bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ungulate Responses to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Flying at Different Altitudes in Africa’s Arid Savanna
Authors: vanVuuren Marlice , vanVuuren Rudie , Silverberg Larry M. , Manning Joe , Pacifici Krishna , Dorgeloh Werner , Campbell Jennifer
Published: July 2020

This paper tests the hypothesis that ungulate-UAV interaction depends strongly on flight altitude, that there may be a lowest altitude range for which the ungulates are not exceedingly disturbed, dictating a practically achievable level of discernibility in flight observation. This question strongly influences the future viability of the UAV in the study and protection of the ungulates in Africa’s arid savanna. This paper examined the behavioral responses of a group of free ranging ungulate species (Oryx, Kudu, Springbok, Giraffe, Eland, Hartebeest, and Impala) found in an animal reserve in Namibia to the presence of different in-flight UAV models. The study included 99 flights (337 passes) at altitudes ranging from 15 to 55 meters. The ungulates were unhabituated to the UAVs and the study was conducted in the presence of stress-inducing events that occur naturally in the environment. The results suggest strong correlations between flight altitude and response across the different ungulates and anecdotal evidence suggests in some cases rapid habituation to the UAVs.
Movements of ancient human endogenous retroviruses detected in SOX2-expressing cells
Authors: Monde Kazuaki , Satou Yorifumi , Goto Mizuki , Uchiyama Yoshikazu , Ito Jumpei , Kaitsuka Taku , Terasawa Hiromi , Yamaga Shinya , Matsusako Tomoya , Wei Fan-Yan , Inoue Ituro , Tomizawa Kazuhito , Ono Akira , Era Takumi , Sawa Tomohiro , Maeda Yosuke
Published: July 2020

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) occupy approximately 8% of human genome. HERVs, which are transcribed in early embryos, are epigenetically silenced in somatic cells, except in pathological contexts. HERV-K is thought to protect the embryo from exogenous viral infection. However, uncontrollable HERV-K expression in somatic cells has been implicated in several diseases. Here, we show that SOX2, which plays a key role in maintaining pluripotency of stem cells, is critical for the transcription of HERV-K LTR5Hs. HERV-K can undergo retrotransposition within producer cells in the absence of Env expression. Furthermore, new HERV-K integration sites were identified in a long-term culture of induced pluripotent stem cells, which express SOX2. Together, these results suggest the possibility that the strict dependence of HERV-K on SOX2 have allowed contribution of HERV-K to the protection of early embryos during evolution while limiting potentially harmful effects of HERV-K retrotransposition on host genome integrity to these early embryos.
Limits to the cellular control of sequestered cryptophyte prey in the marine ciliateMesodinium rubrum
Authors: Altenburger Andreas , Cai Huimin , Li Qiye , Drumm Kirstine , Kim Miran , Zhu Yuanzhen , Garcia-Cuetos Lydia , Zhan Xiaoyu , Hansen Per Juel , John Uwe , Li Shuaicheng , Lundholm Nina
Published: July 2020

The marine ciliateMesodinium rubrumis famous for its ability to acquire and exploit chloroplasts and other cell organelles from some cryptophyte algal species. We sequenced genomes and transcriptomes of free-swimmingTeleaulax amphioxeia, as well as well-fed and starvedM. rubrumin order to understand cellular processes upon sequestration under different prey and light conditions. From its prey, the ciliate acquires the ability to photosynthesize as well as the potential to metabolize several essential compounds including lysine, glycan, and vitamins that elucidate its specific prey dependency.M. rubrumdoes not express photosynthesis related genes itself, but elicits considerable transcriptional control of the acquired cryptophyte organelles. This control is limited as light dependent transcriptional changes found in free-swimmingT. amphioxeiagot lost after sequestration. We found strong transcriptional rewiring of the cryptophyte nucleus upon sequestration, where 35% of theT. amphioxeiagenes were significantly differentially expressed within well-fedM. rubrum. Qualitatively, 68% of all genes expressed within well-fedM. rubrumoriginated fromT. amphioxeia. Quantitatively, these genes contributed up to 48% to the global transcriptome in well-fedM. rubrumand down to 11% in starvedM. rubrum. This tertiary endosymbiosis system functions for several weeks, when deprived of prey. After this point in time, the ciliate dies if not supplied with fresh prey cells.M. rubrumrepresents one evolutionary way of acquiring photosystems from its algal prey, and might represent a step on the evolutionary way towards a permanent tertiary endosymbiosis.
Multi-batch cytometry data integration for optimal immunophenotyping
Authors: Ogishi Masato , Yang Rui , Gruber Conor , Pelham Simon , Spaan András N. , Rosain Jérémie , Chbihi Marwa , Han Ji Eun , Rao V Koneti , Kainulainen Leena , Bustamante Jacinta , Boisson Bertrand , Bogunovic Dusan , Boisson-Dupuis Stéphanie , Casanova Jean-Laurent
Published: July 2020

We describe the integration of multi-batch cytometry datasets (iMUBAC), a flexible, robust, and scalable computational framework for unsupervised cell-type identification across multiple batches of high-dimensional cytometry datasets. After overlaying cells from healthy controls across multiple batches, iMUBAC learns batch-specific cell-type classification boundaries and identifies aberrant immunophenotypes in patient samples. We illustrate unbiased and streamlined immunophenotyping, using both in-house and public mass and flow cytometry datasets.
Cyclin C promoter occupancy directs changes in stress-dependent transcription
Authors: Stieg David C. , Cooper Katrina F. , Strich Randy
Published: July 2020

The Cdk8 kinase module (CKM) is a detachable Mediator subunit composed of cyclin C, and one each of paralogs Cdk8/Cdk19, Med12/Med12L and Med13/Med13L. In addition to regulating transcription, a portion of cyclin C also leaves the nucleus following cytotoxic stress to induce mitochondrial fragmentation and apoptosis. Our previous RNA-seq studies demonstrated that cyclin C represses a subset of hydrogen peroxide-induced genes under normal conditions, while also being required for the full induction of other loci following stress. Here, we show that cyclin C directs this transcriptional reprograming through changes in its promoter occupancy. Following peroxide stress, cyclin C promoter occupancy increased for genes it activates while decreasing at loci it represses under normal conditions. Promoter occupancy of other CKM components generally mirrored cyclin C indicating that the CKM moves as a single unit. However, CKM integrity appeared compromised at a subset of repressed promoters suggesting a source of cyclin C that is targeted for nuclear release. Interestingly, mTOR inhibition induced a new pattern of cyclin C promoter occupancy indicating that this control is fine-tuned to the individual stress. Using inhibitors, we found that Cdk8 kinase activity is not required for CKM movement or repression but was necessary for full gene activation. In conclusion, this study revealed that different stress stimuli elicit specific changes in CKM promoter occupancy correlating to altered transcriptional outputs. Finally, although CKM components were recruited or expelled from promoters as a unit, heterogeneity was observed at individual promoters suggesting a mechanism to generate gene- and stress-specific responses.
Investigating peripubertal stress and exogenous corticosterone as endogenous stimulators of brain metabolism
Authors: Just Nathalie
Published: July 2020

Substantial research on the association between early-life stress and its long-lasting impact on lifetime mental health has been performed revealing that early-life environmental adversity strongly regulates brain function. Alterations of gene expression and behavior in the off-springs of paternally stressed rats were also revealed. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these changes remain poorly understood. Here, an improved characterization of these processes from investigations of the functional metabolism of animal models exposed to peripubertal stress (PS) is proposed. The ultimate goal of this study was to bring forward functional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (fMRS) as a technique of interest for a better understanding of brain areas by endogenous stimulators such as stress. The present study evaluated, compared and classified effects of individual PS (iPS) and paternal PS (pPS) under corticosterone (CORT) challenge in the septal areas of adult rats. Acute stress was simulated by injection of CORT and metabolic concentration changes were analyzed as a function of time. Evaluation of Glucose and Lactate concentration changes allowed the classification of groups of rats using a Glc to Lac index. Moreover, metabolic responses of control rats (CC) and of pPS x iPS rats (SS) were similar while responses in pPS (SC) and iPS (CS) differed, revealing differential adaption of energetic metabolism and of glutamatergic neurotransmission. Findings have crucial interest for understanding the metabolic mechanisms underlying altered functional connectivity and neuronal plasticity in septal areas inducing increased aggressivity in early-life stressed rats.
Parietal Mechanisms for Transsaccadic Spatial Frequency Perception: An fMRI Study
Authors: Baltaretu B. R. , Dunkley B. T. , Stevens W. Dale , Crawford J. D.
Published: July 2020

Posterior parietal cortex (PPC), specifically right supramarginal gyrus, is involved in transsaccadic memory of object orientation for both perception and action. Here, we investigated whether PPC is involved in transsaccadic memory of other features, namely spatial frequency. We employed a functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm where participants briefly viewed a grating stimulus with a specific spatial frequency that later reappeared with the same or different frequency, after a saccade or continuous fixation. Post-saccadic frequency modulation activated a region in the right hemisphere spanning medial PPC (ventral precuneus) and posterior cingulate cortex. Importantly, the site of peak precuneus activation showed saccade-specific feature modulation (compared to fixation) and task-specific saccade modulation (compared to a saccade localizer task). Psychophysiological interaction analysis revealed functional connectivity between this precuneus site and the precentral gyrus (M1), lingual gyrus (V1/V2), and medial occipitotemporal sulcus. This differed from the transsaccadicorientationnetwork, perhaps because spatial frequency signaled changes in objectidentity. Overall, this experiment supports a general role for PPC in transsaccadic vision, but suggests that different networks are employed for specific features.
Drug Screening Platform Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Atrial Cardiomyocytes and Optical Mapping
Authors: Gunawan Marvin G. , Sangha Sarabjit S. , Shafaattalab Sanam , Lin Eric , Heims-Waldron Danielle A. , Bezzerides Vassilios J. , Laksman Zachary , Tibbits Glen F.
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Current drug development efforts for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) are hampered by the fact that many preclinical models have been unsuccessful in reproducing human cardiac atrial physiology and its response to medications. In this study, we demonstrated an approach using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-aCMs and hiPSC-vCMs, respectively) coupled with a sophisticated optical mapping system for drug screening of atrial-selective compoundsin vitro.

We optimized differentiation of hiPSC-aCMs by modulating the WNT and retinoid signalling pathways. Characterization of the transcriptome and proteome revealed that retinoic acid pushes the differentiation process into the atrial lineage and generated hiPSC-aCMs. Functional characterization using optical mapping showed that hiPSC-aCMs have shorter action potential durations and faster Ca2+handling dynamics compared to hiPSC-vCMs. Furthermore, pharmacological investigation of hiPSC-aCMs captured atrial-selective effects by displaying greater sensitivity to atrial-selective compounds 4-aminopyridine, AVE0118, UCL1684, and vernakalant when compared to hiPSC-vCMs.

These results established that a model system incorporating hiPSC-aCMs combined with optical mapping is well-suited for pre-clinical drug screening of novel and targeted atrial selective compounds.
Differential Contributions of Static and Time-Varying Functional Connectivity to Human Behavior
Authors: Eichenbaum Adam , Pappas Ioannis , Lurie Daniel , Cohen Jessica R. , D’Esposito Mark
Published: July 2020

Measures of human brain functional connectivity acquired during the resting-state track critical aspects of behavior. Recently, fluctuations in resting-state functional connectivity patterns – typically averaged across in traditional analyses – have been considered for their potential neuroscientific relevance. There exists a lack of research on the differences between traditional “static” measures of functional connectivity and newly-considered “time-varying” measures as they relate to human behavior. Using functional magnetic resonance imagining (fMRI) data collected at rest, and a battery of behavioral measures collected outside the scanner, we determined the degree to which each modality captures aspects of personality and cognitive ability. Measures of time-varying functional connectivity were derived by fitting a Hidden Markov Model. To determine behavioral relationships, static and time-varying connectivity measures were submitted separately to canonical correlation analysis. A single relationship between static functional connectivity and behavior existed, defined by measures of personality and stable behavioral features. However, two relationships were found when using time-varying measures. The first relationship was similar to the static case. The second relationship was unique, defined by measures reflecting trialwise behavioral variability. Our findings suggest that time-varying measures of functional connectivity are capable of capturing unique aspects of behavior to which static measures are insensitive.

Author Summary

Correlated patterns of brain activity measured in the absence of any prescribed task show meaningful temporal fluctuations. However, the manner by which such fluctuations track aspects of human behavior remains unresolved. The current report takes a data-driven approach to characterize how time-varying patterns of human brain functional connectivity differ from traditional static measures in their ability to track aspects of personality and cognitive ability. We determine that time-varying patterns of functional connectivity not only track similar aspects of behavior as do static measures, but also unique behavioral qualities as well, specifically those that reflect behavioral variability. These results highlight the importance and relevance of examining time-varying measures of functional connectivity.
Studying the history of tumor evolution from single-cell sequencing data by exploring the space of binary matrices
Authors: Malikić Salem , Mehrabadi Farid Rashidi , Azer Erfan Sadeqi , Ebrahimabadi Mohammad Haghir , Sahinalp S. Cenk
Published: July 2020

Single-cell sequencing data has great potential in reconstructing the evolutionary history of tumors. Rapid advances in single-cell sequencing technology in the past decade were followed by the design of various computational methods for inferring trees of tumor evolution. Some of the earliest of these methods were based on the direct search in the space of trees. However, it can be shown that instead of this tree search strategy we can perform a search in the space of binary matrices and obtain the most likely tree directly from the most likely among the candidate binary matrices. The search in the space of binary matrices can be expressed as an instance of integer linear or constraint satisfaction programming and solved by some of the available solvers, which typically provide a guarantee of optimality of the reported solution. In this review, we first describe one convenient tree representation of tumor evolutionary history and present tree scoring model that is most commonly used in the available methods. We then provide proof showing that the most likely tree of tumor evolution can be obtained directly from the most likely matrix from the space of candidate binary matrices. Next, we provide integer linear programming formulation to search for such matrix and summarize the existing methods based on this formulation or its extensions. Lastly, we present one use-case which illustrates how binary matrices can be used as a basis for developing a fast deep learning method for inferring some topological properties of the most likely tree of tumor evolution.
Translation initiation downstream from annotated start codons in human mRNAs coevolves with the Kozak context
Authors: Benitez-Cantos Maria S. , Yordanova Martina M. , O'Connor Patrick B.F. , Zhdanov Alexander V. , Kovalchuk Sergey I. , Papkovsky Dmitri B. , Andreev Dmitry E. , Baranov Pavel V.
Published: July 2020

Eukaryotic translation initiation involves preinitiation ribosomal complex 5′-to-3′ directional probing of mRNA for codons suitable for starting protein synthesis. The recognition of codons as starts depends on the codon identity and on its immediate nucleotide context known as Kozak context. When the context is weak (i.e., nonoptimal), leaky scanning takes place during which a fraction of ribosomes continues the mRNA probing. We explored the relationship between the context of AUG codons annotated as starts of protein-coding sequences and the next AUG codon occurrence. We found that AUG codons downstream from weak starts occur in the same frame more frequently than downstream from strong starts. We suggest that evolutionary selection on in-frame AUGs downstream from weak start codons is driven by the advantage of the reduction of wasteful out-of-frame product synthesis and also by the advantage of producing multiple proteoforms from certain mRNAs. We confirmed translation initiation downstream from weak start codons using ribosome profiling data. We also tested translation of alternative start codons in 10 specific human genes using reporter constructs. In all tested cases, initiation at downstream start codons was more productive than at the annotated ones. In most cases, optimization of Kozak context did not completely abolish downstream initiation, and in the specific example of CMPK1 mRNA, the optimized start remained unproductive. Collectively, our work reveals previously uncharacterized forces shaping the evolution of protein-coding genes and points to the plurality of translation initiation and the existence of sequence features influencing start codon selection, other than Kozak context.
The role of prelimbic and anterior cingulate cortices in fear memory reconsolidation and persistence depends on the memory age
Authors: da Silva Thiago Rodrigues , Sohn Jeferson Machado Batista , Andreatini Roberto , Stern Cristina Aparecida
Published: July 2020

Reconsolidation is a time-limited process under which reactivated memory content can be modified. Works focused on studying reconsolidation mainly restrict intervention to the moments immediately after reactivation and to recently acquired memories. However, the brain areas activated during memory retrieval depend on when it was acquired, and it is relatively unknown how different brain sites contribute to reconsolidation and persistence of reactivated recent and remote fear memories. Here, we sought to investigate the participation of prelimbic (PL) and anterior cingulate cortices (ACC) in recent (1 d old) and remote (21 d old) fear memory reconsolidation and persistence. Male Wistar rats were submitted to the contextual fear conditioning protocol. Tamoxifen (TMX), an estrogen receptor modulator known to inhibit protein kinase C activity was used to interfere with these processes. When infused into the PL cortex, but not into the ACC, TMX administration immediately or 6 h after recent fear memory reactivation impaired memory reconsolidation and persistence, respectively. TMX administered immediately after remote memory reactivation impaired memory reconsolidation when infused into the PL cortex and ACC. However, remote memory persistence was only affected when TMX was infused 6 h after memory reactivation into the ACC and no effect was observed when TMX was infused 6 h after memory reactivation into PL cortex. Together, the findings provide further evidence on the participation of PL cortex and ACC in reconsolidation of recent and remote fear memories and suggest that the persistence of a reactivated fear memory becomes independent on the PL cortex with memory age and dependent on the ACC.
Identifying and characterizing translationally modulated molecular crystal structures
Authors: Brock Carolyn Pratt , Taylor Robin
Published: July 2020

Most structural (i.e.displacive) modulations make molecules independent that had been related by translation in a phase having a smaller or centered unit cell. In the modulated structure the independent molecules are differentiated by small translations, rotations, and/or conformational changes but an approximate translational relationship is normally retained. A program has been written to identify such pseudotranslations because they can be difficult to find by eye and because they combine with each other and with lattice translations in ways that can be confusing. To characterize the pseudotranslations the program calculates their fractional translational, orientational, and conformational components as well as several quality indicators. While many pseudotranslations are obvious, others are borderline; setting tolerances for identifying a pseudotranslation proved difficult. Defaults were chosen to reproduce experience-based judgment but they can be varied in the program input. The program was run for organic and for metallo-organic structures withR≤ 0.075 in the 2019 release of the Cambridge Structural Database. The frequency of pseudotranslations increases withZ′ and is approximately 50% forZ′ > 4. Some structures were found in which an identified pseudotranslation cannot correspond to a modulation. These include structures in which some but not all of the molecules are related by pseudotranslations and structures in which pseudotranslations in different parts of the unit cell have different directions.
Zero-obliquity twin lattice quasi-symmetry threefold twinning in 1-{(R)-1-[(3-oxo-2-isoindolinoyl)methyl]-2-propenyl}-5-methyl-2,3-indolinedione
Authors: Nespolo Massimo , Smaha Rebecca W. , Parkin Sean
Published: July 2020

Threefold twinning in 1-{(R)-1-[(3-oxo-2-isoindolinoyl)methyl]-2-propenyl}-5-methyl-2,3-indolinedione, C21H16N2O4, has been reported recently [Trostet al.(2020).Org. Lett.22, 2584–2589] but the twin characterization was not published. This twinning presents several interesting features. The crystal structure is monoclinic, but its lattice is metrically strongly pseudo-orthorhombic and underpins a strongly pseudo-hexagonal sublattice. Several possible twin laws are compatible with these metric specializations, among which the one found experimentally corresponds to a trichromatic point group. Twinning is by reticular pseudo-merohedry with twin index 2 and zero obliquity but a non-zero twin misfit. The twin lattice coincides with the pseudo-hexagonal sublattice of the individual domain, which justifies the adoption of the unconventional settingB21of the space group.
Behavioral determinants of nonperforming loans in Bangladesh
Authors: Ghosh Ratan , Sen Kanon Kumar , Riva Farzana
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Over the last ten years (2010–2019), the amount of nonperforming loans (NPLs) has been more than tripled in the banking industry of Bangladesh. Thus, this paper explores the behavioral dimensions, which contribute to the NPLs.

Design/methodology/approach

By analyzing social, cultural, psychological, political, economic, internal control mechanism and law enforcement contexts of Bangladesh, this study identifies nepotism (NE), moral hazard (MH ), inadequate collateral (IC), poor credit assessment (CA), lack of proper monitoring (LPM), repayment flexibility (RF), business risk (BR) and lending interest rate (LIR) as the catalysts of raising NPLs. Next, a structured questionnaire survey has been performed in Bangladesh among bank officials who closely work in credit risk management, credit supervision, corporate finance and loan recovery department. Finally, partial least squares (PLS) path modeling, a variance-based technique of structural equation modeling, is used in this study as a statistical tool to analyze the data.

Findings

This study finds that moral hazard problem, lack of proper monitoring, inadequate collateral and nepotism have significant positive impact on the raising of NPLs. Unfortunately, this study does not find any statistical significance of poor credit assessment, business risk and repayment flexibility on the NPLs in Bangladesh. Finally, this study reveals that lending interest rate has significant positive impact on the NPLs. Hence, this study concludes that domestic lending interest rate is not lower enough, and so this double-digit interest rate affects negatively to loan repayment.

Research limitations/implications

This study concludes that moral hazard problem of borrower, lack of board independence, lack of proper monitoring, form and extent of collateral, management lobbying, indecorous personal guarantee by management, dependent-independent directors and nepotism are extensively contributing for occurring NPLs in Bangladesh. These noninstitutionalized stimulators should adequately be scrutinized by regulatory bodies, policy makers and banks. Besides, LIR needs to be decreased in a convenient level for mitigating NPLs.

Originality/value

This study is the empirical evidence of behavioral dimensions related with the growth of NPLs in Bangladesh by taking direct response from knowledgeable bankers.
Exposure of urban infrastructure because of climate change-induced flood: lesson from municipal level planning in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md. Mostafizur , Islam Ishrat
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Bangladesh is one of the most flood-prone countries in the world. A number of research works have identified that the flood scenario will be aggravated with climate change context in Bangladesh. In 2014, Bangladesh had prepared municipal level master plan for 222 municipalities with a view to planned urban development. But climate change-induced flood has not been considered in master plan, which poses a question toward the sustainability of the plan. Ullapara Municipality of Sirajganj district has been selected to conduct the research. This study aims to evaluate how infrastructure in proposed master plan will be exposed to climate change-induced flood.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this study follows geographic information system (GIS)-based flood exposure analysis of selected infrastructure. These infrastructures include transport infrastructure, educational infrastructure, health infrastructure and other urban facilities. Climate change-induced flood for the year 2040 has been used for flood exposure analysis.

Findings

It is evident from the flood exposure analysis that about 33.99% roads will be exposed to 1.5 m–2 m inundation level; seven primary school, six secondary school and four colleges would be highly exposed to 2.0 m–2.50 m inundation level; four health facilities would be exposed to 1.0 m–2.0 m inundation level because of future climate change. This inundation scenario for long duration will lead to dysfunction of concerned infrastructure and, in turn, undermine the stability of a socioeconomic system of Ullapara Municipality.

Originality/value

As the master plan is not fully implemented till now, there is scope for intervention for considering climate change-induced flood to make the plan sustainable.
The role of affective commitment on the relationship between human resource management practices and informal workplace learning
Authors: Khandakar Md Shariful Alam , Pangil Faizuniah
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the mediation effect of affective commitment on the relationship between human resource management practices and informal workplace learning.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a conceptual framework along with propositions by integrating comprehensive literatures, in the field of human resource management, affective commitment and informal workplace learning. Through the review of detail literature and based on the situated learning theory (Lave and Wenger, 1991) and organizational support theory (Eisenbergeret al., 1986; Rhoades and Eisenberger, 2002; – and Eisenberger, 2006), it is proposed that eight human resource practices could affect informal workplace learning. Moreover, it is also argued that affective commitment could mediate the relationship between HRM practices and informal workplace learning.

Findings

This paper provides a conceptual framework on human resource management practices and informal workplace learning which is mediated by affective commitment.

Originality/value

None of the models presented in the literature details the mediation of affective commitment on the relationship between human resource management practices and informal workplace learning which is mediated by affective commitment as indeed the most recent research on the subject envisages.
Towards greater inclusion in skills competitions
Authors: Bentley-Gockmann Neil
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a short overview of WorldSkills UK's deep mission to improve the diversity and inclusivity of its skills competitions, in order to give more young people from all backgrounds the opportunity to achieve their potential.

Design/methodology/approach

Opinion piece outlining the organisation's stated aims and objectives with respect to diversity and inclusion, incorporating fresh insights from emerging research.

Findings

Makes the case for a transformative approach to diversity and inclusion in a critical part of the UK's FE system, providing unique insights into one organisation's trailblazing approach.

Originality/value

A case study of a hitherto under-reported, yet important, aspect of vocational skills policy.
Adoption of AI-integrated CRM system by Indian industry: from security and privacy perspective
Authors: Chatterjee Sheshadri , Ghosh Soumya Kanti , Chaudhuri Ranjan , Chaudhuri Sumana
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to make an attempt to identify the factors responsible for the adoption of an artificial intelligence (AI)-integrated customer relationship management (CRM) system in Indian organizations with a special focus on security and privacy issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted for the identification of factors responsible for the adoption of the AI-integrated CRM system in Indian organizations focusing attention on security and privacy perspective. For this, the adoption theories and models have been studied. The literature available in this context has also been studied with a focus on security and privacy issues. After the initial study, few hypotheses have been formulated and a conceptual model has been developed. These hypotheses were validated with the help of statistical tools by conducting sample survey with 324 usable responses against 36 questionnaires.

Findings

The results of this study highlight that of the eight hypotheses conceptually formulated, one hypothesis was not supported as is evident from the application of statistical analysis. This is the influence of perceived ease of use on attitude of the stakeholders intending to use the AI-integrated CRM system in Indian organizations. The results also transpire that the model so provided has achieved 87% explanative power.

Research limitations/implications

The model so provided has taken the help of the technological acceptance model. It has also used the issues circumscribing menace of security and privacy vulnerabilities. Consideration of the technological acceptance model and aspects of issues of security and privacy has enriched the model rendering its explanative power to 87%.

Practical implications

The model is simple. Practitioners can execute this model without having any complexity. The policymakers could also get inputs from the model, as it has focused specially on security and privacy issues that could help to enhance the trust of the potential users.

Originality/value

Not many studies are found covering the adoption of the AI-integrated CRM system by Indian organizations with a special focus on security and privacy aspects. In this light, this study is a novel attempt.
Relationships between industry 4.0, sustainable manufacturing and circular economy: proposal of a research framework
Authors: Bag Surajit , Pretorius Jan Harm Christiaan
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The digital revolution has brought many challenges and opportunities for the manufacturing firms. The impact of Industry 4.0 technology adoption on sustainable manufacturing and circular economy has been under-researched. This paper aims to review the latest articles in the area of Industry 4.0, sustainable manufacturing and circular economy and further developed a research framework showing key paths.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research is performed in two stages. In the first stage, a review of the extant literature is performed to identify the barriers, drivers, challenges and opportunities. In the second stage, a research framework is proposed to integrate Industry 4.0 technology (big data analytics powered artificial intelligence) adoption, sustainable manufacturing and circular economy capabilities.

Findings

This research extends the knowledge base by providing a detailed review of Industry 4.0, sustainable manufacturing, and circular economy and proposes a research framework by integrating these three contemporary concepts in the context of supply chain management. Through an exploration of this integrative research framework, the authors propose a future research agenda and seven research propositions.

Research limitations/implications

It is important to understand the interplay between institutional pressures, tangible resources and human skills for Industry 4.0 technology (big data analytics powered artificial intelligence) adoption. Industry 4.0 technology (big data analytics powered artificial intelligence) adoption can positively influence sustainable manufacturing and circular economy capabilities. Managers must also put more attention to sustainable manufacturing to develop circular economic capabilities.

Social implications

Factory workers and the local communities generally suffer from various adverse effects resulting from the traditional manufacturing process. The quality of the environment is deteriorating to such an extent that people even staying miles away from the factory are also affected due to environmental pollution that is generated from factory operations. Hence, sustainable manufacturing is the only choice left to manufacturers that can help in the transition to a circular economy. The research framework can help firms to enhance circular economy capabilities.

Originality/value

This review paper contains the most updated work on Industry 4.0, sustainable manufacturing and circular economy. It also proposes a research framework to integrate these three concepts.
Exploring jealousy and envy in communal relationship revenge-seeking
Authors: Hancock Tyler , Adams Frank G. , Breazeale Michael , Lueg Jason E.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the ways that customers respond to customer-to-customer comparisons that may drive loyal customers to engage in undesirable behaviors. The research examines the role that jealousy and envy play in restoring equity through revenge-seeking intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses survey research methodology. The measurement model is validated using CFA, and hypotheses are tested using structural equation modeling. The mediated relationships are calculated using the bootstrap method, and moderated mediation is calculated by creating estimands to test the effects.

Findings

Customers who feel either jealousy or envy may engage in revenge-seeking behaviors, such as vindictive complaining and negative electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). Customers who perceive that a firm is unfairly favoring other customers develop feelings of jealousy and betrayal, and this tendency is strengthened when the customer has a high level of prior trust. Customers typically develop envy when their attention and perceptions of inequity center on another customer, rather than on the firm’s actions and anger drives this effect.

Practical implications

Customers can pursue revenge-seeking actions when unfair actions influence the formation of envy and jealousy through the development of perceived betrayal. Companies can focus on the comparisons that customers make to address revenge-seeking and better manage online relationships preemptively.

Originality/value

The paths that customers take to revenge through jealousy and envy are conceptualized in a communal relationship setting and further developed. Further distinctions of jealousy and envy are made, and the role of prior trust in enhancing revenge-seeking is found.
Determinants of management fraud in the banking sector of Ghana: the perspective of the diamond fraud theory
Authors: Avortri Christine , Agbanyo Richard
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Fraud has become one of the most challenging issues facing the financial sector of most countries globally. These fraudulent transactions have led to loss of huge sums of money to financial institutions, as well as to their depositors. The current crises in the financial sector of Ghana, especially among the Deposit Taking Institutions, has largely been attributed to connected lending and lending to affiliated party institutions which are fraudulent corporate governance issues. This study, therefore, aims to assess the determinants of fraud among management staffs in the banking sector of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is anchored on the fraud diamond theory (FDT). Primary data was collected from 120 management staffs of the remaining 23 universal banks in Ghana. Estimation was done using structural equation modelling with maximum likelihood estimation technique.

Findings

Fraudulent activities in the banking sector of Ghana are driven by opportunities, pressure, rationalization and capacity to commit fraud, with capacity being the dominant factor.

Practical implications

The regulator should strictly enforce the structure of shareholding as directed in the corporative governance directive to prevent ownership of a bank in the name of one person or a family, which gives high capacity to the Chief Executive Officers to misuse funds. The offenders should also be punished. Finally, the regulator should improve their supervision.

Originality/value

This study places the FDT into the context of the current banking crises of Ghana. The study therefore goes a long way to guide the regulator and government to formulate and implement policies on shareholding structure of banks.
From mentors to leaders: leader development outcomes for mentors
Authors: Ayoobzadeh Mostafa , Boies Kathleen
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The present study examines leader development as one of the potential outcomes for mentors and investigates whether the provision of mentoring contributes to developing mentors' leader identity and leader self-efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Relying on a quasi-experimental design, data were collected at four points in time over eight months from a mentor (n = 46) and an equivalent nonmentor group (n = 25). Participants in the mentor group were volunteer mentors from a doctoral mentoring program that was implemented at a large Canadian university.

Findings

Participants in the mentor group experienced a more positive change in leader identity and leader self-efficacy, compared to the participants in the nonmentor group. Further analysis of the participants in the mentor group suggests that the extent to which mentors provide career and psychosocial support explains the growth rate in the development outcomes.

Practical implications

By documenting benefits of mentoring for mentors, program administrators may be able to recruit mentors who are more engaged in the process. In addition, they can encourage their members to volunteer as mentors to gain leader development outcomes.

Originality/value

This longitudinal study connects the areas of mentoring and leadership development. While the majority of mentoring studies focus exclusively on mentoring outcomes for protégés, the present study shows that mentoring can benefit mentors as well.
The culmination stage of leadership succession
Authors: Mattar Dorine M.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to shed light on employees' emotional status during the culmination stage of leadership succession.

Design/methodology/approach

An inductive research design is adopted, relying on the qualitative data collected from semi-structured interviews conducted with participants.

Findings

The qualitative data analysis revealed that subordinates are shocked anytime new leadership practices, contradicting the previous ones that they were used to, are initiated by the successor. Moreover, anger is found to be the dominant negative emotion exhibited by the subordinates during the culmination stage, given that they are nostalgic to the practices of their old transformational leader.

Originality/value

The value of this study lies in its longitudinal qualitative nature, assessing affective response during an organizational change, where subordinates are attempting to digest the change. It adds to the existing literature on emotions during leadership succession, thus assisting people in key managerial positions to better assess the situation and channel their subordinates' negative emotions into a more positive affect while supporting them all the way through.
Enterprise risk management and Solvency II: the system of governance and the Own Risk and Solvency Assessment
Authors: Durán Santomil Pablo , Otero González Luis
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how enterprise risk management (ERM), the system of governance and the Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) have been boosted with the entry of Solvency II.

Design/methodology/approach

For this analysis, the authors have undertaken a survey of chief risk officers (CROs) working in Spanish insurance companies.

Findings

The results show that Solvency II has definitely promoted ERM in the European insurance industry and improved the system of governance of the insurance companies, and that the perceived value of the ORSA for the companies is higher than the cost. It is clear that the quality of ERM implemented by companies is higher in those that face more complex risks and with greater interdependencies – that is, larger companies, foreign insurers and insurers with several lines of business – but is unaffected by the legal form of the entity (mutual/corporation).

Originality/value

This study conducts primary research with surveys of CROs and develops a measure of the quality of ERM implemented by insurance companies.
The role of efficiency in capital asset pricing: a research on Nasdaq technology sector
Authors: Aygoren Hakan , Balkan Emrah
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of efficiency in capital asset pricing. The paper explores the impact of a four-factor model that involves an efficiency factor on the returns of Nasdaq technology firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper relies on data of 147 firms from July 2007 to June 2017 to examine the impact of efficiency on stock returns. The performances of the capital asset pricing model (CAPM), Fama–French three-factor model and the proposed four-factor model are evaluated based on the time series regression method. The parameters such as the GRS F-statistic and adjusted R² are used to compare the relative performances of all models.

Findings

The results show that all factors of the models are found to be valid in asset pricing. Also, the paper provides evidence that the explanatory power of the proposed four-factor model outperforms the explanatory power of the CAPM and Fama–French three-factor model.

Originality/value

Unlike most asset pricing studies, this paper presents a new asset pricing model by adding the efficiency factor to the Fama–French three-factor model. It is documented that the efficiency factor increases the predictive ability of stock returns. Evidence implies that investors consider efficiency as one of the main factors in pricing their assets.
Encouraging engagement: video-conference augmentation of online distance learning environments
Authors: Starr-Glass David
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this reflection on practice is to consider and attempt made by the present author to re-imagine online distance learning (ODL) environments to provide a greater opportunity for learner engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

ODL environments were augmented by video-conferencing to increase dialogue, instructor presence and a sense of instructor care, concern and guidance. The video-conference component was limited time-wise (40 min per weekly module) and aimed at explaining and integrating learning content and activities. The resulting courses were thus augmented and enhanced and not transformed into blended learning courses.

Findings

Preliminary feedback from video-conference discussions and learner reflective journals indicates that the innovation was well received by students and contributed significantly to their appreciation, satisfaction and overall engagement.

Practical implications

The augmentation is simple and effective. It may be an approach that is particularly relevant in designing and facilitating ODL environments in an era of uncertainty, disruption and far-reaching educational changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social implications

The author argues that the introduction of an active learning component has significant implications for learner performance, satisfaction and persistence with distance learning programs.

Originality/value

Attempts to increase social presence and engagement are not uncommon in ODL. This particular approach is simple, easily enacted and has a perceived element of originality and innovation that appeals to learners. It is argued that it contributes significant value to the quality and outcomes of the distance learning experience.
Evaluation of a rapid prototyping application for stomas
Authors: Sierra Jose Manuel , Rodríguez Jose Ignacio , Villazon Marta María , Cortizo Jose Luis , Fernandez Maria del Rocio
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the development of an internal waste-collection device for patients who have undergone a colostomy or ileostomy. Its design is based on devices that have been produced by 3D printing with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The aim is to find an alternative to the external bags that these patients currently use and to evaluate the properties of the device produced by additive manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

Software for solid modelling has been used, and virtual models allow its visualization and animation, for evaluation, in a simple and fast way. Subsequently, functional prototypes have been developed by a multidisciplinary team, which includes surgeons and engineers, and have been tested to verify their mechanical properties and suitability for function.

Findings

The project has developed a functional design that has been patented and is in the clinical trials phase. This study demonstrates how 3D printing technologies are the perfect complement to accelerate the design process and build functional prototypes at low costs. The experimental tests regarding cytotoxicity, printing orientation, dynamic and static loads and temperature resistance have demonstrated the validity of the proposed device.

Originality/value

A device for internal pouch in colostomized patients has been designed, manufactured by fused deposition modelling and validated.