bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How migratory populations become resident
Authors: de Zoeten Tiago , Pulido Francisco
Published: March 2020

Migratory behaviour is rapidly changing in response to recent environmental changes, yet it is difficult to predict how migration will evolve in the future. To understand what determines the rate of adaptive evolutionary change in migratory behaviour, we simulated the evolution of residency using an individual-based threshold model, which allows for variation in selection, number of genes, environmental effects and assortative mating. Our model indicates that the recent reduction in migratory activity found in a population of Eurasian blackcaps (
Sylvia atricapilla
) is only compatible with this trait being under strong directional selection, in which residents have the highest fitness and fitness declines exponentially with migration distance. All other factors had minor effects on the adaptive response. Under this form of selection, a completely migratory population will become partially migratory in 6 and completely resident in 98 generations, demonstrating the persistence of partial migration, even under strong directional selection. Resident populations will preserve large amounts of cryptic genetic variation, particularly if migration is controlled by a large number of genes with small effects. This model can be used to realistically simulate the evolution of any threshold trait, including semi-continuous traits like migration, for predicting evolutionary response to natural selection in the wild.
Evolution of fossorial locomotion in the transition from tetrapod to snake-like in lizards
Authors: Morinaga Gen , Bergmann Philip J.
Published: March 2020

Dramatic evolutionary transitions in morphology are often assumed to be adaptive in a new habitat. However, these assumptions are rarely tested because such tests require intermediate forms, which are often extinct. In vertebrates, the evolution of an elongate, limbless body is generally hypothesized to facilitate locomotion in fossorial and/or cluttered habitats. However, these hypotheses remain untested because few studies examine the locomotion of species ranging in body form from tetrapod to snake-like. Here, we address these functional hypotheses by testing whether trade-offs exist between locomotion in surface, fossorial and cluttered habitats in AustralianLeristalizards, which include multiple intermediate forms. We found that snake-like species penetrated sand substrates faster than more lizard-like species, representing the first direct support of the adaptation to fossoriality hypothesis. By contrast, body form did not affect surface locomotion or locomotion through cluttered leaf litter. Furthermore, all species with hindlimbs used them during both fossorial and surface locomotion. We found no evidence of a trade-off between fossorial and surface locomotion. This may be either becauseLeristaemployed kinematic strategies that took advantage of both axial- and limb-based propulsion. This may have led to the differential occupation of their habitat, facilitating diversification of intermediate forms.
Epidemiological Trends of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China
Authors: Chen Bilin , Zhong Huanhuan , Ni Yueyan , Liu Lulu , Zhong Jinjin , Su Xin
Published: March 2020

Background

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic broke out in Wuhan, China, and it spread rapidly. Since January 23, 2020, China has launched a series of unusual and strict measures, including the lockdown of Wuhan city to contain this highly contagious disease. We collected the epidemiological data to analyze the trend of this epidemic in China.

Methods

We closely tracked the Chinese and global official websites to collect the epidemiological information about COVID-19. The number of total and daily new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in China was presented to illustrate the trend of this epidemic.

Results

On January 23, 2020, 835 confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in China. On February 6, 2020, there were 31211 cases. By February 20, 2020, the number reached as high as 75,993. Most cases were distributed in and around Wuhan, Hubei province. Since January 23, 2020, the number of daily new cases in China except Hubei province reached a peak of 890 on the eleventh day and then it declined to a low level of 34 within two full-length incubation periods (28 days), and the number of daily new cases in Hubei also started to decrease on the twelfth day, from 3156 on February 4, 2020 to 955 on February 15, 2020.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 epidemic has been primarily contained in China. The battle against this epidemic in China has provided valuable experiences for the rest of the world. Strict measures need to be taken as earlier as possible to prevent its spread.
Epigenomics and Transcriptomics of Systemic Sclerosis CD4+ T cells reveal Long Range Dysregulation of Key Inflammatory Pathways mediated by disease-associated Susceptibility Loci
Authors: Li Tianlu , Ortiz Lourdes , Andrés-León Eduardo , Ciudad Laura , Javierre Biola M. , López-Isac Elena , Guillén-Del-Castillo Alfredo , Simeón-Aznar Carmen Pilar , Ballestar Esteban , Martin Javier
Published: March 2020

System sclerosis (SSc) is a genetically complex autoimmune disease mediated by the interplay between genetic and epigenetic factors in a multitude of immune cells, with CD4+ T lymphocytes as one of the principle drivers of pathogenesis. In this study, we obtained DNA methylation and expression profiles of CD4+ T cells from 48 SSc patients and 16 healthy controls. Consequently, we identified 9112 and 3929 differentially methylated CpGs positions (DMPs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) respectively. These DMPs and DEGs are enriched in functional categories related to inflammation and T cell biology. Furthermore, correlation analysis identified 17,500 possible DMP-DEG interaction pairs within a window of 5 Mb, and utilizing promoter capture Hi-C data, we confirmed that 212 CD4+ T cel specific pairs of DMP-DEG physically interact involving CTCF. Finally, utilizing SSc GWAS data, we identified four important SSc-associated susceptibility loci, TNIP1 (rs3792783), GSDMB (rs9303277), IL12RB1 (rs2305743) and CSK (rs1378942), that physically interact with DMP-DEG pairs cg17239269-ANXA6, cg19458020-CCR7, cg10808810-JUND and cg11062629-ULK3 respectively. Overall, our study reveals a solid link between genetic, epigenetic and transcriptional deregulation in CD4+ T cells of SSc patients, providing a novel integrated view of SSc pathogenic determinants.
Quantifying the Financial Value of Clinical Specialty Choices and its Association with USMLE Step 1 Scores
Authors: Puri Pranav , Landman Natalie , Smoldt Robert K. , Cortese Denis A.
Published: March 2020

Importance

The factors influencing medical student clinical specialty choice have important implications for the future composition of the US physician workforce. The objective of this study was to determine the career net present values of US medical students’ clinical specialty choices and identify any relationships between a specialty’s net present value and competitiveness of admissions as measured by US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 scores.

Methods

Net present values were calculated by using results of the 2019 Doximity Physician Compensation report, a survey of 90,000 physicians. Mean USMLE Step 1 scores for matched US allopathic seniors in the 2018 National Resident Matching Program were used as a measure of clinical specialties’ competitiveness of admissions. We calculated a composite measure of net present value and annual work-hours by dividing each specialty’s net present value by the reported average number of hours worked per year.

Results

In our analysis, orthopedic surgery had the highest net present value ($10,308,868), whereas family medicine had the lowest net present value ($5,274,546). Dermatology and plastic surgery had the highest mean USMLE Step 1 scores (249 for both), whereas family medicine had the lowest (220). Clinical specialties’ net present values were positively associated with mean USMLE Step 1 scores (Pearson’s r=0.82; p<.001).

Conclusion and Relevance

In this study, we describe associations suggesting that medical students choose clinical specialties as rational economic agents and that these decisions are mediated by USMLE Step 1 scores. This underscores the importance of titrating and aligning economic incentives to improve the allocation of medical students into clinical specialties
Effects of temperature variation and humidity on the mortality of COVID-19 in Wuhan
Authors: Ma Yueling , Zhao Yadong , Liu Jiangtao , He Xiaotao , Wang Bo , Fu Shihua , Yan Jun , Niu Jingping , Luo Bin
Published: March 2020

Object

Meteorological parameters are the important factors influencing the infectious diseases like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). This study aims to explore the association between coronavirus disease (COVID-19) death and weather parameters.

Methods

In this study, we collected the daily death number of COVID-19, meteorological and air pollutant data from 20 January, 2020 to 29 February, 2020 in Wuhan, China. Then, the generalized additive model was applied to explore the impact of temperature, humidity and diurnal temperature range on daily mortality of COVID-19.

Results

There were in total 2299 COVID-19 mortality counts in Wuhan. A positive association with COVID-19 mortality was observed for diurnal temperature range (r = 0.44), but negative association for relative humidity (r = −0.32). In addition, each 1 unit increase in diurnal temperature range was only associated with a 2.92% (95% CI: 0.61%, 5.28%) increase in COVID-19 mortality at lag 3. However, both per 1 unit increase of temperature and absolute humidity were related to the decreased COVID-19 mortality at lag 3 and lag 5, respectively.

Conclusion

In summary, this study suggests the temperature variation and humidity may be important factors affecting the COVID-19 mortality.
Rooting morphologically divergent taxa – slow-evolving sequence data might help
Authors: Flores Jorge , Bippus Alexander C. , Tomescu Alexandru , Bell Neil , Hyvönen Jaakko
Published: March 2020

When fossils are sparse and the lineages studied are very divergent morphologically, analyses based exclusively on morphology may lead to conflicting and unexpected hypotheses. Through integration of data from conservative genes/gene regions the terminals including these data can anchor or constrain the search, thereby practically circumscribing the search space of the combined analyses. In this study, we revisit the phylogeny of a highly divergent group of mosses, class Polytrichopsida. We supplemented the morphological matrix by adding sequence data of the nuclear gene 18S, chloroplast genesrbcL andrps4, plus the mitochondrial genenad5. For the phylogenetic analyses we used parsimony as the optimality criterion. Analyses that included all the terminals resulted in one most parsimonious tree with a clade comprised ofAlophosia azoricaand the fossilMeantoinea alophosioidesrepresenting the basal-most lineage. Analyses with different outgroup sampling produced the same topology for most ingroup relationships. An analysis excluding morphological characters and the four terminals for which only morphological characters were scored (the two fossil and two extant terminals) resulted in one optimal tree with identical topology to the one obtained when including all terminals. These results are largely congruent with those obtained in the recent analyses based exclusively on sequence level data of a larger number of terminals. Our results indicate that large size and complexity of the gametophyte have evolved independently in several lineages. Notably, the nodes of the backbone of the most parsimonious tree have very low support values, thus these inferred relationships could change if new additional information conflicts with the current data. Future studies should be aimed at incorporating all terminals into phylogenetic analyses, which is not an unrealistic goal for a group with less than 200 species. Also, additional fossils, some of which await detailed examination and description, need to be included. Whether these will affect the overall pattern of phylogeny presented here remains to be seen. In a group that is obviously very ancient, we cannot assume,a priori, that currently known fossil taxa, which go back in time less than 140 Ma, represent the oldest lineages of the group.
Increased random exploration in schizophrenia is associated with inflammation
Authors: Cathomas Flurin , Klaus Federica , Guetter Karoline , Chung Hui-Kuan , Beharelle Anjali Raja , Spiller Tobias , Schlegel Rebecca , Seifritz Erich , Hartmann-Riemer Matthias N. , Tobler Philippe N. , Kaiser Stefan
Published: March 2020

One aspect of goal-directed behavior, which is known to be impaired in patients with schizophrenia (SZ), is balancing between exploiting a familiar choice with known reward value and exploring a lesser known but potentially more rewarding option. Despite its relevance to several symptom domains of SZ, this has received little attention in SZ research. In addition, while there is increasing evidence that SZ is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, few studies have investigated how this relates to specific behaviors, such as balancing exploration and exploitation. We therefore assessed behaviors underlying the exploration-exploitation trade-off using a three-armed bandit task in 45 patients with SZ and 19 healthy controls (HC). This task allowed us to dissociate goal-unrelated (random) from goal-related (directed) exploration and correlate them with psychopathological symptoms. Moreover, we assessed a broad range of inflammatory proteins in the blood and related them to bandit task behavior. We found that, compared to HC, patients with SZ showed reduced task performance. This impairment was due to a shift from exploitation to random exploration, which was associated with symptoms of disorganization. Relative to HC, patients with SZ showed a pro-inflammatory blood profile. Furthermore, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) positively correlated with random exploration, but not with directed exploration or exploitation. In conclusion, we show that low-grade inflammation in patients with SZ is associated with random exploration, which can be considered a behavioral marker for disorganization. CRP may constitute a marker for severity of, and a potential treatment target for maladaptive exploratory behaviors.
Altered spike timing-dependent plasticity rules in physiological calcium
Authors: Inglebert Yanis , Aljadeff Johnatan , Brunel Nicolas , Debanne Dominique
Published: March 2020

Like many forms of long-term synaptic plasticity, spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) depends on intracellular Ca2+signaling for its induction. Yet, allin vitrostudies devoted to STDP used abnormally high external Ca2+concentration. We measured STDP at the CA3-CA1 hippocampal synapses under different extracellular Ca2+concentrations and found that the sign, shape and magnitude of plasticity strongly depend on Ca2+. A pre-post protocol that results in robust LTP in high Ca2+, yielded only LTD or no plasticity in the physiological Ca2+range. LTP could be restored by either increasing the number of post-synaptic spikes or increasing the pairing frequency. A calcium-based plasticity model in which depression and potentiation depend on post-synaptic Ca2+transients was found to fit quantitatively all the data, provided NMDA receptor-mediated non-linearities were implemented. In conclusion, STDP rule is profoundly altered in physiological Ca2+but specific activity regimes restore a classical STDP profile.
Development of a new class of liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1) agonists by photoredox conjugate addition
Authors: Cornelison Jeffery L. , Cato Michael L. , Johnson Alyssa M. , D’Agostino Emma H. , Melchers Diana , Patel Anamika B. , Mays Suzanne G. , Houtman René , Ortlund Eric A. , Jui Nathan T.
Published: March 2020

LRH-1 is a nuclear receptor that regulates lipid metabolism and homeostasis, making it an attractive target for the treatment of diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Building on recent structural information about ligand binding from our labs, we have designed a series of new LRH-1 agonists that further engage LRH-1 through added polar interactions. While the current synthetic approach to this scaffold has, in large part, allowed for decoration of the agonist core, significant variation of the bridgehead substituent is mechanistically precluded. We have developed a new synthetic approach to overcome this limitation, identified that bridgehead substitution is necessary for LRH-1 activation, and described an alternative class of bridgehead substituents for effective LRH-1 agonist development. We determined the crystal structure of LRH-1 bound to a bridgehead-modified compound, revealing a promising opportunity to target novel regions of the ligand-binding pocket to alter LRH-1 target gene expression.
YAP orchestrates heterotypic endothelial cell communication via HGF/c-MET signaling in liver tumorigenesis
Authors: Thomann Stefan , Weiler Sofia M. E. , Marquard Simone , Ball Claudia R. , Tóth Marcell , Wei Teng , Sticht Carsten , De La Torre Carolina , Ryschich Eduard , Ermakova Olga , Mogler Carolin , Kazdal Daniel , Gretz Norbert , Glimm Hanno , Rempel Eugen , Schirmacher Peter , Breuhahn Kai
Published: March 2020

Next to cell autonomous mechanisms, the oncogeneyes-associated protein(YAP) controls liver tumor initiation and progressionviacell extrinsic functions creating a tumor-supporting environment. However, how YAP affects the microenvironment and in particular the vascular niche, which contributes to liver disease and hepatocarcinogenesis, is poorly understood.

In this study, histo-morphological and molecular characterization of murine liverendothelial cells(ECs) populations and human single cell data revealed the presence ofliver sinusoidal endothelial cells(LSECs) andcapillary endothelial cells(CECs) in healthy liver tissue. In YAPS127A-induced tumorigenesis, a gradual replacement of LSECs by CECs was associated with dynamic changes in the expression of genes involved in EC subtype-specific paracrine communication. The formation of new potential communication hubs connecting CECs and LSECs included thehepatocyte growth factor(Hgf)/c-Met signaling pathway. In hepatocytes and tumor cells, YAP/TEA domain transcription factor 4(TEAD4)-dependent transcriptional induction ofosteopontin(Opn) stimulated c-Met expression in ECs with CEC phenotype, which sensitized these cells to the pro-migratory effects of LSEC-derived Hgf. In human HCCs, the presence of a migration-associated tip-cell signature correlated with poor clinical outcome and the loss of LSEC marker gene expression. In addition, the replacement of LSECs by CECs with exclusive c-MET expression in a CEC subpopulation was confirmed at the single cell level.

In summary, YAP-dependent changes of the liver vascular niche comprise the formation of heterologous communication hubs (e.g. the HGF/c-Met axis), in which tumor cell-derived factors modify the crosstalk between LSECs and CECs.
Switching Logistic Maps to Design Cycling Approaches Against Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Hernandez-Vargas E.A. , Parra-Rojas C. , Olaru S.
Published: March 2020

Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to global health and food security today. Scheduling cycling therapies by targeting phenotypic states associated to specific mutations can help us to eradicate pathogenic variants in chronic infections. In this paper, we introduce a logistic switching model in order to abstract mutation networks of collateral resistance. We found particular conditions for which unstable zero-equilibrium of the logistic maps can be stabilized through a switching signal. That is, persistent populations can be eradicated through tailored switching regimens.

Starting from an optimal-control formulation, the switching policies show their potential in the stabilization of the zero-equilibrium for dynamics governed by logistic maps. However, employing such switching strategies, deserve a specific characterization in terms of limit behaviour. Ultimately, we use evolutionary and control algorithms to find either optimal and sub-optimal switching policies. Simulations results show the applicability of Parrondo’s Paradox to design cycling therapies against drug resistance.
proABC-2: PRediction Of AntiBody Contacts v2 and its application to information-driven docking
Authors: Ambrosetti F. , Olsen T. H. , Olimpieri P. P. , Jiménez-García B. , Milanetti E. , Marcatilli P. , Bonvin A.M.J.J.
Published: March 2020

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are essential tools in the contemporary therapeutic armoury. Understanding how these recognize their antigen is a fundamental step in their rational design and engineering. The rising amount of publicly available data is catalysing the development of computational approaches able to offer valuable, faster and cheaper alternatives to classical experimental methodologies used for the study of antibody-antigen complexes.

Here we present proABC-2, an update of the original random-forest antibody paratope predictor, based on a convolutional neural network algorithm. We also demonstrate how the predictions can be fruitfully used to drive the docking in HADDOCK.

The proABC-2 server is freely available at:https://bianca.science.uu.nl/proabc2/.
Endogenous monetary approach to optimal inflation–growth nexus in Swaziland
Authors: Phiri Andrew
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of our study is to examine the inflation–growth nexus relationship for Swaziland between 1975 and 2016 with the intention of estimating an optimal level of inflation, which maxims economic growth or minimizes growth losses.

Design/methodology/approach

We estimate on an endogenous monetary model of economic growth augmented with a credit technology using a smooth transition regression (STR) model, which allows us to estimate an optimal inflation rate characterized by smooth transition between different inflation regimes.

Findings

Our empirical results point to an inflation threshold estimate of 7.64 per cent at which economic growth gains are maximized or similarly growth losses are minimized. In particular, we find that above this threshold economic agents may be able to protect themselves from inflation through credit technology and a more urbanized population and yet such high inflation adversely affects the influence of exports on economic growth. This noteworthy since a majority of government revenues is from trade activity via the country's affiliation with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

Originality/value

The major contribution of this paper is that it becomes the first to draw directly from endogenous growth theory to estimate the inflation threshold for any African country, which will hopefully pave a way for similar studies on other African countries.
“Open to the public”
Authors: Kimmel Laurence , Barnard Mike , Kuru Aysu
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The cultural imperative for public buildings in countries like Australia to maintain their intrinsic “openness” – physically and symbolically – faces particular challenges in the context of current global terrorism concerns. Building regulations and counter-terrorism guidelines coexist uneasily, with implications for both public amenity and safety. This is particularly evident in the context of current approaches to hostile vehicle (HV) mitigation.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a review of comparative literature, this multidisciplinary project assimilates design aesthetics and security expertise to assess the advantages and limitations of current counter-terrorism design approaches in Australia, the UK and the USA. The research focusses on public buildings of high cultural symbolic value (e.g. concert halls) in the context of HV mitigation.

Findings

Two key recommendations emerge. The first presents the benefits of adopting a layered security strategy tailored to a building's security and symbolic profile mix. The second proposes enhancements to the existing counter-terrorism guidelines based on a model that accounts for both symbolic value and openness.

Originality/value

The research presents new strategies for urban design and security stakeholders to balance openness and security in the design of publicly accessible buildings. While existing research addresses the challenges of terrorism in the design of public space, a literature (and practice) gap exists in Australia, the UK and the USA regarding current approaches to the design of public buildings. Using Australia as a case study, the findings will inform government and industry practitioners seeking more complementary approaches to public amenity and safety in comparable counter-security design contexts globally.
Impact of corporate governance, financial and regulatory factors on firms’ acquisition ability
Authors: Awan Tahira , Shah Syed Zulfiqar Ali , Khan Muhammad Yar , Javeed Anam
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The capital markets witness phenomenal shifts of corporate control. With the shift of world economy into a global one, there has been a rapid increase in the volume of acquisitions. The previous studies shed light on the motives behind acquisition and impact of acquisition on both bidding and target firms. The purpose of this study is to bridge a gap in literature by exploring the factors affecting the acquisition ability (AA) of the firms. The study has analyzed the role of financial strength, corporate governance and regulatory influence on AA of acquiring firm.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional data has been analyzed with respect to Pakistan stock exchange for a period of 2004-2017 by using logit regression.

Findings

Analysis indicates that firm-specific variables are important determinants in firm’s decision to acquire. Chief Executive Officer duality and presence of institutional shareholders on the board contribute to this important phenomenon in the life of the acquiring firms. Bidding firm’s financial strength is also another important consideration while going for corporate control transfer transactions. The empirical results indicate the better AA for firms characterized by minimum capacity usage, lower level of intangible assets, lower debt levels and lower advertising expenses. However, the regulatory factor has no significant role in firms’ AA. The findings of the study are helpful for managers, regulators and policymakers.

Originality/value

Analyzing the role of financial strength, corporate governance and regulatory influence on AA of acquiring firm is a rare study, especially in an emerging country such as Pakistan.
Exterior RC joints subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading
Authors: Murad Yasmin , Abdel-Jabar Haneen , Diab Amjad , Abu Hajar Husam
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop two empirical models that predict the shear strength of exterior beam-column joints exposed to monotonic and cyclic loading using Gene expression programming (GEP).

Design/methodology/approach

The GEP model developed for the monotonic loading case is trained and validated using 81 data test points and that for cyclic loading case is trained and validated using 159 data test points that collected from different 9 and 39 experimental programs, respectively. The parameters that are selected to develop the cyclic GEP model are concrete compressive strength, joint aspect ratio, column axial load and joint transverse reinforcement. The monotonic GEP model is developed using concrete compressive strength, column depth, joint width and column axial load.

Findings

GEP models are proposed in this paper to predict the joint shear strength of beam-column joints under cyclic and monotonic loading. The predicted results obtained using the GEP models are compared to those calculated using the ACI-352 code formulations. A sensitivity analysis is also performed to further validate the GEP models.

Originality/value

The proposed GEP models provide an accurate prediction for joint shear strength of beam-column joints under cyclic and monotonic loading that is more fitting to the experimental database than the ACI-352 predictions where the GEP models have higher R2 value than the code formulations.
The role of data-reuse experience in biological scientists’ data sharing: an empirical analysis
Authors: Yoon Ayoung , Kim Youngseek
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how scientists’ prior data-reuse experience affects their data-sharing intention by updating diverse attitudinal, control and normative beliefs about data sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used a survey method and the research model was evaluated by applying structural equation modelling to 476 survey responses from biological scientists in the USA.

Findings

The results show that prior data-reuse experience significantly increases the perceived community and career benefits and subjective norms of data sharing and significantly decreases the perceived risk and effort involved in data sharing. The perceived community benefits and subjective norms of data sharing positively influence scientists’ data-sharing intention, whereas the perceived risk and effort negatively influence scientists’ data-sharing intention.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the theory of planned behaviour, the research model was developed by connecting scientists’ prior data-reuse experience and data-sharing intention mediated through diverse attitudinal, control and normative perceptions of data sharing.

Practical implications

This research suggests that to facilitate scientists’ data-sharing behaviours, data reuse needs to be encouraged. Data sharing and reuse are interconnected, so scientists’ data sharing can be better promoted by providing them with data-reuse experience.

Originality/value

This is one of the initial studies examining the relationship between data-reuse experience and data-sharing behaviour, and it considered the following mediating factors: perceived community benefit, career benefit, career risk, effort and subjective norm of data sharing. This research provides an advanced investigation of data-sharing behaviour in the relationship with data-reuse experience and suggests significant implications for fostering data-sharing behaviour.
A back-end view to climatic adaptation
Authors: Amadi Alolote I.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study investigates the level of variance in the real time demand for bagged cement, induced in response to the climatic sequence of the humid tropics, to support best practice calls for a weather-responsive supply chain strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on the consumption of cement and site works for 100 ongoing building construction sites were gathered for a period of 12 months. The variance partitioning capabilities of the Ordinary Least Squares and Hierarchical Linear Modelling forms of regression analysis are comparatively used to evaluate the sensitivity of cement demand to the meteorological profile of wet-humid climate

Findings

The study outcome provides statistical evidence demonstrating that the meteorological profile of wet-humid climate induces a significantly high percentage of the variance in the real-time demand for bagged cement on construction sites. However, nested within this variance, are the fixed effects of the cement footprint of the building architecture inherent in the locality. Particularly, positive changes to reduce the wet trade composition of buildings or compensating changes in technological bias, are necessary to combat weather interference in the humid tropics.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are exploratory, and not for the purposes of holistically forecasting cement demand, and can therefore only form part of a more comprehensive decision support system, bespoke to the study area.

Practical implications

The study outcome provides a back-end view to climatic adaptation in wet humid settings, making a compelling case for localized climate-risk adaptive supply chain strategies and policies geared towards sustainability in cement usage.

Originality/value

The study delineates the confounding impact of weather, distinct from local building architecture and technological bias, thus creating a methodological platform for replication and comparative productivity studies in diverse geographical areas.
Social customer relationship management factors and business benefits
Authors: Chatterjee Sheshadri , Chaudhuri Ranjan , Vrontis Demetris , Thrassou Alkis , Ghosh Soumya Kanti , Chaudhuri Sumana
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to identify the business benefit of and factors affecting the use of social customer relationship management (SCRM) in Indian organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on theoretical foundations, a conceptual model of factors affecting SCRM in Indian organizations is developed and empirically tested through a survey and corresponding analysis using SPSS and AMOS software.

Findings

The study presents empirical evidence that technological competence, environmental characteristics and organizational environment positively impact the actual use of SCRM on Indian organizations. Additionally, leadership support of organizations impacts positively the actual use of SCRM in organizations, while the trust factor insignificantly impacts the latter. The actual use of SCRM in organizations was found to have a positive impact on their business benefits.

Research limitations/implications

The theoretical model is built on the constructs of the technology, environment and organizational framework. It has added new factors, such as leadership support and trust, and thereby identified the business benefits of organizations using SCRM mediating through the organizations’ actual use of SCRM. The proposed model is simple, implementable and has a high explanative power of 81 per cent.

Practical implications

The study provides practitioners with evidence and practicable knowledge regarding the means and impact/benefits of SCRM use in Indian organizations.

Originality/value

The study is one of few empirical studies on the topic and contributes valuable knowledge to extant works through additional factors, theoretical conceptualization and empirical scientific findings of both scholarly and executive worth.
A case study of blended e-learning in Thailand
Authors: Wongwuttiwat Jittima , Buraphadeja Vasa , Tantontrakul Tanakom
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This case study aims to analyze and compare the learning achievements of two groups of university students taught by: traditional face-to-face learning (TDL) and blended e-learning (BEL). To the best of the authors’ knowledge no previous study of the use of BEL in the context of Thailand has addressed the same purpose as this study. It is expected that the findings from this study will suggest areas for additional research and will be of interest to researchers and professional educators, especially those involved in the development and use of BEL systems.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study compares two groups of undergraduate students who completed a course designed to develop skills in using productivity software at a university in Thailand. After establishing the groups, one group learned in a BEL environment and the other in a TDL environment. In particular, the online training and assessment software application SIMnet was used in the BEL environment. Comparisons between results using BEL and TDL are made for different assessment results. Additional analyses of results for the BEL group examined gender differences and correlations between the number of attempts made on assessments and the levels of achievement.

Findings

The findings indicated that for all of the assessments, the BEL group had a better performance than the TDL group. For the BEL group, additional analyses found no significant differences between the achievements of males and females and significant correlations between the numbers of attempts made on assessments and the results. Limitations of this case study are discussed, and the findings are expected to be of interest to researchers and professional educators, especially those involved in the development and use of BEL.

Research limitations/implications

Learning content was restricted to the Excel spreadsheet in which different areas of content need to be studied. The software SIMnet was used by the BEL group, additional BEL software needs to be studied. The participants’ characteristics – age, gender, culture and computer competency – were narrow scoped in which the study could include more varieties and also a larger sample size. Further studies should be designed to include more comparisons such a comparison between TDL group males and females.

Originality/value

The findings from this limited case study suggest that a BEL learning environment is superior to a TDL environment. Also, a BEL environment is equally beneficial for male and female students. In particular, the BEL feature, which allows students to retake assessments, leads to improved learning performance equally for both males and females. In general, these findings support those reported in previous studies.
How does personalization affect brand relationship in social commerce? A mediation perspective
Authors: Tran Trang P. , van Solt Michelle , Zemanek Jr James E.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to tests a conceptual model capturing the influence of personalized advertising on customer perceptions of brands in social media and identifies three market segments based on customers’ reactions to personalized ads.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies are developed to test the model using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Additionally, cluster analysis, multi-group analysis (MGA) and serial mediation tests are also conducted to provide better insights into the results.

Findings

The results of the two studies show that all nine hypotheses are supported except for H4 in Study 1. Three market segments (ad lovers, ad adjusters and ad haters) are identified. Each segment has a typical attitude toward personalized advertisements.

Research limitations/implications

Built on self-congruence literature, the current research posits that consumer-brand self-congruence can be established when a customer sees a brand advertised on Facebook after searching for that brand online. Consistently, this paper finds that through self-congruence, personalized advertising has a positive impact on brand-related outcomes.

Practical implications

Three segments identified – “ad lovers,” “ad adjusters” and “ad haters” are important for marketers. Companies should develop an appropriate advertising campaign for each segment, especially once the general data protection regulation is in place. Companies will be subject to a noncompliance penalty if an advertisement is posted on a user s account without approval. Identifying this segment promptly will not only enable companies to save resources but also help avoid legal complications associated with privacy concerns.

Originality/value

This research sheds light on the effects of personalized advertising on customer perceptions of brands in social commerce.
Applying self-determination theory to explaining differences in career commitment between self-employed and salaried employees
Authors: Baluku Martin Mabunda , Balikoowa Richard , Bantu Edward , Otto Kathleen
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Based on self-determination theory, this study aims to examine the impact of satisfaction of basic psychological needs (BPNs) on the commitment to stay self- or salary-employed. Not only the entry of individuals but also their commitment to remain self-employed is important. Enterprises established by the self-employed can only survive longer if the owners are willing to continue in self-employment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted among a cross-country sample drawn from Germany, Kenya and Uganda. An online survey was conducted among self- and salary-employed individuals in Germany. In Uganda and Kenya, cross-sectional samples were recruited through their workplaces and business forums. These processes yielded 869 responses (373 self-employed and 494 salary-employed). Differences in the impact of BPNs on the commitment to self-employed or salaried-employment across countries were examined using PROCESS macro 2.16.

Findings

The findings revealed that the self-employed exhibit higher commitment to their current form of employment than the salary-employed. The satisfaction of needs for autonomy and competence were associated with higher levels of commitment to self-employment than to salary-employment across the three countries. The need for relatedness was also strongly associated with commitment to self-employment much more than to salary-employment for Ugandan and Kenyan participants; but not for the German participants.

Originality/value

Persistence in self-employment is essential not only for individuals to remain employed but also as a pathway to achieving career success. However, research has paid limited attention to persistence in self-employment. This research contributes to the understanding of antecedents for commitment to self-employment across countries, and therefore what should be done to enable particularly young individuals to stay self-employed. Moreover, the study also examines whether these antecedents have similar effects among individuals in salaried-employment.
The concept of self-regulation and the ethics council of the media federation of Chile
Authors: Gonzalez Francisca Greene , Lecaros María José
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper reviews the origins of the Ethics Council of the Federation of Social Communication Media of Chile (1991-2019) and looks into the historical circumstances surrounding its creation, the concept of self-regulation as understood by its founders, and the criteria that initially ruled its operation.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative survey of nine contemporary witnesses and the confrontation with the scientific literature.

Findings

The results reveal a significant coincidence with the academic literature both in the description of the concept of self-regulation and in the origin of the ethics councils and of the system under which they operate. However, a series of nuances not usually considered in the concept of self-regulation are described.

Originality/value

This study will help assess the national and international possibilities of self-regulation and the significance of the Chilean ethics council.
Role of authentic employer brands in addressing the integration-responsiveness problem in religiously-sensitive environments
Authors: Taj Saud , Sinclair Katie
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) face twin pressures of maintaining a globally integrated brand while remaining responsive to local demands. Previous research has shown that misunderstandings may surface from the way subsidiary employees read corporate messages, particularly if institutional and social distances between corporate headquarters (HQs) and subsidiaries are wide. Employer branding is sometimes used to help resolve such tensions if HQs are sensitive to signals from their subsidiaries in the policy development process. Thus, this paper addresses the question: to what extent does institutional proximity facilitates the creation and maintenance of socially legitimate employer brands in MNE subsidiaries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an interpretive approach in analysing two cases of multinational subsidiaries operating in Pakistan but with divergent HQ institutional distances (Northern Europe and Middle East). A qualitative approach to data collection was taken and ten semi-structured interviews with senior and middle managers and two focus groups of six lower level employees in each case organization were conducted.

Findings

The findings suggest that institutional proximity played a secondary role in establishing a legitimate employer brand whereas a receptive and responsive signalling process was of greater importance. The authenticity of the employer brand was stronger in the organization that was more receptive to the incoming signals from local employees compared to the firm that was rather institutionally closer due to shared customs and culture.

Practical implications

Findings point to the significance of the character and intensity of the employment relationship at a micro level as the honesty and credibility of organizational messages and interpreted and re-interpreted at a localized level, thereby bearing serious implications for both global and local managers.

Originality/value

These findings contribute to the IHRM literature on the integration-responsiveness problem, to the debate over institutional proximity, and to the influence of religion on people management.
Business, management and accounting
Authors: Santos M. Valle , Mayoral Rosa M.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to clarify the internal structure of the discipline of business and management (BMA) and its relations with adjacent disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

We analyse the thematic profile of the most relevant journals in BMA (Scopus database). We then perform a network analysis, specifically Pathfinder and Nearest Neighbour analyses.

Findings

Our research provides empirical evidence of BMA's cohesiveness, thematic variety and interdisciplinarity. It remains open to a wide range of disciplines, particularly information systems, decision science and finance. BMA constitutes a dome composed of different subdisciplines. Some of these (for example, accounting, management information systems and industrial relations) display little relation to the others, although they do establish links with adjacent fields. In addition, strategic management emerges as a central point, endowing the discipline with consistency by acting as a link to certain subdisciplines that would otherwise be unconnected. Despite its more moderate presence in the discipline, organisational behaviour is the most nuclear category, acting as an anchor and helping to organise and structure BMA.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis provides a static image of BMA. It would be interesting to further the research through a dynamic perspective that would outline the evolution of the interrelations amongst disciplines over time and ascertain where they are heading.

Practical implications

These results shed light on the centrifugal and centripetal forces of BMA and their future development.

Originality/value

This paper analyses the internal structure of BMA through its journals.