bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Jet-printing microfluidic devices on demand
Authors: Soitu Cristian , Stovall-Kurtz Nicholas , Deroy Cyril , Castrejón-Pita Alfonso A. , Cook Peter R. , Walsh Edmond J.
Published: June 2020

There is an unmet demand for microfluidics in biomedicine. We describe contactless fabrication of microfluidic circuits on standard Petri dishes using just a dispensing needle, syringe pump, 3-way traverse, cell-culture media, and an immiscible fluorocarbon (FC40). A submerged micro-jet of FC40 is projected through FC40 and media on to the bottom of a dish, where it washes media away to leave liquid fluorocarbon walls pinned to the substrate by interfacial forces. Such fluid walls can be built into almost any imaginable 2D circuit in minutes, which we exploit to clone cells using limiting dilution in a way that beats the Poisson limit, sub-culture adherent cells, and feed arrays of cells continuously for a week. This general method should have wide application in biomedicine.

One sentence summary

In the everyday world, we cannot build complex structures out of liquids as they collapse into puddles; in the microworld we can.
Frequency and Prognostic Value of NPM1 Mutations in Sudanese Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients
Authors: Elzain Eman Ali , Khalil Hiba BadrEldin
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignancy of proliferative, clonal, abnormally, or poorly differentiated cells of the hematopoietic system, characterized by clonal evolution and genetic heterogeneity (Döhneret al, 2015). The molecular genetics of AML regarding the prognosis of patients mainly representing by NPM1. NPM1 is a nucleolar protein that located on chromosome5q35.1which shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm. It is concerned in multiple functions, including ribosomal protein assembly and transport, control of centrosome duplication, and regulation of the tumor suppressor ARF & p53. NPM1 mutations that relocalize NPM1 from the nucleus into the cytoplasm are associated with development of acute myeloid leukemia (Garzonet al, 2008). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and clarify the prognostic value of NPM1 mutations among Sudanese patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Materials and Methods

A cross sectional study recruited 100 patients in this study clinically diagnosed firstly (not transformed from any other malignancy) as AML patients based on the diagnostic protocol concern RICK hospital; such as morphological identification, immunophenotyping analysis, and molecular genetics, Of the 100 AML patients, 54% were newly diagnosed and 46% were admitted by chemotherapy treatment and follow up. EDTA blood or bone marrow samples were collected from patients for performing CBC, hematological studies including FAB classification, PCR protocols and sequencing. genomic DNA was extracted from all samples using guanidine method (Ding et al, 2008).

Results

NPM1 mutations detection, sequencing technique was done, and then sequencing analysis by software (Mega 7 Software) (Kumaret al, 2016) revealed that there were no NPM1mutations in Sudanese AML patients.

Conclusion

The Sudanese AML patients carry wild type NPM1.
Snx14 proximity labeling reveals a role in saturated fatty acid metabolism and ER homeostasis defective in SCAR20 disease
Authors: Datta Sanchari , Bowerman Jade , Hariri Hanaa , Ugrankar Rupali , Eckert Kaitlyn M. , Corley Chase , Vale Gonçalo , McDonald Jeffrey G. , Henne Mike
Published: June 2020

Fatty acids (FAs) are central cellular metabolites that contribute to lipid synthesis, and can be stored or harvested for metabolic energy. Dysregulation in FA processing and storage causes toxic FA accumulation or altered membrane compositions and contributes to metabolic and neurological disorders. Saturated lipids are particularly detrimental to cells, but how lipid saturation levels are maintained remains poorly understood. Here, we identify the cerebellar ataxia SCAR20-associated protein Snx14, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-lipid droplet (LD) tethering protein, as a novel factor required to maintain the lipid saturation balance of cell membranes. We show thatSNX14KOcells and SCAR20 disease patient-derived cells are hypersensitive to saturated FA (SFA)-mediated lipotoxic cell death that compromises ER integrity. Using APEX2-based proximity labeling, we reveal the protein composition of Snx14-associated ER-LD contacts and define a functional interaction between Snx14 and Δ-9 FA desaturase SCD1. Lipidomic profiling reveals thatSNX14KOcells increase membrane lipid saturation following exposure to palmitate, phenocopying cells with reduced SCD1 activity. In line with this,SNX14KOcells manifest delayed FA processing and lipotoxicity, which can be rescued by SCD1 over-expression. Altogether these mechanistic insights reveal a role for Snx14 in FA and ER homeostasis, defects in which may underlie the neuropathology of SCAR20.

Significance Statement

SCAR20 disease is an autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia primarily affecting children, and results from loss-of-function mutations in theSNX14gene. Snx14 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized protein that localizes to ER-lipid droplet (LD) contacts and promotes LD biogenesis following exogenous FA treatment, but why Snx14 loss causes SCAR20 is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that following exposure to saturated fatty acids, Snx14-deficient cells have defective ER homeostasis and altered lipid saturation profiles. We reveal a functional interaction between Snx14 and fatty acid (FA) desaturase SCD1. Lipidomics shows Snx14-deficient cells contain elevated saturated lipids, closely mirroring SCD1-defective cells. Furthermore, SCD1 over-expression can rescue Snx14 loss. We propose that Snx14 maintains cellular lipid homeostasis, the loss of which underlies the cellular basis for SCAR20 disease.
Flavonols modulate lateral root emergence by scavenging reactive oxygen species inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Chapman Jordan M. , Muday Gloria K.
Published: June 2020

Flavonoids are plant-specific antioxidant compounds that modulate plant development, which include flavonols and anthocyanins subclasses. InArabidopsis thaliana, mutants in genes encoding each step in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway have been isolated. We used these mutants to examine the role of flavonols in initiation and emergence of lateral roots and asked whether this regulation occurs through scavenging ROS. Thett4mutants have a defect in the first committed step of flavonoid biosynthesis and have increased lateral root emergence. This phenotype was reversed by both genetic and chemical complementation. Using these flavonoid biosynthetic mutants, we eliminated roles for anthocyanins and the flavonols, quercetin and isorhamnetin, in controlling lateral root development. Thett7-2 mutant has a defect in a branchpoint enzyme blocking quercetin biosynthesis that led to elevated levels of kaempferol and reduced lateral roots. Kaempferol accumulated within lateral root primordia and was significantly increased intt7-2. Thee data are consistent with kaempferol acting as a negative regulator of lateral root emergence. We examined ROS accumulation above and within the primordia using a general ROS sensor and identified increased signal above the primordia of thett4andtt7-2mutants compared to wild type. Using a superoxide specific sensor, we detected a decrease in signal within the primordia oftt7-2, but not thett4mutant, compared to wild type. Together, these results support a model in which increased level of kaempferol intt7-2 leads to a reduction in superoxide concentration in the lateral root primordia thereby reducing ROS-stimulated lateral root emergence.
Scalp EEG interictal high frequency oscillations as an objective EEG biomarker of infantile spasms
Authors: Nariai Hiroki , Hussain Shaun A. , Bernardo Danilo , Motoi Hirotaka , Sonoda Masaki , Kuroda Naoto , Asano Eishi , Nguyen Jimmy C. , Elashoff David , Sankar Raman , Bragin Anatol , Staba Richard J. , Wu Joyce Y.
Published: June 2020

Objective

To investigate the diagnostic utility of high frequency oscillations (HFOs) via scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) in infantile spasms.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed interictal slow-wave sleep EEGs sampled at 2,000 Hz recorded from 30 consecutive patients who were suspected of having infantile spasms. We measured the rate of HFOs (80-500 Hz) and the strength of the cross-frequency coupling between HFOs and slow-wave activity (SWA) at 3-4 Hz and 0.5-1 Hz as quantified with modulation indices (MIs).

Results

Twenty-three patients (77%) exhibited active spasms during the overnight EEG recording. Although the HFOs were detected in all children, increased HFO rate and MIs correlated with the presence of active spasms (p < 0.001 by HFO rate; p < 0.01 by MIs at 3-4 Hz; p = 0.02 by MIs at 0.5-1 Hz). The presence of active spasms was predicted by the logistic regression models incorporating HFO-related metrics (AUC: 0.80-0.98) better than that incorporating hypsarrhythmia (AUC: 0.61). The predictive performance of the best model remained favorable (87.5% accuracy) after a cross-validation procedure.

Conclusions

Increased rate of HFOs and coupling between HFOs and SWA are associated with active epileptic spasms.

Significance

Scalp-recorded HFOs may serve as an objective EEG biomarker for active epileptic spasms.

Highlights

Objective analyses of scalp high frequency oscillations and its coupling with slow-wave activity in infantile spasms were feasible.

Increased rate of high frequency oscillations and its coupling with slow-wave activity correlated with active epileptic spasms.

The scalp high frequency oscillations were also detected in neurologically normal children (although at the low rate).
Growth assessment of juvenile oil palm (Elaeis guineensisJacq.) intercropped with fruit vegetables in a rainforest zone of Nigeria
Authors: Oluwatobi Ayodele Samuel
Published: June 2020

Many farmers spend a lot of money in the control of weeds during the long juvenile phase of oil palm. Intercropping is a popular practice employed by farmers to increase productivity of wide alley and overcome weed problem. However, improper intercropping ofElaeis guineensiswith other crops has impaired the growth and development of the oil palm due to competition for environmental resources. The study was conducted to investigate the impact of intercropping on the growth of juvenile oil palm for 2 years. The research commenced during the rainy season of 2016 at an established juvenile oil palm plantation in Ala, Akure-North Local Government of Ondo State. Four fruit vegetables were intercropped separately within the alley of the plantation at 1, 2 or 3 m away from the oil palms in a randomized complete block design. Growth parameters of intercropped and non-intercropped juvenile oils were compared. Results of the study revealed that at 16 weeks after intercropping (WAI), the intercropped oil palm recorded better growth performance with higher values of canopy spread, number of frond, number of leaflets and trunk height (218.20, 37.00, 87.48 and 38.17 cm) respectively, than the sole oil palms (214.67, 32.83, 72.89 and 31.67) respectively. There was no significant difference in all the growth parameter examined except canopy height at (P<0.05) level of significance. Juvenile oil palm cultivated in rainforest agroecological zone of Nigeria can be intercropped with fruit vegetables without any deleterious effect when intercropped at minimum of 1 m away from the oil palms.
Weed species composition and diversity of 2-year-old oil palm tree/fruit vegetables intercrop in rainforest zone of Nigeria
Authors: Oluwatobi Ayodele Samuel
Published: June 2020

The spacing pattern and growth habit of juvenile oil palm during the early stages of field establishment have often led to serious weed problem until canopy closure at subsequent years. This study was carried out during the rainy season of 2016 to evaluate the weed species composition and diversity of an intercrop between 2-year-old oil palm tree and two fruit vegetables at an oil palm plantation in Ala, Akure-North Local Government, Ondo state, Nigeria. Two accessions of tomato (NGB 01665 and NG/AA/SEP/09/053) and eggplant (NGB 01737) were intercropped within the alley of immature oil palm. Weed sampling was carried out using 0.25 m2quadrat within each experimental plot. Quantitative analysis of weed species parameters and Simpson’s Diversity Index were evaluated. The result revealed that 28, 21 and 20 weed species were found across all the plots at 3, 6 weeks after intercropping (WAI), and after harvesting respectively. Members of Asteraceae produced the highest weed species at 3 WAI (17.857%); Poaceae recorded the highest weed species at 6 WAI and after harvesting (19.048% and 20%) respectively. A total of 23, 16 and 15 broadleaves were found at 3 and 6 WAI, and after harvesting. In all the juvenile oil palm/vegetable intercrops evaluated, the control plot recorded the highest weed species richness at 6 WAI, when compared to other intercropping regimes. The control and juvenile oil palm/tomato (NGB 01665) intercrop plot recorded the highest and lowest Simpson’s Indices of Diversity at 6 WAI (0.877 and 0.734) respectively.
Air pollution control efficacy and health impacts: A global observed study from 2000 to 2016
Authors: Han Chunlei , Xu Rongbin , Zhang Yajuan , Yu Wenhua , Li Shanshan , Zhang Zhongwen , Morawska Lidia , Heyworth Jane , Jalaludin Bin , Morgan Geoffrey , Marks Guy , Abramson Michael , Sun Liwei , Guo Yuming
Published: June 2020

Background

PM2.5 concentrations vary between countries with similar CO2 emissions, possibly due to differences in air pollution control efficacy. However, no indicator of the level of air pollution control efficacy has yet been developed. We aimed to develop such an indicator, and to evaluate its global and temporal distribution and its association with country-level health metrics.

Method

A novel indicator, ground level population-weighted average PM2.5 concentration per unit CO2 emission per capita (PM2.5/CO2, written as PC in abbreviation), was developed to assess country-specific air pollution control efficacy. We estimated and mapped the global average distribution of PC and PC changes during 2000–2016 across 196 countries. Pearson correlation coefficients and Generalized Additive Mixed Model (GAMM) were used to evaluate the relationship between PC and health metrics.

Results

PC varied by country with an inverse association with the economic development. PC showed an almost stable trend globally from 2000 to 2016 with the low income groups increased. The Pearson correlation coefficients between PC and life expectancy at birth (LE), Infant-mortality rate (IMR), Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) and logarithm of GDP per capita (LPGDP) were –0.566, 0.646, 0.659, –0.585 respectively (all P-values <0.001). Compared with PM2.5 or CO2, PC could explain more variation of LE, IMR and U5MR. The association between PC and health metrics was independent of GDP per capita.

Conclusions

PC might be a good indicator for air pollution control efficacy and was related to important health indicators. Our findings provide a new way to interpret health inequity across the globe from the point of air pollution control efficacy.
nAdder: A scale-space approach for the 3D analysis of neuronal traces
Authors: Phan Minh Son , Matho Katherine , Beaurepaire Emmanuel , Livet Jean , Chessel Anatole
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Tridimensional microscopy and algorithms for automated segmentation and tracing are revolutionizing neuroscience through the generation of growing libraries of neuron reconstructions. Innovative computational methods are needed to analyze these neural traces. In particular, means to analyse the geometric properties of traced neurites along their trajectory have been lacking. Here, we propose a local tridimensional (3D) scale metric derived from differential geometry, which is the distance in micrometers along which a curve is fully 3D as opposed to being embedded in a 2D plane or 1D line. We apply this metric to various neuronal traces ranging from single neurons to whole brain data. By providing a local readout of the geometric complexity, it offers a new mean of describing and comparing axonal and dendritic arbors from individual neurons or the behavior of axonal projections in different brain regions. This broadly applicable approach termed nAdder is available through the GeNePy3D open-source Python quantitative geometry library.
ToR-ORd-dynCl: an update of the ToR-ORd model of human ventricular cardiomyocyte with dynamic intracellular chloride
Authors: Tomek Jakub , Bueno-Orovio Alfonso , Rodriguez Blanca
Published: June 2020

Recently, our group published a new model of human ventricular cardiomyocyte named ToR-ORd (Tomek et al., 2019). Its development, calibration, and validation, were performed using a broad range of human experimental data and brought general insights into modelling of ionic channels. Model calibration ensured the reproduction of key physiological cellular features, with independent multiscale validation demonstrating a correct response to channel blocking drugs and pathophysiological remodelling.

However, for very long simulations (several hours rather than minutes), the ToR-ORd simulations display a drift in its behaviour, caused by modelling chloride concentrations as constant values. This may be a limitation for simulations considering extremely long protocols, or for studies on model stability. To remedy this, we present here an updated version, termed ToR-ORd-dynCl, with dynamic representation of intracellular chloride. This model behaves very similarly to the original ToR-ORd, but with stable properties over long simulations and only a small increase in model complexity.
Harnessing Ultrasound-Stimulated Phase Change Contrast Agents to Improve Antibiotic Efficacy Against Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusBiofilms
Authors: Durham Phillip G. , Sidders Ashelyn E. , Dayton Paul A. , Conlon Brian P. , Papadopoulou Virginie , Rowe Sarah E.
Published: June 2020

Bacterial biofilms, often associated with chronic infections, respond poorly to antibiotic therapy and frequently require surgical intervention. Biofilms harbor persister cells, metabolically indolent cells, which are tolerant to most conventional antibiotics. In addition, the biofilm matrix can act as a physical barrier, impeding diffusion of antibiotics. Novel therapeutic approaches frequently improve biofilm killing, but usually fail to achieve eradication. Failure to eradicate the biofilm leads to chronic and relapsing infection, associated with major financial healthcare costs and significant morbidity and mortality. We address this problem with a two-pronged strategy using 1) antibiotics that target persister cells and 2) ultrasound-stimulated phase-change contrast agents (US-PCCA), which improve antibiotic penetration.

We previously demonstrated that rhamnolipids, produced byPseudomonas aeruginosa, could induce aminoglycoside uptake in gram-positive organisms, leading to persister cell death. We have also shown that US-PCCA can transiently disrupt biological barriers to improve penetration of therapeutic macromolecules. We hypothesized that combining antibiotics which target persister cells with US-PCCA to improve drug penetration could eradicate methicillin resistantS. aureus(MRSA) biofilms. Aminoglycosides alone or in combination with US-PCCA displayed limited efficacy against MRSA biofilms. In contrast, the anti-persister combination of rhamnolipids and aminoglycosides combined with US-PCCA dramatically reduced biofilm viability, frequently culminating in complete eradication of the biofilm. These data demonstrate that biofilm eradication can be achieved using a combined approach of improving drug penetration of therapeutics that target persister cells.
Transformation of Escherichia coli by Electroporation
Authors: Green Michael R. , Sambrook Joseph
Published: June 2020

Preparing electrocompetent bacteria is considerably easier than preparing cells for transformation by chemical methods. Bacteria are simply grown to mid-log phase, chilled, centrifuged, washed extensively with ice-cold buffer or H2O to reduce the ionic strength of the cell suspension, and then suspended in an ice-cold buffer containing 10% glycerol. DNA may be introduced immediately into the bacteria by exposing them to a short high-voltage electrical discharge. Alternatively, the cell suspension may be snap-frozen and stored at −70°C for up to 6 mo before electroporation, without loss of transforming efficiency.
Path to discontinuance of pervasive mobile games: the case of Pokémon Go in Australia
Authors: Butcher Luke , Tucker Oliver , Young Joshua
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Pervasive mobile games (PMG) expand the game context into the real world, spatially, temporally and socially. The most prominent example to date is Pokémon Go (PGo), which in the first 12 months of its launch achieved over 800 million downloads and huge revenues for Pokémon, its majority owner Nintendo, and its developer Niantic. Like many mobile apps and innovative services, PGo's revenue structure requires continual usage (through in-app purchases and sponsorships) as it is free to download. Thus, as many players discontinued after initial adoption, substantial drops in Nintendo's share price occurred alongside the damage to brand equity. Such a case highlights the need to extend scholarship beyond traditional ‘adoption’ and begin to truly illustrate and explain the consumer behaviour phenomenon of ‘discontinuance’, particularly in the emerging and lucrative domain of PMGs.

Design/methodology/approach

Like many emerging marketing channels before it, large-scale discontinuance of PGo occurred and still remains unexplained in the academic literature. Herein, we address this shortcoming through a consumer case study methodology analysing a variety of data sources pertaining to PGo in Australia.

Findings

The development of the P2D_PMG model provides a new conceptual framework to illustrate the distinct forms discontinuance manifests in, for the first time. Scholarly rigour of the P2D_PMGs is achieved through validating and extending Soliman and Rinta-Kahila's (2020) framework for ‘discontinuance’ through its five forms. These forms are revealed as access and on-boarding (rejection), disconfirmation and hedonic adaptation (regressive discontinuance), technological, social, third parties, and personal issues (quitting), re-occurrences of hedonic adaptation (temporary), and alternatives and iterations (replacement).

Originality/value

Conceptual contributions are made in developing a model to explain what drives PMG discontinuance and when it occurs. This is particularly crucial for products with revenue structures built on continual usage, instead of initial adoption. In deriving data from actual players and aggregate user behaviour over an extended time period, the innovative case study methodology validates new discontinuance research in a manner other methods cannot. Managerial implications highlight the importance of CX, alpha/beta testing, promotion and research, gameplay design and collaboration/community engagement.
How does servant leadership influence employees' service innovative behavior? The roles of intrinsic motivation and identification with the leader
Authors: Su Weilin , Lyu Bei , Chen Hui , Zhang Yanzi
Published: June 2020

Purpose

With the rapid development of the service industry, service innovation has gradually become a hot topic in business today. How to further improve employees' service innovative behaviors has become critical to organizations' survival and success. Servant leadership, as a leadership style characterized by serving others, is closely related to employees' service innovative behaviors. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a theoretical framework to examine the influence of servant leadership on employees' service innovative behavior, the mediating role of intrinsic motivation and the moderating role of identification with the leader.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the theoretical model, a multi-time survey method was used to collect data from 381employees from a large high-tech company in Mainland China.

Findings

The results confirm that servant leadership can promote employees' service innovative behavior and intrinsic motivation. Meanwhile, employees' intrinsic motivation partly mediates the influence of servant leadership on their service innovative behavior. Moreover, this mediating relationship is conditional on the moderating role of individual identification with the leader in the path from servant leadership to individual intrinsic motivation.

Research limitations/implications

The key limitation of this study lies in the representativeness of sample data, which is the convenience of non-probability sampling and self-reported data only from a large high-tech company in China.

Practical implications

This study not only further verified a promotion factor of individual service innovative behavior from the perspective of leader influence, but also enriched the understanding of the positive influence of servant leadership on employees.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine the relationships among servant leadership, employees' intrinsic motivation, identification with the leader and service innovative behavior. The results may help to open the “black box” of the relationship between servant leadership and employees' service innovative behavior by introducing their intrinsic motivation. The conclusions also indicate employees' identification with the leader is an important boundary condition among their relationships. Particularly, it not only moderates the relationship between servant leadership and intrinsic motivation, but also moderates the mediating role of intrinsic motivation.
Diversity in the work–life interface: introduction to the special issue
Authors: Beauregard T. Alexandra , Adamson Maria , Kunter Aylin , Miles Lilian , Roper Ian
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This article serves as an introduction to six articles featured in a special issue on diversity in the work–life interface. This collection of papers contains research that contemplates the work–life interface in different geographic and cultural contexts, that explores the work–life experiences of minority, marginalized and/or underresearched groups of workers and that takes into account diverse arrangements made to fulfill both work and nonwork responsibilities.

Design/methodology/approach

This introductory article first summarizes some of the emerging research in this area, introduces the papers in this special issue and links them to these themes and ends with highlighting the importance of using an intersectional lens in future investigations of the work–life interface.

Findings

These six articles provide empirically based insights, as well as new theoretical considerations for studying the interface between paid work and personal life roles. Compelling new research directions are identified.

Originality/value

Introducing the new articles in this special issue and reviewing recent research in this area brings together the work–life interface scholarship and diversity management studies and points to the necessity for future investigations to take an intersectional and contextualized approach to their subject matter.
Women’s re-entry after a career break: Efficacy of support programs
Authors: Kaushiva Pavni , Joshi Chetan
Published: June 2020

Purpose

There is a recent organizational focus on increasing and managing gender diversity with stress on supportive policies for working mothers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of one such supportive policy (i.e. completion of company-initiated internship programs) designed to help women return to the workforce post a career break.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses an experimental design to compare the evaluation of a woman applicant who has a career break with the evaluation of a woman applicant who has completed a support program after a career break. Variance in the evaluation of the applicant on the parameters – educational qualification, professional qualification, fit with job description and invite for an interview is tested. The study also examines the effect of individuals’ neosexist attitude on their evaluation of the applicant. Data were collected from 109 participants having an average age of thirty-two years (SD = 5.97), and average work experience of 9 years (SD = 5.20).

Findings

Results show that completion of a support program, as well as neosexism, have a main effect on the evaluation of job fit.

Practical implications

Results have implications for employee-training programs, as well as development programs for women re-entering the workforce post a career break.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to study the efficacy of internship programs for re-entry of women, started by various multi-national companies in India. It extends the application of neosexism to such initiatives, which are not affirmative action, highlighting the changing nature of sexism.
Digitization of manufacturing: the role of external search
Authors: Lorenz Rafael , Benninghaus Christoph , Friedli Thomas , Netland Torbjørn H.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Manufacturers seek to innovate and improve processes using new digital technologies. However, knowledge about these new technologies often resides outside a firm's boundaries. The authors draw on the concept of absorptive capacity and the literature on open innovation to explore the role of external search in the digitization of manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed and distributed a survey to manufacturing firms in Switzerland, for which 151 complete responses were received from senior managers. The authors used multiple linear regressions to study the relations among the breadth and depth of external search, firms' adoption of digital technologies and operational performance outcomes.

Findings

External search depth was found to relate positively to higher adoption of computing technologies and shop floor connectivity technologies. No significant correlation was found between external search breadth and firms' adoption of digital technologies. Regarding performance outcomes, there is some evidence that increased adoption of digital technologies relates positively to higher volume flexibility, but not to increased production cost competitiveness.

Practical implications

Manufacturing firms that aim to digitize their processes can benefit from inbound open process innovation, but its utility varies for different clusters of digital technologies. Generally, the findings suggest that firms should build strong ties with a few external knowledge partners rather than surface relations with many.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the growing literature on the digitization of manufacturing with an analysis of the relation between firms' external search and their adoption of digital technologies. It adds early empirical insights to the literature on open process innovation.
Nation branding, cultural identity and political polarization – an exploratory framework
Authors: Vecchi Alessandra , Silva Emmanuel Sirimal , Jimenez Angel Lina Maria
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The objective of this research is to propose a framework which is apt to assess how a nation branding campaign could promote cultural identity by ultimately curbing political polarization.

Design/methodology/approach

By relying on a multidisciplinary approach that blends theoretical constructs from different fields the methodology is based on a mixed-method approach whereby the qualitative data stemming from a set of interviews with key-informants is coupled by a survey of Colombian citizens in order to gain in-depth insights over the impact of nation branding on political polarization.

Findings

From the findings, it emerges that a campaign based on nation branding and targeting domestic citizens could curb political polarization within Colombia, by also fostering cultural identity.

Research limitations/implications

The study considers only Colombia. To fully assess the robustness of the framework it would be useful to extend the analysis to a broader range of countries and to a wider set of domestic issues.

Practical implications

The research not only provides in-depth insights on how nation branding can be used effectively in order to curb political polarization but also practical guidance on how a nation branding campaign can be effectively designed. The findings are relevant to policy-makers that have the opportunity to implement informed and educated nation branding campaigns not just overseas, but also to strategically address important domestic issues by engaging the domestic stakeholders.

Originality/value

While country branding has been extensively investigated within the context of international business, we have a relatively limited understanding of its domestic impact. In contrast to traditional country branding literature, this paper aims to theoretically advance our understanding of nation branding and its effect on political polarization, as well as gauging its impact on cultural identity.
Academic entrepreneurship intentions: a systematic literature review
Authors: Neves Sara , Brito Carlos
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The objective of this research is to have an up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of the current knowledge regarding the variables that encourage the individuals, within the academic community, to get involved in knowledge exploitation activities. It is influenced by the observation that there is a need for more systematic scrutiny of micro-level processes to deepen our understanding of academic entrepreneurship (Balven et al., 2018; Wright and Phan, 2018). The study proposes to answer to ‘What are the drivers of academic entrepreneurial intentions?’ and ‘What are the emerging topics for future research?’

Design/methodology/approach

The paper follows a Systematic Literature Review process (Tranfield et al., 2003) and adopts a four-step process format from previous literature reviews within the entrepreneurship context (Miller et al., 2018). From the results within Scopus and Web of Science databases, this research selected, evaluated, summarised and synthesised 66 relevant papers.

Findings

This study provides a factor-listed representation of the individual, organisational and institutional variables that should be considered in the strategies defined by the university. Moreover, the study concludes that the push factors behind the intentions are multiple, context-dependent, hierarchy-dependent, heterogeneous and, at the same time, dependent on each other and against each other. Lastly, the study contributes to academic entrepreneurship literature, especially entrepreneurial intention literature, which has recently received more researchers' attention.

Originality/value

The study corroborates that the individual factors, directly and indirectly via Theory of Planned Behaviour, strongly impact the academics' intentions. While the focus of the papers under review was an in-depth analysis of a selected group of factors, this SLR sought to compile the factors that were identified and provide a broader picture of all those factors to be considered by the university management. It contributes to the identification and clustering of the drivers that encourage academics to engage in knowledge valorisation activities, differentiating them by activity. For the practitioners, this list can be used by university managers, TTOs and department managers, and policymakers to guide questionnaires or interviews to analyse their academics' intentions and adequately support its academic engagement strategy. Lastly, this study also suggests worthwhile avenues for future research.
Corporate philanthropic giving and sustainable development
Authors: Yu Hui-Cheng
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to use the social impact hypothesis and the shift of focus hypothesis to examine what drives controversial industries to make philanthropic donations: sustainable development, which can in turn lead to higher firm performance or a better corporate image.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a sample of Chinese firms from 2008–2015 and conducted regression analysis to explore the motivations behind corporate philanthropy.

Findings

Philanthropic giving is positively and significantly related to all indicators of firm performance; the interaction term of controversial industries and philanthropic giving is also positively and significantly related to firm performance. The empirical evidence supports the social impact hypothesis.

Practical implications

The empirical evidence shows that firms engage in philanthropic giving, mainly in pursuit of their own interests. Hence, managers should consider the inherent characteristics of the company and then combine social interests with their economic interests to design a philanthropic strategy of their own, which can in turn contribute to sustainable development.

Originality/value

This paper empirically confirms that the social impact hypothesis holds for the philanthropic activities of Chinese firms. This is a rare finding in related studies.
Roles of strategic orientations in radical product innovation
Authors: Lin Chih-Wei , Cheng Li Keng , Wu Lei-Yu
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Because of relatively short product life cycles, radical product innovation has more significant influences on firms' competitive advantages in dynamic environments. Past studies identified various cultural characteristics of a firm, which are key drivers of developing radical product innovation on an ongoing basis. However, few studies have investigated the interaction between organizational culture and external market feedback in developing radical product innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the identified research gaps, this empirical research began by presenting conceptual foundations that lead to the hypothesized model and then analyzed survey data from 201 original equipment manufacturer suppliers in search of evidence supporting the hypotheses.

Findings

The results suggested that a supplier's entrepreneurial orientation and long-term orientation significantly and positively affected proactive market orientation, with proactive market orientation significantly and positively correlated with radical product innovation. The study confirmed that a proactive market orientation is essential in order for entrepreneurial orientation and long-term orientation to affect radical product innovation. Additionally, this study found that supplier–customer electronic integration has a moderating effect on proactive market orientation and radical product innovation.

Originality/value

Radical product innovation is a topic of great interest for both academia and industry, yet a comprehensive conceptual framework for its antecedents is still lacking. To fill this theoretical gap, the present study extended the studies on radical product innovation and examined the relationship between different strategic orientation types in terms of supplier–customer strategic behaviors to determine how suppliers enhance radical product innovation.
Fresh properties and compressive strength of self compacting concrete with fines aggregate replacement using red brick powder and rice husk ash
Authors: Prayuda Hakas , Monika Fanny , Cahyati Martyana Dwi
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study aims to discuss the results of fresh properties and compressive strength of self-compacting concrete using ingredients added red brick powder as a fine aggregate substitute. The results of the study were compared with the properties of fresh properties and compressive strength with ingredients added by rice husk ash, which is also a fine aggregate substitute. In addition, the initial compressive strength of each of these variations was also examined to accelerate the completion time of construction projects using self-compacting concrete.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was conducted in a laboratory by testing the characteristics of fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete.

Findings

Fresh properties testing is carried out in the form of V-funnel, flow table, J-ring and L-box where all specimens produce quite varied flow rates. Compressive strength was estimated at ages 3, 7, 14 and 28 days with cylindrical specimens with a diameter of 150 mm and a height of 300 mm. The variation of fine aggregate substitutes used is 20, 40 and 60 per cent.

Originality/value

From the results of the compressive strength, it can be concluded that the added material is categorized as self-compacting concrete with high initial compressive strength, while at 28 days, the compressive strength test results are categorized as high-strength self-compacting concrete.
Vitamin D and stress urinary incontinence in pregnancy: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Stafne SN , Mørkved S , Gustafsson MK , Syversen U , Stunes AK , Salvesen KÅ , Johannessen HH
Published: June 2020

Objective

To assess the association between levels of vitamin D and urinary incontinence (UI) in pregnancy.

Design

A cross‐sectional study. Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Two university hospitals in Norway.

Population

A total of 851 healthy, pregnant women >18 years in gestational weeks 18–22 with a singleton live fetus.

Methods

Data on UI were collected from a questionnaire at inclusion and serum analysis of 25‐hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) was performed. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to study associations between exposure and outcomes.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of self‐reported UI, stress (SUI) and urge (UUI) or mixed UI.

Results

In total, 230/851 (27%) of the participants were vitamin D insufficient (25(OH)D <50 nmol/l) and 42% reported to have any UI. Women with 25(OH)D <50 nmol/l were more likely to report any UI (P = 0.03) and SUI (P < 0.01) compared with women with 25(OH)D ≥50 nmol/l. In a univariable logistic regression analysis, serum levels of 25(OH)D <50 nmol/l was associated with increased risk of any UI (odds ratio [OR] 1.5 with 95% CI 1.0–2.1), SUI only (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.4), but not mixed UI or UUI only (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.5–1.5). In a multivariable logistic regression model, serum levels of 25(OH)D <50 nmol/l were associated with a higher risk of experiencing SUI only (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.2).

Conclusions

Serum 25(OH)D <50 nmol/l was associated with increased risk of any UI, and SUI in particular.

Tweetable abstract

Low levels of vitamin D are associated with increased risk of urinary incontinence in pregnancy.
The Impact of COVID‐19 on Share Prices in the UK*
Authors: Griffith Rachel , Levell Peter , Stroud Rebekah
Published: June 2020

The spread of COVID‐19, and international measures to contain it, are having a major impact on economic activity in the UK. In this paper, we describe how this impact has varied across industries, using data on share prices of firms listed on the London Stock Exchange, and how well targeted government support for workers and companies is in light of this.
Resistance of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, to transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1F corn in the Americas: lessons and implications for Bt corn IRM in China
Authors: Huang Fangneng
Published: June 2020

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a major target pest of Bt crops (e.g., corn, cotton, and soybean) in North and South America. This pest has recently invaded Africa and Asia including China and the invasion has placed a great threat to the food security in many countries of these two continents. Due to the extensive use of Bt crops, practical resistance of S. frugiperda to Cry1F corn (TC 1507) with field control problems has widely occurred in Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, and the mainland United States. Analyzing data generated from decade‐long studies showed that several factors might have contributed to the wide development of the resistance. These factors include (1) limited modes of action of Bt proteins used in Bt crops; (2) cross‐resistance among Cry1 proteins; (3) use of nonhigh dose Bt crop traits; (4) that the resistance is complete on Bt corn plants; (5) abundant in initial Cry1F resistance alleles; and (6) lack of fitness costs/recessive fitness costs of the resistance. The long‐term use of Bt crop technology in the Americas suggests that Bt corn can be an effective tool for controlling S. frugiperda in China. IRM programs for Bt corn in China should be as simple as possible to be easily adopted by small‐scale growers. The following aspects may be considered in its Bt corn IRM programs: (1) use of only “high dose” traits for both S. frugiperda and stalk borers; (2) developing and implementing a combined resistance monitoring program; (3) use “gene pyramiding” as a primary IRM strategy; and (4) if possible, Bt corn may not be planted in the areas where S. frugiperda overwinters. Lessons and experience gained from the global long‐term use of Bt crops should have values in improving IRM programs in the Americas, as well as for a sustainable use of Bt corn technology in China.
Dynamic competition in deceptive markets
Authors: Johnen Johannes
Published: June 2020

In many deceptive markets, firms design contracts to exploit mistakes of naive consumers. These contracts also attract less‐profitable sophisticated consumers. I study such markets when firms compete repeatedly. By observing their customers' usage patterns, firms acquire private information about their level of naiveté. First, I find that private information on naiveté mitigates competition and is of great value even with homogeneous products. Second, competition between initially symmetrically informed firms is mitigated when firms can educate naifs about mistakes. In an analogous setting without naifs, the second result does not occur; the first result occurs when firms cannot disclose fees.
Trends in metabolic surgery in reproductive‐age women in Australia
Authors: Skalecki Sarah , Robson Stephen J.
Published: June 2020

Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are common and have important reproductive consequences: ‘metabolic surgery’ – bariatric surgery and laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) – have roles in their management. Using national data to determine age‐stratified incidence rates of these procedures, we found that bariatric surgery is much more common than LOD. While the uptake of bariatric surgery is rapidly increasing, there has been a decline in the use of LOD in young women. It seems likely that other forms of care for PCOS‐related anovulation resistant to clomiphene, such as the use of letrozole or in vitro fertilisation, are taking the place of LOD.