bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A glucose starvation response governs endocytic trafficking and eisosomal retention of surface cargoes
Authors: Laidlaw Kamilla M.E. , Bisinski Daniel D , Shashkova Sviatlana , Paine Katherine M , Veillon Malaury A , Leake Mark C , MacDonald Chris
Published: February 2020

Eukaryotic cells adapt their metabolism to the extracellular environment. Downregulation of surface cargo proteins in response to nutrient stress reduces the burden of anabolic processes whilst elevating catabolic production in the lysosome. We use yeast to show that glucose starvation triggers a transcriptional response that simultaneously increases internalisation from the plasma membrane whilst supressing recycling from endosomes back to the surface. Nuclear export of the Mig1 transcriptional repressor in response to glucose starvation increases levels of the Yap1801/02 clathrin adaptors, which is sufficient to increase cargo internalisation. We also show Gpa1, which coordinates endosomal lipid homeostasis, is required for surface recycling of cargo. Nuclear translocation of Mig1 increases GPA2 levels and inhibits recycling, potentially by diverting Gpa1 to the surface and interfering with its endosomal role in recycling. Finally, we show glucose starvation results in transcriptional upregulation of many eisosomal factors, which serve to sequester a portion of nutrient transporters to persist the starvation period and maximise nutrient uptake upon return to replete conditions. This latter mechanism provides a physiological benefit for cells to rapidly recover from glucose starvation. Collectively, this remodelling of the surface protein landscape during glucose starvation calibrates metabolism to available nutrients.
PARPs and ADP-ribosylation in RNA biology: from RNA expression and processing to protein translation and proteostasis
Authors: Kim Dae-Seok , Challa Sridevi , Jones Aarin , Kraus W. Lee
Published: February 2020

ADP-ribosylation (ADPRylation) is a posttranslational modification of proteins discovered nearly six decades ago, but many important questions remain regarding its molecular functions and biological roles, as well as the activity of the ADP-ribose (ADPR) transferase enzymes (PARP family members) that catalyze it. Growing evidence indicates that PARP-mediated ADPRylation events are key regulators of the protein biosynthetic pathway, leading from rDNA transcription and ribosome biogenesis to mRNA synthesis, processing, and translation. In this review we describe the role of PARP proteins and ADPRylation in all facets of this pathway. PARP-1 and its enzymatic activity are key regulators of rDNA transcription, which is a critical step in ribosome biogenesis. An emerging role of PARPs in alternative splicing of mRNAs, as well as direct ADPRylation of mRNAs, highlight the role of PARP members in RNA processing. Furthermore, PARP activity, stimulated by cellular stresses, such as viral infections and ER stress, leads to the regulation of mRNA stability and protein synthesis through posttranscriptional mechanisms. Dysregulation of PARP activity in these processes can promote disease states. Collectively, these results highlight the importance of PARP family members and ADPRylation in gene regulation, mRNA processing, and protein abundance. Future studies in these areas will yield new insights into the fundamental mechanisms and a broader utility for PARP-targeted therapeutic agents.
Crystal structure of the mixed methanol and ethanol solvate of bis{3,4,5-trimethoxy-N′-[1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]benzohydrazidato}zinc(II)
Authors: Znovjyak Kateryna , Fritsky Igor O. , Sliva Tatiana Y. , Amirkhanov Vladimir M. , Seredyuk Maksym
Published: February 2020

The unit cell of the title compound, [Zn(C17H18N3O4)2]·CH4O·C2H6O, contains two complex molecules related by an inversion centre, plus one methanol and one ethanol solvent molecule per complex molecule. In each complex, two deprotonated pyridine aroylhydrazone ligands {3,4,5-trimethoxy-N′-[1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]benzohydrazide} coordinate to the ZnII ion through the N atoms of the pyridine group and the ketamine, and, additionally, through the O atom of the enolate group. In the crystal, dimers are formed by π–π interactions between the planar ligand moieties, which are further connected by C...O and C...C interactions. The intermolecular interactions were investigated using Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots, revealing that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H...H (44.8%), H...C/C...H (22.2%), H...O/O...H (18.7%) and C...C (3.9%) interactions.
Increasing social engagement among college students with autism
Authors: Fairchild Lyndsay A. , Powell Margaret B. , Gadke Daniel L. , Spencer Jordan C. , Stratton Kasee K.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Many university-based services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have incorporated peer mentorship programs; however, the research on the success of these programs to increase social engagement is extremely limited. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a peer mentor program, both alone and combined with an incentive program, on increasing the social engagement of college students with ASD. Additionally, the perceptions of college students with ASD were also examined to determine potential barriers to participate in these social events.

Design/methodology/approach

A component analysis was used to determine what intervention component or combination of components, was most effective in increasing the social engagement among college students with ASD. The number of students during each component was totaled and averaged across the number of social events held during that phase. A survey regarding barriers to social engagement was also provided.

Findings

Results suggest that both the peer mentor program alone, as well as the peer mentor program in conjunction with an incentive program, were effective at increasing students’ attendance at weekly supervised social events. Results from the survey regarding barriers to social engagement revealed that the majority of students reported difficulties managing time to fit social events into their schedule.

Originality/value

To the knowledge, the use of peer-mentoring programs combined with an incentive program on increasing social engagement has not yet been investigated. Further, perceptions of the use of these programs by college students with ASD is relatively limited.
The impact of public relations on visibility of Croatian non-profits
Authors: Polić Mirela , Cesarec Salopek Nataša
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand and show how public relations contributed to enhancing the visibility of Croatian non-profit organization Foundation “Croatia for Children” and its activities within its stakeholders, as well as how public relations contributed to the mobilization of target publics in Foundation’s activities.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a single case study approach, data were collected over a 12-month period. Quantitative and qualitative media research was applied in order to compare visibility of Foundation in the period before and after the strategic communication campaign.

Findings

Strategic communication campaign enhanced the visibility of Foundation “Croatia for Children” in national and local Croatian media and positioned it as the primary instance for children without an adequate parental care and children in need. However, local media devoted more attention comparing to the national media. All children wishes (1,000) were fulfilled by mobilizing the target publics.

Research limitations/implications

The results derived from this case study cannot be generalized since they are based on a single case in one country.

Practical implications

This study can serve as a starting point for another research about the role and importance that public relations have in enhancing the visibility of non-profit organizations.

Originality/value

The results of this study point to the role and importance public relations have in the non-profit sector in order to proactively communicate with all stakeholders in society.
The effect of colonial legacies on Africa’s inward FDI: the case of UK FDI in Ghana
Authors: Osei Collins , Omar Maktoba , Joosub Tasneem Suliman
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role colonial ties play in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ghana, several years after the official end of colonisation in the African continent. Colonisation left behind legacies of institutional framework, social ties and remnants of companies of colonial masters, which could potentially offer contemporary businesses from home countries the benefits of country of origin agglomeration.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses sequential explanatory mixed research design through 101 questionnaires and 8 interviews from the UK companies with FDI in Ghana. This approached enabled the initial quantitative results to be explored further through the qualitative data.

Findings

Colonial ties have limited influence on contemporary flow of FDI to Ghana, in spite of the institutional legacies between former colonisers and colonies. Majority of UK companies are influenced by agglomeration opportunities in general rather than country of origin agglomeration. However, country of origin agglomeration remains important to over a third of the companies surveyed.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was taken from the non-extractive industry in Ghana, and caution must be applied in generalising the findings. However, some universal issues concerning agglomeration and institutions are discussed.

Originality/value

Although there has been some research on colonial history and its impact on FDI in Africa, existing knowledge on bilateral relations is rather limited. Unlike previous studies, this research provides depth by examining colonial influence on FDI between two countries, using two key concepts: country of origin agglomeration and institutions. It provides UK companies with contemporary views to consider when exploring FDI opportunities in Ghana, particularly in relation to the effects of the colonial history. It also provides investment promotion agencies with empirical results on the importance of various forms of agglomeration and institutions for FDI attraction.
Employee value proposition: an analysis of organizational factors – the way to enhance value perception
Authors: Rounak Sujata , Misra Rajnish Kumar
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the organizational factors that can impact the perception of value proposition as offered by organizations. It aims to highlight the importance of Perceived Organizational Support (POS), Organization’s Perceived Identity (OPI) and Exchange Quality in enhancing the value perception among employees.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a review of the literature and offers a conceptual analysis to explain the impact of POS, OPI and exchange quality on the employee’s perception of value proposition.

Findings

POS, OPI and exchange quality can act as social exchange elements and can co-create value for internal customers thereby enhancing value perception. They act as the stimuli for the employees which make them realize the benefits that they are offered by the organization.

Research limitations/implications

This is a conceptual paper hence based on literature review of relevant papers.

Practical implications

This study has major implications for understanding the factors that can improve the overall workplace experience of employees and can make the organization one of the best places to work. This will, in turn, enhance employee retention and can be a major strategy of talent management.

Originality/value

The paper provides a novel approach to show the enhancement in value perception by these three factors i.e. POS, OPI and exchange quality with the help of relevant literature.
How executives talk
Authors: Key Thomas Martin , Keel Astrid Lei
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how chief executive officers (CEOs) and C-suite marketing executives (chief marketing officers [CMOs], chief customer officers [CCOs], chief branding officers [CBOs], etc.) talk about marketing concepts to better understand how marketers can more effectively articulate their value and increase their strategic influence within the firm.

Design/methodology/approach

Artificial intelligence-enabled computerized text analysis was used to identify and weight keywords from 266 CEO and C-suite marketing executive interviews. Custom marketing concept dictionaries were used to gauge overall marketing focus.

Findings

The analysis revealed opportunities for C-suite marketers to align specific marketing concepts with that of CEOs for increased strategic influence. Comparisons between C-suite marketing roles showed that CMOs are more focused on marketing strategy than specialized C-suite marketing positions, such as CCO and CBO. This points to a potential decrease in strategic impact for marketing executives dependent on the specialization of their position.

Research limitations/implications

Using IBM Watson’s black-box artificial intelligence may limit the ability to replicate results from the content analysis; however, the results identify important ways that marketing executives can use to increase their ability to articulate their value within the firm.

Practical implications

C-suite marketing executives who want to increase the strategic alignment of their role with their firm must pay close attention to the marketing concepts they talk about, and how those align with their CEO’s marketing knowledge. The creation of specialized C-suite marketing roles may unintentionally limit the strategic thinking and firm-level impact of marketers.

Originality/value

This paper represents the first use of artificial intelligence-enabled computerized text analysis to explore and compare executive speech acts to help increase marketing’s influence in the firm. It is also the first to explore differences in marketing concept use between C-suite marketing roles.
The use of product scarcity in marketing
Authors: Shi Xiaohui , Li Feng , Chumnumpan Pattarin
Published: February 2020

Purpose

As a frequently observed business phenomenon, the use of product scarcity to improve a product’s market performance has received increasing attention from both academics and practitioners. The resulting literature has covered a wide variety of issues based on various theories, using different research methods, in a diverse range of settings. However, this diversity also makes it difficult to grasp the core themes and findings, and to see the outstanding knowledge gaps. This paper aims to review previous studies on the use of product scarcity in marketing and identifies new directions for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review was conducted to identify and analyse 66 research papers published in business and management journals between 1970 and 2017.

Findings

The authors examined the underlying theories of scarcity-based marketing, and developed a conceptual framework that describes the key factors of product scarcity and how they influence both consumers and the market. They also highlighted some key achievements in modelling the processes involved in using product scarcity in marketing.

Originality/value

This analysis of the identified papers suggests that there are substantial gaps in our knowledge of this field, which opens up new paths for future research. For future research, the authors identified three directions aimed at: addressing the practical needs of firms in understanding product scarcity; guiding the implementation of scarcity-based strategies; and measuring, monitoring and predicting the level of product scarcity and its impacts during implementation.
Proposed method: mean delays synchronization protocol (MDSP) for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Chelik Mourad , Beghdad Rachid
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Many synchronization approaches are based on low-level time capturing, causing a tight integration with the Media Access Control (MAC) layer. Alternatively, this study aims to present a hybrid approach combining both receiver–receiver and sender–receiver schemes to reduce the variation of two-way message exchange durations, in heavy-load networks. To achieve network-wide synchronization, a variant of Prim’s algorithm (Cormen et al., 2009) is used to build a spanning tree, guaranteeing the minimum number of ancestors and limited error propagation. The simulation results show that the proposed approach is very competitive with a set of the most-cited synchronization protocols. In addition, a new synchronization simulator SynSim was developed using C++ language

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve network-wide synchronization, a variant of Prim's algorithm (Cormen et al., 2009) is used to build a spanning tree, guaranteeing the minimum number of ancestors and limited error propagation.

Findings

Simulation results show that the proposed approach is very competitive with a set of the most-cited synchronization protocols. In addition, a new synchronization simulator SynSim was developed using in C++ language.

Research limitations/implications

It can be concluded from the experiments that MDSP is suitable for WSNs especially if MAC layer timestamping is not possible. So, the mean delays synchronization protocol (MSDP) is suitable to achieve time synchronization in single-hop and multi-hop networks without the MAC layer timestamping in large wireless sensor network (WSN) deployments.

Practical implications

A future enhancement of MDSP could be switching between the traditional timestamping and the new proposed timestamping based on a given threshold, which is the number of nodes in the neighborhood and the load of the network. It will be also interesting to test it in a prototype. The proposed solution can be used in practice to implement the Time-division multiple access (TDMA) protocol in a WSN. In addition, the proposed simulator can be used in a computer network synchronization protocols course.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this study’s contribution is original. In addition, the authors implemented a new synchronization simulator
Square microstrip multi band fractal antenna using EBG structure for wireless applications
Authors: Akkole Suresh , N. Vasudevan
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Application of electromagnetic band gap (EBG) i.e. electromagnetic band gap technique and its use in the design of microstrip antenna and MIC i.e. microwave integrated circuits is becoming more attractive. This paper aims to propose a new type of EBG fractal square patch microstrip multi band fractal antenna structures that are designed and developed. Their performance parameters with and without EBG structures are investigated and minutely compared with respect to the resonance frequency, return loss, a gain of the antenna and voltage standing wave ratio.

Design/methodology/approach

The fractal antenna geometries are designed from the fundamental square patch and then EBG structures are introduced. The antenna geometry is optimized using IE3D simulation tool and fabricated on low cost glass epoxy FR4, with 1.6 mm height and dielectric materials constant of 4.4. The prototype is examined by means of the vector network analyzer and antenna patterns are tested on the anechoic chamber.

Findings

Combining the square fractal patch antenna with an application of EBG techniques, the gain of microstrip antenna has been risen up and attained good return loss as compared to the antennas without EBG structures. The designs exhibit multi-frequency band characteristics extending in between 1.70 and 7.40 GHz. Also, a decrease in antenna size of 34.84 and 59.02 per cent for the first and second iteration, respectively, is achieved for the antenna second and third without EBG. The experimental results agree with that of simulated values. The presented microstrip antenna finds uses in industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band, Wi-Fi and C band. This antenna can also be used for satellite and radio detection and range devices for communication purposes.

Originality/value

A new type of EBG fractal square patch microstrip antenna structures are designed, developed and compared with and without EBG. Because of the application of EBG techniques, the gain of microstrip antenna has been risen up and attained good return loss as compared to the antennas without EBG structures. The designs exhibit multi-frequency band characteristics extending in between 1.70 and 7.40 GHz, which are useful for Wi-Fi, ISM and C band wireless communication.
Cause-related marketing and service innovation in emerging country healthcare
Authors: Kumar Pradeep , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Pereira Vijay , Leonidou Erasmia
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the constituents of cause-related marketing (CRM) capabilities in the context of an emerging market healthcare sector, by incorporating the resource-based view alongside the dynamic capability perspective. Moreover, the authors aim to illustrate how the typologies of CRM capabilities help to achieve service innovation whilst taking into consideration the role of service flexibility (SF) and service climate.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop a research framework through a representative and novel case study in the Indian healthcare market by utilizing and analyzing the subject-specific literature. Furthermore, a quantitative survey of healthcare professionals was conducted to assess the relationships utilizing PLS–SEM.

Findings

After identifying the constituents of CRM capabilities, the study confirms the mediating mechanism of SF between CRM capabilities and service innovation. Furthermore, findings from the study suggest that service climate positively moderates the relationship between CRM capability and SF.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted in the emerging country healthcare market of India. Thus, the generalizability of the framework needs to be tested in a similar or contrasting context. Furthermore, the sample size for the study was limited to healthcare professionals, and the customer’s perspective was missing.

Originality/value

This paper is a first step to identify the specific dimensions of CRM capability and explain it as a higher-order factor. The study further provides an integrative framework that includes CRM capability, service innovation, SF and service climate. More specifically, it enhances the understanding of the constituents of the CRM capabilities and their influence on service innovation.
The influence of unilateral supplier transaction-specific investments on international buyer opportunism: empirical findings from local suppliers in China
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhang Chun , Li Jun , Huo Dong , Fan Xing
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study examines how unilateral supplier transaction-specific investments (TSIs), directly and indirectly, influence international buyer opportunism and the extent to which detailed contracts enable suppliers to safeguard against international buyer opportunism. The study also examines whether relationship length affects the efficacy of detailed contracts in cross-border outsourcing relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses are tested by using data collected from multiple informants working for 229 manufacturing suppliers in China. Multiple regression with a three-way interaction is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Unilateral supplier TSIs encourage international buyer opportunism through increased supplier dependence. Contract specificity negatively moderates the effect of supplier dependence on international buyer opportunism. This moderating effect is stronger in long-term cross-border buyer–supplier relationships than in short-term ones.

Originality/value

The current study extends the cross-border outsourcing literature by examining how emerging-market suppliers in a weak power position can proactively safeguard against international buyer opportunism by using detailed contracts. Our findings show that supplier dependence mediates the relationship between unilateral supplier TSIs and international buyer opportunism; detailed contracts, however, can help dependent suppliers safeguard against international buyer opportunism. In particular, the findings highlight the importance of long-term buyer–supplier relationships that enhance the efficacy of detailed contracts.
US companies and political influence: how business can read the government landscape better
Authors: Greiner Michael , Lee Jaegul
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to help executives understand how to interact with government in today’s chaotic political environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based upon voluminous research analyzing a unique data set downloaded from a number of sources, including the financial reports of public companies and the contribution reports filed by political action committees and candidates for Congress.

Findings

This study found that political decision-making is constrained by a set of institutions the authors call the political landscape. This framework includes three factors that businesses looking to influence government and the elected officials themselves must consider: the politicians’ ideology, the political trends of their constituency and their existing relationships. While these factors constrain the ability of politicians and business advocates to successfully pursue certain policy positions, businesses may be able to influence these factors through effective political activism, and in so doing, they may be able to push key government decision-makers to alter their positions.

Practical implications

This research will help executives understand how government operates in this new era of uncertainty. Being able to read the political landscape will enable business leaders to anticipate and perhaps even mitigate governmental threats to their business.

Originality/value

This research updates the market theory of politics which has received limited empirical support. It is especially valuable in the wake of Supreme Court’s decisions that have increased the potential for business to impact politics.
The decade of innovation: from benchmarking to execution
Authors: Dobni C. Brooke , Klassen Mark
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This article aims to highlight the results of a Global Innovation Survey from 407 organizations representing 33 countries. This was the third of three surveys conducted by the researchers since 2011. Ten key insights were formulated to gauge the progress of innovation in organizations as well as the practice and success of nine innovation methods (data analytics, design thinking, innovation metrics, etc.) used to support innovation execution.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey data was bifurcated into two groups, high and low innovators, by analyzing their innovation scores using a K-means cluster analysis. This was followed by correlational analysis with the innovation practices by these groups. Qualitative survey data was also collected and used to interpret the results.

Findings

Overall innovation scores have improved over the decade. Organizations are still struggling with process drivers such as idea management and innovation measures. High innovators are pervasively using innovative methods to advance innovation execution much more than low innovators. The two methods that showed the highest correlation to an innovative culture were design thinking and open innovation.

Originality/value

Comparing the Global Innovation Survey to two other surveys, 2011 Canadian Executives (n = 605) and 2013 US Fortune 1000 (n = 1,203) that use the same innovation measurement scale, provides a unique longitudinal perspective. The nine innovation methods investigated in the Global Innovation Survey provide original insight into how high and low innovative organizations are using methods to advance innovation execution.
Cultural norms and the marketplace: favor economies in the Arab world
Authors: El Jurdi Hounaida , Houjeir Roudaina
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Recent scholarship has highlighted the complexity of buyer-seller relationships in emerging markets and called for a better understanding of the cultural norms shaping such relationships. This paper aims to draw on social capital theory to explore the role of networks and relational norms, such as wasta, in Arab culture on consumer relational behaviors. The Arab market constitutes a significant economy and social networks and relational norms are of significant value in Arab culture.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was used to address the research questions. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 male and female consumers across Lebanon over a four-month period.

Findings

Social networks are heavily used in relational behaviors to achieve four types of goals, namely, self-serving goals, unity goals and equality goals and relationship maintenance goals. In fulfilling these goals consumers create economies of favors that aim at the using and maintenance of communal bonds.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted in one geographical context. While Lebanon shares many of its characteristics with other Arab countries, future research should aim at exploring the influence of social networks in other Arab and emerging market contexts.

Practical implications

Consumers have different motivations between formal and informal markets. The research suggests that small sellers in highly embedded markets need to use their social networks and to make their stories authentic and known within their communities to facilitate emotional connections with consumers.

Originality/value

Emerging markets offer opportunities to extend our understanding of marketing theory and practice. This research provides a richer understanding of Arab consumers and suggests thatwastarelationships play a role in consumptive decisions and not just in business negotiations.Wasta, as a cultural form of cultural capital, is heavily used in consumption as a coping mechanism to overcome market inefficiencies.
Islamic tourism: travel motivations, satisfaction and word of mouth, Ghana
Authors: Preko Alexander , Mohammed Iddrisu , Gyepi-Garbrah Theophilus Francis , Allaberganov Azizbek
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to present the push-pull motives of Islamic tourism and how these provide the basis for promoting and developing Islamic tourism practices in Ghana’s tourism industry. As Islamic tourism is considered as a niche market with new needs and wants globally, this study makes the effort to identify the prospects of this form of tourism in a non-Islamic developing nation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has used a convenience sampling approach in gathering data from 337 Muslim tourists, adopting existing scale instruments of push-pull motives, satisfaction, word-of-mouth of tourists and Islamic practices. The structural equation modelling was used to establish relationships and effects of the studied variables.

Findings

The results revealed the significant effects of push-pull motives of Ghanaian Muslim tourists on satisfaction as well as the significant influence of tourist satisfaction on word-of-mouth. In addition, the significant moderating effects of Islamic practices on the relationships between push-pull motives and tourist satisfaction were established.

Research limitations/implications

The conclusion and recommendations of this study might not be consistent with factors that motivate Muslims tourists in other countries.

Practical implications

The results of the study validate the viability of Islamic tourism practices and possible spread of positive word-of-mouth among potential Muslim tourists for future Islamic tourism market in Ghana.

Originality/value

This paper provides the first insight into push-pull motives of Muslim tourists’ choice of Islamic destination in non-Islamic developing country context. The insight will be valuable to tourism authorities, industry, academics, businesses, managers and practitioners, as the results will enhance product and service delivery to Muslim tourists when they are on vacation.
What is the relationship between marketing of library sources and services and social media? A literature review paper
Authors: Anwar Muhammad , Zhiwei Tang
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between social media and libraries in terms of marketing. The present research is to find out the factors and impact as well as the issues related to libraries and marketing using social media. This study will give massive information regarding social media use for the marketing of library sources and services.

Design/methodology/approach

This study so far has been taken into account to review all the related literature of social media and library marketing. All the related literature studies were reviewed according to the suggested objectives of the study.

Findings

The present study reveals after reviewing literature that there is a great impact of social media on libraries. The literature shows that social media is the biggest change in the twenty-firstst century for library professionals and librarians. The reviewed literature studies have discovered that the libraries are facing too many challenges and issues to the adoption of social media for the marketing of library sources and services. The collected and analyzed works of the literature indicated that social media would be the best tool to promote library sources and services.

Research limitations/implications

This research or study can serve the LIS professionals and librarians in the field of library and information science and librarianships that they are looking for the adoption and application of social media in the marketing of library sources and services to the targeted customers.

Practical implications

This research or study can serve the LIS professionals and Librarians in the field of library and information science and librarianships that they are looking for the adoption and application of social media in the marketing of library sources and services to the targeted customers.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first among those researches that is to disclose the close relationship between social media and libraries in terms of marketing of library sources and services.
Foreign venture capital firms and internationalization of ventures
Authors: Woo Heejin
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how foreign venture capital firms affect the internationalization of investee ventures and their performance. The author argues that, as influential stakeholders, foreign venture capital (VC) firms engage in strategic decisions of investee ventures and may positively contribute to ventures’ business in foreign markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examines 551 VC-backed ventures that went public between 2000 and 2014 in the US. Logistic regressions and generalized linear models are used to test hypotheses, and the two-stage approach is used to address a potential endogeneity issue.

Findings

In the empirical results, the author finds that foreign VC investment is positively associated with the internationalization of ventures in terms of both the likelihood of internationalization and foreign sales intensity. In addition, the author finds that internationalization and foreign sales intensity are positively associated with firm performance when a venture is backed by a foreign VC firm.

Originality/value

This study makes important theoretical and empirical contributions to the international entrepreneurship literature by highlighting the role of foreign VC investors on internationalization of ventures.
Effect of flow rates on segmental baffle shell and tube heat exchanger using CuO-W nanofluids
Authors: Sivamani Seralathan , M. Murugan , Venkatesan Hariram , T. Micha Premkumar
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Nanofluid exhibits higher density, higher viscosity, higher thermal conductivity and reduced specific heat capacity along with improved heat transfer characteristics. It is comparatively better than conventional fluids in terms of thermo-physical properties. This paper aims to investigate experimentally the overall performance of the shell and tube heat exchanger operated under two different configurations – without baffles (STHX_1) and with baffles (STHX_2) using 0.01 Vol.% and 0.02 Vol.% of CuO-W nanofluid.

Design/methodology/approach

Two different configurations, one without baffles (STHX_1) and other with single segmental baffles (STHX_2), are chosen with all other dimensional details of shell and tube remaining same. Water is used as base fluid. CuO nanoparticle is chosen, as its thermal conductivity is higher compared to other metal oxides. A comparative study on the thermal performance of these shell and tube heat exchangers are performed by considering different Vol.% concentrations of CuO-W nanofluid and the outcome are compared with the base fluid (i.e., water). The influence of varying the mass flow rate of the tube side fluid by keeping shell side fluid mass flow rate as constant and vice versa on the thermal performance of shell and tube heat exchanger are studied.

Findings

The modified shell and tube heat exchanger with baffles (STHX_2) give an improved performance. The heat transfer coefficient improved by about 11.28 and 7.54 per cent for 0.02 and 0.01 Vol.% of CuO-W nanofluid compared to water. Overall heat transfer coefficient for STHX_2 enhanced between 118.26% to 123.06% in comparison with base fluid for 0.02 Vol.% of CuO-W nanofluid whereas, it improved between 79.20% to 87.51% for 0.01 Vol.% of CuO-W nanofluid. Similarly, the actual heat transfer enhanced between 71.79% to 77.77% and between 48.71% to 55.55% for 0.02 and 0.01 Vol.% of CuO-W nanofluid, respectively. Moreover, mass flow rates of the working fluids significantly influence the performance of the shell and tube heat exchanger.

Originality/value

Two cases are considered here. first, by varying the shell side fluid mass flow rate and keeping the tube side fluid mass flow rate as constant. Later, tube side fluid mass flow rates are varied and shell side fluid mass flow rate is kept constant. It is found that in Case 2, for both 0.01 and 0.02 Vol.% of CuO-W nanofluid, highest performance is obtained for 150 kg/h of shell side and tube side fluid flows involving STHX_2. Finally, the modified shell and tube heat exchanger with baffle arrangement gives the best performance by using 0.02 Vol.% of CuO-W nanofluid.
Choosy grazers: Influence of plant traits on forage selection by three cattle breeds
Authors: Pauler Caren M. , Isselstein Johannes , Suter Matthias , Berard Joel , Braunbeck Thomas , Schneider Manuel K.
Published: February 2020

Forage selection by herbivores is a major driver of plant diversity in pasture vegetation. Yet, we know relatively little about how plant traits influence decisions of different herbivore species and breeds to select or avoid a certain plant species on semi‐natural pastures.

We quantified the influence of the traits leaf N and P content, leaf dry matter content (LDMC), specific leaf area (SLA) and physical defence mechanisms on plant species selection for three cattle breeds: high‐yielding Angus × Holstein crossbreed, dual‐purpose Original Braunvieh and undemanding Highland Cattle. The cattle grazed a series of adjacent paddocks in different alpine pastures. Plant species selection was quantified by assessing the difference in biomass proportions of all plant species in 66 vegetation subplots per breed before and after grazing. Plant traits and indicator values were extracted from the TRY database. Data on 152 plant species were analysed using a local mixed‐effects model and a global multivariate hierarchical regression model.

Plant traits had a clear impact on forage behaviour. Plants with high SLA, leaf N and P contents were significantly selected, whereas plants with high LDMC (e.g. woody plants) and defence mechanisms (e.g. thistles) were generally avoided. Species with high forage quality indicator values as defined by Briemle et al. (2002) were significantly preferred. More importantly, significant differences between forage behaviour of cattle breeds were detected. Selection by less‐productive Highland Cattle was much less influenced by plant traits than the selection by the two higher‐yielding breeds.

Results indicate a clear impact of plant traits on forage selection and demonstrate breed‐specific influences. Highland Cattle (and possibly other robust breeds) graze less selectively and impose less selective exclusion on plants. Thereby, they likely influence plant species composition of pastures in a different way than high‐yielding breeds, thereby creating a distinct habitat.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Sub‐acute toxicological and behavioural effects of two candidate therapeutics, cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, for treatment of ESBL producing‐quinolone resistant pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Dhara Lena , Tripathi Anusri
Published: February 2020

Present study deals with evaluation of antibacterial activity of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol against both extended‐spectrum‐β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing and quinolone resistant (QR) (ESBL‐QR) pathogenic Enterobactericeae along with determination of its in vivo toxicity level in a murine model to investigate their pharmacological potential. Broth microdilution assay was used to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cinnamaldehyde (CIN), eugenol (EG) and traditional antibiotics against ESBL‐QR Enterobactericeae. Sub‐acute oral toxicity study (14 days) was carried out in Swiss albino mice to evaluate any toxicological and behavioural effect viz novelty suppressed feeding (NSF), novel object recognition (NOR), tail suspension test (TST) and social interaction test of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. Cinnamaldehyde and eugenol demonstrated mode‐MIC of 7.28 and 7.34 μg/mL among maximum numbers of Escherichia coli (32.1%) and 0.91 and 3.67 μg/mL among maximum numbers of Klebsiella  pneumoniae (24.2%) isolates, respectively. For haematological and toxicological analyses, after 14 days of oral administration of cinnamaldehyde (0.91–10 mg/kg) and eugenol (7.34–70 mg/kg), blood was collected from the murine model, while histological examinations were performed on liver and kidney. There was no alteration in food and water intake among treated animals. Toxicological and behavioural studies displayed good safety profiles of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. The results indicated potential antibacterial efficacy of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol against pathogenic ESBL‐QR Enterobacteriaceae, without any significant toxicological and behavioural effects.
Grazing exclusion altered the effect of plant root diameter on decomposition rates in a semiarid grassland ecosystem, northeastern China
Authors: Luo Yongqing , Ding Jieping , Zhao Xueyong , Li Yuqiang , Lian Jie , Wang Tao
Published: February 2020

Root decomposition often decreases with increasing root diameter, but this relationship is affected by other factors, including the microclimate and land use. The mechanisms that underlie these interactions are unclear. We performed anArtemisia halodendronroot decomposition litterbag experiment using fine (<2 mm), medium (2–5 mm) and coarse (>5 mm) roots. We used the same incubation duration (356 days) with five starting dates (May, June, July, October and September) in fenced (grazing exclusion) and grazed plots. Root samples installed in May decomposed faster than those installed in September, and roots decomposed faster in fenced plots than in grazed plots. Root decomposition was the highest for fine roots installed in any month, and medium roots decomposed faster than coarse roots with installation in all the months except May and July. Grazing exclusion and starting incubation time both interacted with root diameter. Root decomposition for a given diameter did not differ significantly between fenced and grazed plots; however, in both land uses, root decomposition decreased significantly with increasing root diameter. Microclimate, especially precipitation, differed among the starting dates, and precipitation patterns (especially in the first growing season) significantly (p < .01) affected coarse root decomposition in the fenced plots. In summary, root decomposition was significantly (p < .01) affected by root diameter. This effect was altered by grazing exclusion and by starting dates. These results highlight the importance of the starting date for root decomposition in a semiarid grassland, suggesting this date should be accounted for in future studies of root decomposition.
Unveiling Modest Femininities: Sexuality, Gender (In)equality and Gender Justice
Authors: Priola Vincenza , Chaudhry Shafaq A.
Published: February 2020

This paper theorizes the juxtaposition between gender justice and gender equality within Islamic feminism, through the empirical analysis of gender practices in Pakistani banks. Theoretically grounded within Islamic feminism and informed by secular feminism, the paper discusses the findings emerging from two ethnographic studies aimed at exploring the influence of ‘religiously motivated’ patriarchal norms on experiences of gender inequalities in financial institutions in Pakistan. The research reveals that distinct practices and expectations exist in different organizations, specifically in the context of Islamic banks when compared with western banks operating in Pakistan. Gender oppression thus assumes different meanings, as gender norms and sexualities are differently negotiated by women and men in the two banks. While the Islamic bank enforces gender segregation and isolation and limits interaction among the genders according to orthodox Islamic practices, the multinational western bank provides a more equal and integrated work environment, though we observed the exploitation of femininities to pursue business objectives. The discussion further theorizes Islamic feminism by problematizing gender justice and its relation to gender equality in Pakistani workplaces and society.
Advances and Practices on the Research, Prevention and Control of Land Subsidence in Coastal Cities
Authors: YAN Xuexin , YANG Tianliang , XU Yan , TOSI Luigi , STOUTHAMER Esther , ANDREAS Heri , MINDERHOUD Philip , LADAWADEE Anirut , HANSSEN Ramon , ERKENS Gilles , TEATINI Pietro , LIN Jinxin , BONÌ Roberta , CHIMPALEE Jarinya , HUANG Xinlei , Da LIO Cristina , MEISINA Claudia , ZUCCA Francesco
Published: February 2020

Land subsidence severely threatens most of the coastal plains around the world where high productive industrial and agricultural activities and urban centers are concentrated. Coastal subsidence damages infrastructures and exacerbates the effect of the sea‐level rise at regional scale. Although it is a well‐known process, there is still much more to be improved on the monitoring, mapping and modeling of ground movements, as well as the understanding of controlling mechanisms. The International Geoscience Programme recently approved an international project (IGCP 663) aiming to bring together worldwide researchers to share expertise on subsidence processes typically occurring in coastal areas and cities, including basic research, monitoring and observation, modelling and management. In this paper, we provide the research communities and potential stakeholders with the basic information to join the participating teams in developing this project. Specifically, major advances on coastal subsidence studies and information on well‐known and new case studies of land subsidence in China, Italy, The Netherlands, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand are highlighted and summarized. Meanwhile, the networking, dissemination, annual meeting and field trip are briefly introduced.