bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A complete enzymatic capacity for biosynthesis of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22 : 6n–3) exists in the marine Harpacticoida copepod
Tigriopus californicus
Authors: Kabeya Naoki , Ogino Masanari , Ushio Hideki , Haga Yutaka , Satoh Shuichi , Navarro Juan C. , Monroig Óscar
Published: April 2021

The long-standing paradigm establishing that global production of Omega-3 (n–3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) derived almost exclusively from marine single-cell organisms, was recently challenged by the discovery that multiple invertebrates possess methyl-end (or
ω
x) desaturases, critical enzymes enabling the biosynthesis of n–3 LC-PUFA. However, the question of whether animals with
ω
x desaturases have complete n–3 LC-PUFA biosynthetic pathways and hence can contribute to the production of these compounds in marine ecosystems remained unanswered. In the present study, we investigated the complete enzymatic complement involved in the n–3 LC-PUFA biosynthesis in
Tigriopus californicus
, an intertidal harpacticoid copepod. A total of two
ω
x desaturases, five front-end desaturases and six fatty acyl elongases were successfully isolated and functionally characterized. The
T. californicus ω
x desaturases enable the
de novo
biosynthesis of C
18
PUFA such as linoleic and α-linolenic acids, as well as several n–3 LC-PUFA from n–6 substrates. Functions demonstrated in front-end desaturases and fatty acyl elongases unveiled various routes through which
T. californicus
can biosynthesize the physiologically important arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids. Moreover,
T. californicus
possess a Δ4 desaturase, enabling the biosynthesis of docosahexaenoic acid via the ‘Δ4 pathway’. In conclusion, harpacticoid copepods such as
T. californicus
have complete n–3 LC-PUFA biosynthetic pathways and such capacity illustrates major roles of these invertebrates in the provision of essential fatty acids to upper trophic levels.
On the stability and instability of linear potential systems subjected to infinitesimal circulatory forces
Authors: Bulatovic Ranislav M. , Udwadia Firdaus E.
Published: April 2021

The stability of linear multi-degree-of-freedom stable potential systems with multiple natural frequencies under the action of infinitesimal circulatory forces is considered. Contrary to the received view that such systems are inherently unstable, a careful study shows that such systems have a much more complex behaviour than previously recognized and could exhibit an alternation of stability and instability that depends on the structure of the potential system and its interaction with the circulatory forces. The conditions under which stability or instability ensues and the nature of this alternation in stability are explicitly obtained. In low-dimensional stable potential systems, when the coefficients of the circulatory forces are proportional to an arbitrarily small scalar parameter, all the circulatory forces that cause flutter instability are described.
Network ecology in dynamic landscapes
Authors: Fortin Marie-Josée , Dale Mark R. T. , Brimacombe Chris
Published: April 2021

Network ecology is an emerging field that allows researchers to conceptualize and analyse ecological networks and their dynamics. Here, we focus on the dynamics of ecological networks in response to environmental changes. Specifically, we formalize how network topologies constrain the dynamics of ecological systems into a unifying framework in network ecology that we refer to as the ‘ecological network dynamics framework’. This framework stresses that the interplay between species interaction networks and the spatial layout of habitat patches is key to identifying which network properties (number and weights of nodes and links) and trade-offs among them are needed to maintain species interactions in dynamic landscapes. We conclude that to be functional, ecological networks should be scaled according to species dispersal abilities in response to landscape heterogeneity. Determining how such effective ecological networks change through space and time can help reveal their complex dynamics in a changing world.
Habitat loss on the breeding grounds is a major contributor to population declines in a long-distance migratory songbird
Authors: Hallworth Michael T. , Bayne Erin , McKinnon Emily , Love Oliver , Tremblay Junior A. , Drolet Bruno , Ibarzabal Jacques , Van Wilgenburg Steven , Marra Peter P.
Published: April 2021

Many migratory species are declining and for most, the proximate causes of their declines remain unknown. For many long-distance Neotropical migratory songbirds, it is assumed that habitat loss on breeding or non-breeding grounds is a primary driver of population declines. We integrated data collected from tracking technology, community science and remote sensing data to quantify migratory connectivity (MC), population trends and habitat loss. We quantified the correlation between forest change throughout the annual cycle and population declines of a long-distance migratory songbird, the Connecticut warbler (Oporornis agilis, observed decline: −8.99% yr−1). MC, the geographic link between populations during two or more phases of the annual cycle, was stronger between breeding and autumn migration routes (MC = 0.24 ± 0.23) than between breeding and non-breeding locations (MC = −0.2 ± 0.14). Different Connecticut warbler populations tended to have population-specific fall migration routes but overlapped almost completely within the northern Gran Chaco ecoregion in South America. Cumulative forest loss within 50 km of breeding locations and the resulting decline in the largest forested patch index was correlated more strongly with population declines than forest loss on migratory stopover regions or on wintering locations in South America, suggesting that habitat loss during the breeding season is a driver of observed population declines for the Connecticut warbler. Land-use practices that retain large, forested patches within landscapes will likely benefit breeding populations of this declining songbird, but further research is needed to help inform land-use practices across the full annual cycle to minimize the impacts to migratory songbirds and abate ongoing population declines.
The development of body representations: an associative learning account
Authors: de Klerk Carina C. J. M. , Filippetti Maria Laura , Rigato Silvia
Published: April 2021

Representing one's own body is of fundamental importance to interact with our environment, yet little is known about how body representations develop. One account suggests that the ability to represent one's own body is present from birth and supports infants' ability to detect similarities between their own and others’ bodies. However, in recent years evidence has been accumulating for alternative accounts that emphasize the role of multisensory experience obtained through acting and interacting with our own body in the development of body representations. Here, we review this evidence, and propose an integrative account that suggests that through experience, infants form multisensory associations that facilitate the development of body representations. This associative account provides a coherent explanation for previous developmental findings, and generates novel hypotheses for future research.
Virtual mindfulness interventions to promote well-being in young adults: A mixed-methods systematic review
Authors: Xu Joy , Jo Helen , Noorbhai Leena , Patel Ami , Li Amy
Published: April 2021

Background

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, students have experienced drastic changes in their academic and social lives with ensuing consequences towards their physical and mental well-being. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify virtual mindfulness-based interventions for the well-being of young adults aged 15 to 40 years in developed countries and examine the efficacy of these techniques/exercises.

Methods

This mixed-methods systematic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines with a registered PROSPERO protocol. With a convergent integrated synthesis approach, IEEE Xplore, PsychInfo, Web of Science and OVID were searched with a predetermined criteria and search strategy employing booleans and filters for peer-reviewed and grey literature. Data screening and extraction were independently performed by two authors, with a third author settling disagreements after reconciliation. Study quality of selected articles was assessed with two independent authors using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Studies were analyzed qualitatively (precluding meta and statistical analysis) due to the heterogeneous study results from diverse study designs in present literature.

Results

Common mindfulness-based interventions used in the appraised studies included practicing basic mindfulness, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy programs (MBCT) and the Learning 2 BREATHE (L2B) program.

Conclusion

Studies implementing mindfulness interventions demonstrated an overall improvement in well-being. Modified versions of these interventions can be implemented in a virtual context, so young adults can improve their well-being through an accessible format.
How the COVID-19 pandemic is shaping research in Africa: inequalities in scholarly output and collaborations and new opportunities for scientific leadership
Authors: Mbogning Fonkou Maxime Descartes , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi , Tsinda Emmanuel Kagning , Bouba Yagai , Mmbando Gideon Sadikiel , Kong Jude Dzevela
Published: April 2021

Background

Scientometrics enables scholars to assess and visualize emerging research trends and hot-spots in the scientific literature from a quantitative standpoint. In the last decades, Africa has nearly doubled its absolute count of scholarly output, even though its share in global knowledge production has dramatically decreased. This limited contribution of African scholars to the global research output is in part impacted by the availability of adequate infrastructures and research collaborative networks. The still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the way scholarly research is conducted, published and disseminated. However, the COVID-19 related research focus, the scientific productivity and the research collaborative network of African researchers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic remain to be elucidated yet.

Methods

This study aimed to clarify the COVID-19 research patterns among African researchers and estimate the strength of collaborations and partnerships between African researchers and scholars from the rest of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, collecting data from electronic scholarly databases such as Web of Sciences (WoS), PubMed/MEDLINE and African Journals OnLine (AJOL), the largest and prominent platform of African-published scholarly journals.

Results

In the present bibliometric study, we found that COVID-19 related collaboration patterns varied among African regions, being shaped and driven by historical, social, cultural, linguistic, and even religious determinants. For instance, most of the scholarly partnerships occurred with formerly colonial countries (like European or North-American countries). In other cases, scholarly ties of North African countries were above all with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In terms of amount of publications, South Africa and Egypt were among the most productive countries.

Discussion

Bibliometrics and, in particular, scientometrics can help scholars identify research areas of particular interest, as well as emerging topics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. With a specific focus on the still ongoing viral outbreak, they can assist decision- and policy-makers in allocating funding and economic-financial, logistic, organizational, and human resources, based on the specific gaps and needs of a given country or research area.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exerting a subtle, complex impact on research and publishing patterns in African countries. On the one hand, it has distorted and even amplified existing inequalities and disparities in terms of amount of scholarly output, share of global knowledge, and patterns of collaborations. On the other hand, COVID-19 provided new opportunities for research collaborations.
Machine Learning Approaches for Binary Classification to Discover Liver Diseases using Clinical Data
Authors: Mostafa Fahad B. , Hasan Easin
Published: April 2021

For a medical diagnosis, health professionals use different kinds of pathological ways to make a decision for medical reports in terms of patients’ medical condition. In the modern era, because of the advantage of computers and technologies, one can collect data and visualize many hidden outcomes from them. Statistical machine learning algorithms based on specific problems can assist one to make decisions. Machine learning data driven algorithms can be used to validate existing methods and help researchers to suggest potential new decisions. In this paper, Multiple Imputation by Chained Equations was applied to deal with missing data, and Principal Component Analysis to reduce the dimensionality. To reveal significant findings, data visualizations were implemented. We presented and compared many binary classifier machine learning algorithms (Artificial Neural Network, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine) which were used to classify blood donors and non-blood donors with hepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis diseases. From the data published in UCI-MLR, all mentioned techniques were applied to find one better method to classify blood donors and non-blood donors (hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis) that can help health professionals in a laboratory to make better decisions. Our proposed ML-method showed a better accuracy score (e.g. 98.23% for SVM). Thus, it improved the quality of classification.
Synovial Gene Signatures Associated with the Development of Rheumatoid Arthritis in At Risk Individuals: a Prospective Study
Authors: van Baarsen Lisa G.M. , de Jong Tineke A. , de Hair Maria J.H. , Semmelink Johanna F. , Choi Ivy Y. , Gerlag Danielle M. , Tak Paul P.
Published: April 2021

Background

Previous work has shown subtle infiltration of synovial T cells in the absence of overt synovial inflammation in individuals at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objective

To study the molecular changes in synovium preceding arthritis development in at risk individuals.

Materials and methods

We included sixty-seven individuals with arthralgia who were IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) positive and without any evidence of arthritis. All individuals underwent mini-arthroscopic synovial tissue sampling of a knee joint at baseline and were followed prospectively. An explorative genome-wide transcriptional profiling study was performed on synovial tissue using Agilent arrays (discovery cohort). Survival analysis was used to identify transcripts associated with arthritis after follow up. Expression levels of differentially expressed genes were validated using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Immunohistochemistry was used to study gene candidates at the protein level in situ.

Results

In the discovery cohort, 6 of the 13 at risk individuals developed RA after a median follow-up time of 20 months (IQR 2 – 44; pre-RA). The 7 individuals who did not develop RA had a median follow-up time of 85 months (IQR 69 – 86). Using a False Discovery Rate of <5% we found increased expression of 3,151 transcripts correlating with a higher risk of arthritis development, whereas increased expression of 2,437 transcripts correlated with a lower risk. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that synovial biopsies of pre-RA individuals display higher expression of genes involved in several immune response-related pathways compared with biopsies of individuals who did not develop RA. In contrast, lower expression was observed for genes involved in extracellular matrix receptor interaction, Wnt-mediated signal transduction and lipid metabolism. Two-way hierarchical cluster analysis of 27 genes measured by qPCR classified the synovial biopsies of 61 individuals into two groups, where pre-RA individuals (n=16) showed a preference to cluster together. Synovial tissue from pre-RA individuals were more likely to show podoplanin positive cells and lower lipid staining compared with synovial tissue from individuals who did not develop RA.

Conclusion

Molecular changes can be detected in synovial tissues before clinical onset of arthritis. Alterations in the immune response genes and lipid metabolism are associated with development of arthritis.
Germline loss-of-function variants in the base-excision repair geneMBD4cause a Mendelian recessive syndrome of adenomatous colorectal polyposis and acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Palles Claire , Chew Edward , Grolleman Judith E. , Galavotti Sara , Flensburg Christoffer , Jansen Erik A.M. , Curley Helen , Chegwidden Laura , Barnes Edward Arbe , Bajel Ashish , Sherwood Kitty , Martin Lynn , Thomas Huw , Georgiou Demetra , Fostira Florentia , Goldberg Yael , Adams David J. , van der Biezen Simone A.M. , Christie Michael , Clendenning Mark , Deltas Constantinos , Dimovski Aleksandar J. , Dymerska Dagmara , Lubinski Jan , Mahmood Khalid , van der Post Rachel S. , Sanders Mathijs , Weitz Jürgen , Taylor Jenny C. , Turnbull Clare , Vreede Lilian , van Wezel Tom , Whalley Celina , Pac Claudia Arnedo , Caravagna Gulio , Cross William , Chubb Daniel , Frangou Anna , Gruber Andreas , Kinnersley Ben , Noyvert Boris , Church David , Graham Trevor , Houlston Richard , Lopez-Bigas Nuria , Sottoriva Andrea , Wedge David ,   Genomics England Research Consortium,   The CORGI Consortium,   WGS500 Consortium, Jenkins Mark A. , Kuiper Roland P. , Roberts Andrew W. , Ligtenberg Marjolijn J.L. , Hoogerbrugge Nicoline , Koelzer Viktor H. , Rivas Andres Dacal , Winship Ingrid M. , Ponte Clara Ruiz , Buchanan Daniel D. , Tomlinson Ian P.M. , Majewski Ian J. , de Voer Richarda M.
Published: April 2021

Inherited defects in base-excision repair (BER) predispose to adenomatous polyposis and colorectal cancer (CRC), yet our understanding of this important DNA repair pathway remains incomplete. By combining detailed clinical, histological and molecular profiling, we reveal biallelic germline loss-of-function (LOF) variants in the BER geneMBD4to predispose to adenomatous polyposis and –uniquely amongst CRC predisposition syndromes– to myeloid neoplasms. Neoplasms from MBD4-deficient patients almost exclusively accumulate somatic CpG>TpG mutations, resembling mutational signature SBS1. MBD4-deficient adenomas harbour mutations in known CRC driver genes, althoughAMER1mutations were more common andKRASmutations less frequent. We did not find an increased risk for colorectal tumours in individuals with a monoallelicMBD4LOF variant. We suggest that this condition should be termedMBD4-associated neoplasia syndrome (MANS) and thatMBD4is included in testing for the genetic diagnosis of polyposis and/or early-onset AML.
The Boundary-ExpressedEPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR-LIKE2Gene Encoding a Signaling Peptide Promotes Cotyledon Growth duringArabidopsis thalianaEmbryogenesis
Authors: Fujihara Rina , Uchida Naoyuki , Tameshige Toshiaki , Kawamoto Nozomi , Hotokezaka Yugo , Higaki Takumi , Simon Rüdiger , Torii Keiko U , Tasaka Masao , Aida Mitsuhiro
Published: April 2021

The shoot organ boundaries have important roles in plant growth and morphogenesis. It has been reported that a gene encoding a cysteine-rich secreted peptide of the EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR-LIKE (EPFL) family,EPFL2, is expressed in the boundary domain between the two cotyledon primordia ofArabidopsis thalianaembryo. However, its developmental functions remain unknown. This study aimed to analyze the role ofEPFL2during embryogenesis. We found that cotyledon growth was reduced in its loss-of-function mutants, and this phenotype was associated with the reduction of auxin response peaks at the tips of the primordia. The reduced cotyledon size of the mutant embryo recovered in germinating seedlings, indicating the presence of a factor that acted redundantly withEPFL2to promote cotyledon growth in late embryogenesis. Our analysis indicates that the boundary domain between the cotyledon primordia acts as a signaling center that organizes auxin response peaks and promotes cotyledon growth.
Remote working, management control changes and employee responses during the COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Delfino Gianluca F , van der Kolk Berend
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The authors examine the impact of the sudden shift to remote working, triggered by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, on management control (MC) practices in professional service firms (PSFs). In addition, employee responses to these changes are explored.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors carried out a field study of MC changes in PSFs in Italy, the first country in Europe that was severely impacted by COVID-19. Interviews with PSF employees form the primary data source. Pattern matching was used to identify similarities and differences and investigate how employees respond to the MC changes.

Findings

As a response to the shift to remote working, managers at PSFs made various MC-related changes. For instance, they increased the number of online meetings and made use of technologies to monitor employees from a distance. Employees reacted to this by engaging in “voluntary visibilizing practices”, i.e. by trying to make sure they got noted by their superiors, for instance by doing overtime. In addition, collected evidence suggests increased stress levels among employees, changes to employee autonomy, changed perceptions of hierarchies and a weakened sense of relatedness with others in the organization.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to examine the impact of the sudden shift to remote working on MC. In addition, this paper contributes by exploring employee responses to the MC-related changes. The findings add to the growing literature on MC and motivation, and the notion of voluntary visibilizing practices is mobilized to warn against over-commitment and self-exploitation.
Until you have something to lose! Loss aversion and two-factor authentication adoption
Authors: Pratama Ahmad R. , Firmansyah Firman M.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

In this study, the authors seek to understand factors that naturally influence users to adopt two-factor authentication (2FA) without even trying to intervene by investigating factors within individuals that may influence their decision to adopt 2FA by themselves.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 1,852 individuals from all 34 provinces in Indonesia participated in this study by filling out online questionnaires. The authors discussed the results from statistical analysis further through the lens of the loss aversion theory.

Findings

The authors found that loss aversion, represented by higher income that translates to greater potential pain caused by losing things to be the most significant demographic factor behind 2FA adoption. On the contrary, those with a low-income background, even if they have some college degree, are more likely to skip 2FA despite their awareness of this technology. The authors also found that the older generation, particularly females, to be among the most vulnerable groups when it comes to authentication-based cyber threats as they are much less likely to adopt 2FA, or even to be aware of its existence in the first place.

Originality/value

Authentication is one of the most important topics in cybersecurity that is related to human-computer interaction. While 2FA increases the security level of authentication methods, it also requires extra efforts that can translate to some level of inconvenience on the user's end. By identifying the associated factors from the user's ends, a necessary intervention can be made so that more users are willing to jump on the 2FA adopters' train.
Supply chain resilience: mapping the knowledge domains through a bibliometric approach
Authors: Ekanayake E.M.A.C. , Shen Geoffrey Qiping , Kumaraswamy Mohan
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to review the state-of-the-art of literature of supply chain resilience (SCR) and to map the SCR domain, so as to provide a launchpad for further knowledge development and dissemination.

Design/methodology/approach

CiteSpace as a bibliometric analysis software was used to systematically, comprehensively and accurately review the SCR-related literature and to then develop an SCR research map.

Findings

The results revealed the existing SCR publication base, domains, highly contributed publications, research hotspots, key milestones of SCR research development and a dynamic platform to integrate future research and development of SCR.

Originality/value

The scientific contribution to SCR knowledge is an accurate and quantitative SCR research map, including the related SCR publication base, domains, pillars, hotspots, evolution and future trends. The methodology and the findings can be generalised to many other fields. Besides, the proposed SCR research map could be frequently updated by injecting future findings from similar studies to fill any residual or newly emerging research gaps. Moreover, the results could inspire further new knowledge creation in the SCR domain, identify future research demands in this field and ultimately boost the performance of global SCs by triggering smart and sustainable practices.
Multi-party game and simulation in the withdrawal of rural homestead: evidence from China
Authors: Song Lei , Lyu Ping , Cao Yingui
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyze the interest conflicts and strategy evolution process of various stakeholders in the process of homestead withdrawal, to reveal which key factors can balance the interests of all parties.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed an evolutionary game theoretical framework for homestead withdrawal in Yujiang District, Jiangxi Province, China. The authors compared the dynamic process of strategy change in different situations based on system dynamics.

Findings

Compared with indirect external factors, direct economic factors, such as increasing compensation standards or increasing fines, are more likely to encourage peasants to withdraw from their homesteads. The dynamic subsidy strategy can increase the probability of peasants withdrawing from their homestead. Additionally, awarding officials with promotions can effectively encourage local governments during the process.

Originality/value

Previous studies have conceptualized farmers' willingness to withdraw from their homestead as a static process, ignoring the underlying dynamism. This paper analyzes the game mechanism among the stakeholders of the homestead withdrawal process from a dynamic perspective, to provide efficient suggestions regarding policymaking for homestead withdrawal.
Interactive relationship between non-farm employment and mechanization service expenditure in rural China
Authors: Zheng Hongyun , Ma Wanglin , Guo Yanzhi , Zhou Xiaoshi
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the interactive relationship between non-farm employment and mechanization service expenditure.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs an innovative two-stage probit least squares (2SPLS) model to analyze the survey data collected from 1,148 rural households in China. This model not only simultaneously estimates the impact of non-farm employment on mechanization service expenditure and the impact of mechanization service expenditure on non-farm employment, but also addresses endogeneity issues associated with these two activities.

Findings

The empirical results show that non-farm employment and mechanization service expenditure are jointly determined. In particular, the study finds that non-farm employment significantly increases mechanization service expenditure, and vice versa. The results are confirmed by an estimation that captures a dichotomous decision of mechanization service usage. The interactive effects of non-farm employment on mechanization service expenditure are heterogeneous between male and female household heads and among households with different member sizes. Further analyses reveal that (1) mechanization service expenditure increases with increasing non-farm working time; (2) local non-farm employment, rather than provincial non-farm employment, has a larger impact on mechanization service expenditure; and (3) the number of household members employed in non-farm works does not affect mechanization service expenditure significantly.

Originality/value

Although mechanization service markets are rapidly growing in many developing and transition countries, little is known about how service purchasing interacts with farmers' decisions to work in the non-farm sector. This study makes the first attempt by investigating the interactive effects of non-farm employment on mechanization service expenditure in rural China. The findings provide significant evidence for policymakers in China and other countries in their efforts to generate non-farm work opportunities and promote agricultural mechanization, with the aim of boosting rural development and improving farm economic performance.
Motivational profiles and proactive career behaviors among the solo self-employed
Authors: van den Groenendaal Sjanne Marie Elyse , Rossetti Silvia , van den Bergh Mattis , Kooij T.A.M. (Dorien) , Poell Rob. F.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

As the current “one size fits all” research approach is likely to be ineffective in identifying the conditions that promote the entrepreneurial career of the solo self-employed, this paper advances the current understanding of the heterogeneity among the solo self-employed.

Design/methodology/approach

A person-centered approach is used to identify groups among the solo self-employed based on their starting motives and to examine their engagement in proactive career behaviors.

Findings

Using Latent Class Analysis (LCA), six groups displaying distinct motivational profiles are identified: (1) the pushed by necessity, (2) entrepreneurs by heart, (3) control-seekers, (4) occupationally-driven, (5) challenge-seekers and (6) the family business-driven. In line with the argument that starting motives affect behavior because they reflect the future work selves that individuals aim for, results show that solo self-employed with distinct motivational profiles differ in their engagement in proactive career behaviors. For future research, it is recommended to examine the role of demographic characteristics in the engagement in proactive career behaviors.

Originality/value

Although starting motives among self-employed people have been studied frequently, this research applies an innovative methodological approach by using LCA. Hereby, a potentially more advanced configuration of starting motives is explored. Additionally, this study applies a career perspective towards the domain of solo self-employment by exploring how solo self-employed with distinct motivational profiles differ in terms of managing their entrepreneurial careers.
Application of machine learning in predicting construction project profit in Ghana using Support Vector Regression Algorithm (SVRA)
Authors: Adinyira Emmanuel , Adjei Emmanuel Akoi-Gyebi , Agyekum Kofi , Fugar Frank Desmond Kofi
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Knowledge of the effect of various cash-flow factors on expected project profit is important to effectively manage productivity on construction projects. This study was conducted to develop and test the sensitivity of a Machine Learning Support Vector Regression Algorithm (SVRA) to predict construction project profit in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relied on data from 150 institutional projects executed within the past five years (2014–2018) in developing the model. Eighty percent (80%) of the data from the 150 projects was used at hyperparameter selection and final training phases of the model development and the remaining 20% for model testing. Using MATLAB for Support Vector Regression, the parameters available for tuning were the epsilon values, the kernel scale, the box constraint and standardisations. The sensitivity index was computed to determine the degree to which the independent variables impact the dependent variable.

Findings

The developed model's predictions perfectly fitted the data and explained all the variability of the response data around its mean. Average predictive accuracy of 73.66% was achieved with all the variables on the different projects in validation. The developed SVR model was sensitive to labour and loan.

Originality/value

The developed SVRA combines variation, defective works and labour with other financial constraints, which have been the variables used in previous studies. It will aid contractors in predicting profit on completion at commencement and also provide information on the effect of changes to cash-flow factors on profit.
Overuse of small chest drains for pleural effusions: a retrospective practice review
Authors: Tajarernmuang Pattraporn , Gonzalez Anne V. , Valenti David , Beaudoin Stéphane
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Small-bore drains (≤ 16 Fr) are used in many centers to manage all pleural effusions. The goal of this study was to determine the proportion of avoidable chest drains and associated complications when a strategy of routine chest drain insertion is in place.

Design/methodology/approach

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive pleural procedures performed in the Radiology Department of the McGill University Health Centre over one year (August 2015–July 2016). Drain insertion was the default drainage strategy. An interdisciplinary workgroup established criteria for drain insertion, namely: pneumothorax, pleural infection (confirmed/highly suspected), massive effusion (more than 2/3 of hemithorax with severe dyspnea /hypoxemia), effusions in ventilated patients and hemothorax. Drains inserted without any of these criteria were deemed potentially avoidable.

Findings

A total of 288 procedures performed in 205 patients were reviewed: 249 (86.5%) drain insertions and 39 (13.5%) thoracenteses. Out of 249 chest drains, 113 (45.4%) were placed in the absence of drain insertion criteria and were deemed potentially avoidable. Of those, 33.6% were inserted for malignant effusions (without subsequent pleurodesis) and 34.5% for transudative effusions (median drainage duration of 2 and 4 days, respectively). Major complications were seen in 21.5% of all procedures. Pneumothorax requiring intervention (2.1%), bleeding (0.7%) and organ puncture or drain misplacement (2%) only occurred with drain insertion. Narcotics were prescribed more frequently following drain insertion vs. thoracentesis (27.1% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.03).

Originality/value

Routine use of chest drains for pleural effusions leads to avoidable drain insertions in a large proportion of cases and causes unnecessary harms.
Reflexive professional development in reflective practice: what lesson study can offer
Authors: Uştuk Özgehan , Çomoğlu İrem
Published: April 2021

Purpose

In response to the top-down professional development (PD) practice, this study conceptualizes lesson study (LS) as a bottom-up approach to foreign language teacher PD in the Turkish context. Relatedly, the authors seek to empower teachers so that they can engage in reflexive PD and claim voice over their practices.

Design/methodology/approach

An LS project including four teachers was implemented at a higher education language centre and conducted as a critical ethnographic study. Using ethnographic research qualitative data collection methods such as field notes, interviews and artefacts, the data were analysed with a thematic analytic approach.

Findings

Drawing on cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT), findings revealed that LS was a meta-activity that allowed teachers to be agents of the PD practices. More significantly, LS empowers teachers to have a situated impact on their development activities in addition to the meta-activity's impact on them.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few that goes beyond the reflective value of LS and gives contextual evidence of how reflexive PD can occur in LS. The reflexive relationship between the agent (participant–teachers) and the process (LS practice) provides a strong implication revealing the transformative impact of bottom-up PD activit(ies).
Contractual and relational enforcement in the aftermath of contract violations: the role of contracts and trust
Authors: Yao Hongjiang , Chen Yongqiang , Zhang Yangbing , Du Bo
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish an integrated framework of the antecedents of enforcement after contract violations in construction projects and to examine whether contract provisions (control and coordination provisions) and trust (goodwill and competence trust) affect enforcement mechanisms (contractual enforcement and relational enforcement).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method was employed to test the hypotheses. The authors collected data from the Chinese construction industry, and general contractor respondents were asked to answer a questionnaire about a contract violation by one of their subcontractors.

Findings

Control provisions and competence trust are positively related to contractual enforcement, but goodwill trust is negatively related to contractual enforcement. Relational enforcement is influenced by goodwill trust and competence trust.

Research limitations/implications

This study treats contract violations as a given variable, and it focuses on contract violations by subcontractors. The cross-sectional design makes it difficult to confirm the causality of the relationships.

Practical implications

Overly strict contractual enforcement can generate disputes and a vicious cycle of retaliation, and overly severe relational enforcement can damage a potentially profitable long-term relationship. In construction projects, the violating party will benefit from this study to avoid excessively contractual enforcement and relational enforcement, thus developing a more collaborative atmosphere on the current project and even establishing a solid long-term relationship.

Originality/value

This study extends the project management literature by investigating the antecedents of enforcement after contract violations, an area not yet fully researched.
Pandemic leadership: lessons learnt from a small state of Brunei Darussalam
Authors: Basir Khairul Hidayatullah , Rahman Ummi Fa’izah Abdul
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper analyses the leadership approach and practices of the Brunei Government, in response hitherto to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the available resources and existing literature on COVID-19 and crisis management in Brunei is conducted, consequently drawing lessons on effective measures of Brunei experience in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

The main key lessons of Brunei's success factors in tackling the COVID-19 outbreak are the “Whole of Government Approach” and “Whole of Nation Approach”. It is to be noted that the approach would not be successful without the approval and full support of the monarch himself and, more importantly, the public's cooperation. Engaging in constant updates with the government's willingness to have themselves be led by recognised experts has gained public trust, which leads to the success of containing COVID-19, which resulted Brunei not needing to opt for a lockdown, which in turn did not lead Brunei to succumb to the second wave of COVID-19.

Research limitations/implications

Brunei experiences in containing novel coronavirus will help international scholars, especially in Muslim countries, to understand the lessons and develop a robust pandemic leadership model.

Practical implications

The lessons and strategies used by Brunei can be used as an exemplary approach to prepare for any future uncertainties by other countries.

Originality/value

The literature on pandemic leadership during COVID-19 in Brunei is scarce. This study might be considered as the first attempt to exhibit strong crisis leadership capacity in Brunei which resulted in the success of containing COVID-19.
Employee voice behavior: A moderated mediation analysis of high-performance work system
Authors: Jha Sumi
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between psychological capital, employee voice behavior and innovative work behavior. The employee voice behavior was studied as a mediator. The study also studied high-performance work system (HPWS) as a moderator between psychological capital and voice behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The human resource department of organizations was approached for data collection facilitation. The sample consisted of full-time employees at the managerial and supervisory level of India's manufacturing and services organizations. 321 managers and 193 supervisors responded to the questionnaire. Standard questionnaires were used to collect data. Moderated mediation analysis was used to study the relationships among variables.

Findings

Findings indicated significant direct and indirect relationships. The presence of HPWS acted as a catalyst for relationship between psychological capital and employee voice behavior. The moderated mediation analysis findings showed the variation in outcome variable, innovative work behavior, when HPWS was low versus when HPWS was high.

Originality/value

Employee voice behavior has not yet been studied extensively in Indian context. Researcher examined the effect of employee voice behavior under high and low HPWS.
Mediating role of employee engagement on the relationship between succession planning practice and employee performance in academic institutions: PLS-SEM approach
Authors: Abdullahi Mohammed Sani , Raman Kavitha , Solarin Sakiru Adebola
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of succession planning practice (SPP) on employee engagement (EE) and employee performance (EP) in Malaysian private universities (MPU).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used a survey research design, and the study unit of the analysis consists of the academic staff of MPU. In the selection of the sample from the focused respondents (10,473) of the study, a stratified and simple random sampling method was used, and the study sample consists of 314 MPU academic staff. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the focused respondents while partial least square–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the study hypotheses.

Findings

The findings revealed that SPP has a significant effect on EP, and the relationship between SPP and EP is partially mediated by EE.

Practical implications

Sound succession systems for achieving academic staff performance should be put in place by the university management. Furthermore, the outcome of this research urges the policymaker to come up with a sound policy that can allow internal talents of the university to hold key leadership positions of any nature when the need arises before considering external talents, with that the talents will be satisfied and put decisive effort to achieve a positive result.

Originality/value

This paper has made a significant contribution to the knowledge and operationalization of the EE, EP and SPP literature. The research also assists the university management to mobilize qualified and talented staff for an unexpected and sudden resignation of staff which saves the university the cost of hiring and development, and at the same time, it encourages internal hiring.
Engineering in heritage conservation
Authors: Cruz Arturo , Coffey Vaughan , Chan Tommy H.T. , Perovic Miljenka
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to set out the role of engineers in heritage conservation and investigates and evaluates the proposed available tools, technology and innovations that are currently available in the civil engineering sector that can be applied in heritage conservation.

Design/methodology/approach

As society has become more aware of the grandeur of heritage spaces and structures, there is increasing pressure to preserve historic buildings. But, it is the economic cost of maintaining this important heritage legacy that has become the prime consideration of every state in Australia. Dedicated intelligent monitoring systems supplementing the traditional building inspections will enable the involved and interested stakeholders to carry out not only timely reactive response, but also to plan the maintenance of such buildings in a more vigilant and systematic manner. This will, in future, help to prevent further degradation of heritage buildings, which is very costly, often difficult and sometimes impossible to address if neglected. Savings in time and resources can be achieved, but only if a building's pathological monitoring and inspection results are on hand for use to guide major decisions to be made on how to best prevent further decay, or to save an important historical structure or building fabric.

Findings

The emergence of technological tools will enable the realization of a maintenance-focused conservation model. However, aside from the cost, these tools are still experimental in nature. These technologies are yet to be applied within the conservation industry with hopes of creating an easier and economically effective systematic method of heritage conservation.

Originality/value

The paper discusses the emerging tools and technologies in easing the monitoring aspect of a maintenance-focused conservation model.
The public–private–people partnership (P4) for cultural heritage management purposes
Authors: Boniotti Cristina
Published: April 2021

Purpose

In light of the difficulties the governments typically face in conserving and managing their rich public cultural heritage, which often lingers in a condition of neglect, this study aims to identify a set of additional tools capable of providing adequate financial resources as well as skills.

Design/methodology/approach

The general research methodology adopted is of a qualitative, rather than a quantitative, nature. In fact, the resulting considerations are mainly the consequence of a first broad theoretical examination, aimed at analyzing the different management models a public entity may adopt, and an applicable verification, aimed at describing some case histories selected by means of interviews.

Findings

The study develops a preliminary reflection on possible sector-specific models for public-built cultural heritage management that have not been well defined yet, especially so in reference to one of the institutional options, namely, the adoption of public–private–people agreements. Indeed, in addition to establishing the ties needed to link public institutions with the business sector, some strong involvement of society as a whole is advised to foster the implementation of projects and expedite the solution of shared problems. At a local level, for instance, private stakeholder participation must be encouraged, with special attention to the latter's cultural closeness to the territory involved.

Originality/value

This research identifies some tools suitable for adoption in the cultural heritage field, which would serve as perfect examples of community involvement and commitment, and some useful case studies resulting from the Italian context.