bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chromatin alterations in the aging lung change progenitor cell activity
Authors: Rowbotham Samuel P. , Pessina Patrizia , de Alba Rivas Carolina Garcia , Li Jingyun , Wong Irene G. , Yoon Joon , Fahey Caroline , Moye Aaron , Chongsaritsinsuk Joann , Bronson Roderick , Sui Shannan J. Ho , Kim Carla F.
Published: July 2021

The lung contains multiple progenitor cell types that respond to damage, but how their responses are choreographed and why they decline with age is poorly understood. We report that histone H3 lysine 9 di-methylation (K9me2), mediated by histone methyltransferase G9a, regulates the dynamics of lung epithelial progenitor cells, and this regulation deteriorates with age. In aged mouse lungs, K9me2 loss coincided with lower frequency and activity of alveolar type 2 (AT2) cell progenitors. In contrast, K9me2 loss resulted in increased frequency and activity of multipotent progenitor cells with bronchiolar and alveolar potential (BASCs) and bronchiolar progenitors. K9me2 depletion in young mice through deletion or inhibition of G9a decreased AT2 progenitor activity and impaired alveolar injury regeneration. Conversely, K9me2 depletion increased chromatin accessibility of bronchiolar cell genes, increased BASC frequency and accelerated bronchiolar repair. K9me2 depletion also resulted in increased bronchiolar cell expression of the SARS-CoV2 receptor Ace2 in aged lungs. These data point to K9me2 and G9a as a critical regulator of the balance of lung progenitor cell regenerative responses and prevention of susceptibility to age-related lung diseases. These findings indicate that epigenetic regulation coordinates progenitor cell populations to expedite regeneration in the most efficient manner and disruption of this regulation presents significant challenges to lung health.
Long-Term Protective Effects of Single-Dose infusion of Warm Blood Cardioplegic Solution in a mini-pig model on the background of intraoperative anemia
Authors: Yavorovskiy Andrey G. , Komarov Roman N. , Kogan Evgenia A. , Mandel Irina A. , Panov Alexander V. , Bagdasarov Pavel S. , Bulanova Ekaterina L. , Khalikova Elena Yu. , Popov Alexander M.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

The tolerable ischemic time for many cardioplegia solutions has not been established yet. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of a single-dose of cardioplegia solution Normacor (solution No. 1) and to establish the tolerable ischemic time in a normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass mini-pig model on the background of intraoperative anemia.

Methods

Five female mini-pigs (34±3 kg, 6-month-old) were subjected to 180 min or 210 min of cardiac arrest by single-dose 400 ml Normacor cardioplegia (solution No. 1). A needle biopsy was taken from the left ventricle before the aortic cross-clamping and every 30 minutes after it. The restoration of left ventricle contractility was assessed by the clinical indicators, catecholamine support, morphological and immunohistochemical examination.

Results

The morphological signs of cardiomyocytes ischemia were found after 120 minutes of aortic cross-clamping. According to the content of succinate dehydrogenase and hypoxia-inducible factor, the signs of the cardiomyocytes ischemic injury onset were detected at the same time point. During the entire period of aortic cross-clamping atrial activity was observed in all cases. The proposed single-dose ischemic time for re-dosing of cardioplegia is 120 minutes or ventricular activity onset.

Conclusions

Safe and effective cardioprotection can be achieved with warm blood cardioplegia Normacor (solution No. 1) within 120 minutes for a single-dose infusion.

Graphical Abstract
Fatty Alcohols, a Minor Component of the Tree Tobacco Surface Wax, Reduce Insect Herbivory
Authors: Negin Boaz , Shachar Lior , Meir Sagit , Ramirez Claudio C. , Horowitz A. Rami , Jander Georg , Aharoni Asaph
Published: July 2021

Despite decades of research resulting in a comprehensive understanding of epicuticular wax biosynthesis and metabolism, the function of these almost ubiquitous metabolites in plant-herbivore interactions remains unresolved. To develop a better understanding of this role, we investigated plant-herbivore interactions in four Nicotiana glauca (tree tobacco) genome edited mutants. This included [eceriferum1 (cer1), eceriferum3 (cer3), β-ketoacyl-coA synthase6 (kcs6), and fatty acyl-coA reductase (far)] displaying a wide range of alkane and fatty alcohol abundances. Three interaction classes were examined: chewing herbivory with seven caterpillar and one snail species, phloem feeding with Myzus persicae (green peach aphid), and egg laying with Bemisia tabaci (sweet potato whitefly). We found that high wax load and alkane abundance did not reduce caterpillar or snail herbivory. However, fatty alcohol content was negatively correlated with caterpillar growth, suggesting a role in reducing insect herbivory despite its lower levels. Aphid reproduction and feeding activity were not correlated with wax load and composition but are potentially affected by altered cutin composition of cer1 mutants. When examining non-feeding activities, wax crystal morphology could explain the preference of B. tabaci to lay eggs on wildtype plants relative to cer1 and far mutants. Accordingly, the fatty alcohol wax component reduces caterpillar herbivory on the chemical level, but oviposition is increased when wax crystals are dense. The results suggest that this varied response between herbivore classes and species, at times displaying increased and at times reduced fitness in response to altered wax composition is in part a consequence of co-evolution that shaped the specific effects of different N. glauca metabolites such as anabasine and fatty alcohols in plant-herbivore interactions.
IRAK1-dependent Regnase-1-14-3-3 complex formation controls Regnase-1-mediated mRNA decay
Authors: Akaki Kotaro , Ogata Kosuke , Yamauchi Yuhei , Iwai Noriki , Tse Ka Man , Hia Fabian , Mochizuki Atsushi , Ishihama Yasushi , Mino Takashi , Takeuchi Osamu
Published: July 2021

Regnase-1 is an endoribonuclease crucial for controlling inflammation by degrading mRNAs encoding cytokines and inflammatory mediators in mammals. However, it is unclear how Regnase-1-mediated mRNA decay is controlled in interleukin (IL)-1β or Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligand-stimulated cells. Here, by analyzing the Regnase-1 interactome, we found that IL-1β or TLR stimulus dynamically induced the formation of Regnase-1-β-transducin repeat-containing protein (βTRCP) complex. Importantly, we also uncovered a novel interaction between Regnase-1 and 14-3-3 in both mouse and human cells. Strikingly, both interactions occur in a mutually exclusive manner, underscoring the importance of modulating Regnase-1’s activity. Additionally, we show that in IL-1R/TLR-stimulated cells, the Regnase-1-14-3-3 interaction is mediated by IRAK1 through a previously uncharacterized C-terminal structural domain. Phosphorylation of Regnase-1 at S494 and S513 is critical for Regnase-1-14-3-3 interaction, while a different set of phosphorylation sites of Regnase-1 are known to be required for the recognition by βTRCP and proteasome-mediated degradation. 14-3-3 stabilizes Regnase-1 but abolishes its activity by inhibiting Regnase-1-mRNA association. Furthermore, nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling of Regnase-1 is abrogated by 14-3-3 interaction. Taken together, the results suggest that a novel inflammation-induced interaction of 14-3-3 with Regnase-1 stabilizes inflammatory mRNAs by sequestering Regnase-1 in the cytoplasm to prevent mRNA recognition.
Reviewing the consequences of genetic purging on the success of rescue programs
Authors: Pérez-Pereira Noelia , Caballero Armando , García-Dorado Aurora
Published: July 2021

Genetic rescue is increasingly considered a promising and underused conservation strategy to reduce inbreeding depression and restore genetic diversity in endangered populations, but the empirical evidence supporting its application is limited to a few generations. Here we discuss on the light of theory the role of inbreeding depression arising from partially recessive deleterious mutations and of genetic purging as main determinants of the medium to long-term success of rescue programs. This role depends on two main predictions: (1) The inbreeding load hidden in populations with a long stable demography increases with the effective population size; and (2) After a population shrinks, purging tends to remove its (partially) recessive deleterious alleles, a process that is slower but more efficient for large populations than for small ones. We also carry out computer simulations to investigate the impact of genetic purging on the medium to long term success of genetic rescue programs. For some scenarios, it is found that hybrid vigor followed by purging will lead to sustained successful rescue. However, there may be specific situations where the recipient population is so small that it cannot purge the inbreeding load introduced by migrants, which would lead to increased fitness inbreeding depression and extinction risk in the medium to long term. In such cases, the risk is expected to be higher if migrants came from a large non-purged population with high inbreeding load, particularly after the accumulation of the stochastic effects ascribed to repeated occasional migration events. Therefore, under the specific deleterious recessive mutation model considered, we conclude that additional caution should be taken in rescue programs. Unless the endangered population harbors some distinctive genetic singularity whose conservation is a main concern, restoration by continuous stable gene flow should be considered, whenever feasible, as it reduces the extinction risk compared to repeated occasional migration and can also allow recolonization events.
Inhibitory control performance is repeatable across years and contexts in a wild bird population
Authors: Davidson Gabrielle L. , Reichert Michael S. , Coomes Jennifer R. , Kulahci Ipek G. , de la Hera Iván , Quinn John L.
Published: July 2021

Inhibitory control is one of several cognitive mechanisms required for self-regulation, decision making and attention towards tasks. Linked to a variety of maladaptive behaviours in humans, inhibitory control is expected to influence behavioural plasticity in animals in the context of foraging, social interaction, or responses to sudden changes in the environment. One widely used cognitive assay, the ‘detour task’, putatively tests inhibitory control. In this task, subjects must avoid impulsively touching transparent barriers positioned in front of food, and instead access the food by an alternative but known route. Recently it has been suggested that the detour task is unreliable and measures factors unrelated to inhibitory control, including motivation, previous experience and persistence. Consequently, there is growing uncertainty as to whether this task leads to erroneous interpretations about animal cognition and its links with socio-ecological traits. To address these outstanding concerns, we designed a variant of the detour task for wild great tits (Parus major) and deployed it at the nesting site of the same individuals across two spring seasons. This approach eliminated the use of food rewards, limited social confounds, and maximised motivation. We compared task performance in the wild with their performance in captivity when tested using the classical cylinder detour task during the non-breeding season. Task performance was temporally and contextually repeatable, and none of the confounds had any significant effect on performance, nor did they drive any of the observed repeatable differences among individuals. These results support the hypothesis that our assays captured intrinsic differences in inhibitory control. Instead of ‘throwing the detour task out with the bathwater’, we suggest confounds are likely system and experimental-design specific, and that assays for this potentially fundamental but largely overlooked source of behavioural plasticity in animal populations, should be validated and refined for each study system.
Diversified physiological sensory input connectivity questions the existence of distinct classes of spinal interneurons
Authors: Kohler Matthias , Bengtsson Fredrik , Stratmann Philipp , Röhrbein Florian , Knoll Alois , Albu-Schäffer Alin , Jörntell Henrik
Published: July 2021

The spinal cord is engaged in all forms of motor performance but its functions are far from understood. Because network connectivity defines function, we explored the connectivity for muscular, tendon and tactile sensory inputs among a wide population of spinal interneurons in the lower cervical segments. Using low noise intracellular whole cell recordings in the decerebrated, nonanesthetized cat in vivo, we could define mono-, di-, trisynaptic inputs as well as the weights of each input. Whereas each neuron had a highly specific input, and each indirect input could moreover be explained by inputs in other recorded neurons, we unexpectedly also found the input connectivity of the spinal interneuron population to form a continuum. Our data hence contrasts with the currently widespread notion of distinct classes of interneurons. We argue that this suggested diversified physiological connectivity, which likely requires a major component of circuitry learning, implies a more flexible functionality.

1.

Graphical Abstract

2.

Highlights

In vivo whole cell, intracellular recording of spinal interneurons.

Patterns of input from Ia, Ib and cutaneous afferents is highly diversified.

Learning appears to be a defining factor of spinal interneuron connectivity.
Active inference through whiskers
Authors: Mannella Francesco , Maggiore Federico , Baltieri Manuel , Pezzulo Giovanni
Published: July 2021

Rodents use whisking to probe actively their environment and to locate objects in space, hence providing a paradigmatic biological example of active sensing. Numerous studies show that the control of whisking has anticipatory aspects. For example, rodents target their whisker protraction to the distance at which they expect objects, rather than just reacting fast to contacts with unexpected objects. Here we characterize the anticipatory control of whisking in rodents as an active inference process. In this perspective, the rodent is endowed with a prior belief that it will touch something at the end of the whisker protraction, and it continuously modulates its whisking amplitude to minimize (proprioceptive and somatosensory) prediction errors arising from an unexpected whisker-object contact, or from a lack of an expected contact. We will use the model to qualitatively reproduce key empirical findings about the ways rodents modulate their whisker amplitude during exploration and the scanning of (expected or unexpected) objects. Furthermore, we will discuss how the components of active inference model can in principle map to the neurobiological circuits of rodent whisking.
Transient genomic instability drives tumorigenesis through accelerated clonal evolution
Authors: Shoshani Ofer , Bakker Bjorn , de Haan Lauren , Tijhuis Andréa E. , Wang Yin , Kim Dong Hyun , Maldonado Marcus , Demarest Matthew A. , Artates Jon , Zhengyu Ouyang , Mark Adam , Wardenaar René , Sasik Roman , Spierings Diana C.J. , Vitre Benjamin , Fisch Kathleen , Foijer Floris , Cleveland Don W.
Published: July 2021

Abnormal numerical and structural chromosome content is frequently found in human cancer. To test the role of aneuploidy in tumor initiation and progression, we generated mice with random aneuploidies by transient induction of polo-like kinase 4 (Plk4), a master regulator of centrosome number. Short-term chromosome instability (CIN) from transient Plk4 induction resulted in formation of aggressive T-cell lymphomas in mice with heterozygous inactivation of one p53 allele and accelerated tumor development in the absence of p53. Transient CIN increased the frequency of lymphoma-initiating cells with a specific karyotype profile, including trisomy of chromosomes 4, 5, 14, and 15 occurring early in tumorigenesis. Tumor development in mice with chronic CIN induced by an independent mechanism (through inactivation of the spindle assembly checkpoint) gradually trended toward a similar karyotypic profile, as determined by single-cell whole-genome DNA sequencing. Overall, we show how transient CIN generates cells with random aneuploidies from which ones that acquire a karyotype with specific chromosome gains are sufficient to drive cancer formation, and that distinct CIN mechanisms can lead to similar karyotypic cancer-causing outcomes.
Females, but not males, require protein degradation in the hippocampus for contextual fear memory formation
Authors: Martin Kiley , Musaus Madeline , Navabpour Shaghayegh , Gustin Aspen , Ray W. Keith , Helm Richard F. , Jarome Timothy J.
Published: July 2021

Strong evidence supports a role for protein degradation in fear memory formation. However, these data have been largely done in only male animals. Here, we found that following contextual fear conditioning, females, but not males, had increased levels of proteasome activity and K48 polyubiquitin protein targeting in the dorsal hippocampus, the latter of which occurred at chaperones or RNA processing proteins. In vivo CRISPR–dCas9-mediated repression of protein degradation in the dorsal hippocampus impaired contextual fear memory in females, but not males. These results suggest a sex-specific role for protein degradation in the hippocampus during the consolidation of a contextual fear memory.
A novel method for developing post-quantum cryptoschemes and a practical signature algorithm
Authors: Moldovyan Nikolay Andreevich , Moldovyan Dmitriy Nikolaevich
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The practical purpose of this research is to propose a candidate for post-quantum signature standard that is free of significant drawback of the finalists of the NIST world competition, which consists in the large size of the signature and the public key. The practical purpose is to propose a fundamentally new method for development of algebraic digital signature algorithms.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method is distinguished by the use of two different finite commutative associative algebras as a single algebraic support of the digital signature scheme and setting two different verification equation for a single signature. A single public key is computed as the first and the second public keys, elements of which are computed exponentiating two different generators of cyclic groups in each of the algebras.

Findings

Additionally, a scalar multiplication by a private integer is performed as final step of calculation of every element of the public key. The same powers and the same scalar values are used to compute the first and the second public keys by the same mathematic formulas. Due to such design, the said generators are kept in secret, providing resistance to quantum attacks. Two new finite commutative associative algebras, multiplicative group of which possesses four-dimensional cyclicity, have been proposed as a suitable algebraic support.

Originality/value

The introduced method is novel and includes new techniques for designing algebraic signature schemes that resist quantum attacks. On its base, a new practical post-quantum signature scheme with relatively small size of signature and public key is developed.
Forecasting Euro against US dollar via combination of NARDL and Univariate techniques during COVID-19
Authors: AsadUllah Muhammad , Bashir Muhammad Adnan , Aleemi Abdur Rahman
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the accuracy of combined models with the individual models in terms of forecasting Euro against US dollar during COVID-19 era. During COVID, the euro shows sharp fluctuation in upward and downward trend; therefore, this study is keen to find out the best-fitted model which forecasts more accurately during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The descriptive design has been adopted in this research. The three univariate models, i.e. autoregressive integrated moving averages (ARIMA), Naïve, exponential smoothing (ES) model, and one multivariate model, i.e. nonlinear autoregressive distributive lags (NARDL), are selected to forecast the exchange rate of Euro against the US dollar during the COVID. The above models are combined via equal weights and var-cor methods to find out the accuracy of forecasting as Poon and Granger (2003) showed that combined models can forecast better than individual models.

Findings

NARDL outperforms all remaining individual models, i.e. ARIMA, Naïve and ES. By applying a combination of different models via different techniques, the combination of NARDL and Naïve models outperforms all combination of models by scoring the least mean absolute percentage error value, i.e. 1.588. The combined forecasting of NARDL and Naïve techniques under var-cor method also outperforms the forecasting accuracy of individual models other than NARDL. It means the euro exchange rate against the US dollar which is dependent upon the macroeconomic fundamentals and recent observations of the time series.

Practical implications

The findings could help the FOREX market, hedgers, traders, businessmen, policymakers, economists, financial managers, etc., to minimize the risk indulged in global trade. It also helps to produce more accurate results in different financial models, i.e. capital asset pricing model and arbitrage pricing theory, because their findings may not be useful if exchange rate fluctuations do not trace effectively.

Originality/value

The NARDL models have been applied previously in different time series and only limited to the asymmetric or symmetric relationships. This study is using it for the forecasting exchange rate which is almost abandoned in earlier literature. Furthermore, this study combined the NARDL with univariate models to produce the accuracy which itself is a novelty. Moreover, the findings help to enhance the effectiveness of different financial theories as well.
The functions of the National Archives of South Africa regarding universities’ records and archives
Authors: Netshakhuma Nkholedzeni Sidney
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the functions of the National Archives of South Africa regarding universities’ records and archives by comparing the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of Venda’s (Univen) implementation of the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act, No. 43 of 1996 (NARSSA) provisions 11 and 13, with the view of recommending best practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative research methodology was adopted. The data collection tool was a questionnaire completed by 34 heads of divisions, departments and units from the Wits and Univen, supplemented by a document review. Thus, the study population comprised universities’ heads of divisions, departments and units.

Findings

The National Archives of South Africa is not playing a role in providing advice to universities on how to manage their records and archives to fulfil their teaching, learning and research mandate, protect them from litigation and preserve their corporate memory such as records with national and international significance. Most of the respondents were not aware of the NARSSA provision 11 on the custody and preservation of records, and provision 13 on the management of public records. NARSSA lacks provision specifically for the management of university records. NARSSA appears vague about the management of university records, as it does not explain the legal definition of university records.

Research limitations/implications

This is a comparative case study limited to Wits and Univen. The shortcoming of this study is that the author did not provide relevant and detailed information for the article reader to fully understand the functions of the NARSSA provisions 11 and 13 regarding university records and archives at Wits and Univen, respectively.

Practical implications

The study recommends the South Africa legislature to review the NARSSA regarding records and archives’ role in the university. The researcher’s view is that reviewing existing NARSSA provisions 11 and 13 would provide universities with the responsibility of managing some of their national and international records. This might improve the management of records and this, in turn, would enhance the preservation of records.

Originality/value

This paper appears to be the first to review the functions of the National Archives of South Africa regarding the South African university’s records and archives.
Evaluation of smart manufacturing performance using a grey theory-based approach: a case study
Authors: Malaga Anilkumar , Vinodh S.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the article is to report a study on evaluation of smart manufacturing (SM) performance using a grey theory-based approach.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 30 criteria and 79 attributes for SM performance have been developed. A grey theory-based approach has been used for SM performance evaluation. The grey index has been calculated, and weaker areas have been derived. Performance level of SM has been evaluated using the Euclidean distance approach.

Findings

The SM performance index is found to be (3.036, 12.296). The ideal grey performance importance index (GPII) is obtained as (3.025, 4.875). The level of visibility and traceability, vertical integration, lead time and configuration data espionage and control ability are strong performing attributes. Integration abilities of services and manufacturing systems, ability of self-control, worker and raw material productivity, collaboration among buyers and suppliers and dynamic scheduling are identified as weaker areas, and suggestions for improvement have been derived. SM performance level has been identified as “Good.”

Research limitations/implications

Additional performance measures could be included as a part of evaluation. Practitioners can overcome weaker areas in the early phase. Management achieves confidence and practitioners attain success in implementation of SM in industry through the developed SM performance indexing system.

Originality/value

Identification of SM performance measures and analysis of SM performance is the original contribution of the authors. The developed approach assists practitioners and managers to focus more on specific areas for performance improvement.
How leadership affects organisational citizenship behaviour – a study of independent hotels
Authors: Nazarian Alireza , Atkinson Peter , Foroudi Pantea , Velayati Rezvan , Edirisinghe Dilini , Hosseini Tabaghdehi Asieh
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that managers in independent hotels can influence to improve organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) by examining the relationship between leadership style and OCB through newly developed balanced organisational culture and trust variables. Unlike most studies, which have been on chain hotels, this study investigates these relationships in independent hotels in Iran. Additionally, organisational size was also included in the study.

Design/methodology/approach

Using information from Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism, 160 independent hotels were identified and approached. A survey was assembled using well-known instruments. In total, 392 usable questionnaires out of 1,150 distributed were collected from employees and analysed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

Contrary to previous studies, it was found that in this context, neither transformational nor transactional leadership affects trust directly but only through balanced organisational culture, and only transactional leadership had a direct relationship with OCB. Also, organisational size had a moderating effect on the relationship between trust and OCB.

Originality/value

The authors add to the theoretical literature dealing with the different behaviour of constructs developed in a Western context in other contexts and suggests that hotel managers in a collectivist culture, like Iran, who want to build OCB can do so by creating organisational culture conditions (Balanced Organisational Culture) that foster trust between managers and their subordinates.
Impact of light rail line on residential property values – a case of Sydney, Australia
Authors: Abidoye Rotimi Boluwatife , Fam Felice , Oshodi Olalekan Shamsideen , Oyetunji Abiodun Kolawole
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The construction of new transportation infrastructure tends to affect the adjoining properties, economy and environment. In particular, studies have investigated the change in the value of properties due to increased access to transportation facilities. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the recently completed light rail on residential property values in Sydney, Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

Sales data of residential properties was extracted from the CoreLogic’s RP database. The hedonic pricing model was used to assess the effect of proximity to the light rail stops. Two models were developed for the announcement and construction phases of the light rail project.

Findings

It was found that during the announcement phase, properties located within the 400 m radius from the station were 3.3% more expensive than those within the 400–800 radius. At the construction stage, the properties within the 0–400 m radius from the stops sold at 3.1% more than those within the 400–800 m radius. This study concludes that a positive relationship exists between the values of residential property and proximity to light rail stations.

Practical implications

These findings would be useful for policymakers to develop land value capture programs for infrastructure funding and to real estate professionals and investors for investment in future transit-oriented development.

Originality/value

Previous studies that aimed at examining the impact of light rails on residential properties values around universities are limited. Hence, this study provides a broad perspective on the impact of light rail on residential properties values.
Dynamics of affordability and immigration in the Canadian housing market
Authors: Singh Vikkram
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to make two major contributions. First, given the literature gap in housing unaffordability for different immigrant groups in Canada, it makes an essential contribution to the literature. To the best of the knowledge, this study is the first study of its kind to examine housing unaffordability by examining different immigrant groups. Second, differences in unaffordability can help understand the decline in welfare, as it can have financial implications and a negative impact on health outcomes. Third, this study’s findings are valuable for policy formulation to improve immigrant integration and ease the housing unaffordability crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the determinants of housing affordability to investigate differences among various immigrant groups in Canada. A bivariate logit model using public microdata from the Canadian census estimates the determinants of moderate and severe unaffordability. Additionally, the separation of tenants and owners provides insights into the dynamics of unaffordability. The results show significant differences between immigrant groups with higher levels of unaffordability among Asian immigrants. The insights can help devise and implement housing assistance programs to address the challenges arising from the post-COVID-19 pandemic phase.

Findings

The results indicate that unaffordability declines with increasing age, education and full-time employment. Gender dynamics are evident, with women faring worse than men regarding the likelihood of extreme housing unaffordability. Households face a greater likelihood of unaffordability in more populous provinces and larger census metropolitan areas that struggle with the high cost of living, racial disparities and low income. Immigrants, especially from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, continue to struggle with chronic and severe unaffordability issues. The impact is much more severe for those renting, exemplifying the strain it is taking on the financial health of recent immigrants.

Originality/value

Given the literature gap in housing unaffordability for different immigrant groups in Canada, it makes an essential contribution to the literature. To the best of the knowledge, this study is the first study of its kind to examine housing unaffordability by examining different immigrant groups.
Adoption of online streaming services: moderating role of personality traits
Authors: Bhatt Kedar
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the adoption of online streaming services from the technology acceptance perspective. A conceptual model incorporating personality traits with the technology acceptance model (TAM) is proposed and tested to predict user's intention to use online streaming services. Apart from the direct effects of personality traits on TAM variables, the study also examines the moderating effect of personality traits on TAM relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the proposed model, a structured questionnaire was developed by adapting existing scales for the constructs to suit the online streaming services context. The data for the study were collected from online streaming services users in India. The model was tested using structural equation modeling using AMOS 18. Moderation analysis was performed using the PROCESS MACRO.

Findings

The findings suggest that perceived ease of use, subjective norms and technology anxiety affect intention to use online streaming services. Self-efficacy was found to affect perceived ease of use positively, and technology anxiety was found to have a negative effect on perceived usefulness. The results also evidenced the moderating role of self-efficacy and technology anxiety.

Originality/value

The paper explores the adoption of online streaming services from the technology acceptance perspective. Further, very few studies have examined the moderating role of personality traits in technology adoption. This paper attempts to fill this gap. It expands the understanding of technology adoption literature by assessing the direct as well as moderating effect of personality traits.
Impact of organizational culture on strategic planning
Authors: Panda Debadutta Kumar
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of organizational culture on strategic planning and the role of leadership effectiveness in the association between organizational culture and strategic planning in Indian nonprofit organizations (NPOs).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 441 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Common method bias was addressed through the use of multiple surveys. Structural equation modeling was used to process the data.

Findings

Advice-seeking interactions, collaborative culture and an error management culture positively impacted the creation and conceptualization of strategic plans in Indian NPOs. An error aversion culture did not significantly impact the creation and conceptualization of strategic plans. Leadership effectiveness moderated the relationship between “advice-seeking interactions” and the “creation and conceptualization” of the strategic plan, a “collaborative culture” and the “creation and conceptualization” of the strategic plan and an “error management culture” and the “creation and conceptualization” of the strategic plan.

Originality/value

Strategic management literature on the determinants of the creation and conceptualization of strategic plans is scant. Further, it does not include the influence of cultural constructs such as advice-seeking interaction (ASI), collaborative culture (CC), error management culture (EMC), error aversion culture (EAC) on the creation and conceptualization of strategic plans. This study extends the debate on the culture–strategy nexus to help practitioners understand the importance of organizational culture (advice-seeking interaction, collaborative culture, error management culture, error aversion culture) in creating strategic plans.
Coping with the COVID-19 crisis: an analysis of Twitter communication of companies
Authors: Chong Sabrina , Momin Mahmood
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how New Zealand listed companies communicate COVID-19 related concerns on Twitter during the pandemic through various coping expressions and strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

A thematic content analysis was conducted to analyse COVID tweets based on Gaspar et al.’s (2016) coping strategy framework.

Findings

Six major COVID-19-related concerns communicated by New Zealand companies were found, with product/service being the most tweeted concern. Various coping expressions and strategies were demonstrated by the companies to address these concerns. Information sharing strategy was found to be the most common coping strategy implied in all six of these concerns.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to the scant literature in crisis communication by providing empirical evidence on how COVID-19-related concerns, coping expressions and strategies were communicated by New Zealand companies.

Originality/value

While extant coping research generally examined coping expressions and strategies in Western countries and at an individual level, this paper examines coping communication at organisational level in an Asia-Pacific country. As per the researchers’ knowledge, this is a novel attempt that provides empirical evidence on corporate coping communication in an Asia-Pacific country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Explaining job satisfaction and voluntary assistance among Nigerian police officers
Authors: Otu Smart Egwu , Sun Ivan , Akor Charles Ikechukwu , Nnam Macpherson Uchenna , Wu Yuning , Aro Gilbert
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to assess the direct relationships between internal support and job satisfaction and voluntary assistance and their indirect connections through work–family conflict among Nigerian police officers.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from police officers in a midsized state police command in Ebonyi state in Nigeria. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the connections between supervisor support, peer support, work–family conflict, job satisfaction and voluntary assistance.

Findings

Police officers with stronger supervisor and co-worker support are more inclined to express higher job satisfaction, whereas such support is not linked to officers' willingness to help fellow officers. Work–family conflict mediates the relationship between co-worker support and voluntary assistance. Stronger peer support is accompanied by higher work–family conflict, which then is linked to greater helping behavior.

Originality/value

Despite many studies on police job satisfaction, research on correlates of job satisfaction in an African context remains severely under-investigated. This study represents one of the first attempts to assess police proactive helping behavior and job satisfaction in Nigeria.
I'm difficult, but not impossible: how millennials view international assignments and the implications for human resource management (HRM)
Authors: Kollinger Iris , Koris Riina
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify what (de)motivates millennial students from undertaking mobility upon graduation and whether this depends on gender, region of origin, prior work experience, level of studies, or international mindset and how. The paper provides insights on the preferred length of mobility and the most (un)attractive regions.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 1,001 millennial students from 77 countries. Data from a quantitative self-reported survey were analysed employing exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory data analyses.

Findings

Factors that motivate mobility are personal development, learning about foreign cultures and the opportunity to travel and those that demotivate are a preference for short-term assignments, unwillingness of family to move and disruption of home country life. Factors differ by region, gender, level of current studies and the student's international mindset.

Research limitations/implications

The cohort included only students pursuing a business or technical education. A willingness to accept an international assignment may not necessarily translate into accepting an international assignment due to the effect of the attitude–behaviour gap. The authors do not aim to generalise on the basis of the results since the sample was fairly disproportionate in terms of world regions. We do, however, invite further studies to treat ours as potential input for new and emerging studies of either a quantitative or qualitative nature.

Practical implications

Due to a strong attachment to home, short-term assignments are preferred. Salary and financial benefits remain hygienic factors and motivating factors remain on the “soft” side. Motivating millennials to engage in mobility requires an individualised approach, dependent on region of origin, gender, the level of education, work experience and international mindset.

Originality/value

This study indicates that the factors that (de)motivate millennial students to engage in international assignments differ on the basis of various socio-demographic variables.
Big data as a value generator in decision support systems: a literature review
Authors: Grander Gustavo , da Silva Luciano Ferreira , Santibañez Gonzalez Ernesto Del Rosário
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze how decision support systems manage Big data to obtain value.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was performed with screening and analysis of 72 articles published between 2012 and 2019.

Findings

The findings reveal that techniques of big data analytics, machine learning algorithms and technologies predominantly related to computer science and cloud computing are used on decision support systems. Another finding was that the main areas that these techniques and technologies are been applied are logistic, traffic, health, business and market. This article also allows authors to understand the relationship in which descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analyses are used according to an inverse relationship of complexity in data analysis and the need for human decision-making.

Originality/value

As it is an emerging theme, this study seeks to present an overview of the techniques and technologies that are being discussed in the literature to solve problems in their respective areas, as a form of theoretical contribution. The authors also understand that there is a practical contribution to the maturity of the discussion and with reflections even presented as suggestions for future research, such as the ethical discussion. This study’s descriptive classification can also serve as a guide for new researchers who seek to understand the research involving decision support systems and big data to gain value in our society.
TOWARDS GREEN POPULISM? Right‐wing Populism and Metropolization in Switzerland
Authors: Audikana Ander , Kaufmann Vincent
Published: July 2021

Switzerland is an interesting laboratory for studying right‐wing populism. Populist movements, notably the Swiss People's Party (SVP), have undergone momentous development over the last few decades based on anti‐immigration and anti‐European discourses. This transformation has been commonly associated with an ethno‐nationalistic reaction against the globalization process and the defense of Swiss economic, political and cultural specificities. Based on an analysis of popular immigration initiatives in 2014, this essay identifies the rapid and intense metropolization of Switzerland as a correlative factor explaining the success of populist narratives in that country. The analysis shows that the strong and omnipresent metropolization process within a limited territory has created a fertile breeding ground for right‐wing populism in terms of urban development, housing scarcity, traffic, infrastructure development, energy consumption, pollution and transformation of the landscape. Thus the conventional nationalistic and identitarian narratives characterizing right‐wing movements can progressively combine with concerns and arguments associated with environmental discourse. This process of updating right‐wing populist narratives on the basis of environmental concerns can evolve under different modalities and in different contexts, leading to the emergence of a ‘green populism’.
Long‐term outcomes of primary cystocele repair by transvaginal mesh surgery versus laparoscopic mesh sacropexy: extended follow up of the PROSPERE multicentre randomised trial
Authors: Lucot J‐P , Cosson M , Verdun S , Debodinance P , Bader G , Campagne‐Loiseau S , Salet‐Lizee D , Akladios C , Ferry P , De Tayrac R , Delporte P , Curinier S , Deffieux X , Blanc S , Capmas P , Duhamel A , Fritel X , Fauconnier A
Published: July 2021

Objective

To compare the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic sacropexy (LS) and transvaginal mesh (TVM) at 4 years.

Design

Extended follow up of a randomised trial.

Setting

Eleven centres.

Population

Women with cystocele stage ≥2 (pelvic organ prolapse quantification [POP‐Q], aged 45–75 years without previous prolapse surgery.

Methods

Synthetic non‐absorbable mesh placed in the vesicovaginal space and sutured to the promontory (LS) or maintained by arms through pelvic ligaments and/or muscles (TVM).

Main outcome measures

Functional outcomes (pelvic floor distress inventory [PFDI‐20] as primary outcome); anatomical assessment (POP‐Q), composite outcome of success; re‐interventions for complications.

Results

A total of 220 out of 262 randomised patients have been followed at 4 years. PFDI‐20 significantly improved in both groups and was better (but below the minimal clinically important difference) after LS (mean difference −7.2 points; 95% CI −14.0 to −0.05; P = 0.029). The improvement in quality of life and the success rate (LS 70%, 61–81% versus TVM 71%, 62–81%; hazard ratio 0.92, 95% CI 0.55–1.54; P = 0.75) were similar. POP‐Q measurements did not differ, except for point C (LS −57 mm versus TVM −48 mm, P = 0.0093). The grade III or higher complication rate was lower after LS (2%, 0–4.7%) than after TVM (8.7%, 3.4–13.7%; hazard ratio 4.6, 95% CI 1.007–21.0, P = 0.049)).

Conclusions

Both techniques provided improvement and similar success rates. LS had a better benefit–harm balance with fewer re‐interventions due to complications. TVM remains an option when LS is not feasible.

Tweetable abstract

At 4 years, Laparoscopic Sacropexy (LS) had a better benefit–harm balance with fewer re‐interventions due to complications than Trans‐Vaginal Mesh (TVM).
Transboundary Water Management in the Yalu River Basin between North Korea and China: With a Focus on Hydropower Development
Authors: Lee Seungho , Lee Yookyung
Published: July 2021

This study investigates shared benefits through the cooperation between North Korea and China over transboundary water management in the Yalu River Basin. Primary attention has been placed on joint hydropower development since the 1950s, which has brought in developmental benefits for North Korea and security benefits for China. Data on the study have been collected from relevant papers, government publications, and media reports of China and South Korea. The information on North Korea, particularly about hydropower dams, is only accessible through secondary sources collected from South Korean government thinktanks due to the lack of publicly available data. The case study method is deployed for exploring specific issues and context and addressing problems. The significance of the study lies in the fact that this study is one of the first studies to examine transboundary river cooperation for development and security benefits between the countries. An array of bilateral agreements over the river basin has culminated in co‐building and jointly operating the four dams along the river. The construction of two additional dams, which is nearing completion, symbolizes shared benefits for both countries, hydroelectricity for North Korea, and regional security for China.