bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repeated seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in a population-based sample
Authors: Stringhini Silvia , Wisniak Ania , Piumatti Giovanni , Azman Andrew S. , Lauer Stephen A. , Baysson Hélène , De Ridder David , Petrovic Dusan , Schrempft Stephanie , Marcus Kailing , Yerly Sabine , Vernez Isabelle Arm , Keiser Olivia , Hurst Samia , Posfay-Barbe Klara M. , Trono Didier , Pittet Didier , Gétaz Laurent , Chappuis François , Eckerle Isabella , Vuilleumier Nicolas , Meyer Benjamin , Flahault Antoine , Kaiser Laurent , Guessous Idris
Published: May 2020

Background

Assessing the burden of COVID-19 based on medically-attended case counts is suboptimal given its reliance on testing strategy, changing case definitions and the wide spectrum of disease presentation. Population-based serosurveys provide one avenue for estimating infection rates and monitoring the progression of the epidemic, overcoming many of these limitations.

Methods

Taking advantage of a pool of adult participants from population-representative surveys conducted in Geneva, Switzerland, we implemented a study consisting of 8 weekly serosurveys among these participants and their household members older than 5 years. We tested each participant for anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgG antibodies using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Euroimmun AG, Lübeck, Germany). We estimated seroprevalence using a Bayesian regression model taking into account test performance and adjusting for the age and sex of Geneva’s population.

Results

In the first three weeks, we enrolled 1335 participants coming from 633 households, with 16% <20 years of age and 53.6% female, a distribution similar to that of Geneva. In the first week, we estimated a seroprevalence of 3.1% (95% CI 0.2-5.99, n=343). This increased to 6.1% (95% CI 2.69.33, n=416) in the second, and to 9.7% (95% CI 6.1-13.11, n=576) in the third week. We found that 5-19 year-olds (6.0%, 95% CI 2.3-10.2%) had similar seroprevalence to 20-49 year olds (8.5%, 95%CI 4.99-11.7), while significantly lower seroprevalence was observed among those 50 and older (3.7%, 95% CI 0.99-6.0, p=0.0008).

Interpretation

Assuming that the presence of IgG antibodies is at least in the short-term associated with immunity, these results highlight that the epidemic is far from burning out simply due to herd immunity. Further, no differences in seroprevalence between children and middle age adults are observed. These results must be considered as Switzerland and the world look towards easing restrictions aimed at curbing transmission.
First Data-Set on SARS-CoV-2 Detection for Istanbul Wastewaters in Turkey
Authors: Kocamemi Bilge Alpaslan , Kurt Halil , Hacıoglu Sabri , Yaralı Cevdet , Saatci Ahmet Mete , Pakdemirli Bekir
Published: May 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) started in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and became a global pandemic [1]. By 26 April 2020, more than 2.9 million people were infected by SARS-CoV-2 and over 203 thousand people lost their life globally. By 26 April 2020, 107773 confirmed cases were reported in Turkey with 2706 deaths. Majority of the cases in Turkey has been observed in Istanbul. In the world, the duration of availability of SARS-CoV-2 was found to be significantly longer in stool samples than in respiratory and serum samples [2]. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in wastewaters in Australia [3], Netherlands [4], USA [5], France [6], Spain [7] and USA [8] by using different virus concentration techniques. In this work, Istanbul metropole with 65 % of Covid-19 cases was chosen as the pilot city. On the 21st of April 2020, 24-hr composite samples were collected from the Ambarli, Pasakoy and Kadikoy wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). On the 25th of April 2020, more wastewater samples were taken from Terkos, Buyukcekmece, Baltalimani and Tuzla WWTPs. These wastewater treatment plants were selected among 81 plants in Istanbul in order to take representative samples from 4 different districts of Istanbul according to the severity of Covid-19 cases, like very serious, serious, moderate and mild. Grab samples were also collected from Bagcilar and Kartal manholes located nearby the pandemic hospitals on April 21st, 2020. Polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG 8000) adsorption [5] SARS-Cov-2 concentration method was used for SARS-CoV-2 concentration after optimization. Real time RT-PCR diagnostic panel validated by US was used to quantify SARS-CoV-2 RNA in raw sewage taken from the inlets of treatment plants and manholes. Five samples out of seven from wastewater and all samples from manholes were tested positive. SARS-CoV-2 in raw sewage from Ambarli, Pasakoy, Kadikoy, Terkos, Buyukcekmece, Baltalimani and Tuzla WWTPs were found as 8.26×103, 1.80×104, ND, ND, 3.73×103, 4.95×103, 2.89×103, respectively. The Bagcilar and Kartal manholes nearby pandemic hospitals exhibited 4.49×104 and 9.33×104, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 virus titers of manhole were higher than those of inlet of WWTPs. The observed copy numbers were presented against the number of Covid-19 cases coming to the WWTP per treatment plant capacity. Quantitative measurements of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater can be used as a tool in wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) and it can provide information about SARS-CoV-2 distribution in wastewater of various districts of Istanbul which exhibit different scores of Covid-19 cases. The distribution of epidemy was followed not only with blood test but with wastewater monitoring. This may allow us to identify the districts not exhibiting many Covid-19 cases, but under high risk. Continuous monitoring of wastewater for SARS-Cov-2 may provide an early warning signs before an epidemy starts in case of infection resurge.
The oncometabolite L-2-hydroxyglutarate is a common product of Dipteran larval development
Authors: Mahmoudzadeh Nader H. , Fitt Alexander J. , Schwab Daniel B. , Martenis William E. , Nease Lauren M. , Owings Charity G. , Brinkley Garrett J. , Li Hongde , Karty Jonathan A. , Sudarshan Sunil , Hardy Richard W. , Moczek Armin P. , Picard Christine J. , Tennessen Jason M.
Published: May 2020

The oncometabolite L-2-hydroxyglutarate (L-2HG) is considered an abnormal product of central carbon metabolism that is capable of disrupting chromatin architecture, mitochondrial metabolism, and cellular differentiation. Under most circumstances, mammalian tissues readily dispose of this compound, as aberrant L-2HG accumulation induces neurometabolic disorders and promotes renal cell carcinomas. Intriguingly,Drosophila melanogasterlarvae were recently found to accumulate high L-2HG levels under normal growth conditions, raising the possibility that L-2HG plays a unique role in insect metabolism. Here we explore this hypothesis by analyzing L-2HG levels in 18 insect species. While L-2HG was present at low-to-moderate levels in most of these species (<100 pmol/mg; comparable to mouse liver), Dipteran larvae exhibited a tendency to accumulate high L-2HG concentrations (>100 pmol/mg), with the mosquitoAedes aegypti,the blow flyPhormia regina,and three representativeDrosophilaspecies harboring concentrations that exceed 1 nmol/mg – levels comparable to those measured in mutant mice that are unable to degrade L-2HG. Overall, our findings suggest that one of the largest groups of animals on earth commonly generate high concentrations of an oncometabolite during juvenile growth, hint at a role for L-2HG in the evolution of Dipteran development, and raise the possibility that L-2HG metabolism could be targeted to restrict the growth of key disease vectors and agricultural pests.
Ubiquitin Substrates Dramatically Increase Ataxin3 Deubiquitinating Activity: Allosteric crosstalk connects three distinct sites
Authors: Rao Maya V. , Grasty Kimberly C. , Mehetre Prajakta D. , Loll Patrick J.
Published: May 2020

Ataxin3 is the founding member of the MJD family of deubiquitinating enzymes, and plays important roles in maintaining protein homeostasis and promoting DNA repair. The enzyme also contains a polyglutamine tract of variable length, and in its expanded form the protein becomes the causative agent of a neurodegenerative disorder known as Machado-Joseph disease.In vitro,ataxin3 displays low catalytic activity, prompting questions about how the enzyme is regulated and what signals might lead to its activation. Recently, it has been demonstrated that ataxin3 activity can be stimulated by either mono-ubiquitination or high concentrations of free ubiquitin. Here, we show that ubiquitin conjugates with cleavable bonds can stimulate ataxin3 activity much more strongly than free ubiquitin, with physiological levels of these conjugates increasing activity up to 60-fold over basal levels. Our data are consistent with a model in which ubiquitin conjugates activate the enzyme allosterically by binding in a site adjacent to the catalytic center, known as Site 1. We further show that two additional ubiquitin-binding sites in the enzyme work in concert to modulate enzyme activation, and we propose a model in which ubiquitin conjugates bridge these two sites to drive the enzyme into a high-activity conformation.

Significance

Ubiquitin signaling networks modulate almost all aspects of eukaryotic biology, and their outputs reflect the dynamic balance between ubiquitin attachment and removal. The latter process is catalyzed by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), which must be carefully regulated to ensure that their activities are applied appropriately. Ataxin3 is a DUB that participates in quality-control pathways that support cellular health; however, the regulation of its activity has remained poorly understood. Here, we show that ataxin3 can be dramatically activated by naturally occurring ubiquitin species, and that this activation involves a previously uncharacterized interplay between three distinct sites on the enzyme. Our improved understanding of ataxin3 regulation provides insights into allosteric mechanisms that may prove applicable to other enzymes in the ubiquitin universe.
Comparison of drug inhibitory effects (IC50) in monolayer and spheroid cultures
Authors: Berrouet Catherine , Dorilas Naika , Rejniak Katarzyna A. , Tuncer Necibe
Published: May 2020

Traditionally, the monolayer (two-dimensional) cell cultures are used for initial evaluation of the ef-fectiveness of anticancer drugs. In particular, these experiments provide the IC50curves that determine drug concentration that can inhibit growth of a tumor colony by half when compared to the cells grown with no exposure to the drug. Low IC50value means that the drug is effective at low concentrations, and thus will show lower systemic toxicity when administered to the patient. However, in these experiments cells are grown in a monolayer, all well exposed to the drug, whilein vivotumors expand as three-dimensional multicellular masses, where inner cells have a limited access to the drug. Therefore, we performed computational studies to compare the IC50curves for cells grown as a two-dimensional monolayer and a cross section through a three-dimensional spheroid. Our results identified conditions (drug diffusivity, drug action mechanisms and cell proliferation capabilities) under which these IC50curves differ significantly. This will help experimentalists to better determine drug dosage for futurein vivoexperiments and clinical trials.
Direct intracellular visualization of Ebola virus-receptor interaction byin situproximity ligation
Authors: Mittler Eva , Alkutkar Tanwee P , Jangra Rohit K , Chandran Kartik
Published: May 2020

Ebola virus (EBOV) entry into host cells comprises stepwise and extensive interactions of the sole viral surface glycoprotein GP with multiple host factors. During the intricate process, following virus uptake and trafficking to late endosomal/lysosomal compartments, GP is proteolytically processed to GPCLby the endosomal proteases cathepsin B and L unmasking GP’s receptor-binding site. Engagement of GPCLwith the universal filoviral intracellular receptor Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) eventually culminates in fusion between viral and cellular membranes, cytoplasmic escape of the viral nucleocapsid and subsequent infection. Mechanistic delineation of the indispensable GPCL:NPC1 binding step has been severely hampered by the unavailability of a robust cell-based assay assessing interaction of GPCLwith full-length endosomal NPC1.

Here, we describe a novelin situassay to monitor GPCL:NPC1 engagement in intact, infected cells. Visualization of the subcellular localization of binding complexes is based on the principle of DNA-assisted, antibody-mediated proximity ligation. Virus-receptor binding monitored by proximity ligation was contingent on GP’s proteolytic cleavage, and was sensitive to perturbations in the GPCL:NPC1 interface. Our assay also specifically decoupled detection of virus-receptor binding from steps post-receptor binding, such as membrane fusion and infection. Testing of multiple FDA-approved small molecule inhibitors revealed that drug treatments inhibited virus entry and GPCL:NPC1 recognition by distinctive mechanisms. Together, here we present a newly established proximity ligation assay, which will allow us to dissect cellular and viral requirements for filovirus-receptor binding, and to delineate the mechanisms of action of inhibitors on filovirus entry in a cell-based system.

IMPORTANCE

Ebola virus causes episodic but increasingly frequent outbreaks of severe disease in Middle Africa, as shown by a currently ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite considerable effort, FDA-approved anti-filoviral therapeutics or targeted interventions are not available yet. Virus host-cell invasion represents an attractive target for antivirals; however our understanding of the inhibitory mechanisms of novel therapeutics is often hampered by fragmented knowledge of the filovirus-host molecular interactions required for viral infection. To help close this critical knowledge gap, here, we report anin situassay to monitor binding of the EBOV glycoprotein to its receptor NPC1 in intact, infected cells. We demonstrate that ourin situassay based on proximity ligation represents a powerful tool to delineate receptor-viral glycoprotein interactions. Similar assays can be utilized to examine receptor interactions of diverse viral surface proteins whose studies have been hampered until now by the lack of robustin situassays.
Myc-dependent cell competition and proliferative response requires induction of the ribosome biogenesis regulator Peter Pan
Authors: Zielke Norman , Vähärautio Anna , Liu Jianping , Taipale Jussi
Published: May 2020

The transcription factor Myc is activated in most major forms of human cancer. Myc regulates a large set of target genes, and drives cell growth across animal phyla. However, it has not been clear which target genes are required for Myc-induced growth, and whether the targets are individually necessary or act in an additive fashion. Here, we have used comparative functional genomics to identify a core set of Myc target genes whose regulation is conserved between humans andDrosophila melanogaster. Most of these targets are essential genes involved in ribosome biogenesis and ribonucleotide metabolism. To identifyDrosophilagenes whose upregulation is necessary for Myc induced growth, we deleted the Myc binding sites (E-boxes) in the promoter regions of four genes using CRISPR/Cas9. All mutant flies were homozygous viable, indicating that E-box sequences are not required for basal expression of the Myc target genes. E-Box deletions in RpS20, RpS24 and Nop56 did not cause strong growth phenotypes. However, deletion of the E-box in the rRNA processing factorPeter Pan(ppan) made the flies resistant to Myc-induced cell growth, without affecting Myc-induced apoptosis. Despite their failure to respond to Myc, theppanEbox−/−flies are healthy and display only a minor developmental delay, suggesting that it may be possible to treat or prevent tumorigenesis by targeting individual downstream targets of Myc.
Small protein 26 interacts and enhances glutamine synthetase activity inMethanosarcina mazei
Authors: Gutt Miriam , Jordan Britta , Weidenbach Katrin , Gudzuhn Mirja , Kiessling Claudia , Cassidy Liam , Helbig Andreas , Tholey Andreas , Pyper Dennis , Schwalbe Harald , Schmitz Ruth A.
Published: May 2020

Small ORFs (sORF) encoded small proteins have been overlooked for a long time due to challenges in prediction and distinguishing between coding and non-coding predicted sORFs and in their biochemical detection and characterization. We report on the first biochemical and functional characterization of a small protein (sP26) in the archaeal model organismMethanosarcina mazei, comprising 23 amino acids. The corresponding encoding leaderless mRNA (spRNA26) is highly conserved within numerous Methanosarcina strains on the amino acid as well as on nucleotide level strongly arguing for a cellular function of the small protein. spRNA26 is significantly enhanced under nitrogen limitation, but also under oxygen and salt stress conditions. His-tagged sP26 was heterologously expressed and purified by fractionated ammonium sulfate precipitation, affinity chromatography and size exclusion centrifugation. Using independent biochemical approaches (pull-down by affinity chromatography followed by MS analysis, revers pull-down, microscale thermophoresis and size exclusion chromatography) we observed that sP26 interacts and forms complexes withM. mazeiglutamine synthetase (GlnA1) with high affinity (app. KD = 45 +/− 14 µM). Upon interaction with sP26, GlnA1activity was significantly stimulated independently and in addition to the known activation by the metabolite 2-oxoglutarate. Besides strong interaction of sP26 with the PII-like protein GlnK1was demonstrated (KD= 1.4 µM +/− 0.9 µM). On the basis of these findings, we hypothesize that in addition to 2-oxoglutarate, sP26 activates GlnA1activity under nitrogen limitation most likely by stabilizing the dodecameric structure of GlnA1.
Active learning analytics in mobile: visions from PhD students
Authors: Atasoy Eda , Bozna Harun , Sönmez Abdulvahap , Aydın Akkurt Ayşe , Tuna Büyükköse Gamze , Fırat Mehmet
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the futuristic visions of PhD students at Distance Education department of Anadolu University on the use of learning analytics (LA) and mobile technologies together.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative research study, designed in the single cross-section model, aimed to reveal futuristic visions of PhD students on the use of LA in mobile learning. In this respect, SCAMPER method, which is also known as a focused brainstorming technique, was used to collect data.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that the use of LA in mobile can solve everyday problems ranging from health to education, enable personalized learning for each learner, offer a new type of evaluation and assessment and allow continuous feedback and feedforwards; yet this situation can also arise some ethical concerns since the big data collected can threaten the learners by interfering with their privacy, reaching their subconscious and manipulating them as well as the whole society by wars, mind games, political games, dictation and loss of humanity.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited with the views of six participants. Also, the sample of the study is homogeneous in terms of their backgrounds – their age range, their departments as PhD students and their fields of expertise.

Practical implications

The positive perceptions of PhD students provide a ground for the active use of LA in mobile. Further, big data collected through LA can help educators and system makers to identify patterns which will enable tailored education for all. Also, use of LA in mobile learning may stimulate the development of a new education system including a new type of evaluation and assessment and continuous feedback and feedforwards.

Originality/value

The widespread use of mobile technologies opens new possibilities for LA in the future. The originality of this research comes from its focus on this critical point.
Accrual mispricing in the era of corporate governance reforms
Authors: Sun Lan
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study is primarily motivated by the increasing concern of the academic, practitioners, regulators and standard setters regarding the quality of earnings and financial reporting. The purpose is to investigate whether the accrual anomaly exists in Australia; whether the occurrence of the accrual anomaly is attributed to the discretionary accruals component stemming from managerial discretion; and the impact of corporate governance reforms on accrual mispricing.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs the Mishkin (1983) rational expectations test to examine whether the earnings expectations embedded in stock prices accurately reflect the differential persistence of earnings components. It also employs the hedge portfolio trading strategy to examine whether taking a long position in firms with low accruals and a short position in firms with high accruals will yield positive abnormal stock returns.

Findings

The results show that investors overestimate the persistence of accruals and underestimate the persistence of cash flows and subsequently, overprice the accruals and underprice the cash flows. The evidence of accrual mispricing is severe for the component of discretionary accruals. Nonetheless, the association between discretionary accruals and abnormal returns are weakened during the corporate governance reforms period.

Research limitations/implications

It should be cautious to attribute the investors' ability to accurately price accruals and cash flows to the passage of corporate governance reform program. Despite there is control for firm size, book-to-market, PE multiple, growth and leverage, other macro-economic factors such as interest rates, inflation and GDP could potentially have an impact on stock returns.

Practical implications

The passage of corporate governance reform program has increased the level of financial reporting disclosure and the monitoring of management, which subsequently improved accruals persistence and earnings quality. A direct practical implication is that investors should better understand the information in accruals for future earnings when the corporate disclosure environment is strengthened.

Social implications

This study provides useful information to regulators, academics and investors interested in market efficiency and accrual mispricing. The results suggest that the reform of corporate governance is associated with more efficient prices. This may be of interest to the regulators who intend to improve earnings quality and financial reporting environment through the regulatory reform.

Originality/value

To test the accrual anomaly in the period of corporate governance reforms is particularly useful to regulators and policy makers. It allows regulators and policy makers to gain insight as whether the change of regulation has been effective – more transparent and timely reporting of financial information are supposed to help the investors to better understand the accruals and thus mitigate the potential for accrual mispricing.
Compaction effects on permeability of spherical packing
Authors: Zhang Duzhou , Tian Zhiguo , Chen Zhiqiang , Wu Dengyun , Zhou Gang , Zhang Shaohua , Wang Moran
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the evolution of the permeability of spherical packing during cold compaction by pore-scale modeling.

Design/methodology/approach

The discrete element method (DEM) is used to generate spherical packing structure under different compressive pressures and the Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is adopted to calculate the permeability of each spherical assembly.

Findings

It is found that the decrease of the porosity is the main reason of the reduction in permeability in the initial compression stage, but its influence becomes insufficient in the late compression stages. Besides, two empirical formulas are obtained, which describe the relation between the permeability and the equivalent mean diameter and the variation of normalized permeability with compressive pressure, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, the authors study the spherical particles and ignore the non-spherical effects. Besides, the classical contact model, the linear-spring-damping model, is used in DEM, so the plastic deformation cannot be considered.

Originality/value

The DEM and the LBM are well combined to study the compaction effects on permeability of spherical packing. Two simple expressions of the spherical packing structure with uniform diameter distribution are given for the first time.
Entropy generation analysis of hybrid nanofluid in a microchannel with slip flow, convective boundary and nonlinear heat flux
Authors: Sindhu S. , Gireesha B.J.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Thermal features of hybrid nanoliquid consist of Cu–Ti, CuO–TiO2 and C71500–Ti6Al4V/H2O as hybrid mixtures of nano-sized particles in a base fluid through a microchannel are inspected. In this study, flow model of Darcy–Forchheimer is hired to examine the flow of hybrid composition.

Design/methodology/approach

The equations which delineate the physical occurrence of the flow are resolved via Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg scheme united through shooting procedure.

Findings

It is established that flow velocity of hybrid nano composition satisfies the identity U_(CuO-TiO2/water)>U_(Cu–Ti/water)>U_(C71500–Ti6Al4V/water).

Originality/value

Hybrid nanofluid flow of Cu–Ti, CuO–TiO2 and C71500–Ti6Al4V/H2O hybrid mixtures in a base fluid through a microchannel are inspected.
Research on mechanism configuration and coordinated control for power distribution network live working robot
Authors: Yan Yu , Jiang Wei , Zou Dehua , Quan Wusheng , Li Hong Jun , Lei YunFei , Zhou Zhan fan
Published: May 2020

Purpose

In the long-term network operation, the power distribution network will be subjected to the effects of ultra-high voltage, strong electromagnetic interference and harsh natural environment on the power system, which will lead to the occurrence of different faults in the distribution network and directly affect the normal operation of the power grid.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of this study is to solve the problems of labor intensity, high risk and low efficiency of distribution network manual maintenance operation, this paper proposed a new configuration of the live working robot for distribution network maintenance, the robot is equipped with dual working arms through the mobile platform, which can realize the coordination movement, the autonomous reorganization and replacement of the end tools, respectively, so as the robot power distribution maintenance function such as stripping, trimming, wiring and the operation control problem of the distribution network-robot with small arms and in small operation space can be realized.

Findings

To effective elimination or reduce the adverse effects of the internal forces in the closed chain between the working object and manipulator under the typical task of the 10 kV distribution network, this paper has established the robot coordinated control dynamics model in the closed-chain between the dual-working object and proposed the dynamic distribution method of closed-chain internal force and the effectiveness has been proved by simulation experiments and 10 kV field operation.

Originality/value

The force-position hybrid control can realize the mutual compensation of force and position so as to effectively reduce the internal force in the closed chain. Finally, the engineering practicality of the method is verified by field operation experiment, the effective implementation of this control method greatly improves the robot working efficiency and the operation reliability, the promotion and application of the control method have great theoretical and practical value and maintenance management system, so as to achieve automation of electric.
Conflict triggers between farming and pastoral communities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Tade Oludayo , Yikwabs Yikwab Peter
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine contemporary factors underlying farmers and pastoralists’ conflict in Nasarawa state. These two communities had rosy and symbiotic relationships which have transmogrified into sour tales of mutual suspicion, destruction, deaths and violence.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory research design was used. Data was collected using qualitative tools of data collection such as in-depth interview (IDI) and key informant (KII) guides to extract responses from farmers and pastoralists.

Findings

In a bid to end the conflicts between these two groups, Benue State Government enacted the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law also known as anti-open grazing law in 2018. Although the law altered the conflict landscape in Benue, it recorded trans-territorial backlashes in the neighbouring Nasarawa State where herdsmen relocated. The relocation of herders to Nasarawa State, setting up of livestock guards to check open grazing by pastoralists, rumour and politics triggered contemporary violent conflicts between these groups.

Originality/value

As against existing studies, this study examines contemporary trigger of the conflict.
Preference for action: regulatory mode in B2B positioning decision-making
Authors: Kalafatis Stavros P. , Blankson Charles , Boatswain Marvyn Luxly , Tsogas Markos H.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Grounded in regulatory mode theory (RMT), this study aims to investigate the impact of managers’ orientation for action (locomotion and assessment) in business-to-business positioning decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected using a scenario-based experimental design. Study 1 examines whether interest and involvement in recommending a positioning strategy depends on a manager’s regulatory mode orientation. The impact of such orientations on the likelihood of changing a recommended positioning strategy is the focus of Study 2. The moderating effects of task motivation (expected rewards resulting from a recommendation), market feedback and the line manager’s leadership style are examined.

Findings

Both assessment and locomotion are significant determinants of involvement in recommending a positioning strategy. The introduction of motivation as a moderator helps explain differences in level of interest in positioning decision-making. Locomotion, but not assessment, affects the likelihood of changing a recommended positioning strategy. Assessment amplifies the impact of locomotion, while none of the interaction effects between regulatory mode orientation and contextual factors is a significant determinant of changing a positioning strategy.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first application of RMT on positioning decision-making. Results from two experiments provide novel insights into the predictive relevance of managers’ preference in terms of involvement with the decision-making process and the likelihood of altering positioning.
Causes of U.S.-China trade imbalances: a review
Authors: Wang Yongqing
Published: May 2020

Purpose

It is a common view to Trump administration and public that devaluation of Chinese currency is the origin of the US trade deficit. However, the previous literature does not support this common view. To better understand the causes of the US trade imbalances with China, this study aims to review the previous literature focusing on the causes of bilateral trade imbalances between the USA and China.

Design/methodology/approach

Review previous literature according to the different reasons that each paper studies.

Findings

Based on the previous literature, the Chinese exchange rate is not the main reason for the US trade imbalances. The official US trade figures overestimate the amount of deficit. The actual causes for the US trade deficit with China perhaps should be the relocation of production to China, low saving in the USA and high saving in China, and the US dollar as the international currency and reserve.

Originality/value

By reviewing previous literature, the authors could better understand the puzzle of the US trade deficit with China.
Order of justice in queues of emerging markets
Authors: Chatterjee Swagato
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Extant literature on queuing has identified service queues as social systems where social justice is an important factor for service evaluation. First-order justice, defined as a first-come first-served (FCFS) process, has been found to be a necessary condition of social justice and positive evaluation. Second-order justice, defined as equal waiting time, has been found to be an additional factor which comes into play only when first-order justice is met. This paper aims to show that in the emerging market situation, the above definitions of justice and the order mentioned above does not work.

Design/methodology/approach

Instead of equal wait, the study has focused on equitable wait, i.e. waiting duration is in sync with the service needs. Three experiments have been performed to establish the hypotheses suggested.

Findings

FCFS is found not to be the necessary condition as it was in the extant literature and can be relaxed sometimes to get higher service evaluation by ensuring justice from the equitable wait. The study also portrays the interaction effects of the two types of social justice on service evaluation. Moreover, the impact of justice from equitable wait on service evaluations is found to be moderated by perceived personal connect of the service provider and the consumer, perceived importance of system and process and perceived ability of the service provider of capacity improvement and mediated by perceived control of service provider on providing the justice of equitable wait.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes toward the understanding of social justice in service queues. It also contributes to the literature of attribution theory and consumer betrayal.

Practical implications

The study provides suggestions to retail managers in emerging markets to choose queue management strategies depending on the size of the retail shops and consumers’ expectations from them.

Originality/value

The study introduces the concept of justice from the equitable wait, which is original in the queuing literature to the best of the author’s knowledge. The study also finds a new order of justice in the emerging market scenario.
Open economy macroeconomics of commodity price fluctuation, sectoral inter-linkage and employment
Authors: Basu Moumita , Nag Ranjanendra Narayan
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This is a theoretical paper in the field of structuralist macroeconomics. The paper focuses on commodity price fluctuation which has emerged as one of the major macroeconomic factors with significant bearing on the relationship between the agricultural and nonagricultural sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a dual economy model consisting of an agricultural sector and an industrial sector. The commodity price is subject to the fluctuations due to the fact that stock of primary goods is an asset which is sensitive to speculations. The paper considers a standard methodology of dynamic adjustment process involving change in stock of agricultural goods and price of agricultural goods under perfect foresight. The saddle path properties of the equilibrium are also examined.

Findings

The paper shows that the balanced budget fiscal expansion, capital account liberalization and the agricultural expansion lead to expansion of the industrial sector as well as level of employment. The increase in world interest rate may lead to contraction of the industrial sector and depress employment.

Originality/value

We will consider the openness of the economy in explaining how different macroeconomic policies and capital account liberalization generate multiple cross effects on the inter-connectedness between agricultural and the non-agricultural sector. The paper will discuss the issue of employment generation in conjunction with commodity price fluctuation. We depart from the literature by using Taylor rule under which interest rate is fixed by the Central Bank such that money supply becomes endogenous.
Disruptive life event or reflexive instrument? On the regulation of hospital mergers from a quality of care perspective
Authors: de Kam David , van Bochove Marianne , Bal Roland
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Despite the continuation of hospital mergers in many western countries, it is uncertain if and how hospital mergers impact the quality of care. This poses challenges for the regulation of mergers. The purpose of this paper is to understand: how regulators and hospitals frame the impact of merging on the quality and safety of care and how hospital mergers might be regulated, given their uncertain impact on quality and safety of care.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper studies the regulation of hospital mergers in The Netherlands. In a qualitative study design, it draws on 30 semi-structured interviews with inspectors from the Dutch Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (Inspectorate) and respondents from three hospitals that merged between 2013 and 2015. This paper draws from literature on process-based regulation to understand how regulators can monitor hospital mergers.

Findings

This paper finds that inspectors and hospital respondents frame the process of merging as potentially disruptive to daily care practices. While inspectors emphasise the dangers of merging, hospital respondents report how merging stimulated them to reflect on their care practices and how it afforded learning between hospitals. Although the Inspectorate considers mergers a risk to quality of care, their regulatory practices are hesitant.

Originality/value

This qualitative study sheds light on how merging might affect key hospital processes and daily care practices. It offers opportunities for the regulation of hospital mergers that acknowledges rather than aims to dispel the uncertain and potentially ambiguous impact of mergers on quality and safety of care.
Challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Botswana: revisiting the role of entrepreneurship education
Authors: Rudhumbu Norman , du Plessis EC (Elize) , Maphosa Cosmas
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate challenges faced by and opportunities open to women entrepreneurs in Botswana and how entrepreneurship education can boost their knowledge and skills of doing business profitably and contribute to women empowerment.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 400 women entrepreneurs of different ages, educational levels and from trades and different geographical locations were selected using a stratified random sampling procedure to participate in the study from ten towns and cities in the country. A structured questionnaire that used a five-point Likert scale was used for data collection. One-way ANOVA, regression analysis and descriptive statistics were used as tools for data analysis.

Findings

Findings showed that women entrepreneurs faced a complex web of challenges among which were access to finance, lack of training leading to lack of technical skills, lack of knowledge of sources of financing and technical support, high competition in the market, marginalisation of women and lack of knowledge of marketing strategies. The key findings were that while women entrepreneurs faced a number of challenges, the legal and regulatory environment in Botswana was highly conducive and supportive of women entrepreneurship and also that customised entrepreneurship education and training offered opportunities for women entrepreneurs to enhance their knowledge and technical skills.

Research limitations/implications

The study only used a quantitative approach to collect data. It could have perhaps been more enriching if a mixed-methods approach were used to help probe the participants more. The study also only used women entrepreneurs in cities and towns. Perhaps, it could have also got some women entrepreneurs from rural areas to hear what they say. These limitations will be addressed in future studies.

Practical implications

Practical implications of the study are that women entrepreneurs need more training in business entrepreneurship for them to gain more knowledge and skills; finance houses become more accommodating to women entrepreneurship they could help in the empowerment of these people as they show potential in their businesses; and if more pro-women entrepreneurship policies are developed, they could enhance the activities of women entrepreneurs.

Social implications

Women can perform as much as men in business if given the necessary support.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the body of knowledge on women entrepreneurship as it helped expose challenges women entrepreneurs face as well as opportunities for them to take advantage of and improve their business operations.
Halal food marketing: an evaluation of UK halal standards
Authors: Fuseini Awal , Hadley Phil , Knowles Toby
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Because of the economic significance of the Halal meat market, many food business operators have started trading in Halal meat products. Some businesses rely solely on the services of Halal certification bodies (HCBs) to assure Halal consumers as to the authenticity of Halal meat products. However, the lack of unified national or global Halal standards has resulted in confusion as to what is authentic Halal. This paper aims to survey HCBs in the UK to highlight the major differences between the various Halal standards with regard to Halal meat production.

Design/methodology/approach

Out of 15 HCBs that the authors contacted, 9 agreed to participate in the study. Respondents were asked to indicate what slaughter practices are acceptable according to their standard and further indicate if their respective organisations carried out speciation testing to detect the presence of foreign deoxyribonucleic acid in certified Halal products.

Findings

All nine certifiers indicated that they owned and operated according to a written Halal standard. The majority of certifiers indicated that they accepted pre-slaughter stunning if the stunning did not result in the death of animals prior to exsanguination, a Muslim should perform the slaughter and a short prayer must be recited and only manual (by hand) slaughter is acceptable.

Research limitations/implications

The findings give an insight into acceptable and prohibited procedures during Halal meat production in the UK. Abattoir operators, meat processors and retailers can use this as a guide when selecting suitable Halal certifiers for their businesses.

Originality/value

The study reveals that there are a number of HCBs in the UK who are all operating according to the different interpretation of the Halal dietary laws. The paper further highlights the different slaughter procedures that are acceptable and prohibited to different certifiers.
STEM challenge: two years of community-engaged engineering
Authors: Hite Rebecca , Spott Jessica , Johnson Levi , Sobehrad Lane
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Community-engaged partnerships have the ability to combine expertise and resources to enhance the local STEM learning ecosystem, by engaging the actors in communities that can enhance students' experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Texas Tech University (TTU) and Lubbock Independent School District (LISD) have partnered to coordinate an annual STEM Challenge to encourage STEM learning and interest among local middle grade students. Each summer, teams of (three to four) students from ten LISD middle schools participate in a week-long engineering design challenge, facilitated by TTU undergraduate mentors and their teachers, structured by the Engineering Design Process (EDP).

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative (survey) and qualitative (open-ended responses) data from two years of student glider and hovercraft projects offer insight into how 66 students developed STEM knowledge and leveraged 21st-century skills to accomplish a shared aim (design challenge).

Findings

Findings suggest growth in students' 21st-century skills, most among underrepresented (racial, ethnic and gender minority) groups. Data from year one (2018) informed year two (2019) in both programming and the research, including enhanced training for mentors and a deeper exploration of students' experiences during each stage of the EDP during the STEM challenge.

Originality/value

Significant and salient findings are discussed along with recommendations for both programmatic and methodological improvements for year three (2020). This study provides insight into how to structure similar community-engaged partnerships in enhancing the community STEM ecosystem through collaborative STEM experiences for diverse, younger learners.
Integrating social enterprise and social marketing with shadow framework
Authors: Roy Partha Sarathi , Goswami Paromita
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue for an integrative model of social enterprises (SE) and social marketing (SM) to usher in desirable change, instead of the currently adopted either/or approach. We offer the shadow framework to integrate these two paradigms in the context of peace-building organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using purposive sampling strategy, 19 cases of peacebuilding initiatives were identified and reviewed from secondary sources. Ashoka Fellows working in the domain of peacebuilding, along with a few other exemplary cases across the globe were considered.

Findings

We found an emerging typology of three forms in the organizational responses to peacebuilding initiatives: (a) pure charity-driven work, (b) dual structure of charity plus business enterprises, and (c) social enterprises with distinct revenue model.

Research limitations/implications

Building upon previous theoretical research, we find a lot of merit in SEs adopting the SM toolkit. We contribute to theory building by showing the interaction between paradox theory and stakeholder marketing in the context of SEs dealing with wicked problems such as peacebuilding. Consequently, we propose a shadow social marketing (SSM) model that would camouflage the real offering of peace through an apparent offering that would be non-controversial in nature and result in moderate-importance small wins for the multiple stakeholders involved with conflicting interests.

Practical implications

From a managerial perspective, chances of success of the desired social change increases by complementing the efforts of SEs through the SM toolkit. Organizationally, although all the three forms of peacebuilding initiatives can benefit from systematic usage of the SSM, they need to reframe their efforts toward those that are not pro-peace, rather than preach to the converted. Consequently, the answer may lie in efforts at building cultural sensitivity to promote entrepreneurship amongst such target groups amongst such target groups in conflicting communities, with an organizational form that successfully marries SEs and SM.

Originality/value

Though previous scholarship mentions the need for finding complementarities between social marketing objectives and social enterprise missions, no paper yet has suggested a roadmap for achieving it. This paper highlights an integrative plan that, in this specific case of peacebuilding initiatives, or social enterprises in general, can leverage to evolve better organizational practices, improve financial sustainability and measurable impact to effect the desired social change.