bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytoklepty in the plankton: a host strategy to optimize the bioenergetic machinery of endosymbiotic algae
Authors: Clarisse Uwizeye , Margaret Mars Brisbin , Benoit Gallet , Fabien Chevalier , Charlotte LeKieffre , Nicole Schieber L. , Denis Falconet , Daniel Wangpraseurt , Lukas Schertel , Hryhoriy Stryhanyuk , Niculina Musat , Satoshi Mitarai , Yannick Schwab , Giovanni Finazzi , Johan Decelle
Published: December 2020

Endosymbioses have shaped the evolutionary trajectory of life and remain widespread and ecologically important. Investigating modern oceanic photosymbioses can illuminate how algal endosymbionts are energetically exploited by their heterotrophic hosts, and inform on putative initial steps of plastid acquisition in eukaryotes. By combining 3D subcellular imaging with photophysiology, carbon flux imaging and transcriptomics, we show that cell division of algal endosymbionts (Phaeocystis) is blocked within hosts (Acantharia), and that their cellular architecture and bioenergetic machinery are radically altered. Transcriptional evidence indicates that a nutrient-independent mechanism prevents symbiont cell division and decouples nuclear and plastid division. As endosymbiont plastids proliferate, the volume of the photosynthetic machinery volume increases 100-fold in correlation with expansion of a reticular mitochondrial network in close proximity to plastids. Photosynthetic efficiency tends to increase with cell size and photon propagation modeling indicates that the networked mitochondrial architecture enhances light capture. This is accompanied by 150-fold higher carbon uptake and upregulation of genes involved in photosynthesis and carbon fixation, which, in conjunction with a ca.15-fold size increase of pyrenoids demonstrates enhanced primary production in symbiosis. NanoSIMS analysis revealed major carbon allocation to plastids and transfer to the host cell. Invagination of the symbiosome into endosymbionts to optimize metabolic exchanges is strong evidence that the algal metamorphosis is irreversible. Hosts therefore trigger and unambiguously benefit from major bioenergetic remodeling of symbiotic microalgae with important consequences for the oceanic carbon cycle. Unlike other photosymbioses, this interaction represents a so-called cytoklepty, which is a putative initial step towards plastid acquisition.
Quality threshold evaluation of Sanger confirmation for results of whole exome sequencing in clinically diagnostic setting
Authors: Seo Go Hun , Kim Hyeri , Kye Minjeong , Park Jung-Young , Won Dong-gun , lee Jungsul
Published: December 2020

Background

With the ability to simultaneously sequence more than 5,000 disease-associated genes, next-generation sequencing (NGS) has replaced Sanger sequencing as the preferred method in the diagnostic field at the laboratory level. However, Sanger sequencing has been used routinely to confirm identified variants prior to reporting results. This validation process causes a turnaround time delay and cost increase. Thus, this study aimed to set a quality threshold that does not require Sanger confirmation by analyzing the characteristics of identified variants from whole exome sequencing (WES).

Methods

Our study analyzed data on a total of 694 disease-causing variants from 578 WES samples that had been diagnosed with suspected genetic disease. These samples were sequenced by Novaseq6000 and Exome Research Panel v2. All 694 variants (513 single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and 181 indels) were validated by Sanger sequencing.

Results

A total of 693 variants included 512 SNVs and 181 indels from 578 patients and 367 genes. Five hundred seven heterozygous SNVs with at > 250 quality score and > 0.3 allele fraction were 100% confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Five heterozygous variants and one homozygous variant were not confirmed by Sanger sequencing, which showed 98.8% accuracy. There were 146 heterozygous variants and 35 homozygous variants among 181 indels, of which 11 heterozygous variants were not confirmed by Sanger sequencing (93.9% accuracy). Five non-confirmed variants with high quality were not identified on the ram .bam file.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that Sanger confirmation is not necessary for exome-derived SNVs with > 250 quality score and 0.3 > allele fraction set to an appropriate quality threshold. Indels or SNVs that do not meet the quality threshold should be reviewed by raw .bam file and Sanger confirmation should be performed to ensure accurate reporting.
Evaluation of optically tailored fluorescent silicon quantum dots for bioimaging of the tear film
Authors: Sarwat Sidra , Stapleton Fiona Jane , Perry Willcox Mark Duncan , O’Mara Peter B , Tilley Richard D , Gooding J. Justin , Roy Maitreyee
Published: December 2020

This experimental study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using silicon quantum dots doped with transition metals: scandium, copper and zinc as contrast agents for eventual application for the study of the tear film in eyes. Si-QDs were synthesized and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, absorbance and transient absorption measurements. The fluorescence of Si-QDs was investigated when combined with TheraTears®(a balanced electrolyte formula for dry eye therapy). An optical imaging system composed of a modified slit lamp biomicroscope combined with a high-resolution Zyla sCMOS camera, SOLIS software, custom-made optical mounts and emission filters (460 nm, 510 nm and 530 nm) were used forin vitroimaging of Si-QDs with TheraTears®. The average size of Si-QDs was 2.65 nm.In vitroimaging of Sc-Si-QDs and Cu-Si-QDs indicated their stable and bright fluorescence with TheraTears®. Sc-Si-QDs were significantly brighter compared to Cu-Si-QDs and Zn-Si-QDs, and the Zn-Si-QDs showed a tendency to clump in TheraTears®. The fluorescence of the Si-QDs was detected down to a concentration of 0.01 µg/mL within a total volume of 5 µL. Cu-Si-QDs and Sc-Si-QDs showed brighter fluorescence than Zn-Si-QDs. However, Zn-Si-QDs and to a lesser extent, Cu-Si-QDs showed some aggregation at specific concentrations. Sc-Si-QDs are proposed as a better option for further development as anin vivobioimaging agent to study the tear film dynamics.
Critical Thermal maximum measurements and its biological relevance: the case of ants
Authors: Leong Chi-Man , Tsang Toby P. N. , Guénard Benoit
Published: December 2020

Upper thermal limit (UTL) is a key trait in evaluating ectotherm fitness. Critical Thermal maximum CTmax, often used to characterize the UTL of an organism in laboratory setting, needs to be accurate to characterize this significant and field-relevant threshold. The lack of standardization in CTmaxassays has, however, introduce methodological problems in its measurement and incorrect estimation of species upper thermal limit; with potential major implications on the use of CTmaxin forecasting community dynamics under climate change. In this study we ask if a satisfactory ramping rate can be identified to produce accurate measures of CTmaxfor multiple species.

We first identified the most commonly used ramping rates (i.e. 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 °Cmin−1) based on a literature review, and determined the ramping rate effects on CTmaxvalue measurements in 27 ant species (7 arboreal, 16 ground, 4 subterranean species) from eight subfamilies using both dynamic and static assays. In addition, we used field observations on multiple species foraging activity in function of ground temperatures to identify the most biologically relevant CTmaxvalue to ultimately develop a standardized methodological approach.

Integrating dynamic and static assays provided a powerful approach to identify a suitable ramping rate for the measurements of CTmaxvalues in ants. Our results also showed that among the values tested the ramping rate of 1 °Cmin−1is optimal, with convergent evidences from CTmaxvalues measured in laboratory and from foraging thermal maximum measured in the field. Finally, we illustrate how methodological bias in terms of physiological trait measurements can also affect the detection of phylogenetic signal (Pagel’sλand Bloomberg’sK) in subsequent analyses.

Overall, this study presents a methodological framework allowing the identification of suitable and standardized ramping rates for the measurement of ant CTmax, which may be used for other ectotherms. Particular attention should be given to CTmaxvalues retrieved from less suitable ramping rate, and the potential biases that functional trait based research may induce on topics such as global warming, habitat conversion or their impacts on analytical interpretations on phylogenetic conservatism.
Kaiso regulates DNA methylation homeostasis
Authors: Kaplun D , Filonova G , Lobanova Y. , Mazur A , Zhenilo S
Published: December 2020

Gain and loss of DNA methylation in cells is a dynamic process that tends to achieve an equilibrium. Many factors are involved in maintaining the balance between DNA methylation and demethylation. Previously, it was shown that methyl-DNA protein Kaiso may attract NcoR, SMRT repressive complexes affecting histone modifications. On the other hand, the deficiency of Kaiso resulted in slightly reduced methylation of ICR in H19/Igf2 locus and Oct4 promoter in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. However, nothing is known whether Kaiso may attract DNA methyltransferase to influence DNA methylation level. The main idea of this work is that Kaiso may lead to DNA hypermethylation attracting de novo DNA methyltransferases. We demonstrated that Kaiso regulates TRIM25 promoter methylation. It can form a complex with DNMT3b. BTB/POZ domain of Kaiso and ADD domain of DNA methyltransferase are essential for complex formation. Thus, Kaiso can affect DNA methylation.
Characterization of protease activity of Nsp3 from SARS-CoV-2 and itsin vitroinhibition by nanobodies
Authors: Armstrong Lee A. , Lange Sven M. , de Cesare Virginia , Matthews Stephen P. , Nirujogi Raja Sekar , Cole Isobel , Hope Anthony , Cunningham Fraser , Toth Rachel , Mukherjee Rukmini , Bojkova Denisa , Gruber Franz , Gray David , Wyatt Paul G. , Cinatl Jindrich , Dikic Ivan , Davies Paul , Kulathu Yogesh
Published: December 2020

Of the 16 non-structural proteins (Nsps) encoded by SARS CoV-2, Nsp3 is the largest and plays important roles in the viral life cycle. Being a large, multidomain, transmembrane protein, Nsp3 has been the most challenging Nsp to characterize. Encoded within Nsp3 is the papain-like protease PLpro domain that cleaves not only the viral protein but also polyubiquitin and the ubiquitin-like modifier ISG15 from host cells. We here compare the interactors of PLpro and Nsp3 and find a largely overlapping interactome. Intriguingly, we find that near full length Nsp3 is a more active protease compared to the minimal catalytic domain of PLpro. Using a MALDI-TOF based assay, we screen 1971 approved clinical compounds and identify five compounds that inhibit PLpro with IC50s in the low micromolar range but showed cross reactivity with other human deubiquitinases and had no significant antiviral activity in cellular SARS-CoV-2 infection assays. We therefore looked for alternative methods to block PLpro activity and engineered competitive nanobodies that bind to PLpro at the substrate binding site with nanomolar affinity thus inhibiting the enzyme. Our work highlights the importance of studying Nsp3 and provides tools and valuable insights to investigate Nsp3 biology during the viral infection cycle.
TRIM28 regulates Kaiso SUMOylation
Authors: Filonova G. , Lobanova Y. , Kaplun D , Zhenilo S
Published: December 2020

Tripartite motif protein 28 (TRIM28), a universal mediator of Krüppel-associated box domain zinc fingers (KRAB-ZNFs), is known to regulate DNA methylation of many repetitive elements and several imprinted loci. TRIM28 serves as a scaffold unit that is essential for the formation of stable repressor complexes. In the present study we found that TRIM28 is a binding partner for methyl-DNA binding protein Kaiso. Kaiso is a transcription factor that belongs to the BTB/POZ -zinc finger family. Recent data suggest that deficiency of Kaiso led to reduction of DNA methylation within the imprinting control region of H19/IGF2. Thus, we hypothesized that Kaiso and TRIM28 may cooperate to control methylated genes. We demonstrated that Kaiso interacts with TRIM28 via its two domains: BTB/POZ and three zinc finger domains. When bound to Kaiso’s zinc finger domains TRIM28 weakens their interactions with methylated DNAin vitro. Specific association of TRIM28 with BTB/POZ domain causes Kaiso hyperSUMOylation. Altogether our data describe a putative role of TRIM28 as a regulator of Kaiso activity.
Nanodisc, amphipol or detergent belts in cryoEM reconstructions of membrane proteins are similar and correspond to a common ordered solvent layer
Authors: Zampieri Veronica , Gobet Alexia , Robert Xavier , Falson Pierre , Chaptal Vincent
Published: December 2020

To maintain membrane proteins soluble in aqueous solution, amphipathic compounds are used to shield the hydrophobic patch of their membrane insertion, which forms a belt around the protein. This hydrophobic belt is seldom looked at due to the difficulty to visualize it. Cryo-EM is now offering this possibility, where belts are visible in 3D reconstructions. We investigated membrane proteins solved in nanodiscs, amphipols or detergents to analyze whether the nature of the amphipathic compound influences the belt size in 3D reconstructions. We identified belt boundaries in map-density distributions and measured distances for every reconstruction. We showed that all the belts create on average similar reconstructions, whether they originate from the same protein, or from protein from different shapes and structures. There is no difference among detergents or types of nanodisc used. These observations illustrate that the belt observed in 3D reconstructions corresponds to the minimum ordered layer around membrane proteins.
ABPP-HT - high-throughput activity-based profiling of deubiquitylating enzyme inhibitors in a cellular context
Authors: Jones Hannah , Heilig Raphael , Fischer Roman , Kessler Benedikt M , Pinto-Fernandez Adan
Published: December 2020

The potency and selectivity of a small molecule inhibitor are key parameters to assess during the early stages of drug discovery. In particular, it is very informative for characterizing compounds in a relevant cellular context in order to reveal potential off-target effects and drug efficacy. Activity-based probes (ABPs) are valuable tools for that purpose, however, obtaining cellular target engagement data in a high-throughput format has been particularly challenging. Here, we describe a new methodology named ABPP-HT (high-throughput-compatible activity-based protein profiling), implementing a semi-automated proteomic sample preparation workflow that increases the throughput capabilities of the classical ABPP workflow approximately ten times while preserving its enzyme profiling characteristics. Using a panel of deubiquitylating enzyme (DUB) inhibitors, we demonstrate the feasibility of ABPP-HT to provide compound selectivity profiles of endogenous DUBs in a cellular context at a fraction of time as compared to previous methodologies.
The influence of personality and social traits on the importance of brand design of luxury brands and brand loyalty
Authors: Konjkav Monfared Amirreza , Mansouri Arefeh , Jalilian Negar
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Buyers of luxury clothing products usually place great importance on design because they can satisfy their personal needs. However, the underlying motivation for buying luxury products has not been fully understood. Therefore, identifying the factors influencing the choice of luxury products and brand loyalty can provide useful information to a better understanding of the customers' needs of these brands. In fact, in this article, we are trying to determine how personality traits (including the need for uniqueness and self-monitoring) and social traits (including self-expression and self-presentation) influence the importance of design and brand loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire was answered by 386 buyers of luxury clothing brands in Iran. Structural equation modeling was also used for data analysis. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19.0 and AMOS 24.0 software.

Findings

The results of this study show that people who need to be unique pay more attention to the specific designs by expressing their self-expression in their surrounding community, while self-monitors seek acceptance in the community by using common designs. Finally, the results show that the importance of design reduces customer loyalty to the brand.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first one to investigate the effect of personality and social traits on the importance of luxury clothing design and brand loyalty using statistical data analysis tools in Iran.
Walkability evaluation of building circulation based on user preference
Authors: Fu Meiqing , Liu Rui , Hon Carol K.H.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Building circulation has an important impact on human comfort of buildings and is one of the critical factors in building design. A quantitative walkability evaluation of building circulation can benefit both building design and operation. However, indoor walkability of building circulation is determined not only by objective path features but also by subjective user preference. How to incorporate the preference from a large group of users into the design process is still a challenging issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes a participatory framework of indoor path walkability evaluation based on user preference. Hierarchical indicators are developed to objectively measure indoor path features. Furthermore, group decision-making theory is adopted to aggregate individual user preference into user common preference for determining the relative indicator weights. Finally, integrated walkability scores (IWSs) are calculated to evaluate indoor path walkability quantitatively.

Findings

A total of three case scenarios demonstrate that the proposed evaluation framework provides an efficient way for designers and owners to measure user preference quantitatively, analyze building circulations based on user preference and compare the walkability of different building design schemes.

Practical implications

The developed methods provide an efficient way for designers and owners to measure user preference quantitatively, analyze building circulations based on user preference and compare the walkability of different building design schemes.

Originality/value

This study develops a comprehensive and quantitative walkability evaluation approach that considers both objective path features and subjective user preference derived from user characteristics and walking purposes, which provides an effective way to incorporate user feedback into the building design process and operation.
Development of pedagogical competencies of the vocational teachers in Italy and Lithuania: implications of competence-based VET curriculum reforms
Authors: Tacconi Giuseppe , Tūtlys Vidmantas , Perini Marco , Gedvilienė Genute
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The present study aims to reveal common and diverging trends in the development of pedagogical competences of vocational education and training (VET) teachers and trainers in Italy and Lithuania.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured survey was administered to Italian and Lithuanian teachers. The collected data were analysed and compared.

Findings

Results show that there are many common challenges and problems in the development of pedagogical competencies of the VET teachers in both countries; e.g.: the marginalisation of the VET teacher's work and working conditions, especially the dissatisfying wages and poor career opportunities, and the absent or weak institutionalisation of the VET teacher's qualifications and training.

Originality/value

The emerged results can be useful for directors of VET-centres and VET-schools to manage training and pedagogical growth of teachers both in Italy and in Lithuania. Moreover, the outputs can be considered as a set of suggestions also by the policymakers both at national and European level.
Transient disturbances in a nonlocal functionally graded thermoelastic solid under Green–Lindsay model
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Thakran Seema , Gunghas Ankush , Kalkal Kapil Kumar
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the two-dimensional disturbances in a nonlocal, functionally graded, isotropic thermoelastic medium under the purview of the Green–Lindsay model of generalized thermoelasticity. The formulation is subjected to a mechanical load. All the thermomechanical properties of the solid are assumed to vary exponentially with the position.

Design/methodology/approach

Normal mode technique is proposed to obtain the exact expressions for the displacement components, stresses and temperature field.

Findings

Numerical computations have been carried out with the help of MATLAB software and the results are illustrated graphically. These are also calculated numerically for a magnesium crystal-like material and illustrated through graphs. Theoretical and numerical results demonstrate that the nonlocality and nonhomogeneity parameters have significant effects on the considered physical fields.

Originality/value

Influences of nonlocality and nonhomogeneity on the physical quantities are carefully analyzed for isothermal and insulated boundaries. The present work is useful and valuable for analysis of problems involving mechanical shock, nonlocal parameter, functionally graded materials and elastic deformation.
Organisational justice and innovative behaviour: Is knowledge sharing a mediator?
Authors: K. Jnaneswar , Ranjit Gayathri
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Encouraging employees to exhibit innovative behaviour at the workplace is the need of the hour. Prior studies reported the impact of organisational justice on innovative behaviour; however, the majority of these studies are from the Western context. Moreover, the underlying mechanism linking these variables, namely, the role of knowledge sharing, is sparse. The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of knowledge sharing in the relationship between organisational justice and innovative behaviour through the lens of social exchange theory in the Indian context.

Design/methodology/approach

Mediation analysis using PROCESS macro was performed on a sample of 288 employees using three structured questionnaires. Participants were recruited from various manufacturing organisations in India. The validity of the hypothesised model was established using AMOS software.

Findings

Organisational justice impacted both knowledge sharing and innovative behaviour. It was also illustrated that knowledge sharing influenced employees’ innovative behaviour. The most important finding is the partial mediation of knowledge sharing in the organizational justice–innovative behaviour relationship.

Originality/value

This study tries to demystify the organisational justice–innovative behaviour relationship by highlighting knowledge sharing as an underlying mechanism. The existing theoretical framework that describes the effects of organisational justice is enriched.
Research progress in tourism, leisure and hospitality in Europe (1969–2018)
Authors: Mulet-Forteza Carles , Lunn Erika , Merigó José M. , Horrach Patricia
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to present a bibliometric overview of articles published in the field of tourism, leisure and hospitality and analyzed by researchers mainly affiliated with European institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a bibliometric study of journals included in the Web of Science related to the field of tourism, leisure and hospitality in 2019. The review incorporates various techniques to determine the field’s structure from a scientific and intellectual perspective.

Findings

The results are valuable for several reasons. First, they will support researchers in identifying those topics with the greatest potential for advancing research in this field. Second, they will constitute an important aid in the design of new policies for journal publishers.

Practical implications

This study can lead to advances in the tourism, leisure and hospitality field, as it identifies the publication trends of researchers who are mainly affiliated with European institutions. It also offers useful information for practitioners and academics in their endeavor to identify gaps in the extant literature and future trends.

Originality/value

No other studies have analyzed this field for a period of this length.
The role of green logistics management practices, supply chain traceability and logistics ecocentricity in sustainability performance
Authors: Agyabeng-Mensah Yaw , Afum Ebenezer , Acquah Innocent Senyo Kwasi , Dacosta Essel , Baah Charles , Ahenkorah Esther
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The priority giving to green practices in today's competitive market has made green logistics management practices (GLMPS) a significant driver of organizational performance. The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of GLMPS, logistics ecocentricity and supply chain traceability on sustainability performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses structured questionnaires to gather data from 274 managers of manufacturing firms in Ghana. The partial least square structural equation modeling approach is used to analyze the data to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results obtained from the analysis indicate that GLMPS positively influence social sustainability and environmental sustainability. However, GLMPS negatively influence business performance. The results further reveal that logistics ecocentricity and supply chain traceability augment GLMPS to achieve significant improvement in both business performance and environmental sustainability through the mediation effect approach.

Originality/value

The study proposes a conceptual framework that tests the combined effect of GLMPs, logistics ecocentricity and supply chain traceability on environmental sustainability, social sustainability and business performance from the Ghanaian perspective.
Leader-member exchange and frontline employees' innovative behaviors: the roles of employee happiness and service climate
Authors: Bani-Melhem Shaker , Al-Hawari Mohd Ahmad , Quratulain Samina
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This research primarily aims to study the role of leader-member exchange (LMX) in frontline employees' (FLEs) innovative behaviors, whereby a mediating effect of employee happiness is proposed in this relationship. The moderating effect of service climate is also examined on the indirect effect of LMX on innovative behaviors through happiness.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a sample of 303 FLEs working in various service organizations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed model.

Findings

The findings show that LMX has a positive and significant effect on FLEs' innovative behaviors and that employee happiness is an intervening variable. Service climate moderates the indirect effect of LMX on FLEs' innovative behaviors through happiness, and the effect is stronger in a low (unsupported) service climate.

Practical implications

The findings of this research provide prescriptive insights into the critical role of supervisory behavior in FLEs' innovative service behaviors and how positive emotions contribute to employees' willingness to innovate. Thus, these findings make a unique contribution to research in service management.

Originality/value

Studies examining how and when LMX can affect FLEs' innovative behaviors are limited. These findings offer new insights into the relative importance of supervisor and organizational support (service climate) in FLEs' innovative behaviors. The interaction effect of LMX and service climate has not been previously examined along with positive employee affect (happiness) and innovative behaviors.
A hybrid reliability-centered maintenance approach for mining transportation machines: a real case in Esfahan
Authors: Jafarpisheh Rana , Karbasian Mehdi , Asadpour Milad
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a hybrid reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) approach for mining transportation machines of a limestone complex, a real case in Esfahan, Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

Criteria for selecting critical machines were collected within literature and selected by decision-makers (DCs), and critical machines have been identified using the preference ranking organization method for enrichment of evaluations (PROMETHEE). Also, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods were used in addition to failure mode, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) for selecting and prioritizing high-risk failures as well as optimizing the RCM performance. More specifically, the criteria of severity, detectability and frequency of occurrence were selected for risk assessment based on the previous studies, and were weighted using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. Also, the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) has been applied to prioritize failures' risk. Finally, the critical failures were inserted in the RCM decision-making worksheet and the required actions were determined for them.

Findings

According to the obtained values from PROMEHTEE method, the machine with code 739-7 was selected as the first priority and the most critical equipment. Further, based on results of TOPSIS method, the failure mode of “Lubrication hole clogging in crankpin bearing due poor quality oil,” “Deformation of main bearing due to overwork” and “The piston ring hotness due to unusual increase in the temperature of cylinder” have the highest risks among failure modes, respectively.

Originality/value

RCM has been deployed in various studies. However, in the current study, a hybrid MCDM-FMECA has been proposed to cope with high-risk failures. Besides, transportation machineries are one of the most critical equipment in the mining industry. Due to noticeable costs of this equipment, effective and continuous usage of this fleet requires the implementation of proper maintenance strategy. To the best of our knowledge, there is no research which has used RCM for transportation systems in the mining sector, and therefore, the innovation of this research is employment of the proposed hybrid approach for transportation machineries in the mining industry.
Mechanical and tribological properties of waste iron scale reinforced polypropylene composite
Authors: Erdogan Azmi , Gök Mustafa Sabri , Kurşuncu Bilal , Kiraz Tayfun , Demirel Bilal
Published: December 2020

Purpose

In this study, waste iron scale, which occurs in high amounts during steel production and contains high amounts of iron element, was used as a reinforcing material in the polypropylene (PP) matrix.

Design/methodology/approach

In the PP matrix, 33 micron-sized iron scale was added at 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% ratios. The composites were subjected to mechanical and dry sliding wear tests. The wear mechanisms occurring on the wear surfaces were determined by SEM supported by EDS. Tensile testing was performed using a tensile tester. Hardness tests were performed using a Shore-D hardness tester with ASTM-D-22 standards.

Findings

Composite reinforced with 5% iron scale showed the highest tensile strength. The addition of higher amounts of iron scale particles reduced the tensile strength of the composites compared to PP. Hardness increased from 58 to 64 Shore-D with the increase in scale content. The reinforcement of PP with iron scale increased the dry sliding wear resistance.

Originality/value

According to the authors’ knowledge, in the literature review, there was no study found on the effect of iron scale reinforcement on PP.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-08-2020-0316/
Testing the relationships of motivation, time management and career aspirations on graduate students’ academic success
Authors: Amida Ademola , Algarni Sameera , Stupnisky Robert
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study explored graduate students' academic success by testing a hypothesized model based on the self-determination theory (SDT), which posits that motivation, time management and career aspiration predicts perceived success.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative methodology was employed to garner data from a population of 324 graduate students, and then analyzed using structural equation modeling in R.

Findings

Intrinsic motivation was the strongest motivation type that predicted graduate students' perceived success. Time management was another important predictor of perceived success, while career aspiration did not impact students' perception of success. Doctoral students showed significantly higher relatedness when compared to master degree students. In addition, male students showed significantly higher career aspirations than females, while female students showed significantly higher time management than their male counterparts. The results of this study support the SDT as a framework to understand graduate students' academic success.

Originality/value

Implementing the research findings may increase graduate students' academic success. This study suggests direct ways of increasing graduate students' achievement through intrinsic motivation, time management and autonomy, as well as reducing amotivation (lack of motivation) to indirectly enhance academic success.
SNS use leads to luxury brand consumption: evidence from China
Authors: Wang Wangshuai , Chen Nuoya , Li Jie , Sun Gong
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Social networking sites (SNSs) are an indispensable part of people’s daily lives. However, scant literature describes how SNSs affect users’ behaviors, especially consumer behavior in emerging markets. This research aims to fill this literature gap.

Design/methodology/approach

Two empirical studies were conducted using different methods. Study 1, a survey, provided correlational evidence. Study 2, a lab experiment, further verified the causal relationship.

Findings

From Chinese consumer data, SNS consumption exposure enhances luxury brand consumption, mediated by social comparison motivation and moderated by legitimacy perceptions of SNSs as information outlets.

Originality/value

This research bridges SNSs and luxury brand consumption, two islands among different streams of literature. In addition, the paper illuminates the psychological mechanism through which SNSs affect luxury brand consumption and the boundary condition in which this effect diminishes. Practically, this paper is also instructive for SNSs and luxury brands.
Money for female entrepreneurs does not grow on trees: start-ups’ financing implications in times of COVID-19
Authors: Villaseca David , Navío-Marco Julio , Gimeno Ricardo
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand women’s approaches to acquiring financial and other resources is essential for closing the entrepreneurship gender gap. In nearly 40% of economies, women’s early-stage entrepreneurial activity is half or less than half of that of men’s.

Design/methodology/approach

Even when there is extensive literature on female entrepreneurs, the authors review the findings through a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-1)9 crisis lens, trying to find new perspectives and solutions. With the approach of a systematic review of 4,520 publications on financing topics related to female entrepreneurs, various sources of financing available to female entrepreneurs are considered: bootstrapping, banks, business angels, venture capital and crowdfunding.

Findings

Identifying potential gender bias both on the supply and the demand side of financing, this research highlights new directions in encouraging female entrepreneurship and gives guidelines to public organisations on how to foster advanced forms of financing for female entrepreneurs in COVID-19 times.

Social implications

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge for economies and companies. Female entrepreneurs are the ones who have been hit harder, as they overcome pre-existing barriers, such as lack of access to finance, lack of networks and mentors and gendered priorities, among others. Without ensuring gender policies to counter these incremental negative effects, the authors face the risk of widening the gender gap.

Originality/value

Regarding previous systematic reviews of literature, this paper focusses on a specific challenge, how women entrepreneurs finance their activity, with a double vision: supply and demand of money.
Organizational antecedents model of sustainable entrepreneurial orientation: multi-case study of Iranian firms
Authors: Maleki Mohamad Mehdi , Hajipour Bahman
Published: December 2020

Purpose

In this paper, the authors have tried to propose an organizational antecedent’s model of sustainable entrepreneurial orientation. It is believed that firms with high degree of entrepreneurial orientation are more plausible to prosper. Therefore, the authors are looking on how they can use organization factor to achieve sustainable entrepreneurial orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a multiple case-study approach while incorporating content analysis and interpretive structural modeling. After reviewing previous studies on entrepreneurial orientation and corporate entrepreneurship, multiple case study including six firms from different industries in Iranian economic context were studied to discover the main organizational antecedents of sustainable entrepreneurial orientation using content analysis. Furthermore, interpretive structural modeling methods were used to determine the relationship between realized antecedents.

Findings

The findings show that the organizational antecedents of sustainable entrepreneurial orientation are coaching, succession plans, organizational learning, chief executive office, professional staff, organizational alignment and key resources and capabilities. The proposed structural model shows the relationship between organizational antecedents of entrepreneurial orientation and coaching is determined as the building stone of sustainable entrepreneurial orientation.

Practical implications

Researchers believe that findings will help managers and practitioners on how to design organizational factors in their organization. Hence, they can strengthen factors that promote entrepreneurial orientation and make it sustainable to enhance organizational performance.

Originality/value

While entrepreneurial orientation construct is a well-recognized concept in the previous studies, little is known about its organizational antecedents. Current research identified model organizational antecedents to achieve sustainable entrepreneurial orientation.
Formal institutions and the development of entrepreneurial activity – the contingent role of corruption in emerging economies
Authors: Harraf Arezou , Ghura Hasan , Hamdan Allam , Li Xiaoqing
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to analyse the interplay between formal and informal institutions' and their impact on entrepreneurship rates in emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study expands previous research in examining the moderating effect of control of corruption on the relationship between formal institutions and the development of the entrepreneurial activity. The study utilizes longitudinal analyses of a dataset from 41 emerging economies over 11 years (2006–2016).

Findings

Findings provided robust support for the study's hypotheses. The results suggested lower levels of corruption positively moderate the effects of a country's number of procedures and education and training on the rates of entrepreneurial activity, while negatively moderating the effects of firm-level technology absorption on the rates of entrepreneurial activity.

Research limitations/implications

The study has considered only one particular aspect of high-growth entrepreneurship, which is newly registered firms with limited liability. Although newly registered firms are recognized as one of the critical drivers of entrepreneurial activity. Future research should seek to examine other aspects of growth-oriented entrepreneurship such as activities involving a high level of innovation, corporate entrepreneurship or technology developments.

Practical implications

This study advanced the existing theories in the field of entrepreneurship and institutional economics as it merged the two theories as a driving framework in the design of the study in the context of emerging economies.

Social implications

The study tested a theoretical model by expanding the number of emerging economies in the study and found comparable findings that explain factors that may influence the likelihood of individuals entering entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

This article adds to the current literature as it highlights the importance of the interplay of formal and informal institutions in determining their impact on entrepreneurship rates in emerging economies. This is of particular importance to policy-makers, and the business world as the empirical results of this study show the benefits of control of corruption in boosting entrepreneurial rates in these economies, which strive for economic diversification in their developmental endeavours.
Assessing brand love, brand sacredness and brand fidelity towards halal brands
Authors: Joshi Richa , Garg Prerna
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of contemporary consumer-brand relationships in predicting brand sacredness, brand fidelity and propensity to spread word of mouth (WOM) in the context of “halal” cosmetic brands.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed research framework has been empirically tested by collecting responses from 403 Muslim respondents of diverse demographics. Structural equation modelling has been used for exploring the underlying relationships between emotions associated with halal brands.

Findings

All the proposed hypotheses were positively significant, thus confirming that brand love is significantly affected by brand trust, brand image, self-congruence and brand experience. Further, brand love acts as a significant determinant in shaping brand sacredness, brand fidelity and WOM.

Research limitations/implications

The study has made a significant contribution by exploring the intensity of brand love and its effect on relationship-maintenance triad in halal cosmetic brands in India.

Practical implications

Marketers must understand the emotional side of brands to create synergy in their marketing efforts. Moreover, in the case of religious or faith-based brands, attainment of the highest order of brand love can play a revolutionary role for long-term growth.

Originality/value

In the context of halal cosmetic brands in India, this study has offered a new perspective by extending the literature on consumer-brand relationships. The use of brand fidelity and brand sacredness has enhanced the effectiveness of emotions with which consumers have been looking at brands for ages.
Challenges for developing health-care knowledge in the digital age
Authors: Alrahbi Dana Abdullah , Khan Mehmood , Gupta Shivam , Modgil Sachin , Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel Jose
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Health-care knowledge is dispersed among different departments in a health care organization, which makes it difficult at times to provide quality care services to patients. Therefore, this study aims to identify the main challenges in adopting health information technology (HIT).

Design/methodology/approach

This study surveyed 148 stakeholders in 4 key categories [patients, health-care providers, United Arab Emirates (UAE) citizens and foresight experts] to identify the challenges they face in adopting health care technologies. Responses were analyzed using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Findings

EFA revealed four key latent factors predicting resistance to HIT adoption, namely, organizational strategy (ORGS); technical barriers; readiness for big data and the internet of things (IoT); and orientation (ORI). ORGS accounted for the greatest amount of variance. CFA indicated that readiness for big data and the IoT was only moderately correlated with HIT adoption, but the other three factors were strongly correlated. Specific items relating to cost, the effectiveness and usability of the technology and the organization were strongly correlated with HIT adoption. These results indicate that, in addition to financial considerations, effective HIT adoption requires ensuring that technologies will be easy to implement to ensure their long-term use.

Research limitations/implications

The results indicate that readiness for big data and the IoT-related infrastructure poses a challenge to HIT adoption in the UAE context. Respondents believed that the infrastructure of big data can be helpful in more efficiently storing and sharing health-care information. On the technological side, respondents felt that they may experience a steep learning curve. Regarding ORI, stakeholders expected many more such initiatives from health-care providers to make it more knowledge-specific and proactive.

Practical implications

This study has implications for knowledge management in the health -care sector for information technologies. The HIT can help firms in creating a knowledge eco-system, which is not possible in a dispersed knowledge environment. The utilization of the knowledge base that emerged from the practices and data can help the health care sector to set new standards of information flow and other clinical services such as monitoring the self-health condition. The HIT can further influence the actions of the pharmaceutical and medical device industry.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the challenges in HIT adoption and the most prominent factors. The conceptual model was empirically tested after the collection of primary data from the UAE using stakeholder theory.
A model for financial supply chain management with two different financial approaches
Authors: Yazdimoghaddam Jafar
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The more common approaches used in supply chain management (SCM) consider only the physical logistic operations and ignore the financial aspects of the supply chain (SC). The main objective to incorporate financial aspects in SCM is to strengthen managerial decisions concerning financial flows in SCs. This paper aims to present a model for financial supply chain management (FSCM) in which financial planning in addition to operation planning is decided.

Design/methodology/approach

Approaches for FSCM are traditional financial approach and new financial approach. The traditional financial approach integrates physical goods flows and financial flows. The new financial approach considers in making decisions other financial indicators such as market to book value, liquidity ratios, capital structure ratios, stock security ratios, sales margin and return on equity. Moreover, the new approach applies the change in equity instead of the traditional approach measures of profit as the objective function to be maximized in the presented model. To show the attributes of the presented approaches, the results of the new approach and the traditional approach are compared.

Findings

The findings of this paper indicate that the traditional approach leads to a lower change in equity compared to the new approach. Also, the results reveal the better improvement of using the new approach over the traditional approach and convince the decision-makers to take advantage of the new approach.

Research limitations/implications

Empirical knowledge about FSCM is in its early stages.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper is to define two approaches for FSCM and to compare them.