bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a mini-replicon-based reverse-genetics system for rice stripe tenuivirus
Authors: Feng Mingfeng , Li Luyao , Cheng Ruixiang , Yuan Yulong , Dong Yongxin , Chen Minglong , Guo Rong , Yao Min , Xu Yi , Zhou Yijun , Wu Jianxiang , Ding Xin Shun , Zhou Xueping , Tao Xiaorong
Published: April 2021

Negative-stranded RNA (NSR) viruses include both animal- and plant-infecting viruses that often cause serious diseases in human and livestock, and in agronomic crops. Rice stripe tenuivirus (RSV), a plant NSR virus with four negative-stranded/ambisense RNA segments, is one of the most destructive rice pathogens in many Asian countries. Due to the lack of a reliable reverse-genetics technology, molecular studies of RSV gene functions and its interaction with host plants are severely hampered. To overcome this obstacle, we developed a mini-replicon-based reverse-genetics system for RSV gene functional analysis inNicotiana benthamiana. We first developed a mini-replicon system expressing RSV genomic RNA3 eGFP reporter (MR3(-)eGFP), a nucleocapsid (NP), and a codon usage optimized RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRpopt), respectively. Using this mini-replicon system we determined that RSV NP and RdRpoptare indispensable for the eGFP expression from MR3(-)eGFP. The expression of eGFP from MR3(-)eGFPcan be significantly enhanced in the presence of NSs and P19-HcPro-γb. In addition, NSvc4, the movement protein of RSV, facilitated eGFP trafficking between cells. We also developed an antigenomic RNA3-based replicon inN. benthamiana.However, we found that the RSVNS3coding sequence acts as acis-element to regulate viral RNA expression. Finally, we made mini-replicons representing all four RSV genomic RNAs. This is the first mini-replicon-based reverse-genetics system for monocot-infecting tenuivirus. We believe that this mini-replicon system described here will allow the studies of RSV replication, transcription, cell-to-cell movement and host machinery underpinning RSV infection in plants.

IMPORTANCE

Plant-infecting segmented negative-stranded RNA (NSR) viruses are grouped into 3 genera:Orthotospovirus, TenuivirusandEmaravirus. The reverse-genetics systems have been established for members in the generaOrthotospovirusandEmaravirus, respectively. However, there is still no reverse-genetics system available forTenuivirus. Rice stripe virus (RSV) is a monocot-infecting tenuivirus with four negative-stranded/ambisense RNA segments. It is one of the most destructive rice pathogens and causes significant damages to rice industry in Asian countries. Due to the lack of a reliable reverse-genetics system, molecular characterizations of RSV gene functions and the host machinery underpinning RSV infection in plants are extremely difficult. To overcome this obstacle, we developed a mini-replicon-based reverse-genetics system for RSV inNicotiana benthamiana. This is the first mini-replicon-based reverse-genetics system for tenuivirus. We consider that this system will provide researchers a new working platform to elucidate the molecular mechanisms dictating segmented tenuivirus infections in plant.
What is the role of the environment in the emergence of novel antibiotic resistance genes? – A modelling approach
Authors: Bengtsson-Palme Johan , Jonsson Viktor , Heß Stefanie
Published: April 2021

It is generally accepted that intervention strategies to curb antibiotic resistance cannot solely focus on human and veterinary medicine but must also consider environmental settings. While the environment clearly has a role in the transmission of resistant bacteria, it is less clear what role it plays in the emergence of novel types of resistance. It has been suggested that the environment constitutes an enormous recruitment ground for resistance genes to pathogens, but the extent to which this actually happens is unknown. In this study, we built a model framework for resistance emergence and used the available quantitative data on the relevant processes to identify the steps which are limiting the appearance of antibiotic resistance determinants in human or animal pathogens. We also assessed the effect of uncertainty in the available data on the model results. We found that in a majority of scenarios, the environment would only play a minor role in the emergence of novel resistance genes. However, the uncertainty around this role is enormous, highlighting an urgent need of more quantitative data to understand the role of the environment in antibiotic resistance development. Specifically, more data is most needed on the fitness costs of antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) carriage, the degree of dispersal of resistant bacteria from the environment to humans, but also the rates of mobilization and horizontal transfer of ARGs. Quantitative data on these processes is instrumental to determine which processes that should be targeted for interventions to curb development and transmission of resistance.
An aging clock using metabolomic CSF
Authors: Hwangbo Nathan , Zhang Xinyu , Raftery Daniel , Gu Haiwei , Hu Shu-Ching , Montine Thomas J. , Quinn Joseph F. , Chung Kathryn A. , Hiller Amie L. , Wang Dongfang , Fei Qiang , Bettcher Lisa , Zabetian Cyrus P. , Peskind Elaine , Li Gail , Promislow Daniel E.L. , Franks Alexander
Published: April 2021

Quantifying the physiology of aging is essential for improving our understanding of age-related disease and the heterogeneity of healthy aging. Recent studies have shown that in regression models using “-omic” platforms to predict chronological age, residual variation in predicted age is correlated with health outcomes, and suggest that these “omic clocks” provide measures of biological age. This paper presents predictive models for age using metabolomic profiles of cerebrospinal fluid from healthy human subjects, and finds that metabolite and lipid data are generally able to predict chronological age within 10 years. We use these models to predict the age of a cohort of subjects with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and find an increase in prediction error, potentially indicating that the relationship between the metabolome and chronological age differs with these diseases. In our analysis of control subjects, we find the carnitine shuttle, sucrose, biopterin, vitamin E metabolism, tryptophan, and tyrosine to be the most associated with age. We showcase the potential usefulness of age prediction models in a small dataset (n = 85), and discuss techniques for drift correction, missing data imputation, and regularized regression which can be used to help mitigate the statistical challenges that commonly arise in this setting. To our knowledge, this work presents the first multivariate predictive metabolomic and lipidomic models for age using mass spectrometry analysis of cerebrospinal fluid.
Carbon catabolite repression in pectin digestion by phytopathogenDickeya dadantii
Authors: Martis B. Shiny , Droux Michel , Nasser William , Reverchon Sylvie , Meyer Sam
Published: April 2021

The catabolism of pectin from the plant cell walls plays a crucial role in the virulence of the phytopathogenDickeya dadantii. In particular, the timely expression ofpelgenes encoding major pectate lyases is essential to circumvent the plant defense systems and induce a massive pectinolytic activity during the maceration phase. While previous studies identified the role of a positive feedback loop specific to the pectin degradation pathway, here we show that thepelexpression pattern is controlled by a metabolic switch between glucose and pectin. We develop a dynamical and quantitative regulatory model of this process integrating the two main regulators CRP and KdgR related to these two sources of carbon, and reproducing the concentration profiles of the associated metabolites, cAMP and KDG respectively, quantified using a new HPLC method. The model involves only 5 adjustable parameters, and recapitulates the dynamics of these metabolic pathways during bacterial growth together with the regulatory events occurring at the promoters of two majorpelgenes,pelEandpelD. It highlights their activity as an instance of carbon catabolite repression occurring at the transcriptional regulatory level, and directly related to the virulence ofD. dadantii. The model also shows that quantitative differences in the binding properties of common regulators at these two promoters resulted in a qualitative different role ofpelDandpelEin the metabolic switch, and also likely in conditions of infection, explaining their evolutionary conservation as separate genes in this species.
Preparation of “stress-free” concanavalin A-conjugated Dynabeads® magnetic beads for CUT&Tag
Authors: Fujiwara Yasuhiro , Tanno Yuji , Sugishita Hiroki , Kishi Yusuke , Makino Yoshinori , Okada Yuki
Published: April 2021

Epigenome research has employed various methods to identify genomic location of proteins of interest, such as transcription factors and histone modifications. A recently established method called CUT&Tag uses a Protein-A Tn5 transposase fusion protein, which cuts the genome and inserts adapter sequences nearby the target protein. Throughout most of the CUT&Tag procedure, cells are held on concanavalin A (con A)-conjugated magnetic beads. Proper holding of cells would be decisive for the accessibility of Tn5 to the chromatin, and efficacy of the procedure of washing cells. However, BioMag®Plus ConA magnetic beads, used in the original CUT&Tag protocol, often exhibit poor suspendability and severe aggregation. Here, we compared the BioMag beads and Dynabeads® magnetic particles of which conjugation of con A was done by our hands, and examined the performance of these magnetic beads in CUT&Tag. Among tested, one of the Dynabeads, MyOne-T1, kept excessive suspendability in a buffer even after overnight incubation. Furthermore, the MyOne-T1 beads notably improved the sensitivity in CUT&Tag assay for H3K4me3. In conclusion, the arrangement and the selection of MyOne-T1 refine the suspendability of beads, which improves the association of chromatin with Tn5, which enhances the sensitivity in CUT&Tag assay.
Rational Selection of PCR Primer/Probe Design Sites for SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Rana Divya RSJB , Pokhrel Nischal , Dulal Santosh
Published: April 2021

Various reports of decreased analytical sensitivities of real-time PCR-based detection of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been associated with occurrence of mutations in the target area of primer/probe binding. Knowledge about propensities of different genes to undergo mutation can inform researchers to select optimal genes to target for the qPCR design. We analyzed supplementary data from over 45 thousand SARS-CoV-2 genomes provided by Mercatelli et al to calculate the unique and prevalent mutations in different genes of SARS-CoV-2. We found that non-structural proteins in the ORF1ab region were more conserved compared to structural genes. Further factors which need to be relied upon for proper selection of genes for qPCR design are discussed.
Ensuring scientific reproducibility in bio-macromolecular modeling via extensive, automated benchmarks
Authors: Koehler Leman Julia , Lyskov Sergey , Lewis Steven , Adolf-Bryfogle Jared , Alford Rebecca F. , Barlow Kyle , Ben-Aharon Ziv , Farrell Daniel , Fell Jason , Hansen William A. , Harmalkar Ameya , Jeliazkov Jeliazko , Kuenze Georg , Krys Justyna D. , Ljubetič Ajasja , Loshbaugh Amanda L. , Maguire Jack , Moretti Rocco , Mulligan Vikram Khipple , Nguyen Phuong T. , Ó Conchúir Shane , Roy Burman Shourya S. , Smith Shannon T. , Teets Frank , Tiemann Johanna KS , Watkins Andrew , Woods Hope , Yachnin Brahm J. , Bahl Christopher D. , Bailey-Kellogg Chris , Baker David , Das Rhiju , DiMaio Frank , Khare Sagar D. , Kortemme Tanja , Labonte Jason W. , Lindorff-Larsen Kresten , Meiler Jens , Schief William , Schueler-Furman Ora , Siegel Justin , Stein Amelie , Yarov-Yarovoy Vladimir , Kuhlman Brian , Leaver-Fay Andrew , Gront Dominik , Gray Jeffrey J. , Bonneau Richard
Published: April 2021

Each year vast international resources are wasted on irreproducible research. The scientific community has been slow to adopt standard software engineering practices, despite the increases in high-dimensional data, complexities of workflows, and computational environments. Here we show how scientific software applications can be created in a reproducible manner when simple design goals for reproducibility are met. We describe the implementation of a test server framework and 40 scientific benchmarks, covering numerous applications in Rosetta bio-macromolecular modeling. High performance computing cluster integration allows these benchmarks to run continuously and automatically. Detailed protocol captures are useful for developers and users of Rosetta and other macromolecular modeling tools. The framework and design concepts presented here are valuable for developers and users of any type of scientific software and for the scientific community to create reproducible methods. Specific examples highlight the utility of this framework and the comprehensive documentation illustrates the ease of adding new tests in a matter of hours.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts actively compress cancer cells and modulate mechanotransduction
Authors: Barbazan Jorge , Pérez-González Carlos , Gómez-González Manuel , Dedenon Mathieu , Richon Sophie , Latorre Ernest , Serra Marco , Mariani Pascale , Descroix Stéphanie , Sens Pierre , Trepat Xavier , Vignjevic Danijela Matic
Published: April 2021

During tumor progression, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) accumulate in tumors and produce excessive extracellular matrix (ECM), forming a capsule that enwraps cancer cells. This capsule is a barrier that restricts tumor growth leading to the buildup of intratumoral pressure. Combining genetic and physical manipulationsin vivowith microfabrication and force measurementsin vitro, we found that the CAFs capsule is not a passive barrier but instead actively compresses cancer cells using actomyosin contractility. Cancer cells mechanosense CAF compression, resulting in an altered localization of the transcriptional regulator YAP. Abrogation of CAFs contractilityin vivoleads to the dissipation of compressive forces and impairment of capsule formation. By mapping CAF force patterns in 3D, we show that compression is a CAF-intrinsic property independent of cancer cell growth. Supracellular coordination of CAFs is achieved through fibronectin cables that serve as scaffolds allowing force transmission. Our study unveils that the contractile capsule actively compresses cancer cells, modulates their mechanical signaling, and reorganizes tumor morphology.
Engaging citizens in sustainability research: comparing survey recruitment and responses between Facebook, Twitter and qualtrics
Authors: Bridge Gemma , Armstrong Beth , Reynolds Christian , Wang Changqiong , Schmidt Ximena , Kause Astrid , Ffoulkes Charles , Krawczyk Coleman , Miller Grant , Serjeant Stephen , Oakden Libby
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The study aims to compare survey recruitment rates between Facebook, Twitter and Qualtrics and to assess the impact of recruitment method on estimates of energy content, food safety, carbon footprint and animal welfare across 29 foods.

Design/methodology/approach

Two versions of an online survey were developed on the citizen science platform, Zooniverse. The surveys explored citizen estimations of energy density (kcal) or carbon footprint (Co2) and food safety or animal welfare of 29 commonly eaten foods. Survey recruitment was conducted via paid promotions on Twitter and Facebook and via paid respondent invites on Qualtrics. The study included approximately 500 participants (Facebook, N˜11 (ratings 358), Twitter, N˜85 (ratings 2,184), Qualtrics, N = 398 (ratings 11,910)). Kruskal–Wallis and Chi-square analyses compared citizen estimations with validated values and assessed the impact of the variables on estimations.

Findings

Citizens were unable to accurately estimate carbon footprint and energy content, with most citizens overestimating values. Citizen estimates were most accurate for meat products. Qualtrics was the most successful recruitment method for the online survey. Citizen estimates between platforms were significantly different, suggesting that Facebook and Twitter may not be suitable recruitment methods for citizen online surveys.

Practical implications

Qualtrics was the favourable platform for survey recruitment. However, estimates across all recruitment platforms were poor. As paid recruitment methods such as Qualtrics are costly, the authors recommend continued examination of the social media environment to develop appropriate, affordable and timely online recruitment strategies for citizen science.

Originality/value

The findings indicate that citizens are unable to accurately estimate the carbon footprint and energy content of foods suggesting a focus on consumer education is needed to enable consumers to move towards more sustainable and healthy diets. Essential if we are to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals of zero hunger, good health and wellbeing and responsible consumption and production. The study highlights the utility of Zooniverse for assessing citizen estimates of carbon footprint, energy content, animal welfare and safety of foods.
Does organisational politics affect leaders’ ability to engage Ghanaian Bankers?
Authors: Dartey-Baah Kwasi , Agbozo Rexford Kojo
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of transformational and transactional leadership styles on employees’ work engagement and the moderating effects of perceived organisational politics (POPS) in indigenous Ghanaian Banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a cross-sectional survey design and a quantitative approach to gather data from 430 respondents through the use of structured questionnaire. The covariance-based structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data with the aid of statistical package for social sciences and AMOS.

Findings

The analyses revealed that transformational leaders had a positive influence on employee engagement while transactional leadership did not have a significant influence on employee engagement. POPS also had no influence on employee engagement. Furthermore, POPS failed to moderate the relationship between leadership styles and employee engagement.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide important practical implications for managers and policymakers in the banking sector of Ghana in engendering good leadership and political environments that will promote the engagement of employees.

Originality/value

The variables used in this study and the context, present interesting and fresh insights into the interplay between leadership styles, POPS and employee engagement, thereby contributing to the discourse on the leadership and human resource management literature. Furthermore, this study fills a gap in literature and challenges prior conceptions that negative political climates within the public and private banks is chiefly responsible for the recent troubles some banks have faced in Ghana’s banking sector.
Evaluating disaster-related tweet credibility using content-based and user-based features
Authors: Assery Nasser , Xiaohong Yuan (Dorothy) , Xiuli Qu , Kaushik Roy , Almalki Sultan
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study aims to propose an unsupervised learning model to evaluate the credibility of disaster-related Twitter data and present a performance comparison with commonly used supervised machine learning models.

Design/methodology/approach

First historical tweets on two recent hurricane events are collected via Twitter API. Then a credibility scoring system is implemented in which the tweet features are analyzed to give a credibility score and credibility label to the tweet. After that, supervised machine learning classification is implemented using various classification algorithms and their performances are compared.

Findings

The proposed unsupervised learning model could enhance the emergency response by providing a fast way to determine the credibility of disaster-related tweets. Additionally, the comparison of the supervised classification models reveals that the Random Forest classifier performs significantly better than the SVM and Logistic Regression classifiers in classifying the credibility of disaster-related tweets.

Originality/value

In this paper, an unsupervised 10-point scoring model is proposed to evaluate the tweets’ credibility based on the user-based and content-based features. This technique could be used to evaluate the credibility of disaster-related tweets on future hurricanes and would have the potential to enhance emergency response during critical events. The comparative study of different supervised learning methods has revealed effective supervised learning methods for evaluating the credibility of Tweeter data.
Peer effects in the valuation and practices of food safety: findings from the study of dairy consumers in India
Authors: Chandra Raj , Munasib Abdul , Roy Devesh , Sonkar Vinay K.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Information is often available to consumers through their social networks. Focusing on dairy consumers in India, this paper aims to present evidence of peer effects in consumers’ attitudes towards various food safety attributes and food safety practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Unobserved individual heterogeneities are crucial confounders in the identification of social (endogenous) effects. The identification is based on exploiting within-consumer variation across different aspects of attitude (or practices) related to food safety.

Findings

This paper uses a novel identification strategy that allows for average effects across attributes and practices to be estimated. Using the strategy, though this paper cannot estimate endogenous effects in each attribute or practice, this paper is able to identify such effects averaged over attributes or practices.

Research limitations/implications

Cross-sectional study, caste affiliation is not defined at the right level of granularity.

Practical implications

The results suggest that information campaigns aimed at creating awareness about food safety can have social multiplier effects, and this also translates into changes in the practices followed to mitigate food safety risks.

Social implications

In health-related awareness and practices, there are well-established cases of multiplier effects. The most significant example of this is the Pulse Polio campaign in India, where an awareness drives through social multiplier effects had such a significant impact that in 2012 India was declared polio-free. Perhaps, a similar campaign in matters related to food safety could be very fruitful.

Originality/value

The methodology and the issue are unique. Little exists in assessing social networks in the context of food safety.
Defect characterisations in the Malaysian affordable housing
Authors: Olanrewaju AbdulLateef , Tan Yien Yen , Soh See Ning
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The successive Malaysian government aims to provide housing to households earning the median income and below. However, there has been continuous criticism and complaints from the media and literature on the magnitude of the defects in affordable housing. Therefore, this research has investigated the defects in affordable housing for the users’/occupants' perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

With a response rate of 69%, the research developed a questionnaire instrument that included twenty-one defects in buildings based on literature and observation. These were scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from very common to least common. Twelve causes of defects measured on a five-point scale were included in the survey. Thirteen additional items that had to do with remedial actions to reduce defects were included. These were scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to least agree. The survey forms were administered to all the 152 home occupants in aProgram Perumahan Rakyat(PPR) housing estate through hand delivery in a northern state in Malaysia.

Findings

The data revealed that broken doors, damaged roofs, damp walls and broken tiles in rooms were the most common defects in the housing development. It was found that defects in the buildings were caused by poor workmanship, defective materials, poor designs and bad weather. Additionally, to rectify the defects, adequate supervision is required during maintenance, the repairs must be conducted on time and there is a need to have competent maintenance organisations. Through factor analysis, the 21 defects were structured into six factors, the 12 causes were grouped into 5 factors and the 13 remedial actions were grouped into 6 factors.

Practical implications

The information on the nature, degree and kinds of defects from the users' perspectives will dictate when repair work is to be undertaken and allow future work to be programmed and financed as part of a maintenance rolling programme.

Originality/value

This research focused specifically on “Program Perumahan Rakyat” housing development. Furthermore, none of the previous research on defects conducted attempted to categorise the defects in the buildings. The categorisation is very important for systemic decision-making because there are continuous interactions amongst the defects, causes and remedial actions.
Customer online reviews and hospitality employees’ helping behavior: moderating roles of self-efficacy and moral identity
Authors: Hwang YooHee , Wang Xingyu , Pașamehmetoġlu Aysin
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Online reviews are perceived as credible and trustworthy across various business sectors; thus, they influence customers’ purchase decisions. However, the potential role of customer online reviews as feedback for employee performance and employee reactions to customer reviews remain largely unclear. To address this knowledge gap, this study proposes that employee characteristics, namely, self-efficacy (Study 1) and moral identity (Study 2), moderate the effect of the valence of customer reviews on hospitality employees’ helping behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a scenario-based, quasi-experimental design in two studies. They recruited a total of 215 frontline employees at independent casual dining restaurants in Istanbul, Turkey (Study 1) and 226 US residents who have worked in the restaurant industry for more than six months (Study 2). Multiple linear regressions via PROCESS and moderation analysis via Johnson–Neyman technique were used.

Findings

Study 1 demonstrates that when employees’ self-efficacy is low, positive (vs negative) customer reviews enhance employees’ helping behavior. By contrast, when employees’ self-efficacy is high, their helping behavior is invariantly high regardless of the valence of customer reviews. Study 2 reveals that when employees’ moral identity is low, their helping behavior decreases in the presence of negative (vs positive) customer reviews. Conversely, when employees’ moral identity is high, their helping behavior is similarly high regardless of the valence of customer reviews.

Practical implications

Hospitality managers may need to develop training programs to enhance their employees’ self-efficacy and moral identity. They may also provide necessary organizational support to induce their employees’ self-efficacy and moral identity, given that such psychological resources help buffer the dampening effect of negative reviews on helping behavior. Last, hospitality managers may consider incorporating customer reviews as part of employee performance feedback.

Originality/value

This study advances the understanding of employees’ responses to customer reviews, with the performance appraisal feedback framework as fresh theoretical lens. This study is among the first to demonstrate the relationship between the valence of customer reviews and subsequent helping behavior of employees toward customers. It also contributes to the emerging literature that identifies boundary conditions for employees’ responses to customer reviews.
A framework of customer experience management for hotel industry
Authors: Rahimian Samaneh , ShamiZanjani Mehdi , Manian Amir , Esfidani Mohammad Rahim
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Creating an extraordinary and memorable customer experience is the goal of every company seeking to be a market leader. This amplifies the need for customer experience management (CEM), particularly in customer-centric industries. Despite the indispensable importance of CEM, studies conducted within this area have been scattered and no agreement has been reached upon its stages. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the main stages and steps for effective and efficient CEM in the hotel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the variety of approaches in the literature and also the need to explain CEM stages in the hotel industry, a systematic literature review (SLR) has been picked as the first research methodology. It entailed a systematic review of 116 academic and professional studies. Then, the framework was completed by interviewing 19 experts.

Findings

With SLR and complementary interviews, this study obtains a four-stage framework for CEM in the hotel industry, each comprising necessary steps. These four stages are customer identification, customer experience design, customer experience implementation and customer experience measurement, which are all executed through organizational factors such as culture, structure, leadership, human resources and technology.

Research limitations/implications

This study identifies CEM stages in the hotel industry via SLR and interviews. Due to dispersion in customer experience studies, the need for research on CEM in another service- and customer-based industries is apparent.

Practical implications

The suggested framework can help hotel managers enhance the management of their customers’ experience and deliver a superior and memorable experience.

Originality/value

The current study aims to add value to the literature by presenting a framework of CEM in the hotel industry. Through a systematic literature review and interviewing experts, a framework of CEM stages and steps was identified. The proposed framework allows for improving future CEM studies.
A fuzzy maturity-based method for lean supply chain management assessment
Authors: Soares Gabriela Pereira , Tortorella Guilherme , Bouzon Marina , Tavana Madjid
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study aims to propose a method for measuring lean supply chain management (LSCM) maturity based on the main lean practices and existing waste of a supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-stage approach was developed. First, a thorough literature review was performed to raise concepts and previous findings on maturity models (MMs) and LSCM. This review’s outcomes were then validated by experts in the field using the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM). Subsequently, the proposed model was illustrated and assessed based on a multi-case study.

Findings

All companies attained high outcomes in the elimination of the waste pillar. The pillars of logistics management, continuous improvement and information technology management also stood out in the three organizations’ results. The company with the lowest maturity level operates in a make-to-order production policy, which may harm the lean supply in its supply chain.

Practical implications

The proposed model can reveal external opportunities and threats and internal strengths and weaknesses in supply chains (SCs). It is also capable of providing a clear roadmap for SC improvement in companies.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study to date has proposed a MM in the LSCM context using FDM and considering the crucial relationship between lean practices and wastes.
Economic policy uncertainty and stock liquidity: the role of board networks in an emerging market
Authors: Mbanyele William
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of board networks in promoting stock liquidity when there is high economic policy uncertainty using a sample of Brazilian firms from 2002 to 2015.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs the ordinary least squares estimation method with standard errors clustered at the firm level for preliminary analysis, besides the study employs the two-step GMM dynamic estimation method to deal with potential endogeneity issues.

Findings

First, the findings show that economic policy uncertainty disproportionately contributes to stock illiquidity and the impact is mainly prominent for high risky companies, small firms and firms in competitive industries. Second, the author provides evidence that board networks promote stock liquidity more via the information channel when economic policy uncertainty is very high.

Practical implications

Given the adverse effects of economic policy uncertainty on stock liquidity, governments need to swiftly communicate and implement policies that affect the capital market to avoid the drying up of liquidity, which is exacerbated by communication or implementation lags. Also, there is a need for the regulators to continuously encourage the inclusion of independent directors in boards, which helps to increase board monitoring capacity and the firms' ability to respond to changes in the external environment.

Originality/value

Unlike other studies that focus on the adverse effects of economic policy uncertainty on firm outcomes, the novel contribution is that the author uncovers the role of board networks in mitigating the negative effects of economic policy uncertainty on stock liquidity.
The “double punishment” of transgender prisoners: a human rights-based commentary on placement and conditions of detention
Authors: Van Hout Marie-Claire , Crowley Des
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The incarceration of transgender people is described as a “double punishment” based on lack of gender recognition and ability to gender affirm, and with their experiences and conditions in prison tantamount to torture. The purpose of this study is to illustrate the continued “double punishment” of incarcerated transgender people (in particular trans-women) and identify and describe breaches in human and gender rights and minimum standards of care.

Design/methodology/approach

There is limited global data on the numbers of incarcerated transgender people, an identified vulnerable prison group. There are inherent difficulties for prison authorities regarding placement, security aspects and management of transgender persons. While the concerns apply to all transgender prisoners, the current literature focusses mainly on transgender women and this commentary reflects this present bias. A socio-legal approach describes and evaluates international human rights’ conventions and human rights’ law, soft law instruments mandating non-discriminatory provisions in the prison setting and relevant European and domestic case law.

Findings

Transgender prisoners experience an amplification of trauma underpinned by lack of legal gender recognition, inability to gender-affirm, discrimination, transphobia, gender maltreatment and violence by other prisoners and prison staff. Despite obligations and recommendations in international human rights’ instruments and standard operating procedures at the prison level, very few countries are able to fully uphold the human rights of and meet the needs of transgender people in prison.

Originality/value

This study is important as it highlights the dearth of knowledge exploring human rights discourses and concerns related to the phenomenon of incarcerated transgender persons. It uniquely focusses on European and domestic law and illustrates the inherent tensions between human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity rights and security considerations regarding transgender issues in prisons. Rights assurances centre on the principles of equality, dignity, freedom of expression, dignified detention and the prohibition of inhumane treatment or punishment.
Flipped Classroom model before and during COVID-19: using technology to develop 21st century skills
Authors: Latorre-Cosculluela Cecilia , Suárez Cristina , Quiroga Sonia , Sobradiel-Sierra Natalia , Lozano-Blasco Raquel , Rodríguez-Martínez Ana
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The confidence placed in the use of technology and other computing resources is an important support for the deep transformation toward processes of very high quality teaching-learning based on active learning. This paper aims to present and describe a higher education experience with Flipped Learning before and during the transformation of education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the study analyzes the effectiveness perceived by university students of Flipped Learning for the development of competencies for the 21st century.

Design/methodology/approach

For this study, a quantitative methodology is used in which 376 university students fill out a questionnaire after experiencing several sessions with an inverted classroom under both onsite and online instructions.

Findings

On average, the results show a high agreement among students on the benefits or effectiveness that learning designs with Flipped Classroom have on the development of skills that will be useful for their personal and professional future. These competencies include character building, collaboration, communication, citizenship, critical thinking and creativity. At the same time, and depending on some control variables such as the modality of teaching (onsite or online), the course, the predisposition to innovate or previous experience with innovation, significant differences are also observed.

Originality/value

Education and learning have the need to respond to the different educational and training needs for the future. In this sense, the Flipped Classroom methodology allows the development of skills for the 21st century. In turn, this approach also makes it possible to approach blended learning. Experiences such as the one described in this study will characterize the future of education.
Grounded theory in management research: through the lens of gender-based pay disparity
Authors: Goyal Pulin , Bhattacharya Sanjay , Gandhi Aradhana
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to apply grounded theory in management research in the context of gender-based pay disparity and showcase the applicability of the method in deriving a new theory toward describing the factors responsible for the slow career advancement of women compared to men across various employment sectors. This study is focused mainly in the northern part of India.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted across participants chosen by purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews after taking informed consent with an inclusion criterion of some years of work experience. Grounded theory method was used to analyze the data found through qualitative research.

Findings

Through the grounded theory research method, an in-depth understanding of factors responsible for pay disparity as faced by women at work has emerged. Also, factors responsible for the slow career advancement of women employees viz. social construct of gender, workplace representation of gender, perceptions/perspectives of managers regarding genders, lack of multi-step affirmative actions have also emerged from the data.

Practical implications

Greater understanding has been gained toward the applicability of grounded theory as a method for expounding various aspects of management and theorizing them.

Originality/value

This particular work showcases the intent and applicability of the grounded theory research method in management research by studying gender-based pay disparity. Through this method, barriers faced by women in pay parity across various employment sectors in the northern part of India were ascertained, leading to the emergence of various probable solutions as well.
Helping the people innovation leaves behind: the potential benefits of entrepreneurship
Authors: Baron Robert Alan
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the human costs of innovation – the personal difficulties, aside from economic ones, experienced by persons whose jobs are permanently eliminated by innovations.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual analysis of the negative personal effects (i.e. intra-individual) resulting from job loss due to innovation was used. These include reduced self-esteem, hope for the future, increased stress and increased and disturbing cognitive inconsistencies.

Findings

Proposals are developed concerning the harmful effects experienced by whose jobs are made unnecessary by innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The paper, being conceptual, does not involve empirical research; rather it offers suggestions for future research.

Practical implications

Attention is called to the potential “downside” of innovation in terms of the persons whose jobs it renders superfluous. Reasons why entrepreneurship may be especially attractive to these persons are reviewed.

Social implications

Innovation generates many economic benefits but also makes many jobs unnecessary. As a resut, a growing number of persons lose jobs they can never hope to regain. These personal costs adversely affect both their psychological and physical well-being. Further, job loss due to innovation can add to income inequality and so be a source of conflict in society. Efforts to reduce these problems are essential for the continued well-being of both individuals and the societies in which they live.

Originality/value

Past research concerning innovation has focused primarily on its economic effects. This paper extends this research by examining innovations' potentially harmful effects on persons it makes unemployed.
Systemic risk and firm size: is notional amount a good metric?
Authors: Reiffen David , Tuckman Bruce
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Many recently enacted financial regulations exempt smaller entities. While the literature on systemic risk provides efficiency justifications for certain exemptions, the efficiency rationale depends on measuring size appropriately. This paper aims to argue that notional amount, the metric used in derivatives regulations, is a flawed measure of an entity’s contribution to systemic risk. This study discusses an alternative size measure – entity-netted notionals or ENNs – which better reflects risk exposure as discussed in that literature and provides empirical evidence on these two metrics.

Design/methodology/approach

This study first discusses the relationship between the systemic risk literature and size-based exemptions. This study then describes the current metric and our risk-based alternative. Finally, this paper presents regulatory data on US interest rate swaps (IRS) and uses this to characterize some features of risk exposure.

Findings

The unique data set provides empirical insight into how well the size metric used in current regulations corresponds to a more theoretically oriented measure. This study finds the relationship between the metrics is fairly weak for entities for whom the size-based exemption will soon be ending, and provide an empirical basis for understanding why they differ. This study also provides evidence on the correlation of risk within this group of entities.

Practical implications

The paper has important implications for regulation of derivatives and financial markets more generally. To the extent exemptions for small entities make good policy, having the appropriate metric is critical. As such, the metric could be a valuable tool for regulators.

Originality/value

This paper examines the likely objectives of size-based exemptions from financial regulations and relates them to the systemic risk literature. It provides a unique empirical description of IRS positions, which allows us to examine the relationship between the metric used by regulators and our alternative.
Factors influencing the delivery of cancer pathways: a summary of the literature
Authors: Brice Syaribah Noor , Harper Paul , Crosby Tom , Gartner Daniel , Arruda Edilson , England Tracey , Aspland Emma , Foley Kieran
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The study aims to summarise the literature on cancer care pathways at the diagnostic and treatment phases. The objectives are to find factors influencing the delivery of cancer care pathways; to highlight any interrelating factors; to find gaps in the literature concerning areas of research; to summarise the strategies and recommendations implemented in the studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a qualitative approach and developed a causal loop diagram to summarise the current literature on cancer care pathways, from screening and diagnosis to treatment. A total of 46 papers was finally included in the analysis, which highlights the recurring themes in the literature.

Findings

The study highlights the myriad areas of research applied to cancer care pathways. Factors influencing the delivery of cancer care pathways were classified into different albeit interrelated themes. These include access barriers to care, hospital emergency admissions, fast track diagnostics, delay in diagnosis, waiting time to treatment and strategies to increase system efficiency.

Originality/value

As far as the authors know, this is the first study to present a visual representation of the complex relationship between factors influencing the delivery of cancer care pathways.
Preferences of participating in diabetes screening programs for postpartum women with gestational diabetes mellitus in a university hospital in Turkey
Authors: Karakoc Kumsar Azime , Taskin Yilmaz Feride , Demirel Gulbahtiyar
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine the preferences to participate in diabetes screening program of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in postpartum period.

Design/methodology/approach

The data of retrospective and descriptive study were collected using “Individual Identification Form” and “Information Form for the Screening of Diabetes in the Postpartum Period” from 151 women in referred to obstetrics and gynecology clinic of a university hospital in Turkey.

Findings

Only 21.9% of women had diabetes screening in postpartum period and 21.2% of the participants were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It was determined that the participants mostly participated in screening because of the diabetes history in their family (30.3%). Women who had diabetes screening in postpartum period had lower level of education than those who did not and their level of knowledge about the screening in postpartum and the history of abortion were higher (p < 0.01).

Originality/value

The rate of participation in the screening for diabetes in the postpartum period is very low in pregnant women diagnosed with GDM. It was determined that the educational status, history of previous abortion and knowledge level of the women were factors that prevented participation in diabetes screening. This research is original because there are inadequacy of studies examining determining the participation status of pregnant women with GDM to diabetes screening in the literature. This study will contribute to health professionals in order to improve preventive factors and increase the participation of pregnant women with GDM in diabetes screening in the postpartum period.