bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ShapoGraphy: a glyph-oriented visualisation approach for creating pictorial representations of bioimaging data
Authors: Khawatmi Muhammed , Steux Yoann , Zourob Sadam , Sailem Heba
Published: April 2021

Intuitive visualisation of quantitative microscopy data is crucial for interpreting and discovering new patterns in complex bioimage data. Existing visualisation approaches, such as bar charts, scatter plots and heat maps, do not accommodate the complexity of visual information present in microscopy data. Here we develop ShapoGraphy, a first of its kind method accompanied by a user-friendly web-based application for creating interactive quantitative pictorial representations of phenotypic data and facilitating the understanding and analysis of image datasets (www.shapography.com). ShapoGraphy enables the user to create a structure of interest as a set of shapes. Each shape can encode different variables that are mapped to the shape dimensions, colours, symbols, and stroke features. We illustrate the utility of ShapoGraphy using various image data, including high dimensional multiplexed data. Our results show that ShapoGraphy allows a better understanding of cellular phenotypes and relationships between variables. In conclusion, ShopoGraphy supports scientific discovery and communication by providing a wide range of users with a rich vocabulary to create engaging and intuitive representations of diverse data types.
Radio-pathomic maps of cell density identify glioma invasion beyond traditional MR imaging defined margins
Authors: Bobholz Samuel A. , Lowman Allison K. , Brehler Michael , Kyereme Fitzgerald , Duenweg Savannah R. , Sherman John , McGarry Sean , Cochran Elizabeth J. , Connelly Jennifer , Mueller Wade M. , Agarwal Mohit , Banerjee Anjishnu , LaViolette Peter S.
Published: April 2021

Current MRI signatures of brain cancer often fail to identify regions of hypercellularity beyond the contrast enhancing region. Therefore, this study used autopsy tissue samples aligned to clinical MRIs in order to quantify the relationship between intensity values and cellularity, as well as to develop a radio-pathomic model to predict cellularity using MRI data. This study used 93 samples collected at autopsy from 44 brain cancer patients. Tissue samples were processed, stained for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and digitized for nuclei segmentation and cell density calculation. Pre- and post-gadolinium contrast T1-weighted images (T1, T1C), T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) images calculated from diffusion imaging were collected from each patients’ final acquisition prior to death. In-house software was used to align tissue samples to the FLAIR image via manually defined control points. Mixed effect models were used to assess the relationship between single image intensity and cellularity for each image. An ensemble learner was trained to predict cellularity using 5 by 5 voxel tiles from each image, employing a 2/3-1/3 train-test split for validation. Single image analyses found subtle associations between image intensity and cellularity, with a less pronounced relationship within GBM patients. The radio-pathomic model was able to accurately predict cellularity in the test set (RMSE = 1015 cells/mm2) and identified regions of hypercellularity beyond the contrast enhancing region. We concluded that a radio-pathomic model for cellularity is able to identify regions of hypercellular tumor beyond traditional imaging signatures.
Seasonal stability of SARS-CoV-2 in biological fluids
Authors: Kwon Taeyong , Gaudreault Natasha N. , Richt Juergen A.
Published: April 2021

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occurs by close contact with infected persons through droplets, the inhalation of infectious aerosols and the exposure to contaminated surface. Previously, we determined the virus stability on different types of surfaces under indoor and seasonal climatic conditions. SARS-CoV-2 survived the longest on surfaces under winter conditions, followed by spring/fall and summer conditions, suggesting the seasonal pattern of stability on surfaces. However, under natural conditions, the virus is secreted in various biological fluids from infected humans. In this respect, it remains unclear how long the virus survives in various types of biological fluids. This study explored the SARS-CoV-2 stability in human biological fluids under different environmental conditions and estimated the half-life. The virus was stable for up to 21 days in nasal mucus, sputum, saliva, tear, urine, blood, and semen; it remained infectious significantly longer under winter and spring/fall conditions than under summer conditions. In contrast, the virus was only stable up to 24 hours in feces and breast milk. These findings demonstrate the potential risk of infectious biological fluids in SARS-CoV-2 transmission and have implications for its seasonality.
Effect of Biologically Active Hydrogen-Generating Powder Mixed with Food in a Model of Liver Injury in Rats
Authors: Gedulin Bronislava , Safonov Marina , Safonov Vladimir L.
Published: April 2021

Background

Hydrogen was determined to have good efficacy for reducing key blood level biomarkers associated with liver injury suggesting the compound may provide novel option for the treatment of several liver diseases by decreasing of accumulation of toxins and reduction of levels of serum liver enzymes.

Materials and methods

The present pharmacological study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a gastric hydrogen generating powder called “AquaActive” (AA) in a rat model of liver injury, the partial bile duct ligation (pBDL), following administration of 0.2% AA formulated in rat pellets food for 14 days.

Results

The data indicate that treatment with AA at a dose of 150 mg/kg/day can effectively slow the progression of liver injury that is triggered by bile duct ligation in rats. At both 7 and 14 days post-pBDL surgery, treatment with AA exhibited reductions in ALT, AST, ALP, GGT and total bilirubin, most of which were statistically significant. At 7 days, the compound showed statistically significant decreases in ALP, GGT and total bilirubin levels. Although the values of some parameters decreased in the vehicle group by 14 days, additional reductions due to AA treatment were sustained for ALP, AST and for GGT and total bilirubin. GGT and total bilirubin level after 14 days of treatment compared to the vehicle-treated control group were observed to be highly significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Thus AA, gastric hydrogen generating powder demonstrated a good efficacy for reducing key parameters associated with liver function in the pBDL model.
Locally restricted glucose availability in the embryonic hypocotyl determines seed germination under ABA treatment
Authors: Xue Xueyi , Yu Ya-Chi , Wu Yue , Xue Huiling , Chen Li-Qing
Published: April 2021

Abiotic stresses directly affect seed germination, plant growth, and reproduction. Seed germination is a complex and energy-demanding process, involving diverse physical, metabolic and cellular events, and is controlled by intrinsic and environmental cues. Abiotic stresses involving abscisic acid (ABA) inhibit seed germination by suppressing physiological processes essential for completion of germination. It remains unclear whether the component tissues of an embryo respond to stress, and are suppressed differentially.

Here we used a genetically engineered FRET sensor to show that ABA significantly affected the spatiotemporal distribution of glucose (Glc) in lower hypocotyl region. Transcriptome analysis and14C-Glc uptake assay suggested that Glc limitation in the embryonic hypocotyl was largely due to suppressed sugar partitioning along with enhanced sugar metabolism. The loss-of-function mutants of ABA-induced sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS) genes accumulated more Glc, leading to ABA insensitivity during germination. In addition, we identified molecular signatures that Glc antagonizes ABA by globally counteracting the ABA influence on gene expression, including expansin (EXP) family genes that are inhibited by ABA.

This study presents a new perspective on the interaction between ABA and Glc in response to external stimuli, which restricts Glc availability and thereby controls the transition from seed to seedling.
A genetic interaction screen inStreptococcus pneumoniaeidentifies functionally redundant vaccine candidate proteins CbpC and CbpJ
Authors: Russo Lisa M. , Matthews Allison J. , Masilamani Revati F. , Lazinski David W. , Camilli Andrew
Published: April 2021

Streptococcus pneumoniaeis a Gram-positive bacterium that asymptomatically colonizes the nasopharynx and can disseminate to sterile sites resulting in pneumococcal diseases such as pneumonia, otitis media, bacteremia, and meningitis. Due to increased incidence of invasive disease caused by serotypes that are not included in available polysaccharide vaccines, there is a need for a broadly protective protein vaccine to complement the polysaccharide based vaccines. To limit immune escape such a vaccine would ideally target proteins that are essential for virulence. However, the genetic robustness ofS. pneumoniaeresults in few surface exposed proteins being essential for virulence. Here we carried out a genetic interaction screen to identify functionally redundant surface protein pairs that could be used as bivalent protein vaccines, based on the observation that together, these protein pairs are essential for virulence. We identified four pairs of functionally redundant surface proteins that displayed a significant competitive disadvantage during murine pneumococcal pneumonia. Immunization with the most attenuated pair, CbpC and CbpJ, resulted in production of high titers of specific antibodies and a modest increased median survival times of mice challenged with pneumococcal pneumonia. This study demonstrates a method to identify essential pairs of surface-associated virulence proteins that could be widely applied to many bacterial pathogens.

IMPORTANCE

Infection byStreptococcus pneumoniaecan result in life-threatening illness. Current licensed polysaccharide vaccines only protect against serotypes that are present in the vaccine – at most 23 serotypes of the total 100 identified, circulating serotypes. There remains a need for a widely protective protein vaccine that is effective against most circulating strains ofS. pneumoniae. The significance of our research is in developing a method to identify functionally redundant protein pairs as potential vaccine candidates, which could inform the development of effective bivalent protein vaccines for many bacterial pathogens.
Disentangling cortical functional connectivity strength and topography reveals divergent roles of genes and environment
Authors: Burger Bianca , Nenning Karl-Heinz , Schwartz Ernst , Margulies Daniel S. , Goulas Alexandros , Liu Hesheng , Neubauer Simon , Dauwels Justin , Prayer Daniela , Langs Georg
Published: April 2021

The human brain varies across individuals in its morphology, function, and cognitive capacities. Variability is particularly high in phylogenetically modern regions associated with higher order cognitive abilities, but its relationship to the layout and strength of functional networks is poorly understood. In this study we disentangled the variability of two key aspects of functional connectivity: strength and topography. We then compared the genetic and environmental influences on these two features. Genetic contribution is heterogeneously distributed across the cortex and differs for strength and topography. In heteromodal areas genes predominantly affect the topography of networks, while their connectivity strength is shaped primarily by random environmental influence such as learning. We identified peak areas of genetic control of topography overlapping with parts of the processing stream from primary areas to network hubs in the default mode network, suggesting the coordination of spatial configurations across those processing pathways. These findings provide a detailed map of the diverse contribution of heritability and individual experience to the strength and topography of functional brain architecture.
Filament dynamics driven by ATP hydrolysis modulates membrane binding of the bacterial actin MreB
Authors: Pande Vani , Mitra Nivedita , Bagde Saket Rahul , Srinivasan Ramanujam , Gayathri Pananghat
Published: April 2021

MreB, the bacterial ancestor of eukaryotic actin, is responsible for shape in most rod-shaped bacteria. While the eukaryotic actin utilizes ATP hydrolysis to drive filament treadmilling, the relevance of nucleotide-driven polymerization dynamics for MreB function is unclear. Here, we report mechanistic insights into the interplay between nucleotide-binding, ATP hydrolysis and membrane-binding ofSpiroplasma citriMreB5 (ScMreB5). Antiparallel double protofilament assembly of ScMreB5WTwith ATP, ADP or AMPPNP and an ATPase deficient mutant ScMreB5E134Ademonstrate that the filaments assemble independent of ATP hydrolysis. However, capture of the filament dynamics revealed that efficient filament formation, bundling through lateral interactions and filament disassembly are affected in ScMreB5E134A. Hence, the catalytic glutamate (Glu134 in ScMreB5) plays a dual role – it functions as a switch by sensing the ATP-bound state for filament assembly, and by assisting hydrolysis for triggering disassembly. Glu134 mutation also exhibits an allosteric effect on membrane binding, as observed from the reduced liposome binding compared to that of the wild type. Thus, ATP hydrolysis can modulate filament length and bundling, and consequently the orientation of MreB filaments on the cell membrane depending on the curvature. Binding of ScMreB5 with liposomes is mediated by surface charge-based interactions, demonstrating paralog and organism specific features for MreB function. We conclude that the conserved ATP-dependent polymerization and disassembly upon ATP hydrolysis has been repurposed for modulating curvature-dependent organization of filaments on the membrane.
Bayesian estimation of cell type–specific gene expression with prior derived from single-cell data
Authors: Wang Jiebiao , Roeder Kathryn , Devlin Bernie
Published: April 2021

When assessed over a large number of samples, bulk RNA sequencing provides reliable data for gene expression at the tissue level. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) deepens those analyses by evaluating gene expression at the cellular level. Both data types lend insights into disease etiology. With current technologies, scRNA-seq data are known to be noisy. Constrained by costs, scRNA-seq data are typically generated from a relatively small number of subjects, which limits their utility for some analyses, such as identification of gene expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). To address these issues while maintaining the unique advantages of each data type, we develop a Bayesian method (bMIND) to integrate bulk and scRNA-seq data. With a prior derived from scRNA-seq data, we propose to estimate sample-level cell type–specific (CTS) expression from bulk expression data. The CTS expression enables large-scale sample-level downstream analyses, such as detection of CTS differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and eQTLs. Through simulations, we show that bMIND improves the accuracy of sample-level CTS expression estimates and increases the power to discover CTS DEGs when compared to existing methods. To further our understanding of two complex phenotypes, autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease, we apply bMIND to gene expression data of relevant brain tissue to identify CTS DEGs. Our results complement findings for CTS DEGs obtained from snRNA-seq studies, replicating certain DEGs in specific cell types while nominating other novel genes for those cell types. Finally, we calculate CTS eQTLs for 11 brain regions by analyzing Genotype-Tissue Expression Project data, creating a new resource for biological insights.
Structural diversity among some dialkyltin(IV) benzoate and related derivatives
Authors: Linden Anthony , Basu Baul Tushar S.
Published: April 2021

The molecular structures of five diorganotin(IV) carboxylates, (I)–(V), can be categorized into two main well-known structural types for such Sn complexes. One is the mononuclear dialkytin(IV) carboxylates with an [R2Sn(LH)2]-type skew-trapezoidal bipyramid, where the alkyl ligands are in pseudo-axial positions and the O atoms from two asymmetrically coordinated bidentate carboxylate ligands are in the equatorial plane. This structure type is adopted by dibutylbis{(E)-2-hydroxy-5-[(3-methylphenyl)diazenyl]benzoato}tin(IV) cyclohexane hemisolvate, [Sn(C4H9)2(C14H11N2O3)2]·0.5C6H12, (I), dibenzylbis{(E)-5-[(4-bromophenyl)diazenyl]-2-hydroxybenzoato}tin(IV), [Sn(C7H7)2(C13H8BrN2O3)2], (II), and aquadibenzylbis(4-{(E)-[(Z)-4-hydroxypent-3-en-2-ylidene]amino}benzoato)tin(IV) benzene disolvate, [Sn(C7H7)2(C12H12NO3)2(H2O)]·2C6H6, (III), although the latter has an additional water ligand to give a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal coordination geometry in which the carboxylate groups are more symmetrically coordinated to the Sn atom than in (I) and (II). The other structure motif is that of the tetranuclear bis(dicarboxylatotetraorganodistannoxanes), {[R2Sn(LH)]2O}2, which contain an Sn4O2 core decorated with four bridging carboxylate ligands, plus two alkyl ligands at each SnIV centre. The complexes octabutyltetrakis{μ-(E)-4-[(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)diazenyl]benzoato}di-μ3-oxido-tetratin(IV) ethanol disolvate, [Sn4(C4H9)8(C15H13N2O3)4O2]·2C2H6O, (IV), and octabutyltetrakis{(E)-3-[(2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino]propanoato}di-μ3-oxido-tetratin(IV), [Sn4(C4H9)8(C10H10NO3)4O2], (V), display this motif. The structures obtained correlate with the 1:1 and 1:2 stoichiometric ratios of the dialkyltin(IV) and carboxylic acid starting materials in the syntheses. The supramolecular structures arising from consideration of secondary Sn...O interactions and/or classic hydrogen bonds include discrete molecules for (V), centrosymmetric dimers for (I), extended chains for (II) and (III), and sheets for (IV).
(3aS,4R,5R,6S,7aR)-4,5-Dibromo-2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2,3,3a,4,5,6,7,7a-octahydro-3a,6-epoxy-1H-isoindol-1-one: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Mertsalov Dmitriy F. , Alekseeva Kseniia A. , Daria Magrycheva S. , Cheshigin Maxim E. , Çelikesir Sevim Türktekin , Akkurt Mehmet , Grigoriev Mikhail S. , Mlowe Sixberth
Published: April 2021

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C15H12Br2F3NO2, consists of two crystallographically independent molecules. In both molecules, the pyrrolidine and tetrahydrofuran rings adopt an envelope conformation. In the crystal, molecule pairs generate centrosymmetric rings with R
2
2(8) motifs linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds. These pairs of molecules form a tetrameric supramolecular motif, leading to molecular layers parallel to the (100) plane by C—H...π and C—Br...π interactions. Interlayer van der Waals and interhalogen interactions stabilize molecular packing. The F atoms of the CF3 groups of both molecules are disordered over two sets of sites with refined site occupancies of 0.60 (3)/0.40 (3) and 0.640 (15)/0.360 (15). The most important contributions to the surface contacts of both molecules are from H...H (23.8 and 22.4%), Br...H/H...Br (18.3 and 12.3%), O...H/H...O (14.3 and 9.7%) and F...H/H...F (10.4 and 19.1%) interactions, as concluded from a Hirshfeld surface analysis.
The crystal structures of three disordered 2-substituted benzimidazole esters
Authors: Harish Chinthal Chayanna , Yathirajan Hemmige S. , Manju Nagaraja , Kalluraya Balakrishna , Foro Sabine , Glidewell Christopher
Published: April 2021

The crystal structures of three benzimidazole esters containing aryl or heterocyclic substituents at position 2 are reported, and all three exhibit disorder of molecular entities. In ethyl 1-methyl-2-[4-(prop-2-ynoxy)phenyl]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate, C20H18N2O3, (I), the prop-2-yn-1-oxyphenyl unit is disordered over two sets of atomic sites having effectively equal occupancies, 0.506 (5) and 0.494 (5). The propyl substituent in ethyl 1-propyl-2-(pyren-1-yl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate, C29H24N2O2, (II), is disordered over two sets of atomic sites having occupancies 0.601 (8) and 0.399 (8), and the ester unit in ethyl 1-methyl-2-(5-chloro-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate, C21H19ClN4O2(III), is disordered over two sets of atomic sites having occupancies 0.645 (7) and 0.355 (7). In each of the C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds in (I), the donor and acceptor form parts of different disorder components, so that no continuous aggregation is possible. The molecules of (II) are linked by a single C—H...O hydrogen bond intoC(10) chains, which are linked into sheets by a π–π stacking interaction, whereas those of (III) are just linked intoC(13) chains, again by a single C—H...O hydrogen bond. Comparisons are made with the structures of some related compounds.
Practical hints and tips for solution of pseudo-merohedric twins: three case studies
Authors: Parkin S. R.
Published: April 2021

Twinning by pseudo-merohedry is a common phenomenon in small-molecule crystallography. In cases where twin-component volume fractions are markedly different, structure solution is often no more difficult than for non-twinned structures of similar complexity. When twin-component volume fractions are similar, however, structure solution can be much more of a problem. This paper presents hints and tips for such cases by means of three worked examples. The first example presents the most common (and simplest) case of a two-component pseudo-orthorhombic twin. The second example describes structure solution of a reticular threefold pseudo-hexagonal twin that benefits from use of an unconventional space-group setting. The third example covers structure solution of a reticular fourfold pseudo-tetragonal twin. All three structures are ultimately shown to be monoclinic crystals that twin as a consequence of unit-cell metrics that mimic those of higher symmetry crystal systems.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of [2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl-κN
3)aniline-κN]dichloridozinc(II) N,N-dimethylformamide monosolvate
Authors: Muslim Mohd , Faizi Md. Serajul Haque , Ali Arif , Afzal Mohd , Ahmad Musheer , Dege Necmi , Mashrai Ashraf
Published: April 2021

The title compound, [ZnCl2(C13H11N3)]·C3H7NO, crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system in space group P21/n. The asymmetric unit contains one neutral complex molecule, which consists of a zinc ion, a bidentate ligand, and two chlorido ligands with dimethylformamide monosolvate. The ligand has two moieties, a benzimidazole and an aniline group. The benzimidazole and aniline planes are not coplanar, subtending a dihedral angle of 18.24 (8)°. The Zn(II) ion shows distorted tetrahedral geometry, being coordinated by an imidazole N atom, the aniline N atom, and two chlorido ligands. The packing features N—H...O, N—H...Cl, C—H...Cl hydrogen bonding.
Crystal structure of (N
1,N
3-bis{[1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]methylidene}-2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine)bis(thiocyanato)iron(II)
Authors: Znovjyak Kateryna , Seredyuk Maksym , Malinkin Sergey O. , Golenya Iryna A. , Sliva Tatiana Y. , Shova Sergiu , Mulloev Nurullo U.
Published: April 2021

The unit cell of the title compound, [FeII(NCS)2(C29H32N8O2)], consists of eight charge-neutral complex molecules. In the complex molecule, the tetradentate ligand N
1,N
3-bis{[1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]methylene}-2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine coordinates to the FeII ion through the N atoms of the 1,2,3-triazole and aldimine groups. Two thiocyanate anions, coordinated through their N atoms, complete the coordination sphere of the central Fe ion. In the crystal, neighbouring molecules are linked through weak C...C, C...N and C...S interactions into a one-dimensional chain running parallel to [010]. The intermolecular contacts were quantified using Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots, revealing the relative contributions of the contacts to the crystal packing to be H...H (37.5%), H...C/C...H (24.7%), H...S/S...H (15.7%) and H...N/N...H (11.7%). The average Fe—N bond distance is 2.167 Å, indicating the high-spin state of the FeII ion, which does not change upon cooling, as demonstrated by low-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements.
Why do some people search for their files much more than others? A preliminary study
Authors: Bergman Ofer , Israeli Tamar , Benn Yael
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Previous research has repeatedly shown that people only search for files in a small minority of cases when they do not remember the file's location. The current study aimed to examine whether there is a group of hyper-searchers who search significantly more than others. Based on previous neurocognitive studies, this study aims to hypothesize that if such a group exists, they will have superior verbal memory and reduced visuospatial memory.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 65 participants completed a questionnaire estimating their search percentages, as well as reporting demographic data. Verbal memory was measured using the Wechsler logical memory test, and visuospatial memory was assessed using an online card memory game.

Findings

Hyper-searchers were defined as participants with search percentage of over one standard deviation (SD) above the mean. The average search percentage of the seven participants who met this criterion was 51% (SD = 14%), over five times more than the other participants (M = 10%, SD = 9%). Similar results were obtained by re-analyzing data from four previous papers (N = 1,252). The results further confirmed the hypothesis that hyper-searchers have significantly better verbal memory than other participants, possibly making searching easier and more successful for them. Lastly, the search percentage was positively predicted by verbal memory scores and negatively predicted by visuospatial memory scores. Explanations and future research are discussed.

Originality/value

This preliminary study is the first to introduce the concept of hyper-searchers, demonstrate its existence and study its causes.
Construction productivity assessment on Brock Commons Tallwood House
Authors: Kasbar Mohamed , Staub-French Sheryl , Pilon Angelique , Poirier Erik , Teshnizi Zahra , Froese Thomas
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of the impact of mass timber construction methods on construction performance through the successful delivery of the first-of-a-kind tall wood building, Brock Commons Tallwood House (Tallwood House). This paper is one of a set of papers examining the project; companion papers describe innovations used during the mass timber design and construction processes.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method, longitudinal case study approach was used in this research project to investigate and document the Tallwood House project. Quantitative data were collected to perform the following analysis: hook time, the variability of productivity and schedule reliability. Members of the research team observed construction progress, meetings and decision-making, conducted periodic interviews and reviewed project artifacts.

Findings

The research presented in this paper is the culmination of a longitudinal study aimed at studying the innovation process on a project where radical innovations of structural systems were developed. Prefabrication, combined with the use of a virtual design and construction (VDC) model for planning and fabrication and early collaboration with trades, construction managers and consultants, increased the labor productivity of the on-site erection of the mass timber structural components and envelope panels and expedited the construction schedule.

Originality/value

This paper details an in-depth investigation into the construction productivity for a unique building project and lessons learned. The case study chosen is the construction of Tallwood House at the University of British Columbia. Tallwood House was the tallest mass-timber hybrid building in the world at the time of its construction.
Is it possible to share tacit knowledge using information and communication technology tools?
Authors: Castaneda Delio Ignacio , Toulson Paul
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study aims to determine whether it is possible to use information and communication technology (ICT) tools to share tacit knowledge. Few studies have considered this subject, and they have reported both the ineffectiveness and effectiveness of ICT tools for sharing tacit knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the participants comprised 217 knowledge workers from New Zealand and researchers who attended a knowledge management conference in the UK. In all, 59% of the sample was men and 41% women. The research model compared the scores of knowledge workers in two categories of ICT, those that allow dialogue and those that do not, in relation to knowledge sharing in organizations. The instrument used a Likert scale with five levels of response.

Findings

It was found that not all ICT technologies let tacit knowledge to be shared, but those ICT that facilitate dialogue, for example, text messaging and video conferences. Emails did not facilitate the exchange of tacit knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

It is suggested to replicate the study with different countries to evaluate the role of culture in the communication of tacit knowledge.

Practical implications

An implication for practitioners based on this study is that email should not be the preferred mode for transferring knowledge between an organization and their workers. This mode is adequate for the exchange of explicit knowledge, but it has a limited capacity for transferring tacit knowledge. Thus, organizations may increase the use of audio and video tools to transfer electronically tacit knowledge. Interaction or socialization may facilitate the understanding and internalization of tacit knowledge by workers.

Originality/value

This study contributed to understand the reason for contradictory results from previous research. ICT tools are effective to share tacit knowledge when they facilitate dialogue. Results also support practitioners about how to obtain more effective exchange of tacit knowledge in organizations.
A case for increasing exemplary followership in organizations
Authors: Finlayson Debra L.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

In today’s rapidly changing workforce environment, organizations seek ways to increase productivity to remain competitive. The central human capital strategy is to attract the best talent and increase individual and team productivity to reach its strategic goals. Human Resources (HR) Professionals are required to attract, retain, train and develop employees to exhibit critical citizenship behaviours. The purpose of this paper is to present organizational-based research on why exemplary followers are considered valuable, as well as contribute to the understanding and discourse of the important role “exemplary followers” have for organizations. Extant followership constructs will be linked to key HR processes to illustrate how organizations can select, develop and retain “exemplary followership” to safeguard organizational sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief overview of HR systems and processes to enhance exemplary followership in employees is presented for training and development purposes. A range of research and practitioner papers are reviewed with the aim of illustrating the importance of and the key constructs for exemplary followership and to suggest practical applications for its development within organizations’ HR processes.

Findings

By understanding the importance and implications of exemplary followership development, the author will suggest practical HR tools that may be adopted, whole or in part, thus improving organizational sustainability.

Practical implications

Providing ways for HR to increase exemplary followership through learning and growth might help to expand practical followership development programmes in organizations at all levels.

Originality/value

This paper has drawn on limited followership organizational performance research done in the USA and Ghana and overall research in this area. It has discussed the Followership Continuum Model as a prescriptive tool for organizations to use. All Followership research has simply provided foundational constructs to be used in the original work the author developed for increasing exemplary followership in organizations through HR processes. There is no research like this to the author’s knowledge.
Forecasting the Finnish house price returns and volatility: a comparison of time series models
Authors: Dufitinema Josephine
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare different models’ performance in modelling and forecasting the Finnish house price returns and volatility.

Design/methodology/approach

The competing models are the autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model and autoregressive fractional integrated moving average (ARFIMA) model for house price returns. For house price volatility, the exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (EGARCH) model is competing with the fractional integrated GARCH (FIGARCH) and component GARCH (CGARCH) models.

Findings

Results reveal that, for modelling Finnish house price returns, the data set under study drives the performance of ARMA or ARFIMA model. The EGARCH model stands as the leading model for Finnish house price volatility modelling. The long memory models (ARFIMA, CGARCH and FIGARCH) provide superior out-of-sample forecasts for house price returns and volatility; they outperform their short memory counterparts in most regions. Additionally, the models’ in-sample fit performances vary from region to region, while in some areas, the models manifest a geographical pattern in their out-of-sample forecasting performances.

Research limitations/implications

The research results have vital implications, namely, portfolio allocation, investment risk assessment and decision-making.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, for Finland, there has yet to be empirical forecasting of either house price returns or/and volatility. Therefore, this study aims to bridge that gap by comparing different models’ performance in modelling, as well as forecasting the house price returns and volatility of the studied market.
The interplay between inter-personal and inter-organizational relationships in coordinating supply chain activities
Authors: Saikouk Tarik , Fattam Nejib , Angappa Gunasekaran , Hamdi Ahmed
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify and explain the link between relational dynamics and the development of coordination capabilities of Fourth-Party Logistics Providers (4PL) within a supply chain (SC). We aim to demonstrate the critical role relational dynamics can play in converting trust from interpersonal to inter-organizational level and facilitate the improvement of capabilities to coordinate customer's SC activities.

Design/methodology/approach

Using semi-structured interviews with 78 logistics managers operating in 45 different logistics service providers located in France, we developed a set of propositions and built a conceptual framework. Exploratory qualitative research in the form of propositional discourse analysis (PDA) is used to develop propositions in our research to contribute to theory in supply chain management (SCM).

Findings

Results indicate that both interpersonal and inter-organizational trust is a convertible capital. Based on their dynamic interactions, these two levels of trust endow the supply chain partners with economic benefits that would otherwise be highly costly or even practically extremely difficult to achieve through complex socio-economic transactions (meso-social level).

Research limitations/implications

Future research may test our conceptual model using primary and secondary data and conduct longitudinal case studies that are necessary to triangulate our results and thus strengthen our conclusions. The prospect of adding control variables to our model would be of considerable importance.

Practical implications

Our results suggest that “4PL” need to invest more in interpersonal relations to facilitate collaboration with their clients and enhance their capability to coordinate and manage customer's supply chain activities. The ability to convert interpersonal trust represents an invaluable capital contributing to the achievement of above-normal profits.

Originality/value

This work contributes to a better understanding of the coordination of supply chain activities through the development, mobilization and maintenance of social capital. While previous research explained the importance of trust in SCM, this paper explores and studies the process of converting interpersonal trust into social capital mobilized at the supply chain level. We add to the existing literature on structural and relational dimensions of social capital by offering a process-based explanation of the conversion of interpersonal trust into inter-organizational trust and its role in facilitating collaboration in logistics services.
Servitization for consumer products: an empirical exploration of challenges and benefits for supply chain partners
Authors: Kreye Melanie E. , van Donk Dirk Pieter
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To increase sustainability of their products and enable new business opportunities, manufacturers explore servitization in consumer markets. Yet, the literature has not addressed this development. This study is one of the first to investigate the challenges and benefits for manufacturers and their supply chains when engaging in business-to-consumer (B2C) servitization.

Design/methodology/approach

The study explores two unique cases of manufacturers of complex consumer products that aim to extend their service offerings to the end-users. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews, observations and secondary data.

Findings

First, the authors identify two factors as prerequisites for a servitized set-up: internal collaboration within the manufacturer and product characteristics (e.g. product complexity). Second, the authors identify the network as an important factor for B2C servitization, which includes the triadic set-up between manufacturer, installer and consumer. Third, the authors identify moderating institutional settings, such as regulations and consumer needs.

Originality/value

This research elaborates existing B2B servitization theory into an empirically informed theoretical framework for B2C contexts. It expands the view on servitization by introducing the network perspective to service a large number of geographically dispersed customers.
Simultaneous identification of joint stiffness, kinematic and hand-eye parameters of measurement system integrated with serial robot and 3D camera
Authors: Zhuang Jinlei , Li Ruifeng , Cao Chuqing , Gao Yunfeng , Wang Ke , Wang Feiyang
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a measurement principle and a calibration method of measurement system integrated with serial robot and 3D camera to identify its parameters conveniently and achieve high measurement accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

A stiffness and kinematic measurement principle of the integrated system is proposed, which considers the influence of robot weight and load weight on measurement accuracy. Then an error model is derived based on the principle that the coordinate of sphere center is invariant, which can simultaneously identify the parameters of joint stiffness, kinematic and hand-eye relationship. Further, considering the errors of the parameters to be calibrated and the measurement error of 3D camera, a method to generate calibration observation data is proposed to validate both calibration accuracy and parameter identification accuracy of calibration method.

Findings

Comparative simulations and experiments of conventional kinematic calibration method and the stiffness and kinematic calibration method proposed in this paper are conducted. The results of the simulations show that the proposed method is more accurate, and the identified values of angle parameters in modified Denavit and Hartenberg model are closer to their real values. Compared with the conventional calibration method in experiments, the proposed method decreases the maximum and mean errors by 19.9% and 13.4%, respectively.

Originality/value

A new measurement principle and a novel calibration method are proposed. The proposed method can simultaneously identify joint stiffness, kinematic and hand-eye parameters and obtain not only higher measurement accuracy but also higher parameter identification accuracy, which is suitable for on-site calibration.
The optimal pricing model of online knowledge payment goods in C2C sharing economy
Authors: Qu Yi , Lin Zhengkui , Zhang Xiaonan
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to research the price strategies of online knowledge payment product by considering network externality in the C2C sharing economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the characteristics of online knowledge goods and the social network externality of consumers, this study establishes a consumer utility function. On this basis, a multistage game pricing model of online knowledge products is established based on three kinds of network price strategies under a completely competitive market structure. It also analyzes the influence of consumer social network structure and consumer utility on online knowledge product pricing and producer profit, as well as the influence of consumer quantity and discount rate on pricing strategy.

Findings

The consumer social network and consumer utility affect the pricing of online knowledge product under different price strategies. In the growth period of the platform, adopting the price discrimination strategy, the profit of producers is significantly higher than that of other price strategies, and producers should choose effective price strategies for reasonable pricing in combination with their own sales objectives.

Originality/value

This study enriches the literature on the pricing model of online knowledge payment product and owns a practical significance to guide the knowledge producers’ marketing strategies to increase profit.
Digital decisions: user-driven digitization
Authors: Sussmeier Stephanie , Perez Heather
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine digitization selection strategies to optimize usage by examining digital collections at Stockton University, comparing the library-driven projects to the community-driven ones.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study of digitization selection strategy for Special Collections and University Archives, comparing library-driven to community-driven approaches.

Findings

Based on webpage analytics of the digital collections, community-driven digitization projects are more successful than library-driven ones.

Research limitations/implications

As a case study, this paper only analyzes a select number of digital collections from one institution.

Practical implications

Those responsible for digitization selection may wish to allow community members to propose collections for digitization.

Originality/value

To the authors’ best knowledge, no other known studies have used user analytics to compare community-driven digitization projects to library-driven ones.
Embedding Australian Public Service management reforms: The Secretary could not make it so
Authors: Graves Peter Wayne , Blackman Deborah , O'Donnell Michael
Published: April 2021

Public sector leaders in the Australian Public Service (APS) can learn from the demise of programme evaluation introduced as part of managing for results reforms, as they implement the evaluation of agency performance outcomes under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act (2013) (PGPA). This paper demonstrates that public sector management reforms require more than top‐down initiation by agency heads and that implementation needs to occur over an extended time frame. Although there has been increased communication of APS agencies’ purpose in annual reports, as required by the PGPA Act (2013), ambiguity continues in relation to how planned performance aligns with performance outcomes. The potential for inertia and resistance to management reforms from middle managers and employees may also re‐emerge where there is insufficient training to develop their skills to conduct performance evaluations; skills shortages and inertia from middle managers and employees may also be more evident in geographically dispersed APS offices. To increase the potential for performance reporting and evaluation reforms to be embedded, central agency and agency public sector leaders need to work together to reinforce the value of these reforms, particularly where government ministers or governments change.
A different view of literacy
Authors: Imray Peter , Sissons Mike
Published: April 2021

The Equals Formal Curriculum English Scheme of Work has been designed for that very small percentage of the school population, perhaps as low as one or two per cent, who have global learning difficulties (GLD) to such a degree that they are consistently working at levels significantly below their age‐related peers for all of their academic lives. The term GLD includes all those in England currently ascribed as having severe learning difficulties (SLD) and many if not most, currently ascribed as having moderate learning difficulties (MLD). Evidence of the difficulties faced by such pupils will become increasingly obvious beyond Year 1 at age 6, because the difficulties are global rather than specific. That is, they are likely to affect all learning, but will be particularly apparent in numeracy and literacy. This paper, the first of two, seeks to clarify why reading and writing are so extraordinarily difficult for this population and posits that the answers lie in challenging perceived wisdoms within the education system’s predilections towards (i) regarding phonics as the only solution to reading difficulties (ii) persisting over time (and in the face of evidence to the contrary) with the view that children, young people and adults with GLD can make sufficient progress within phonics teaching and (iii) the use of differentiation of a standardised national curriculum model as being a sufficient answer to global learning difficulties. Clearly the main language used in England is English, but the principles and ideas outlined in this paper should apply in any language which uses a phonic structure when teaching language.