bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of HIV Infection on COVID-19 Outcomes Among Hospitalized Adults in the U.S.
Authors: Durstenfeld Matthew S. , Sun Kaiwen , Ma Yifei , Rodriguez Fatima , Secemsky Eric A. , Parikh Rushi V. , Hsue Priscilla Y.
Published: April 2021

Background

Whether HIV infection is associated with differences in clinical outcomes among people hospitalized with COVID-19 is uncertain.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of HIV infection on COVID-19 outcomes among hospitalized patients.

Methods

Using the American Heart Association’s COVID-19 Cardiovascular Disease registry, we used hierarchical mixed effects models to assess the association of HIV with in-hospital mortality accounting for patient demographics and comorbidities and clustering by hospital. Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiac events (MACE), severity of illness, and length of stay (LOS).

Results

The registry included 21,528 hospitalization records of people with confirmed COVID-19 from 107 hospitals in 2020, including 220 people living with HIV (PLWH). PLWH were younger (56.0+/-13.0 versus 61.3+/-17.9 years old) and more likely to be male (72.3% vs 52.7%), Non-Hispanic Black (51.4% vs 25.4%), on Medicaid (44.5% vs 24.5), and active tobacco users (12.7% versus 6.5%).

Of the study population, 36 PLWH (16.4%) had in-hospital mortality compared with 3,290 (15.4%) without HIV (Risk ratio 1.06, 95%CI 0.79-1.43; risk difference 0.9%, 95%CI −4.2 to 6.1%; p=0.71). After adjustment for age, sex, race, and insurance, HIV was not associated with in-hospital mortality (aOR 1.13; 95%CI 0.77-1.6; p 0.54) even after adding body mass index and comorbidities (aOR 1.15; 95%CI 0.78-1.70; p=0.48). HIV was not associated with MACE (aOR 0.99, 95%CI 0.69-1.44, p=0.91), severity of illness (aOR 0.96, 95%CI 0.62-1.50, p=0.86), or LOS (aOR 1.03; 95% CI 0.76-1.66, p=0.21).

Conclusion

HIV was not associated with adverse outcomes of COVID-19 including in-hospital mortality, MACE, or severity of illness.

Condensed Abstract

We studied 21,528 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at 107 hospitals in AHA’s COVID-19 registry to examine the association between HIV and COVID-19 outcomes. More patients with HIV were younger, male, non-Hispanic Black, on Medicaid and current smokers. HIV was not associated with worse COVID-19 in-hospital mortality (Risk ratio 1.06, 95%CI 0.79-1.43; p=0.71) even after adjustment (aOR 1.15; 95%CI 0.78-1.70; p=0.48). HIV was also not associated with MACE (aOR 0.99, 95%CI 0.69-1.44, p=0.91) or severity of illness (aOR 0.96, 95%CI 0.62-1.50, p=0.86. Our findings do not support that HIV is a major risk factor for adverse COVID-19 outcomes.
Patient perspectives on healthcare at the time of COVID-19 and suggestions for care redesign after the pandemic: a qualitative study in all six WHO regions
Authors: Stamm Tanja A , Seidler Yuki , Andrews Margaret R , Eghbali Mohammad , Kiguli Juliet , Ritschl Valentin , Omara Maisa , Schaffer Gertraud , Mosor Erika
Published: April 2021

Objective

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered significant changes in healthcare. As they were mainly driven by professionals and are likely to influence healthcare in the future, it is of utmost importance to consider patients’ perspectives equally. We, therefore, explored the lived experiences of patients and patient representatives in all six World Health Organisation (WHO) regions regarding healthcare at the time of COVID-19 and extracted suggestions for care redesign after the pandemic.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews until saturation. Thematic analysis followed a modified form of meaning condensation. We established rigour by transcript checking, inter-coder agreement, quote variation and standardised reporting.

Results

Disadvantaged people experienced an unprecedented inequity in healthcare due to the pandemic. The main reasons were the reduction in public care services and limited access to information, transportation, technology and income. Stigmatisation from COVID-19 differed between cultural contexts and ranged from none to feeling “ashamed” and “totally bashed”. Participants experienced telehealth as indispensable but with limitations. These included giving “bad news”, such as having an eye removed because of melanoma, and the difficulty of providing end-of-life care over the phone. Patient representatives redefined their role and became indispensable influencers throughout the pandemic and beyond.

Conclusion

We reached out to individuals with a diversity of perspectives, including minorities and marginalised populations. A systematic exclusion of people with limited technology access increases inequity in healthcare and biases research findings. Since preferences and personal meanings drive behaviour and could be foundations for targeted interventions, they must be considered in all groups of people to increase society’s resilience as a whole.
Using the OHDSI network to develop and externally validate a patient-level prediction model for Heart Failure in Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Williams Ross D. , Reps Jenna M. , Kors Jan A , Ryan Patrick B , Steyerberg Ewout , Verhamme Katia M. , Rijnbeek Peter R.
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Heart Failure (HF) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) frequently coexist and exacerbate symptoms of each other. Treatments are available for T2DM that also provide beneficial treatment effects for HF. Guidelines recommend that patients with HF should be given Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors in preference to other second-line treatments for T2DM. Increasing personalization of treatment means that patients who have or are at risk of HF receive a customised treatment. We aimed to develop and externally validate prediction models to predict the 1-year risk of incident HF in T2DM patients starting second-line treatment.

Methods

We analysed a federated network of electronic medical records and administrative claims data from five databases (CCAE, MDCD, MDCR, Optum Clinformatics and Optum EHR) in the United States. We used each database to develop a model to predict 1-year risk of incident HF in patients initialising a second pharmaceutical intervention, following initial treatment with metformin for T2DM. We then performed internal validation for each model as well as external validation using the other databases.

Results

A total of 403,187 patients were included in the study. We developed 5 models with discrimination ranging from 0.72 to 0.80 at external validation in the other databases. Consistent high performance was noted for models developed in CCAE, Optum Clinformatics and Optum EHR with AUCs ranging from 0.74 to 0.81. For these models, calibration was acceptable.

Conclusion

Three high-performing prediction models were developed for this problem. The CCAE developed model was selected for recommendation as it achieved the same discrimination and better calibration performance than the Optum Clinformatics and Optum EHR models, whilst selecting fewer covariates and as such was selected as the best developed model. The models could be useful in stratifying patient treatment, planning healthcare utilization and reducing cost by aiding in increasing preparedness of healthcare providers.
Transcriptome analysis reveals regulatory networks and hub genes in flavonoid metabolism ofRosa roxburghii
Authors: Huang Xiaolong , Wu Zongmin , Liu Yanjing , Yi Yin , Yan Huiqing , Li Qiaohong
Published: April 2021

Rosa roxburghiiTratt, the most popular fruit that blooms in the southwest of China, is rich in flavonoids. However, the regulatory network and critical genes involved in the metabolism of flavonoid compounds inR. roxburghiiare still unknown. In this study, we revealed that flavonoid, anthocyanin and catechin accumulated at different levels in various tissues ofR. roxburghii. We further obtained and analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in flavonoid metabolism from five samples ofR. roxburghiiby transcriptome sequencing. A total of 1 130 DEGs were identified, including 166 flavonoid pathway biosynthesis genes, 622 transcription factors, 301 transporters, and 221 cytochrome P450 proteins. A weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of the DEGs uncovered different co-expression networks. In terms of biosynthesis enzymes, cytochrome P450 CYP749A22 and CYP72A219 were highlighted in regulation flavonoids content. Anthocyanin 3-O-glucosyltransferase and F3’H were the top two critical enzymes for anthocyanin content. In contrast, caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase, 4-coumarate-CoA ligase, and shikimate O-hydroxycinnamoyl transferase were essential for catechin accumulation. Additionally, the eigengene network of the “black” module had high correlations with total flavonoid (r= 0.9, p=5e-06). There were 26 eigengenes in the “black” module, including six flavonoid biosynthesis, 14 TFs and six transporters. Among them, besides cytochrome P450 proteins (DN136557_c0_g1,DN135573_c0_g1andDN145971_c4_g1), isoflavone-hydroxylase (DN143321_c3_g1) was crucial for total flavonoids content based on the high degree of connectivity. The transcription factorsRrWRKY45(DN142829_c1_g5),RrTCP20(DN146443_c1_g1) andRrERF118(DN141507_c3_g2) were significantly correlated with flavonoids inR. roxburghii. The present transcriptomic and biochemical data on metabolites should encourage further investigation on functional genomics and breeding ofR. roxburghiiwith strong pharmaceutical potential.
Host Factor Rab11a is Critical for Efficient Assembly of Influenza A Virus Genomic Segments
Authors: Han Julianna , Ganti Ketaki , Sali Veeresh Kumar , Twigg Carly , Zhang Yifeng , Manivasagam Senthamizharasi , Liang Chieh-Yu , Vogel Olivia , Huang Iris , Emmanuel Shanan , Plung Jesse , Radoshevich Lillianna , Perez Jasmine T. , Lowen Anice C. , Manicassamy Balaji
Published: April 2021

It is well documented that influenza A viruses selectively package 8 distinct viral ribonucleoprotein complexes (vRNPs) into each virion; however, the role of host factors in genome assembly is not completely understood. To evaluate the significance of cellular factors in genome assembly, we generated a reporter virus carrying a tetracysteine tag in the NP gene (NP-Tc virus) and assessed the dynamics of vRNP localization with cellular components by fluorescence microscopy. At early time points, vRNP complexes were preferentially exported to the MTOC; subsequently, vRNPs associated on vesicles positive for cellular factor Rab11a and formed distinct vRNP bundles that trafficked to the plasma membrane on microtubule networks. In Rab11a deficient cells, however, vRNP bundles were smaller in the cytoplasm with less co-localization between different vRNP segments. Furthermore, Rab11a deficiency increased the production of non-infectious particles with higher RNA copy number to PFU ratios, indicative of defects in specific genome assembly. These results indicate that Rab11a+ vesicles serve as hubs for the congregation of vRNP complexes and enable specific genome assembly through vRNP:vRNP interactions, revealing the importance of Rab11a as a critical host factor for influenza A virus genome assembly.
Highly-potent, synthetic APOBEC3s restrict HIV-1 through deamination-independent mechanisms
Authors: McDonnell Mollie M. , Karvonen Suzanne C. , Gaba Amit , Flath Ben , Chelico Linda , Emerman Michael
Published: April 2021

TheAPOBEC3(A3) genes encode cytidine deaminase proteins with potent antiviral and anti-retroelement activity. This locus is characterized by duplication, recombination, and deletion events that gave rise to the sevenA3s found in primates. These include three single deaminase domainA3s(A3A,A3C, andA3H) and four double deaminase domainA3s(A3B,A3D,A3F, andA3G). The most potent of the A3 proteins against HIV-1 is A3G. However, it is not clear if double deaminase domain A3s have a generalized functional advantage to restrict HIV-1. In order to test whether superior restriction factors could be created by genetically linking single A3 domains into synthetic double domains, we combined A3C and A3H single domains in novel combinations. We found that A3C/A3H double domains acquired enhanced antiviral activity that is at least as potent, if not better than, A3G. These synthetic double domain A3s have more efficiency of packaging into budding virions than their respective single domains, but this does not fully explain their gain of antiviral potency. The antiviral activity is conferred both by cytidine-deaminase dependent and independent mechanisms, with the latter correlating to an increase in RNA binding affinity. T cell lines expressing this A3C-A3H super restriction factor are able to control replicating HIV-1ΔVif infection to similar levels as A3G. Together, these data show that novel combinations of A3 domains are capable of gaining potent antiviral activity to levels similar to the most potent genome-encoded A3s, via a primarily non-catalytic mechanism.

Author Summary

Antiviral genes are encoded by all organisms to help protect them from viral infections, including proteins encoded by primates to protect them from viruses similar to HIV-1. These antiviral proteins are also called “restriction factors”. Some restriction factors are broadly acting, while others are very specific. During the course of evolution, some of these genes have expanded into multiple copies and rearranged in different versions to give them new activities. However, not all versions of these genes have been sampled in nature. In this paper, we validated the hypothesis that one particular antiviral gene family, called theAPOBEC3family, has the capability of making novel combinations of antiviral genes with as great, or greater, potency against HIV-1 as the most potent natural member of this family. By combining parts of the APOBEC3 proteins into novel combinations, we created potent antiviral versions that act through a mechanism distinct from existing APOBEC3 proteins.
Limits to resilience of Afroalpine vegetation to grazing and burning: a case study of grasses from the Drakensberg Mountain Centre, southern Africa
Authors: Sylvester Steven P. , Soreng Robert J. , Mashau Aluoneswi C. , Sylvester Mitsy D.P.V. , Mapaura Anthony , Clark Vincent Ralph
Published: April 2021

High-elevation Afroalpine ecosystems of the Drakensberg Mountain Centre (DMC) of Lesotho and South Africa, renowned for their high endemism and key ecosystem services, are socio-ecological systems that have seen human activity for millennia. However, their responses to land management practices are understudied. Controversy over their natural state has also led to conflicting policies and management emphases.

Focusing on the crucial ecosystem-modulating component, grasses (Poaceae), we evaluate the response of DMC Afroalpine vegetation to human impact through grazing and burning. Grass species associations were recorded from grassland, shrubland and wetland-riparian-seep ecotypes across a range of grazing and fire regimes to document relationships between abiotic conditions, disturbance, and taxonomic diversity and composition.

CCA of grass community composition retrieved a large cluster of plots of mixed grazing and burning regimes with no particular environmental vector correlated with them. Other smaller groups of plots separated from these were associated to heavy grazing, bioclimatic variables, slope gradient, and aspect. Indicator species analyses found DMC endemic grasses were associated to low grazing, while alien grasses were associated to heavy grazing. GLMs found little difference between ecotype-disturbance categories with regards plant species richness, mean alpha hull=2 range-size of native and sub-Saharan endemic grasses, and site-level Sørensen beta diversity (βsor). Some differences were noted, including the highest cover and proportion of DMC endemics being found in low-grazed grassland, and highest cover and proportion of alien grasses and highest plot-level βsor being found in heavily grazed ecotypes. Relative importance analyses found grazing regime to be the main influence on cover and proportion of DMC endemic and alien grasses. Partial Mantel tests found mean annual temperature and grazing regime to be the main influence on plot-level βsor.

Synthesis: Taxonomic diversity and composition of DMC Afroalpine grasslands was relatively unaffected by moderate grazing and intense burning, although heavy grazing had a largely detrimental impact, with its ubiquity across the DMC a major cause for concern. High levels of endemism, coupled with the above data emphasizing the robustness of DMC grasslands to disturbance, also supports Afroalpine grasslands as a natural component of the DMC. This research reinforces the natural grass-dominated nature of the DMC as a social-ecological system where sustainable management is possible thanks to its resilience to grazing and burning, although current widespread overgrazing requires urgent attention.
TheDrosophilaTNF Eiger contributes to Myc super-competition independent of JNK activity
Authors: Kodra Albana L. , Singh Aditi Sharma , de la Cova Claire , Ziosi Marcello , Johnston Laura A.
Published: April 2021

Numerous factors have been implicated in the cell-cell interactions that lead to elimination of cells via cell competition, a context-dependent process of cell selection in somatic tissues that is based on comparisons of cellular fitness. Here we use a series of genetic tests inDrosophilato explore the relative contribution of the pleiotropic cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor ⍺ (TNF⍺) in Myc-mediated cell competition (also known as Myc super-competition or Myc cell competition). We find that the soleDrosophilaTNF, Eiger (Egr), its receptor Grindelwald (Grnd/TNFR), and the adaptor proteins Traf4 and Traf6 are required to eliminate wild-type “loser” cells during Myc cell competition. Although typically the interaction between Egr and Grnd leads to cell death by activating the Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) stress signaling pathway, our experiments reveal that many components of canonical JNK signaling are dispensable for cell death in Myc cell competition, including the JNKKK Tak1, the JNKK Hemipterous (Hep) and the JNK Basket (BSK). Our results suggest that Egr/Grnd signaling participates in Myc cell competition, but functions in a role that is independent of JNK activation.
Designing, optimizing, and assessing modular functional near-infrared brain imaging probes using an automated software workflow
Authors: Vanegas Morris , Mireles Miguel , Fang Qianqian
Published: April 2021

Significance

The exponential growth of research utilizing functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) systems has led to the emergence of modular fNIRS systems composed of repeating optical source/detector modules. Compared to conventional fNIRS systems, modular fNIRS systems are more compact and flexible, making wearable and long-time monitoring possible. However, the large number of design parameters makes designing a modular probe a daunting task.

Aim

We aim to create a systematic software platform to facilitate the design, characterization, and comparison of modular fNIRS probes.

Approach

Our algorithm automatically tessellates any region-of-interest using user-specified module design parameters and outputs performance metrics such as spatial channel distributions, average brain sensitivity, and sampling rate estimates of the resulting probe. Automated algorithms for spatial coverage, orientation, and routing of repeated modules are also developed.

Results

We developed a software platform to help explore a wide range of modular probe features and quantify their performances. We compare full-head probes using three different module shapes and highlight the trade-offs resulting from various module settings. Additionally, we show that one can apply this workflow to improve existing modular probes without needing to re-design or re-manufacture them.

Conclusion

Our flexible modular probe design platform shows promise in optimizing existing modular probes and investigating future modular designs.
Association of Shared Care Networks with Heart Failure Excessive Hospital Readmissions
Authors: Pinheiro Diego , Hartman Ryan , Mai Jing , Romero Erick , Soroya Saad , Bastos-Filho Carmelo , Lima Ricardo , Gibson Michael , Ebong Imo , Bidwell Julie T. , Nuño Miriam , Cadeiras Martin
Published: April 2021

STRUCTURED ABSTRACT

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of shared care networks on heart failure readmission rates.

Background

Higher-than-expected heart failure (HF) readmissions affect half of US hospitals every year. The Hospital Reduction Readmission Program (HRRP) has reduced risk-adjusted readmissions, but it has also produced unintended consequences. Shared care models have been advocated for HF care, but the association of shared care networks with HF readmissions has never been investigated.

Methods

We curated publicly available data on hospital discharges and HF excessive readmission ratios (ERRs) from hospitals in California between 2012 and 2017. Shared Care Areas (SCAs) were delineated as data-driven units of care coordination emerging from discharge networks. The localization index (LI), the proportion of patients who reside in the same SCA in which they are admitted, were calculated by year. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to evaluate the association between the LI and the ERR of hospitals controlling for race/ethnicity and socioeconomics factors.

Results

A total of 300 hospitals in California in a 6-yr period were included. The HF excessive readmission ratio (ERR) was negatively associated with the localization index (beta: -0.0474; 95% CI: -0.082 to -0.013). The percentage of Black residents within the SCAs was the only statistically significant covariate (beta: 0.4128; 95% CI: 0.302 to 0.524).

Conclusions

Higher-than-expected HF readmissions were associated with shared care networks. Control mechanisms such as the HRRP may need to characterize and reward shared care to guide hospitals towards a more organized HF care system.
Cells of the human intestinal tract mapped across space and time
Authors: Elmentaite R , Kumasaka N , King HW , Roberts K , Dabrowska M , Pritchard S , Bolt L , Vieira SF , Mamanova L , Huang N , Goh Kai’En I , Stephenson E , Engelbert J , Botting RA , Fleming A , Dann E , Lisgo SN , Katan M , Leonard S , Oliver TRW , Hook CE , Nayak K , Perrone F , Campos LS , Dominguez-Conde C , Polanski K , Van Dongen S , Patel M , Morgan MD , Marioni JC , Bayraktar OA , Meyer KB , Zilbauer M , Uhlig H , Clatworthy MR , Mahbubani KT , Saeb Parsy K , Haniffa M , James KR , Teichmann SA
Published: April 2021

The cellular landscape of the human intestinal tract is dynamic throughout life, developingin uteroand changing in response to functional requirements and environmental exposures. To comprehensively map cell lineages in the healthy developing, pediatric and adult human gut from ten distinct anatomical regions, as well as draining lymph nodes, we used singlecell RNA-seq and VDJ analysis of roughly one third of a million cells. This reveals the presence of BEST4+ absorptive cells throughout the human intestinal tract, demonstrating the existence of this cell type beyond the colon for the first time. Furthermore, we implicate IgG sensing as a novel function of intestinal tuft cells, and link these cells to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. We define novel glial and neuronal cell populations in the developing enteric nervous system, and predict cell-type specific expression of Hirschsprung’s disease-associated genes. Finally, using a systems approach, we identify key cell players across multiple cell lineages driving secondary lymphoid tissue formation in early human development. We show that these programs are adopted in inflammatory bowel disease to recruit and retain immune cells at the site of inflammation. These data provide an unprecedented catalogue of intestinal cells, and new insights into cellular programs in development, homeostasis and disease.
Status-striving orientation, creative deviance engagement and employee creativity: perspective of structural strain
Authors: Liu Zhiqiang , Pan Xiaoqing , Zhu Tingting
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine why and when employees engage in creative deviance to develop creativity in China. Drawing on strain theory, the authors examined creative deviance engagement as a mediator and transformational leadership as a moderator of the distinct relationships between emotional and rational status-striving orientations and radical and incremental creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

Multisource survey data were collected from 126 team leaders and 446 employees in Chinese firms. Multilevel path analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that emotional status-striving orientation relates to creative deviance engagement, which, in turn, has a stronger relationship with radical creativity than with incremental creativity. Furthermore, creative deviance engagement mediates the indirect relationships between emotional status-striving orientation and radical and incremental creativity. Moreover, transformational leadership moderates the above indirect relationships.

Originality/value

This study is among the first attempts to empirically test the distinct relationships between creative deviance engagement and radical and incremental creativity and further examine how creative deviance engagement mediates the indirect relationships between status-striving orientations and radical and incremental creativity. In addition, the boundary condition of the indirect relationships is investigated. The findings provide valuable insights for the extant literature on status and employee creativity.
Tri-optimization of building shape and envelope properties using Taguchi and constraint limit method
Authors: Lin Yaolin , Yang Wei
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a tri-optimization approach to optimize design solutions regarding the building shape and envelope properties considering their implications on thermal comfort, visual comfort and building energy consumption (EN). The optimization approach has been applied to obtain the optimal design solutions in five typical cities across all climatic regions of China.

Design/methodology/approach

The method comprises a tri-optimization process with nine main steps to optimize the three objectives (thermal comfort, visual comfort and building EN). The design variables considered are four types of building shape (pyramid, rectangular, cylindrical and dome shape) and different envelope properties (insulation thickness [INS] of external walls/roof, window type [WT] and window-to-envelop surface area ratio [WESR]). The optimization is performed by using the Taguchi and constraint limit method.

Findings

The results show that the optimal design solutions for all climatic regions favor cylindrical shape and triple-layer low-E glazing window. The highest insulation level of 150 mm is preferred in three climatic regions, and the INS of 90 mm is preferred in the other two climate regions. In total, 10% WESR is preferred in all climatic regions, except the mild region. When the constraint limit of lighting intensity requirement by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is applied, the rectangular shape building is the optimal solution for those with 10% WESR.

Research limitations/implications

The method proposed in the paper is innovative in that it optimizes three different objectives simultaneously in building design with better accuracy and calculation speed.

Practical implications

Building designers can easily follow the proposed design guide in their practice which effectively bridges the gap between theory and practice. The optimal design solutions can provide a more comfortable living environment and yet less EN, which can help achieve the sustainability requirement of green buildings.

Social implications

The solutions presented in the paper can serve as a useful guide for practical building designers which creates economic and commercial impact. In addition, the theory and practical examples of the study can be used by building regulators to improve the energy-efficient building design standard in China.

Originality/value

The research is the first attempt that adopts tri-optimization approach to generate the optimal solutions for building shape and envelope design. The tri-optimization approach can be used by building designers to generate satisfactory design solutions from the architectural viewpoint and meanwhile to find combinations of the building shape and envelope properties that lead to design solutions with optimal building performance.
Collaboration in BIM-based construction networks: a qualitative model of influential factors
Authors: Oraee Mehran , Hosseini M. Reza , Edwards David , Papadonikolaki Eleni
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a modified model for collaboration in BIM-based construction networks (BbCNs). Though BIM is increasingly adopted and implemented across the construction industry, the problems associated with the lack of collaboration among teams in BbCNs remain a major hindrance to reaping the full potential of BIM. Previous studies have been conceptual in nature. This paper, therefore, attempts to modify and validate existing conceptual models that describe collaboration in BbCNs.

Design/methodology/approach

To modify the conceptual model for collaboration in BbCNs, qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with BIM experts in the industry were collected and analysed using qualitative methods including the use of NVivo software.

Findings

The proposed model includes influential factors and their sub-factors to collaboration in BbCNs, as well as considering their indicators. Findings reveal that several overlooked concepts, particularly unfavourable BIM contractual arrangements, act as the root causes of the unwillingness of team members in BbCNs to engage in collaborative efforts.

Research limitations/implications

The study's findings must be viewed in light of several limitations. First, the interviewees in this study were based in Australia hence their perceptions of BIM collaboration are reflective of the sociotechnical setting of BIM-enabled projects in this country. Also, the findings are based on the perception of experts in the field, rather than analysis of performance measures or quantitative assessment of associations among collaboration outcomes and various factors. This, however, provides the field with fertile grounds for future research.

Practical implications

The study benefits researchers by shifting the collaboration discourse in BIM-enabled projects from technology-related issues to the people and contractual-related domains. Moreover, the developed qualitative model provides industry professionals with a point of reference to improve collaboration on BIM-enabled projects.

Social implications

The study benefits researchers by shifting the collaboration discourse in BIM-enabled projects from technology-related issues to the people and contractual-related domains. Moreover, the developed qualitative model provides industry professionals with a point of reference to improve collaboration on BIM-enabled projects.

Originality/value

Arguments provided in this study highlight the necessity of considering the contractual arrangement of BIM-related projects and foster the willingness of team members to collaborate. This can be addressed using clear and comprehensive BIM execution plans and clearly explaining the role of BIM managers in the process.
Can TMT vertical pay disparity promote firm innovation performance? The moderating role of CEO power and board characteristics
Authors: Zhong Xi , Wan He , Ren Ge
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Based on the tournament theory and the principal agent theory, this study aims to empirically investigate how top management team (TMT) vertical pay disparity (the pay disparity between the CEO and non-CEO executives) influences firm innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study empirically tested the hypotheses based on a sample of listed high-tech companies in China during the period between 2007 and 2018.

Findings

TMT vertical pay disparity promotes innovation performance; CEO power undermines the positive effect of TMT vertical pay disparity on innovation performance; the negative moderating effect of CEO power is mitigated by board age and gender and educational levels, whereas the proportion of female directors has no such effect at any significant level.

Originality/value

This study uniquely contributes to the theoretical and empirical development of tournament theory and the principal agent theory.
Exploring antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions among females in an emerging economy
Authors: Ali Jabir , Shabir Sana , Shaikh Ateeque
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims at identifying the antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions among females in India using the theory of planned behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on the Adult Population Survey (APS) of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), which has covered 1,683 female respondents from India. The data has been analysed using simple techniques such as chi-square statistics and logistics regression. The antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions have been identified using the theory of planned behaviour.

Findings

About 20% of the adult females have reported intention for starting an entrepreneurial venture in the country. A significant relationship emerged between the demographics of females with and without intention towards entrepreneurship. The results showed that there is a positive and significant effect of attitudes towards the behaviour, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control to the entrepreneurial intentions among females.

Practical implications

This paper provides insights on factors affecting entrepreneurial intention among females and helps in developing a policy framework for promoting new ventures among female entrepreneurs. This also explores the possibility of future research on entrepreneurial intention in the Indian context.

Originality/value

Considering the current focus of the government in India for promoting new ventures, this piece of research can be valuable for different stakeholders in adopting a gender-based approach in implementing inclusive entrepreneurial initiatives.
The effect of other in-group members' organizational citizenship behavior on employees' organizational deviance: a moral licensing perspective
Authors: Nguyen Canh Minh
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the moral licensing effect of other in-group members' organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) on focal employees' organizational deviance through moral self-concept. This paper also examines the moderating role of in-group identification in the mediated relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The multilevel path analysis and bootstrapping technique are employed to analyze the findings of a sample of 340 employees in 56 workgroups in Vietnam.

Findings

The results demonstrate that moral self-concept mediates the positive relationship between other in-group members' OCB and focal employees' organizational deviance. Furthermore, the findings indicate that in-group identification strengthens the indirect effect of other in-group members' OCB on focal employees' organizational deviance via moral self-concept.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that managers should be aware of the potential negative consequences of OCB and the drawbacks of in-group identification in group contexts. In addition, practitioners should proactively prevent other in-group members' OCB from resulting in employees' organizational deviance.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine the moral licensing effect of OCB on organizational deviance through the moral self-concept mechanism and the moderating role of in-group identification in this mediated relationship.
Foreign capital inflows: a panacea to slow economic growth and infrastructure decay in Africa?
Authors: Olaoye Olumide Olusegun , Eluwole Oluwatosin Odunayo , Lakhani Faraz
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of foreign capital inflows on economic growth in 15 Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries over the period 2008–2018. Specifically, this paper investigates whether selected foreign capital inflows, namely, foreign debt, foreign aid and foreign direct investments substitute or complement government spending in ECOWAS.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts the two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) method of estimation to address the problem of dynamic endogeneity inherent in the relationship.

Findings

The result shows that foreign capital inflows into ECOWAS region have not transmitted into economic growth in the region. Further, the findings reveal that foreign capital inflows to ECOWAS have substituted for government spending. The results might be as a result of the high level of corruption in ECOWAS. The results also show that when institutional quality is interacted with foreign capital inflows, the result shows a negative and statistically significant effect on economic growth.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies which pooled both developed and developing economies together, the authors investigate this relationship in a regional study, using ECOWAS to create a roughly optimum size. In addition, the authors adopt the GMM-system method of estimation to address the problem of dynamic endogeneity inherent in the relationship, which has largely been ignored in extant studies.
Love is not blind: investigating a love-hate transition among luxury fashion brand consumers
Authors: Kashif Muhammad , Korkmaz Devrani Tulay , Rehman Aisha , Samad Sarminah
Published: April 2021

Purpose

There is extensive research where consumer emotions of brand love and brand hate are investigated. However, the studies where a transition in consumer-brand emotions is explored are scant. This paper aims to investigate the mediating effect of brand jealousy in the relationship between brand love and brand hate among luxury fashion brand consumers. Also how value expressiveness moderates the relationship between brand hate and negative word of mouth (NWOM) is examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a cross-sectional survey conducted among 273 luxury fashion consumers from Pakistan. The structural equation modeling (SEM) technique is employed to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

All the proposed hypotheses are supported. Brand jealousy mediates the relationship between brand love and brand hate. Furthermore, value expressiveness buffers the relationship between brand hate and NWOM.

Practical implications

The luxury fashion marketers should focus on strengthening the symbolic identity of a luxury fashion brand via advocating its visual elements. Moreover, there is a need to advertise luxury fashion brands as exclusive to individual customers. Finally, some rewards can be offered to consumers to generate positive word of mouth (WOM) about luxury fashion brands.

Originality/value

The study of an emotional transition among luxury brand customers via a mediating role of brand jealousy is a unique theoretical contribution. Moreover, the moderating role of the value-expressiveness function examining the hate-to-NWOM path is also unique to this study.
Advancing US small business apparel production: a state-level mixed-method exploration
Authors: Miller Nancy J. , Engel-Enright Carol , Hobbs Kayna , Brown David A.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study highlights the impact of attaining and incorporating knowledge and building relationships with other firms in US apparel production.

Design/methodology/approach

Producers of apparel and sewn products operating within a US state form the sample for this mixed methods exploration. Study 1 involves a qualitative analysis of the producers highlighting knowledge in interorganizational discussions. Study 2 quantitatively measures responses from 38 producing firms. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was used to measure associations, and simple slopes were computed to examine interactions.

Findings

The knowledge exchanged, according to participants in study 1, was limited, thus warranting further examination. Results from study 2 revealed strong associations among knowledge absorptive capacity, social interaction and people-oriented culture with network ties. A two-way interaction effect was found for absorptive capacity and social interaction, indicating association between social interaction and network ties was more positive at higher levels of absorption capacity and vice versa.

Research limitations/implications

Findings provide theoretical and applied support for building network ties. This research operationalizes complicated-to-measure constructs critical to the empirical measurement of junctions from two theoretical frameworks, in the context of a specific industry. Though acceptable for exploratory research, additional work is needed to refine reliability measures and to examine a national sample.

Originality/value

This study links elements of social capital- and knowledge-based views of the firm necessary for reviving US apparel production. Broader outcomes from this research include job creation providing support and growth in the US sewn apparel and goods industry that will drive US economy.
Exploring the reasons and factors influencing the choice of home delivery of births in rural Bangladesh: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Islam M. Mazharul , Shahjahan Mohammed
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to explore the reasons for preferring home as a birth delivery place and identify the socio-economic and cultural factors influencing the choice of delivery place in rural Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the study come from a community-based cross-sectional study conducted among 464 mothers in a rural sub-district of Bangladesh in 2019. Respondents were selected randomly from the frame listing all mothers with inclusion criteria, using a two-stage cluster sampling design. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview. Both descriptive and inferential statistics and logistic regression models were used for data analysis.

Findings

The results indicate a very high rate (58%) of home delivery. About 20% mothers never received ANC visit. Preference for home delivery was high (63%). Mothers with no education, aged 30 and above, multi-parity, low wealth status, lack of knowledge about institutional delivery, no or <4 ANC visits, received no advice about the delivery place, no pregnancy complications, decision about health care, and prior plan for home delivery were identified as significant predictors of home delivery. Cost of services, cultural practices and attitude towards health facility, lack of a female delivery assistant, perceived fear of caesarian section, poor quality of services, and lack of knowledge about maternity services appeared as important barriers for institutional delivery.

Originality/value

Based on primary data from a rural area, this study would help understand reasons and factors affecting home delivery and developing an appropriate strategy for the improvement of institutional delivery and maternity care services in Bangladesh.
Major obstacles facing business enterprises in an emerging economy: the case of Ghana using the World Bank Enterprise Survey
Authors: Mohammed Ibrahim , Bunyaminu Alhassan
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims at identifying the major obstacles to business enterprise in an emerging economy and how these obstacles are associated with different characteristics of the enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relied on the World Bank Enterprise Survey data on Ghana and applied binary and ordinal probit regression techniques to estimate the associations between the characteristics of the enterprises and the identified obstacles. Significance testing of the associations is also conducted.

Findings

The five main obstacles perceived by most of the enterprises in the study are access to finance, electricity, access to land, customs and trade regulations and tax rates. These obstacles are associated in different ways to growth rate (high vs low growth), scale (small and medium vs large), age, size of employees, the experience of the top manager and ownership (wholly domestic vs foreign ownership).

Research limitations/implications

As a cross-sectional study focusing on Ghana, the findings are informative about the major obstacles facing business enterprises in an emerging economy; however, the ecological validity of these findings may be limited to factors specific to Ghana.

Originality/value

Given the representativeness of the Enterprise Survey, policymakers can rely on these findings to formulate useful policies to promote the operations of business enterprises.
Enhancing Egyptian container terminals performance through managing efficiency and competitiveness
Authors: Elgazzar Sara , Ismail Ahmed
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The importance of container transportation has increased due to the globalization of the world economy. The purpose of this research is at proposing a framework to enhance the container terminals performance through evaluating efficiency and competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers used data envelopment analysis to assess the efficiency and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process to measure competitiveness of container terminals. The proposed framework captures key performance indicators to evaluate the container terminals' performance and identify areas that need improvement. It was applied to the Egyptian container terminals from the period of 2015–2019 as an empirical study.

Findings

Findings highlights the highest utilization of resources of Alexandria port while more attention should be given to the level of service provided. On the other hand, El-Sokhna should focus on more utilization of the available resources. The performance evaluation showed that the rest of Egyptian terminal ports should improve both competitiveness and efficiency at different levels based on their performance ranking.

Research limitations/implications

The developed framework can be used as an evaluation tool to evaluate the performance of container terminals in other countries, and can be utilized as a performance benchmark tool to compare the performance of container terminals of competing ports.

Practical implications

The developed framework can help policymakers to assess efficiency and competitiveness based on both quantitative data and experts' judgement in order to help in formulating government logistics strategy.

Originality/value

The research provides a comprehensive framework to measure and evaluate competitiveness and efficiency of container terminals based on both quantitative data and experts' judgement.