNA and repress double-strand DNA break repair
Authors: Li Donna , Lopez Andrew , Sandoval Carina , Doyle Randilea Nichols , Fregoso Oliver I
Published: April 2020

The DNA damage response (DDR) is a signaling cascade that is vital to ensuring the fidelity of the host genome in the presence of genotoxic stress. Growing evidence has emphasized the importance of both activation and repression of the host DDR by diverse DNA and RNA viruses. Previous work has shown that HIV-1 is also capable of engaging the host DDR, primarily through the conserved accessory protein Vpr. However, the extent of this engagement has remained unclear. Here we show that HIV-1 and HIV-2 Vpr directly induce DNA damage and stall DNA replication, leading to the activation of several markers of double- and single-strand DNA breaks. Despite causing damage and activating the DDR, we found that Vpr repress the repair of double-strand breaks (DSB) by inhibiting homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Mutational analyses of Vpr revealed that DNA damage and DDR activation are independent from repression of HR and Vpr-mediated cell-cycle arrest. Moreover, we show that repression of HR does not require cell-cycle arrest but instead may precede this long-standing enigmatic Vpr phenotype. Together, our data uncover that Vpr globally modulates the host DDR at at least two independent steps; offering novel insight into the primary functions of lentiviral Vpr and the roles of the DNA damage response in lentiviral replication.

IMPORTANCE

The DNA damage response (DDR) is a signaling cascade that safeguards the genome from genotoxic agents, including human pathogens. However, the DDR has also been utilized by many pathogens, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), to enhance infection. To properly treat HIV positive individuals, we must understand how the virus usurps our own cellular processes. Here, we have found that an important yet poorly-understood gene in HIV, Vpr, targets the DDR at two unique steps: it causes damage and activates DDR signaling, and it represses the ability of cells to repair this damage, which we hypothesize is central to the primary function of Vpr. In clarifying these important functions of Vpr, our work highlights the multiple ways human pathogens engage the DDR, and further suggests that modulation of the DDR may be a novel way to help in the fight against HIV.
Pre-winter fattening and fat loss during wing moult: the annual cycle of fat deposition in captive barnacle geese (branta leucopsis)
Authors: Portugal Steven J. , McGill Rona A. , Green Jonathan A. , Butler Patrick J.
Published: April 2020

Many different physiological changes have been observed in wild waterfowl during the flightless stage of wing moult, including a loss of body mass. Previously we established that captive barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) underwent this characteristic decrease in body mass during their wing moult, even though they had unlimited and unrestricted access to food. In the present study we aimed to determine if this body mass loss during moult comprised mainly a reduction in fat stores, and to ascertain if the captive geese undergo pre-migratory and pre-winter fattening over a similar temporal scale to their wild conspecifics. The non-destructive technique of deuterium oxide isotope dilution was employed to provide repeated measurements of estimated fat deposition from a captive flock of fourteen barnacle geese. Birds were injected with deuterium oxide at 7 distinct intervals for one annual cycle. During the flightless period of the moult, body fat decreased by approximately 40% from the pre-moult value. During late-September and early October, body fat reached its highest point in the annual cycle, both as an absolute value and as a percentage of total body mass. We propose that while the energetic cost of wing moult is not the ultimate cause of fat loss in moulting barnacle geese, the approximate 212 g of fat catabolised during moult would provide sufficient energy to cover the cost of the replacement of the flight feathers, estimated to be 6384 kJ, over an approximate 42 day period. We conclude that the previously recorded increase in metabolism during moult in the geese, led to the use of endogenous fat reserves because the birds reduced rather than increased their food intake rates owing to the increased risk of predation when flightless. We also conclude that captive barnacle geese do undergo pre-winter and pre-migratory fattening, providing further evidence of the innate nature of these fat deposition cycles.
A release from developmental bias accelerates morphological diversification in butterfly eyespots
Authors: Brattström Oskar , Aduse-Poku Kwaku , van Bergen Erik , French Vernon , Brakefield Paul M.
Published: April 2020

Development can bias the independent evolution of traits sharing ontogenetic pathways, making certain evolutionary changes less likely. The eyespots commonly found on butterfly wings each have concentric rings of differing colors and these serially repeated pattern elements have been a focus for evo-devo research. In the butterfly family Nymphalidae, eyespots have been shown to function in startling or deflecting predators, and to be involved in sexual selection. Previous work on a model species of Mycalesina butterfly,Bicyclus anynana, has provided insights into the developmental control of the size and color composition of individual eyespots. Experimental evolution has also shown that the relative size of a pair of eyespots on the same wing surface is highly flexible, whereas they are resistant to diverging in color-composition, presumably due to the underlying shared developmental process. This fixed color-composition has been considered as a prime example of developmental bias with significant consequences for wing pattern evolution. Here we test this proposal by surveying eyespots across the whole subtribe of Mycalesina butterflies and demonstrate that developmental bias shapes evolutionary diversification, except in the genusHeteropsiswhich has gained independent control of eyespot color-composition. Experimental manipulations of pupal wings reveal that the bias has been released through a novel regional response of the wing tissue to a conserved patterning signal. Our study demonstrates that development can bias the evolutionary independence of traits, but it also shows how bias can be released through developmental innovations, thus allowing rapid morphological change, facilitating evolutionary diversification.
Corporate governance in practice: the role of practitioners' understanding in implementing compliance programs
Authors: Stacchezzini Riccardo , Rossignoli Francesca , Corbella Silvano
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This article investigates the implementation of a compliance programme (CP) in terms of how practitioners conceive of and execute the responsibilities arising from this corporate governance mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involves a practice lens approach forms the case study analysis and interpretation, involving both interviews and documentary materials collected from an Italian company with prolonged compliance experience. Schatzki's (2002, 2010) practice organisation framework guides the interpretation of CP as a practice organised by rules, practical and general understandings and teleoaffective structures.

Findings

CP practice evolves over time. A practical understanding of daily actions required to accomplish the CP and a general understanding of the responsibilities connected with the CP, such as the attitudes with which the CP is performed, are mutually constitutive and jointly favour this evolution. Dedicated artefacts – such as IT platforms, training seminars and compliance performance indicators – help spread both of these types of understanding. These artefacts also align practitioners' general understanding with the CP's teleoaffective structures imposed, including the CP's assigned objectives and the desired reactions to them.

Research limitations/implications

The findings have theoretical and practical implications by revealing the relevance of practitioners' understanding of corporate governance mechanisms in their implementation processes.

Originality/value

This study reveals the potential benefits of practice lens approaches in corporate governance studies. It responds to the call for qualitative studies that demonstrate corporate governance as implemented in daily activities.
How researchers view altmetrics: an investigation of ISSI participants
Authors: Liu Xiaojuan , Wei Yu , Zhao Zhuojing
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore informetrics researchers' use of social media for academic activities, their attitudes to the applicability of altmetrics in research evaluation, the factors influencing their attitudes, and the main opportunities and weaknesses of using altmetrics.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey using a questionnaire was conducted with researchers who participated in the 16th International Conference on Scientometrics and Informetrics ISSI 2017 and a sample of 125 respondents was obtained.

Findings

Progressively more researchers are using social media for different types of academic activities. The study found that many factors affect informetrics researchers' attitudes in different application scenarios with respect to research evaluation. Researchers who have studied altmetrics and who began using social media platforms recently or frequently have more positive attitudes. Academic users and social users have statistically significantly disparate attitudes toward altmetrics in different disciplines and different application scenarios.

Research limitations/implications

Our study only focused on 125 informetrics researchers, who participated in ISSI 2017. We mainly used the questionnaire method, but did not conduct in-depth interviews with the researcher's views.

Originality/value

Informetrics researchers are participants in social media and major researchers of altmetrics. Previous research has examined their use of social media, and this study combines this use of social media with their attitudes to altmetrics to explore the value of altmetrics from a particular perspective. The paper also provides suggestions for the application of altmetrics in research evaluation.
Forming a TED talks sphere for convenient search
Authors: Shih Chia-Hui , Li Han-Lin , Hu Chih-Chien , Lin Bertrand M.T.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design, www.ted.com/) Talks has been one of the most popular video systems. However, the current TED Talks system expressed its inquired videos as in a two-dimensional (2D) table, which is inconvenient for searching the relationships among videos and tags. This study converts the TED Talks table into a sphere by using optimization techniques to help users search for preferred videos.

Design/methodology/approach

There are five phases in this study as follows. Phase 1: Reorganize data of 36 tags and 108 videos; Phase 2: Allocate tags on the TED sphere; Phase 3: Allocate videos on the TED sphere; Phase 4: Develop an online interactive TED retrieval system; and Phase 5: Perform survey and evaluation.

Findings

One survey demonstrated that the TED Talks sphere is more convenient for searching videos, as it is more user-friendly because of its graphical user interface, more convenient to use, more useful for retrieving information and can facilitate a more responsive search for users’ preferred videos.

Research limitations/implications

The numbers of tags and videos able to be displayed on a sphere is limited by the capacity of an optimization software and hardware.

Practical implications

The proposed sphere system can be used by a large number of users of TED Talks groups.

Social implications

This sphere systems can also be applied to other fields which use 2D forms to display the relationships among objects.

Originality/value

This study uses an optimization method to convert a 2D form into a 3D sphere to highlight the relationships among numerous objects.
Perception gaps on employable skills between technical and vocational education and training (TVET) teachers and students: the case of the garment sector in Ethiopia
Authors: Yamada Shoko , Otchia Christian S.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This article focuses on the perception gaps between teachers and students of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) related to garment production and the reasons behind such gaps. Garment production is the priority sector for the Ethiopian government, which plans to make it the driver of export-oriented growth. At the same time, it is among the programs that demonstrate the lowest employment rates.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was developed by the authors. It was completed by 162 students and 53 teachers in garment-related programs of seven TVET colleges in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia.

Findings

The findings show that while teachers tend to highlight the importance of practical skills, students desire broader coverage of practical and managerial skills and entrepreneurship. The expectations differ not only based on the person's recognition of labor market conditions but also by the conviction of the efficacy of the education and training system itself. Teachers tend to be persistent on conventional approaches of teaching, while the advanced training on new approaches based on the competency-based training (CBT) significantly impacts on their attitude. Meanwhile, students' perceptions are largely based on their job aspirations and motivations for schooling.

Practical implications

The authors’ findings may serve to improve the relevance of the Ethiopian Occupation Standards.

Originality/value

The unique feature of this study is that the authors measure skills from multiple dimensions. While the authors examine participants' perceptions of occupation-specific skills, they also analyze the relationships of these perceptions with attitudinal and cognitive skills.
An attributional account of power in multi-party negotiations
Authors: Trif Sabina , Curseu Petru Lucian , Fodor Oana Catalina , Flestea Alina Maria
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Multi-party systems (MPS) comprise interdependent stakeholders (teams, organizations) that engage in complex interactions and negotiations. Building on the approach/inhibition theory of power, the self-enhancement strategy and on social interdependence theory, this study aims to understand the mediating role of attributions (i.e. perception of who/what is responsible for a certain outcome) in the relation between perceptions of the stakeholders’ power (i.e. self-perceptions of power, power ascribed to others and others’ perception of one’s own power) and their perceptions of intergroup climate and future collaborative intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 30 groups (113 participants) that took part in five multi-party simulations concerning the negotiation of funds allocation among six stakeholders. The authors have evaluated attributions, intergroup climate and future collaborative intentions using questionnaires and different facets of systemic power were derived from a round-robin procedure.

Findings

Mixed models and multi-level mediation analyses were carried out, and the results show that self-attributed power and power attributed by others predict internal attributions, while power attributed to others predicts external attributions. Moreover, attributions mediate the relationship between perceived power and future collaborative intention, as well as between power and perceptions of intergroup climate.

Practical implications

Managing the multi-party systems is a complex endeavor, and the results point toward ways in which power dynamics in multi-party systems can be addressed.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first empirical attempts to explore the association between the perceptions of power and attributions in multi-party systems engaged in negotiation tasks.
Development aid and its impact on poverty reduction in developing countries
Authors: Mahembe Edmore , Odhiambo Nicholas M.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to assess whether official development assistance (ODA) or foreign aid has been effective in reducing extreme poverty; test whether the type and source of aid matter; and examine whether political or economic freedom enhances aid effectiveness in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses recent dynamic panel estimation techniques (system generalised method of moments), including those methods which deal with endogeneity by controlling for simultaneity and unobserved heterogeneity.

Findings

The main findings of the study are: firstly, foreign aid does have a statistically significant poverty reduction effect and the results are consistent across all the three extreme poverty proxies. Secondly, the disaggregation of aid by source and type shows that total aid, grant and bilateral aid are more likely to reduce poverty. Thirdly, political freedom might not be an effective channel through which aid impacts extreme poverty, but aid is more effective in an environment where there is respect for freedom of enterprise.

Research limitations/implications

As with most cross-country aid–growth–poverty dynamic panel data studies, the challenges of establishing robust causality and accounting for the unobserved country-specific heterogeneity remain apparent. However, given the data availability constraints, generalised method of moments is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the most robust empirical strategy when T < N. Future research could explore possibilities of individual country analysis, disaggregating countries by income and also examining the direction of causality between foreign aid, poverty and democracy.

Practical implications

The policy implications are that the development partners should continue to focus on poverty reduction as the main objective for ODA; aid allocation should be focused on channels which have more poverty-reduction effect, such as per capita income and economic freedom; and aid recipient countries should also focus on reducing inequality.

Social implications

The main social implications from this study is that it is possible to reduce poverty through ODA. Second, to enhance the effectiveness of foreign aid, ODA allocation should be focussed on channels, which have more poverty-reduction effect, and the host countries should have economic freedom.

Originality/value

This paper makes a further contribution to the aid effectiveness literature, especially the channels through which foreign aid affects poverty.
Guidelines for establishing practical relevance in logistics and supply chain management research
Authors: Svanberg Martin
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Rigor and practical relevance are the foundations for logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) as an applied discipline. Whereas there are well-founded criteria for establishing methodological rigor, researchers must provide their own credible logic as to why their papers can influence practice. Accordingly, this paper aims to develop guidelines for establishing practical relevance in research papers.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review of LSCM, marketing, operations management and management journals forms the foundation for these guidelines.

Findings

Relevance criteria are identified; research should be problem-driven, timely and important, and findings should be implementable, nonobvious, novel and not too costly. Measures for researchers demonstrating the fulfillment of these criteria are identified as practitioner input, gray literature, funding, practitioner involvement and feedback. Researchers should also clearly articulate both problem relevance and the relevance of their findings.

Research limitations/implications

A lack of practical relevance is among the reasons for the rejection of papers by LSCM journals, but researchers can overcome this obstacle using these guidelines.

Practical implications

At a metalevel, this paper contributes to research with greater practical relevance.

Originality/value

Practical relevance is emphasized in the editorials of LSCM journals but has not yet been fully conceptualized from the authors' perspective.
Optimal path search and control of mobile robot using hybridized sine-cosine algorithm and ant colony optimization technique
Authors: Kumar Saroj , Parhi Dayal R. , Muni Manoj Kumar , Pandey Krishna Kant
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to incorporate a hybridized advanced sine-cosine algorithm (ASCA) and advanced ant colony optimization (AACO) technique for optimal path search with control over multiple mobile robots in static and dynamic unknown environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The controller for ASCA and AACO is designed and implemented through MATLAB simulation coupled with real-time experiments in various environments. Whenever the sensors detect obstacles, ASCA is applied to find their global best positions within the sensing range, following which AACO is activated to choose the next stand-point. This is how the robot travels to the specified target point.

Findings

Navigational analysis is carried out by implementing the technique developed here using single and multiple mobile robots. Its efficiency is authenticated through the comparison between simulation and experimental results. Further, the proposed technique is found to be more efficient when compared with existing methodologies. Significant improvements of about 10.21 per cent in path length are achieved along with better control over these.

Originality/value

Systematic presentation of the proposed technique attracts a wide readership among researchers where AI technique is the application criteria.
Passing on the legacy: exploring the dynamics of succession in family businesses in Pakistan
Authors: Chang Asma AbdulRahim , Mubarik Muhammad Shujaat , Naghavi Navaz
Published: April 2020

Purpose

By taking the theory of entrepreneurial legacy as the baseline, this study explores the various aspects of succession planning in indigenous family businesses especially the role of female family members in succession and conflicts in family businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is qualitative in nature and adopts narrative inquiry to explore the aspects of succession planning. In doing so, the study utilizes an in-depth interviewing technique with nine participants who run their family-owned firms which are mostly in their second or third generation for analysis.

Findings

The findings are concurrent with the literature that indicates a lack of strategic succession planning although ordinary or natural succession does occur in some firms. The study also reports a lack of consideration for female members in succession, daughters in particular, for traditional family firms (FFs) in contrast to entrepreneurial FFs.

Research limitations/implications

The study has many implications for family-owned firms in Pakistan as they need to align their family business with the theory of entrepreneurial legacy and its three strategic activities in order to ensure the longevity of their business.

Originality/value

Exploring how succession planning takes place in family indigenous family businesses and what is the role of female family members in succession and conflicts in family businesses are original contributions of this study.
Model of intention to behave in online product purchase for Muslim fashion in Pekanbaru, Indonesia
Authors: Rosmayani  , Mardhatillah Annisa
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of company brand image on consumer confidence in the online purchase of Muslim fashion products, to assess the influence of company brand image on Muslim fashion online behavior and to assess the influence of the company brand image on the intention to behave online on Muslim fashion products through consumer trust.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper’s objective is to study the e-marketing online sales of Muslim fashion products. This paper is descriptive verification in nature. The paper is carried out through data collection in the field. Descriptive survey methods and explanatory survey methods were used in its implementation. The sample of this paper is a group of 97 UIR FISIPOL students who have purchased Muslim fashion products online. Structural equation modeling is used as a natural analysis in this paper.

Findings

Brand image has a significant effect on consumer trust which has been proven by the value of t-count being greater than the value of t-table. Simultaneously, brand image and consumers’ trust have a significant effect on intention to behave which has been proven by the value of F-count being greater than the value of F-table. Simultaneously, brand image and consumers’ trust have a significant effect on intention to behave which has been proven by the t-count value being greater than the value of F-table. By using mediation test, it has been revealed that consumers’ trust cannot mediate the brand image on the intention to behave significantly. The magnitude of the influence of brand image on consumer trust is 0.482, the effect of consumer trust on intention to behave is 0.239, while the effect of brand image on intention to behave through consumer trust is 0.077. Hence, the total influence jointly is 0.797.

Originality/value

This is one of the few papers that investigate the model of behavioral intentional of online purchase of Muslim clothing products. Fashion products are important for teenagers because they like to present themselves through their appearance. Fashion products are fashion clothing, including all accessories such as belts, shoes, hat, bag, socks and underwear. Watches and cell phones can also be products that have their own mode; it is not surprising if some people consider them as fashion products.
Success for all: fostering early childhood STEM identity
Authors: Hachey Alyse C.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper discusses early childhood classrooms as powerful spaces for identity work and, more specifically, as a place (or not) for supporting early STEM identity development. It makes the case for educators and researchers alike to promote an expanded role of early childhood STEM education in the daily lives of young children.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a qualitative interpretive methodology, drawing from a wide array of research and theoretical literature from early childhood and STEM education and developmental psychology, as well as public policy.

Findings

Today, both research and interventions aimed at fixing the “leaking STEM pipeline” and theory/research on STEM identity development focus on children in middle school and above. Yet, children's attitudes about STEM and about themselves as STEM learners are formed early, and identity work is a task of early childhood. This suggests a need to focus on young children's engagement with STEM education as a means of nurturing their early STEM identity development.

Originality/value

This paper synthesizes previous research to outline the need for expanding STEM education in early public schooling. It proposes a conceptualization of early STEM academic identity development (based on the premise that middle school is too late to fix the leaking STEM pipeline).
STEAM education: student learning and transferable skills
Authors: Bertrand Marja G. , Namukasa Immaculate K.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Globally, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary learning in schools has become an increasingly popular and growing area of interest for educational reform. This prompts discussions about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), which is shifting educational paradigms toward art integration in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Authentic tasks (i.e. real-world problems) address complex or multistep questions and offer opportunities to integrate disciplines across science and arts, such as in STEAM. The main purpose of this study is to better understand the STEAM instructional programs and student learning offered by nonprofit organizations and by publicly funded schools in Ontario, Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

This study addresses the following research question: what interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary skills do students learn through different models of STEAM education in nonprofit and in-school contexts? We carried out a qualitative case study in which we conducted interviews, observations and data analysis of curriculum documents. A total of 103 participants (19 adults – director and instructors/teachers – and 84 students) participated in the study. The four STEAM programs comparatively taught both discipline specific and beyond discipline character-building skills. The skills taught included: critical thinking and problem solving; collaboration and communication; and creativity and innovation.

Findings

The main findings on student learning focused on students developing perseverance and adaptability, and them learning transferable skills.

Originality/value

In contrast to other research on STEAM, this study identifies both the enablers and the tensions. Also, we stress ongoing engagement with stakeholders (focus group), which has the potential to impact change in teaching and teacher development, as well as in related policies.
International comparison of K-12 STEM teaching practices
Authors: Tawbush Rachael L. , Stanley Sabrina D. , Campbell Tye G. , Webb Melissa A.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study analyzed articles from India, Italy and Singapore regarding how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education is conceptualized in the K-12 setting. The research questions that guided our study were as follows: (1) How is K-12 STEM education conceptualized in literature in other countries? (2) Which STEM subject areas are more documented in K-12 STEM literature? (3) How are K-12 STEM teaching practices implemented?

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized a systematic literature review methodology by (1) creating search terms based on the research questions, (2) choosing databases in which to conduct the search, (3) conducting the search and gathering articles and (4) selecting articles based on inclusion criteria. We chose search terms according to three domains relevant to our study as follows: countries of interest, content of interest and teaching practices. Articles researched were (1) an empirical journal article or literature review; (2) primarily focused on the concept of K-12 STEM teaching practices in one of the countries of interest and (3) written in English.

Findings

Findings from the study revealed few articles addressed a conceptualization of STEM; however, the majority of articles agreed upon the importance of STEM teaching methods in the K-12 classroom setting. Science was documented as the top documented area in K-12 STEM literature for India and Italy, whereas technology and mathematics were the top documented areas in Singapore. Comparing K-12 STEM teaching practices, Italy and Singapore were found to focus more on student-centered STEM teaching practices whereas schools in India mostly utilized student-centered teaching approaches.

Research limitations/implications

The parameters of the systematic literature review, such as key terms used in the search and limited scope of countries investigated, were identified as limitations of the study. By expanding search parameters to include other countries or search terms, STEM education can be viewed on a more global scale.

Practical implications

This study will improve the global perspective of STEM education practices.

Originality/value

This study is unique in that it compared the conceptualization and K-12 STEM teaching practices implemented in India, Italy and Singapore.
Impact of AI and robotics in the tourism sector: a critical insight
Authors: Samala Nagaraj , Katkam Bharath Shashanka , Bellamkonda Raja Shekhar , Rodriguez Raul Villamarin
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the present article is to highlight the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics in the tourism industry. The various technologies being integrated to improve the service and customer experience in tourism. The expected changes and challenges in tourism in the future are focused in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic study on the emerging technologies of AI and Robotics applied in the tourism sector is presented in the form of a viewpoint.

Findings

AI certainly enhances tourism experiential services however cannot surpass the human touch which is an essential determinant of experiential tourism. AI acts as an effective complementary dimension to the future of tourism. With the emergence of artificial travel intelligence, it is simpler to make travel arrangements. AI offers travel services that are automated, customized and insightful. AI allows travelers to learn about their behaviors, interests to inclinations and provide a personalized experience. Gone are the days to consult a travel agent, meet him physically and indulge in an endless chain of troubling phone calls to inquire about travel arrangements.

Practical implications

Tourism marketing to see a positive and improved change that will enhance the tourists’ overall experience due to the application of AI and Robotics. New emerging technologies like chatbots, virtual reality, language translators, etc. can be effectively applied in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality industry.

Originality/value

The present viewpoint discusses the application and role of AI and Robotics with the help of relevant industry examples and theory. The present paper highlights the different technologies being used and will be used in the future.