bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating de novo assembly and binning strategies for time-series drinking water metagenomes
Authors: Vosloo Solize , Huo Linxuan , Anderson Christopher L. , Dai Zihan , Sevillano Maria , Pinto Ameet
Published: July 2021

Reconstructing microbial genomes from metagenomic short-read data can be challenging due to the unknown and uneven complexity of microbial communities. This complexity encompasses highly diverse populations which often includes strain variants. Reconstructing high-quality genomes is a crucial part of the metagenomic workflow as subsequent ecological and metabolic inferences depend on their accuracy, quality, and completeness. In contrast to microbial communities in other ecosystems, there has been no systematic assessment of genome-centric metagenomic workflows for drinking water microbiomes. In this study, we assessed the performance of a combination of assembly and binning strategies for time-series drinking water metagenomes that were collected over a period of 6 months. The goal of this study was to identify the combination of assembly and binning approaches that results in high quality and quantity metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), representing most of the sequenced metagenome. Our findings suggest that the metaSPAdes co-assembly strategies had the best performance as they resulted in larger and less fragmented assemblies with at least 85% of the sequence data mapping to contigs greater than 1kbp. Furthermore, a combination of metaSPAdes co-assembly strategies and MetaBAT2 produced the highest number of medium-quality MAGs while capturing at least 70% of the metagenomes based on read recruitment. Utilizing different assembly/binning approaches also assist in the reconstruction of unique MAGs from closely related species that would have otherwise collapsed into a single MAG using a single workflow. Overall, our study suggests that leveraging multiple binning approaches with different metaSPAdes co-assembly strategies may be required to maximize the recovery of good-quality MAGs, which more accurately capture the microbial diversity of drinking water samples.
Pathogenic and transcriptomic differences of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants in the Syrian golden hamster model
Authors: O’Donnell Kyle L. , Pinski Amanda N. , Clancy Chad S. , Gourdine Tylisha , Shifflett Kyle , Fletcher Paige , Messaoudi Ilhem , Marzi Andrea
Published: July 2021

Following the discovery of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its rapid spread throughout the world, new viral variants of concern (VOC) have emerged. There is a critical need to understand the impact of the emerging variants on host response and disease dynamics to facilitate the development of vaccines and therapeutics. Syrian golden hamsters are the leading small animal model that recapitulates key aspects of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we show that intranasal inoculation of SARS-CoV-2 into hamsters with the ancestral virus (nCoV-WA1-2020) or VOC first identified in the United Kingdom (B.1.1.7) and South Africa (B.1.351) led to similar gross and histopathologic pulmonary lesions. Although differences in viral genomic copy numbers were noted in the lungs and oral swabs of challenged animals, infectious titers in the lungs were comparable. Antibody neutralization capacities varied, dependent on the original challenge virus and cross-variant protective capacity. Transcriptional profiling indicated significant induction of antiviral pathways in response to all three challenges with a more robust inflammatory signature in response to B.1.1.7. Furthermore, no additional mutations in the spike protein were detected at peak disease. In conclusion, the emerging VOC showed distinct humoral responses and transcriptional profiles in the hamster model compared to the ancestral virus.
Population-based structure modeling reveals key roles of nuclear microenviroment in gene functions
Authors: Yildirim Asli , Hua Nan , Boninsegna Lorenzo , Polles Guido , Gong Ke , Hao Shengli , Li Wenyuan , Zhou Xianghong Jasmine , Alber Frank
Published: July 2021

The nuclear folding of chromosomes relative to nuclear bodies is an integral part of gene function. Here, we demonstrate that population-based modeling—from ensemble Hi-C data—can provide a detailed description of the nuclear microenvironment of genes and its role on gene function. We define the microenvironment by the subnuclear positions of genomic regions with respect to nuclear bodies, local chromatin compaction, and preferences in chromatin compartmentalization. These structural descriptors are determined in single cell models on a genome-wide scale, thereby revealing the structural variability between cells. We demonstrate that the structural microenvironment of a genomic region is linked to its functional potential in gene transcription, replication and chromatin compartmentalization. Some chromatin regions are distinguished by their strong preferences to a single microenvironment, due to associations to specific nuclear bodies in most cells. Other chromatin shows high structural variability, which is a strong indicator of functional heterogeneity. Moreover, we identify specialized nuclear microenvironments, which distinguish chromatin in different functional states and reveal a key role of nuclear speckles in chromosome organization. We demonstrate that our method produces highly predictive 3-dimensional genome structures, which accurately reproduce data from TSA-seq, DamID, GPSeq and super-resolution imaging. Thus, our method considerably expands the range of Hi-C data analysis and is widely applicable.
The contributing factors of intellectual capital disclosures in agriculture and mining sectors of Indonesia and Thailand
Authors: Hatane Saarce Elsye , Tarigan Josua , Kuanda Elenne Stefanie , Cornelius Elizabeth
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the factors affecting intellectual capital disclosure (ICD), especially in the agriculture and mining sectors in Indonesia and Thailand. Additionally, this study discusses the difference in ICD levels between Indonesia and Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample used is companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange and Stock Exchange of Thailand from 2013 to 2017. The method used is a content analysis of 380 annual reports (150 from Thailand and 230 from Indonesia). This study uses a panel regression model. Variables tested are firm size, market shares, minority shareholders, profitability, leverage and the focus on ICD components such as human capital disclosure, structural capital disclosure and relational capital disclosure.

Findings

IC disclosures in financial statements are generally oriented to past events and focus more on the human capital component. Overall, ICDs in Thailand are more qualified than in Indonesia. The findings support the stakeholder and legitimacy theories. It was found that the greater the company’s resources, the higher the quality of disclosure of all intellectual capital (IC) components. Conversely, when associated with the position in the market, companies reduce the disclosures. As the company has gained the government’s legitimacy, management’s passion for revealing more about its ICD is diminishing.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on the agriculture and mining sectors in Indonesia and Thailand. The annual report is the primary medium to observe IC in qualitative and quantitative ways, yet firms would use other means to disclose their IC. This study deploys the content analysis method, in which the determination of scores is based on the researchers’ judgment.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the ICD-related literature by focusing on the agriculture and mining industries and multinational scopes. The ICD valuation is extended to the quality of disclosures, in which numerical and monetary figures also support the disclosures. This study also examined minority shareholders’ role in ICD quality, which is infrequent in ICD literature.
Matching external search strategies with radical and incremental innovation and the role of knowledge integration capability
Authors: Liu Bao
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the differential effects of two external search strategies on radical innovation (RI) and incremental innovation (II) and explore the mediating role of knowledge integration capability (KIC).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the data collected from a sample of 241 firms from Chinese electronic information industry. The author conducted a hierarchical regression analysis using SPSS and PROCESS to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that both external search breadth and depth have positive effects on RI/II performance. The author also found that the effect of search breadth on RI is greater than that on II, and the effect of search depth on RI is less than that on II. Moreover, the author discovered that KIC fully or partially mediates the relationship between external search strategies and RI/II.

Originality/value

The paper provides a finer grained understanding concerning the difference in the impacts of the two external search strategies on RI/II performance. The paper also adds to the existing literature by explaining the path in which external knowledge search influences RI/II through the mediation effect of KIC.
Subordinates’ negative workplace gossip leads to supervisor abuse: based on the conservation of resources theory
Authors: Ye Cunjun , He Bin , Sun Xu
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, this paper aims to explore the potential influence of perceived subordinates’ negative workplace gossip on abusive supervision in China. Moreover, the COR theory helps in examining the mediating role of self-esteem threat and psychological distress and the moderating role of mindfulness on the effects of perceived subordinates’ negative workplace gossip on abusive supervision.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 305 supervisor-subordinate dyads in China using the time-lagged and multi-source methods and hierarchical regression analysis was used to analyze the data.

Findings

Results reveal that perceived subordinates’ negative workplace gossip is positively related to abusive supervision and the relationship is moderated by the supervisor’s traits of mindfulness. In addition, perceived subordinates’ negative workplace gossip has an indirect effect on abusive supervision via self-esteem threat (cognition) and psychological distress (emotion).

Originality/value

The study helps to understand the influence of perceived subordinates’ negative workplace gossip on abusive supervision based on the COR theory. At the same time, it also enriches the understanding of the internal mechanism between perceived subordinates’ negative workplace gossip and abusive supervision.
A numerical modelling investigation of the development of a human cough jet
Authors: Bi Ran , Ali Shady , Savory Eric , Zhang Chao
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims (1) to numerically investigate the characteristics of a human cough jet in a quiescent environment, such as the variation with time of the velocity field, streamwise jet penetration and maximum jet width. Two different turbulence modelling approaches, the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) and large eddy simulation (LES), are used for comparison purposes. (2) To validate the numerical results with the experimental data.

Design/methodology/approach

Two different approaches, the URANS and LES, are used to simulate a human cough jet flow. The numerical results for the velocity magnitude contours and the spatial average of the two-dimensional velocity magnitude over the corresponding particle image velocimetry (PIV) field of view are compared with the relevant PIV measurements. Similarly, the numerical results for the streamwise velocity component at the hot-wire probe location are compared with the hot-wire anemometry (HWA) measurements. Furthermore, the numerical results for the streamwise jet penetration are compared with the data from the previous experimental work.

Findings

Based on the comparison with the URANS approach and the experimental data, the LES approach can predict the temporal development of a human cough jet reasonably well. In addition, the maximum width of the cough jet is found to grow practically linearly with time in the far-field, interrupted-jet stage, while the corresponding axial distance from the mouth of the jet front increases with time in an approximately quadratic manner.

Originality/value

Currently, no numerical study of human cough flow has been conducted using the LES approach due to the following challenges: (1) the computational cost is much higher than that of the URANS approach; (2) it is difficult to specify the turbulent fluctuations at the mouth for the cough jet properly; (3) it is necessary to define the appropriate conditions for the droplets to obtain statistically valid results. Therefore, this work fills this research gap.
The role of library user preferences in the willingness to read and pay for e-books: case of the Czech Republic
Authors: Stejskal Jan , Hajek Petr , Prokop Viktor
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The study aims to analyse library user preferences in the willingness to read and pay for e-books, using a sample of both active readers (users of public library services) and non-users (the general population).

Design/methodology/approach

Two empirical surveys were conducted from August to November of 2019; the research sample consisted of 1,334 users from the Municipal Library of Prague and 1,101 non-users from the general Czech population. The research was focussed on e-book user preferences. The willingness to pay (WTP) for e-book services and the determinants that affect this willingness were also examined.

Findings

The results show the specific approach of Czech readers, whose main determinant of WTP is not the content, but the price and method of its payment (allocation). Some people prefer a cheaper annual lump sum, whereas others may prefer a charge of small regular fees. The decision to pay depends on their reading or payment habits.

Originality/value

This study also aims to clarify the demand for various types of digital media in Czech libraries and the preferred distribution models. Furthermore, the study determines the dependence of the preferences of library users in their WTP for e-books using different evaluation models. The originality of this study is in the evaluation of the determinants of WTP for e-books, which makes this study unique, and the findings should contribute to the expansion of existing knowledge in the field of information science.
Towards evolutionary knowledge representation under the big data circumstance
Authors: Li Xuhui , Liu Liuyan , Wang Xiaoguang , Li Yiwen , Wu Qingfeng , Qian Tieyun
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a graph-based representation approach for evolutionary knowledge under the big data circumstance, aiming to gradually build conceptual models from data.

Design/methodology/approach

A semantic data model named meaning graph (MGraph) is introduced to represent knowledge concepts to organize the knowledge instances in a graph-based knowledge base. MGraph uses directed acyclic graph–like types as concept schemas to specify the structural features of knowledge with intention variety. It also proposes several specialization mechanisms to enable knowledge evolution. Based on MGraph, a paradigm is introduced to model the evolutionary concept schemas, and a scenario on video semantics modeling is introduced in detail.

Findings

MGraph is fit for the evolution features of representing knowledge from big data and lays the foundation for building a knowledge base under the big data circumstance.

Originality/value

The representation approach based on MGraph can effectively and coherently address the major issues of evolutionary knowledge from big data. The new approach is promising in building a big knowledge base.
Examining the mediating role of work-family balance in the core self-evaluations – organizational performance relationship: a multilevel study
Authors: Katou Anastasia
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The relationship between core self-evaluations (CSEs) and organizational performance is yet to be explained. The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of work-family enrichment (WFE), family-work enrichment (FWE) and work-family balance (WFB) in the relationship between CSE and organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from a sample of 2,312 employees working within 188 public and private organizations operating in the current context of the post-2008 economic and financial crises that lasted until up to 2019 in Greece. Multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) analyses were used due to the nested nature of data.

Findings

The results showed that (1) WFE and WFB serially and positively mediate the relationship between CSE and organizational performance; (2) FWE and WFB serially and positively mediate the relationship between CSE and organizational performance; (3) the constructs of the operating framework depend on factors such as gender, working hours, level of education and position of employees in the organizational hierarchy.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected at a short period in 2019, thus, restricting dynamic causal inferences into instant changes. The findings suggest that organizations will benefit from developing WFB policies and practices that can improve organizational performance.

Originality/value

Only a handful of studies have previously examined the relations between CSEs, WFE, WFB and organizational performance in an economic and financial crises environment.
Ethnicity and bank lending before and during COVID-19
Authors: Cowling Marc , Liu Weixi , Conway Elaine
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Using ethnicity as our point of focus, the authors consider the dynamics of the demand for bank loans, and the willingness of banks to supply them, as the UK economy entered the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 with a particular focus on potential behavioural differences on the demand-side and discrimination on the supply-side. In doing so we directly address crisis induced financial concerns and how they played out in the context of ethnicity.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the most recent ten quarterly waves of the UK SME Finance Monitor survey the authors consider whether ethnicity of the business owner impacts on the decision to apply for bank loans in the first instance. The authors then question whether ethnicity influences the banks decision to meet or reject the request for a bank loan.

Findings

The authors’ pre-COVID-19 results show that there were no ethnic differences in loan application and success rates. During COVID-19, both white and ethnic business loan application rates rose significantly, but the scale of this increase was greater for ethnic businesses. The presence of government 100% guaranteed lending also increased general loan success rates, but again the scale of this improvement was greater for ethnic businesses.

Research limitations/implications

The authors show very clearly that differences in the willingness of banks to supply loans to SMEs relate very explicitly to firm specific characteristics and ethnicity either plays no additional role or actually leads to improved loan outcomes. The data is for the UK and for a very unique COVID time which may mean that wider generalisability is unwise.

Practical implications

Ethnic business owners should not worry about lending discrimination or be discouraged from applying for loans.

Social implications

The authors identify at worst no lending discrimination and at best positive ethnic discrimination.

Originality/value

This is one of the largest COVID-19 period studies into the financing of ethnic businesses.
The mitigating role of blockchain-enabled supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Xiong Yangchun , Lam Hugo K.S. , Kumar Ajay , Ngai Eric W.T. , Xiu Chunyu , Wang Xinyue
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Although there have been considerable discussions on the business value of adopting blockchain in supply chains, it is unclear whether such blockchain-enabled supply chains (BESCs) can help firms mitigate the negative impact resulting from the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to answer this important question.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct an event study to quantify the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and compare the differences in such effects between treatment firms that have adopted BESCs and matched control firms that have not adopted BESCs. The authors also perform a regression analysis to examine how the role of BESCs in mitigating COVID-19's negative impact varies across firms with different levels of supply chain leanness and complexity. The analysis is based on 88 treatment firms and 88 matched control firms, all of which are publicly listed on the US stock markets.

Findings

The test results suggest that although both the treatment and control firms are negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the effect is less negative for the treatment firms compared to the control firms, demonstrating the role of BESCs in mitigating the negative impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the mitigating role of BESCs is more pronounced for firms with lean and complex supply chains.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to provide empirical evidence on the mitigating role of BESCs during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of adopting blockchain in supply chains with high uncertainties and disruption risks.
Development of a mini-tribometer for in-situ observation of subsurface and the corresponding experiments
Authors: Li Chen , Wen Heng , Chen Kun , Zhang Longxiao , Xie Ting , Shi Yaru , Zhang Junlong
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a Mini-Tribometer for in-situ observation of subsurface.

Design/methodology/approach

To observe the change of the microstructure during wear in real time, an in-situ observation mini-tribometer was developed according to the requirements of the basic frictional experiments and carried out the verification experiments.

Findings

The subsurface images and the tribological data obtained from the mini-tribometer clearly show that the graphite in the matrix moves to the surface and takes part in lubrication mainly in the form of extrusion and peeling off, and the migration of graphite in the copper-based composite to the frictional interface to act as lubricant and to result in the decrease of the friction coefficient. The experimental results of the developed tribometer are accurate, which can provide important references for further research on the wear mechanism of materials.

Originality/value

The developed in-situ observation mini-tribometer can be used to observe the dynamic wear mechanism of the frictional pairs, which is very important for optimization of material design and tribological performances.
How do interpersonal interaction factors affect buyers' purchase intention in live stream shopping? The mediating effects of swift guanxi
Authors: Chen Hongquan , Zhang Shuhua , Shao Bingjia , Gao Wei , Xu Yujin
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of buyer-seller interpersonal interactions on the purchase intention of buyers, incorporating swift guanxi as a mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on survey data obtained from 336 Taobao Live users, PLS techniques were used to test hypotheses.

Findings

Swift guanxi exists in buyer-seller interactions and matters, as it drives buyers' purchase intention in live stream shopping. Perceived expertise, perceived similarity and perceived likeability are found to be the three essential interpersonal interaction factors promoting the formation of swift guanxi. Perceived familiarity is also found to be significant but to a lesser extent. In addition, all these interpersonal interaction factors are found to significantly affect purchase intention through the mediation of swift guanxi.

Originality/value

Swift guanxi has been less explored in live stream shopping. This study takes the lead in empirically examining the mediating role of swift guanxi in the relationship between interpersonal interaction factors and purchase intention and offers a description of key buyer-seller interpersonal interaction factors (perceived expertise, perceived similarity and perceived likeability), thereby helping to extend the swift guanxi literature in social commerce.
Skill shortage of bricklayers in Scotland
Authors: Lawani Kenneth , McKenzie-Govan Sarah , Hare Billy , Sherratt Fred , Cameron Iain
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study identifies that bricklaying trade has not benefited much from off-site production, and bricklaying has been highlighted as a trade significantly affected by the documented skills shortage in Scotland with 66% of small and medium enterprises reporting difficulties in recruiting bricklayers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used an interpretivistic philosophy adopting the phenomenological qualitative research approach using purposeful sampling technique and semi-structured interviews to allow for emergent themes to develop. The theory of proximal similarity that connects the study’s characteristics and the characteristics of the group under study was adopted.

Findings

Findings from the emergent themes identified issues grouped into key themes such as inconsistency of income, lack of care and self-employed workforce. The sub-themes included the Scottish climate, risk and profit, physical strain and government expectations and the cost of innovation. These were considered in relation to their existing and future implications for the industry.

Research limitations/implications

A wider and more diverse group of industry participants from different parts of Scotland would have made the study more representative.

Practical implications

It is imperative that the Scottish construction industry supports, develops and trains future bricklayers capable of maintaining existing housing stock and to deliver on future construction projects in Scotland.

Originality/value

This study explores the shortage of skilled bricklayers within the Scottish construction sector.
A systematic review of building systems and technologies to mitigate the spread of airborne viruses
Authors: Salman Amna , Sattineni Anoop , Azhar Salman , Leousis Kasia
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to conduct a rigorous systematic literature review and present a summary of building systems and technologies that can be used to mitigate the spread of airborne viruses. With the recent outbreak of COVID-19, occupants’ health and indoor air quality (IAQ) have become a critical issue for facility managers to maintain the full functionality of the buildings. An improved understanding of these available systems will help facility managers and building owners to protect the health and safety of building occupants.

Design/methodology/approach

The PRISMA protocol was used for defining the literature search methodology. The concept mapping technique was used for determining the keywords. The keywords were then used to search for relevant articles using the Scopus database and Google Scholar. A thorough bibliometric analysis and qualitative analysis were conducted for the selected publications.

Findings

It was found that sensor technologies, botanical air-filtration systems and artificial intelligence could be used to effectively monitor and improve IAQ. In addition, natural ventilation is one of the low-cost and effective methods of reducing contaminants from the indoor air. Computational fluid dynamic modeling can be used to understand the flow of virus particles within the building through the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. Several changes to the HVAC system are also discussed.

Originality/value

This study contains a diversity of methods from the existing literature that were systematically selected to present the state-of-the-art building systems and technologies that can effectively improve IAQ. The researchers plan to follow up on the findings of this research and will conduct an empirical study to assess its impact on IAQ.
Do eReferral, eWOM, familiarity and cultural distance predict enrollment intention? An application of an artificial intelligence technique
Authors: Oday Akile , Ozturen Ali , Ilkan Mustafa , Abubakar A. Mohammed
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Little empirical attention has been paid to the effects of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), electronic referral (eReferral), familiarity and cultural distance on behavioral outcomes, especially within the context of educational tourism. Based on the social network theory, this paper aims to explore the effects of eReferral, eWOM, familiarity and cultural distance on enrollment intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data (n= 931) were obtained from educational tourists using a judgmental sampling technique. Linear modeling and artificial intelligence (i.e. artificial neural network [ANN]) techniques were used for training and testing the proposed associations.

Findings

The results suggest that eReferral, eWOM, familiarity and cultural distance predict intention to enroll both symmetrically (linear modeling) and asymmetrically (ANN). The asymmetric modeling possesses greater predictive validity and relevance.

Originality/value

This study contributes theoretically and methodologically to the management literature by validating the proposed relationships and deploying contemporary methods such as the ANN. Implications for practice and theory are discussed.
Cyberbullying detection from tweets using deep learning
Authors: Bharti Shubham , Yadav Arun Kumar , Kumar Mohit , Yadav Divakar
Published: July 2021

Purpose

With the rise of social media platforms, an increasing number of cases of cyberbullying has reemerged. Every day, large number of people, especially teenagers, become the victim of cyber abuse. A cyberbullied person can have a long-lasting impact on his mind. Due to it, the victim may develop social anxiety, engage in self-harm, go into depression or in the extreme cases, it may lead to suicide. This paper aims to evaluate various techniques to automatically detect cyberbullying from tweets by using machine learning and deep learning approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied machine learning algorithms approach and after analyzing the experimental results, the authors postulated that deep learning algorithms perform better for the task. Word-embedding techniques were used for word representation for our model training. Pre-trained embedding GloVe was used to generate word embedding. Different versions of GloVe were used and their performance was compared. Bi-directional long short-term memory (BLSTM) was used for classification.

Findings

The dataset contains 35,787 labeled tweets. The GloVe840 word embedding technique along with BLSTM provided the best results on the dataset with an accuracy, precision and F1 measure of 92.60%, 96.60% and 94.20%, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

If a word is not present in pre-trained embedding (GloVe), it may be given a random vector representation that may not correspond to the actual meaning of the word. It means that if a word is out of vocabulary (OOV) then it may not be represented suitably which can affect the detection of cyberbullying tweets. The problem may be rectified through the use of character level embedding of words.

Practical implications

The findings of the work may inspire entrepreneurs to leverage the proposed approach to build deployable systems to detect cyberbullying in different contexts such as workplace, school, etc and may also draw the attention of lawmakers and policymakers to create systemic tools to tackle the ills of cyberbullying.

Social implications

Cyberbullying, if effectively detected may save the victims from various psychological problems which, in turn, may lead society to a healthier and more productive life.

Originality/value

The proposed method produced results that outperform the state-of-the-art approaches in detecting cyberbullying from tweets. It uses a large dataset, created by intelligently merging two publicly available datasets. Further, a comprehensive evaluation of the proposed methodology has been presented.
Business process reengineering in health-care sector: application for the central sterilization unit
Authors: Dursun Mehtap , Fındık S. Sirin , Goker Nazli
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In a rapidly changing environment, many health-care systems are forced to survive with rising costs and the need for proper resources utilization. To address the requirements for effective strategic planning, business process reengineering (BPR) is inevitable for health-care systems. This study aims to focus on the reengineering of central sterilization unit’s business processes to obtain performance improvement and efficiency. With the obtained new process design, it is expected to get standardization in all level of the central sterilization unit.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a BPR method for modeling the system in health-care sector to improve the productivity of the sterilization process of surgical equipment. The case study is conducted in a large hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. First, “as-is” process is modeled and the problems are determined. Then, solution methods are developed and the target system (to-be process) is redesigned and the workflows of each phase are remodeled by using ARIS tool. Enterprise resource planning (ERP)-driven BPR is used to reengineer the current processes and the future processes are operated through the modeled ERP system. Finally, by using a statistical analysis, performance of the new process is compared with the existing process using the first data obtained from the case hospital.

Findings

In many sterilization services, the control procedures are rarely used. Thus, an ERP solution is developed to automate sterilization tasks and track down the information flow. With the ERP solution, it is possible to track in which dates, where and by whom the items are processed. On the other hand, in the sterilization process, the sets are used efficiently according to the last sterile dates of the items. Also, with the ERP system, it is possible to reduce unnecessary paper usage and this gives the hospitals the opportunity to be more ecological and sustainable. As a result, a centralized sterilization process with an IT support provides efficiency, economy and patient safety.

Originality/value

This study seeks for the potential benefits of an ERP implementation in health-care sector. As a result of this project, improvements in productivity, cost and quality are expected in sterilization processes because the new process design will bring automation, human-related error reduction and equipment tracking system. For this purpose, a business process management software is developed and implemented to the central sterilization unit so that the information flows more safely and the managers can track the results quickly by charts and reports.
Employees' dedication to working from home in times of COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Prodanova Jana , Kocarev Ljupco
Published: July 2021

Purpose

As part of the COVID-19 preventive measures that have entirely impacted individuals' lives worldwide, remote work has been indicated as one of the most challenging aspects that have passed through great adaptation in the past months, highlighting the need for its better understanding. Following the fundamental theoretical frameworks of motivation, the authors argue that remote work tasks and the environment highly determine employees' productivity and satisfaction, which in turn influence their intention to continue working from home once the restrictions are relaxed.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 363 remote work employees were collected, indicating their personal experiences of working from home during COVID-19 quarantine. The analyses were carried out using partial least squares–structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) methodology, employing the SmartPLS3 software.

Findings

The results reveal the possibility for reconciliation and the adequate remote work's flow as motivating, and the interruptions and technology-related anxiety as interfering impacts, in the process of achieving functional home office. However, although employees might be productive, it is not a sufficient condition for them to show an intention to continue working remotely after the COVID-19 pandemic is over, contrary to their satisfaction, which is found crucial for their future intentions.

Originality/value

The theoretical and practical implications of this study suggest several avenues for productive management of the transition to remote work, especially when the need is imposed urgently and an adequate selection of the most indispensable aspects for constructive working from home must be rapidly reached.
Examining police officers’ perceptions of stress: the role of Person−environment fit
Authors: Rief Rachael , Clinkinbeard Samantha
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between officer perceptions of fit in their organization and stress (organizational and operational), overall job satisfaction and turnover contemplation (within the last 6 months).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used cross-sectional survey data from a sample of 832 officers from two Midwest police departments to examine the relationships between fit, stress and work-related attitudes.

Findings

Perceived stress and organizational fit were strong predictors of overall job satisfaction and turnover contemplation; organizational fit accounted for the most variation in stress, satisfaction and turnover contemplation. Organizational stress partially mediated the relationship between organizational fit and job satisfaction and organizational fit and turnover contemplation.

Research Implications

More research is needed to identify predictors of organizational fit perceptions among police officers.

Practical implications

Findings indicate that agencies should pay close attention to the organizational culture and structure when trying to address issues of officer well-being and retention. Further, the person−environment framework can be a useful tool in examining police occupational outcomes.

Originality/value

The authors findings contribute to research on officer stress by exploring perceptions of organizational fit as a predictor of stress and unpackinghowofficer stress matters to important work outcomes, including job satisfaction and thoughts of turnover, by considering stress as a mediator between organizational fit and these work outcomes.
The importance of vision statements for human resource management – functions of human resource management in creating and leveraging vision statements
Authors: Laser Jan
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the connections between vision statements, leadership and human resource management (HRM) to clarify what contribution HRM has to make in translating an organizational goal into a vision statement.

Design/methodology/approach

The importance of vision statements is explained. Empirical data are used to illustrate the failure of many companies to exploit the potential of a vision statement. Finally, the role of HRM in formulating a vision statement is discussed.

Findings

“Vision statement” is another term for primary organizational goal. Setting this primary goal is an indispensable task of leadership. If the vision statement is missing, HRM should remedy the situation.

Originality/value

The added value of this paper lies in explaining why vision statements are relevant for both leadership and HRM and the functions and leading role of HRM in actualizing the vision statement.
Seven years of progress in determining fungal diversity and characterization of fungi isolated from the Japanese Experiment Module KIBO, International Space Station
Authors: Satoh Kazuo , Alshahni Mohamed Mahdi , Umeda Yoshiko , Komori Aya , Tamura Takashi , Nishiyama Yayoi , Yamazaki Takashi , Makimura Koichi
Published: July 2021

The International Space Station (ISS) is a closed facility that orbits the earth carrying not only its crew but also microorganisms. We have participated in microbiota analysis projects for the Japanese Experiment Module KIBO (ISS; operations nomenclature: Microbe‐I, II, III, and IV) and were in charge of fungal screening. The interior of KIBO was sampled using swabs and microbe detection sheets (MDSs) for fungal detection. The dominant genera obtained by culture were Aspergillus and Penicillium. DNA analyses of the fungal biota using a clone library showed that KIBO was dominated by Malassezia, a fungal inhabitant of human skin. Three fungal species, Aspergillus sydowii, Penicillium palitans, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, which grew under microgravity in KIBO were observed under a field emission‐scanning electron microscope on the ground. No novel phenotypic characteristics were noted. The results of antifungal susceptibility testing of all isolates did not differ significantly from previous reports of corresponding fungi. In Microbe‐I (August 2009), MDSs were culture negative, while in the next stages the CFU of MDSs were 10 for Microbe‐II (February 2011), 24 for Microbe‐III (October 2012), and 151 for Microbe‐IV (February 2015). These results indicated that fungi inside KIBO are increasing and expanding over time, and therefore continuous surveillance is crucial.
Rite of passage for care leavers
Authors: Stead Helen
Published: July 2021

This article draws upon work undertaken individually with young people on the cusp of leaving care, focussing on the final therapy session. This is seen as a rite of passage where Fare Well is both “Goodbye” and a message to accompany them as they leave care. The work uses concepts from narrative therapy, in particular outsider witnessing and “co‐research” and general principles of collaborative therapy. Such approaches are used in combination with theories around the importance and development of attachment in children. I seek to demonstrate how developing therapy as a “Secure base/space” is key to engagement and encouraging change with such young people. After outlining the context of this work, each young person's “Fare Well” is discussed separately. The presence of a reflecting partner and accompanying adult is suggested as a way to assist successful engagement and a possible focus for future research.

Practitioner points

Those practitioners working where session numbers are limited may need to be creative in ways to offer the pace and longevity of involvement necessary to gain the trust and engagement of young people in care.

A consistent adult, chosen by the young person, accompanying them in sessions, enhances engagement and promotes change in the network.

The reflecting process provides space for the young person grappling with understanding emotions to untangle and word those feelings.
A critical review on surface modifications mitigating dairy fouling
Authors: Saget Manon , de Almeida Caroline Françolle , Fierro Vanessa , Celzard Alain , Delaplace Guillaume , Thomy Vincent , Coffinier Yannick , Jimenez Maude
Published: July 2021

Thermal treatments performed in food processing industries generate fouling. This fouling deposit impairs heat transfer mechanism by creating a thermal resistance, thus leading to regular shutdown of the processes. Therefore, periodic and harsh cleaning‐in‐place (CIP) procedures are implemented. This CIP involves the use of chemicals and high amounts of water, thus increasing environmental burden. It has been estimated that 80% of production costs are owed to dairy fouling deposit. Since the 1970s, different types of surface modifications have been performed either to prevent fouling deposition (anti‐fouling) or to facilitate removal (fouling‐release). This review points out the impacts of surface modification on type A dairy fouling and on cleaning behaviors under batch and continuous flow conditions. Both types of anti‐fouling and fouling‐release coatings are reported as well as the different techniques used to modify stainless steel surface. Finally, methods for testing and characterising the effectiveness of coatings in mitigating dairy fouling are discussed.
Positive intervention of insoluble dietary fiber from defatted rice bran on hyperlipidemia in high fat diet fed rats
Authors: Liu Qian , Zhao Jieyu , Liu Sushi , Fan Yuchuan , Mei Jiajia , Liu Xuanjiang , Wei Tao
Published: July 2021

Increasing dietary fiber intake is considered to be an effective way to prevent and relieve the diseases associated with high‐income lifestyles. Compared with soluble dietary fiber, comprehensive evaluation about the effects of insoluble dietary fiber on hyperlipidemia is rarely studied. In the present study, the insoluble dietary fiber was extracted from defatted rice bran by enzymatic treatments (IDF‐dRB), followed by investigation about the adsorption and antioxidant activities in vitro. Moreover, the alleviating effects of IDF‐dRB on hyperlipidemia were evaluated and analyzed. As a result, IDF‐dRB possessed good adsorption capacities of glucose and cholesterol, and also exhibited excellent properties in scavenging radicals. Furthermore, intervention with IDF‐dRB significantly improved lipid and glucose metabolism and alleviated inflammation and oxidative stress in rats fed high‐fat diet. It was also observed that IDF‐dRB treatment could recover the decline in species of gut microbiota caused by high fat diet, increase the community richness, and modulate the metabolic function of gut microbiota. In conclusion, the results indicated that IDF‐dRB could ameliorate hyperlipidemia from many aspects and offered some perspectives about the effects of diet intervention with insoluble dietary fiber.

Practical Application

Rice bran and defatted rice bran are coproducts in the rice processing industry and potentially valuable for the preparation of insoluble dietary fiber. Here an insoluble dietary fiber IDF‐dRB was extracted from defatted rice bran and showed good properties in improving lipid and glucose levels, alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress, and modulating gut microbiota in rats fed high‐fat diet, suggesting the potential application in ameliorating hyperlipidemia.