bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein engineering via Bayesian optimization-guided evolutionary algorithm and robotic experiments
Authors: Hu Ruyun , Fu Lihao , Chen Yongcan , Chen Junyu , Qiao Yu , Si Tong
Published: August 2022

Protein engineering aims to find top functional sequences in a vast design space. For such an expensive “black-box” function optimization problem, Bayesian optimization is a principled sample-efficient approach, which is guided by a surrogate model of the objective function. Unfortunately, Bayesian optimization is computationally intractable with the vast search space. Even worse, it proposes sequences sequentially, making it incompatible with batched wet-lab measurement. Here, we report a scalable and batched method, Bayesian Optimization-guided EVOlutionary (BO-EVO) algorithm, to guide multiple rounds of robotic experiments to explore protein fitness landscapes of combinatorial mutagenesis libraries. We first examined various design specifications based on an empirical landscape of protein G domain B1. Then, BO-EVO was successfully generalized to another empirical landscape of an Escherichia coli kinase PhoQ, as well as simulated NK landscapes with up to moderate epistasis. This approach was then applied to guide robotic library creation and screening to engineer enzyme specificity of RhlA, a key biosynthetic enzyme for rhamnolipid biosurfactants. A 4.8-fold improvement in producing a target rhamnolipid congener was achieved after examining less than 1% of all possible mutants after 4 iterations. Overall, BO-EVO proves to be an efficient and general approach to guide combinatorial protein engineering without prior knowledge.
Npas4-mediated dopaminergic regulation of fear memory states
Authors: Ko BumJin , Yoo Jong-Yeon , Choi Woochul , Dogan Rumeysa , Sung Kibong , Lee Sangjun , Um Dahun , Lee Su Been , Yoo Taesik , Kim Hyun Jin , Beak Seung Tae , Park Sang Ki , Paik Se-Bum , Kim Tae-Kyung , Kim Joung-Hun
Published: August 2022

Amygdala circuitry encodes associations between conditioned stimuli and aversive unconditioned stimuli, and also controls fear expression (Pape and Pare, 2010). However, whether and how irrelevant information for unpaired conditioned stimuli (CS-) is discretely processed, and how it was influenced by stress remain unknown. CS- memory is retrievable immediately after fear conditioning, but then becomes silent after memory consolidation in mice. Synaptic pathway from the lateral to the anterior basal amygdala gates the expression of CS- memory, depending upon Npas4-mediated Drd4 synthesis. The upregulation of Npas4-Drd4 axis, which is precluded by corticosterone, shifts functional states of neural engrams for CS- memory toward silent states and limits its retrievability. In here, we demonstrate the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the functional states of neural engrams, which can be switched or maintained, supporting discriminative memory.
The transcriptional regulator JAZ8 interacts with the C2 protein from geminiviruses and limits the viral infection in Arabidopsis
Authors: Rosas-Diaz Tabata , Cana-Quijada Pepe , Wu Mengshi , Du Hui , Fernandez-Barbero Gemma , Macho Alberto P. , Solano Roberto , Castillo Araceli G. , Wang Xiao-Wei , Lozano-Duran Rosa , Bejarano Eduardo R.
Published: August 2022

Jasmonates (JAs) are phytohormones that finely regulate critical biological processes, including plant development and defense. JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN (JAZ) proteins are crucial keeping JA-responsive genes in a repressed state. In the presence of JA-Ile, JAZ repressors are ubiquitinated and targeted for degradation by the ubiquitin/proteasome system, allowing the activation of the downstream transcription factors and, consequently, the activation of JA-responsive genes. A growing body of evidence has shown that JA signalling is crucial in defending against plant viruses and their insect vectors. Here, we describe the interaction of C2 proteins from two geminiviruses from the genus Begomovirus, tomato yellow curl Sardinia virus (TYLCSaV) and tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), with the transcriptional repressor JAZ8 from Arabidopsis thaliana and its closest orthologue in tomato, SlJAZ9. Both JAZ and C2 proteins colocalize in the nucleus, forming discrete nuclear speckles. Overexpression of JAZ8 did not lead to altered responses to TYLCV infection; however, knock-down of JAZ8 favours the geminiviral infection in plants. Low levels of JAZ8 likely affect the viral infection specifically since JAZ8-silenced plants do not display developmental phenotypes nor present differences in their interaction with the viral insect vector. Our results show that JAZ8 interacts with geminiviral C2 proteins and exerts an anti-geminiviral effect.
Cryo-ET of infected cells reveals that a succession of two lattices drives vaccinia virus assembly
Authors: Hernandez-Gonzalez Miguel , Calcraft Thomas , Nans Andrea , Rosenthal Peter B , Way Michael
Published: August 2022

During its cytoplasmic replication, vaccinia virus assembles non-infectious spherical immature virions (IV) coated by a viral D13 lattice. Subsequently, IV mature into infectious brick-shaped intracellular mature virus (IMV) that lack D13. Here, we performed cryo-electron tomography of frozen-hydrated vaccinia-infected cells to structurally characterise the maturation process in situ. During IMV formation a new viral core forms inside IV with a wall consisting of trimeric pillars arranged in a new pseudohexagonal lattice. This lattice appears as a palisade in cross-section. During maturation, which involves a 50% reduction in virion volume, the viral membrane becomes corrugated as it adapts to the newly formed viral core in a process that does not appear to require membrane removal. Our study suggests that the length of this core is determined by the D13 lattice and that the consecutive D13 and palisade lattices control virion shape and dimensions during vaccinia assembly and maturation.
A lncRNA identifiesIRF8enhancer element in negative feedback control of dendritic cell differentiation
Authors: Xu Huaming , Li Zhijian , Kuo Chao-Chung , Götz Katrin , Look Thomas , de Toledo Marcelo Augusto Szymanski , Seré Kristin , Costa Ivan G. , Zenke Martin
Published: August 2022

Transcription factors play a determining role in lineage commitment and cell differentiation. Interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8), a hematopoietic transcription factor, is prominently upregulated in dendritic cells (DC) by autoactivation and controls DC differentiation and function. However, it is unclear howIRF8autoactivation is controlled and eventually limited. Here we identified a novel long non-coding RNA transcribed from the +32 kb enhancer downstream ofIRF8transcription start site and expressed specifically in plasmacytoid DC (pDC), referred to aslncIRF8. A sequence element of thelncIRF8promoter, but notlncIRF8itself, is crucial for pDC and classical DC type 1 (cDC1) differentiation. In DC developmentIRF8autoactivation is first initiated by flanking enhancers and then second controlled by feedback inhibition through thelncIRF8promoter element in the +32 kb enhancer. Our work reveals a previously unrecognized negative feedback loop ofIRF8that orchestrates its own expression and thereby controls DC differentiation.
Vertical growth dynamics of biofilms
Authors: Bravo Pablo , Ng Siu Lung , MacGillivray Kathryn A. , Hammer Brian K. , Yunker Peter J.
Published: August 2022

During the biofilm life cycle, bacteria attach to a surface then reproduce, forming crowded, growing communities. Many theoretical models of biofilm growth dynamics have been proposed; however, difficulties in measuring biofilm height accurately across relevant time and length scales have prevented testing these models or their biophysical underpinnings empirically. Using white light interferometry, we measure the heights of microbial colonies with nanometer precision from inoculation to their final equilibrium height, producing a novel and detailed empirical characterization of vertical growth dynamics. We show that models relying on logistic growth or nutrient depletion fail to capture biofilm height dynamics on short and long time scales. Our empirical results support a simple model inspired by the fact that biofilms only interact with the environment through their interfaces. This interface model captures the growth dynamics from short to long time scales (10 minutes to 14 days) of diverse microorganisms, including prokaryotes like gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and eukaryotes like aerobic and anaerobic yeast. This model provides heuristic value, highlighting the biophysical constraints that limit vertical growth as well as establishing a quantitative model for biofilm development.
Lipidomic analysis reveals differences inBacteroidesspecies driven largely by plasmalogens, glycerophosphoinositols and certain sphingolipids
Authors: Ryan Eileen , Gonzales Pastor Belén , Gethings Lee A. , Clarke David J. , Joyce Susan A.
Published: August 2022

There has been increasing interest in bacterial lipids in recent years due, in part, to their emerging role as molecular signalling molecules.Bacteroides thetaiotaomicronis an important member of the mammalian gut microbiota that has been shown to produce sphingolipids (SP) that pass through the gut epithelial barrier to impact host SP metabolism and signal into host inflammation pathways.B. thetaiotaomicronalso produces a novel family of N-acyl amines (called glycine lipids) that are potent ligands of host Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). Here, we specifically examine the lipid signatures of 4 species of gut associatedBacteroides. In total we identify 170 different lipids and we report that the range and diversity ofBacteroideslipids is species-specific. Multi-variate analysis reveals that the differences in the lipid signatures are largely driven by the presence/absence of plasmalogens, glycerophosphoinositols and certain SP. Moreover, we show that, inB. thetaiotaomicron, mutations altering either SP or glycine lipid biosynthesis results in significant changes in the levels of other lipids suggesting the existence of compensatory mechanisms required to maintain the functionality of the bacterial membrane.

Importance

Bacteroidesare important beneficial members of the gut microbiome that produce lipids that can function as cross-kingdom signalling molecules. We describe, for the first time, a comprehensive and qualitative comparison of the lipid signatures of 4 importantBacteroidesspecies. We identify a group ofBacteroidescore lipids and uncover species-specific differences in plasmalogen, glycerophospholipid and SP metabolism with more subtle differences observed in glycine lipid production. This data will provide a useful platform for the further characterisation of the lipid-based host-microbe dialogue and the influence of microbial lipids on host health and disease states.
A multiplexed, confinable CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive propagates in caged Aedes aegypti populations
Authors: Anderson Michelle A.E. , Gonzalez Estela , Edgington Matthew P. , Ang Joshua X. D. , Purusothaman Deepak-Kumar , Shackleford Lewis , Nevard Katherine , Verkuijl Sebald A. N. , Harvey-Samuel Tim , Leftwich Philip T. , Esvelt Kevin , Alphey Luke
Published: August 2022

Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, is the main vector of several major pathogens including yellow fever, dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses. Classical mosquito control strategies, mainly utilizing insecticides, have had success in controlling other mosquito vectors in recent years, but are much less useful against Ae. aegypti, and even these methods are threatened by rising insecticide resistance. This has stimulated interest in new mosquito control mechanisms, notably genetic systems such as gene drives. However, the development of CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive systems has faced challenges such as low inheritance biasing rate, the emergence of resistance alleles, and the possibility of spreading beyond the intended population. Here, we test the regulatory sequences from the Ae. aegypti benign gonial cell neoplasm (bgcn) homolog to express Cas9 in the germline to find an expression timing more conducive to homing. We also created a separate multiplexing (targeting multiple different sites within the target gene) sgRNA-expressing homing cassette inserted into the Ae. aegypti kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (kmo) gene to limit the consequences of resistance alleles. This creates a ‘split’ gene drive such that one part does not drive, allowing control over geographic spread and temporal persistence. When combined, these two elements provide highly effective germline cutting at the kmo locus and act as a gene drive. Our target genetic element was driven through a cage trial population such that carrier frequency of the element increased from 50% to up to 89% of the population despite significant fitness costs to kmo insertions. Deep sequencing suggests that the multiplexing design could mitigate resistance allele formation in our gene drive system.

Significance statement

Mosquito-borne diseases affect millions of people worldwide, with the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) being the principal vector of many viral diseases. Effective measures for controlling this mosquito are sorely needed. Gene drive systems have arisen as a potential tool for mosquito control due to their ability of biasing inheritance of a trait into a target population. Here, we assess a split gene drive, based on CRISPR/Cas9 endonuclease technology driving a target element into the mosquito population. Evaluated over successive generations in a replicated cage trial, the drive successfully biased its inheritance, increasing in frequency from 50% to up to 89%. Our results are encouraging for the potential use of this type of contained gene drive system for mosquito control in endemic areas.
Optogenetic control of cell signaling with red/far-red light-responsive optogenetic tools in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Oda Shigekazu , Sato-Ebine Emi , Nakamura Akinobu , Kimura Koutarou D. , Aoki Kazuhiro
Published: August 2022

Optogenetic techniques have been intensively applied to the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to investigate its neural functions. However, as most of these optogenetics are responsive to blue light and the animals exhibits avoidance behavior to blue light, the application of optogenetic tools responsive to longer wavelength light has been eagerly anticipated. In this study, we report the implementation in C. elegans of a phytochrome-based optogenetic tool that responds to red/near-infrared light and manipulates cell signaling. We first introduced the SynPCB system, which enabled us to synthesize phycocyanobilin (PCB), a chromophore for phytochrome, and confirmed the biosynthesis of PCB in neurons, muscles, and intestinal cells. We further confirmed that the amount of PCBs synthesized by the SynPCB system was sufficient for photoswitching of phytochrome B (PhyB)-phytochrome interacting factor 3 (PIF3). In addition, optogenetic elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels in intestinal cells induced a defecation motor program. These SynPCB system and phytochrome-based optogenetic techniques would be of great value in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying C. elegans behaviors.
Towards unified management of software capstone projects in Saudi universities: a survey-based study
Authors: Ahmad Ehsan , Alammary Ali
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Saudi universities have incorporated capstone projects in the final year of an undergraduate study. Although universities are following recommendations of the National Commission for National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA) and Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), no detailed guidelines for management and assessment of capstone projects are provided by these accreditation bodies. Variation in the management and assessment practices of capstone project courses and analysis of the students' capabilities to align with industry demands, to realize Vision 2030, is challenging. This study investigates the current practices for structure definition, management and assessment criteria used for capstone project courses at undergraduate level for information technology (IT) programs at Saudi universities.

Design/methodology/approach

A web-based questionnaire is administered using a web service commonly used for questionnaires and polls to investigate the structure, management and assessment of capstone projects at the undergraduate level offering software engineering, computer science and information technology (SECSIT) programs. In total, 42 faculty members (with range of experience of managing/advising capstone projects from 1 to more than 10 years) from 22 Saudi universities (out of more than 30 universities offering SECSIT undergraduate programs) participated in the study.

Findings

The authors have identified that Saudi universities are facing challenges in the utilized process model, the distribution of work and marks, the knowledge sharing approach and the assessment scheme. To cope with these challenges, the authors recommend the use of an incremental development process, the utilization of a project-driven approach, the development of a national level digital archive and the implementation of homogeneous assessment scheme.

Social implications

To contribute to the national growth and to fulfill the market demand, universities are recommended to align the capstone project courses with latest technology trends. Universities must collaborate with the industry and update the structure and requirements of capstone project courses accordingly. This will further facilitate to bridge the gap between industry and academia and will develop a win–win scenario for all the stakeholders.

Originality/value

Although universities are committed to increase innovative capacities of their students for enabling them to contribute to economic and social growth, it is still hard to know the knowledge creation and sharing at national level. Variations in the management and assessment practices for capstone projects further intensify this challenge. Hence, there is a need of smart assessment and management of software capstone projects being developed in Saudi universities. Incorporating latest technologies, such unified management can facilitate discovering the trends and patterns related to the domain and complexity.
Impact of lockdown and government subsidies on rural households at early COVID-19 pandemic in China
Authors: Li Nan , Chen Muzi , Gao Haoyu , Huang Difang , Yang Xiaoguang
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Given the scarcity of data during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, the decision-making for non-pharmaceutical policies was mostly based on insufficient evidence. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of these policies, such as lockdown and government subsidies, on rural households and identify policy implications for China and other countries in dealing with pandemics.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors survey 2,408 rural households by telephone from 101 counties across 17 provinces in China during the first stage of the pandemic (March 2020). The authors use the ordered probit model and linear regression model to study the overall impact of policies and then use the quantile regression model and sub-sample regression method to study the heterogeneity of the effects of government policies.

Findings

The authors find that logistics disruption due to lockdown negatively affected rural households. Obstructed logistics is associated with a more significant loss for high-income households, while its impact on the loss expectation of low-income households is more severe. Breeding and other industries such as transport and sales suffer more from logistics than cultivation. The impact of logistics on intensive agricultural entities is more serious than that on professional farms. The government subsidy is more effective at reducing loss for low-income households. Lockdown and government subsidies have shown heterogeneous impacts on rural households.

Practical implications

The overall economic losses experienced by rural households in the early stages of the pandemic are controllable. The government policies of logistics and subsidies should target specific groups.

Originality/value

The authors evaluate the economic impacts of lockdown and government subsidies on rural households and show their heterogeneity among different groups. The authors further demonstrate the policy effectiveness in supporting rural households during the early stages of the pandemic and provide future policy guidance on major public health event.
Exploring the role of mobile game-based apps towards a smart learning city environment – the innovation of EduCITY
Authors: Pombo Lúcia
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper provides a general review related to a wider project, aimed at developing a mobile game-based app on Education for Sustainable Development within a smart learning city environment. It aims to address guidelines for a new action-oriented transformative pedagogy that is essential for the development of key competencies for sustainable development based on literature review and on the exploration of a previously created mobile game-based app – the EduPARK app.

Design/methodology/approach

This work gives continuity to the developed work, through a qualitative interpretive methodology of case study. Its main objective is to analyze the opinion of Higher Education students, who have experienced the EduPARK app, in what concerns the impact of the educational strategy into: (1) learning value, (2) authentic learning, (3) lifelong learning, and (4) conservation and sustainable habits. Data collection instruments involve students’ reflections triangulated to a questionnaire.

Findings

The study finds that the potential for promoting conservation and sustainable habits is widely recognized by app users, although they mention that this aspect can be further explored. This legitimates the relevance of the new mission – EduCITY, which focuses on enhancing sustainability key skills of citizens who participate in extension game-based activities on strategic paths in the city.

Originality/value

This paper comprises a set of guidelines and best practices for educational stakeholders and decision makers in order to enhance a wider integration of this outdoor mobile innovative approach in education, promoting smart and sustainable attitudes of citizens within the cities.
Customer value co-creation in the hospitality and tourism industry: a systematic literature review
Authors: Carvalho Pedro , Alves Helena
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to develop a systematic literature review of customer value co-creation in the hospitality and tourism industry and present the different views of the scientific community, highlighting the dimensions, antecedents and outcomes of customer value co-creation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a systematic review process guided by the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses protocol. Data were collected through a search for papers in Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science and Science Direct databases. The systematic review was performed based on 216 validated articles.

Findings

The study reveals that the manifestations of customer value co-creation can be understood, based on two fundamental dimensions: customer behaviours and factors that shape co-creation. However, some antecedents are closely linked to the customer, social environment, service provider and technological resources. Moreover, there are numerous outcomes resulting from customer value co-creation, grouped in customer results, perceived value and organizational performance and market outcomes.

Practical implications

This research contributes to a more informed explanation for hospitality and tourism organizations about the importance of tourist and guest involvement in value co-creation. This systematic knowledge can facilitate the design of the service, as well as the value proposition offered by hospitality and tourism organizations.

Originality/value

The study extends the literature by systematizing the empirical and conceptual knowledge, using for the first time a systematic literature review.
A 2D image body measurement system developed with neural networks and a color-coded measurement garment
Authors: Xia Sibei , Li Jiayin , Istook Cynthia L. , West Andre J.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Two-dimensional (2D) measurement technology has become more popular than before, thanks to the widespread availability of smartphones and smart devices. However, most existing 2D body measurement systems have background constraints and may raise privacy concerns. The purpose of this research was to test the idea of designing a 2D measurement system that works with a color-coded measurement garment for background removal and privacy protection. Clothing consumers can use the proposed system for daily apparel shopping purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2D body measurement system was designed and tested. The system adopted a close-fitted color-coded measurement garment and used neural network models to detect the color-code in the garment area and remove backgrounds. In total, 78 participants were recruited, and the collected data were split into training and testing sets. The training dataset was used to train the neural network and statistical prediction models for the 2D system. The testing dataset was used to compare the performance of the 2D system with a commercial three-dimensional (3D) body scanner.

Findings

The results showed that the color-coded measurement garment worked well with the neural network models to process the images for measurement extraction. The 2D measurement system worked better at close-fitted areas than loose-fitted areas.

Originality/value

This research combined a color-coded measurement garment with neural network models to solve the privacy and background challenges of the 2D body measurement system. Other researchers have never studied this approach.
Structure of banking industry and firms' risk-taking: firm-level evidence from China
Authors: Khan Habib Hussain
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the possible impact of banking market structure on the idiosyncratic risk of financially dependent firms in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzes firm-level data for China from 1999 to 2018 using a two-step dynamic panel system generalized method of moments (GMM).

Findings

The findings imply that bank competition lowers corporate risk, particularly among firms that are highly dependent on external funding for their financing needs. The findings are consistent with alternative indicators of competition, corporate risk, and financial dependence. The analysis of the transmission mechanism – the channel through which competition affects corporate risk – reveals that bank competition reduces corporate risk by curtailing financing constraints faced by firms.

Research limitations/implications

The competition-enhancing policy should consider the optimum level of bank competition for financial and economic stability. Further research is necessary to define the “desirable” or “optimum” level of bank competition.

Practical implications

In China, where the banking sector is still highly concentrated, the findings of this study call for policies aimed at encouraging healthy competition among banks. Nevertheless, such a policy must also consider the extent of bank competition that is optimal for the economy, particularly for financial and economic stability.

Originality/value

The paper provides the first evidence of the possible linkage between bank competition and corporate risk in China.
Examining the impact of service recovery resilience in the context of product replacement: the roles of perceived procedural and interactional justice
Authors: Russo Ivan , Masorgo Nicolò , Gligor David M.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Given increasing customer expectations and disturbances to product returns management, capabilities such as supply chain resilience (SCR) can complement service recovery strategies in retail supply chains. This study utilizes procedural justice theory (PJT) to conceptualize service recovery resilience as a capability that allows firms to meet customer requirements when dealing with disruptions, and empirically investigates its impact on procedural and interactional justice and customer outcomes (i.e. satisfaction and loyalty) in the context of product replacement.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employs two scenario-based experiments using a sample of 368 customers to explore the outcomes associated with service recovery resilience.

Findings

The investigation shows more satisfied and loyal customers when a retail supply chain can overcome service recovery challenges through SCR. The study shows that customers evaluate not only the process itself, but also their interactions with the retailer. Specifically, procedural justice and interactional justice have a significant influence on these relationships.

Originality/value

This study proposes service recovery resilience as a concept that bridges service recovery theory with supply chain strategy in the unique context of product replacement. Further, this study also notes how information enhances customer satisfaction with the retailer's effort to address disturbances in the recovery process. Finally, this study informs managers on the capabilities needed to face new customers' needs.
The interplay of soft TQM practices and knowledge sharing: moderating role of market turbulence
Authors: Lim Ai-Fen , Ooi Keng-Boon , Lee Voon-Hsien , Tan Garry Wei-Han
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Emerging competitive dynamics demand small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to continuously comprehend and respond to changing market conditions by implementing effective soft total quality management (STQM) practices. Firstly, the study intends to identify the key STQM practices perceived to foster knowledge sharing (KS). Secondly, this study aims to investigate the impact of market turbulence (MT) on the interaction between STQM practices and KS among SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 215 valid samples were analysed. Incorporating a two-hidden-layer deep artificial neural network (ANN) into SEM approaches allows for more in-depth testing and high prediction power. This study employs a two-stage PLS-SEM-ANN predictive-analytical technique to provide a more comprehensive analysis and significant statistical contribution.

Findings

The PLS-SEM-ANN analysis reveals that STQM practices including employee involvement (EI), employee training (ET), top management commitment (TMC) and employee teamwork (EM) are critical to boosting KS. MT, interestingly, moderates the relationship between EM and KS while negatively moderating the relationship between TMC and KS.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the knowledge-based view theory by demonstrating the importance of integrating STQM and KS among SMEs to thrive in today's dynamic market environment.
Viability amid systemic crisis: the CORER framework
Authors: Russo-Spena Tiziana , Mele Cristina , Kaartemo Valtteri , Caputo Francesco , Marzullo Marialuisa
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The COVID-19 wave spread all over the global market, affecting all industries. This paper aims to develop the understanding of how service systems can enhance their viability when facing rapid systemic changes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data from Reddit, and particularly the subreddit r/coronavirus, to identify posts that discuss the impact of coronavirus on business. The authors use an algorithm to scrape the data with business-related search terms and elaborate relevant posts.

Findings

The findings show key topics and related sentiments on the impact of COVID-19 on business. Service systems can enhance viability by identifying alternative paths for emerging opportunities (by being creative), seize opportunities offered by the changing environment (by being opportunistic), not compromise conditions for internal balance (by being resilient), focus attention on critical purposes (by being essential) and perform nonharmful actions (by being responsible).

Originality/value

This paper proposes a framework depicting five possible key enhancers of viability to face a systemic crisis. In brief, companies need to ensure that they are creative, opportunistic, resilient, essential and responsible.
Understanding consumers’ preferences for green hotels – the roles of perceived green benefits and environmental knowledge
Authors: Tan Ling Ling
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the influence of environmental knowledge on perceived green benefits and green hotel patronage intention. It also aims to investigate the influence of perceived green benefits on attitude towards green hotel stay and patronage intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The purposive sampling method was used in this study. A total of 262 respondents completed the survey questionnaire. For data testing, the partial least squares approach was used.

Findings

Environmental knowledge positively influenced the intention to patronise a green hotel and all the perceived green benefits – functional, emotional, social and epistemic benefits. Perceived green benefits did not influence green hotel patronage intention directly, but all the benefits promoted a favourable attitude towards green hotel stay.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies can replicate this study to examine whether consumers in other cities or countries perceive green benefits similarly or differently. The current model can also be used to explore other hospitality and tourism settings.

Practical implications

Green hoteliers should highlight all the four perceived green benefits in their marketing communication materials, especially functional and epistemic benefits that have greater effect on attitude. Green hoteliers can also collaborate with local government, educational institutions and travel agencies to develop pro-environmental materials to increase environmental knowledge of consumers.

Originality/value

Few studies have examined the relationships among environmental knowledge, perceived green benefits with the inclusion of epistemic benefit, attitude and green hotel patronage intention in a single framework.
The effects of a Disney masstige brand collaboration on perceptions of brand luxury: vertical versus horizontal product line extension strategies
Authors: Lee Jung Eun , Cho Jung Rim
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a Disney collaboration and Disney product line extension type on the perceptions of masstige brands and purchase intentions. By identifying masstige brands as two types (i.e. born-masstige versus luxury-masstige brands), this study investigates how consumers respond to a Disney collection across different types of masstige brands.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted three studies using an experimental approach.

Findings

Study 1 shows that compared to a traditional collection, a Disney collection lowered perceptions of brand luxury, but the negative effect is stronger for born-masstige brands than luxury-masstige brands. Studies 2 and 3 revealed that an upward extension enhanced perceptions of luxury for the born-masstige brand more than it did with a horizontal extension, whereas there was no difference between upward and horizontal extensions for the luxury-masstige brand.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to understanding how Disney collaborations influence consumers’ perceptions of masstige brands. It has implications for brand positioning and pricing strategies for practitioners collaborating with Disney or similar companies.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to investigate consumer responses to a Disney collaborated collection across two types of masstige brands by exploring their type of product line extensions.
Charting the intellectual structure of customer experience research
Authors: Kumar Prashant , Hollebeek Linda D. , Kar Arpan Kumar , Kukk Jana
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Contemporary firms are increasingly focusing on enhancing the customer experience (CX) to gain a sustainable competitive advantage. However, despite the rapid growth of CX research from both the customer's and the firm's perspectives, the intellectual structure of CX research remains tenuous, thus requiring further investigation. Addressing this gap, the authors review and map the existing corpus of CX literature, from which important implications are drawn.

Design/methodology/approach

After inventorizing the CX literature (1997–2021), the authors apply bibliometric (e.g. co-citation) analysis to identify key CX articles and pertinent CX-publishing journals, followed by the identification of key CX research themes through network analysis.

Findings

The authors first document chief CX-publishing journals and articles and identify their respective contributions. The authors, then, derive five core CX themes, including CX through the customer journey, S-D Logic-informed CX, interactive service–based CX, CX in the servicescape and CX and consumption. The authors conclude by developing an agenda for future CX research based on the study findings.

Originality/value

By offering a pioneering analysis of the corpus of CX research (1997–2021), these analyses offer a pertinent theoretical contribution.
Examining explanations for differences in exhaustion and depersonalization between Black and White officers
Authors: Powell Christopher E. , Schuck Amie M.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether differences in occupational burnout between Black and White officers can be explained by differences in areas of worklife and differences in indicators of reform.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a modified version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, information on emotional exhaustion and depersonalization was collected from 910 Black and 8,240 White officers through the National Police Research Platform. Structural equation models with bootstrapped confidence intervals were used to test mediation hypotheses and estimate indirect effects.

Findings

Black officers reported significantly less emotional exhaustion and depersonalization than White officers. Approximately 46% of the difference in emotional exhaustion between Black and White officers was accounted for by workload, workplace control, job satisfaction, alignment with agency values, inclusivity in the department, and the rejection of a hostile mindset toward the community. Approximately 28% of the difference in depersonalization was accounted for by workload, workplace control, job satisfaction, alignment with agency values, and the rejection of a hostile mindset.

Originality/value

This study reinforces research that demonstrates that Black officers report less emotional exhaustion and depersonalization than White officers and shows that some but not all differences in burnout can be accounted for by racial differences in areas of worklife and the rejection of a hostile mindset toward the community. More research should be focused on occupational stress in law enforcement and how Black officers are adapting to and thriving in the policing profession.
Analysis of the extrinsic and intrinsic aspects of the technology acceptance model associated with the learning management system during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Rokhim Rofikoh , Mayasari Iin , Wulandari Permata , Haryanto Handrix Chris
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of extrinsic aspects of the technology acceptance model, namely, information quality, functionality, accessibility, user interface design, system quality, functionality, facilitating conditions and computer playfulness as well as intrinsic aspects, namely, perceived self-efficacy, enjoyment and learning goals. orientation on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use in the context of the learning management system (LMS) as a system to support employee learning and development. This study also analyzes the effect of perceived ease of use on perceived usefulness and analyzes the effect of these two variables on the intention to adopt a LMS. This study included 3,205 respondents who are employees of banking companies in Indonesia and who used the LMS for their learning and self-development needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is a quantitative study that uses online surveys to collect data and partial least squares statistical tools to analyze survey data.

Findings

The results showed that accessibility alone had no effect on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, while enjoyment had no effect on the intention to use LMS and perceived ease of use and functionality had no effect on the intention to use LMS.

Research limitations/implications

This research focuses on the concept of technology acceptance with extrinsic and intrinsic aspects. This research context involves employees working in the banking sector with the adoption of the LMS.

Practical implications

LMS in banking companies can be optimized by providing online training and reducing the operational costs of employee training. By using LMS, companies can offer online courses to employees and track progress in distance learning, become a learning choice and information dissemination during the pandemic and also support future business continuity.

Originality/value

This study focuses on testing the technology adoption model on LMSs in the banking sector by adding extrinsic aspects, namely, system quality, facilitating conditioning, computer playfulness and user interface design, and combining intrinsic aspects, namely, perceived self-efficacy, enjoyment and learning goal orientation.
‘What's she doing here?’ Overcoming barriers to the implementation of Expert by Experience positions in academia
Authors: Happell Brenda , Gordon Sarah , Sharrock Julie , O'Donovan Aine , Warner Terri
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Experts by Experience involvement in the education of health professionals has gained momentum as an important strategy in ensuring quality, person‐centred education. Despite being a requirement for occupational therapy programs in Australia and internationally, involvement is variable and limited. Barriers to the implementation of academic roles have been identified, including negative attitudes of colleagues, systemic barriers, and insufficient evidence of their value. Mental health academics who do not identify as having lived experience (referred to as allies) have provided crucial support for Experts by Experience. Understanding their perspectives on implementation barriers and how they can be addressed is crucial to facilitating a broader level of meaningful involvement.

Methods

A qualitative exploratory research project was conducted, involving in‐depth interviews with mental health academic allies (n = 16) from Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. Participants were from the disciplines of nursing, occupational therapy, social work, and psychiatry. Data were analysed thematically.

Findings

Two main themes were identified from the data analysis process: convincing colleagues and dealing with university barriers. Participants described varying attitudes from colleagues towards Experts by Experience, with many not understanding or appreciating their contribution to education and student outcomes. At the university level, reluctance to embrace innovation and funding and other resource shortages presented impediments to the implementation of Expert by Experience roles. Participants described using creative measures to overcome institutional barriers and encourage greater acceptance of such roles by colleagues.

Conclusion

This research describes how allies experienced and overcame barriers they faced when supporting the implementation of academic positions for Experts by Experience. Allies have an important role to play in overcoming systemic barriers, and the approaches they have taken to achieve this may be an important source of learning for others with similar aspirations.
Adult age‐at‐death estimation using the first rib: A simple probabilistic approach
Authors: Luna Leandro H. , Aranda Claudia M.
Published: August 2022

Age‐at‐death estimation is a difficult task in fragmented or incomplete contexts. The generation and testing of methods are needed to identify their potential application in different types of osteological samples. This paper proposes a new method for age estimation using the first rib. Four hundred and fifteen individuals from the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collections (Portugal) were studied; the sample was divided in two groups (reference and test samples), used to develop the procedure and to evaluate its reliability. The three rib joints and two variables (surface texture and topography, and periarticular margins and subsidence of the surface) were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed to test the procedure reproducibility, and side and sex variations. Posterior probabilities were calculated following Bayesian statistics and used to estimate the most likely age‐at‐death in the test sample. The results show the reproducibility of the method is adequate, left and right ribs can be indistinctly recorded, and both sexes show similar change patterns. The costal face and the head epiphyseal region offered satisfactory results and the percentages of correct estimations are greater for younger individuals, decreasing as ages‐at‐death are higher. This method is more effective among individuals in the 20–50 years cohort; nevertheless, it also offered satisfactory estimates in older ones. Overestimations in individuals younger than 40 years and underestimations in individuals older than 75 years were identified. In conclusion, the first rib offer adequate estimates when a basic probabilistic approach is chosen. Whenever possible, this proposal must be included in a multifactorial perspective with other age markers.
Effects of alcohol on sleep and nocturnal heart rate: Relationships to intoxication and morning‐after effects
Authors: Pabon Elisa , Greenlund Ian M. , Carter Jason R. , de Wit Harriet
Published: August 2022

Background

Alcohol consumption produces feelings of well‐being and stimulation, but also impairs psychomotor performance, disturbs cardiovascular function and sleep, and can disrupt next‐day mood and behavior. A deeper understanding of how the acute effects of alcohol relate to its sleep and morning‐after effects is needed to minimize harm resulting from its use. This study examined relationships between the effects of a high dose of alcohol on subjective and psychomotor measures, nocturnal heart rate, sleep quality, and morning‐after mood and behavior. We hypothesized that alcohol would produce disturbances in cardiovascular and sleep regulation during the night, which would predict morning‐after mood and behavioral performance.

Methods

Thirty‐one men and women participated in two overnight laboratory visits during which they consumed either alcohol (1.0 g/kg for men, 0.85 g/kg for women) or placebo (randomized, crossover design). They consumed the beverage from 8 to 9 pm, and remained in the laboratory overnight for polysomnographic sleep recording. Subjective and behavioral measures were obtained during consumption and at 7–8 amthe morning after.

Results

Alcohol increased both negative and positive arousal, urge to drink and sedation, and it impaired performance on behavioral tasks. During sleep, alcohol produced expected tachycardia and detriments in sleep quality including decreased total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and altered sleep architecture. Only modest effects on mood or performance were detected the following morning. The acute sedative‐like effects of alcohol were related to increases in N2 sleep, but not to other disruptions in sleep or nocturnal heart rate, and neither sleep impairments nor nocturnal heart rate were related to mood or task performance the morning after.

Conclusions

The effects of alcohol on sleep and nocturnal heart rate were not strongly related to either its acute or morning‐after effects. These findings do not provide strong support for the idea that alcohol‐induced sleep disruptions underlie morning‐after effects.