bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Klf9 is a key feedforward regulator of the transcriptomic response to glucocorticoid receptor activity
Authors: Gans Ian , Hartig Ellen I. , Zhu Shusen , Tilden Andrea R. , Hutchins Lucie N. , Maki Nathaniel J. , Graber Joel H. , Coffman James A.
Published: December 2019

The zebrafish has recently emerged as a model system for investigating the developmental roles of glucocorticoid signaling and the mechanisms underlying glucocorticoid-induced developmental programming. To assess the role of the Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) in such programming, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to produce a new frameshift mutation, GR369-, which eliminates all potential in-frame initiation codons upstream of the DNA binding domain. Using RNA-seq to ask how this mutation affects the larval transcriptome under both normal conditions and with chronic cortisol treatment, we find that GR mediates most of the effects of the treatment, and paradoxically, that the transcriptome of cortisol-treated larvae is more like that of larvae lacking a GR than that of larvae with a GR, suggesting that the cortisol-treated larvae develop GR resistance. The one transcriptional regulator that was both underexpressed in GR369- larvae and consistently overexpressed in cortisol-treated larvae was klf9. We therefore used CRISPR-Cas9-mediated mutation of klf9 and RNA-seq to assess Klf9-dependent gene expression in both normal and cortisol-treated larvae. Our results indicate that Klf9 contributes significantly to the transcriptomic response to chronic cortisol exposure, mediating the upregulation of proinflammatory genes that we reported previously.
Hypoxia on vhl-deficient cells to obtain hif related genes through bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Lin Hua , Liu Hongwei
Published: December 2019

Vhl is responsible for degrading the transcription factor hif-1. Hif-1 transcription factors drive changes in hypoxic gene expression to adapt cells to exposure to hypoxic environments. This study hopes to analyze the effect of hypoxia on the vhl-deficient cells to obtain hif regulated genes through bioinformatics analysis. The top ten genes evaluated by connectivity degree in the PPI network were identified. CDK1, CTNNB1, NHP2, CCNA2, CTNNB1, MRPL16, CCND1 were down-regulated. CDK1, RPL12, RPL17, RPL27, RPS10 were up-regulated.
Acute inflammatory events attenuate high-sucrose diet-induced neurodegenerative processes in reproductively normal female wild-type mice
Authors: Pacholko Anthony G. , Bekar Lane K.
Published: December 2019

It is known that diabetic and chronic inflammatory conditions can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-like neurodegeneration in isolation. As certain elements of the diabetic/pre-diabetic state may sensitize the brain to inflammatory insult (i.e. excess glucocorticoid activity), there is reason to believe that obesogenic and inflammatory factors may accelerate neurodegeneration in a synergistic manner. Also, given that most AD research utilizes male animal models despite increased prevalence of AD among women, we sought to characterize elements of the established (in males) high-sucrose model of neurodegeneration, for the first time, in reproductively normal (pre-menopausal) female mice. A high-sucrose diet (20% of the drinking water) was combined with systemic intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injections (0.1 mg/kg; 1x/month over 3 months) over seven months in reproductively normal female wild-type mice (C57Bl/6; n=10/group). Although a deleterious effect was hypothesized, low-dose LPS proved to protect against high sucrose diet-induced pathologies in female wild-type mice. Results from our high-sucrose group confirmed that a high-sucrose diet is a mild model of neurodegeneration in wild-type females, as evidenced by exaggerated glucocorticoid expression, spatial learning deficits, irregularities within the insulin pathway, and increased β-amyloid production and Tau phosphorylation. While LPS had little to no effect in isolation, it exerted a protective influence when added to animals sustained on a high-sucrose diet. Corticosterone homeostasis, and levels of amyloid-β (Aβ) and pTau were rescued following addition of LPS. The work presented supports a high-sucrose diet as a model of mild neurodegeneration in female mice and highlights a protective role for transient inflammation against dietary-insult that may be sex dependent.
Genome-wide analysis of chalcone synthase (CHS) family from eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) in flavonoid biosynthetic pathway and expression pattern in response to heat stress
Authors: Wu Xuexia , Zhang Shengmei , Liu Xiaohui , Shang Jing , Zhang Aidong , Zhu Zongwen , Zha Dingshi
Published: December 2019

Enzymes of chalcone synthase (CHS) family participate in the synthesis of a series of secondary metabolites in plants, fungi and bacteria. CHS showed significant correlation to the accumulation patterns of anthocyanin. The peel color mainly determined by the content of anthocyanin, is a majority economic trait for eggplant affected by heat stress. A total of 7 CHS(SmCHS1-7) putative genes were identified in genome-wide of eggplant (S. melongena L.). The SmCHS genes distribute on 7 scaffolds and were classified into 3 clusters. Phylogenetic relationships analysis showed that 73 CHS genes from 7 Solanaceae species were classified into 10 groups. SmCHS5, SmCHS6 and SmCHS7 were continuously down-regulated under 38°C and 45°C treatment, while SmCHS4 was up-regulated under 38°C but little change at 45°C in peel. Expression profiles of anthocyanin biosynthesis key genes families showed that the PAL, 4CL and AN11 genes were mainly expressed in all five tissues. CHI, F3H, F3’5’H, DFR, 3GT and bHLH1 genes were expressed in flower and peel. Under heat stress, 52 key genes expression level were reduced under heat stress. By contrast, expression patterns of eight key genes similar to SmCHS4 up-regulated at the 38°C-3h. Comparative analysis of putative CHS protein biochemical characteristics, cis-regulatory elements, regulatory network revealed that SmCHS genes family have conservation gene structure and functional diversification. SmCHS showed two or more expression patterns and execute multiple functions to regulate anthocyanin content. Combined with regulatory networks, it is possible to further understand the regulation mechanism of peel color in eggplant.
Testosterone Changes in Female Pandas in Estrus
Authors: Liu Xuefeng , Yuan Lei , Wang Wei , You Yuyan , Liu Yanhui , Ma Tao , Wang Zezhong , Jin Xuelin , Ma Qingyi , Lu Yanping , Zhang Jinguo , Zhao Sufen
Published: December 2019

Currently, the majority of giant panda breeding is carried out by cage-mating or artificial insemination based on estrogen levels and behavior in female pandas. However, studies have shown that testosterone levels both in women and in non-human primate females have a significant effect on the desire to mate. In this study, we wanted to explain how testosterone levels of female giant pandas would change during estrous. In this study, 23 accounts of rutting were recorded in 10 female pandas from 2009 to 2012. Changes in urinal testosterone levels were monitored and compared with estradiol values. Our data showed that, for female pandas in estrus, testosterone levels after the estradiol peak was significantly higher than before, and the testosterone peak occurred 4 days after the estradiol peak. Furthermore, testosterone and estradiol level were only significantly correlated after peak estradiol levels peaked, and not before. Finally, out findings suggest that testosterone could help us better understand hormone variation during panda estrus, as well as help aid in the natural breeding of pandas.
Integrated analyses of early responses to radiation in glioblastoma identify new alterations in RNA processing and candidate target genes to improve treatment outcomes
Authors: Choudhary Saket , Burns Suzanne C. , Mirsafian Hoda , Li Wenzheng , Vo Dat T. , Qiao Mei , Smith Andrew D. , Penalva Luiz O.
Published: December 2019

Background

High-dose radiation is the main component of glioblastoma therapy. Unfortunately, radio-resistance is a common problem and a major contributor to tumor relapse. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving response to radiation is critical for identifying regulatory routes that could be targeted to improve treatment response.

Methods

We conducted an integrated analysis in the U251 and U343 glioblastoma cell lines to map early alterations in the expression of genes at three levels: transcription, splicing, and translation in response to ionizing radiation.

Results

Changes at the transcriptional level were the most prevalent response. Downregulated genes are strongly associated with cell cycle and DNA replication and linked to a coordinated module of expression. Alterations in this group are likely driven by decreased expression of the transcription factor FOXM1 and members of the E2F family. Genes involved in RNA regulatory mechanisms were affected at the mRNA, splicing, and translation levels, highlighting their importance in radiation-response. We identified a number of oncogenic factors, with an increased expression upon radiation exposure, including BCL6, RRM2B, IDO1, FTH1, APIP, and LRIG2 and lncRNAs NEAT1 and FTX. Several of these targets have been previously implicated in radio-resistance. Therefore, antagonizing their effects post-radiation could increase therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusions

Our integrated analysis provides a comprehensive view of early response to radiation in glioblastoma. We identify new biological processes involved in altered expression of various oncogenic factors and suggest new target options to increase radiation sensitivity and prevent relapse.
Vesicular and non-vesicular extracellular small RNAs direct gene silencing in a plant-interacting bacterium
Authors: Ravet Antinéa , Zervudacki Jérôme , Singla-Rastogi Meenu , Charvin Magali , Thiebeauld Odon , Perez-Quintero Alvaro L , Courgeon Lucas , Candat Adrien , Lebeau Liam , Emidio Fortunato Antonio , Mendu Venugopal , Navarro Lionel
Published: December 2019

Extracellular plant small RNAs (sRNAs) and/or double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) precursors act as triggers of RNAi in interacting filamentous pathogens1–7. However, whether any of these extracellular RNA species direct gene silencing in plant-interacting bacteria remains unknown. Here, we show that Arabidopsis transgenic plants expressing sRNAs directed against virulence factors of aPseudomonas syringaestrain, reduce its pathogenesis. This Antibacterial Gene Silencing (AGS) phenomenon is directed by Dicer-Like (DCL)-dependent antibacterial sRNAs, but not cognate dsRNA precursors. Three populations of active extracellular sRNAs were recovered in the apoplast of these transgenic plants. The first one is mainly non-vesicular and associated with proteins, whereas the second one is likely located inside Extracellular Vesicles (EVs). Intriguingly, the third population is unbound to proteins and in a dsRNA form, unraveling a novel class of functional extracellular free sRNAs (efsRNAs). Both Arabidopsis transgene- and genome-derived efsRNAs were retrieved inside bacterial cells. Finally, we show that salicylic acid (SA) promotes AGS, and that a substantial set of endogenous efsRNAs exhibits predicted bacterial targets that are down-regulated by SA biogenesis and/or signaling during infection. This study thus unveils an unexpected AGS phenomenon, which may have wider implications in the understanding of how plants regulate transcriptome, microbial community composition and genome evolution of associated bacteria.
Experience dependent contextual codes in the hippocampus
Authors: Plitt Mark H. , Giocomo Lisa M.
Published: December 2019

The hippocampus is a medial temporal lobe brain structure that contains circuitry and neural representations capable of supporting declarative memory. Hippocampal place cells fire in one or few restricted spatial locations in a given environment. Between environmental contexts, place cell firing fields remap (turning on/off or moving to a new spatial location), providing a unique population-wide neural code for context specificity. However, the manner by which features associated with a given context combine to drive place cell remapping remains a matter of debate. Here we show that remapping of neural representations in region CA1 of the hippocampus is strongly driven by prior beliefs about the frequency of certain contexts, and that remapping is equivalent to an optimal estimate of the identity of the current context under that prior. This prior-driven remapping is learned early in training and remains robust to changes in behavioral task-demands. Furthermore, a simple associative learning mechanism is sufficient to reproduce these results. Our findings demonstrate that place cell remapping is a generalization of representing an animal’s location. Rather than simply representing location in physical space, the hippocampus represents an optimal estimate of location in a multi-dimensional stimulus space.
Simulation of cryo-EM ensembles from atomic models of molecules exhibiting continuous conformations
Authors: Seitz Evan , Acosta-Reyes Francisco , Schwander Peter , Frank Joachim
Published: December 2019

Molecular machines visit a continuum of conformational states as they go through work cycles required for their metabolic functions. Single-molecule cryo-EM of suitable in vitro systems affords the ability to collect a large ensemble of projections depicting the continuum of structures and assign occupancies, or free energies, to the observed states. Through the use of machine learning and dimension reduction algorithms it is possible to determine a low-dimensional free energy landscape from such data, allowing the basis for molecular function to be elucidated. In the absence of ground truth data, testing and validation of such methods is quite difficult, however. In this work, we propose a workflow for generating simulated cryo-EM data from an atomic model subjected to conformational changes. As an example, an ensemble of structures and their multiple projections was created from heat shock protein Hsp90 with two defined conformational degrees of freedom. All scripts for reproducing this workflow are available online. 1
Efficient Detection and Classification of Epigenomic Changes Under Multiple Conditions
Authors: Baldoni Pedro L. , Rashid Naim U. , Ibrahim Joseph G.
Published: December 2019

Summary

Epigenomics, the study of the human genome and its interactions with proteins and other cellular elements, has become of significant interest in recent years. Such interactions have been shown to regulate essential cellular functions and are associated with multiple complex diseases. Therefore, understanding how these interactions may change across conditions is central in biomedical research. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by massively-parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq) is one of several techniques to detect local changes in epigenomic activity (peaks). However, existing methods for differential peak calling are not optimized for the diversity in ChIP-seq signal profiles, are limited to the analysis of two conditions, or cannot classify specific patterns of differential change when multiple patterns exist. To address these limitations, we present a flexible and efficient method for the detection of differential epigenomic activity across multiple conditions. We utilize data from the ENCODE Consortium and show that the presented method, mixNBHMM, exhibits superior performance to current tools and it is among the fastest algorithms available, while allowing the classification of combinatorial patterns of differential epigenomic activity and the characterization of chromatin regulatory states.
Using embeddedness theory to explain self-initiated expatriation intention of entry-level job applicants
Authors: Goštautaitė Bernadeta , Bučiūnienė Ilona , Mayrhofer Wolfgang , Bareikis Karolis , Bertašiūtė Eglė
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain why entry-level job applicants intend to leave their home country to work abroad by adopting the framework of country embeddedness (i.e. career and community embeddedness).

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses are tested using survey data of a sample of prospective healthcare entry-level job applicants (i.e. last year medical students) using hierarchical regression analyses and bootstrapping procedures.

Findings

Results show that, first, home country career and community embeddedness are negatively associated with self-initiated expatriation intention (SIE-intention). Second, developmental feedback reduces SIE-intention. This relationship is at least partly due to increased home country career embeddedness. Third, national identity reduces SIE-intention. The relationship is at least partly due to increased home country community embeddedness.

Originality/value

This paper advances the understanding of SIE by focusing on home country factors associated with the decision to work abroad, whereas the majority of current research mainly considers host country variables.
“Libraries motors of change” and the social role of (digital) libraries for their communities
Authors: Coffa Mario
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Based on a comparison with different realities, analysis of the situation of libraries in line with International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) policies and directives.

Design/methodology/approach

The method used for the following paper is that of a remote interview.

Findings

The expected results will emerge from the debate that can be raised from this paper.

Research limitations/implications

The IFLA guidelines have international value but are implemented according to the context of the individual country, not always in a uniform manner.

Originality/value

The interview reveals the formality of the contents through the informality of the method.
What to do when your brand gets kidnapped by Narcos: the case of Buchanan’s whisky
Authors: Kervyn Nicolas , Cavazos Arroyo Judith , Castillo Villar Fernando Rey , Gomez Zuñiga Rosa Andrea
Published: December 2019

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are as follows: understanding the difference between brand identity and brand image; applying various segmentation tools; understanding the appeal of the aspirational brand and its consequence on private and public consumption; exploring the strategic options available to a brand facing a brand appropriation; exploring the pros and cons of opposing a brand appropriation; and developing a plan for the implementation of this strategy.

Case overview/synopsis

This case will help students understand the difference between the brand identity that the brand owners intend and the brand image that consumers actually perceive.

Complexity academic level

This case is designed to be used in marketing management, brand strategy or consumer culture course. Specifically, the case is designed for college seniors or master students with basic strategic marketing training. It should provide the basis of discussions on the topics of brand management, consumer culture, brand portfolio management, international marketing, repositioning strategy, brand architecture, brand equity, brand assets, brand appropriation and consumer relationships with brands.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing
Services input and productivity in Indian manufacturing plants
Authors: Goldar Bishwanath
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse econometrically determinants of total factor productivity (TFP) in Indian manufacturing plants with a focus on the influence of services input on productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

Plant-level data drawn from Annual Survey of Industries for the years 1998-1999 to 2012-2013 are used for the estimation of TFP at plant-level by applying the Levinsohn–Petrin methodology. Econometric models are estimated to explain variations in plant-level TFP. The explanatory variables used are services input intensity (split into manufacturing services purchased and other services), the share of information communication technology (ICT) assets in total fixed capital stock, the share of contract workers in total workers and the share of imported materials out of total materials used, with plant size taken as a control variable. Model estimation is done by applying the fixed effects model.

Findings

Econometric results indicate that services input and ICT intensity have a significant positive effect on productivity of manufacturing plants in India. Use of imported materials raises productivity, whereas the use of contract workers in place of regular workers tends to lower productivity. The impact of imported materials on TFP of manufacturing plants seems to be relatively bigger for labour-intensive, low technology industries.

Originality/value

Care has been taken for TFP measurement. Analysis of the impact of services input on TFP has been undertaken for Indian manufacturing using plant-level data for the first time.
Upgrading destruction?
Authors: Doytch Nadia
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The authors investigate natural disasters’ impact on manufacturing and services foreign direct investment (FDI), both, in contemporaneous and time-lag contexts. Manufacturing and services FDI account for different types of technology transfers, respectively, through tangible physical assets and intangible knowledge assets. This paper aims to hypothesize that natural disasters that have pronounced physical impact, have different effect on different sectoral FDI.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors merge a data set from emergency events database, which covers natural disasters occurrences with a sector-level data on FDI for 69 countries for the period 1980-2011, distinguishing between four different kinds of natural disasters such as meteorological, climate, hydrological and geophysical, as well as between different geographical regions.

Findings

Controlling for commonly accepted determinants of FDI, such as output growth, quality of institutions and natural resource abundance, the authors find that manufacturing FDI is negatively affected immediately after the disaster and positively in the longer run- a finding that is in unison with the “creative destruction” growth theory. Services FDI, on the other hand, do not show such pattern. Meteorological disasters have no effect on services FDI and climate and hydrological disasters have long-lasting negative effects. For both, manufacturing and services FDI, geophysical disasters have a positive impact on FDI in the long run.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to 69 countries for the period 1980-2011.

Practical implications

FDI bears tangible and intangible knowledge assets and provides means of financing, even in countries with under-developed banking systems and stock markets. FDI is impacted by climate change, manifested by intensifying and increase of frequency of natural disasters.

Social implications

Natural disasters destroy infrastructure and displace people. The rebuilding of infrastructure and intangible capital present an opportunity for upgrading.

Originality/value

This is the first study that analyzes the impact of natural disasters on sector-level FDI in a multicounty and regional context.
PrEP in Prisons: HIV prevention in incarcerated populations
Authors: Parsons Jordan , Cox Chelsea
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the possibility of using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an HIV harm reduction intervention in prisons. PrEP is primarily discussed in relation to men who have sex with men (MSM), meaning other high-risk populations, such as prisoners, are often side-lined. The authors wanted to consider how it could prove beneficial beyond the MSM community.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the authors discuss whether the common objections to existing HIV harm reduction interventions in prisons, such as needle exchanges, are applicable to PrEP. The authors then apply common objections to the provision of PrEP in the general population to the provision of PrEP in a prison context in order to assess their strength. Finally, the authors discuss what the authors anticipate to be a key objection to PrEP in prisons: post-incarceration access.

Findings

The authors argue that both sets of common objections considered are easily refuted in the case of PrEP in prisons. The unique setting and nature of the intervention are such that it is without immediately apparent flaws. In addressing post-incarceration access, the authors suggest that a longitudinal consideration of a prisoner’s HIV risk undermines the objection.

Originality/value

This discussion is of importance due to the significantly heightened risk of HIV infection prisoners are subject to. Not only do effective HIV prevention interventions in prisons contribute to fair access to health for incarcerated individuals, but also to the wider fight against HIV. The authors demonstrate that PrEP has potential as a new approach and call for further research in this area.
Auditors’ professionalism and factors affecting it: insights from Indonesia
Authors: Suyono Eko , Farooque Omar Al
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of intellectual intelligence, emotional intelligence, internal locus of control, and auditors’ experience (intrinsic characteristics) and organizational culture (an extrinsic characteristic) on auditors’ professionalism.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected from auditors working in public accounting firms in the Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces of Indonesia between March 1 and June 30, 2017, using survey questionnaires with a Likert scale (one-five). The ordinary least squares (OLS) regression method is used to analyze the data.

Findings

Findings from OLS regression reveal that emotional intelligence, internal locus of control and auditors’ experience positively influence auditors’ professionalism. However, intellectual intelligence and organizational culture do not show any effect on their professionalism.

Originality/value

Even though there are some limitations, such as how to measure intellectual intelligence, and the relatively small size of the sample, this study makes a significant contribution because it is the first study to measure the joint effect of both intellectual and emotional intelligence and the first to examine the influence on auditors’ professionalism of both individual and organizational characteristics.
Readiness factors for information technology adoption in SMEs: testing an exploratory model in an Indian context
Authors: Nair Jessy , Chellasamy Aarthy , Singh B.N. Balaji
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Extant literature regarding factors essential for successful information technologies (IT) implementation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) does not significantly address readiness factors for IT implementation in an Indian context. This exploratory research develops and tests a framework to analyse the antecedents to organisational preparedness for adoption of IT infrastructure in SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory research adopts a mixed-method approach to test the technology, organization and environment (TOE) framework. In-depth interviews with SME owners are conducted to develop the case study, and the measures obtained are tested through a survey at a small and medium business industrial cluster in Southern India in SMEs.

Findings

The case study indicates SME owners’ drive to initiate technology preparedness for organisational sustainability is a key factor, a measure not seen during the literature review. An empirical study tests the measures. Pressure from customers, owner’s age, sales of SME, owner’s attitude towards IT and owner’s knowledge of IT was confirmed, which indicates organisational factors have more impact compared to technological and environmental factors.

Research limitations/implications

The academic scope of this research paper can be extended to contexts such as readiness in IT infrastructure for digital transformation.

Practical implications

The validated research framework can be used by organisation stakeholders and SME IT practitioners for successful IT adoption.

Social implications

SMEs contribute significantly to gross domestic product (GDP) and provide employment opportunities. Hence, this research provides a tested model that SMEs owners/managers can adopt as a framework to augment competitiveness to implement IT.

Originality/value

The study adopts a mixed-method research design and is, perhaps, a first in the Indian context to explore variables through case study and validate identified measures through an empirical study. The model can be used by SME owners and practitioners to ascertain factors for organisational preparedness for IT adoption.
Is meaningful work the silver bullet? Perspectives of the social workers
Authors: Tan Kim-Lim , Lew Tek-Yew , Sim Adriel K.S.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of meaningful work against dimensions of job burnout, with psychological capital (PsyCap) as the mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 223 social workers were analyzed using the partial least squares–structural equation modeling.

Findings

As expected, meaningful work displayed a positive, direct and significant relationship with PsyCap. Contrary to expectations, meaningful work did not establish a negative direct relationship with all, but one dimension of job burnout. However, the results showed that it had indirect relationships with all job burnout dimensions through PsyCap where it displayed a mediating influence over the relationship.

Practical implications

Given the malleable attributes of PsyCap and the results showing meaningful work being a strong predictor of PsyCap, this study suggests that organizations should focus on imbuing greater meaningfulness in work to improve social workers’ PsyCap, which is essential in reducing their propensity for experiencing job burnout.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to explore in detail the effects of meaningful work on the dimensions of job burnout, with PsyCap being the mediator. This study has advanced the body of knowledge on meaningful work by contesting the claim that meaningful work was an effective predictor in reducing job burnout. In addition, this study has extended the understanding of the upward-spiral concept and the resource caravan concept.
How does the type of product moderate consumers’ buying intentions towards traditional foods? (Study of consumer behavior in Indonesia)
Authors: Haryanto Budhi , Purwanto Djoko , Dewi Amina Sukma , Cahyono Edi
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explain the relationship between product quality, price and convenience with a positive attitude and intention to buy traditional food. In addition, it also aims to explain the role of the product type in moderating the relationship between these variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Samples were taken non-randomly, consisting of 500 snack food buyers and 500 restaurant food buyers. Some of the places chosen for sampling include Paragon Mall, Solo Grand Mall, Matahari Mall, Hartono Mall or other places in Surakarta-Indonesia, where people spend time relaxing. Furthermore, multiple structural equations model (multi group SEM) is a statistical method used to explain the relationship between the conceptual variables.

Findings

Some of the findings are as follows: before the product as a moderator, price and quality are the variables that influence the positive attitude and the intention to buy, while the convenience is the variable found not affecting both the positive attitude and the intention to buy. After the product type as a moderator, for snacks, the test results indicate that the price, product quality and convenience are the variables that affect the positive attitude but do not affect the intention to buy. For restaurant food, test results indicate that only prices and qualities affect positive attitudes, whereas convenience is found not to affect positive attitudes. Furthermore, only price and quality affect the intention to buy, while convenience is found not to affect the intention to buy.

Originality/value

This paper underlines that the type of product is a moderating variable in the buying behavior process of traditional foods. Regarding its role as a moderator variable, the relationships between variables that are conceptualized can be explained in detail, along with their significance.
Introducing a new data set on municipal-level occupational regulation
Authors: Carpenter Dick , Sweetland Kyle , Vargo Emily , Bayne Ethan
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss new findings on municipal-level occupational licensing and other forms of regulation and introduce a new data set available for researchers to study this largely unexplored area.

Design/methodology/approach

Municipal occupational regulatory data were gathered in 2017 and 2018 from the 50 largest cities in the USA. Data available in the data set include city and state IDs, occupational IDs, requirements associated with the regulations (e.g. education, experience and fees), penalties for practicing without meeting the requirements, regulatory type and NAICS category. Descriptive statistics are used to present information about the number and types of occupations regulated and the number and types of regulations present in the cities.

Findings

The median number of occupations regulated by a city is 24.5, but the numbers per city vary substantially. The 1,832 occupations in the data set are distributed across every NAICS category. The most prevalent form of regulation is registration; certification is least used. Cities are quite diverse in the types of regulations applied to occupations, and the type of regulation varies substantially by industry type.

Originality/value

Research on licensing is dominated by state-level analyses. Largely absent are systematic analyses of licensing and other regulation at the municipal level, likely due to a lack of data. This means the current licensing literature underestimates – perhaps severely so – the prevalence, burdens and effects of licensing. The data introduced and discussed in this paper can help remedy this dearth of municipal licensing analyses.
Decentralized humanitarian aid deployment: reimagining the delivery of aid
Authors: Wood Erik Xavier , Frazier Tim
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Current centralized humanitarian aid deployment practices may encourage urbanization thereby weakening short- and long-term resiliency of lower-income countries receiving aid. The purpose of this paper is first, to explore these shortcomings within the peer-reviewed literature and, second, propose a starting point for a solution with a decentralized humanitarian aid deployment (DHAD) framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a focused, qualitative review of available and relevant literature.

Findings

The literature reviewed demonstrates that current centralized humanitarian aid deployment models lack meaningful engagement of local assets while indicating a plausible connection between these same models and disaster urbanization. Next, the literature shows introducing a new decentralized model could represent a sustainable aid deployment standard for that country’s specific response, recovery, mitigation and planning opportunities and constraints.

Research limitations/implications

The next step is to develop a working DHAD model for a lower-income country using a multi-layered, GIS analysis that incorporates some or all of the socioeconomic and environmental variables suggested herein.

Practical implications

The practical potential of the DHAD framework includes establishing the impacted country in the lead role of their own recovery at the moment of deployment, no longer relying on foreign logistics models to sort it out once aid has arrived.

Originality/value

This paper discusses a topic that much of the literature agrees requires more research while suggesting a new conceptual framework for aid deployment best practices which is also largely absent from the literature.
Study of ceramic pigments with tin sphene structure in the system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-SnO2-Cr2O3
Authors: Zaichuk Аleksandr Viktorovich , Amelina Аleksandra Andreevna , Sukhyy Kostyantyn Mikhalovich
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish physical-chemical patterns and process parameters for obtaining low-temperature pink pigments with the structure of tin sphene using granulated blast-furnace slag.

Design/methodology/approach

Thermodynamic calculations were made in the work to assess the probability of malayaite phase formation during firing of slag-containing pigments. Mineralogical composition of synthesized pigments was evaluated by X-ray phase analysis. Spectral characteristics of pigments absorption in the infrared region were determined with the use of Fourier IR-spectrometry. Colour characteristics of the developed pigments and glass coatings with their introduction were studied on the comparator colour. Density of ceramic pigments was determined by pycnometric method, and chemical resistance was found on their weight loss after boiling in 1 N hydrochloric acid solution and 1 N sodium hydroxide solution.

Findings

Peculiar features of formation of the mineralogical composition of pink pigments are studied in the system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-SnO2-Cr2O3with the use of granulated blast-furnace slag. The end product and carrier of the pink colour is the solid solution on the basis of tin sphene. It is established that the most rational concentration of chromium (III) oxide for the formation of pink colouring of the pigments is 2 Wt.%.

Practical implications

The usage of developed pigments provides obtaining high-quality pink-coloured glaze coatings, in particular for ceramic tiles.

Originality/value

Activity of the components of blast-furnace slag in combination with the effective mineralizing action of B2O3additive allows performing the firing of pink of the pigments with the formation of tin sphene at reduced temperature of 1,200°C.
Unsociable speech
Authors: Williams Kristin S.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Cyber incivility is a form of unsociable speech and a common daily workplace stressor. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of cyber incivility on non-profit leaders in Canada and share an intimate portrait of their personal experiences and perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study advances our understanding of how qualitative methods can be introduced into the study of a phenomenon which has been broadly examined in a positivist tradition. The paper draws epistemologically and methodologically on a fusion of critical discourse analysis and auto-ethnography to present emic and experiential insights.

Findings

The findings offer three conceptual contributions: to introduce a novel qualitative method to a dynamic field of study; to advance a critical dimension to our understanding of cyber incivility; and to explore the challenges which emerge when qualitative research must draw largely on positivist, quantitative literature. Additionally, this paper makes three contributions to our understanding of cyber incivility: by introducing organizational context conditions which encourage incivility; by identifying commonalities between incivility and bullying, by challenging the existing taxonomy; and by examining the personal experiences of non-profit leaders in Canada (in operationalized settings).

Originality/value

Quantitative analysis has been limited to the relationship between supervisor and employee and consisted mostly of cross-sectional self-report designs, online surveys and experimental manipulation in simulated workplace environments. This study serves up a deeper analysis from within organizational environments.
Multi-agent strategy for low voltage DC supply for a smart home
Authors: Suresh N.S. , Kumar Manish , Arul Daniel S.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The researchers and policy makers worldwide have proposed many ideas for smart cities and homes in urban areas. The extensive work done for urban smart homes neglects the unique constraints of homes at remote mountain tops and deserts and rural village homes. The purpose of this paper is to propose a smart energy management system for a self-sustained home of any type situated in any geographical location with the availability of renewable energy sources like solar, etc. The purpose is mainly to highlight the importance and advantages of direct current (DC) homes with DC loads rather than a conventional alternating current (AC) home with both AC and DC loads. An attempt has been made to evolve a multi-agent coordinated control for the low voltage direct current (LVDC) smart home system.

Design/methodology/approach

LVDC supply systems with in situ power generation are providing an efficient solution for the energy needs of a DC smart home. The individual sub-systems of the LVDC system have their unique functions and priorities and hence require both coordinated and independent control. The entire DC smart home system is modeled in the Matlab and codes are implemented for each agent of the home. LVDC grid is operating either in battery connected mode or utility grid-connected mode, and the DC link voltage is held constant in both the cases. Energy imported from the utility grid is minimized by load shedding during the rectifier mode of the bidirectional converter. In addition, load shedding is also done when the battery is discharging to increase the discharge time of the battery. Load shedding is done on the basis of a fixed priority of loads. A 48 s simulation is performed on the Matlab model to bring out the 24-hour operation of the proposed system. Various modes are simulated and the corresponding actions of the agents are tested.

Findings

A new control strategy with agents for each sub-system of the LVDC system is presented. Each individual agent works in tandem with other agents and meets its own control imperatives without compromising the requirements of the overall system. Unlike the centralized control system, the proposed control strategy is a distributed control system. The control algorithm for each of the agents is developed, and the pseudo code is presented. The results of the simulation of the proposed scheme are presented to confirm the usefulness of the new control approach.

Originality/value

The multi-agent concept for an energy management system is less addressed and thus its potential for efficient home energy management is presented. The proposed multi-agent strategy for a complete DC smart home with exclusive DC loads is not done earlier and is reported for the first time. The success of this strategy can be extended to other DC micro-grid systems like telecom power systems, ships, aircraft, datacentres, server rooms, residential complexes and commercial malls.
Determinants of voluntary sustainability assurance: the importance of corporate environmental performance
Authors: Dutta Probal
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether corporate environmental performance (CEP) exerts any significant influence on the voluntary external assurance of sustainability reports.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of this study includes 176 firm-year observations covering an eight-year period (2008-2015) for listed Finnish companies that have issued sustainability reports during the sample period. As the dependent variable “voluntary external assurance” is a binary variable, a logistic regression model has been estimated to observe the effect of CEP on the dependent variable. In addition, a number of control variables have also been included in the empirical model.

Findings

The results of this study exhibit that Finnish firms with superior environmental performance in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption have their sustainability reports externally assured. Additionally, among the control variables, firm size, leverage and asset age are found to have significant impact on the adoption of voluntary sustainability assurance (VSA). These results are robust, as they do not change substantially when conducting sub-sample analyses.

Originality/value

The literature on VSA is evolving slowly paying very little attention to the association between CEP and VSA. This empirical research aims to extend such scant literature. The results could have important implications to users of environmental information, managers and regulators.
Fear of the dark? Contrasting impacts of humans versus lynx on diel activity of roe deer across Europe
Authors: Bonnot Nadège C. , Couriot Ophélie , Berger Anne , Cagnacci Francesca , Ciuti Simone , De Groeve Johannes E. , Gehr Benedikt , Heurich Marco , Kjellander Petter , Kröschel Max , Morellet Nicolas , Sönnichsen Leif , Hewison A. J. Mark
Published: December 2019

Humans, as super predators, can have strong effects on wildlife behaviour, including profound modifications of diel activity patterns. Subsequent to the return of large carnivores to human‐modified ecosystems, many prey species have adjusted their spatial behaviour to the contrasting landscapes of fear generated by both their natural predators and anthropogenic pressures. The effects of predation risk on temporal shifts in diel activity of prey, however, remain largely unexplored in human‐dominated landscapes.

We investigated the influence of the density of lynx Lynx lynx, a nocturnal predator, on the diel activity patterns of their main prey, the roe deer Capreolus capreolus, across a gradient of human disturbance and hunting at the European scale.

Based on 11 million activity records from 431 individually GPS‐monitored roe deer in 12 populations within the EURODEER network (http://eurodeer.org), we investigated how lynx predation risk in combination with both lethal and non‐lethal human activities affected the diurnality of deer.

We demonstrated marked plasticity in roe deer diel activity patterns in response to spatio‐temporal variations in risk, mostly due to human activities. In particular, roe deer decreased their level of diurnality by a factor of 1.37 when the background level of general human disturbance was high. Hunting exacerbated this effect, as during the hunting season deer switched most of their activity to night‐time and, to a lesser extent, to dawn, although this pattern varied noticeably in relation to lynx density. Indeed, in the presence of lynx, their main natural predator, roe deer were relatively more diurnal. Overall, our results revealed a strong influence of human activities and the presence of lynx on diel shifts in roe deer activity.

In the context of the recovery of large carnivores across Europe, we provide important insights about the effects of predators on the behavioural responses of their prey in human‐dominated ecosystems. Modifications in the temporal partitioning of ungulate activity as a response to human activities may facilitate human–wildlife coexistence, but likely also have knock‐on effects for predator–prey interactions, with cascading effects on ecosystem functioning.