bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GABOLA: A Reliable Gap-Filling Strategy for de novo Chromosome-Level Assembly
Authors: Chuang Wei-Hsuan , Cheng Hsueh-Chien , Chang Yu-Jung , Fu Pao-Yin , Huang Yi-Chen , Hsieha Ping-Heng , Chen Shu-Hwa , Lina Chung-Yen , Ho Jan-Ming
Published: September 2021

We propose a novel method, GABOLA, which utilizes long-range genomic information provided by accurate linked short reads jointly with long reads to improve the integrity and resolution of whole genome assemblies especially in complex genetic regions. We validated GABOLA on human and Japanese eel genomes. On the two human samples, we filled in more bases spanning 23.3Mbp and 46.2Mbp than Supernova assembler, covering over 3,200 functional genes which includes 8,500 exons and 15,000 transcripts. Among them, multiple genes related to various types of cancer were identified. Moreover, we discovered additional 11,031,487 base pairs of repeat sequences and 218 exclusive repeat patterns, some of which are known to be linked to several disorders such as neuron degenerative diseases. As for the eel genome, we successfully raised the genetic benchmarking score to 94.6% while adding 24.7 million base pairs. These results manifest the capability of GABOLA in the optimization of whole genome assembly and the potential in precise disease diagnosis and high-quality non-model organism breeding.

Availability: The docker image and source code of GABOLA assembler are available at https://hub.docker.com/r/lsbnb/gabola and https://github.com/lsbnb/gabola respectively.
Diet specialization in an insular population of coastal Peregrine Falcons
Authors: Sutton Luke J. , Loram Sebastian W.
Published: September 2021

Individual diet specialization is known to occur in populations of generalist predators, where specific individuals develop specialist feeding strategies. Diet specialization has been reported in many raptor species, and it may be an important driver of intraspecific population structure. Here, we quantify the diet of five breeding pairs of Peregrine FalconsFalco peregrinusfrom an offshore island determined from prey remains collected over four breeding seasons. Three prey species accounted for 69.8 % of total prey frequency, with Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusthe primary prey accounting for 47.3 % by frequency and 40.8 % by biomass. Herring GullLarus argentatuswas the second most important prey species by frequency (13.8 %) and biomass (29.8 %) followed by Domestic PigeonColumba livia(frequency = 8.7 %, biomass = 7.0 %). Predation frequency on specific prey groups varied substantially between breeding pairs and months. Two pairs specialized on Manx Shearwater, one pair specialized on Herring Gull and Manx Shearwater, with the remaining two pairs having a relatively generalist diet of Manx Shearwaters, Domestic Pigeon and small passerines. Predation on Manx Shearwaters increased throughout the breeding season with a peak in total diet frequency of 63.8 % in July, with a concurrent decrease in Herring Gull predation frequency. Higher percentage of Manx Shearwater in the diet was able to explain 87 % of the variation in a narrower dietary breadth for the Peregrine pairs. Our results suggest individual diet specialization may be important for understanding population density in insular raptor populations.
Roles of cellular senescence in driving bone marrow adiposity in radiation- and aging-associated bone loss
Authors: Chandra Abhishek , Lagnado Anthony B. , Farr Joshua N. , Schleusner Megan , Monroe David G. , Hachfeld Christine , Passos João F. , Khosla Sundeep , Pignolo Robert J.
Published: September 2021

Osteoporosis is associated with an increase in marrow adipocytes, collectively termed bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT). An increase in BMAT is linked with decline of mesenchymal progenitors that give rise to osteoblasts which are responsible for bone accrual. Oxidative stress-induced reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, apoptosis and cellular senescence have been associated with reduced osteoprogenitors in a reciprocal fashion to BMAT; however, a direct (causal) link between cellular senescence and BMAT is still elusive. Accumulation of senescent cells occur in naturally aged and in focally radiated bone tissue, but despite amelioration of age- and radiation-associated bone loss after senescent cell clearance, molecular events that precede BMAT accrual are largely unknown. Using a mouse model here we show by RNA-Sequencing data that BMAT-related genes were the most upregulated gene subset in radiated bones. Using focal radiation as a model to understand age-associated changes in bone, we performed a longitudinal assessment of cellular senescence and BMAT. Using qRT-PCR, RNA in situ hybridization and histological assessment of telomere dysfunction as a marker of senescence, we observed increased p21 transcripts in bone lining cells, osteocytes and bone marrow cells, and elevated dysfunctional telomeres in osteocytes starting from day 1 post-radiation, without the presence of BMAT. BMAT was significantly elevated in radiated bones at day 7, confirming the qRT-PCR data in which most BMAT-related genes were elevated by day 7, and the trend continued until day 42 post-radiation. Similarly, elevation in BMAT-related genes was observed in aged bones. The senolytic cocktail of Dasatinib (D) plus Quercetin (Q) – D+Q, which clears senescent cells, reduced BMAT in aged and radiated bones. MicroRNAs (miRs) linked with senescence marker p21 were downregulated in radiated- and aged-bones, while miR-27a, a miR that is associated with increased BMAT, was elevated both in radiated- and aged-bones. D+Q downregulated miR-27a in radiated bones at 42 days post-radiation. Overall, our study provides evidence that BMAT occurrence in oxidatively stressed bone environments, such as radiation and aging, is induced following a common pathway and is dependent on the presence of senescent cells.
Clustering single cell CITE-seq data with a canonical correlation based deep learning method
Authors: Yuan Musu , Chen Liang , Deng Minghua
Published: September 2021

Single cell sequencing examines the sequence information from individual cells with optimized next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. It provides researchers a higher resolution of cellular differences and a better understanding of the function of an individual cell in the context of its microenvironment. CITE-seq, or Cellular Indexing of Transcriptomes and Epitopes by sequencing, is one of the latest innovations in the domain of single cell sequencing. It enables researchers to simultaneously capture RNA and surface protein expression on the same cells so that we can correlate the two data types, identify biomarkers and better characterize cell phenotypes. Although multi-omics sequencing technologies developed rapidly, data analyzing methods tailored for multiomics sequencing data are lacking. Several serious problems have to be faced. An important one is how to integrate the information from different modalities, namely scRNA and protein data, efficiently.

In this paper, we introduce a canonical correlation based deep learning method called scCTClust for clustering analysis over CITE-seq data. We impute and extract the characteristics of the high dimensional RNA part of data with a ZINB model-based autoencoder. A t-kernel distance is introduced to measure the similarity between query cell and cluster centroids. And the protein data rectifies the feature extraction of scRNA data in a canonical correlation analysis(CCA) way. Extensive data experiments shows that scCTClust can precisely recover the dropout values for RNA sequencing data and extract authentic information from both modalities, getting a much better clustering result than state-of-the-art methods, no matter single-omic or multi-omics clustering algorithms.
Common and distinct neurofunctional representations of core and social disgust in the brain: Coordinate-based and network meta-analyses
Authors: Gan Xianyang , Zhou Xinqi , Li Jialin , Jiao Guojuan , Jiang Xi , Biswal Bharat , Yao Shuxia , Klugah-Brown Benjamin , Becker Benjamin
Published: September 2021

Disgust represents a multifaceted defensive-avoidance response. On the behavioral level, the response includes withdrawal and a disgust-specific facial expression. While both serve the avoidance of pathogens, the latter additionally transmits social-communicative information. Given that common and distinct brain representation of the primary defensive-avoidance response (core disgust) and encoding of the social-communicative signal (social disgust) remain debated, we employed neuroimaging meta-analyses to (1) determine brain systems generally engaged in disgust processing, and (2) segregate common and distinct brain systems for core and social disgust. Disgust processing, in general, engaged a bilateral network encompassing the insula, amygdala, occipital and prefrontal regions. Core disgust evoked stronger reactivity in left-lateralized threat detection and defensive response network including amygdala, occipital and frontal regions while social disgust engaged a right-lateralized superior temporal-frontal network engaged in social cognition. Anterior insula, inferior frontal and fusiform regions were commonly engaged during core and social disgust, suggesting a common neural basis. We demonstrate a common and separable neural basis of primary disgust responses and encoding of associated social-communicative signals.
Different encoding of reward location in dorsal and ventral hippocampus
Authors: Jarzebowski Przemyslaw , Hay Y. Audrey , Grewe Benjamin F. , Paulsen Ole
Published: September 2021

Hippocampal neurons encode a cognitive map for spatial navigation1. When they fire at specific locations in the environment, they are known as place cells2. In the dorsal hippocampus place cells accumulate at current navigational goals, such as learned reward locations3–6. In the intermediate-to-ventral hippocampus (here collectively referred to as ventral hippocampus), neurons fire across larger place fields7–10 and regulate reward- seeking behavior11–16, but little is known about their involvement in reward-directed navigation. Here, we compared the encoding of learned reward locations in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus during spatial navigation. We used calcium imaging with a head- mounted microscope to track the activity of CA1 cells over multiple days during which mice learned different reward locations. In dorsal CA1 (dCA1), the overall number of active place cells increased in anticipation of reward but the recruited cells changed with the reward location. In ventral CA1 (vCA1), the activity of the same cells anticipated the reward locations. Our results support a model in which the dCA1 cognitive map incorporates a changing population of cells to encode reward proximity through increased population activity, while the vCA1 provides a reward-predictive code in the activity of a specific subpopulation of cells. Both of these location-invariant codes persisted over time, and together they provide a dual hippocampal reward-location code, assisting goal- directed navigation17, 18.
SUMOylation of Dorsal attenuates Toll/NF-κB signalling
Authors: Hegde Sushmitha , Sreejan Ashley , Gadgil Chetan J , Ratnaparkhi Girish S
Published: September 2021

In Drosophila, Toll/NF-κB signalling plays key roles in both animal development and in host defence. The activation, intensity and kinetics of Toll signalling is regulated by post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, SUMOylation or ubiquitination that target multiple proteins in the Toll/NF-κB cascade.

Here, we have generated a CRISPR-Cas9 edited Dorsal (DL) variant that is SUMO conjugation resistant (SCR). Intriguingly, embryos laid by dlSCR mothers overcome dl haploinsufficiency and complete the developmental program. This ability appears to be a result of higher transcriptional activation by DLSCR. In contrast, SUMOylation dampens DL transcriptional activation, ultimately conferring robustness to the dorso-ventral program. In the larval immune response, dlSCR animals show increase in crystal cell numbers, stronger activation of humoral defence genes, high cactus levels and cytoplasmic stabilization of DL:Cactus complexes. A mathematical model that evaluates the contribution of the small fraction of SUMOylated DL (<5%) suggests that it acts to block transcriptional activation, driven primarily by DL that is not SUMO conjugated.

Our findings define SUMO conjugation as an important regulator of the Toll signalling cascade, in both development and in host defense. Our results broadly indicate that SUMO attenuates DL at the level of transcriptional activation. Further, we hypothesize that SUMO conjugation of DL may be part of a Ubc9 dependant feedback circuit that restrains Toll/NF-κB signalling.
The temporal dynamics of the sea urchin regulome
Authors: Feuda Roberto
Published: September 2021

In this work, we used Nanostring N-counter technology, to evaluate the mRNA expression level of more than 330 regulatory genes over 34-time points covering the first three days of development of the sea urchin larvae. The hierarchical clustering of the mRNAs expression levels has identified groups corresponding to the major developmental landmarks (e.g., maternal to zygotic transition and gastrulation). Furthermore, comparison with previous experiments indicates high reproducibility of mRNA level temporal dynamics across batches. Finally, we generated an online tool to visualize gene expression during sea urchin larval development. The site can be accessed at https://nanostring2021.herokuapp.com/.
Comparative metabolomics with Metaboseek reveals functions of a conserved fat metabolism pathway inC. elegans
Authors: Helf Maximilian J. , Fox Bennett W. , Artyukhin Alexander B. , Zhang Ying K. , Schroeder Frank C.
Published: September 2021

Untargeted metabolomics via high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) can reveal more than 100,000 molecular features in a single sample, many of which may represent unidentified metabolites, posing significant challenges to data analysis. We here introduce Metaboseek, an open-source analysis platform designed for untargeted comparative metabolomics and demonstrate its utility by uncovering biosynthetic functions of a conserved fat metabolism pathway, α-oxidation, usingC. elegansas a model. Metaboseek integrates modules for molecular feature detection, statistics, molecular formula prediction, and fragmentation (MS/MS) analysis, which uncovered more than 200 previously uncharacterized α-oxidation-dependent metabolites in an untargeted comparison of wildtype and α-oxidation-defectivehacl-1mutants. The identified metabolites support the predicted enzymatic function of HACL-1 and revealed that α-oxidation participates in metabolism of endogenous β-methyl-branched fatty acids and food-derived cyclopropane lipids. Our results showcase compound discovery and feature annotation at scale via untargeted comparative metabolomics applied to a conserved primary metabolic pathway and suggest a model for the metabolism of cyclopropane lipids.
Multiscale Simulation of an Influenza A M2 Channel Mutant Reveals Key Features of Its Markedly Different Proton Transport Behavior
Authors: Watkins Laura C. , DeGrado William F. , Voth Gregory A.
Published: September 2021

The influenza A M2 channel, a prototype for the viroporin class of viral channels, is an acid-activated viroporin that conducts protons across the viral membrane, a critical step in the viral life cycle. As the protons enter from the viral exterior, four central His37 residues control the channel activation by binding subsequent protons, which opens the Trp41 gate and allows proton flux to the viral interior. Asp44 is essential for maintaining the Trp41 gate in a closed state at high pH, which results in asymmetric conduction. The prevalent D44N mutant disrupts this gate and opens the C-terminal end of the channel, resulting in overall increased conduction in the physiologically relevant pH range and a loss of this asymmetric conduction. Here, we use extensive Multiscale Reactive Molecular Dynamics (MS-RMD) and Quantum Mechanics/Molecular mechanics (QM/MM) simulations with an explicit, reactive excess proton to calculate the free energy of proton transport in the M2 mutant and to study the dynamic molecular-level behavior of D44N M2. We find that this mutation significantly lowers the barrier of His37 deprotonation in the activated state and shifts the barrier for entry up to the Val27 tetrad. These free energy changes are reflected in structural shifts. Additionally, we show that the increased hydration around the His37 tetrad diminishes the effect of the His37 charge on the channel’s water structure, facilitating proton transport and enabling activation from the viral interior. Altogether, this work provides key insight into the fundamental characteristics of PT in WT M2 and how the D44N mutation alters this PT mechanism, and it expands our understanding of the role of emergent mutations in viroporins.
Human generation times across the past 250,000 years
Authors: Wang Richard J. , Al-Saffar Samer I. , Rogers Jeffrey , Hahn Matthew W.
Published: September 2021

The generation times of our recent ancestors can tell us about both the biology and social organization of prehistoric humans, placing human evolution on an absolute timescale. We present a method for predicting historic male and female generation times based on changes in the mutation spectrum. Our analyses of whole-genome data reveal an average generation time of 26.9 years across the past 250,000 years, with fathers consistently older (30.7 years) than mothers (23.2 years). Shifts in sex-averaged generation times have been driven primarily by changes to the age of paternity rather than maternity, though we report a disproportionate increase in female generation times over the past several thousand years. We also find a large difference in generation times among populations, with samples from current African populations showing longer ancestral generation times than non-Africans for over a hundred thousand years, reaching back to a time when all humans occupied Africa.
Decoding assembly of alpha-helical transmembrane pores through intermediate states
Authors: Puthumadathil Neethu , Nair Greeshma S , Krishnan Smrithi R , Mahendran Kozhinjampara R
Published: September 2021

Membrane-active pore-forming alpha-helical peptides and proteins are well known for their dynamic assembly mechanism and it has been critical to delineate the pore-forming structures in the membrane. Previously, attempts have been made to elucidate their assembly mechanism and there is a large gap due to complex pathways by which these membrane-active pores impart their effect. Here we demonstrate the multi-step structural assembly pathway of alpha-helical peptide pores formed by a 37 amino-acid synthetic peptide, pPorU based on the natural porin from Corynebacterium urealyticum using single-channel electrical recordings. More specifically, we report detectable intermediates states during membrane insertion and pore formation of pPorU. The fully assembled pore is functional and exhibited unusually large stable conductance and voltage-dependent gating, generally applicable to a range of pore-forming proteins. Furthermore, we used rationally designed mutants to understand the role of specific amino acids in the assembly of these peptide pores. Mutant peptides that differ from wild-type peptides produced noisy, unstable intermediate states and low conductance pores, demonstrating sequence specificity in the pore-formation process supported by molecular dynamics simulations. We suggest that our study contributes to understanding the mechanism of action of alpha-helical pores and antimicrobial peptides and should be of broad interest to bioengineers to build peptide-based nanopore sensors.
Information modeling and system realization for supporting engineering education accreditation process based on polychromatic graph
Authors: Wang Xueping , Gao Xinqin
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The engineering education accreditation (EEA) is a principal quality assurance mechanism. However, at many education institutions, the most labor-intensive work of EEA process is accomplished manually. Without the support of computer and information technology, the EEA process leads to high labor intensity, low work efficiency and poor management level. The purpose of this paper is to build a complex network model and realize an information management system of talent training program for supporting the EEA process.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on polychromatic graph (PG), this paper builds a network model of talent training program for engineering specialty. The related information and data are organized and processed in this network model. From the bidirections of top-down and bottom-up, the user requirements are retrieved automatically in logic layer. Together with the specialty of mechanical engineering, the proposed PG-based network modeling method is applied and the corresponding information management system is realized.

Findings

The study results show that the PG-based network modeling method takes full advantages of the strong simulation ability of PG to model the complex network system and has some unique merits in formal expression of problem, efficient processing of information and lightweight realization of system. Further, the information management system of talent training program can reduce the tedious human labor and improve the management level of EEA process dramatically.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a PG-based network modeling method, in which the nodes and the edges can be painted by some unified colors to describe the different kinds of activities and the various types of interactions. Theoretically, this modeling method does not distinguish the activities, the interactions and their properties in graphic symbol and the problem size is diminished about a half. Furthermore, this paper provides an effective experience and idea to the education institutions for implementing the engineering education accreditation, increasing the education management efficiency and promoting the talent training quality.
Classification of space-like translation surfaces in the 3-dimensional Lorentz Heisenberg group H3
Authors: Medjati Rafik , Zoubir Hanifi , Medjahdi Brahim
Published: September 2021

Purpose

In the Lorentz Heisenberg space H3 endowed with flat metric g3, a translation surface is parametrized by r(x, y) = γ1(x)*γ2(y), where γ1 and γ2 are two planar curves lying in planes, which are not orthogonal. In this article, we classify translation surfaces in H3, which satisfy some algebraic equations in terms of the coordinate functions and the Laplacian operator with respect to the first fundamental form of the surface.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, we classify some type of space-like translation surfaces of H3 endowed with flat metric g3 under the conditionΔri = λiri. We will develop the system which describes surfaces of type finite in H3. For solve the system thus obtained, we will use the calculation variational. Finally, we will try to give performances geometric surfaces that meet the condition imposed.

Findings

Classification of six types of translation surfaces of finite type in the three-dimensional Lorentz Heisenberg group H3.

Originality/value

The subject of this paper lies at the border of geometry differential and spectral analysis on manifolds. Historically, the first research on the study of sub-finite type varieties began around the 1970 by B.Y.Chen. The idea was to find a better estimate of the mean total curvature of a compact subvariety of a Euclidean space. In fact, the notion of finite type subvariety is a natural extension of the notion of a minimal subvariety or surface, a notion directly linked to the calculation of variations. The goal of this work is the classification of surfaces in H3, in other words the surfaces which satisfy the condition/Delta (ri) = /Lambda (ri), such that the Laplacian is associated with the first, fundamental form.
Abusive supervision: a content analysis of theory and methodology
Authors: Zhang Yucheng , Hou Zhongwei , Zhou Xingxing , Yue Yumeng , Liu Siqi , Jiang XiaoXiao , Li Ling
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Despite recent organizational behavior studies have witnessed considerable progress in abusive supervision research; some demerits for both theory and methodology still remain in the past years. To clarify the current state of knowledge in the field, this study aims to analyze the current state of theories and methods on abusive supervision and provides a detailed future research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducted a literature review for both theory and methodology of the abusive supervision research using a content analysis of 134 publications.

Findings

For the theory part, this paper summarized the theories that had been applied to explain the relationship between abusive supervision and its consequences as well as antecedents. For the methodology part, this paper outlined some critical issues regarding country of origin, research design, measurement, analysis strategy and also summarized with a discussion of the relationship between methodological issues and article impact. Finally, this paper concluded by presenting an agenda for future abusive supervision research regarding both theory and methodology.

Originality/value

First, this paper summarizes the main theories, antecedents and consequences often used in abusive supervision research to allow scholars to carry out theoretically driven research investigating abusive supervision in the future. Second, through a content analysis of the methods sections of abusive supervision research in the samples (i.e. country of origin, research design, measurement and analytical procedures), this paper identified the potential reasons underlying the inconsistency in the conclusions of abusive supervision research and provide some guidance for future empirical studies. Third, based on the qualitative review, this paper provides an agenda for future research investigating abusive supervision by developing a content-specific theoretical framework to benchmark abusive supervision research against other research related to leadership and offers an accurate response to scholars’ criticisms of abusive supervision research.
Evaluation of local government revenue collection information system success in Tanzania
Authors: Sausi John M. , Kitali Erick J. , Mtebe Joel S.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aims to adapt the updated DeLone and McLean model to evaluate the success of the local government revenue collection and information system (IS) implemented in Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a concurrent mixed research design integrating quantitative and qualitative data within a single investigation. A total of 296 users from local government authorities (LGAs) in 5 regions in Tanzania participated in the study.

Findings

The study found that the system quality and information quality had a significant positive impact whilst service quality and trust in the system had a significant negative effect. In contrast, facilitating conditions did not have an effect whatsoever. The findings from the open-ended questions and implications of the findings are discussed.

Originality/value

The findings from this study will help LGAs understand the factors that affect the success of the ISs in developing countries. The results indicate that in addition to information technology attributes, building trust in the system is crucial to foster user satisfaction and increase the public value of the systems.
“I can, I’m doing, but I’m unfit, a tentative approach towards entrepreneurial regret”
Authors: Hafeez Hira , Ahsan  Qurratulain , Sarwar Ambreen
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Career choices and selections are amongst the most important predictors of a person’s perception of life satisfaction. Pursuing entrepreneurship as a career may arise as a result of psychological adaptation of career choices in addition to societal role specifications. Therefor, this study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of potential predictors which can intervene in the entrepreneurial intentions and its progression for an important group of the society.

Design/methodology/approach

Using semi-structured interviews, this qualitative study attempts to illuminate existing and emerging trends, barriers and future orientation of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. Nvivo 12 was used for thematic analysis to drive specific themes of entrepreneurial regret in Pakistani women entrepreneurs.

Findings

The findings revealed multilevel themes influencing women’s choices of entrepreneurship as a career, including intrinsic, extrinsic and interpersonal factors. All of these factors shared the feature of social segregation and socially developed role categorisation. The findings revealed that gender roles and segregation in societies play a significant role in influencing women’s career choices.

Originality/value

Though similar narratives have been presented in previous studies in the context of career selection. This study, on the other hand, makes a unique contribution by identifying relative factors as determinants of regret and counterfactual thinking in Pakistan’s socially constrained culture.
Robustness of convergence demonstrated byparametric-guiding andcomplex-root-tunneling algorithms for Bratu’s problem
Authors: Liu Zhi , Shih Tienmo , Chen Zhong
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aims to propose the parametric-guiding algorithm, the complex-root (CR) tunneling algorithm and the method that integrates both algorithms for the heat and fluid flow (HFF) community, and apply them to nonlinear Bratu’s boundary-value problem (BVP) and Blasius BVP.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first algorithm, iterations are primarily guided by a diminishing parameter that is introduced to reduce magnitudes of fictitious source terms. In the second algorithm, when iteration-related barriers are encountered, CRs are generated to tunnel through the barrier. At the exit of the tunnel, imaginary parts of CRs are trimmed.

Findings

In terms of the robustness of convergence, the proposed method outperforms the traditional Newton–Raphson (NR) method. For most pulsed initial guesses that resemble pulsed initial conditions for the transient Bratu BVP, the proposed method has not failed to converge.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the parametric-guiding algorithm, the CR tunneling algorithm and the method that integrates both have not been reported in the computational-HFF-related literature.
Information search behavior among Chinese self-drive tourists in the smartphone era
Authors: Ni Jiaye , Rhim Anthony Hae Ryong , Chiu Dickson K.W. , Ho Kevin K.W.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The Chinese economy has grown rapidly over the past decade, making self-drive tours more affordable among Chinese tourists. Thus, self-driving tours using online tourism-related information have also been popular. This study aims to investigate information search behaviors among different segments of Chinese self-drive tourists under the influence of contemporary mobile internet technologies and compares the results with prior related studies from a global standpoint.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigates the relationships between tourist demographics and information search behavior in Mainland China based on a quantitative method. This study collected 228 surveys from users with self-drive tour experience. This study also conducted a series of online interviews to explore the potential barriers when self-drive tourists search for information.

Findings

The results showed variances within pre-decision and post-decision stages between different age groups, social classes and experience levels. Preference for up-to-date information and contemporary platforms were also observed.

Originality/value

Research paucity exists on self-drive tourists’ information search behavior, using data collected from Mainland Chinese tourists using mobile devices. The findings offer insights to industry practitioners, such as travel agencies and liaison websites, for refining their services to meet the information needs of Chinese self-drive tourists through more comprehensive marketing strategies.
English and French language ability and the employability of immigrants in Canada
Authors: Solati Fariba , Chowdhury Murshed , Jackson Nicholas
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Both potential immigrants to Canada and policymakers in Canada continually compare and contrast the economic returns of immigrants' language ability and proficiency. They ask which of the two official languages has a higher economic return in terms of employment and earning. This study examines how ability and proficiency in Canada's two official languages, separately and/or jointly, influences immigrants' quick absorption into the labour market.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses all three waves of the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada (LSIC) and employs logistic regression on the relationship between employability, language ability/proficiency and various non-linguistic factors.

Findings

The study reports that language ability in French is as valuable as language ability in English for immigrants who are aspiring to work, full-time or part-time, when they arrive in Canada. The advantages of language ability and proficiency continue a few years after an immigrant's arrival. Using disaggregated speaking, reading and writing competencies, the authors observe that speaking proficiency in English has a greater impact on employability than reading and writing in English.

Originality/value

There are very few studies looking at the effects of language ability and proficiency on the employability of immigrants in countries with multiple official languages. Most studies are mainly focused on earning and not employability. This study is focused on employability, particularly in the context of Canada. Furthermore, this study specifically disaggregates the impact of speaking, reading and writing competencies in both languages on employment in Canada.
Synchronous online flip learning with formative gamification quiz: instruction during COVID-19
Authors: Zainuddin Zamzami , Farida Ratna , Keumala Cut Muftia , Kurniawan Rudi , Iskandar Hadi
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aims to present research evidence on the relevance of online gamification flip learning as a pedagogical instruction in promoting learning engagement when college students are impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. In this study, a gamified formative assessment was used to examine learner engagement and to evaluate the effectiveness of gamification within a synchronous online flipped instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiphase mixed methods research design was used for this study. The evaluation relied on triangulated evidence gathered through questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews administered at an Indonesian college setting.

Findings

Based on the findings, gamified learning and formative assessments that adopt online flipped approaches have shown a positive bearing on learner engagement, despite the challenges learners face while harrowing through times of calamity. The results of this study provide prima facie support for the claim that the use of interactive gamified e-quizzes proves to be an innovative means of stimulating student engagement during the online class.

Originality/value

The results further suggest that a learning framework that incorporates both online flipped and gamification techniques provide the stimulus that is likely to forge an emotional connection that can inspire learner engagement, much needed when learners rally through calamitous events. This study has established evidential links between gamification and flipped classroom instructional delivery, particularly for online class settings. It is well-anticipated that gamification flip learning can continue to be implemented either in online, blended or face-to-face class instruction and particularly after the time of the pandemic.
From physical to digital: what drives generation Z for mobile commerce adoption?
Authors: Verma Deepti , Tripathi Vaibhav , Singh Ajai Pratap
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aims to identify factors affecting generation Z as the early adopters of mobile commerce (m-commerce). The research seeks to explore their behavioral intention to adopt m-commerce in India with consideration of gender differences while providing empirical validation for the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a modified TPB model has been used to explain generation Z’s intention to adopt m-commerce. The proposed model was tested using a survey method with a sample of 245 students from a private university in Northern India. Subgroup analysis was performed to find gender differences in the process of adopting m-commerce.

Findings

All three independent constructs have a positive influence on the behavioral intention of generation Z to adopt m-commerce. Further, the male subgroup has a lower beta value for attitude and higher beta value for subjective norm in comparison to the female subgroup. For perceived behavioral control, no significant difference in beta value across gender could be established.

Practical implications

A better understanding of generation Z behavioral intentions will be of great use to telecom companies, marketers and electronic commerce companies to formulate strategies to expedite the use of m-commerce. As gender plays an important role in attitude and subjective norms, companies are advised to target their communication tactics in accordance to gender.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to test TPB and generation Z association in the context of m-commerce adoption in India. Data regarding the difference between the two genders has also shed light on the uniqueness of the context.
Impact of perceived interactivity and perceived value on mobile app stickiness: an emerging economy perspective
Authors: Nandi Santosh , Nandi Madhavi Latha , Khandker Varsha
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the determinants of mobile app stickiness (MASS) in emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study proposes a research model about how perceived interactivity (PI), perceived value, flow and self-efficacy influence MASS. The proposed model is then assessed in partial least square structural equation modeling using a survey sample of 587 mobile app users in India. Follow-up in-depth interviews are conducted to corroborate with statistical findings.

Findings

PI does not exert a significant direct influence on MASS. Rather, it is through perceived hedonic and utilitarian values and flow, which magnifies MASS. Also, mobile app users in emerging economies perceive an app to be interactive based on the app’s higher degrees of connectedness, non-verbal information and responsiveness, and not so much as reciprocity and control.

Research limitations/implications

Besides the demographic and geographic limitations of the sample, the study emphasizes only the positive cursors of MASS, such as value and loyalty benefits. It presents a future scope to empirically examine stickiness using negative cursors, such as identity theft, stress and health issues.

Practical implications

The study serves as a potential landscape for mobile app developers, consultants and service providers to identify unique daily-life requirements for mobile apps in emerging economies.

Social implications

The study creates a case for the mobile-commerce industry to consider socio-economic and socio-environmental factors while developing mobile apps for emerging economies.

Originality/value

Given the recent growth of mobile devices, services and broadband connectivity in emerging economies, this study provides a new perspective about different factors leading to MASS.
The effect of exchange rate uncertainty on employment in South Africa’s manufacturing sector
Authors: Nuru Naser Yenus , Gereziher Hayelom Yrgaw
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the symmetric and asymmetric effects of exchange rate uncertainty on employment in South Africa’s manufacturing sector over the period 1985Q1–2019Q2.

Design/methodology/approach

Jorda’s (2005) local projection method is employed and following Koop et al. (1996); generalized impulse response functions are generated to see the effect of exchange rate uncertainty on employment in South Africa’s manufacturing sector.

Findings

The results show that exchange rate uncertainty affects negatively and significantly employment in South Africa’s manufacturing sector. Employment also responds negatively and significantly to export shock. Inflation and output shocks, however, positively and significantly affect employment on impact. Asymmetric responses of employment to exchange rate uncertainty are also found in this study. While high exchange rate uncertainty leads to a reduction in employment, low exchange rate uncertainty brings an increase in employment in South Africa’s manufacturing sector.

Originality/value

This research adds to the scarce empirical literature on the effect of exchange rate uncertainty on employment in South Africa’s manufacturing sector by incorporating mainly non-linearities into the model.
Dynamic modeling of strategic thinking for top management teams and its impact on firm performance: a system dynamics approach
Authors: Shaik Aqueeb Sohail , Dhir Sanjay
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to model the strategic thinking process, considering the different psychological traits of TMTs (top management teams) and how the technological dynamism affects the strategies framed together impacting the performance of the firm.

Design/methodology/approach

Modeling and simulation are done in this study using the system dynamics (SD) tool. The data are extracted using social media analytics, and the same is given as an input for the SDmodel, which is used for modeling and simulation of the interdependencies between the psychological factors, technological dynamism and firm performance. The analysis decodes how a change in the thinking process of a TMT has an impact on the performance of the company in an automobile market.

Findings

The study has explained how different psychological traits affect the thinking process of a TMT and how the strategies framed with this thinking behavior have an impact on firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited only to the automobile industry in India, and only partial psychological constructs were considered to examine their impact on firm performance. This study can be further extended by analyzing the same to various other industries along with many other psychological constructs.

Practical implications

The findings identify the change in behavior of the performance due to the thinking process and technological dynamism. This helps the top management to take into consideration different factors that affect the strategies framed for the company and what are the threshold points in the system that are to be focused on during the framing of a strategy.

Originality/value

The study fills the unattended gaps in the literature regarding how the psychological traits are interdependent and how their relationship is affecting the thinking process, which is going to have an impact on the behavior of the firm performance. It also adds to the literature of systems thinking.
New luxury: defining and evaluating emerging luxury trends through the lenses of consumption and personal values
Authors: Atkinson Stephanie D. , Kang Jiyun
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Given the unclear lines between traditional and newly emerged luxury, this research aims to explore which luxury consumption values are important to young consumers (aged 18–44) in the USA and how such new luxury consumption is driven by their personal values. This research thus has two aims. The first is to define new luxury by examining the consumption values that distinguish it from traditional luxury. The second is to examine the personal values that drive these new luxury consumption values, which affect consumers’ intentions to engage with a new luxury brand.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies were conducted. In Study 1, a conceptual framework was developed to define new luxury from the consumption value perspective, based on a comprehensive review of the traditional luxury and emerging or new luxury literature. In Study 2, the framework was further extended to include the driving sources (personal values) and the consequences (intentions to engage with a new luxury brand), which were subsequently examined with empirical model testing. The data were collected via an online survey with consumers recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk (n = 318) and examined with exploratory factor analyses and path analyses.

Findings

The results suggest five major new luxury consumption values that help empirically define new luxury, revealing a trend shift in luxury consumption: inconspicuous consumption, self-directed pleasure, intrinsic experiential value, personal fulfillment and sustainability. Among these five values, three (intrinsic experiential value, personal fulfillment and sustainability) were the most significant factors in directly affecting customer intention to engage with a new luxury brand. The results also found five notable personal values driving new luxury consumption: achievement, benevolence, self-direction, self-esteem and ecocentrism.

Originality/value

While new luxury concepts have been explored conceptually and qualitatively in previous studies, there is a lack of empirical research that clearly defines what new luxury is and that offers testable constructs. This study’s empirical framework for new luxury expands the line of investigation into new luxury consumers, brands and products.
A place to work: examining workplace location attributes that appeal to generation Y and Z talent
Authors: Wisuchat Wasuthon , Taecharungroj Viriya
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify and to compare workplace location attributes that appealed to Generation Y and Z talent.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 participants to identify workplace location attributes. Choice-based conjoint surveys were collected from 750 Generation Y and Z individuals in the talent pool of Bangkok, Thailand to compare the importance of attributes.

Findings

The most important workplace location attribute was the availability and diversity of restaurants followed by place appearance, traffic density, availability of public workspaces, public transport and after-work activities. Transport-related attributes were more important for older generations, whereas public workspaces and place appearance were more important for younger talent.

Practical implications

To attract talent, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) should address the weaknesses of potential workplace locations through efficient, low-cost and rapid development plans. Although Bangkok is known for street food, BMA policies that promote restaurants as the most important attribute are limited. The BMA should initiate plans to promote the availability and diversity of restaurants. Innovation districts in Bangkok should connect to restaurants and food networks in their vicinity.

Originality/value

The existing literature explored factors that attract talent at the city level, but no study has investigated attractiveness at the workplace location level. Despite some similarities, workplace location attributes identified in this study were more specific than city-level attributes.