bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symbiont-mediated immune priming in animals through an evolutionary lens
Authors: Hoang Kim L. , King Kayla C.
Published: April 2022

Protective symbionts can defend hosts from parasites through several mechanisms, from direct interference to modulating host immunity, with subsequent effects on host and parasite fitness. While research on symbiont-mediated immune priming (SMIP) has focused on ecological impacts and agriculturally important organisms, the evolutionary implications of SMIP are less clear. Here, we review recent advances made in elucidating the ecological and molecular mechanisms by which SMIP occurs. We draw on current works to discuss the potential for this phenomenon to drive host, parasite, and symbiont evolution. We also suggest approaches that can be used to address questions regarding the impact of immune priming on host-microbe dynamics and population structures. Finally, due to the transient nature of some symbionts involved in SMIP, we discuss what it means to be a protective symbiont from ecological and evolutionary perspectives and how such interactions can affect long-term persistence of the symbiosis.
Life-course exposure to air pollution and biological ageing in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936
Authors: Baranyi Gergő , Deary Ian J. , McCartney Daniel L. , Harris Sarah E. , Shortt Niamh , Reis Stefan , Russ Tom C. , Thompson Catharine Ward , Vieno Massimo , Cox Simon R. , Pearce Jamie
Published: April 2022

Background

Exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with a range of diseases. Biomarkers derived from DNA methylation (DNAm) indicate a potential pathway to human health differences, connecting disease pathogenesis and biological ageing. However, little is known about sensitive periods during the life course where air pollution might have a stronger impact on DNAm, or whether effects accumulate over time.

Objectives

We examined associations between air pollution exposure across the life course and DNAm-based biomarkers of ageing.

Methods

Data were derived from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Participants’ residential history was linked to annual levels of PM2.5, SO2, NO2, and O3 around 1935, 1950, 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2001; pollutant concentrations were estimated using the EMEP4UK atmospheric chemistry transport model. Blood samples were obtained between ages of 70 and 80 years, and Horvath DNAmAge, Hannum DNAmAge, DNAmPhenoAge, DNAmGrimAge, and DNAm telomere length (DNAmTL) were computed. We applied the structured life-course modelling approach: least angle regression identified best-fit life-course models for a composite measure of air pollution (air quality index [AQI]), and mixed-effects regression estimated selected models for AQI and single pollutants.

Results

We included 525 individuals with 1782 observations. In the total sample, increased air pollution around 1970 was associated with higher epigenetic age (AQI: b=0.622 year, 95%CI: 0.151, 1.094) measured with Horvath DNAmAge in late adulthood. We found shorter DNAmTL among males with higher air pollution around 1980 (AQI: b=-0.035 kilobase, 95%CI: -0.057, -0.014) and among females with higher exposure around 1935 (AQI: b=-0.036 kilobase, 95%CI: -0.059, -0.013). Findings passed false discovery rate correction for DNAmTL, and were more consistent for the pollutants PM2.5, SO2 and NO2.

Discussion

We tested the life-course relationship between air pollution and DNAm-based biomarkers. Air pollution in utero and in young-to-mid adulthood is linked to accelerated epigenetic ageing and telomere-associated ageing in later life.
Insulated expression of periplasmic uricase inE. coliNissle 1917 for the treatment of hyperuricemia
Authors: He Lina , Tang Wei , Huang Ling , Zhou Wei , Huang Shaojia , Zou Linxuan , Yuan Lisha , Men Dong , Chen Shiyun , Hu Yangbo
Published: April 2022

Hyperuricemia is a prevalent disease worldwide that is characterized by elevated urate levels in the blood owing to purine metabolic disorders, which can result in gout and comorbidities. As approximately one-third of urate is excreted by the small intestine and cleared by intestinal microorganisms, modulating the gut microbiota could be an attractive approach for hyperuricemia and gout treatment. In this study, we engineered a probioticE. coliNissle 1917 (EcN) strain, EcN C6, which expresses periplasmic uricase at an “insulated site”, for urate degeneration. Oral administration of EcN C6 successfully alleviated hyperuricemia, related symptom and gut microbiota in a purine-rich food-induced hyperuricemia rat model and auox-knockout mouse model. Importantly, the expression of periplasmic uricase in the insulated site did not influence the probiotic properties or global gene transcription of EcN, suggesting that EcN C6 is a safe, effective and low cost therapeutic candidate for hyperuricemia treatment.
Reassessing the helix bundle crossing model for gating in a non-selective ion channel
Authors: Kurauskas Vilius , Tonelli Marco , Henzler-Wildman Katherine
Published: April 2022

A critical part of ion channel function is the ability to open and close in response to stimuli, and thus conduct ions in a regulated fashion. While X-ray diffraction studies of ion channels suggested a general steric gating mechanism located at the helix bundle crossing (HBC), recent functional studies on several channels indicate that the helix bundle crossing is open even in closed, non-conductive channels. Two NaK channel variants were crystallized in very different, open and closed conformations and served as an important model of the HBC gating hypothesis. However, neither of these NaK variants are conductive in liposomes unless phenylalanine 92 is mutated to alanine (F92A). Here we use NMR to probe distances at near-atomic resolution of the two NaK variants in lipid bicelles. We demonstrate that in contrast to the crystal structures, both NaK variants are in a fully open conformation, akin to the well known MthK channel structure were the HBC is widely open. Further inquiry into the gating mechanism suggests that the selectivity filter and pore helix are coupled to the M2 helix below and undergo changes in structure when F92 is mutated. Overall, our data shows that NaK exhibits coupling between the selectivity filter and HBC similar to K+ channels and has a more complex gating mechanism than previously thought.
Modeling COVID-19 disease biology to identify drug treatment candidates
Authors: Jessen Walter J. , Gaisenband Stefan Diaz , Quintanilla M’Lissa , Lula Sadiq , McLeroth Patrick , Sullivan Adam , Letovsky Stanley
Published: April 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Currently, there are a limited number of effective treatments. A variety of drugs that have been approved for other diseases are being tested for the treatment of COVID-19, and thus far only remdesevir, dexamethasone, baricitinib, tofacitinib, tocilizumab, and sarilumab have been recommended by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel for the therapeutic management of hospitalized adults with COVID-19. Using a disease biology modeling approach, we constructed a protein-protein interactome network based on COVID-19- associated genes/proteins described in research literature together with known protein-protein interactions in epithelial cells. Phenotype and disease enrichment analysis of the COVID-19 disease biology model demonstrated strong statistical enrichments consistent with patients’ clinical presentation. The model was used to interrogate host biological response induced by SARS-CoV-2 and identify COVID-19 drug treatment candidates that may inform on drugs currently being evaluated or provide insight into possible targets for potential new therapeutic agents. We focused on cancer drugs as they are often used to control inflammation, inhibit cell division, and modulate the host microenvironment to control the disease. From the top 30 COVID-19 drug candidates, twelve have a role as an antineoplastic agent, seven of which are approved for human use. Altogether, nearly 40% of the drugs identified by our model have been identified by others for COVID-19 clinical trials. Disease biology modeling incorporating disease-associated genes/proteins discussed in the research literature together with known molecular interactions in relevant cell types is a useful method to better understand disease biology and identify potentially effective therapeutic interventions.
An X-ray beam profile monitoring system at a beamline front-end combining a single-crystal diamond film and energy discrimination using droplet analysis
Authors: Kudo Togo , Sano Mutsumi , Matsumoto Takahiro , Itoga Toshiro , Goto Shunji , Takahashi Sunao
Published: April 2022

This work has successfully demonstrated a system for monitoring pink-beam X-rays exiting from a beamline front-end, which has a specific spatial distribution based on each energy component. In this study, the X-rays scattered from a single-crystal chemical-vapor-deposited diamond film were converted into a cross-sectional image using pinhole optics, followed by digitization with a direct detection complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor 2D detector. By using single crystals instead of poly-crystals, good quality images were obtained with no diffraction bright spots. As a result of applying photon energy discrimination using the droplet analysis to the image information, the spatial distribution of each energy component of the undulator radiation was successfully visualized. The result was found to be in good agreement with the theoretically calculated result obtained using the synchrotron radiation calculation code SPECTRA. The new synchrotron radiation beam monitor proposed in this paper can serve as a powerful beam diagnostic tool for diffraction-limited rings that require strict light source stability.
Synthesis and characterization of the `Japanese rice-ball'-shaped Molybdenum Blue Na4[Mo2O2(OH)4(C6H4NO2)2]2[Mo120Ce6O366H12(OH)2(H2O)76]∼200H2O
Authors: Al-Sayed Emir , Tanuhadi Elias , Giester Gerald , Rompel Annette
Published: April 2022

The hybridized lanthanide-containing molybdenum blue (Ln-MB) wheel Na4[Mo2O2(OH)4(C6H4NO2)2]2[Mo120Ce6O366H12(OH)2(H2O)76]∼200H2O ({Mo2(C6H4NO2)2}2{Mo120Ce6}) was assembled in an aqueous one-pot synthesis. The Ln-MB was hybridized with 2-picolinic acid through the generation of the organometallic counter-ion [Mo2O2(OH)4(C6H4NO2)2]2+. Control experiments demonstrated that the position of the carboxylic acid group (2-position to the N atom) in the hybridization component is critical in yielding single crystals of Ln-MB. In addition to single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, which revealed a `Japanese rice-ball'-shaped Ln-MB as the anion, elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed to confirm its structure and composition. Bond-valence-sum calculations (BVS) revealed that {Mo2(C6H4NO2)2}2{Mo120Ce6} is composed of a 24-electron reduced anionic ring, which was confirmed by Vis–NIR spectroscopy.
Investor communication channels: the case of e-mail and corporate websites – mutually exclusive or complementary?
Authors: Nel George , Baard Roelof
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was threefold: to examine companies' e-mail handling performance, to ascertain whether companies' view corporate websites and respond to e-mail requests as mutually exclusive or complementary, and finally to gauge the strategic importance of retail investors.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings are based on an analysis of the corporate websites and e-mail handling performance of the 77 smallest companies listed on a South African stock exchange. A “mystery investor” approach was employed to measure companies' e-mail handling performance in terms of responsiveness, timeliness and relevance of responses. A disclosure score was calculated for each company based on a content analysis of corporate websites.

Findings

The opportunity for improvement exists, as evidenced in the fact that only 53% of companies responded to an e-mail request from a retail investor. The results suggest that corporate websites and the e-mail functionality are not used in isolation but as complementary. Although the results suggest that companies neglect retail investors, companies that provided a dedicated investor relations (IR) contact address prioritised both their corporate websites aimed to a wide range of stakeholders, as well as responding to an e-mail request received from a retail investor.

Originality/value

This study contributes to research on the association between one-way and two-way communication channels, aimed at retail investors. It is the first study to explore these relationships using data from the smallest companies listed on the stock exchange of an emerging economy.
A deep neural networks-based fusion model for COVID-19 rumor detection from online social media
Authors: Lu Heng-yang , Yang Jun , Fang Wei , Song Xiaoning , Wang Chongjun
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The COVID-19 has become a global pandemic, which has caused large number of deaths and huge economic losses. These losses are not only caused by the virus but also by the related rumors. Nowadays, online social media are quite popular, where billions of people express their opinions and propagate information. Rumors about COVID-19 posted on online social media usually spread rapidly; it is hard to analyze and detect rumors only by artificial processing. The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel model called the Topic-Comment-based Rumor Detection model (TopCom) to detect rumors as soon as possible.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted COVID-19 rumor detection from Sina Weibo, one of the most widely used Chinese online social media. The authors constructed a dataset about COVID-19 from January 1 to June 30, 2020 with a web crawler, including both rumor and non-rumors. The rumor detection task is regarded as a binary classification problem. The proposed TopCom model exploits the topical memory networks to fuse latent topic information with original microblogs, which solves the sparsity problems brought by short-text microblogs. In addition, TopCom fuses comments with corresponding microblogs to further improve the performance.

Findings

Experimental results on a publicly available dataset and the proposed COVID dataset have shown superiority and efficiency compared with baselines. The authors further randomly selected microblogs posted from July 1–31, 2020 for the case study, which also shows the effectiveness and application prospects for detecting rumors about COVID-19 automatically.

Originality/value

The originality of TopCom lies in the fusion of latent topic information of original microblogs and corresponding comments with DNNs-based models for the COVID-19 rumor detection task, whose value is to help detect rumors automatically in a short time.
A family-oriented view on well-being amongst low-status expatriates in an international workplace
Authors: Haak-Saheem Washika , Liang Xiaoyan , Holland Peter Jeffrey , Brewster Chris
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The pandemic emphasised the importance for society of the “hidden” workforce – cleaners, delivery drivers, security guards or hospital porters. This paper explores the well-being of low-status expatriates in the international workplace exemplified by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This is one of the first studies examining the well-being of people at the bottom of the pyramid, living in difficult circumstances, and undertaking work that is hard and sometimes dangerous.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt an exploratory approach. Using semi-structured interview data from 21 low-status expatriates, the authors examine their experiences in the UAE in relation to their well-being, allowing the authors to suggest the need to develop our understanding of the concept of well-being and the concept's application.

Findings

Low-status expatriates live restrictive lives, away from their family and friends for extended periods, and subject to rigid terms and conditions of employment. Difficult circumstances, long working hours, late or arbitrarily reduced salary payment and a lack of voice affect their personal well-being and sacrificed to consideration for their family well-being. Applying the concept of well-being in such cases requires the authors to develop the notion beyond the individual to encompass the wider family.

Research limitations/implications

This exploratory analysis opens new avenues for well-being studies and highlights the need for contextualised research. Future research might benefit from quantitative methods being used alongside qualitative methods and collecting multiple perspective data, including the views of managers and policy makers and data from the “left-behind” families of these low-status expatriates.

Practical implications

There is plenty of scope for managers of low-status expatriates to improve the latter's well-being. Given the lack of interest in doing so, the authors suggest that policy makers may need to modify extant legalisation to ensure a greater focus on low-status expatriates.

Originality/value

The authors believe this to be the first study to examine the impact of family orientation on the well-being of low-status expatriates, encouraging the authors to challenge and suggest developments to current understandings of well-being.
Acculturation stress and social support for international students' adjustment in Malaysia: does language proficiency matter?
Authors: Lashari Sana Anwar , Awang-Hashim Rosna , Lashari Tahira Anwar , Kaur Amrita
Published: April 2022

Purpose

International students with low proficiency in the English language remain at high risk of academic, social and psychological maladjustment. Using an acculturation theoretical framework, this study aims to show that acculturation stress and social support mediate the relationship between language proficiency and academic, social, and psychological adjustment among 675 international postgraduate students in Malaysian public universities.

Design/methodology/approach

Correlational research design was employed to gather data from 227 females and 448 males aged between 22–45 years belonging to Asian, Middle Eastern or African countries. Out of these, 292 students were enrolled in master's degrees, and 383 students were enrolled in Ph.D. Self-administered questionnaires were used which includes Student Adjustment to the College Questionnaire (SACQ) to measure students' academic adjustment, Kwak to assess students' English language proficiency, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) to assess perceived availability of social support from friends and Acculturative Stress Scale for International Students (ASSIS) to measure acculturation stress.

Findings

The hypothesized model was tested using path analysis with manifest variables in Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) 23.0. The findings suggest that language proficiency is a significant predictor of academic, social and psychological adjustment of international students, and this relationship is partially mediated by acculturation stress and social support.

Research limitations/implications

The article concludes with implications and recommendations for international student offices and program organizers to ensure conditions for successful academic, social and psychological adjustment of the international students.

Originality/value

The manuscript has not been published or submitted elsewhere.
The effect of entrepreneurial characteristics on attitude and intention: an empirical study among technical undergraduates
Authors: Dubey Pushkar
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Unemployment is the biggest issue for all the developing countries, especially India, where millions of educated people are passed out every year from different educational institutes, but against this, the jobs are not being generated. This situation will only be addressed effectively when the government/authorities make more efforts to identify/create potential entrepreneurs. The present study investigates the relationship of entrepreneurial characteristics on entrepreneurial attitude and intention among engineering undergraduates engaged in various technical institutions in Chhattisgarh state.

Design/methodology/approach

Stratified random sampling was used to collect sample of 1,000 engineering undergraduates enrolled in third and fourth year at different technical institutions of Chhattisgarh state.

Findings

Structural equation modelling and hierarchal multiple regression analysis were incorporated, and the analysis revealed that the entrepreneurial characteristic was found to be a significant predictor of entrepreneurial attitude and intention of engineering undergraduates. The study also discusses managerial implications, limitations and avenues for future research.

Originality/value

Looking at the current scenario, the present study discusses with several factors influencing entrepreneurial attitude and intention of engineering undergraduates, which might be the only solution to a significant issue, i.e. unemployment. In addition, there is a huge lack of research in addressing unemployment issue through entrepreneurship in the state of Chhattisgarh.
Supporting management of new product development via a novel conceptual model: an interview driven approach
Authors: Ball Zachary , Cagan Jonathan , Kotovsky Kenneth
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of the industry practice to guide the formation of support tools with a rigorous theoretical backing. Cross-functional teams are an essential component in new product development (NPD) of complex products to promote comprehensive coverage of product design, marketing, sales, support as well as many other activities of business. Efficient use of teams can allow for greater technical competency coverage, increased creativity, reduced development times and greater consideration of ideas from a variety of stakeholders. While academics continually aspire to propose methods for improved team composition, there exists a gap between research directions and applications found within industry practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Through interviewing product development managers working across a variety of industries, this paper investigates the common practices of team utilization in an organizational setting. Following these interviews, this paper proposes a conceptual two-dimensional management support model aggregating the primary drivers of team success and providing direction to systematically address features of team management and composition.

Findings

Based on this work, product managers are recommended to continually address the positioning of members throughout the entire NPD process. In the early stages, individuals are to be placed to work on project components with explicit consideration toward the perceived complexity of tasks and individual competency. Throughout the development process, individuals’ positions vary based on new information while continued emphasis is placed on maintaining a shared understanding.

Originality/value

Bridging the gap between theory and application within product development teams is a necessary step toward improved product develop. Industrial settings require practical solutions that can be applied economically and efficiently within their organization. Theoretical reflections postulated by academia support improved team design; however, to achieve true success, they must be applicable when considering product development.
Assessing the AI-CRM technology capability for sustaining family businesses in times of crisis: the moderating role of strategic intent
Authors: Chaudhuri Ranjan , Chatterjee Sheshadri , Kraus Sascha , Vrontis Demetris
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study assesses the capability of artificial intelligence integrated customer relationship management (AI-CRM) technology for sustaining family businesses in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also investigates the moderating role of strategic intent in sustaining family businesses in times of crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used dynamic capability view theory and related literature on family business and technology adoption to develop a conceptual model. This model has been validated using the structural equation modeling technique considering 332 usable responses from people of India involved in family businesses and technology adoption. The study also uses multigroup analysis to examine the moderating role of strategic intent.

Findings

The study finds that adoption of AI-CRM technology significantly and positively impacts dynamic capabilities of the family businesses, such as sensing, seizing and transforming capabilities, which in turn positively and significantly influences their sustainability during crises. The study also highlights the significant moderating impact of strategic intent for sustaining family business firms in uncertain times.

Practical implications

This study has highlighted the importance for family businesses to adopt AI-CRM technology and its influence on their dynamic capabilities. The study also provides important inputs to the management of family businesses regarding adoption of new technologies and their significance during crises. The study also documents that strategic intent could help family businesses to survive during such times. The study is conducted in India and thus cannot be generalized.

Originality/value

This study table is unique in that it investigates the influence of AI-CRM technology and the moderating role of strategic intent on family business sustainability in times of crisis. Moreover, the proposed theoretical model is a unique model with explanative power of 71%.
The effect of business intelligence practices on job satisfaction in the Saudi Electricity Company in the Asir Region
Authors: Binzafrah Faiz , Taleedi Faisal
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of business intelligence on job satisfaction in the Saudi Electricity Company in the Asir. It aims to evaluate employee job satisfaction after adopting a BI system for job practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method including descriptive, questionnaire for data collection and analytical approach was used. The random sample population consists of 354 employees out of 3,000.

Findings

It is found that the implementation of a BI system and the associated practices have a statistically significant effect on employee job satisfaction. The study recommends the adoption of BI systems for organizational activities. Such organizations must consider the latest BI tools for solving business problems.

Originality/value

To the best of authors' knowledge, the current study is the first attempt to evaluate the performance of BI practices in the region and in context of employee job satisfaction. This will contribute to understanding the job satisfaction in similar organizational environment.
Variants of drill as preparations for responding to surprising events
Authors: Born Eva , Lehner Johannes M.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to research on management training and development by exploring the impact of extensive training labeled as drill on coping with critical situations. More specifically, it inquires into conditions and supplements for drill to move from mere adaptation to exaptation, relating to the transfer of drilled procedures to serve novel requirements, in events involving different types of surprise.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts an interpretive research approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with members of the Austrian Military on cases of resilient field action in manifold situations of surprise.

Findings

The paper reveals that two different kinds of drill lead to properties that are essential for recovery from shock during critical events: the pure drill and the preaptative drill. Pure drill enables automatized action in situations when time or emotional pressure is too high for reflection or consideration of different options. Preaptative drill, pertaining to drill enhanced with background knowledge, leads to adaption or even exaptation of automatized action through reflection.

Originality/value

The present paper is the first to show the potential impact of drill on the ability to deal with specific kinds of surprise. It suggests that incorporating explanatory background knowledge about why and how rules and learned behaviors that were created into training programs can be of vital importance for dealing with surprise successfully.
A pedagogical model for STEAM education
Authors: Bertrand Marja G. , Namukasa Immaculate K.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Certain researchers have expressed concerns about inequitable discipline representations in an integrated STEM/STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) unit that may limit what students gain in terms of depth of knowledge and understanding. To address this concern, the authors investigate the stages of integrated teaching units to explore the ways in which STEAM programs can provide students with a deeper learning experience in mathematics. This paper addresses the following question: what learning stages promote a deeper understanding and more meaningful learning experience of mathematics in the context of STEAM education?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors carried out a qualitative case study and collected the following data: interviews, lesson observations and analyses of curriculum documents. The authors took a sample of four different STEAM programs in Ontario, Canada: two at nonprofit organizations and two at in-school research sites.

Findings

The findings contribute to a curriculum and instructional model which ensures that mathematics curriculum expectations are more explicit and targeted, in both the learning expectations and assessment criteria, and essential to the STEAM learning tasks. The findings have implications for planning and teaching STEAM programs.

Originality/value

The authors derived four stages of the STEAM Maker unit or lesson from the analysis of data collected from the four sites, which the authors present in this paper. These four stages offer a model for a more robust integrated curriculum focusing on a deeper understanding of mathematics curriculum content.
Modelling concrete slabs subjected to localised fire action with OpenSees
Authors: Orabi Mhd Anwar , Qiu Jin , Jiang Liming , Usmani Asif
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Reinforced concrete slabs in fire have been heavily studied over the last three decades. However, most experimental and numerical work focuses on long-duration uniform exposure to standard fire. Considerably less effort has been put into investigating the response to localised fires that result in planarly non-uniform temperature distribution in the exposed elements.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the OpenSees for Fire framework for modelling slabs under non-uniform fire exposure is presented, verified against numerical predictions by Abaqus and then validated against experimental tests. The thermal wrapper developed within OpenSees for Fire is then utilised to apply localised fire exposure to the validated slab models using the parameters of an experimentally observed localised fire. The effect of the smoke layer is also considered in this model and shown to significantly contribute to the thermal and thus thermo-mechanical response of slabs. Finally, the effect of localised fire heat release rate (HRR) and boundary conditions are studied.

Findings

The analysis showed that boundary conditions are very important for the response of slabs subject to localised fire, and expansive strains may be accommodated as deflections without severely damaging the slab by considering the lateral restraint.

Originality/value

This work demonstrates the capabilities of OpenSees for Fire in modelling structural behaviours subjected to non-uniform fire conditions and investigates the damage pattens of flat slabs exposed to localised fires. It is an advancing step towards understanding structural responses to realistic fires.
The active factor of alliance in psychotherapy: differentiation of therapeutic alliance quality according to the psychotherapist’s theoretical orientation and type of disorder
Authors: Prusiński Tomasz
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The results of empirical research on the patient–psychotherapist relationship have led to the fundamental conclusion that the therapeutic alliance is one of the key factors ensuring the positive outcomes of psychotherapy. The main aim of the present study is to determine what variables pertaining to the context of psychotherapy (type of treatment applied in accordance with the psychotherapist’s modality/orientation, type of disorder diagnosed in the patient) differentiated the alliance.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants for the main study were recruited from public and private psychotherapy offices across Poland. The working alliance was assessed based on 262 psychotherapist–patient dyads. The sample consisted of 428 participants. To assess the quality of therapeutic alliance, the author used the full version of the Working Alliance Inventory as adapted into Polish.

Findings

The results of analyses led to several basic conclusions. The study revealed a differentiating effect of type of psychotherapy on the quality of therapeutic alliance. Alliance quality was not differentiated by the type of disorder diagnosed in patients and treated in the psychotherapeutic process.

Originality/value

The results of analyses presented in this empirical study allowed for exploring the quality of the therapeutic alliance with contextual variables related to the psychotherapeutic process taken into account.
A social media engagement framework for applicant attraction and retention: #SocialMediaCongruence
Authors: Johnson Andrew Franklin , Roberto Katherine J. , Hartwell Christopher J. , Taylor Jennifer F.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The social media (SM) engagement framework consists of dimensions of employee privacy expectations and organizations' social media orientation. Further, the social media privacy orientation model provides better understanding of complexities of selection and retention created by the social media landscape.

Design/methodology/approach

Organizations are increasingly seeking talent to support burgeoning social media strategies. Qualified employees may be expected to have related professional experience and an active personal social media presence. In contrast to this evolving demand, prevailing guidelines suggest applicants minimize their social media activity altogether. These restrictive guidelines may be better suited for organizations that prefer or require high levels of discretion on social media given the differing engagement expectations across firms and among individuals.

Findings

How the congruence between an employee's expectations of privacy on SM and the organization's expectation of employees' SM usage affects applicant attraction to organizations and employee retention is outlined. Propositions are offered to foster research in this area.

Practical implications

Social media congruence is an important consideration for human resource (HR) policies and associated training.

Social implications

Public policies toward the use of social media in recruitment and privacy should consider social media congruence.

Originality/value

The model advanced in the paper provides organizations and applicants with a stronger understanding of the complexities surrounding the use of SM in selection and retention decisions.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-05-2021-0260
How does the power dynamics in the information technology outsourcing supply chain influence supplier's talent retention: a multiple case study
Authors: Zhang Xiwei , Liang Xiaoyan
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the power dynamics between the client firm and the supplier firm in the information technology outsourcing (ITO) supplier chain influence the supplier firm's human resource management (HRM) practices, particularly talent retention.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-case study approach was adopted comprising four supplier firms, three client firms and a total of 53 interviews. The transaction cost economics (TCE) is the theoretical lens that guides the interpretation of our findings.

Findings

The power dynamics between client and supplier firms in the ITO supply chain is one underpinned by TCE theory, characterised by an asymmetric client-dominated, transactional relationship, with the client firms controlling the “why”, the “what”, and the “how” dimensions of their collaboration. This “three-dimensional control” led to high talent turnover in supplier firms, which boomerangs to perpetuate the power dynamic, forming “vicious cycles of talent turnover” in the ITO supplier chain.

Originality/value

No previous study has analysed power dynamics as an external factor on ITO supplier firms' talent retention. The construct of the “three-dimensional-control” offers a framework to study power dynamics in the ITO supplier chain. The study’s framework of the “vicious cycles of talent turnover” is the first that explains the mechanisms through which the power dynamics in the ITO influences supplier's talent retention.
A critical review of public–private partnerships in the COVID-19 pandemic: key themes and future research agenda
Authors: Akomea-Frimpong Isaac , Jin Xiaohua , Osei-Kyei Robert , Tumpa Roksana Jahan
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Undoubtedly, coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has released unprecedented disruptions and health crisis on people and activities everywhere. The impacts extend to public–private partnership (PPP) arrangements in the construction industry. Concomitantly, PPP pacts are contributing to combat the pandemic. However, literature on the PPP concept in the COVID-19 era remain under-researched. This study aims to review the current literature on PPPs in the COVID-19 pandemic and present the key themes, research gaps and future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 29 highly relevant literature were sourced from Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed search engines within the systematic literature review (SLR) methodology. With the aid of qualitative content analysis, the 29 articles were critically analysed leading to the extraction of hot research themes on PPPs in the coronavirus pandemic.

Findings

The results of the SLR produced eight themes such as major changes in PPP contracts, development of the COVID-19 vaccines, economic recession, facemasks and testing kits, governance and sustainability of PPPs. In addition, the study reveals seven research gaps that need further investigations among the scientific research community on mental health and post-pandemic recovery plans.

Research limitations/implications

The articles selected for this review were limited to only peer-reviewed journal papers written in English excluding conference papers. This restriction may have taken out some relevant literature but they had insignificant impact on the overall outcome of this research.

Practical implications

To improve the understanding of practitioners in the construction industry on key issues on PPPs in the COVID-19 pandemic, the study provides them a checklist of relevant themes.

Originality/value

As a novel literature review relating PPPs to the coronavirus, it sets the foundation for further research and contributes to practical measures to control the virus.
Measurement and sonification of construction site noise and particle pollution data
Authors: Rönnberg Niklas , Ringdahl Rasmus , Fredriksson Anna
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The noise and dust particles caused by the construction transport are by most stakeholders experienced as disturbing. The purpose of this study is to explore how sonification can support visualization in construction planning to decrease construction transport disturbances.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents an interdisciplinary research project, combining research on construction logistics, internet of things and sonification. First, a data recording device, including sound, particle, temperature and humidity sensors, was implemented and deployed in a development project. Second, the collected data were used in a sonification design, which was, third, evaluated with potential users.

Findings

The results showed that the low-cost sensors used could capture “good enough” data, and that the use of sonification for representing these data is interesting and a possible useful tool in urban and construction transport planning.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need to further evolve the sonification design and better communicate the aim of the sounds used to potential users. Further testing is also needed.

Practical implications

This study introduces new ideas of how to support visualization with sonification planning the construction work and its impact on the vicinity of the site. Currently, urban planning and construction planning focus on visualizing the final result, with little focus on how to handle disturbances during the construction process.

Originality/value

Showing the potentials of using low-cost sensor data in sonification, and using sonification together with visualization, is the result of a novel interdisciplinary research area combination.
‘Politically devastating passions’: Romance and reality in the aesthetics of democracy
Authors: Gibbs Alexis
Published: April 2022

To speak of democracy is often to speak less of a fact than of a hope. In his introduction to Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville admitted that ‘… in America I saw more than America; I sought the image of democracy itself, with its inclinations, its character, its prejudices and its passions, in order to learn what we have to fear or to hope from its progress’. De Tocqueville recognised that democracy's success would rely on its constant promotion, the affirmation and revaluation of its terms and conditions, such that it sustains the investedness of its (voluntary) participants. This paper considers the work of Stanley Cavell as inheriting the tone of de Tocqueville's romantic will to democracy, particularly in the discovery of its analogous image in ‘remarriage comedy’. I look first at the ways in which popular pictures of (in this case, American) democracy on film sustain an expression of hope for a better set of relations amongst equal and consenting participants, an expression that is identified as romantic in nature. By contrast, I will also discuss how representations of democracy's reality on screen—pictures that sit outside comfortable generic expectations, and reveal those moments in which interest in democratic participation or values has ebbed or is dormant—have as much to tell us about democracy's character as more idealist expressions of what it might be or become.
Post‐operative survival and functional status of patients with lung malignancy who presented primarily with brain metastasis in a tertiary referral centre
Authors: Cheung Harry Ling‐kit , Yam Kwong‐yui
Published: April 2022

Aim

This study aims to review the outcome of patients who have had surgical excision of brain metastasis from undiagnosed lung cancer.

Methods

This is a retrospective case series of all patients who had resection of brain metastasis from lung cancer. Data were retrieved from a computer registry. Patient demographics, pre‐operative condition, choice of treatment and post‐operative outcome were studied.

Results

A total of 45 patients were identified within the study period. The median age of these patients was 61 years. After the operation, 71% of the patients had no neurological deficit and 80% attained a Karnofsky Performance Score of at least 70. There was no serious complication requiring reoperation. Median survival was 15 months and 3‐year radiological progression‐free survival rate was 56%. In terms of overall survival, there was no statistical difference between the groups of patients aged below or above 65 years as well as patients with one or multiple brain metastases.

Conclusions

Patients with brain metastasis having the primary presentation of lung malignancy enjoy a reasonable functionality and survival after brain metastasis excision. More aggressive treatment for the brain metastasis should be considered.
A synapsin Ⅰ cleavage fragment contributes to synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Meng Lanxia , Zou Li , Xiong Min , Chen Jiehui , Zhang Xingyu , Yu Ting , Li Yiming , Liu Congcong , Chen Guiqin , Wang Zhihao , Ye Keqiang , Zhang Zhentao
Published: April 2022

Synaptic dysfunction is a key feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic dysfunction remain unclear. Here, we show that synapsin Ⅰ, one of the most important synaptic proteins, is fragmented by the cysteine proteinase asparagine endopeptidase (AEP). AEP cleaves synapsin at N82 in the brains of AD patients and generates the C‐terminal synapsin Ⅰ (83–705) fragment. This fragment is abnormally distributed in neurons and induces synaptic dysfunction. Overexpression of AEP in the hippocampus of wild‐type mice results in the production of the synapsin Ⅰ (83–705) fragment and induces synaptic dysfunction and cognitive deficits. Moreover, overexpression of the AEP‐generated synapsin Ⅰ (83–705) fragment in the hippocampus of tau P301S transgenic mice and wild‐type mice promotes synaptic dysfunction and cognitive deficits. These findings suggest a novel mechanism of synaptic dysfunction in AD.
Are IFRS Standards a ‘trusted’ language for private firm credit decisions? An analysis of country differences in users’ perspective
Authors: Jorissen Ann , Ram Ronita , Barros Pedro Moraya
Published: April 2022

This paper studies whether creditors trust and use IFRS‐based information in the context of private firm loan decisions. Through an institutional theory lens, and based on information collected from 108 bankers, we find that IFRS numbers are more trusted and used than local‐GAAP (non‐IFRS Standards‐based) numbers. Differences in countries’ formal and informal institutions are related to observed cross‐country differences in trust and use of financial information. We also find that mandatory IFRS Standards adoption in a country is associated with higher use of these numbers than when countries permit the adoption of IFRS Standards.
Three‐year prospective outcomes of laparoscopic intraperitoneal on‐lay mesh repair of abdominal incisional hernia
Authors: Tuan Anh Nguyen , Huu Tuan Ly , Hong Son Nguyen , Le Huy Luu , Quoc Vinh Nguyen , Van Hai Nguyen
Published: April 2022

Background

Incisional hernia (IH) can be treated with an intraperitoneal on‐lay mesh (IPOM). This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes, recurrence rates, and chronic pain after laparoscopic IH repair.

Method

The data of 50 patients who underwent laparoscopic IPOM repair between March 2018 and May 2021 were prospectively collected.

Results

The standard IPOM technique was used on 41 patients (82%), whereas the IPOM‐plus technique was used on nine patients (18%). There was a history of IH repair for 12 patients (24%), and two of them recurrent hernias. The average body mass index was 24.7, and the average defect size was 17.6 cm2. The mean operative time was 145.7 minutes, and the mean hospital stay was 3.5 days. There were minor complications in nine patients (18%), a case of bowel injury (2%), and a case of bladder injury (2%). Recurrent hernias were observed in three patients (6%) over a mean follow‐up period of 17.9 months (4–36 months). One patient had postoperative chronic pain lasting 3 months. The width and size of the hernia were risk factors for recurrence.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic IPOM repair was a safe and effective method of treating IH, with a low incidence of postoperative complications, chronic pain, and recurrence.