bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneity in transmissibility and shedding SARS-CoV-2 via droplets and aerosols
Authors: Chen Paul Z. , Bobrovitz Niklas , Premji Zahra , Koopmans Marion , Fisman David N. , Gu Frank X.
Published: October 2020

Which virological factors mediate overdispersion in the transmissibility of emerging viruses remains a longstanding question in infectious disease epidemiology. Here, we use systematic review to develop a comprehensive dataset of respiratory viral loads (rVLs) of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1 and influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. We then comparatively meta-analyze the data and model individual infectiousness by shedding viable virus via respiratory droplets and aerosols. Our analyses indicate heterogeneity in rVL as an intrinsic virological factor facilitating greater overdispersion for SARS-CoV-2 in the COVID-19 pandemic than A(H1N1)pdm09 in the 2009 influenza pandemic. For COVID-19, case heterogeneity remains broad throughout the infectious period, including for pediatric and asymptomatic infections. Hence, many COVID-19 cases inherently present minimal transmission risk, whereas highly infectious individuals shed tens to thousands of SARS-CoV-2 virions/min via droplets and aerosols while breathing, talking and singing. Coughing increases the contagiousness, especially in close contact, of symptomatic cases relative to asymptomatic ones. Infectiousness tends to be elevated between 1-5 days post-symptom onset. Our findings show how individual case variations influence virus transmissibility and present considerations for disease control in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Significance Statement

For some emerging infectious diseases, including COVID-19, few cases cause most secondary infections. Others, like influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, spread more homogenously. The virological factors that mediate such distinctions in transmissibility remain unelucidated, prohibiting the development of specific disease control measures. We find that intrinsic case variation in respiratory viral load (rVL) facilitates overdispersion, and superspreading, for COVID-19 but more homogeneous transmission for A(H1N1)pdm09. We interpret the influence of heterogeneity in rVL on individual infectiousness by modelling likelihoods of shedding viable virus via respiratory droplets and aerosols. We analyze the distribution and kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 rVL, including across age and symptomatology subgroups. Our findings compare individual infectiousness across COVID-19 and A(H1N1)pdm09 cases and present quantitative guidance on triaging COVID-19 contact tracing.
Stalling chromophore maturation of the fluorescent protein Venus reveals the molecular basis of the final oxidation step
Authors: Auhim Husam Sabah , Grigorenko Bella L. , Harris Tessa , Polyakov Igor V. , Berry Colin , dos Passos Gomes Gabriel , Alabugin Igor V. , Rizkallah Pierre J. , Nemukhin Alexander V. , Jones D. Dafydd
Published: October 2020

Fluorescent proteins (FPs) have revolutionised the life sciences but the mechanism of chromophore maturation is still not fully understood. Incorporation of a photo-responsive non-canonical amino acid within the chromophore stalls maturation of Venus, a yellow FP, at an intermediate stage; the crystal structure reveals the presence of O2located above a dehydrated enolate imidazolone (I) ring, close to the strictly conserved Gly67 that occupies a twisted conformation. His148 adopts an “open” conformation, potentially allowing O2access to the chromophore. Absorption spectroscopy supported by QM/MM simulations suggest that the first oxidation step involves formation of a hydroperoxyl intermediate in conjunction with dehydrogenation of the methylene bridge. A fully conjugated mature chromophore is formed through release of H2O2upon irradiation of this intermediate, bothin vitroandin vivo. The possibility of interrupting and photochemically restarting chromophore maturation, and the mechanistic insights opens up new approaches for engineering optically controlled fluorescent proteins.
Autophagic signaling promotes systems-wide remodeling in skeletal muscle upon oncometabolic stress
Authors: Karlstaedt Anja , Vitrac Heidi , Salazar Rebecca L. , Gould Benjamin D. , Soetkamp Daniel , Spivia Weston , Raedschelders Koen , Dinh An Q. , Guzman Anna G. , Tan Lin , Azinas Stavros , Taylor David J.R. , Schiffer Walter , McNavish Daniel , Burks Helen B. , Gottlieb Roberta A. , Lorenzi Philip L. , Hanson Blake M. , Van Eyk Jennifer E. , Taegtmeyer Heinrich
Published: October 2020

About 20-30% of cancer-associated deaths are due to complications from cachexia which is characterized by skeletal muscle atrophy. Metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells causes body-wide metabolic and proteomic remodeling, which remain poorly understood. Here, we present evidence that the oncometabolite D-2-hydroxylgutarate (D2-HG) impairs NAD+redox homeostasis in skeletal myotubes, causing atrophy via deacetylation of LC3-II by the nuclear deacetylase Sirt1. Overexpression of p300 or silencing of Sirt1 abrogate its interaction with LC3, and subsequently reduced levels of LC3 lipidation. Using RNA-sequencing and mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and proteomics, we demonstrate that prolonged treatment with the oncometabolite D2-HG in mice promotes cachexiain vivoand increases the abundance of proteins and metabolites, which are involved in energy substrate metabolism, chromatin acetylation and autophagy regulation. We further show that D2-HG promotes a sex-dependent adaptation in skeletal muscle using network modeling and machine learning algorithms. Our multi-omics approach exposes new metabolic vulnerabilities in response to D2-HG in skeletal muscle and provides a conceptual framework for identifying therapeutic targets in cachexia.
Early Prediction of COVID-19 Severity Using Extracellular Vesicles and Extracellular RNAs
Authors: Fujita Yu , Hoshina Tokio , Matsuzaki Juntaro , Kadota Tsukasa , Fujimoto Shota , Kawamoto Hironori , Watanabe Naoaki , Sawaki Kenji , Sakamoto Yohei , Miyajima Makiko , Lee Kwangyole , Nakaharai Kazuhiko , Horino Tetsuya , Nakagawa Ryo , Araya Jun , Miyato Mitsuru , Yoshida Masaki , Kuwano Kazuyoshi , Ochiya Takahiro
Published: October 2020

The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 vary broadly, ranging from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory failure and death. But the predictive biomarkers for characterizing the variability are still lacking. Since emerging evidence indicates that extracellular vesicles (EVs) and extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) are functionally involved in a number of pathological processes, we hypothesize that these extracellular components may be key determinants and/or predictors of COVID-19 severity. To test our hypothesis, we collected serum samples from 31 patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms at the time of their admission. After standard therapy without corticosteroids, 9 of the 31 patients developed severe COVID-19 symptoms. We analyzed EV protein and exRNA profiles to look for correlations between these profiles and COVID-19 severity. Strikingly, we identified three distinct groups of markers (antiviral response-related EV proteins, coagulation-related markers, and liver damage-related exRNAs) with the potential to serve as early predictive biomarkers for COVID-19 severity. Among these markers, EV COPB2 has the best predictive value for severe deterioration of COVID-19 patients in this cohort. This type of information concerning functional extracellular component profiles could have great value for patient stratification and for making early clinical decisions about strategies for COVID-19 therapy.
Genotype identification and diversity analysis in Kiwifruit (Actinidiaspp.) using RAPD markers
Authors: Kamboj Aarti , Kharb Pushpa , Jhilta Agrim , Singh Rakshita
Published: October 2020

Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is a significant plantation crop belonging to family Actinidiaceae, having deciduous, dioecious, and scrambling vines with chromosome number 2n=58. Dioecy in kiwifruit forms the basis for several breeding programs. The present study was carried out for diversity analysis in kiwifruit genotypes using RAPD markers. 7 kiwifruit genotypes (2 males viz. Allision & Tomuri and 5 females viz. Hayward, Bruno, Allision, Monty & Abbott) were analysed for molecular polymorphism using 94 RAPD primers, out of which 23 primers amplified the genomic DNA in all the genotypes. RAPD data was analysed using NTSYS-pc software and dendrogram construction was done using UPGMA method. Two separate clusters of male and female genotypes were formed. Similarity matrix indices showed maximum similarity between Tomuri (M) and Allision (M) with a similarity coefficient of 0.719 while Abbott (F) and Allision (M) were found to have least similarity having a similarity coefficient of 0.521. Four RAPD primers amplified unique amplicons in Monty, Hayward, Bruno, Allision (M) and Abbott and two primers amplified unique amplicons in Allision (M) & Tomuri (M) along with the male and female plants of Allision genotype respectively. Therefore, these primers can help in distinguishing the genotypes of kiwifruit and can also be validated as putative markers for the sex identification in kiwifruit.
Pancreatic β-cell specific loss ofE2f1impairs insulin secretion and β-cell identity through the epigenetic repression of non β-cell programs
Authors: Oger Frédérik , Bourouh Cyril , Gromada Xavier , Moreno Maeva , Carney Charlène , Courty Emilie , Rabhi Nabil , Durand Emmanuelle , Amanzougarene Souhila , Berberian Lionel , Derhourhi Mehdi , Rolland Laure , Hannou Sarah Anissa , Denechaud Pierre-Damien , Benfodda Zohra , Meffre Patrick , Fajas Lluis , Kerr-Conte Julie , Pattou François , Froguel Philippe , Bonnefond Amélie , Annicotte Jean-Sébastien
Published: October 2020

The loss of pancreatic β-cell identity emerges as an important feature of type 2 diabetes development, but the molecular mechanisms are still elusive. Here, we explore the cell-autonomous role of the cell cycle regulator and transcription factor E2F1 in the maintenance of β-cell identity and insulin secretion. We show that the β-cell-specific loss ofE2f1function in mice triggers glucose intolerance associated with defective insulin secretion, an altered α-to-β-cell ratio, a downregulation of many β-cell genes and a concomitant increase of non-β-cell markers. Mechanistically, the epigenomic profiling of non-beta cell upregulated gene promoters identified an enrichment of bivalent H3K4me3/H3K27me3 or H3K27me3 marks. Conversely, downregulated genes were enriched in active chromatin H3K4me3 and H3K27ac histone marks. We find that histone deacetylase inhibitors modulate E2F1 transcriptional and epigenomic signatures associated with these β-cell dysfunctions. Finally, the pharmacological inhibition of E2F transcriptional activity in human islets also impairs insulin secretion and the expression of β-cell identity genes. Our data suggest that E2F1 is critical for maintaining β-cell identity through a sustained repression of non β-cell transcriptional programs.
Repurposed antiviral drugs for COVID-19 –interim WHO SOLIDARITY trial results
Authors:   WHO Solidarity trial consortium, Pan Hongchao , Peto Richard , Karim Quarraisha Abdool , Alejandria Marissa , Henao-Restrepo Ana Maria , García César Hernández , Kieny Marie-Paule , Malekzadeh Reza , Murthy Srinivas , Preziosi Marie-Pierre , Reddy Srinath , Periago Mirta Roses , Sathiyamoorthy Vasee , Røttingen John-Arne , Swaminathan Soumya ,   as the members of the Writing Committee, assume responsibility for the content and integrity of this article
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

WHO expert groups recommended mortality trials in hospitalized COVID-19 of four re-purposed antiviral drugs.

METHODS

Study drugs were Remdesivir, Hydroxychloroquine, Lopinavir (fixed-dose combination with Ritonavir) and Interferon-β1a (mainly subcutaneous; initially with Lopinavir, later not). COVID-19 inpatients were randomized equally between whichever study drugs were locally available and open control (up to 5 options: 4 active and local standard-of-care). The intent-to-treat primary analyses are of in-hospital mortality in the 4 pairwise comparisons of each study drug vs its controls (concurrently allocated the same management without that drug, despite availability). Kaplan-Meier 28-day risks are unstratified; log-rank death rate ratios (RRs) are stratified for age and ventilation at entry.

RESULTS

In 405 hospitals in 30 countries 11,266 adults were randomized, with 2750 allocated Remdesivir, 954 Hydroxychloroquine, 1411 Lopinavir, 651 Interferon plus Lopinavir, 1412 only Interferon, and 4088 no study drug. Compliance was 94-96% midway through treatment, with 2-6% crossover. 1253 deaths were reported (at median day 8, IQR 4-14). Kaplan-Meier 28-day mortality was 12% (39% if already ventilated at randomization, 10% otherwise). Death rate ratios (with 95% CIs and numbers dead/randomized, each drug vs its control) were: Remdesivir RR=0.95 (0.81-1.11, p=0.50; 301/2743 active vs 303/2708 control), Hydroxychloroquine RR=1.19 (0.89-1.59, p=0.23; 104/947 vs 84/906), Lopinavir RR=1.00 (0.79-1.25, p=0.97; 148/1399 vs 146/1372) and Interferon RR=1.16 (0.96-1.39, p=0.11; 243/2050 vs 216/2050). No study drug definitely reduced mortality (in unventilated patients or any other subgroup of entry characteristics), initiation of ventilation or hospitalisation duration.

CONCLUSIONS

These Remdesivir, Hydroxychloroquine, Lopinavir and Interferon regimens appeared to have little or no effect on hospitalized COVID-19, as indicated by overall mortality, initiation of ventilation and duration of hospital stay. The mortality findings contain most of the randomized evidence on Remdesivir and Interferon, and are consistent with meta-analyses of mortality in all major trials. (Funding: WHO. Registration: ISRCTN83971151, NCT04315948)
The transcription factor EGR2 is the molecular linchpin connecting STAT6 activation to the late, stable epigenomic program of alternative macrophage polarization
Authors: Daniel Bence , Czimmerer Zsolt , Halasz Laszlo , Boto Pal , Kolostyak Zsuzsanna , Poliska Szilard , Berger Wilhelm K. , Tzerpos Petros , Nagy Gergely , Horvath Attila , Hajas György , Cseh Timea , Nagy Aniko , Sauer Sascha , Francois-Deleuze Jean , Szatmari Istvan , Bacsi Attila , Nagy Laszlo
Published: October 2020

Macrophages polarize into functionally distinct subtypes while responding to microenvironmental cues. The identity of proximal transcription factors (TFs) downstream from the polarization signals are known, but their activity is typically transient, failing to explain the long-term, stable epigenomic programs developed. Here, we mapped the early and late epigenomic changes of interleukin-4 (IL-4)-induced alternative macrophage polarization. We identified the TF, early growth response 2 (EGR2), bridging the early transient and late stable gene expression program of polarization. EGR2 is a direct target of IL-4-activated STAT6, having broad action indispensable for 77% of the induced gene signature of alternative polarization, including its autoregulation and a robust, downstream TF cascade involving PPARG. Mechanistically, EGR2 binding results in chromatin opening and the recruitment of chromatin remodelers and RNA polymerase II. Egr2 induction is evolutionarily conserved during alternative polarization of mouse and human macrophages. In the context of tissue resident macrophages, Egr2 expression is most prominent in the lung of a variety of species. Thus, EGR2 is an example of an essential and evolutionarily conserved broad acting factor, linking transient polarization signals to stable epigenomic and transcriptional changes in macrophages.
A systems genetics approach reveals environment-dependent associations between SNPs, protein coexpression, and drought-related traits in maize
Authors: Blein-Nicolas Mélisande , Negro Sandra Sylvia , Balliau Thierry , Welcker Claude , Cabrera-Bosquet Llorenç , Nicolas Stéphane Dimitri , Charcosset Alain , Zivy Michel
Published: October 2020

The effect of drought on maize yield is of particular concern in the context of climate change and human population growth. However, the complexity of drought-response mechanisms makes the design of new drought-tolerant varieties a difficult task that would greatly benefit from a better understanding of the genotype–phenotype relationship. To provide novel insight into this relationship, we applied a systems genetics approach integrating high-throughput phenotypic, proteomic, and genomic data acquired from 254 maize hybrids grown under two watering conditions. Using association genetics and protein coexpression analysis, we detected more than 22,000 pQTLs across the two conditions and confidently identified 15 loci with potential pleiotropic effects on the proteome. We showed that even mild water deficit induced a profound remodeling of the proteome, which affected the structure of the protein coexpression network, and a reprogramming of the genetic control of the abundance of many proteins, including those involved in stress response. Colocalizations between pQTLs and QTLs for ecophysiological traits, found mostly in the water deficit condition, indicated that this reprogramming may also affect the phenotypic level. Finally, we identified several candidate genes that are potentially responsible for both the coexpression of stress response proteins and the variations of ecophysiological traits under water deficit. Taken together, our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance and suggest some pathways for further research and breeding.
The roles of item exposure and visualization success in the consolidation of memories across wake and sleep
Authors: Denis Dan , Schapiro Anna C. , Poskanzer Craig , Bursal Verda , Charon Lily , Morgan Alexandra , Stickgold Robert
Published: October 2020

Memory consolidation during sleep does not benefit all memories equally. Initial encoding strength appears to play a role in governing where sleep effects are seen, but it is unclear whether sleep preferentially consolidates weaker or stronger memories. We manipulated encoding strength along two dimensions—the number of item presentations, and success at visualizing each item, in a sample of 82 participants. Sleep benefited memory of successfully visualized items only. Within these, the sleep–wake difference was largest for more weakly encoded information. These results suggest that the benefit of sleep on memory is seen most clearly for items that are encoded to a lower initial strength.
Trans-contextualized cross-border student choice under “one country, two systems” from Hong Kong to Mainland China for higher education
Authors: Te Alice Y.C.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This article examines the complexity and dynamics of Hong Kong students' choice to pursue undergraduate education in Mainland China under the context of “one country, two systems.”

Design/methodology/approach

This study mainly draws on primary data from in-depth interviews of 51 Hong Kong students studying in Mainland universities. Qualitative approach of inquiry is adopted to probe into the underlying reasons and processes undergone during the educational choice.

Findings

Academic factors push Hong Kong students away from local universities due to the failure of getting admissions in preferred programs or universities, and pull them toward Mainland universities due to attractions of specific universities and programs. During three phases of decision-making process, different influencing factors have conditioned three orientations: pragmatists enrolled in their aspired programs as the first choice, achievers utilized a fast-track path to enter elite universities and underachievers treated such study opportunity as a last resort for a degree.

Originality/value

This article contributes to a better understanding of the dynamics of educational choice to higher education in Hong Kong at a strategic point of time. It explains how the macro political/policy and sociocultural contexts, the institutional influences of hosting universities and sending secondary schools, perceived parental influence and students' personal characteristics have shaped students' college choice.
Spare parts inventory management: a new hybrid approach
Authors: Muniz Leandro Reis , Conceição Samuel Vieira , Rodrigues Lásara Fabrícia , de Freitas Almeida João Flávio , Affonso Tãssia Bolotari
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a new hybrid approach based on criticality analysis and optimisation to deal with spare parts inventory management in the initial provisioning phase in the mining industry. Spare parts represent a significant part of mining companies' expenditures, so it is important to develop new approaches to reduce the total inventory value of these items.

Design/methodology/approach

This hybrid approach combines qualitative and quantitative methods based on VED (vital, essential and desirable) analysis, analytical hierarchical process (AHP), and e-constraint optimisation method to obtain the spare parts to be stocked. The study was applied to a large mining company. The mineral sector was chosen due to the great importance to the emerging Brazilian economy and the lack of researches in this sector. In addition, the spare parts have a relevant weight on the total inventory cost.

Findings

Present a novel approach combining multi-objective optimisation and multi-criteria evaluation approaches to tackle the inventory decision in spare parts management. This work also defines and classifies relevant criteria for spare parts management in the mineral sector validated by specialists. The proposed approach achieves an average increase of 20.2% in the criticality and 16.6% in the number of items to be stocked compared to the historical data of the surveyed company.

Research limitations/implications

This paper applies the proposed approach to a mining company in Brazil. Future research in other companies or regions should analyse the adequacy of the criticality criteria, hierarchy and weights adopted in this paper.

Practical implications

The proposed approach is useful for mining industries that deal with a large variety of resource constraints as it helps in formulating appropriate spare part strategies to rationalise financial resources at both tactical and strategic levels.

Originality/value

The paper presents a new hybrid method combining the AHP a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach coupled with e-constraint optimisation to deal with spare parts inventory management allowing for a better spare parts inventory analysis in the initial provisioning phase and providing managers with a systematic tool to analyse the trade-off between spare parts criticality and total inventory value.
Analysis of readiness factors for Industry 4.0 implementation in SMEs using COPRAS
Authors: Sriram R.M. , Vinodh S.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the readiness factors for Industry 4.0 deployment in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using complex proportionality assessment (COPRAS) methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

Industry 4.0 is vital for ensuring manufacturing competitiveness of SMEs. In order to facilitate Industry 4.0 adoption in SMEs, readiness factors need to be analysed. In this viewpoint, this article presents the analysis of readiness factors using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tool COPRAS.

Findings

The priority of ranking of 15 readiness factors is obtained. The prioritized readiness factors would enable the smooth adoption of Industry 4.0 in SMEs.

Practical implications

The study has been done based on inputs from industry practitioners and hence the results have practical relevance.

Originality/value

The analysis of readiness factors for Industry 4.0 in SMEs using COPRAS is the original contribution of authors.
The mythologisation of key workers: occupational prestige gained, sustained... and lost?
Authors: De Camargo Camilla R. , Whiley Lilith A.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Key workers are deemed “essential” for keeping the country going while the rest of us have been resigned to the safety of our homes. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, key workers have become the exalted symbol of the pandemic; although, during pre-pandemic many of these roles were considered “low skilled” and were (and still are) low paid.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis uses newspapers as data sources to discuss occupational prestige and situate it within previous theory.

Findings

This social commentary discusses how occupational prestige evolves and devolves during times of social change, and how elevated status, dependent on one's service to the country in the spirit of a “war-time” narrative, is just temporary and fleeting. Prestige is wrapped up in notions of class, income and education, and during the pandemic, “key workers” have become their own sub-group with an almost mythologised status and value, which the authors argue might take the focus away from genuine efforts to improve working conditions (e.g. access to PPE and pay rises etcetera).

Originality/value

The article considers the current value of key workers and how elevated levels of prestige are transitory. The enduring nature of this new status is yet to be seen. More qualitative nuanced research is required around how occupational prestige changes, evolves and devolves and more quantitative research on why and how widespread some of the critical issues might be.
Inventory management with online payment and preorder discounts
Authors: Hasan Md. Rakibul , Daryanto Yosef , Roy Tutul Chandra , Feng Yi
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The advancement of technology opens many opportunities for retailing businesses to increase their profit through innovative strategies, such as discount offers, preorder programs and online payment services. The purpose of this study is to investigate decision-making methods for retailers who sell deteriorating products that utilize an e-commerce platform and offering preorder.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors study the optimum price and replenishment cycle when multiple discounts policy is implemented for customers when they purchase during the preorder period and make the payment via an online system. The proposed economic order quantity model works for noninstantaneous deteriorating items that will maximize the total profit. Moreover, it considers the effect of selling price and advertisement on customer demand. The concavity of the profit function is proved. Then, a comparison is carried out between the traditional payment system and online payment. Finally, two numerical examples and the sensitivity analysis are performed.

Findings

The results show the benefit of the system with online payment compared to the traditional one. Further analysis shows that the total profit increases when the frequency of advertisement, interest from the banking company, location perimeter and the nondeterioration time increase.

Originality/value

The proposed model guides e-commerce retailers optimizing the price and inventory decision when they offer a discount, preorder program and online payment service. No researcher has undergone a study with this complexity.
Productivity growth in India's bakery manufacturing industry
Authors: Kumar Shiv , Abdulla  , Singh ChhatraPal
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to examine the total factor productivity (TFP) and its components namely, technological change, technical efficiency change, scale change and allocative change in bakery industry in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on panel data on 35 Indian states for the period 2009–2010 and 2012–2013. Stochastic frontier function is employed to estimate the productivity growth.

Findings

The results show that TFP is driven by technological progress, followed by technical efficiency and scale efficiency. Allocative efficiency, however, has a negative effect on TFP.

Research limitations/implications

The bakery industry needs to define its innovation strategies, as these strategies lead to different outcomes that can be achieved only through the management of resources dedicated to the generation and implementation of innovations.

Originality/value

Using frontier production function takes the stochastic context into account for the dynamic behaviour of TFP and its components. Most of the past studies have assessed the TFP at the aggregate level using three-digit National Industrial Classification (NIC) or four-digit NIC code. An analysis at higher levels aggregation masks the variation in TFP and its components available at the firm level. This study uses five-digit NIC data to measure the firm specific TFP of bakery industry. Further, it looks at the contribution of technical progress (TP), technical efficiency, scale efficiency and allocative efficiency.
Impact of wise leadership, workplace friendships on open innovation in family firms: a developing country perspective
Authors: Abdulmuhsin Amir A. , Tarhini Ali
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study draws upon the hybrid approach of the resource-based view and social capital theory, and aims to develop and empirically validate a model that examines the relationship amongst wise leadership, workplace friendships and open innovation (OI) in family firms (FFs).

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted to collect data from a sample of 381 firms from a developing country. Additionally, this study used AMOS software and structural equation model to empirically test the proposed hypotheses of the theoretical model.

Findings

Findings show that wise leadership has a significant, positive indirect effect on stimulating OI in FFs via its influence on building workplace friendships and overcoming knowledge–strategic and collaboration–organisational challenges.

Practical implications

To improve OI, top management teams of family businesses should encourage wise, intelligent, well-informed and strong leaders who drive change. Moreover, they should establish small group, “smart-world” networks for specialised innovation to facilitate friendship based on trust and competence, and develop the coordinating role of family leaders in these networks.

Originality/value

This study complements and advances previous research on OI in many ways. Firstly, the current study proposes a conceptual model that demonstrates the interrelationships amongst the main variables in Iraqi FFs. Secondly, this research explores the crucial mediating role of workplace friendship, which capitalises on the principles of friendship in the context of the acquisition, accumulation and exchange of knowledge, thereby overcoming the challenges associated with innovation.
The importance of financial resources and ownership of intellectual property rights for university spin-offs: the cases of Finland and Sweden
Authors: Kulkov Ignat , Berggren Björn , Eriksson Kent , Hellström Magnus , Wikstrom Kim
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper focuses on medical device university spin-offs (USOs), taking into account the peculiarities of financial and nonfinancial support and intellectual property rights (IPRs). The authors declare that these parameters play a significant role in business development at the early stages.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical data consist of individual and group interviews in Finland and Sweden, which are later inductively analyzed.

Findings

The results show that public financial support contributes to the formation and start of sales stages in small countries and local markets. However, at the validation stage, approaches for supporting entrepreneurship in the field of medical devices may differ. The ownership of IPRs assists in the development of entrepreneurship in the region due to the transfer of research results and researchers to the industry and increases the number of spin-offs and the cooperation of universities with business.

Originality/value

This contribution is in the identification of the key parameters for the formation, support and development of the USOs from the point of view of the availability of financial resources and the ownership of IPRs.
Value chain analysis of information services for visually impaired people: a case study of contemporary technological solutions
Authors: Cheung Tak Yee , Ye Zengyu , Chiu Dickson K.W.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

People with visual impairment comprise the second high disability population in Hong Kong, but only two existing information centers provide information services for visually impaired people, which is inadequate. Therefore, this study aims to provide a more in-depth understanding of the information services for visually impaired people in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

People with visual impairment comprise the second high disability population in Hong Kong, but only two existing information centers provide information services for visually impaired people, which is inadequate. Therefore, this study aims to provide a more in-depth understanding of the information services for visually impaired people in Hong Kong.

Findings

IAC's main problems include limited collection, inconsistent multiple digital platforms for user access, limited service hours and limited promotion. Some technological suggestions were proposed, which include: expanding its electronic and special collections, establishing a one-stop digital platform, AI-based chatbot for automated caring chats and reference services, and extending its social network marketing.

Originality/value

Scant studies focus on the information services and management of special libraries for visually impaired people, especially in East Asia. On the other hand, there are limited case studies analyzing libraries with value-chain analysis.
Understanding information behavior of diabetic patients: a case of the diabetic's institute Pakistan
Authors: Soroya Saira Hanif , Ilyas Aleeha , Ameen Kanwal
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Pakistan is a developing country where one of the rapidly growing diseases is diabetes. Well-informed diabetic patients are expected to improve the quality of life, self-care behaviors and better cooperation with the health care team. The present study is designed to investigate the information behavior of diabetic patients, and to investigate the role of one institution that is working for diabetes management, treatment, education and counseling in Pakistan i.e. Diabetic's Institute Pakistan (DIP).

Design/methodology/approach

The “Embedded Design” based on the mixed methods research approach was adopted to carry out the current research. The study was mainly based on quantitative research design, quantitative data were collected through an adapted questionnaire, the supportive/supplementary qualitative data was collected through an in-depth interview of the medical director, observation record sheets and analysis of the available relevant documents i.e. prescription (prescription notepad with information), brochure and the website was applied.

Findings

Diabetic patients want to know about how to control diabetes and mostly rely on humans particularly health professionals and interpersonal networks. The use of books, journals, seminars, libraries is comparatively low. It is an important finding that health-related information is mostly required in national language by Pakistani patients. Lack of computer literacy and information overload were among the barriers that were reported by diabetic patients.

Practical implications

Health information seeking channels, formats and language preferences should be considered to design patients' cantered information services. Health information service providers i.e. government, health practitioners, health-related institutions and libraries should work in a liaison for creating health awareness. Identified barriers faced by diabetic patients are important to consider for designing health-related information services.

Originality/value

Investigating health information behavior is crucial particularly of the patients from developing countries. The study is first of its kind that is reported from Pakistan. The results of the study may help libraries, health professionals and diabetes-related organizations to design patient's centered policies and information-based services. These institutions may work together to create awareness and to help patients in managing their disease. The study findings are maybe helpful for other developing countries also.
Transformational leadership and employee communication behaviors: the role of communal and exchange relationship norms
Authors: Lee Yeunjae , Chon Myoung-Gi
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of transformational leadership on employees' internal (i.e. voice) and external (i.e. megaphoning) communication behaviors and to explore the mediating role of employees' communal and exchange relationship norms with their organization.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted with full-time employees working in various industry sectors in the USA.

Findings

Transformational leadership significantly increased employees' voice behaviors and their positive and negative megaphoning behaviors. Communal relationship norms exerted a significant mediation effect on employees' communicative behaviors and exchange relationship norms had positive impacts on employees' megaphoning behaviors.

Originality/value

This study is among the first attempts to test the effect of transformational leadership style on employees' communicative actions within and outside of a company and the mediating role of exchange-communal relationship norms.
The relationship between home bias and globalization – an international comparison
Authors: Riff Sivan , Yagil Yossi
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The authors aim to examine the relationship between home bias and globalization while specifically examining the effects of the different dimensions of globalization (social, economic and political) for both developed countries and developing countries. Additionally, the authors test the effect of globalization regulation and laws against actual globalization activities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the influence of globalization on the home bias phenomenon using a panel regression and a three-dimensional globalization index (social, economic and political globalization) of 42 developed and developing countries from 2001 to 2016.

Findings

The results show that globalization significantly reduces home bias. In addition, the authors find that social globalization has a key influence compared to economic globalization and that political globalization has the weakest effect. For developing economies only, economic globalization as well as globalization laws and regulations have a crucial impact on the level of home bias.

Originality/value

Prior studies focus merely on the aspect of financial integration. Our study provides a more comprehensive outlook by distinguishing between the features of globalization (social, economic and political) as well as the actual globalization activities (de facto) compared to the laws and regulations enabling those actives (de jure). Lauterbach and Reisman (2004) show that globalization reduces home bias through a theoretical model. This study provides empirical merit to their work. In addition, we examine the different aspects of globalization for both emerging and developed markets.
The impact of eWOM on consumer brand engagement
Authors: Srivastava Mukta , Sivaramakrishnan Sreeram
Published: October 2020

Purpose

It is empirically proven that enhanced engagement with a focal medium motivates a consumer to post electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). However, what has not been explored is whether enhanced exposure to eWOM results in greater consumer brand engagement (CBE). While answering this question, this study also assesses the influence of eWOM and CBE on customer loyalty and satisfaction with the brand. The study has been conducted across two products –a search product and an experience product.

Design/methodology/approach

A model is developed and hypotheses are proposed using the Elaboration Likelihood Model which are then tested using PLS-SEM. Data was collected from 712 respondents across India.

Findings

Findings indicate that eWOM significantly and positively affects CBE in both product categories. CBE significantly and positively influences both satisfaction and loyalty. eWOM is not significantly related to loyalty for both search and experience products. It is, however, found to be significantly and positively associated with satisfaction in case of the experience product, while a non-significant relationship was found for the search product.

Research limitations/implications

The present study uses the survey method and PLS-SEM as the analysis technique which makes it correlational and confirmatory. The study, therefore, makes no firm claims on establishing causality.

Originality/value

The paper presents an original idea that CBE fully mediates the relationship between eWOM and satisfaction. This study attempts to fulfil a critical gap in the existing literature by establishing that eWOM generated by other users/consumers about a brand has a significant impact on CBE irrespective of the type of the product that is search or experience.
Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the health protection scheme in India
Authors: Rodriguez Raul V. , Sinha Sanjivni , Tripathi Sakshi
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to highlight the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the healthcare industry through the Ayushman Bharat health protection scheme by analyzing various technologies being integrated to improve the customer service and experiences in India. The key focus lies on the understanding of the influence of AI in the healthcare system services, the clinical treatment, and the facilities to progress with accurate and precise health screening in India.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic study on the emerging technologies of AI and the applications in the healthcare sector is presented in the form of a viewpoint.

Findings

AI certainly enhances experiential services; however, it cannot surpass the human touch which is an essential determinant of experiential healthcare services. AI acts as an effective complementary dimension to the future of healthcare.

Originality/value

This viewpoint discusses the applications and role of AI with the help of relevant examples. It highlights the different technologies being applied and how they will be used in the future focusing upon the Ayushman Bharat health protection scheme in India.
Police officer self-legitimacy: the role of organizational fit
Authors: White David R. , Kyle Michael J. , Schafer Joseph
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Police officer perceptions of their own legitimacy can be important in shaping aspects of their performance and other organizational outcomes. The current study uses person-environment fit theory to assess the effects of value congruence with top managers, immediate supervisors and coworkers on officers' perceptions of self-legitimacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a cross-sectional survey of nearly 250 front-line police officers from seven municipal police departments in Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky to examine the effects of perceived value congruence on officers’ self-legitimacy. A hierarchical model of fit is assessed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Findings demonstrate that value congruence positively relates to officers’ reported self-legitimacy, suggesting that officers who perceive greater similarity in values with others in the organization will express more confidence in their authority.

Originality/value

Our findings add to research on police officers’ self-legitimacy, and the use of a hierarchical model of person-environment fit might offer implications for future research on police culture.
Negative trait‐based association between abundance of nitrogen‐fixing trees and long‐term tropical forest biomass accumulation
Authors: Currey Bryce , Oatham Michael P. , Brookshire E. N. Jack
Published: October 2020

Plant functional traits are thought to drive biomass production and biogeochemical cycling in tropical forests, but it remains unclear how nitrogen (N)‐fixing legumes influence the functional traits of neighbouring trees and forest‐wide biomass dynamics. Further, the degree to which effects of N‐fixers are density‐dependent and may depend on stem size and spatial scale remains largely unknown.

Here, we examine 30 years of stem demography data for ~20,000 trees in a lowland tropical forest in Trinidad that span a wide range of functional traits thought to drive above‐ground biomass (AGB) dynamics.

These forests show positive but decreasing long‐term net AGB accumulation resulting from constant average productivity but increasing mortality of non‐fixing trees over time. We find that high abundance of N‐fixing trees is associated with compositional shifts in non‐fixer functional traits that confer lower competitive performance and biomass accumulation. Across tree size classes, most interactions between N‐fixers and non‐fixers were negative, density‐dependent, and strongest at smaller spatial scales.

Synthesis. Overall, our findings suggest that local trait‐based interactions between N‐fixing and non‐fixing trees can influence long‐term carbon accumulation in tropical forests.
The genome of Draba nivalis shows signatures of adaptation to the extreme environmental stresses of the Arctic
Authors: Nowak Michael D. , Birkeland Siri , Mandáková Terezie , Roy Choudhury Rimjhim , Guo Xinyi , Gustafsson Anna Lovisa S. , Gizaw Abel , Schrøder‐Nielsen Audun , Fracassetti Marco , Brysting Anne K. , Rieseberg Loren , Slotte Tanja , Parisod Christian , Lysak Martin A. , Brochmann Christian
Published: October 2020

The Arctic is one of the most extreme terrestrial environments on the planet. Here, we present the first chromosome‐scale genome assembly of a plant adapted to the high Arctic, Draba nivalis (Brassicaceae), an attractive model species for studying plant adaptation to the stresses imposed by this harsh environment. We used an iterative scaffolding strategy with data from short‐reads, single‐molecule long reads, proximity ligation data, and a genetic map to produce a 302 Mb assembly that is highly contiguous with 91.6% assembled into eight chromosomes (the base chromosome number). To identify candidate genes and gene families that may have facilitated adaptation to Arctic environmental stresses, we performed comparative genomic analyses with nine non‐Arctic Brassicaceae species. We show that the D. nivalis genome contains expanded suites of genes associated with drought and cold stress (e.g., related to the maintenance of oxidation‐reduction homeostasis, meiosis, and signaling pathways). The expansions of gene families associated with these functions appear to be driven in part by the activity of transposable elements. Tests of positive selection identify suites of candidate genes associated with meiosis and photoperiodism, as well as cold, drought, and oxidative stress responses. Our results reveal a multifaceted landscape of stress adaptation in the D. nivalis genome, offering avenues for the continued development of this species as an Arctic model plant.