bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leveraging eQTLs to identify individual-level tissue of interest for a complex trait
Authors: Majumdar Arunabha , Giambartolomei Claudia , Cai Na , Haldar Tanushree , Schwarz Tommer , Gandal Michael J. , Flint Jonathan , Pasaniuc Bogdan
Published: June 2019

Genetic predisposition for complex traits often acts through multiple tissues at different time points during development. As a simple example, the genetic predisposition for obesity could be manifested either through inherited variants that control metabolism through regulation of genes expressed in the brain, or that control fat storage through dysregulation of genes expressed in adipose tissue, or both. Here we describe a statistical approach that leverages tissue-specific expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) corresponding to tissue-specific genes to prioritize a relevant tissue underlying the genetic predisposition of a given individual for a complex trait. Unlike existing approaches that prioritize relevant tissues for the trait in the population, our approach probabilistically quantifies the tissue-wise genetic contribution to the trait for a given individual. We hypothesize that for a subgroup of individuals the genetic contribution to the trait can be mediated primarily through a specific tissue. Through simulations using the UK Biobank, we show that our approach can predict the relevant tissue accurately and can cluster individuals according to their tissue-specific genetic architecture. We analyze body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio adjusted for BMI (WHRadjBMI) in the UK Biobank to identify subgroups of individuals whose genetic predisposition act primarily through brain versus adipose tissue, and adipose versus muscle tissue, respectively. Notably, we find that these individuals have specific phenotypic features beyond BMI and WHRadjBMI that distinguish them from random individuals in the data, suggesting biological effects of tissue-specific genetic contribution for these traits.
Altered dorsal CA1 neuronal population coding in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Chockanathan Udaysankar , Warner Emily , Turpin Loel , O’Banion M. Kerry , Padmanabhan Krishnan
Published: June 2019

While the link between amyloid β (Aβ) accumulation and synaptic degradation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is known, the consequences of this pathology on coding remain unknown. We found that the entropy across neural ensembles was lower in the CA1 region in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Aβ, thereby reducing the population’s coding capacity. Our results reveal a network level signature of the deficits Aβ accumulation causes to the computations performed by neural circuits.
ForageGrassBase: Molecular resource for the forage grass Festuca pratensis Huds
Authors: Antony Samy Jeevan Karloss , Rognli Odd Arne , Kovi Mallikarjuna Rao
Published: June 2019

Background

Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) is one of the most important forage grasses in temperate regions. F. pratensis is a diploid (2n =14) outbreeding species that belongs to the genus Festuca. Together with Lolium, they are the most important genera of forage grasses in temperate regions. F. pratensis has good winter survival, with high quality dry matter yields and persistency, and is suitable both for frequent-cutting conservation regimes and for grazing. It is a significant component of species-rich permanent pastures in the temperate regions, ensuring high forage yield under harsh climatic conditions where other productive forage grass species are unable to grow. However, genomic resources for F. Pratensis is not available so far.

Results

The draft genome sequences of two F. pratensis genotypes “HF7/2” and “B14/16” are reported in this study. Here, using the draft genome, functional annotation datasets of two F. pratensis cultivars, we have constructed the F. pratensis genome database http://foragegrass.org/, the first open-access platform to provide comprehensive genomic resources related to this forage grass species. The current version of this database provides the most up-to-date draft genome sequence along with structural and functional annotations for genes using Genome Browser (GBrowse). In addition, we have integrated comparative genomic tracks for F. pratensis genomes by mapping F.pratensis genome to the barley, rice, Brachypodium and maize genomes. We have integrated homologus search tool BLAST also for the users to analyze their data. Combined, GBrowse, BLAST and downloadble data gives an user friendly access to F. pratensis genomic resouces. All data in the database were manually curated.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, ForageGrassBase is the first genome database dedicated to forage grasses. It provides valuable resources for a range of research fields related to F. pratensis and other forage crop species, as well as for plant research communities in general. The genome database can be accessed at http://foragegrass.org. In the near future, we will expand the ForageGrassBase by adding genomic tools for other forage grass species, as soon as their genomes become available.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Over 427,000 Individuals Establishes Executive Functioning as a Neurocognitive Basis of Psychiatric Disorders Influenced by GABAergic Processes
Authors: Hatoum Alexander S. , Morrison Claire L. , Mitchell Evann C. , Lam Max , Benca-Bachman Chelsie E. , Reineberg Andrew E. , Palmer Rohan H. C. , Evans Luke M. , Keller Matthew C. , Friedman Naomi P.
Published: June 2019

Deficits in executive functions (EFs), cognitive processes that control goal-directed behaviors, are associated with psychopathology and neurological disorders. Little is known about the molecular bases of EF individual differences; existing EF genome-wide association studies (GWAS) used small sample sizes and/or focused on individual tasks that are imprecise measures of EF. We conducted a GWAS of a Common EF (cEF) factor based on multiple tasks in the UK Biobank (N=427,037 European-descent individuals), finding 129 independent genome-wide significant lead variants in 112 distinct loci. cEF was associated with fast synaptic transmission processes (synaptic, potassium channel, and GABA pathways) in gene-based analyses. cEF was genetically correlated with measures of intelligence (IQ) and cognitive processing speed, but cEF and IQ showed differential genetic associations with psychiatric disorders and educational attainment. Results suggest that cEF is a genetically distinct cognitive construct that is particularly relevant to understanding the genetic variance in psychiatric disorders.
Serotonin Neurons in the Dorsal and Medial Raphe Nuclei: from Single-Cell Transcriptomes to Whole-Brain Projections
Authors: Ren Jing , Isakova Alina , Friedmann Drew , Zeng Jiawei , Grutzner Sophie , Pun Albert , Zhao Grace Q. , Kolluru Sai Saroja , Wang Ruiyu , Lin Rui , Li Pengcheng , Li Anan , Raymond Jennifer L. , Luo Qingming , Luo Minmin , Quake Stephen R. , Luo Liqun
Published: June 2019

Serotonin neurons of the dorsal and medial raphe nuclei (DR and MR) collectively innervate the entire forebrain and midbrain, modulating diverse physiology and behavior. To gain a fundamental understanding of their molecular heterogeneity, we used plate-based single-cell RNA-sequencing to generate a comprehensive dataset comprising eleven transcriptomically distinct serotonin neuron clusters. Systematic in situ hybridization mapped specific clusters to the principal DR, caudal DR, or MR. These transcriptomic clusters differentially express a rich repertoire of neuropeptides, receptors, ion channels, and transcription factors. We generated novel intersectional viral-genetic tools to access specific subpopulations. Whole-brain axonal projection mapping revealed that DR serotonin neurons co-expressing vesicular glutamate transporter-3 preferentially innervate the cortex, whereas those co-expressing thyrotropin-releasing hormone innervate subcortical regions in particular the hypothalamus. Reconstruction of 50 individual DR serotonin neurons revealed segregated axonal projection patterns at the single-cell level. Together, these results provide a molecular foundation of the heterogenous serotonin neuronal phenotypes.
Revisiting Parameter Estimation in Biological Networks: Influence of Symmetries
Authors: Sreedharan Jithin K. , Turowski Krzysztof , Szpankowski Wojciech
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Graph models often give us a deeper understanding of real-world networks. In the case of biological networks they help in predicting the evolution and history of biomolecule interactions, provided we map properly real networks into the corresponding graph models. In this paper, we show that for biological graph models many of the existing parameter estimation techniques overlook the critical property of graph symmetry (also known formally as graph automorphisms), thus the estimated parameters give statistically insignificant results concerning the observed network. To demonstrate it and to develop accurate estimation procedures, we focus on the biologically inspired duplication-divergence model, and the up-to-date data of protein-protein interactions of seven species including human and yeast. Using exact recurrence relations of some prominent graph statistics, we devise a parameter estimation technique that provides the right order of symmetries and uses phylogenetically old proteins as the choice of seed graph nodes. We also find that our results are consistent with the ones obtained from maximum likelihood estimation (MLE). However, the MLE approach is significantly slower than our methods in practice.
Biofilm inhibitor taurolithocholic acid alters colony morphology, specialized metabolism, and virulence ofPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Condren Alanna R. , Kahl Lisa Juliane , Kritikos George , Banzhaf Manuel , Dietrich Lars E. P. , Sanchez Laura M.
Published: June 2019

Biofilm inhibition by exogenous molecules has been an attractive strategy for the development of novel therapeutics. We investigated the biofilm inhibitor taurolithocholic acid (TLCA) and its effects on the specialized metabolism, virulence and biofilm formation of the clinically relevant bacteriumPseudomonas aeruginosastrain PA14. Our study shows that TLCA alters specialized metabolism, thereby affectingP. aeruginosacolony biofilm physiology. We observed an upregulation of metabolites correlated to virulence such as the siderophore pyochelin. A wax moth virulence assay confirmed that treatment with TLCA increases virulence ofP. aeruginosa. Based on our results, we believe that future endeavors to identify biofilm inhibitors must consider how a putative lead is altering the specialized metabolism of a bacterial community to prevent pathogens from entering a highly virulent state.
COMPASS: a COMprehensive Platform for smAll RNA-Seq data analySis
Authors: Li Jiang , Kho Alvin T. , Chase Robert P. , Pantano-Rubino Lorena , Farnam Leanna , Amr Sami S. , Tantisira Kelan G.
Published: June 2019

Background

Circulating RNAs are potential disease biomarkers and their function is being actively investigated. Next generation sequencing (NGS) is a common means to interrogate the small RNA’ome or the full spectrum of small RNAs (<200 nucleotide length) of a biological system. A pivotal problem in NGS based small RNA analysis is identifying and quantifying the small RNA’ome constituent components. Most existing NGS data analysis tools focus on the microRNA component and a few other small RNA types like piRNA, snRNA and snoRNA. A comprehensive platform is needed to interrogate the full small RNA’ome, a prerequisite for down-stream data analysis.

Results

We present COMPASS, a comprehensive modular stand-alone platform for identifying and quantifying small RNAs from small RNA sequencing data. COMPASS contains prebuilt customizable standard RNA databases and sequence processing tools to enable turnkey basic small RNA analysis. We evaluated COMPASS against comparable existing tools on small RNA sequencing data set from serum samples of 12 healthy human controls, and COMPASS identified a greater diversity and abundance of small RNA molecules.

Conclusion

COMPASS is modular, stand-alone and integrates multiple customizable RNA databases and sequence processing tool and is distributed under the GNU General Public License free to non-commercial registered users at https://regepi.bwh.harvard.edu/circurna/ and the source code is available at https://github.com/cougarlj/COMPASS.
Spatial analysis of gut microbiome reveals a distinct ecological niche associated with the mucus layer
Authors: Duncan Kellyanne , Carey-Ewend Kelly , Vaishnava Shipra
Published: June 2019

Mucus associated bacterial communities are critical for determining disease pathology and promoting colonization resistance. Yet the key ecological properties of mucus resident communities remain poorly defined. Using an approach that combines in situ hybridization, laser microdissection and 16s rRNA sequencing of spatially distinct regions of the mouse gut lumen, we discovered that a dense microbial community resembling a biofilm is embedded in the mucus layer. The mucus associated biofilm-like community excluded bacteria belonging to phylum Proteobacteria. Additionally, it was significantly more diverse and consisted of bacterial species that were unique to it. By employing germ-free mice deficient in T and B lymphocytes we found that formation of biofilm-like structure was independent of adaptive immunity. Instead the integrity of biofilm-like community depended on Gram-positive commensals such as Clostridia. Additionally, biofilm-like community in the mucus lost fewer Clostridia and showed smaller bloom of Proteobacteria compared to the lumen upon antibiotic treatment. When subjected to time restricted feeding biofilm like structure significantly enhanced in size and showed enrichment of Clostridia. Taken together our work discloses that mucus associated biofilm-like community represent a specialized community that is structurally and compositionally distinct that excludes aerobic bacteria while enriching for anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridia, exhibits enhanced stability to antibiotic treatment and that can be modulated by dietary changes.
Symmetry breaking transition towards directional locomotion in Physarum microplasmodia
Authors: Zhang Shun , Lasheras Juan C. , del Álamo Juan C.
Published: June 2019

True slime mold Physarum polycephalum has been widely used as a model organism to study flow-driven amoeboid locomotion as well as the dynamics of its complex mechanochemical self-oscillations. The aim of this work is to quantify the mechanical aspects of symmetry breaking and its transition into directional flow-driven amoeboid locomotion in small (<∼ 200 µm) fragments of Physarum polycephalum. To this end, we combined measurements of traction stresses, fragment morphology, and ectoplasmic microrheology with experimental manipulations of cell-substrate adhesion, cortical strength and microplasmodium size. These measurements show that initiation of locomotion is accompanied by the symmetry breaking of traction stresses and the polarization of ectoplasmic mechanical properties, with the rear part of the microplasmodium becoming significantly stiffer after the onset of locomotion. Our experimental data suggests that the initiation of locomotion in Physarum could be analogous to an interfacial instability process and that microplasmodial size is a critical parameter governing the instability. Specifically, our results indicate that the instability driving the onset of locomotion is strengthened by substrate adhesiveness and weakened by cortical stiffness. Furthermore, the Fourier spectral analysis of morphology revealed lobe number n = 2 as the consistent dominant mode number across various experimental manipulations, suggesting that the instability mechanism driving the onset of Physarum locomotion is robust with respect to changes in environmental conditions and microplasmodial properties.
A neuronal signature for monogamous reunion
Authors: Scribner Jennifer L. , Vance Eric , Protter David S.W. , Sheeran William M. , Saslow Elliott , Cameron Ryan , Klein Eric , Jimenez Jessica C. , Kheirbek Mazen A. , Donaldson Zoe R.
Published: June 2019

Pair bond formation depends vitally on neuromodulatory signaling within the nucleus accumbens, but the neuronal dynamics underlying this behavior remain unclear. Using in vivo Ca2+ imaging in monogamous prairie voles, we found that pair bonding does not elicit differences in overall nucleus accumbens Ca2+ activity. Instead, we identified distinct neuronal ensembles in this region recruited during approach to either a partner or novel vole. The partner-approach neuronal ensemble increased in size following bond formation and differences in the size of approach ensembles for partner and novel voles predicts bond strength. In contrast, neurons comprising departure ensembles do not change over time and are not correlated with bond strength indicating that ensemble plasticity is specific to partner approach. Further, the neurons comprising partner and novel approach ensembles are non-overlapping while departure ensembles are more overlapping than chance, which may reflect another key feature of approach ensembles. We posit that the features of the partner approach ensemble and its expansion upon bond formation make it a potential key substrate underlying bond formation and maturation.

Highlights

We performed in vivo Ca2+ in the nucleus accumbens of pair bonded prairie voles

Overall nucleus accumbens activity did not differ during partner versus stranger interaction

Distinct approach neurons exist for the partner and for the stranger

Partner-approach ensemble increases as partner preference emerges

We identify a putative neuronal substrate underlying bond formation and maturation
Prospective Isolation of Chondroprogenitors from Human iPSCs Based on Cell Surface Markers Identified using a CRISPR-Cas9-Generated Reporter
Authors: Dicks Amanda , Wu Chia-Lung , Steward Nancy , Adkar Shaunak S. , Gersbach Charles A. , Guilak Farshid
Published: June 2019

Articular cartilage shows little or no capacity for intrinsic repair, generating a critical need for regenerative therapies for joint injuries and diseases such as osteoarthritis. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) offer a promising cell source for cartilage tissue engineering andin vitrohuman disease modeling; however, heterogeneity and off-target differentiation remain a challenge. We used a CRISPR-Cas9-editedCOL2A1-GFPknock-in reporter hiPSC line, coupled with a surface marker screen, to identify a novel chondroprogenitor population expressing CD146, CD166, and PDGFRβ, but not CD45. Under chondrogenic culture conditions, these triple positive chondroprogenitor cells demonstrated decreased heterogeneity as measured by single cell RNA sequencing, as well as more robust and homogenous matrix production with significantly higher chondrogenic gene expression. Overall, this study has identified a unique hiPSC-derived subpopulation of chondroprogenitors that are CD146+/CD166+/PDGFRβ+/CD45-and exhibit high chondrogenic potential, providing a purified cell source for cartilage tissue engineering or disease modeling studies.
From seed to flour: sowing sustainability in the use of cantaloupe melon residue (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus)
Authors: da Cunha Josiane Araújo , Nabas Roseane Claro , Rolim Priscilla Moura , da Silva Chaves Damasceno Karla Suzanne Florentino , de Sousa Júnior Francisco Canindé , Seabra Larissa Mont’Alverne Jucá
Published: June 2019

Reduction of waste from food industry and food services is a current concern due to the large amount of waste generated, including peels and fruit seeds. The objective of this study was to obtain a flour produced from Cantaloupe melon seeds (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus) and to evaluate the viability of using the product as an ingredient in cake manufacturing. In this study, different formulations were developed: standard cake – 0% (F1) and cakes containing melon seed flour as substitute of wheat flour in 10% (F2), 30% (F3), and 50% (F4) concentrations. Centesimal composition, dietary fibre, structural and morphological characterization, determination of mineral composition, and evaluation of fatty acids profile in melon seed flour were carried out. To determine the overall acceptance of cake formulations, sensory analysis was performed with 135 non-trained panelists, which also included the identification of sensorial attributes using the Just About Right ideal scale test. The results showed that the melon seed flour has considerable nutritional value, with 18% proteins, 3% moisture, 4% ash, 30% lipids, and 35% dietary fibre. Melon flour also has a significantly high content of minerals, mainly phosphorus (1507.62 mg/100 g), potassium (957.35 mg/100 g), and magnesium (504.03 mg/100 g). The polyunsaturated fatty acid fraction was the most abundant in melon seed flour, with predominance of omega-6 fatty acids (17.95 g/mg of sample). Sensorial analysis disclosed good acceptance for formulations containing 10% and 30% of melon seed flour, with the 10% formulation being the most accepted. The research showed the feasibility of using the melon seed flour in cake production, as well as the possibility of using food waste in restaurants and food industries in order to adhere to sustainable production actions.
Potential Autoimmune Association between Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and Immune-mediated Skin Conditions: Population-based Cohort Study
Authors: Hahn Hyung Jin , Kwak Sang Gyu , Kim Dong-Kyu , Kim Jong-Yeup
Published: June 2019

Background

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), an idiopathic disorder of sudden sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo, shares many similarities with two common skin conditions, atopic dermatitis (AD) and vitiligo. Recent studies have suggested that BPPV may be related to or triggered by autoimmune conditions, notably hypothyroidism and giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Objective

These evidences prompted the authors to entertain the possibility of immunological bridge between BPPV and the two skin conditions. The authors have tested this hypothesis with population-based cohort from the National Health Insurance Service Database of Korea.

Methods

A cohort of 1.1 million patients was extracted from the DB. Using χ2 tests, prevalence of the two skin disorders in terms of BPPV status was analysed.

Results

In AD patients, the prevalence of BPPV was 30% lower, while there was no statistically significant relationship between BPPV prevalence and vitiligo. The relationship between vitiligo and BPPV was significant in younger subgroup only. Socio-economic subgroup analysis revealed the observed patterns are primarily a middle-upper class phenomenon.

Limitations

Uncertainty regarding temporal sequence of onset, and lack of detail on disease severity and subtype might have kept the authors from drawing more refined conclusion.

Conclusion

AD and vitiligo might be linked to BPPV through the action of certain components of cellular immunity, but follow-up studies based on large population cohort would be needed to add more substance to our findings.
Fractal dimension, occupancy and hotspot analyses of B cell spatial distribution predict clinical outcome in breast cancer
Authors: Wortman Juliana C. , He Ting-Fang , Solomon Shawn , Zhang Robert Z. , Rosario Anthony , Wang Roger , Tu Travis Y. , Schmolze Daniel , Yuan Yuan , Yost Susan E. , Li Xuefei , Levine Herbert , Atwal Gurinder , Lee Peter P. , Yu Clare C.
Published: June 2019

While the density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is now well known to correlate with clinical outcome, the clinical significance of spatial distribution of TILs is not well characterized. We have developed novel statistical techniques (including fractal dimension differences, a hotspot analysis, a box counting method that we call ‘occupancy’ and a way to normalize cell density that we call ‘thinning’) to analyze the spatial distribution (at different length scales) of various types of TILs in triple negative breast tumors. Consistent with prior reports, the density of CD20+ B cells within tumors is not correlated with clinical outcome. However, we found that their spatial distribution differs significantly between good clinical outcome (no recurrence within at least 5 years of diagnosis) and poor clinical outcome (recurrence with 3 years of diagnosis). Furthermore, CD20+ B cells are more spatially dispersed in good outcome tumors and are more likely to infiltrate into cancer cell islands. Lastly, we found significant correlation between the spatial distributions of CD20+ B cells and CD8+ (cytotoxic) T cells (as well as CD3+ T cells), regardless of outcome. These results highlight the significance of the spatial distribution of TILs, especially B cells, within tumors.

Significance Statement

Immune cells can fight cancer. For example, a patient has a good prognosis when a high density of killer T cells, a type of immune cell that can kill cancer cells, infiltrates into a tumor. However, there is no clear association between prognosis and the density of B cells, another type of immune cell, in a tumor. We developed several statistical techniques to go beyond cell density and look at the spatial distribution, i.e., the pattern or arrangement of immune cells, in tumors that have been removed from patients with triple negative breast cancer. We find that B cells and killer T cells tend to be more spread out in the tumors of patients whose cancer did not recur.
Design thinkers’ profiles and design thinking solutions
Authors: Corrales-Estrada Martha
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how the profiles of design thinkers influence particular design-thinking solutions. It proposes to identify who (profiles), how (design-thinking methodologies) and what (outcomes as an innovation roadmap: process, product, business model, channel, brand, etc.), since the ways professional designers tackle a problem to reach an innovative solution is related to the designers’ profile.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for an exploratory study using a focus group, composed of eight design thinkers and experts. An online survey was also sent to 123 DT leaders, with a return rate of 41 surveys, who worked on an end-to-end innovation project. The data were complemented by documentary analyses.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights into the importance of selecting a diverse DT team. The team composition must be diverse because different profiles are required for different types of innovation and also for each DT phase to create value.

Research limitations/implications

Given the exploratory research approach being used in the paper, the research results may lack generalization to different contexts. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further, using a larger sample that includes designers from different countries and testing eventual hypotheses.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications to increase the success rate of business innovations, and to reduce the associated costs that continue to increase for trial and error methods.

Originality/value

The paper fulfills an identified need to study how the DT profile and phases, empathize, define, ideate, prototype and test, require the correct skills and leadership throughout the whole process for effective outcome implementation.
Food information presentation: consumer preferences when eating out
Authors: Bray Jeff , Hartwell Heather , Price Sarah , Viglia Giampaolo , Kapuściński Grzegorz , Appleton Katherine , Saulais Laure , Perez-Cueto Federico J.A. , Mavridis Ioannis
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Advances have been made in the provision of nutritional and ingredient information on packaged food, however, there is a need to translate this to eating out reflecting consumer desire for greater transparency and knowledge of menu content. The purpose of this paper is to assess consumer’s preferences for food information presentation in four European countries (UK, Greece, Denmark and France) in a workplace dining setting.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focusses on workplace canteens since the regularity in which they are used provides an important context and potential for behaviour change. An exploratory phase designed iteratively in collaboration with experts, end-users and researchers (qualitative) informed a survey (quantitative) conducted in four European countries. The survey was used to examine workplace diners’ preferences towards food information presentation.

Findings

Differences were found and clustered (n=5) to “heuristic processors” (33 per cent) “brand orientated” (25 per cent) “systematic processors” (17.3 per cent) “independent processors” (16.1 per cent) and “tech-savvy” (8.6 per cent). Dual-process theories were used to analyse the findings and produce new insight into how menu information can be most effectively delivered.

Originality/value

When eating-out consumers struggle to make choices or make the wrong choice from a health perspective, partly caused by a lack of nutrient profile information as well as other criteria of concern. Giving catering managers the understanding of preferred communication channels can enable a more competitive operator. Traffic light labelling was the optimal presentation with the opportunity for consumers to discover more detailed information if desired. For the first time this research has given operational clarity whilst allowing food providers to be considered as part of corporate health.
The effect of career adaptability on career planning in reaction to automation technology
Authors: Zhang Wenguang , Guan Xiaoyu , Zhou Xueqin , Lu Ji
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study investigated employees’ career planning in preparation for the impact of manufacturing transformation triggered by automation technology. Built on career construction theory, the purpose of this paper is to conceptualize career planning as an attempt to integrate oneself into the social environment. In this process of integration, career adaptability is a critical psychological resource for adaptation to anticipated changes.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an online survey, 476 participants answered questions regarding the following aspects: perceptions of the threats and opportunities posed by automation technology; career adaptability, that is, career-related concern, control, curiosity, and confidence in adapting to occupational transitions; and career plans and actions to address the challenge, including short-term job crafting behaviors and long-term career adjustment plan.

Findings

The results showed that opportunity and threat perceptions were associated with one’s job crafting behavior and long-term career adjustment plan and such relationships were moderated by career adaptability and work experience relevant to automation technologies. Specifically, career adaptability is a psychological resource helping individuals deal with perceived challenges, while relevant work experience moderated one’s strategies to catch opportunities.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the understanding of psychosocial determinants for better career planning in the midst of the industrial revolution. Policies that aim to prepare workers for the upcoming social transition may benefit from this study to leverage adaptive and proactive behaviors at a societal level.
Design and construction risks in BOT type mega transportation projects
Authors: Aladağ Hande , Işık Zeynep
Published: June 2019

Purpose

In build-operate-transfer (BOT) transportation projects, design and construction phases are critical in terms of their effect on time and cost overruns. The purpose of this paper is to identify the role of risk factors affecting these phases and their significance level for BOT transportation projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Design and construction risks were determined and then validated by focus group discussions. Afterwards, an illustrated case study was presented to better understand the effects of determined risks in a BOT mega transportation project. As the last step of the study, the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process method was used to prioritize risk factors.

Findings

The prominent risk factors were found out as occupational accidents, integration between design and construction phases and excessive design variations.

Research limitations/implications

Different kinds of BOT transportation projects in different countries might be executed very differently considering specific social, political, economic and other factors. However, the results of the study are important in terms of the specific lessons learned from the case study that can be used as a foundation for developing possible risk mitigation measures.

Originality/value

Though the risk management of BOT projects has been investigated frequently in the literature, there is a knowledge gap in the quantitative evaluation of risk significance specific to design and construction risks. The prioritization of determined risks with an associated case from a mega transportation project will contribute to the BOT project practitioners about possible challenges in design and construction phases in BOT mega transportation projects.
Process conflict and employee well-being
Authors: Kuriakose Vijay , S. Sreejesh , Jose Heerah , M.R. Anusree , Jose Shelly
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The primary objective of this paper is to extend the Activity Reduces Conflict Associated Strain (ARCAS) model. To test the ARCAS model, the study aims to examine the effect of process conflict on employee well-being and the role of negative affect as an intrapersonal mechanism linking process conflict and employee well-being. Further, to extend the emerging ARCAS model, the study examines whether the assumed indirect effect of process conflict on employee well-being through negative affect is conditional upon levels of conflict management styles.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 554 software engineers working in information technology firms responded to the administered questionnaire and hypothesised relationships were tested using Process Macros.

Findings

The findings indicate that process conflict is negatively related to employee well-being and the negative affect state mediates the relationship between process conflict and employee well-being. As hypothesised, it was found that the indirect effect of process conflict on employee well-being through the negative affect state is conditional upon levels of conflict management styles of the employees.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the conflict literature by establishing the detrimental effect of process conflict on employee well-being. The study also established the explanatory mechanism linking process conflict and employee well-being. Further, the study extended the emerging ARCAS model by establishing the moderating role of conflict management styles as well as the conditional indirect effect.

Practical implications

The study highlighted the within-individual effect of process conflict in deteriorating employee well-being. The study provides valuable insights to the managers and practitioners about how individuals’ conflict management styles influence well-being.

Originality/value

The study specifically examined the effect of process conflict, which was omitted from conflict literature considering it the same as task conflict, on employee well-being. The study established the within-individual mechanism through which process conflict diminishes employee well-being. Also, the study extended the ARCAS model by examining the effect of conflict management styles with the aid of Affective Events Theory.
Exploring new frontiers? “Neo-slumming” and gentrification as a tourism resource
Authors: Pieroni Raphaël , Naef Patrick James
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse urban transformation as a tourism resource. Tourism is undeniably a powerful motor for urban transformation but in return, urban transformation can represent a resource for actors related to tourism. More precisely this paper focuses on one major transformation of modern cities: gentrification.

Design/methodology/approach

The central hypothesis of this paper is that gentrification accompanies tourism, but that gentrification itself may also become an object of the tourist gaze. The paper focuses on local guides and small touristic entrepreneurs in order to identify the tensions that might arise. The presentation of two guided tours – “Subculture Brixton Nightlife Tour” and “Where Brooklyn At?” – will enable us to explore how the gentrification of Brixton (London) and Brooklyn (New York) may be used as a tourism resource for local private entrepreneurs.

Findings

Results presented here are based on ethnographic methods such as observation as well as content analysis and semi-directive interviews. Mobilising the historical concept of “slumming”, this paper proposes an extended conceptual framework, “neo-slumming”, to analyse evolving tourism practices in modern cities, practices that are considered here as tourism’s new frontiers.

Originality/value

However, as tourism transforms cities, the process itself is now of interest to tourists and thus becomes a resource for sector businesses (Naef, 2018). Yet studies about the touristification of urban transformation are still quite rare. This analysis aims to fill this gap by looking at the way a process, such as some spectacular, rapid or radical transformation of the urban fabric, can become a touristic resource associated with specific narratives and representations. In this context, the tourist gaze (Urry, 2002) is directed on a resource characterised by its ongoing change.
The impacts of organizational learning capacities on relationship-specific innovations
Authors: Choi Kyuyeong , Jean Ruey-Jer Bryan , Kim Daekwan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Organizational learning is a critical factor in generating firm innovation. While the firms are working with global business partners, not only does their absorptive learning capacity (ALC) with business partners play an important role in generating innovation from the inter-partner firm relationship, but their joint learning capacity (JLC) does as well. However, little research has simultaneously examined absorptive and JLC on innovation in global supply chain relationships. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the knowledge-based view, inter-partner learning theory and resource dependence theory, the current study investigates the effects of two organizational learning capacities on relationship-specific innovation: ALC (firm-level) and JLC (relationship level). In addition, a firm’s focus on exploitation/exploration strategy and supplier dependence is further incorporated into the study as moderators. Moreover, solutions to endogeneity issues are discussed and reported due to the usage of survey data. The model of this study was tested using data collected from 190 electronics firms in Taiwan as an emerging market.

Findings

The findings of this research reveal that JLC in the presence of absorptive capacity positively influences relationship-specific innovation. Furthermore, the exploitation focus of a firm positively moderates the effects of both absorptive and JLC on relationship-specific innovation. However, supplier dependence negatively moderates the effect of JLC.

Research limitations/implications

The research provides some theoretical implications for learning and innovation generation in global supply chains.

Practical implications

The paper provides some managerial implications for how to manage innovations in the global supply chain relationships.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to study how innovation generation can be better managed in global supply chain contexts.
Data hiding the truth for the last few years: a panel data analysis of crimes against women
Authors: Ragunathan Aarthee , Devarasan Ezhilmaran
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The offence against femininity has not only destroyed India’s development but also its future. When it comes down to the most important factor like sex, the social evils like “sati” and “dowry” that had been plaguing our country have been banned in India. India is the most dangerous nation in regard to sexual violence against women, according to the summary of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, 2018. The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationship between the total populations of women with other different types of women crime in all states in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper will review existing panel data analysis literature and apply this knowledge in finding the highly occurred women crimes in India. Using R software the following models are analysed: pooled ordinary least squares, fixed effects models and random effects models for analysing the women crimes in India.

Findings

In this paper, the authors identify that the fixed effects model is more appropriate for the analysis of women crimes in India.

Practical implications

Violence against women is a social, economic, developmental, legal, educational, human rights and health issue. This paper can be used to find the importance of women crime types. Moreover, the police or legal department can take actions according to the crime types.

Originality/value

There is a lack of literature considering the crimes against women. This will help the society to understand women crime types because the only type of violence that has received much attention by the media is rape. But, through our panel data analysis, we conclude that kidnapping, abduction and dowry death are the most occurred crimes against women in India.
TMT diversity and innovation ambidexterity in family firms
Authors: Röd Irina
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Family firms that simultaneously engage in multiple levels of innovation – incremental and radical – are likely to enjoy performance advantages across generations. The purpose of this paper is to research under which management conditions (i.e. top management team (TMT) diversity in terms of generational or non-family involvement) family firms are more likely to achieve innovation ambidexterity. Also, the paper addresses the mediating role of open innovation (OI) breadth in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A large cross-sectional sample of 335 small- and medium-sized family firms is used. The hypotheses were tested in a mediation model. The relationship between TMT diversity and ambidexterity is measured using a binominal regression analysis, the one between TMT diversity and OI breadth using a Tobit model.

Findings

Drawing on the family firm upper echelon perspective, the results indicate that TMT diversity induced through external managers and multiple generations is positively related to innovation ambidexterity. As the mediation analysis reveals, the relationship can be explained by the higher propensity of diverse TMTs to get involved in OI breadth. The findings add to the discussion on family firm heterogeneity and its influence on different kinds of innovation.

Originality/value

So far, few studies have been concerned with ambidextrous family firms. Contrary to their reputation, this study identifies family firms as radical as well as open innovators. As such, this research takes account not only of the heterogeneity of family firms, but also of the heterogeneity of family firm innovation.
The impact of infrastructure development on economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa with special focus on Ghana
Authors: Owusu-Manu De-Graft , Jehuri Adam Braimah , Edwards David John , Boateng Frank , Asumadu George
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the impact of infrastructure development on Ghana’s economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data obtained from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators, the United States’ (US) International Energy Statistics and the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) Factbooks from 1980 to 2016, an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) framework is used to determine the long- and short-run impact of the selected infrastructure stock and quality indices on Ghana’s economic growth.

Findings

Findings indicate a statistically significant relationship between infrastructure development and economic growth. Additionally, electricity-generating capacity is identified as the infrastructure stock index that has the greatest positive impact on Ghana’s economic growth. The study reveals that electricity-distribution loss has a significant negative effect over both long- and short-run periods.

Research limitations/implications

Commercial petroleum export from Ghana since 2010 has been a key contributor to economic growth. Although its aggregate effect is included in the annual GDP figures adopted for the study, the authors would have wished to assess its impact on GDP as an independent standard growth determinant. However, because of a lack of available data over this study period, petroleum exports could not be adopted as an independent standard growth determinant. Additionally, an aggregated index of infrastructure stock and quality could not be derived because of the small size of data available. Hence, this study did not assess its impact on Ghana’s economic growth.

Practical implications

The research provides pragmatic guidance to policymakers to focus their efforts on expanding electricity-generating capacity while simultaneously taking steps to curb electricity transmission and distribution losses. These two related actions offer the greatest positive impact on infrastructure development and, as a consequence, Ghana’s economic growth.

Originality/value

This paper represents the first attempt to empirically study the relationship between infrastructure development and Ghana’s economic growth. A key contribution to the existing body of knowledge includes strong evidence of a positive effect of infrastructure development upon Ghana’s economic growth. Results also reveal that the greatest positive impact on economic growth is derived from electricity-generation capacity. However, the study also uncovers a negative, but statistically significant, relationship between road and economic growth.
Users and non-users of P2P accommodation
Authors: Huang Dan , Liu Xinyi , Lai Dan , Li Zhiyong
Published: June 2019

Purpose

To better understand what inhibits people from participating in collaborative consumption, this paper aims to develop research models of users and non-users to examine the relationship between perceived risks and intentions to use peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation. Moreover, differences of risk perceptions and behavioral intentions between P2P accommodation users and non-users were identified.

Design/methodology/approach

The method of convenience sampling was used to collect data. Excluding the invalid questionnaires, 520 were kept for further analysis. In this paper, SPSS and partial least squares (PLS) were used to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings highlighted the important role of perceived risks in determining tourists’ intentions to use P2P accommodation. The results showed that non-users have higher perceived risks in regards to all four risk dimensions (psychological risk, physical risk, performance risk and social risk), and they also have significantly lower behavioral intentions to use P2P accommodation than the users. For users, only the psychological risk has significant negative effects on behavioral intentions, while for non-users, both psychological and physical risks are important inhibitors.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to a better understanding of the antecedents that influence consumers’ participation in collaborative consumption in the P2P accommodation domain. Second, it extends the literature on perceived risk by discussing users and non-users in this market. Finally, this research provides insights into the P2P accommodation market in China, which enables online travel platforms to develop targeted marketing strategies.