bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Topical Antimicrobial Formulations on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm in an In vivo Porcine Burn Wound Model
Authors: Davis S.C. , Solis M. , Gil J. , Valdes J. , Higa A. , Metzger S. A. , Kalan L.
Published: August 2019

Silver has been incorporated into a variety of wound dressings and topical agents to prevent and combat wound infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of burn wound infections and well-known biofilm producer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a panel of wound dressings containing different silver formulations on P. aeruginosa biofilms using an in vivo porcine burn wound model. Second-degree burns were created on the skin of specific pathogen-free pigs (n = 3) and inoculated with 2.14 × 105 cfu P. aeruginosa per wound. Biofilms were allowed to develop for 24 h, and then each wound was treated with one of 6 treatments: silver oxynitrate dressing (OXY), silver oxynitrate powder (POWD), nanocrystalline silver dressing (NANO), silver chloride dressing (AGCL), silver sulfadiazine (SSD), or a negative control polyurethane film with no silver-based formulation (NEG). Wounds were cultured at D3 post-infection (n = 3 per pig per treatment) and at D6 post-infection (n = 3 per pig per treatment) for quantification of bacteria. On D6, biopsies (n = 3 per treatment) were taken from POWD, SSD, and NEG wounds and wound healing progress was evaluated histologically. At the time of treatment initiation, 24 h post-infection, 8.71 log cfu P. aeruginosa were present in burn wounds. On D3 and D6, all treatments significantly reduced bacterial counts in wounds as compared to NEG, but POWD caused an approximately 7-log reduction in bacterial counts on both days and was the only treatment to reduce the bacterial counts to below the threshold for detecting bacteria. The OXY, NANO, and SSD treatments had similar reductions in bacterial recovery on D3 and D6 of approximately 2.5-4 log. The histological healing metrics of reepithelialization percentage, epithelial thickness, white cell infiltration, angiogenesis, and granulation tissue formation were similar among wounds from POWD, SSD, and NEG groups at 6 days post-infection. Silver oxynitrate powder reduced P. aeruginosa growth in burn wounds more effectively than other silver-based dressings but did not impact wound healing.
Geomagnetic field absence reduces adult body weight of a migratory insect by disrupting feeding behavior and appetite regulation
Authors: Wan Guijun , Jiang Shoulin , Zhang Ming , Zhao Jingyu , Zhang Yingchao , Pan Weidong , Sword Gregory A. , Chen Fajun
Published: August 2019

The geomagnetic field (GMF) is well documented for its essential role as a cue used in animal orientation or navigation. Recent evidence indicates that the absence of GMF can trigger stress-like responses such as reduced body weight, as we have previously shown in newly emerged adults of the brown planthopper,Nilaparvata lugens. To test the hypothesis that reduced feeding in the absence of the GMF leads to a decrease ofN. lugensbody weight, we compared magnetic responses in feeding behavior, glucose levels, and expression of magnetoreception- and appetite-related genes in brown planthopper nymphs exposed to either a near-zero magnetic field (NZMF, i.e., GMF absence) or typical GMF conditions. In addition to observing the expected responses in the expression of the potential magnetosensorcryptochromes, the food intake of 5thinstar nymphs was significantly reduced in insects reared in the absence of GMF. Insects that exhibited reduced feeding reared in the absence of the GMF also had higher glucose levels which is associated with food aversion. Expression patterns of appetite-related neuropeptide genes were also altered in the absence of GMF in a manner consistent with diminishing appetite. These findings support the hypothesis that strong changes in GMF intensity can affect insect feeding behavior and underlying regulatory processes. Our results provide further evidence that magnetoreception and regulatory responses to GMF changes can affect a wide variety of biological processes.
Megacities as drivers of national outbreaks: the role of holiday travel in the spread of infectious diseases
Authors: Mahmud Ayesha S. , Kabir Md. Iqbal , Engø-Monsen Kenth , Tahmina Sania , Riaz Baizid Khoorshid , Hossain Md. Akram , Khanom Fahmida , Rahman Md. Mujibor , Rahman Md. Khalilur , Sharmin Mehruba , Hossain Dewan Mashrur , Yasmin Shakila , Ahmed Md. Mokhtar , Lusha Mirza Afreen Fatima , Buckee Caroline O.
Published: August 2019

Human mobility connects populations and can lead to large fluctuations in population density, both of which are important drivers of epidemics. Measuring population mobility during infectious disease outbreaks is challenging, but is a particularly important goal in the context of rapidly growing and highly connected urban centers in low and middle income countries, which can act to amplify and spread local epidemics nationally and internationally. Here, we combine estimates of population movement from mobile phone data for over 4 million subscribers in the megacity of Dhaka, Bangladesh, one of the most densely populated cities globally. We combine mobility data with epidemiological data from a household survey, to understand the role of population mobility on the spatial spread of the mosquito-borne virus chikungunya within and outside Dhaka city during a large outbreak in 2017. The peak of the 2017 chikungunya outbreak in Dhaka coincided with the annual Eid holidays, during which large numbers of people traveled from Dhaka to their native region in other parts of the country. We show that regular population fluxes around Dhaka city played a significant role in determining disease risk, and that travel during Eid was crucial to the spread of the infection to the rest of the country. Our results highlight the impact of large-scale population movements, for example during holidays, on the spread of infectious diseases. These dynamics are difficult to capture using traditional approaches, and we compare our results to a standard diffusion model, to highlight the value of real-time data from mobile phones for outbreak analysis, forecasting, and surveillance.
TGFβ regulation of perilacunar/canalicular remodeling is sexually dimorphic
Authors: Dole Neha S. , Yee Cristal S. , Mazur Courtney M. , Acevedo Claire , Alliston Tamara
Published: August 2019

1.

Bone fragility is the product of defects in bone mass and bone quality, both of which show sex-specific differences. Despite this, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning the sexually dimorphic control of bone quality remain unclear, limiting our ability to effectively prevent fractures, especially in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Recently, using male mice, we found that systemic or osteocyte-intrinsic inhibition of TGFβ signaling, achieved using the 9.6-kb DMP1 promoter-driven Cre recombinase (TβRIIocy−/−mice), suppresses osteocyte perilacunar/canalicular remodeling (PLR) and compromises bone quality. Since systemic TGFβ inhibition more robustly increases bone mass in female than male mice, we postulated that sex-specific differences in bone quality could likewise result, in part, from dimorphic regulation of PLR by TGFβ. Moreover, since lactation induces PLR, we examined the effect of TGFβ inhibition on the female skeleton during lactation. In contrast to males, female mice that possess an osteocyte-intrinsic defect in TGFβ signaling were protected from TGFβ-dependent defects in PLR and bone quality. The expression of requisite PLR enzymes, the lacuno-canalicular network, and the flexural strength of female TβRIIocy−/−bone was intact. With lactation, however, bone loss, and induction in PLR and osteocytic parathyroid hormone type I receptor (PTHR1) expression, were suppressed in TβRIIocy−/−bone, relative to wild-type. Indeed, differential control of PTHR1 expression, by TGFβ and other factors, may contribute to dimorphism in PLR regulation in male and female TβRIIocy−/−mice. These findings provide key insights into the sex-based differences in osteocyte PLR that underlie bone quality and highlight TGFβ signaling as a crucial regulator of lactation-induced PLR.
Screening and identification of MicroRNAs expressed in perirenal adipose tissue during rabbit growth
Authors: Wang Guoze , Guo Guo , Tian Xueting , Hu Shenqiang , Du Kun , Mao Jingxin , Jia Xianbo , Chen Shiyi , Wang Jie , Lai Songjia
Published: August 2019

MiRNAs regulate adipose tissue development, which are closely related to subcutaneous and intramuscular fat deposition and adipocyte differentiation. As an important economic and agricultural animal, rabbits have low adipose tissue deposition and are an ideal model to study adipose regulation. However, the miRNAs related to fat deposition during the growth and development of rabbits are poorly defined. In this study, miRNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were used to profile the miRNAs in rabbit perirenal adipose tissue at 35, 85 and 120 days post-birth. Differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs between different stages were identified by DEseq in R. Target genes of DE miRNAs were predicted by TargetScan and miRanda. To explore the functions of identified miRNAs, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed. Approximately 1.6 GB of data was obtained by miRNA-seq. A total of 987 miRNAs (780 known and 207 newly predicted) and 174 DE miRNAs were identified. The miRNAs ranged from 18nt to 26nt. GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that the target genes of the DE miRNAs were mainly involved in zinc ion binding, regulation of cell growth, MAPK signaling pathway, and other adipose hypertrophy-related pathways. Six DE miRNAs were randomly selected and their expression profiles were validated by q-PCR. In summary, we provide the first report of the miRNA profiles of rabbit adipose tissue during different growth stages. Our data provide a theoretical reference for subsequent studies on rabbit genetics, breeding and the regulatory mechanisms of adipose development.
The structural basis of Indisulam-mediated recruitment of RBM39 to the DCAF15-DDB1-DDA1 E3 ligase complex
Authors: Bussiere Dirksen E. , Xie Lili , Srinivas Honnappa , Shu Wei , Burke Ashley , Be Celine , Zhao Junping , Godbole Adarsh , King Dan , Karki Rajeshri G. , Hornak Viktor , Xu Fangmin , Cobb Jennifer , Carte Nathalie , Frank Andreas O. , Frommlet Alexandra , Graff Patrick , Knapp Mark , Fazal Aleem , Okram Barun , Jiang Songchun , Michellys Pierre-Yves , Beckwith Rohan , Voshol Hans , Wiesmann Christian , Solomon Jonathan , Paulk Joshiawa
Published: August 2019

The anti-cancer agent Indisulam inhibits cell proliferation by causing degradation of RBM39, an essential mRNA splicing factor. Indisulam promotes an interaction between RBM39 and the DCAF15 E3 ligase substrate receptor leading to RBM39 ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation. To delineate the precise mechanism by which Indisulam mediates DCAF15-RBM39 interaction, we solved the DCAF15-DDB1-DDA1-Indisulam-RBM39(RRM2) complex structure to 2.3 Å. DCAF15 has a novel topology which embraces the RBM39(RRM2) domain largely via nonpolar interactions, and Indisulam binds between DCAF15 and RBM39(RRM2) and coordinates additional interactions between the two proteins. Studies with RBM39 point mutants and Indisulam analogs validated the structural model and defined the RBM39 alpha-helical degron motif. The degron is found only in RBM23 and RBM39 and only these proteins were detectably downregulated in Indisulam-treated HCT116 cells. This work further explains how Indisulam induces RBM39 degradation and defines the challenge of harnessing DCAF15 to degrade novel targets.
Expression profiling of the mature C. elegans nervous system by single-cell RNA-Sequencing
Authors: Taylor Seth R , Santpere Gabriel , Reilly Molly , Glenwinkel Lori , Poff Abigail , McWhirter Rebecca , Xu Chuan , Weinreb Alexis , Basavaraju Manasa , Cook Steven J , Barrett Alec , Abrams Alexander , Vidal Berta , Cros Cyril , Rafi Ibnul , Sestan Nenad , Hammarlund Marc , Hobert Oliver , Miller David M.
Published: August 2019

A single neuron and its synapses define the fundamental structural motif of the brain but the underlying gene expression programs that specify individual neuron types are poorly understood. To address this question in a model organism, we have produced a gene expression profile of >90% of the individual neuron classes in the C. elegans nervous system, an ensemble of neurons for which both the anatomy and connectivity are uniquely defined at single cell resolution. We generated single cell transcriptomes for 52,412 neurons that resolve as clusters corresponding to 109 of the canonical 118 neuron classes in the mature hermaphrodite nervous system. Detailed analysis revealed molecular signatures that further subdivide identified classes into specific neuronal subtypes. Notably, neuropeptide-related genes are often differentially expressed between subtypes of the given neuron class which points to distinct functional characteristics. All of these data are publicly available at our website (http://www.cengen.org) and can be interrogated at the web application SCeNGEA (https://cengen.shinyapps.io/SCeNGEA). We expect that this gene expression catalog will spur the goal of delineating the underlying mechanisms that define the developmental lineage, detailed anatomy, synaptic connectivity and function of each type of C. elegans neuron.
Impact of serum calcium levels on local and total body bone mineral density: A Mendelian randomization study and an age stratum analysis
Authors: Sun Jing-yi , Zhang Haihua , Zhang Yan , Wang Longcai , Oh Jin Rok , Sun Bao-liang , Liu Guiyou
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Until recently, randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have not demonstrated convincing conclusions regarding the association of calcium intake with bone mineral density (BMD). Until now, it remains unclear whether high serum calcium levels are causally associated with BMD. This study aimed to investigate the genetic association between serum calcium levels and BMD using a large-scale serum calcium GWAS dataset and four large-scale BMD GWAS datasets in individuals of European descent.

Methods

We performed a Mendelian randomization study to investigate the association of increased serum calcium levels with BMD using a large-scale serum calcium genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset (including up to 61,079 individuals) and four large-scale BMD GWAS datasets (including minimum 4,180 individuals and maximum 142,487 individuals) regarding the total body, forearm, femoral neck, lumbar spine, and heel BMD. Here, we selected three Mendelian randomization methods including inverse-variance weighted meta-analysis (IVW), weighted median, and MR-Egger.

Results

In specific site analysis, we found that increased serum calcium levels could reduce BMD at forearm (OR=0.59, 95% CI: 0.36-0.95, P=0.029) and lumbar spine (OR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.49-0.86, P=0.002). We did not identify any suggestive association of genetically increased serum calcium levels with BMD of total body, femoral neck, and heel BMD. In specific age stratum analysis, we found that genetically increased serum calcium levels were statistically significantly associated with reduced total body BMD in age stratum 60 or more years (OR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.41-0.82, P=0.002).

Conclusions

We provide genetic evidence that increased serum calcium levels could not improve BMD in the general population. The elevated serum calcium levels in generally healthy populations, especially adults older than 60 years, may even reduce the BMD, and further cause osteoporosis.
Comparative analysis reveals adaptive evolution of bat IFITMs and a novel antiviral determinant
Authors: Benfield Camilla T O , MacKenzie Farrell , Ritzefeld Markus , Mazzon Michela , Weston Stuart , Tate Edward , Han Teo Boon , Smith Sarah E , Kellam Paul , Holmes Edward C , Marsh Mark
Published: August 2019

Host interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) are broad-spectrum antiviral restriction factors. Of these, IFITM3 potently inhibits viruses that enter cells through acidic endosomes, many of which are zoonotic and emerging viruses with bats (order Chiroptera) as natural hosts. We previously demonstrated that microbat IFITM3 is antiviral. Here we show that bat IFITMs are characterized by strong adaptive evolution and identify a highly variable and functionally important site - codon 70 - within the conserved CD225 domain of IFITMs. Mutation of this residue in microbat IFITM3 impairs restriction of four different virus families that enter cells via endosomes. This mutant shows altered subcellular localization and reduced S-palmitoylation, a phenotype copied by mutation of conserved cysteine residues in microbat IFITM3. Furthermore, we show that microbat IFITM3 is S-palmitoylated on cysteine residues C71, C72 and C105, mutation of each cysteine residue individually impairs virus restriction, and a triple C71-C72-C105 mutant loses all restriction, concomitant with subcellular re-localization of microbat IFITM3 to Golgi-associated sites. Thus, we propose that S-palmitoylation is critical for Chiropteran IFITM3 function and identify a key molecular determinant of IFITM3 S-palmitoylation.
A modular cloning toolkit for genome editing in plants
Authors: Hahn Florian , Korolev Andrey , Loures Laura Sanjurjo , Nekrasov Vladimir
Published: August 2019

Background

CRISPR/Cas has recently become a widely used genome editing tool in various organisms, including plants. Applying CRISPR/Cas often requires delivering multiple expression units into plant and hence there is a need for a quick and easy cloning procedure. The modular cloning (MoClo), based on the Golden Gate (GG) method, has enabled development of cloning systems with standardised genetic parts, e.g. promoters, coding sequences or terminators, that can be easily interchanged and assembled into expression units, which in their own turn can be further assembled into higher order multigene constructs.

Results

Here we present an expanded cloning toolkit that contains ninety-nine modules encoding a variety of CRISPR/Cas-based nucleases and their corresponding guide RNA backbones. Among other components, the toolkit includes a number of promoters that allow expression of CRISPR/Cas nucleases (or any other coding sequences) and their guide RNAs in monocots and dicots. As part of the toolkit, we present a set of modules that enable quick and facile assembly of tRNA-sgRNA polycistronic units without a PCR step involved. We also demonstrate that our tRNA-sgRNA system is functional in wheat protoplasts.

Conclusions

We believe the presented CRISPR/Cas toolkit is a great resource that will contribute towards wider adoption of the CRISPR/Cas genome editing technology and modular cloning by researchers across the plant science community.
Idea of thin-film beam splitters for two-colour beamlines
Authors: Abe Hitoshi
Published: August 2019

The idea to split soft X-ray and hard X-ray beams on the same axis into different directions is presented. A thin-film beam splitter can serve this purpose. Performances of thin-film beam splitters made of carbon and aluminium were examined. The idea of thin-film beam splitters expands possibilities in the design of two-colour beamlines.
MicroED with the Falcon III direct electron detector
Authors: Hattne Johan , Martynowycz Michael W. , Penczek Pawel A. , Gonen Tamir
Published: August 2019

Microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) combines crystallography and electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) into a method that is applicable to high-resolution structure determination. In MicroED, nanosized crystals, which are often intractable using other techniques, are probed by high-energy electrons in a transmission electron microscope. Diffraction data are recorded by a camera in movie mode: the nanocrystal is continuously rotated in the beam, thus creating a sequence of frames that constitute a movie with respect to the rotation angle. Until now, diffraction-optimized cameras have mostly been used for MicroED. Here, the use of a direct electron detector that was designed for imaging is reported. It is demonstrated that data can be collected more rapidly using the Falcon III for MicroED and with markedly lower exposure than has previously been reported. The Falcon III was operated at 40 frames per second and complete data sets reaching atomic resolution were recorded in minutes. The resulting density maps to 2.1 Å resolution of the serine protease proteinase K showed no visible signs of radiation damage. It is thus demonstrated that dedicated diffraction-optimized detectors are not required for MicroED, as shown by the fact that the very same cameras that are used for imaging applications in electron microscopy, such as single-particle cryo-EM, can also be used effectively for diffraction measurements.
Study on the interfacial bonding behaviour of corroded steel bars and TRC constrained concrete
Authors: Hu Chang-Shun , Yin Shiping , Yin Meng-Ti
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the bonding properties of textile reinforced concrete (TRC)-confined concrete and corroded plain round bars.

Design/methodology/approach

The bonding performance of three types of specimens (not reinforced, reinforced after corrosion and reinforced before corrosion) was studied by a central pull out test.

Findings

The ultimate bond strength between the corroded steel bars and the concrete is improved when the corrosion ratio is small. After cracking, the degree of corrosion continues to grow and the ultimate bond strength decreases. TRC reinforcement has no detectable effect on the interfacial bonding properties between concrete and plain round bars when the corrosion of steel bars is small; however, when the concrete cracks under the action of rust corrosion, the TRC constraints can effectively improve the bonding performance of the two components.

Practical implications

TRC layer significantly delayed the chloride penetration rate, which can effectively limit the development of corrosion cracking.
Sanitary and phytosanitary regulations and international red meat trade
Authors: Shang Xia , Tonsor Glynn T.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an ex post econometric examination of SPS measures and their influences on red meat trade.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct multiple new assessments to further assess the particular effects of specific SPS measures related to animal health, human health and maximum residue limits on red meat trade values. This finer assessment provides updated and more detailed insights into the marginal trade impacts of different SPS measures.

Findings

The current study sheds important light on the determinants of red meat trade. The economic conditions of destination countries and production capability of suppliers are key to determining trade values. Factors including personal income and exporters’ meat supply are identified as trade facilitators. Since the restrictiveness of SPS measures vary across beef and pork sectors, maintaining commodity-specific SPS measures is essential for accurate assessment of trade determinants.

Originality/value

This paper provides multiple contributions to the existing literature and more broadly the authors’ economic understanding on the increasingly contentious issue of global meat trade. Combined, this study yields several implications for food policy, trade negotiators and industry leaders given the growing role and surrounding controversies of trade in meat and livestock markets around the world. The authors further believe the paper would be of notable interest to fellow researchers consistent with the existence of a sizable published literature and ongoing debates in international meat trade.
Consumer behaviour towards suboptimal food products: a strategy for food waste reduction
Authors: Stangherlin Isadora do Carmo , Duarte Ribeiro Jose Luis , Barcellos Marcia
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Food waste has received attention during the last decade, especially due to its environmental and social impacts. An important contributor to food waste is consumers’ low preference for purchase fruits and vegetables with unusual appearance, products with damaged package and products close to the expiration date, technically called suboptimal food products. Researches show that consumers tend to reject these products when buying food, increasing avoidable food waste. However, consumer considerations when deciding to buy or not to buy suboptimal food are still unknown. The purpose of this paper is to use two different approaches to investigate consumers’ perceptions towards suboptimal food and how they impact their acceptance.

Design/methodology/approach

The first part of the study involved a qualitative analysis of participants’ open-ended responses (282 answers), where participants were asked to write down the impressions they had about three suboptimal food images. The second phase explored consumers acceptance of suboptimal food through a focus group discussion.

Findings

Results reveal that considerations about suboptimal food are divergent, with some participants rejecting them because they are impelled to search for perfection when buying food products. However, some individuals are disposed to accept suboptimal products, mainly because they have concern with the environment and cook abilities.

Originality/value

As a whole, this study contributes for food waste reduction strategies and has implications for marketing actions.
Transforming wood energy in Sweden and Chile
Authors: Alarcón Cristián
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically analyse and problematize the relations between international forestry companies and wood energy in the context of climate change in Chile and Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on interviews, field observations and analysis of documents, case studies of international forestry companies and wood energy in local areas of Chile and Sweden are examined comparatively. A conceptual framework combining political ecology and environmental communication is developed to approach the cases.

Findings

The paper finds that the two international forestry companies studied here have widely incorporated the use of wood energy as a renewable and carbon neutral energy strategy for their forestry business. Second, the paper finds that wood energy is used as a way to reproduce forestry development in the two countries, which is contested by NGOs and activists which are today articulating critical approaches to forestry development in the two countries. Third, related to the former finding, the paper finds that the incorporation of wood energy into the forest sector’s interests in Chile and Sweden takes place in the context of important social-ecological conflicts related to industrial forestry development.

Originality/value

The paper’s analytical framework helps to analyse the social-ecological nature of international business and the way they organise material practices and communicative meaning around renewable energy. The paper’s findings and analysis shed light on important problematic aspects of the material and symbolic struggles around renewable energy in the context of climate change. The comparative dimension of the analysis has the value to offer a cross-border analysis to improve the understanding of some of the most important aspects of international businesses concerning wood energy today.
Improving work-life policy and practice with an intersectionality lens
Authors: Ryan Ann Marie , Briggs Caitlin Q.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Work-life research has been critiqued for focusing on the experiences of middle and upper class, younger, White, western and heterosexual women. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical lens to conceptualizations that take an intersectionality approach, or at least consider multiple identities, in examining work-life conflict and balance.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief review of the current status of intersectionality research within the work-life realm is provided before discussing the implications of primarily using a single-identity approach to work-life issues. The advantages and challenges of adopting a multiple identity approach are discussed.

Findings

This paper highlights the problems of a lack of an intersectional focus in terms of unidentified needs, ignored values, unresolved conflicts and unhelpful advice. Tensions inherent in trying to adopt an intersectional perspective when dealing with practice and policy issues, particularly with regard to visibility and authenticity, are noted. The paper concludes with a discussion of how considerations of identity and power in work-family research connect to the broader concept of inclusion in the workplace, noting the possible challenges of stereotyping and ambiguity in doing so.

Originality/value

Applying an intersectionality lens to efforts to promote work-life balance in organizations can increase inclusivity, but there are tensions and pitfalls associated with this that are particularly of note for practitioners and policy. A research agenda is outlined as a starting point for addressing these issues.
From Anita Hill to Christine Blasey Ford: a reflection on lessons learned
Authors: Heck Sarah E.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a critical reflection on congressional testimony in the #MeToo era from the standpoint of a millennial graduate student.

Design/methodology/approach

This essay is based on observational data from a roundtable discussion between Anita Hill and Kimberlé Crenshaw moderated by Dr Dorothy Roberts and connects to themes in research on sex-based harassment.

Findings

The findings of this essay suggest there is still much work to be done in operationalizing intersectionally in the #Metoo era.

Originality/value

The thoughts and opinions expressed in this essay are the author’s own.
Content-based image retrieval based on combination of texture and colour information extracted in spatial and frequency domains
Authors: Tadi Bani Neda , Fekri-Ershad Shervan
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Large amount of data are stored in image format. Image retrieval from bulk databases has become a hot research topic. An alternative method for efficient image retrieval is proposed based on a combination of texture and colour information. The main purpose of this paper is to propose a new content based image retrieval approach using combination of color and texture information in spatial and transform domains jointly.

Design/methodology/approach

Various methods are provided for image retrieval, which try to extract the image contents based on texture, colour and shape. The proposed image retrieval method extracts global and local texture and colour information in two spatial and frequency domains. In this way, image is filtered by Gaussian filter, then co-occurrence matrices are made in different directions and the statistical features are extracted. The purpose of this phase is to extract noise-resistant local textures. Then the quantised histogram is produced to extract global colour information in the spatial domain. Also, Gabor filter banks are used to extract local texture features in the frequency domain. After concatenating the extracted features and using the normalised Euclidean criterion, retrieval is performed.

Findings

The performance of the proposed method is evaluated based on the precision, recall and run time measures on the Simplicity database. It is compared with many efficient methods of this field. The comparison results showed that the proposed method provides higher precision than many existing methods.

Originality/value

The comparison results showed that the proposed method provides higher precision than many existing methods. Rotation invariant, scale invariant and low sensitivity to noise are some advantages of the proposed method. The run time of the proposed method is within the usual time frame of algorithms in this domain, which indicates that the proposed method can be used online.
Workplace ostracism and employee creativity: role of defensive silence and psychological empowerment
Authors: Chenji Kalaa , Sode Raghavendra
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of workplace ostracism and defensive silence on employee behavior within an organization. The paper attempts to study the impact of workplace ostracism on employee creativity. The paper also aims to train the employees to withstand the negative effects of workplace ostracism.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an empirical study. Primary data were collected from 454 employees working in the service sector in India. The data were collected from an IT sector unit, an insurance company and a bank. Utmost care was taken in order to select organizations where there was frequent interaction between the supervisors and co-workers in order to measure the relevant variables. Mean, standard deviation and correlation were used for descriptive studies, and structural equation modeling was used to measure several dimensions of the hypothesized model. A bootstrap method is used to measure the impact of workplace ostracism on employee creativity.

Findings

The study found that defensive silence mediates between workplace ostracism and employee creativity and psychological empowerment moderates between workplace ostracism and employee creativity. Workplace ostracism negatively effects employee creativity and positively influences defensive silence. The study reveals the moderating effect of psychological empowerment on workplace ostracism and employee creativity such that low levels of psychological empowerment negatively influences employee creativity and high level of psychological empowerment has a positive effect on employee creativity.

Practical implications

Workplace ostracism is proved to be a stressor. The study contributes to the literature on stressor–strain relationship workplace ostracism and employee creativity. Psychological empowerment has indirect influence on workplace ostracism and employee creativity. Organizations may train employees to combat the negative effects of workplace ostracism through concepts like psychological empowerment.

Originality/value

The study is one of its kind as it aimed to measure the impact of workplace ostracism on employee creativity. Though there are several studies on workplace ostracism, its influence on employee creativity perhaps is covered by the present study.
Quality assurance for private universities in Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Gazi Mahabubul
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Commitment of governments and development partners in achieving both qualitative and quantitative measurements for primary and secondary provisions is the key reason for the development of private higher education (HE) and its rapid expansion in the developing world. A considerable amount of attention towards primary and secondary provisions has produced a large numbers of graduates who are theoretically qualified, but have questionable competences in meeting the needs of the market. This has a significant impact on the quality of HE which is delivered by private and public provisions. The purpose of this paper is to examine quality assurance (QA) mechanism set-up for the private HE sector in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative methods were used because interviewees can express their views in a candid way, with a primary focus on the desired themes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with personnel from the Ministry of Education, the University Grants Commission, students, staff and management from public and private universities. Documents review and secondary data also supplemented.

Findings

The mechanism set-up for QA is yet to mature. Formal arrangements for the governance and regulatory control of private HE provision in Bangladesh are neither sufficient nor up-to-date to help the sector function effectively. The current rules and regulations are suitable only for public HE, but not for the private sector HE.

Originality/value

A number of studies have been conducted in the area of private HE in Bangladesh. Only one of them covers QA, and none covers the impact of governance on QA. In the light of this background, this paper is the first of its kind.
An experimental study of consumption orientations, environmental sustainability advertising and home-sharing adoption intentions
Authors: Liu Yu-Lun , Yuen Tsunwai Wesley , Jiang Han-Ling
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Even with the evidence that participation in home-sharing is highly ecologically sustainable, the existing consumer communication studies in the hospitality sector have predominantly focussed on the social and economic benefits. This study aims to examine how the environmental sustainability benefits of home-sharing services can be effectively communicated to consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Two scenario-based experiments (Study 1:n = 377 and Study 2:n = 290) examined the effects of consumers’ consumption orientations, and the appeal of environmental sustainability benefits emphasised advertising on their home-sharing adoption intentions.

Findings

Study 1 demonstrated that when consumers with either a hedonic or utilitarian consumption orientation book travel accommodation, their home-sharing adoption intentions increase depending on whether advertisements are designed as hard- or soft-sell appeal, respectively. Study 2 showed that the influence of an environmental sustainability benefits emphasised advertisement that has considered consumers’ consumption orientation and applied the corresponding advertising appeal design is as effective as a home-sharing service that offers economic benefits and is even better than an advertisement that emphasises social benefits, particularly for utilitarian-oriented consumers.

Originality/value

This study is the first in the lodging sector examining the ways in which the environmental sustainability benefits of home-sharing services can be effectively communicated to consumers. The findings shed light on corporate practices pertaining to information that home-sharing service marketers can control and provide an essential basis for further advertising, consumer differences, environmental sustainability awareness and collaborative consumption studies.
Individual and organizational influences of the professional quality of life of Florida public safety personnel
Authors: Miller Anastasia , Unruh Lynn
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Public safety personnel (law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services and dispatchers) face work environments which are high stress. These can lead to burnout, secondary traumatic stress and a reduction of compassion satisfaction. However, very little is known about what individual and work factors influence these negative coping mechanisms in public safety personnel. It is also unknown how perceived organizational and coworker support, debriefing methods, or individual characteristics are associated with the aforementioned coping mechanisms. The differences between these fields are also unknown. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional administration of surveys to Florida public safety personnel was done. A total of 1,360 public safety individuals completed the survey. Three regression analyses were carried out, utilizing the three Professional Quality of Life Version 5 subscales as the dependent variables. The Perceived Coworker Support Survey, Survey of Perceived Organizational Support, the Brief Resilience Survey and questions regarding debriefing practices were included.

Findings

Public safety personnel cannot be treated as a singular population for many things. An exception of this was that perceived organizational support and psychological resilience were associated with positive outcomes, albeit, to varying degrees in all fields. The other individual and organizational factors had very distinct impacts on the varying fields.

Research limitations/implications

There are limitations due to the nature of cross-sectional survey design and due to the sample size.

Originality/value

This study displays statistical relationships between factors which public safety agencies could use to increase employee job satisfaction and potentially reduce turnover. It was the only study the authors could find which include dispatchers when comparing these four public safety fields.
Multi-level decomposition of ASEAN urbanization effects on energy
Authors: Minh Khuong Phuong , McKenna Russell , Fichtner Wolf
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The connection between urbanization and energy consumption in the context of cross-country and cross-sector analyses is poorly understood, especially in the Association of South East Asian (ASEAN). This paper aims to present the first extensive multi-level analysis of the relationship between urbanization and energy consumption in ASEAN countries from 1995 to 2013.

Design/methodology/approach

The multi-level (across country and sector) index decomposition method is used to analyze urbanization, energy mix, energy intensity and activity effects on energy demand. Urbanization is measured by two representative factors, name the urban population and the number of non-agriculture workers.

Findings

Despite the decreasing rate of urbanization, its effect on energy consumption has played the most important role since 2000. Since then, the effect has continued to increase at the national and sectoral levels across the whole region. The strongest urbanization impacts are encountered in the residential sector, followed by transportation and industrial sectors with much weaker effects in the commercial sector. The way in which urbanization impacts energy consumption depends strongly on the income level of the country studied.

Practical implications

The results provide quantitative relationships between urbanization and energy demand. For example, if the urban population and the non-agriculture workers decreased by 0.1 per cent per year, this would reduce energy demand by 1.4 per cent and 2.6 per cent per year respectively.

Originality/value

This contribution provides detailed quantitative insights into the relationships between urbanization and energy demand at sectoral, national and international levels, which are invaluable for policymakers in the region.
Multi-criteria decision making method based on improved cosine similarity measure with interval neutrosophic sets
Authors: Wang Lunyan , Xia Qing , Li Huimin , Cao Yongchao
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The fuzziness and complexity of evaluation information are common phenomenon in practical decision-making problem, interval neutrosophic sets (INSs) is a power tool to deal with ambiguous information. Similarity measure plays an important role in judging the degree between ideal and each alternative in decision-making process, the purpose of this paper is to establish a multi-criteria decision-making method based on similarity measure under INSs.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an extension of existing cosine similarity, this paper first introduces an improved cosine similarity measure between interval neutosophic numbers, which considers the degrees of the truth membership, the indeterminacy membership and the falsity membership of the evaluation values. And then a multi-criteria decision-making method is established based on the improved cosine similarity measure, in which the ordered weighted averaging (OWA) is adopted to aggregate the neutrosophic information related to each alternative. Finally, an example on supplier selection is given to illustrate the feasibility and practicality of the presented decision-making method.

Findings

In the whole process of research and practice, it was realized that the application field of the proposed similarity measure theory still should be expanded, and the development of interval number theory is one of further research direction.

Originality/value

The main contributions of this paper are as follows: this study presents an improved cosine similarity measure under INSs, in which the weights of the three independent components of an interval number are taken into account; OWA are adopted to aggregate the neutrosophic information related to each alternative; and a multi-criteria decision-making method using the proposed similarity is developed under INSs.
Access to a quality healthcare among prisoners – perspectives of health providers of a prison infirmary, Ghana
Authors: Baffoe-Bonnie Terrylyna , Ntow Samuel Kojo , Awuah-Werekoh Kwasi , Adomah-Afari Augustine
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of health system factors on access to a quality healthcare among prisoners in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered using different qualitative methods (interviews and participant observation) with staff of the James Camp Prison, Accra. Findings were analyzed using a framework method for the thematic analysis of the semi-structured interview data; and interpreted with the theoretical perspective of health systems thinking and innovation.

Findings

The study concludes that health system factors such as inadequate funding for health services, lack of skilled personnel and a paucity of essential medical supplies and drugs negatively affected the quality of healthcare provided to inmates.

Research limitations/implications

The limited facilities available and the sample size (healthcare workers and prison administrators) impeded the achievement of varied views on the topic.

Practical implications

The paper recommends the need for health policy makers and authorities of the Ghana Prison Service to collaborate and coordinate in a unified way to undertake policy analysis in an effort to reform the prisons healthcare system.

Social implications

The national health insurance scheme was found to be the financing option for prisoners’ access to free healthcare with supplementation from the Ghana Prison Service. The study recommends that policy makers and healthcare stakeholders should understand and appreciate the reality that the provision of a quality healthcare for prisoners is part of the entire system of healthcare service delivery in Ghana and as such should be given the needed attention.

Originality/value

This is one of few studies conducted on male only prisoners/prison in the context of Ghana. It recommends the need for an integrated approach to ensure that the entire healthcare system achieves set objectives in response to the primary healthcare concept.