bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A large-scale serological survey in pets from October 2020 through June 2021 in France shows significantly higher exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in cats
Authors: Fritz Matthieu , Elguero Eric , Becquart Pierre , de Fonclare Daphné de Riols , Garcia Déborah , Beurlet Stephanie , Denolly Solène , Boson Bertrand , Rosolen Serge G. , Cosset François-Loïc , Briend-Marchal Alexandra , Legros Vincent , Leroy Eric M.
Published: December 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect many animals, including pets such as dogs and cats. Many studies have documented infection in companion animals by bio-molecular and serological methods. However, only a few have compared seroprevalence in cats and dogs from the general population, and these studies were limited by small sample sizes and collections over short periods. Our goal was to obtain a more accurate evaluation of seroprevalence in companion animals in France and to determine whether cats and dogs differ in their exposure to SARS-CoV-2. For this purpose, we conducted an extensive SARS-CoV-2 cross-sectional serological survey of 2036 cats and 3577 dogs sampled by veterinarians during medical examinations in clinics throughout France. Sampling was carried out from October 2020 through June 2021, a period encompassing the second and third waves of SARS-CoV-2 infections in humans in the country. Using a microsphere immunoassay targeting the receptor binding domain and trimeric spike protein, we found 7.1% seroprevalence in pets. In a subset of 308 seropositive samples, 26.3% had neutralizing antibodies. We found that cats were significantly more likely to test positive than dogs, with seropositivity rates of 9.3% and 5.9% in cats and dogs, respectively. Finally, data for both species showed that seroprevalence was lower in older animals and was not associated with the date of sampling or the sex of the animal. Our results show that cats are significantly more sensitive to SARS-CoV-2 than dogs, in line with experimental studies. Our large sample size provides for a reliable, statistically robust estimate of the frequency of infection of pets from their owners and offers strong support for the notion that cats are more sensitive to SARS-CoV-2 than dogs. Our findings emphasise the importance of a One-Health approach to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and raise the question of whether companion animals in close contact with humans should be vaccinated.
Variables associated with owner perceptions of the health of their dog: further analysis of data from a large international survey
Authors: Barrett-Jolley Richard , German Alexander J.
Published: December 2022

In a recent study (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265662), associations were identified between owner-reported dog health status and diet, whereby those fed a vegan diet were perceived to be healthier. However, the study was limited because it did not consider possible confounding from variables not included in the analysis. The aim of the current study was to extend these earlier findings, using different modelling techniques and including multiple variables, to identify the most important predictors of owner perceptions of dog health.

From the original dataset, two binary outcome variables were created: the‘any health problem’distinguished dogs that owners perceived to be healthy (“no”) from those perceived to have illness of any severity; the‘significant illness’variable distinguished dogs that owners perceived to be either healthy or having mild illness (“no”) from those perceived to have significant or serious illness (“yes”). Associations between these health outcomes and both owner-animal metadata and healthcare variables were assessed using logistic regression and machine learning predictive modelling using XGBoost.

For theany health problemoutcome, best-fit models for both logistic regression (area under curve [AUC] 0.842) and XGBoost (AUC 0.836) contained the variables dog age, veterinary visits and received medication, whilst owner age and breed size category also featured. For thesignificant illnessoutcome, received medication, veterinary visits, dog age and were again the most important predictors for both logistic regression (AUC 0.903) and XGBoost (AUC 0.887), whilst breed size category, education and owner age also featured in the latter. Any contribution from the dog vegan diet variable was negligible.

The results of the current study extend the previous research using the same dataset and suggest that diet has limited impact on owner-perceived dog health status; instead, dog age, frequency of veterinary visits and receiving medication are most important.
Assessing the brain representation of conscious and unconscious visual contents using encoding based representational similarity analysis
Authors: Mei Ning , Santana Roberto , Soto David
Published: December 2022

The development of novel frameworks to understand the properties of unconscious representations and how they differ from the conscious counterparts may be critical to make progress in the neuroscience of vision consciousness. Here we re-analysed data from a within-subject, high-precision, highly-sampled fMRI study (N=7) coupled with model-based representational similarity analysis (RSA) in order to provide an information-based approach to study the representation of conscious and unconscious visual contents The standard whole-brain searchlight RSA revealed that the hidden representations of convolutional neural network models explained brain activity patterns in response to unconscious contents in the ventral visual pathway in the majority of the observers, particularly for models that ranked high in explaining the variance of the visual cortex (i.e., VGGNet and ResNet50). Also five of seven subjects showed brain activity patterns that correlated with the model in frontoparietal areas in the unconscious trials. However, the results of an encoding-based RSA analyses in the unconscious condition were mixed and somehow difficult to interpret, including negative correlations between the representations of the computer vision models and the brain activity in frontal areas in a substantial amount of the observers.
Emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 NSP10 highlight strong functional conservation of its binding to two non-structural proteins, NSP14 and NSP16
Authors: Wang Huan , Rizvi Syed R A , Dong Danni , Lou Jiaqi , Wang Qian , Sopipong Watanyoo , Su Yufeng , Najar Fares , Agarwal Pratul K , Kozielski Frank , Haider Shozeb
Published: December 2022

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 protects its RNA from being recognized by host immune responses by methylation of its 5’ end, also known as capping. This process is carried out by two enzymes, non-structural protein 16 (NSP16) containing 2’-O-methyltransferase and NSP14 through its N7 methyltransferase activity, which are essential for the replication of the viral genome as well as evading the host’s innate immunity. NSP10 acts as a crucial cofactor and stimulator of NSP14 and NSP16. To further understand the role of NSP10, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of >13 million globally collected whole-genome sequences (WGS) of SARS-CoV-2 obtained from the Global Initiative Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) and compared it with the reference genome Wuhan/WIV04/2019 to identify all currently known variants in NSP10. T12I, T102I, and A104V in NSP10 have been identified as the three most frequent variants and characterized using X-ray crystallography, biophysical assays and enhanced sampling simulations. In contrast to other proteins such as spike and NSP6, NSP10 is significantly less prone to mutation due to its crucial role in replication. The functional effects of the variants were examined for their impact on the binding affinity and stability of both NSP14-NSP10 and NSP16-NSP10 complexes. These results highlight the limited changes induced by variant evolution in NSP10 and reflect on the critical roles NSP10 plays during the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. These results also indicate that there is limited capacity for the virus to overcome inhibitors targeting NSP10 via the generation of variants in inhibitor binding pockets.

Significance Statement

The SARS-CoV-2 proteins have constantly been evolving. These variants assist the virus to survive, adapt and evade the host immune responses. While the main focus has been on structural proteins like Spike, there is very limited structural and functional information on the effects of emerging mutations on other essential non-structural viral proteins. One such protein is NSP10, an essential cofactor for NSP14 and NSP16. This study demonstrates that NSP10 is more resistant to genetic variations than other SARS-CoV-2 non-structural proteins and that the presence of mutations conserve structural and dynamic changes in NSP10. The effects of naturally occurring mutations reflect the evolutionary relationship between structurally conserved essential cofactors, their function and the role they play in the survival of the virus.
In Vitro Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Bromhexine hydrochloride
Authors: Martins Ronaldo , Ferreira Iasmin , Jorge Daniel M. M. , Almeida Leticia , Souza Juliano P. , Pontelli Marjorie , Castro Italo A. , Lima Thais M. , Viana Rosa M. M. , Zamboni Dario , Marcato Priscyla D. , Arruda Eurico
Published: December 2022

The world is enduring the SARS CoV-2 pandemic, and although extensive research has been conducted on the issue, only a few antivirals have been approved to treat patients with COVID-19. Bromhexine hydrochloride was previously identified as a potent inhibitor of TMPRSS2, an essential protease for ACE-2 virus receptor interactions. In the present study, we investigated whether bromhexine treatment could reduce SARS CoV-2 replication in vitro. To evaluate bromhexine’s effectiveness against SARS COV-2 infection, viral load was measured using Caco-2 cell lines expressing TMPRSS2. Our molecular docking results indicate that bromhexine displays an affinity with the active site of TMPRSS2. The drug significantly inhibited SARS CoV-2, both parental and P1 variant strains, infection in the Caco-2 cell line, reducing about 40% of SARS-CoV-2 entrance and about 90% of viral progeny in the supernatant 48h post-infection. Furthermore, bromhexine did not exhibit any direct virucidal activity on SARS CoV-2. In conclusion, bromhexine hydrochloride efficiently disrupts SARS CoV-2 infection in vitro and has the potential to become an effective antiviral agent in COVID-19 treatment.
Evaluation of the molecular diversity of Brazilian strains of the B.1.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2 used in vaccines
Authors: do Nascimento Iasmin Auta , da Silva Lidiane Santos , da Silva Santos Ana Clara , Felix Pierre Teodósio
Published: December 2022

In this work, 28 sequences with 57,570 sites of the B.1.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2, from Brazilian states, were used. All sequences (publicly available on the National Center for Biotechnology Information platform (NCBI)) were aligned with Mega X software and all gaps, ambiguous sites and lost data were extracted, resulting in a region in a segment with 8,799 polymorphic (15.2% of the total) that were analyzed for their molecular diversity, FST, demographic and spatial expansion. Phylogenetic relationships of ancestry revealed the absence of genetically distinct subgroups, which was corroborated by the low value of FSTfound (15.38%). The low degree of polymorphism found among these samples, corroborated by the almost non-existent genetic distance, helped or established the absence of a genetic structuring pattern, demonstrating a satisfactory pattern of response to vaccines, since all the sequences analyzed were part of the Brazilian strains of variant B.1.1 of SARS-CoV-2 used in vaccines.
Generation of anti-tumor chimeric antigen receptors incorporating T cell signaling motifs
Authors: Balagopalan Lakshmi , Moreno Taylor , Qin Haiying , Yi Jason , McIntire Katherine M. , Alvinez Neriah , Pallikkuth Sandeep , Lee Mariah E. , Yamane Hidehiro , Tran Andy D. , Youkharibache Philippe , Cachau Raul E. , Taylor Naomi , Samelson Lawrence E.
Published: December 2022

Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) T cells have been successfully used to treat lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma, but adverse effects due to cytokine secretion, CAR-T cell exhaustion, and loss of target antigen have limited their potential. Furthermore, while CARs have been designed to harness T Cell Receptor (TCR) signaling, they are significantly less sensitive than TCRs, resulting in suboptimal signaling. We have developed novel Chimeric Adapter Proteins (CAPs) that are designed to trigger signaling downstream of the TCRζ chain. CAPs are chimeric molecules that contain adapter domains in tandem with the kinase domain of ZAP70, fused to an extracellular targeting domain. We hypothesized that CAPs would be more potent than CARs because kinetic proofreading steps that define the signaling threshold and the inhibitory regulation of upstream molecules are bypassed. Indeed, second generation CAPs exhibited high anti-tumor efficacy, and significantly enhanced long-termin vivotumor clearance in leukemia-bearing NSG mice as compared with conventional CD19-28ζ CAR-T. Mechanistically, CAPs were activated in an Lck-independent manner and displayed slower phosphorylation kinetics and a longer duration of signaling compared with 28ζ-CAR. The unique signaling properties of CAPs may therefore be harnessed to improve thein vivoefficacy of T cells engineered to express an anti-tumor chimeric receptor.
Korea4K: whole genome sequences of 4,157 Koreans with 107 phenotypes derived from extensive health check-ups
Authors: Jeon Sungwon , Choi Hansol , Jeon Yeonsu , Choi Whan-Hyuk , Choi Hyunjoo , An Kyungwhan , Ryu Hyojung , Bhak Jihun , Lee Hyeonjae , Kwon Yoonsung , Ha Sukyeon , Kim Yeo Jin , Blazyte Asta , Kim Changjae , Kim Yeonkyung , Kang Younghui , Woo Yeong Ju , Lee Chanyoung , Seo Jeongwoo , Bolser Dan , Biro Orsolya , Shin Eun-Seok , Kim Byung Chul , Kim Seon-Young , Park Ji-Hwan , Jeon Jongbum , Jung Dooyoung , Lee Semin , Bhak Jong
Published: December 2022

We present 4,157 whole-genome sequences (Korea4K) coupled with 107 health check-up parameters as the largest whole genomic resource of Koreans. Korea4K provides 45,537,252 variants and encompasses most of the common and rare variants in Koreans. We identified 1,356 new geno-phenotype associations which were not found by the previous Korea1K dataset. Phenomics analyses revealed 24 genetic correlations, 1,131 pleiotropic variants, and 127 causal relationships from Mendelian randomization. Moreover, the Korea4K imputation reference panel showed a superior imputation performance to Korea1K. Collectively, Korea4K provides the most extensive genomic and phenomic data resources for discovering clinically relevant novel genome-phenome associations in Koreans.
The moulding of intra-specific trait variation by selection under ecological inheritance
Authors: Prigent Iris , Mullon Charles
Published: December 2022

Organisms continuously modify their environment, often impacting the fitness of future conspecifics due to ecological inheritance. When this inheritance is biased towards kin, selection favours modifications that increase the fitness of downstream individuals. How such selection shapes trait variation within populations remains poorly understood. Using mathematical modelling, we investigate the coevolution of multiple traits in a group-structured population when these traits affect the group environment, which is then bequeathed to future generations. We examine when such coevolution favours polymorphism as well as the resulting associations among traits. We find in particular that two traits become associated when one trait affects the environment while the other influences the likelihood that future kin experience this environment. To illustrate this, we model the coevolution of (a) the attack rate on a local renewable resource, which deteriorates environmental conditions, with (b) dispersal between groups, which reduces the likelihood that kin suffers from such deterioration. We show this often leads to the emergence of two highly-differentiated morphs: one that readily disperses and depletes local resources; and another that maintains these resources and tends to remain philopatric. More broadly, we suggest that ecological inheritance can contribute to phenotypic diversity and lead to complex polymorphism.
betAS: intuitive analysis and visualisation of differential alternative splicing using beta distributions
Authors: Ascensão-Ferreira Mariana , Martins-Silva Rita , Saraiva-Agostinho Nuno , Barbosa-Morais Nuno L.
Published: December 2022

Next generation RNA sequencing allows alternative splicing (AS) quantification with unprecedented resolution, with the relative inclusion of an alternative sequence in transcripts being commonly quantified by the proportion of reads supporting it as percent spliced-in (PSI). However, PSI values do not incorporate information about precision, proportional to the respective AS events’ read coverage. Beta distributions are suitable to quantify inclusion levels of alternative sequences, using reads supporting their inclusion and exclusion as surrogates for the two distribution shape parameters. Each such beta distribution has the PSI as its mean value and is narrower when the read coverage is higher, facilitating the interpretability of its precision when plotted. We herein introduce a computational pipeline, based on beta distributions accurately modelling PSI values and their precision, to quantitatively and visually compare AS between groups of samples. Our methodology includes a differential splicing significance metric that compromises the magnitude of inter-group differences, the estimation uncertainty in individual samples, and the intra-group variability, being therefore suitable to multiple-group comparisons. To make our approach accessible and clear to both non-computational and computational biologists, we developedbetAS, an interactive web app and user-friendly R package for visual and intuitive differential splicing analysis from read count data.
Molecular characterization of Left-Right symmetry breaking in the mouse embryo
Authors: Tyser Richard C.V. , Ibarra-Soria Ximena , Pedroza Monique , Miranda Antonio M.A. , van den Brand Teun A.H. , Scialdone Antonio , Marioni John C. , Srinivas Shankar
Published: December 2022

The asymmetric morphology of the mammalian heart is essential to its function as the organ of pulmonary and systemic double circulation. Left-right asymmetry is established by a leftward flow in the node that results in the asymmetric expression ofNodal. This triggers a cascade of asymmetric expression of downstream genes, such asPitx2c, in the lateral plate mesoderm that gives rise to the first morphologically recognizable primordial heart structure, the cardiac crescent. Relatively little is known about gene expression asymmetries in the cardiac crescent that might underpin asymmetric cardiac morphogenesis. To systematically identify asymmetrically expressed genes, we performed a single-cell transcriptional analysis of manually dissected left and right halves of the cardiac crescent at stages spanning symmetry breaking. This revealed both left and right-sided genes that have not previously been implicated in left-right symmetry breaking. Some of these were expressed in multiple cell types but showed asymmetric expression in only a sub-set of cell types. We validated these findings using multiplexedin situHybridization Chain Reaction (HCR) and high-resolution volume imaging to characterize the expression patterns of select genes. UsingDnahiv/ivmutant embryos that show randomized situs, we established that all the genes tested tracked the asymmetric expression ofPitx2c, indicating their asymmetric expression also arose from the early asymmetries at the node. This study provides a high-fidelity molecular characterization of left-right symmetry breaking during cardiac crescent formation, providing a basis for future mechanistic studies on asymmetric cardiac morphogenesis.
Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 XBB variant derived from recombination of two Omicron subvariants
Authors: Tamura Tomokazu , Ito Jumpei , Uriu Keiya , Zahradnik Jiri , Kida Izumi , Nasser Hesham , Shofa Maya , Oda Yoshitaka , Lytras Spyros , Nao Naganori , Itakura Yukari , Deguchi Sayaka , Suzuki Rigel , Wang Lei , Begum MST Monira , Tsuda Masumi , Kosugi Yusuke , Fujita Shigeru , Yoshimatsu Kumiko , Suzuki Saori , Asakura Hiroyuki , Nagashima Mami , Sadamasu Kenji , Yoshimura Kazuhisa , Yamamoto Yuki , Nagamoto Tetsuharu , Schreiber Gideon ,   The Genotype to Phenotype Japan (G2P-Japan) Consortium, Ikeda Terumasa , Fukuhara Takasuke , Saito Akatsuki , Tanaka Shinya , Matsuno Keita , Takayama Kazuo , Sato Kei
Published: December 2022

In late 2022, the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants have highly diversified, and XBB is spreading rapidly around the world. Our phylogenetic analyses suggested that XBB emerged by recombination of two co-circulating BA.2 lineages, BJ.1 and BM.1.1.1 (a progeny of BA.2.75), during the summer of 2022 around India.In vitroexperiments revealed that XBB is the most profoundly resistant variant to BA.2/5 breakthrough infection sera ever and is more fusogenic than BA.2.75. Notably, the recombination breakpoint is located in the receptor-binding domain of spike, and each region of recombined spike conferred immune evasion and augmented fusogenicity to the XBB spike. Finally, the intrinsic pathogenicity of XBB in hamsters is comparable to or even lower than that of BA.2.75. Our multiscale investigation provided evidence suggesting that XBB is the first documented SARS-CoV-2 variant increasing its fitness through recombination rather than single mutations.
Modelling fine-sliced three dimensional electron diffraction data with dynamical Bloch-wave simulations
Authors: Cleverley Anton , Beanland Richard
Published: December 2022

Recent interest in structure solution and refinement using electron diffraction (ED) has been fuelled by its inherent advantages when applied to crystals of sub-micrometre size, as well as its better sensitivity to light elements. Currently, data are often processed with software written for X-ray diffraction, using the kinematic theory of diffraction to generate model intensities – despite the inherent differences in diffraction processes in ED. Here, dynamical Bloch-wave simulations are used to model continuous-rotation electron diffraction data, collected with a fine angular resolution (crystal orientations of ∼0.1°). This fine-sliced data allows a re-examination of the corrections applied to ED data. A new method is proposed for optimizing crystal orientation, and the angular range of the incident beam and the varying slew rate are taken into account. Observed integrated intensities are extracted and accurate comparisons are performed with simulations using rocking curves for a (110) lamella of silicon 185 nm thick. R
1 is reduced from 26% with the kinematic model to 6.8% using dynamical simulations.
Structural equation model (SEM) for evaluating interrelationships among risks inherent in Ghanaian public–private partnership (PPP) power projects
Authors: Kukah Augustine Senanu Komla , Owusu-Manu De-Graft , Badu Edward , Asamoah Eric
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The demand for power has surged in recent times and continues to increase yearly. In comparison to developed countries, the power industry’s risks, especially in piblic–private partnership (PPP) projects, are more complex and essential in developing countries. Appreciating the inter relationship among these risk factors is crucial. However, there exist no studies developing quantitative models to explain how various PPP power risk factors influence each other, especially in developing countries like Ghana. This study aims to investigate and model the relationship, the probability of occurrence and severity of impact of PPP power risk factors in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through ranking type questionnaire in a two-round Delphi survey with 48 respondents using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used for analysis of data.

Findings

A model was developed to investigate the influence the risk factors inherent in PPP power projects have on each other. Validity of the model was tested based on the data collected. PLS-SEM results indicated the various relationships and interdependencies the risk factors had on each other considering their probability and severity. Both significant and insignificant levels of relationships were found among the various risk factors.

Practical implications

The SEM that was developed to assess the relationships among the risk factors has great value for policy makers in the energy sector, industry practitioners, researchers and industry practitioners. Strategies can be mapped out to mitigate and effectively allocate the risks with the high interdependencies.

Originality/value

Regarding the quantitative impact of the interrelationship among risk factors in PPP power projects, the findings of this research are arguably the first to be presented for the construction sector and contribute to knowledge on PPP practice and further has implications toward achieving power sector risk mitigation.
Voicing perceptions of local job seekers and employees toward workforce nationalization and employment
Authors: Elsharnouby Tamer H. , Younis Heba , Elbanna Said , Mauji Nasrina
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study explores local Qatari job seekers' and employees' perceptions of the workforce nationalization strategy to address an inadequacy in the workforce nationalization literature in Gulf Cooperation Council countries. It also unpacks the factors that attract or discourage local job seekers and employees when considering a new job.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 28 local job seekers who were either currently unemployed or employed and seeking another job at the time of the interviews.

Findings

The data revealed that nationals perceive Qatarization as a means to replace expatriate employees with nationals, particularly in the public sector and leadership positions. This misinterpretation of the strategy leads to complications, such as the waithood phenomenon and a sense of entitlement for guaranteed employment. The findings also provide insights into nationals' attitudes toward employment, including job attraction and discouraging factors.

Research limitations/implications

The results provide policymakers with insights into the misinterpretation surrounding nationals' perceptions of workforce nationalization and remedies for better implementation of the strategy.

Originality/value

The study addresses two clear gaps in the workforce nationalization literature: (1) examining how nationals perceive the workforce nationalization strategy and (2) unpacking the factors that make employment attractive or unfavorable for nationals.
Making the ethical case for effective domestic abuse policy and practice: the role of trade unions
Authors: Bennett Tony , Wibberley Gemma
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper focusses on the role of trade unions in policy and practice designed to address the workplace impact of domestic abuse. The paper aims to examine this union remit through the lens of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interviews were conducted with 39 union representatives in a region of England to capture their views on and experiences of supporting members experiencing domestic abuse.

Findings

There is a clear ethical model by which the unions might articulate the key moral, legal and business drivers in determining effective domestic abuse policy and practice. Furthermore, the degree of “proximity”, in terms of union deliberation with employers and particularly joint action following disclosure, suggests that unions could play a key part in achieving “substantive” domestic abuse policy and practice within organisations.

Originality/value

Despite unions' capacity to offer significant support to employers and employees, the role of unions in addressing the workplace impact of domestic abuse is under-researched. With reference to the concept of CSR, the article adds to the knowledge of how to address the workplace impact of domestic abuse.
The development and validation of the student's employability competences questionnaire (SECQ)
Authors: Scoupe Rémi , Römgens Inge , Beausaert Simon
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to measure the extent to which students possess the necessary competences of an employable graduate, the authors explored the development and validation of a questionnaire that measures employability competences of students in higher education through combining insights from higher education and workplace learning literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper aims to develop and validate the questionnaire a systematic literature review and factor analyses were conducted. The authors applied the questionnaire to two different groups of students. First, to undergraduate students in an applied sciences program in Belgium (N = 935). The dataset was randomly divided into two subsets to conduct an exploratory and a confirmatory factor analysis. Next, another confirmatory factor analysis was done to cross-validate the factor structure found. For this, the questionnaire was offered to a group of undergraduate and graduate students at a university in The Netherlands (N = 995).

Findings

The results support a model of employability based on combined insights from higher education and workplace learning literature. The model consists of the following seven factors: social competences, e-literacy, efficacy beliefs, flexibility, healthy work–life balance, lifelong learning and oral and written communication.

Originality/value

The questionnaire can be utilized to screen students' employability profiles and examine the relationship between teaching practices and students’ employability competences.
A network perspective of cognitive and geographical proximity of sustainable tourism organizations: evidence from Italy
Authors: Blasi Silvia , Fano Shira , Sedita Silvia Rita , Toschi Gianluca
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This research aims to contribute to the literature on sustainable hospitality and tourism by applying social network analysis to identify sustainable tourism business networks and untangle the role of cognitive and geographical proximity in their formation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data mining and machine learning techniques were applied to data collected from the websites of tourism companies located in northeastern Italy, namely, the Veneto region. Specifically, the authors used Web scraping to extract relevant information from the internet.

Findings

The results support the existence of geographical clusters of tourist accommodation providers that are linked by strong cognitive proximity based on sustainability principles that are well communicated via their websites. This does not appear to be greenwashing because companies that have agreed on sustainability principles have also implemented concrete actions and tend to signal these actions through a variety of sustainability certifications.

Practical implications

The results may guide tourism managers and policymakers in developing tourism initiatives directed at the creation of fruitful collaborations between similarly oriented organizations and methods to support clusters of sustainable tourism accommodation. Identifying sustainable tourism networks may assist in the identification of potential actors of change, fueling a widespread transition toward sustainability.

Originality/value

In this study, the authors adopted an innovative methodology to detect sustainability-oriented tourism business networks. Additionally, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to simultaneously explore the cognitive and geographical connections between tourism businesses.
Smart HRM 4.0 for achieving organizational performance: a dynamic capability view perspective
Authors: Pillai Rajasshrie , Srivastava Kailash B.L.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The research examines the role of Smart HRM 4.0 in developing dynamic capabilities and its impact on human resources and organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a grounded theory approach and conducted interviews of 39 senior HR managers from IT, ITeS, consulting, services and E-commerce companies through a semi-structured questionnaire. The authors analyzed the interview data with NVivo 8.0 to identify the themes related to the dynamic capabilities to Smart 4.0 HR practices.

Findings

The study provides a conceptual framework for organizational performance using dynamic capabilities built due to Smart HRM 4.0 practices. Organizations use Smart HRM 4.0 to develop dynamic capabilities: building learning and knowledge sharing capability and integration, reconfiguration capabilities. Further, the dynamic capabilities contribute to HR and organizational performance.

Originality/value

This study divulges the role of Smart HRM 4.0 practices in developing dynamic capabilities in Indian firms. The study provides an appealing insight into the structural link between Smart HRM 4.0 and dynamic capabilities, which are yet to be explored. This study extends the Smart HRM 4.0 and dynamic capabilities concepts for senior HR professionals and contributes to human resource management and organizational performance literature.
Corporate incentives for obtaining higher level of carbon assurance: seeking legitimacy or improving performance?
Authors: Rohani Alireza , Jabbour Mirna , Aliyu Sulaiman
Published: December 2022

Purpose

With the growing attention around carbon emissions disclosure, the demand for external carbon assurance on emissions reports has been increasing by stakeholders as it provides additional credibility and confidence. This study investigates the association between the higher level of external carbon assurance and improvement in a firm's carbon emissions. It provides an understanding of corporate incentives for obtaining a higher level of carbon assurance, particularly in relation to carbon performance enhancements.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected from 170 US companies for the period 2012–2017 and are analysed using a change analysis. Generalised method of moment (GMM) is used to address endogeneity.

Findings

Following the rationales taken by legitimacy and “outside-in” management views, the findings reveal that a higher level of carbon assurance (i.e. reasonable assurance) marginally improves firms' carbon performance (i.e. reported carbon emissions). This is consistent with “outside-in” management view suggesting that a higher level of assurance could be utilised as a tool for accessing more information about stakeholders' needs and concerns, which can be useful in enhancing carbon performance.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are generalisable to US firms and may not extend to other contexts.

Practical implications

The implication of this study for companies is that a high level of sustainability assurance is a useful tool to access detailed information about stakeholder concerns, of which internalisation can help to marginally improve carbon performance. For policymakers, the insights into and enhanced understanding of the incentives for obtaining carbon assurance can help policymakers to develop effective policies and initiatives for carbon assurance. Considering the possible improvements in carbon performance when obtaining a high level of sustainability verification, governments need to consider mandating carbon assurance.

Originality/value

This study extends the existing studies of assurance in sustainability context as well as in carbon context by explaining why companies voluntarily get expensive external verification (i.e. higher level of assurance) of their carbon emissions disclosure. This study responds to calls in the literature for empirical research investigating the association between environmental performance and external assurance with a focus on level of assurance.

Highlights

A higher level of carbon assurance Marginally improves firms' carbon performance.

Corporate incentives to obtain higher level of carbon assurance is beyond seeking legitimacy.

Higher level of assurance is a useful tool for accessing more information about stakeholders' concerns.

Consistent with “ouside-in”management view, companies internalise stakeholders' concerns to marginally improve performance.
Paradoxes on sustainable performance in Dhaka’s enterprising community: a moderated-mediation evidence from textile manufacturing SMEs
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Imtiaz , Teh Boon Heng , Tabash Mosab I. , Alam Mohammad Nurul , Ong Tze San
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are heading towards smart manufacturing despite growing challenges caused by globalisation and rapid technological advancement. These SMEs, particularly textile SMEs of Bangladesh, also face challenges in implementing sustainability and organisational ambidexterity (OA) due to resource constraints and limitations of conventional leadership styles. Adopting paradoxical leadership (PL) and entrepreneurial bricolage (EB) is important to overcome the challenges. However, these dynamics are less explored in academia, especially in the Bangladeshi textile SMEs context. Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of the adoption of smart technologies (ASTs), PL and OA, EB on sustainable performance (SP) of textile SMEs in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional and primary quantitative survey was conducted. Data from 361 textile SMEs were collected using a structured self-administrated questionnaire and analysed by partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The statistical outcome confirms that ASTs and PL significantly influence SP and OA. OA plays a significant mediating role for PL and is insignificant for ASTs, and EB significantly moderates among ASTs, PL and SP.

Research limitations/implications

As this study is cross-sectional and focussed on a single city (Dhaka, Bangladesh), conducting longitudinal studies and considering other parts of the country can provide exciting findings.

Practical implications

This research provides valuable insights for policymakers, management and textile SMEs in developing and developed countries. By adopting unique and innovative OA, PL and EB approaches, manufacturing SMEs, especially textile companies, can be more sustainable.

Originality/value

This study has a novel, pioneering contribution, as it empirically validates the role of multiple constructs such as AST, PL, OA and EB towards SP in the context of textile SMEs in a developing country like Bangladesh.
Community knowledge and the role of libraries and librarians in the current digital age
Authors: Kinoti Antony Mwenda , Otike Fredrick
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the impact of community knowledge and the role that libraries and librarians can contribute to bridging the information gap.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopted the literature review method in comprehensively exploring the impact that community knowledge is being embraced in the current generation.

Findings

This paper established that the sprout and appreciation of community knowledge is on the rise, as such, libraries and librarians need to establish appropriate avenues through which their users can be able to verify authentic community knowledge as a way of eliminating information disorder.

Originality/value

This study analyses community knowledge and its benefits in the current digital age and how libraries and librarians can be relevant information providers to their users.
The wisdom of crowd, real option and game theory decisions: can they be used by clubs to improve their investment in football players?
Authors: Rubio Martín Gracia , Miguel García Conrado M. , González Sánchez Francisco José , Féliz Navarrete Álvaro
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The aim of this work is to explain the final negotiated prices for some of the most famous transfers of football players over the last twelve years (2007–2018).

Design/methodology/approach

The article analyses different values for forwards taken from the sports website Transfermarkt, developing a statistical model based on personal, performance, risk, environmental and popularity variables. From those values, the article finds an explanation for the final prices paid for 20 superstar players based on a combination of real option valuations, incorporating the players' life cycles and game theory.

Findings

The authors find that in a large percentage (70%) of the analysed cases, the price paid was higher than the intrinsic market value resulting from Transfermarkt, implying the existence of monopolistic rents, paid as “growth options” on prices from different negotiating conditions. On occasions, the final prices also exceed the value of the growth option, calculated under neutral bargaining conditions, highlighting the lack of economic viability of important transfers, leading to financial difficulties for the clubs involved.

Originality/value

The algorithm provides more flexibility and realism than previous proposals, based on the life cycle of football players, introducing the uncertainty and volatility of projections through Monte Carlo simulation, the capacity of clubs to bargain a price at any point of the contract and finally, the buyer's ability to transfer the player if his subsequent performance is not as expected.
Decoding consumers' CSR scepticism: service recovery experience perspective
Authors: Kushwah Mihir Kumar , Srivastava Himanshu Shekhar
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study examines the impact of the brand's corporate social responsibility (CSR) on consumers' brand experience and, in turn, consumers' intention of word-of-mouth (WoM). The study also investigates customer satisfaction with service recovery (CSATR) as a boundary condition for the proposed relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a survey-based research design to test the conceptual model. A structured questionnaire was distributed to the participants through a survey link. A total of 276 valid responses were used and analysed using Smart PLS3, a structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

Results of this study demonstrate that perceived CSR have a positive impact on brand experience which eventually affects the WoM intention. Also CSATR moderates the relationship between brand experience and WoM such that satisfaction (dissatisfaction) with service recovery enhances (reduces) the effect of brand experience on WoM.

Practical implications

Managers can use CSR as a communication tool to enhance consumers' brand experience and focus on service recovery as a successful service recovery can enhance WoM over and above CSR.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate brand experience as a mediator of CSR and WoM from the lens of signalling theory. The study also tries to address the scepticism of the consumers related to WoM for a brand's CSR by incorporating the service aspect into the CSR.
Metabolic risks and prognosis of COVID-19: are dietary patterns important?
Authors: Bakırhan Hande , Özyürek Arpa Fatmanur , Uğur Halime , Pehlivan Merve , Saleki Neda , Çelik Tuğba
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to identify the dietary patterns of two groups of subjects (with and without COVID-19), and to assess the relationship of findings with the prognosis of COVID-19 and metabolic risk parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

This study included 100 individuals in the age range of 19–65 years. The medical history, and data on biochemical, hematological and inflammatory indicators were retrieved from the files. A questionnaire for the 24-h food record and the food intake frequency was administered in face-to-face interviews, and dietary patterns of subjects were assessed.

Findings

In individuals with COVID-19, the hip circumference, the waist-hip ratio and the body fat percentage were significantly higher (p< 0.05), and the muscle mass percentage was significantly lower (p< 0.05). Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS), dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) and healthy eating ındex-2015 (HEI-2015) scores were low in the two groups. A linear correlation of DASH scores was found with the muscle mass percentage (p= 0.046) and a significant inverse correlation of with the body fat percentage (p= 0.006). HEI-2015 scores were significantly and negatively correlated with body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and neck circumference (p< 0.05). Every one-unit increase in MEDAS, DASH and HEI-2015 scores caused reductions in C-reactive protein levels at different magnitudes. Troponin-I was significantly and negatively correlated with fruit intake (p= 0.044), a component of a Mediterranean diet and with HEI-2015 total scores (p= 0.032).

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study includes the small sample size and the lack of dietary interventions. Another limitation is the use of the food recall method for the assessment of dietary patterns. This way assessments were performed based on participants’ memory and statements.

Practical implications

Following a healthy diet pattern can help reduce the metabolic risks of COVİD-19 disease.

Originality/value

Despite these limitations, this study is valuable because, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study demonstrating the association of dietary patterns with disease prognosis and metabolic risks concerning COVID-19. This study suggests that dietary patterns during the COVID-19 process may be associated with several metabolic risks and inflammatory biomarkers.
Early spring orchard pollinators spill over from resource‐rich adjacent forest patches
Authors: Urban‐Mead Katherine R. , Van Dyke Maria , Muñiz Paige , Young Andrew D. , Danforth Bryan N. , McArt Scott H.
Published: December 2022

Pollinator communities are more abundant and diverse in agricultural matrices with more natural habitat, although the reasons for these correlations remain unclear. It is possible that forest fragments and edges provide resources for pollinators in important early weeks of spring, after which time those insects can then ‘spill over’ into crops such as apple orchards during bloom.

To explore how forest edges may feed and therefore promote flower visitor communities in adjacent agricultural habitats, we sampled springtime pollinators in nine orchards and their adjacent forest edge canopies and understories. We identified pollen consumed by pan‐trapped bees and flower flies to assess if pollinators ate pollen where they were caught, and if their diets similarly ‘spill over’ from forest to orchard. We further explored sex differences in habitat usage.

Our spatially replicated sampling found that bee and flower fly abundance peaks first in the forest understorey, then in the forest canopy and finally in the orchard.

Analysis of digestive tracts showed significant usage of forest canopy pollen throughout the spring, especially before apple bloom. Pollinators had often eaten pollen from a different habitat than the one in which they were caught, suggesting frequent movement between habitats. Digestive tract pollen is an underused but powerful avenue for ecological insight.

In Andrena, which are important orchard pollinators and one of the most abundant wild bee taxa in this study, male bees were primarily found in the woods but not the orchards where conspecific females were later active.

Synthesis and applications: Forested areas, especially forest canopy trees, provide large amounts of early spring resources that facilitate build‐up and spillover of wild pollinator populations into apple orchards during bloom. Forests also provide critical habitat for male bees, which were rarely found in orchards. Despite their importance for bee reproduction, the needs of male bees are usually not considered in conservation planning. Overall, our data indicate that ensuring there is adequate forest habitat adjacent to orchards can improve the long‐term sustainability of pollinator populations that provide essential crop pollination services.