bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mosaic and non-mosaic protocadherin 19 mutation leads to neuronal hyperexcitability in zebrafish
Authors: Robens Barbara K. , Yang Xinzhu , McGraw Christopher M. , Turner Laura H. , Robens Carsten , Thyme Summer , Rotenberg Alexander , Poduri Annapurna
Published: September 2021

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. The X-linked gene PCDH19 is associated with sporadic and familial epilepsy in humans, typically with early-onset clustering seizures and intellectual disability in females but not in so-called ‘carrier’ males, suggesting that mosaic PCDH19 expression is required to produce epilepsy. To characterize the role of loss of PCDH19 function in epilepsy, we generated zebrafish with truncating pcdh19 variants. Evaluating zebrafish larvae for electrophysiological abnormalities, we observed hyperexcitability phenotypes in both mosaic and non-mosaic pcdh19+/- and pcdh19-/- mutant larvae. Thus, we demonstrate that the key feature of epilepsy—network hyperexcitability—can be modeled effectively in zebrafish, even though overt spontaneous seizure-like swim patterns were not observed. Further, zebrafish with non-mosaic pcdh19 mutation displayed reduced numbers of inhibitory interneurons suggesting a potential cellular basis for the observed hyperexcitability. Our findings in both mosaic and non-mosaic pcdh19 mutant zebrafish challenge the prevailing theory that mosaicism governs all PCDH19-related phenotypes and point to interneuron-mediated mechanisms underlying these phenotypes.
Defining the extent of gene function using ROC curvature
Authors: Fischer Stephan , Gillis Jesse
Published: September 2021

Machine learning in genomics plays a key role in leveraging high-throughput data, but assessing the generalizability of performance has been a persistent challenge. Here, we propose to evaluate the generalizability of gene characterizations through the shape of performance curves. We identify Functional Equivalence Classes (FECs), uniform subsets of annotated and unannotated genes that jointly drive performance, by assessing the presence of straight lines in ROC curves. FECs are widespread across modalities and methods, and can be used to evaluate the extent and context-specificity of functional annotations in a data-driven manner. For example, FECs suggest that B cell markers can be decomposed into shared primary markers (10 to 50 genes), and tissue-specific secondary markers (100 to 500□genes). In addition, FECs are compatible with a wide range of functional encodings, with marker sets spanning at most 5% of the genome and data-driven extensions of Gene Ontology sets spanning up to 40% of the genome. Simple to assess visually and statistically, the identification of FECs in performance curves paves the way for novel functional characterization and increased robustness in analysis.
Mathematical modelling of autoimmune myocarditis and the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: van der Vegt Solveig A. , Polonchuk Liudmila , Wang Ken , Waters Sarah L. , Baker Ruth E.
Published: September 2021

Autoimmune myocarditis is a rare, but frequently fatal, side effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), a class of cancer therapies. Despite extensive experimental work on the causes, development and progression of this disease, much still remains unknown about the importance of the different immunological pathways involved. We present a mathematical model of autoimmune myocarditis and the effects of ICIs on its development and progression to either resolution or chronic inflammation. From this, we gain a better understanding of the role of immune cells, cytokines and other components of the immune system in driving the cardiotoxicity of ICIs. We parameterise the model using existing data from the literature, and show that qualitative model behaviour is consistent with disease characteristics seen in patients in an ICI-free context. The bifurcation structures of the model show how the presence of ICIs increases the risk of developing autoimmune myocarditis. This predictive modelling approach is a first step towards determining treatment regimens that balance the benefits of treating cancer with the risk of developing autoimmune myocarditis.
Strategy-dependent effects of working-memory limitations on human perceptual decision-making
Authors: Schapiro Kyra , Josić Krešimir , Kilpatrick Zachary P. , Gold Joshua I.
Published: September 2021

Deliberative decisions based on an accumulation of evidence over time depend on working memory, and working memory has limitations, but how these limitations affect deliberative decision-making is not understood. We used human psychophysics to assess the impact of working-memory limitations on the fidelity of a continuous decision variable. Participants decided the average location of multiple visual targets. This computed, continuous decision variable degraded with time and capacity in a manner that depended critically on the strategy used to form the decision variable. This dependence reflected whether the decision variable was computed either: 1) immediately upon observing the evidence, and thus stored as a single value in memory; or 2) at the time of the report, and thus stored as multiple values in memory. These results provide important constraints on how the brain computes and maintains temporally dynamic decision variables.
Unearthing modes of climatic adaptation in underground storage organs across Liliales
Authors: Tribble Carrie M. , May Michael R. , Jackson-Gain Abigail , Zenil-Ferguson Rosana , Specht Chelsea D. , Rothfels Carl J.
Published: September 2021

Testing adaptive hypotheses about how continuous traits evolve in association with developmentally-structured discrete traits, while accounting for the confounding influence of other, hidden, evolutionary forces, remains a challenge in evolutionary biology. For example, geophytes are herbaceous plants—with underground buds—that use underground storage organs (USOs) to survive extended periods of unfavorable conditions. Such plants have evolved multiple times independently across all major vascular plant lineages. Even within closely related lineages, however, geophytes show impressive variation in the morphological modifications and structures (i.e., “types” of USOs) that allow them to survive underground. Despite the developmental and structural complexity of USOs, the prevailing hypothesis is that they represent convergent evolutionary “solutions” to a common ecological problem, though some recent research has drawn this conclusion into question. We extend existing phylogenetic comparative methods to test for links between the hierarchical discrete morphological traits associated with USOs and adaptation to environmental variables, using a phylogeny of 621 species in Liliales. We found that plants with different USO type do not differ in climatic niche more than expected by chance, with the exception of root morphology, where modified roots are associated with lower temperature seasonality. These findings suggest that root tubers may reflect adaptations to different climatic conditions than those represented by other types of USOs. Thus, the tissue type and developmental origin of the USO structure may influence the way it mediates ecological relationships, which draws into question the appropriateness of ascribing broad ecological patterns uniformly across geophytic taxa. This work provides a new framework for testing adaptive hypotheses and for linking ecological patterns across morphologically varying taxa while accounting for developmental (non-independent) relationships in morphological data. [Macroevolution, geophytes, climatic niche evolution, imperfect correspondence]
MYB insufficiency disrupts proteostasis in hematopoietic stem cells leading to age-related neoplasia
Authors: Clarke M.L. , Lemma R.B. , Walton D.S. , Volpe G. , Noyvert B. , Gabrielsen O.S. , Frampton J.
Published: September 2021

The Myb transcription factor plays critical roles in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Acquired genetic dysregulation of Myb, which plays a central role in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene regulation, is involved in the etiology of a number of leukemias. Also, inherited non-coding variants of the Myb gene are a factor in susceptibility to many hematological conditions, including myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), but the mechanisms by which variations in Myb levels predispose to disease, including age-dependency in disease occurrence, are completely unknown. Here, we address these key points by showing that Myb insufficiency in mice leads in later life to MPN, myelodysplasia, and leukemia, mirroring the age profile of equivalent human diseases. This age-dependence is intrinsic to HSC, involving progressive accumulation of subtle changes. Interestingly, and linking to previous studies showing the importance of proteostasis to the maintenance of normal HSC, we observed altered proteosomal activity in young Myb-insufficient mice and later elevated ribosome activity. We propose that these alterations collectively cause an imbalance in proteostasis, potentially creating a cellular milieu favoring disease initiation by driver mutations.
Genome size evolution in the beetle genusDiabrotica
Authors: Lata Dimpal , Coates Brad S , Walden Kimberly K O , Robertson Hugh M , Miller Nicholas J
Published: September 2021

Diabrocite corn rootworms are one of the most economically significant pests of maize in the United States and Europe and an emerging model for insect-plant interactions. Genome sizes of several species in the genusDiabroticawere estimated using flow cytometry along with that ofAcalymma vittatumas an outgroup. Genome sizes ranged between 1.56 - 1.64 gigabase pairs (Gb) and between 2.26-2.59 Gb, respectively, for theDiabroticasubgroups fucata and virgifera; theAcalymma vittatumgenome size was around 1.65 Gb. This result indicated that a substantial increase in genome size occurred in the ancestor of the virgifera group. Further analysis of fucata group and virgifera group genome sequencing reads indicated that the genome size difference between theDiabroticasubgroups could be attributed to a higher content of transposable elements, mostly miniature inverted-transposable elements (MITEs) and gypsy-like long terminal repeat (LTR) retroelements.
Genome-wide analysis tracks the emergence of intraspecific polyploids inPhragmites australis
Authors: Wang Cui , Liu Lele , Yin Meiqi , Eller Franziska , Brix Hans , Wang Tong , Salojärvi Jarkko , Guo Weihua
Published: September 2021

Polyploidization is a common event in plant evolution, and it plays an important role in plant speciation and adaptation. To address the role of polyploidization in grass diversification, we studiedPhragmites australis, a species with intraspecific variation of chromosome numbers ranging from 2n=36 to 144. A combined analysis of genome structure, phylogeny and population genetics were used to study the evolution ofP. australis. Whole-genome sequencing of three representative lineages revealed the allopolyploid origin of the species, with subgenome divergence dating back to approximately 29 million years ago, and the genomes showed hallmarks of relaxed selection associated with asexual propagation. Genome-wide analysis of 88 individuals from different populations around the world using restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) identified seven main intraspecific lineages with extensive genetic admixture. Each lineage was characterized by a distinct ploidy level, mostly tetraploid or octoploid, suggesting several polyploid events. Furthermore, we observed octoploid and hexaploid lineages at contact zones in Romania, Hungary and South Africa, suggestively due to genomic conflicts in allotetraploid parental lineages. Polyploidy may have evolved as a strategy to escape from the evolutionary dead-end of asexual propagation and the resulting decrease in genomic plasticity.
Metformin in nucleus accumbens core reduces cue-induced cocaine seeking in male and female rats
Authors: Chan Amy , Willard Alexis , Mulloy Sarah , Ibrahim Noor , Sciaccotta Allegra , Schonfeld Mark , Spencer Sade M
Published: September 2021

This study investigated the potential therapeutic effects of the FDA-approved drug metformin on cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. Metformin (dimethyl-biguanide) is a first-line treatment for type II diabetes that, among other mechanisms, is involved in the activation of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK). Cocaine self-administration and extinction is associated with decreased levels of phosphorylated AMPK within the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore). Previously it was shown that increasing AMPK activity in the NAcore decreased cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. Decreasing AMPK activity produced the opposite effect. The goal of the present study was to determine if metformin in the NAcore reduces cue-induced cocaine seeking in adult male and female Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were trained to self-administer cocaine followed by extinction prior to cue-induced reinstatement trials. Metformin microinjected in the NAcore attenuated cue-induced reinstatement in male and female rats. Importantly, metformin’s effects on cocaine seeking were not due to a general depression of spontaneous locomotor activity. In female rats, metformin’s effects did generalize to a reduction in cue-induced reinstatement of sucrose seeking. These data support a potential role for metformin as a pharmacotherapy for cocaine use disorder, but warrant caution given the potential for metformin’s effects to generalize to a natural reward in female rats.
TTYH family members form tetrameric complexes within the cell membrane
Authors: Melvin Emelia , Shlush Elia , Giladi Moshe , Haitin Yoni
Published: September 2021

The conserved Tweety homolog (TTYH) family consists of three paralogs in vertebrates, displaying a ubiquitous expression pattern. Although considered as ion channels for almost two decades, recent structural and functional analyses refuted this role. Intriguingly, while all paralogs, studied following detergent solubilization, shared a dimeric stoichiometry, their spatial organization differed. Here, we determined the stoichiometry of intact mouse TTYH (mTTYH) complexes in cells. Using cross-linking and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, we demonstrated that mTTYH1 and mTTYH3 form tetramers at the plasma membrane. Blue-native PAGE and fluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatography analyses revealed that detergent solubilization results in the dissolution of tetramers into dimers, suggesting a dimer-of-dimers assembly mode. As cross-linking analysis of the soluble extracellular domains also showed tetrameric stoichiometry, we explored the effect of membrane solubilization and disulfide bridges integrity and established their contribution to tetramer stability. Future studies of the native tetrameric TTYH characterized here may illuminate their long-sought cellular function.
Molecular evolution and genetic analysis of Mesta yellow vein mosaic virus and associated betasatellites
Authors: Ahmed Rasel , Hasan Rajnee , Ullah Md. Wali , Ahmed Borhan
Published: September 2021

Mesta yellow vein mosaic disease (MYVMD), one of the major diseases circulating mesta growing regions of Indian sub-continent, is responsible for serious yield loss in mesta crops. A complex of monopartite begomovirus, Mesta yellow vein mosaic virus (MYVMV) and associated betasatellite, is reported in several studies as the causal agent of MYVMD. However, all-inclusive molecular evolutionary analysis of so far available MYVMVs and associated betasatellites disseminating in this region is still lacking. In this study, by estimating and analyzing various indexes of population genetics and evolutionary parameters, we discussed the sources of genetic variations, population dynamics and different forces acting on the evolution of MYVMVs and associated betasatellites. The study finds recombination as a vital force in the evolution and diversification of begomovirus complexes in different geographic locations however, betasatellites were found to be exposed to more diverse recombination events compared to MYVMVs. Indian isolates are reported to have high frequency of polymorphism in this study which suggests a balancing selection or expansion occurring in Indian populations of begomoviruses. Higher degree of genetic differentiation and lower rate of gene flow calculated between the viral populations of Bangladesh and Pakistan is justified by the relatively far geographical distance between these two countries. Although the study detects overall purifying selection, the degrees of constraints acting on individual gene tested are found different. Coat protein (AV1) is estimated with very high nucleotide substitution rate which is very likely to result from the strongest purifying selection pressure (dN/dS = 0.131) calculated in this study on coat protein. The findings of this study on different evolutionary forces that shape the emergence and diversification of MYVMVs and associated betasatellites may provide directions towards future evolutionary trend analysis and development of comprehensive disease control strategies for begomoviruses.
The potyviral protein 6K1 reduces plant protease activity during Turnip mosaic virus infection
Authors: Bera Sayanta , Arena Gabriella D. , Ray Swayamjit , Flannigan Sydney , Casteel Clare L
Published: September 2021

Potyviral genomes encode just 11 major proteins and multifunctionality is associated to most of these proteins at different stages of virus life cycle. The potyviral protein 6K1 is required for potyvirus replication at the early stages of viral infection and may mediate cell-to-cell movement at later stages.

Our study demonstrates that the 6K1 protein from Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) reduces the abundance of transcripts related to jasmonic acid biosynthesis and transcripts that encode cysteine protease inhibitors when expressed in trans in Nicotiana benthamiana relative to controls. Furthermore, 6K1 stability increases when lipoxygenase and cysteine protease activity is inhibited chemically, linking a mechanism to the rapid turnover of 6K1 when expressed in trans.

Using transient expression, we show 6K1 is degraded rapidly at early time points in the infection process, whereas at later stages of infection protease activity is reduced and 6K1 becomes more stable, resulting in higher TuMV accumulation in systemic leaves. There was no impact of 6K1 transient expression on TuMV accumulation in local leaves.

Together, these results suggest a novel function for the TuMV 6K1 protein which has not been reported previously and enhances our understanding of the complex interactions occurring between plants and potyviruses.
Crystal structure of [Th3(Cp*)3(O)(OH)3]2Cl2(N3)6: a discrete molecular capsule built from multinuclear organothorium cluster cations
Authors: Kelley Steven P. , Rungthanaphatsophon Pokpong , Walensky Justin R.
Published: September 2021

An unusually large and structurally complex charge-neutral polynuclear cluster, hexa-μ2-azido-di-μ3-chlorido-hexa-μ2-hydroxido-di-μ3-oxido-hexakis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)hexathorium–diethyl ether–tetrahydrofuran (1/0.56/1.44), [Th3(C10H15)6Cl3(N3)6(OH)6O2]·0.56C4H10O·1.44C4H8O or [Th3(Cp*)3(O)(OH)3]2Cl2(N3)6·0.56C4H10O·1.44C4H8O (Cp* = [pentamethylcyclopentadienyl])−, has been crystallized as a mixed tetrahydrofuran/diethyl ether solvate and structurally characterized. The molecule contains a number of unusual features, the most notable being a finite yet exceptionally long cyclic metal-azido chain. These rare features are the consequence of both sterically protecting Cp* ligands and highly bridging oxide and hydroxide ligands in the same system and illustrate the interesting new possibilities that can arise from combining organometallic and solvothermal f-block element chemistry.
(E)-Benzyl 2-{4-[ethyl(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]benzylidene}hydrazinecarbodithioate
Authors: Guo Hui , Du Wenli , Zhou Haoyu
Published: September 2021

In the title compound, C19H23N3OS2, the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 86.80 (8)° and the tertiary amine grouping is almost planar (bond-angle sum at the N atom = 360.0°). In the crystal, pairwise N—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into inversion dimers, and O—H...S hydrogen bonds link the dimers into [101] chains.
A survey of complex trauma in families who have children and adults who have a learning disability and/or autism
Authors: Baker Peter , Cooper Vivien , Tsang Winnie , Garnett Isabelle , Blackman Noelle
Published: September 2021

Purpose

There is an established literature supporting the idea that families who have children and adults who have a learning disability and/or autism have a greater vulnerability to mental health problems or poor psychological health. There are shortcomings in this literature in that there is a little consideration of the impact the families interaction with services has on their well-being. It is argued that complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), with its focus on prolonged chronic exposure to trauma experiences and the recognition that this can occur in adulthood, may well be an appropriate framework to enable a better understanding of the experiences of families.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 214 family members completed a co-produced online survey in relation to potential traumatic events, impacts and support.

Findings

The experiences of family carers of children and adults with a learning disability and/or who are autistic would appear to be multi-layered and complex, with many experiencing a wide range of traumatic events with the associated emotional and personal sequela. The reported responses are consistent with CPTSD with 10% of having received a diagnosis of PTSD. Their experience was that the system failed not only to provide support but also created additional trauma.

Practical implications

A trauma-informed approach needs to be adopted by agencies and professionals that serve families to ensure they understand their potential contribution to the trauma families experience.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that has attempted to examine the experience of families using the framework of CPTSD.
One size does not fit all: the role of mentoring context in proactive individuals' scholarly impact
Authors: Ghitulescu Brenda E. , Khazanchi Shalini , Tang Zhi , Yu Yang
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Mentoring relationships have been proposed as a potential intervention to alleviate gender disparities in scholarly output. Yet, previous research has not provided a systematic understanding of the relationship between mentoring and scholarly output. The authors propose that individuals with a proactive personality are especially suited to leverage mentoring relationships to enhance scholarly outcomes. Structural features of mentoring relationships – gender composition, mentor supervisory status, and mentoring relationship length – provide cues that encourage the expression of proactive personality and result in higher scholarly impact.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via surveys from faculty members in a US university and were matched with objective scholarly impact data. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used for hypothesis testing.

Findings

The impact of proactive personality on scholarly impact was more positive for women protégés with women mentors than for all other mentor-protégé pairings. Results also showed support for two hypothesized three-way interactions with mentor status and mentoring relationship length.

Originality/value

This research provides insights into the contexts where mentorship makes the most difference in protégés' scholarly achievement. Gender composition of mentoring dyads and mentor status are important boundary conditions that impact the effect of proactive personality on scholarly output.
Effects of weather conditions on concrete work task productivity – a questionnaire survey
Authors: Larsson Robert , Rudberg Martin
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to study the effects of different weather conditions on typical concrete work tasks’ productivity. Weather is one important factor that has a negative impact on construction productivity. Knowledge about how weather affects construction works is therefore important for the construction industry, e.g. during planning and execution of construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey method is used involving means to perform pairwise comparisons of different weather factors according to the analytical hierarchical process (AHP). The survey also contains means to enable assessment of the loss in productivity for typical work tasks exposed to different weather types. The survey targets practitioners involved in Swedish concrete construction projects, and the results are compared with previous research findings.

Findings

The survey covers responses from 232 practitioners with long experience of concrete construction. The pairwise comparisons reveal that practitioners rank precipitation as the most important followed by wind and temperature. The loss in productivity varies significantly (from 0 to 100%) depending on the type of work and the type of weather factor considered. The results partly confirm findings reported in previous research but also reveal a more complex relationship between weather and productivity indicating several underlying influencing factors such as type of work, type of weather (e.g. rain or snow) and the intensity of each weather factor.

Originality/value

This paper presents new data about how 232 practitioners assess the effects of weather on construction productivity involving novel means to perform objective rankings such as the AHP methodology.
Smallholder farmers’ perception of climate change and adaptation strategy choices in Central Ethiopia
Authors: Addis Yonnas , Abirdew Solomon
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Smallholder farmers have always been profoundly the first to be impacted by climate change, and therefore, farmers understanding of climate change and accessibility to alternative adaptation strategies are crucial for reducing the effect of climate change. The purpose of this study is to assess the perception of farmers to climate change, adaptation strategies and determinants of adaptation choice in central Ethiopia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used data from randomly selected 240 farm households. Descriptive statistics were used to describe farmers’ perceptions of climate change and adaptation strategies. Also, a multivariate probit model was used to identify the major factors affecting farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies to climate change in central Ethiopia.

Findings

Smallholder farmers perceive climate change in the past two decades in response; the majority (91.47%) of farmers used adaptation options. Improved crop varieties and input intensity, crop diversification, planting date adjustment, soil and water conservation activities and changing of the crop type were used as adaptation options in the study area. A few of these strategies were significantly confirmed a complementary and supplementary relationship. The study identified sex, family size, agroecology, climate information, crop-fail history and formal extension service as significant determinants for farmers’ adaptation choices as these variables significantly affected more than two farmers’ adaptation strategies simultaneously.

Research limitations/implications

Farmers’ choice of adaptation was highly constrained by institutional factors and all these identified factors can be possibly addressed through a better institutional service provision system. It is, therefore, recommended that local administrators should explore the institutional service provision system for a better farm-level adaptation while considering demographic characteristics as well.

Originality/value

This study identified factors affecting farmers’ several adaptation strategies at a time and provides information for the policymaker to make cost-effective interventions for better farm-level adaptation practices.
Shareholder activism in Indonesia: revisiting shareholder rights implementation and future challenges
Authors: Prisandani Ulya Yasmine
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to elaborate on the extent to which the Indonesian legal framework has provided room for shareholder activism and the extent to which shareholder activism has been implemented in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study combines normative and empirical legal research methods. Indonesian laws and regulations are analyzed aside from the analysis of empirical data and court decisions on shareholder activism implementation.

Findings

Indonesian laws and regulations have accommodated shareholders’ activism and shareholders have started to rectify mismanagement and abuse of power that causes loss to the company through derivative lawsuits. Despite this, Indonesian shareholders are still passive, shown by the number of questions asked in the general meetings of shareholders despite the high attendance percentage. Shareholders have also formed associations to gather more influence on the company’s decision-making process.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical observation in this study was limited to LQ45 companies of the February to July 2021 period. This study can be useful to improve corporate governance and corporate communication in a company to encourage higher participation of individual/minority shareholders. This study also serves as an extension to numerous studies on shareholder protection, corporate governance and corporate law in Indonesia.

Originality/value

Study on shareholder activism in Indonesia is still rare, despite the rising urgency of company supervision and monitoring to prevent mismanagement. To fill in that gap, this research hopes to initiate discussion on shareholder activism in relation to shareholder protection, corporate governance and corporate law implementation.
Exploring the impact of green human resource management on environmental performance: the roles of perceived organizational support and innovative environmental behavior
Authors: Bhatti Sabeen Hussain , Saleem Farida , Murtaza Ghulam , Haq Tazeem Ul
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the relationship between green human resource management (GHRM) practices and the environmental performance (EP) of firms belonging to industries that may lean toward environmental pollution (e.g. oil and gas). The authors propose a holistic (serial mediation) model based on the ability-motivation-opportunity (AMO) theory and the social exchange theory (SET) and integrate organizational, i.e. perceived organizational support (POS), and individual, i.e. innovative environmental behavior (IEB), factors as explanatory mechanisms. The authors then test the model in a developing country context.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from white collar workers in the oil and gas industry in Pakistan. A structural equation modeling (SEM) technique and the PROCESS model 6 were used to analyze the hypothesized serial mediation model.

Findings

The authors found support for the fully meditating serial mediation model. Although the direct effects of GHRM and EP were insignificant, the total effects and indirect effects through POS and IEB were significant. Similarly, the research also found support for organizational and individual factors as explanatory mechanisms in the relationship between GHRM and EP.

Originality/value

This research adds to the existing literature on GHRM and the corporate EP link through proposing and testing a model of the mediating effects of POS and IEB. Furthermore, it provides empirical evidence of this model in the oil and gas sector using an Asian developing country as the context of study.
Packaging paradoxes in food supply chains: exploring characteristics, underlying reasons and management strategies
Authors: Pålsson Henrik , Sandberg Erik
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore different types of packaging paradoxes and the reasons for their existence in food supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a multiple case study approach with rich empirical data from seven leading companies in Swedish food supply chains. The research uses coding and a paradox theory lens to analyse packaging paradoxes, both within and between companies in a supply chain.

Findings

The paper provides a novel theoretical lens which uses comprehensive empirical data to identify and categorise four types of packaging paradoxes on two system levels in food supply chains. It presents detailed descriptions of, and underlying reasons for, the paradoxes. It also discusses strategies required to manage packaging paradoxes.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should confirm and extend the findings in this study by incorporating data from companies in other countries. It should cover the importance of paradoxes, their impact on company performance and innovation, and how different paradoxes are related to each other. It should also investigate strategies to manage paradoxes further.

Practical implications

The findings should help companies acknowledge and identify management principles for packaging paradoxes in food supply chains.

Originality/value

It is the first study which systematically explores packaging paradoxes in food supply chains. The study offers a new approach to understand the complexity of packaging decisions in food supply chains. It contributes to the packaging logistics literature by extending theoretical knowledge about conflicts of interest related to packaging. The management discussion offers initial insights into management of packaging paradoxes and directions for future research.
Does managerial capability always drive performance? Empirical examinations of small and medium firms (SMEs) in a developing economy
Authors: Agyapong Ahmed , Aidoo Suzzie Owiredua , Akomea Samuel Yaw
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The paper sought to uncover the conditions under which managerial capability enhances performance while considering the role of social capital within the unique boundary conditions created by competitive intensity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use multi-source data from 206 managers and owners of SMEs from a Sub-Saharan African nation – Ghana.

Findings

Using structural equation modeling (SEM) to analysis the data, the findings revealed that social capital serves as a mechanism through which managerial capability influences performance. Furthermore, the results indicate that competitive intensity does not significantly moderate this important indirect relationship. Implications: This study provides relevant knowledge for scholars, practitioners and policymakers on the role of managerial capability and how it may be harnessed in enhancing performance.

Originality/value

This paper provides a holistic understanding of the capability performance relationship in attempts at extending the literature by examining social capital as a mediator and competitive intensity as a contingent factor of this important relationship in a conditional indirect model.
Predicting place attachment through selfie tourism, memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being
Authors: Trinanda Okki , Sari Astri Yuza , Cerya Efni , Riski Tri Rachmat
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Selfie tourism is a fast-growing phenomenon. Given the convenience of photo-snapping and photo-sharing on social media, selfie tourism is seen as an emerging trend among travelers. This phenomenon gave consequence toward travelers’ behavior, especially on how it can affect their memorable tourism experience and place attachment. This paper aims to examine the relationship between selfie tourism, memorable tourism experience, hedonic well-being and travelers’ place attachment.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered survey method is used. This research was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, consequently, the data were collected via Google Form (online). The respondents are tourists who have visited various tourism destinations in West Sumatera, Indonesia. To test the hypotheses of this study, questionnaires are distributed to 450 respondents. The proposed model was tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results of this study shows that selfie tourism has a positive and significant relationship toward both memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being. In addition, memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being also have a significant relationship with place attachment.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study lies in the limited reference to the relationship between selfie tourism and memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being, because this is the first study to examine the relationship of these variables. This study also has not tested the direct relationship between selfie tourism and place attachment and has not considered eudaemonic well-being as an antecedent of place attachment. Further research will discuss the direct effect of selfie tourism and eudaemonic experience on place attachment, as well as the moderating effect of memorable tourism and hedonic well-being.

Practical implications

This study shows the benefits obtained by tourism managers in preparing selfie facilities, as well as the ability to create meaningful experiences. It provides tourism practitioners with an understanding that tourist place attachment can be improved by both memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being. Furthermore, both memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being can be affected by selfie tourism. This understanding can enhance the tourism providers’ strategy to improve services that fit the characteristics of today’s tourists. Therefore, selfie tourism, memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being can support tourism sustainability, especially in creating place attachments.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies that investigated the relationship between selfie tourism, memorable tourism experience and place attachment. From a market-specific context, this is also the first study that investigated the antecedents of place attachment on West Sumatera’s tourism.
Causality seafood processing circular supply chain capabilities in qualitative data analytics
Authors: Tseng Ming-Lang , Tran Thi Phuong Thuy , Wu Kuo-Jui , Xue Bing , Chen Xiaobo
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study establishes a set of seafood processing circular supply chain capabilities (CSCCs) in Vietnam using qualitative data analytics. This study specifies the interrelationships and hierarchical structure comprising six aspects and 24 criteria for the seafood processing circular supply chain in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

Fuzzy Delphi method is used to confirm the validity. Fuzzy set theory is used to deal with the complexity and uncertainties from the qualitative information. The decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory method is used to examine the interrelationships among attributes. The analytical network process segregates (or displays) the capabilities in a hierarchical structure.

Findings

The results show that management control and technological capability dominate in circular design, circular sourcing, circular production and resource recovery. In practices, the strategic planning, action planning, information technology and technological facilities are important to seafood processing industry.

Originality/value

The CSCCs are pivotal in establishing a concrete foundation for the execution of circular supply chain management, with the aim of optimizing resource utilization and eliminating waste; however, prior studies have lacked a focus on the capability associated interrelationships and hierarchical structure in qualitative data analytics.
Do consumers always prefer coupons with a large discount? A meta-analysis
Authors: Cui Nan , Xiao Yu , Hu Yujiao , Xu Lan , Hu Yi
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The aim of this research is to quantitatively synthesize empirical findings of the effect of discount level on consumer response to the coupon.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used the meta-analysis method to synthesize coupons' discount level effects on consumer response. Meta-regression was used to examine the moderating factors that affect the relationship between discount level and consumer response.

Findings

The average effect size of the discount level is 0.331, indicating that higher discount levels lead to higher consumer responses. The effect of discount level on consumer response to the coupon is stronger when the discount is displayed in proportion format (vs amount format), when consumers are distant (vs near) to the coupon-issuing stores, and when consumers have not opted-in to receive promotional information. The discount level effect is weaker for coupons that can be redeemed online (vs offline only), for hedonic products (vs utilitarian products) and for products of real brands.

Originality/value

From information processing and cost–benefit trade-off perspectives, this research proposes a comprehensive research framework that synthesizes a variety of contextual factors. It identifies several contextual factors that may reconcile several inconsistent findings in the existing literature. It also addresses how the new-technology related factors affect coupon redemption under different discount levels.
Carousel fraud in terms of price manipulation
Authors: Olexová Cecília , Husťák Milan , Sudzina František
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effects of carousel fraud on the average price of goods, as one of the negative economic aspects of carousel fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is primarily based on the description of selected legal cases and the modus operandi of carousel fraud, the analysis of legal texts (legislation and judgments of courts) and the discussion, from the point of view of price manipulation.

Findings

The results of the analysis specify the negative impact of carousel fraud in the form of the distortion of reported average prices and suggest that the authorities should monitor usual or fair prices to detect cases where there is a risk of carousel fraud.

Originality/value

This paper brings new insight into the issue of carousel frauds by understanding the principle of carousel fraud, the motives for it, and the possibilities for detecting this type of tax fraud, which is necessary to prevent tax evasion and to preserve a state’s income.
When does witnessing patient mistreatment hurt nurses' performance? Gauging the moderation roles of self-concern and other-orientation
Authors: Baranik Lisa E. , Zhu Yue , Wang Mo , Zhuang Wei
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Research has found that the effects of directly experiencing mistreatment at work are consistently negative; however, results from studies examining employees' reactions to witnessing mistreatment are less consistent. This study focuses on nurses witnessing patient mistreatment in order to examine how third parties respond when witnessing patients mistreating co-workers. We argue that nurses high on other-orientation are less likely to experience emotion exhaustion in the face of witnessing patient mistreatment, whereas nurses high on self-concern are more likely to experience emotional exhaustion. We further argue that the indirect effect of witnessing patient mistreatment on job performance through emotional exhaustion is moderated by other-orientation and self-concern.

Design/methodology/approach

We used data collected at two time points, with six months apart, from 287 nurses working in a hospital. The study tests the hypotheses by using multiple regression analyses.

Findings

Emotional exhaustion mediated the relationships between witnessing patient mistreatment and two forms of job performance: patient care behaviors and counterproductive work behaviors. Furthermore, other-orientation moderated these indirect relationships such that the indirect relationships were weaker when other-orientation was high (vs. low). Self-concern did not moderate these relationships.

Practical implications

Service and care-oriented businesses may protect their employees from the risk of burnout by promoting prosocial orientation among their patient and customer-facing employees.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the detrimental effects of witnessing patient mistreatment on nurses' performance. It also extends the current understanding of why and when witnessing patient mistreatment is related to performance by demonstrating the joint effects of witnessing patient mistreatment and an individual difference construct, other-orientation on employees' performance.
Global value chain breadth and firm productivity: the enhancing effect of Industry 4.0
Authors: Opazo-Basáez Marco , Vendrell-Herrero Ferran , Bustinza Oscar F. , Marić Josip
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Global value chains (GVC) incorporate internationally fragmented sources of knowledge so as to increase global competitiveness and performance. This paper sheds light on the role of Industry 4.0 technological capabilities in facilitating knowledge access from international linkages and improving firm productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on organizational learning research, the present study argues that the relationship between GVC breadth, analyzed in respect to the geographical fragmentation of production facilities and productivity follows an inverted U-shaped pattern that can be explained by the interplay between external knowledge access and the coordination costs associated with GVC breadth. We test our predictions using a purpose-built survey that was carried out among a sample of 426 Spanish manufacturing firms.

Findings

Our results indicate that organizations adhering to a traditional manufacturing system are able to benefit from fewer transnational relationships (concretely 11 foreign facilities) in the search for productivity improvements. This can be largely attributed to the marginal value of the knowledge accessed and the costs of coordinating international counterparts' production and knowledge transfer. However, our study reveals that the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies has the potential to broaden optimal GVC breadth, in terms of the number of linkages to interrelate with (concretely 131 foreign facilities) so as to obtain productivity gains while mitigating the complexities associated with coordination.

Originality/value

The study unveils that Industry 4.0 technologies enable management of broader GVC breadth, facilitating knowledge access and counteracting coordination costs from international counterparts.