bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local and long-distance organization of prefrontal cortex circuits in the marmoset brain
Authors: Watakabe Akiya , Skibbe Henrik , Nakae Ken , Abe Hiroshi , Ichinohe Noritaka , Rachmadi Muhammad Febrian , Wang Jian , Takaji Masafumi , Mizukami Hiroaki , Woodward Alexander , Gong Rui , Hata Junichi , Van Essen David C. , Okano Hideyuki , Ishii Shin , Yamamori Tetsuo
Published: December 2021

Prefrontal cortex (PFC) has dramatically expanded in primates, but its organization and interactions with other brain regions are only partially understood. We performed high-resolution connectomic mapping of marmoset PFC and found two contrasting corticocortical and corticostriatal projection patterns: “patchy” projections that formed many columns of submillimeter scale in nearby and distant regions and “diffuse” projections that spread widely across the cortex and striatum. Parcellation-free analyses revealed representations of PFC gradients in these projections’ local and global distribution patterns. We also demonstrated column-scale precision of reciprocal cortico-cortical connectivity, suggesting that PFC contains a mosaic of discrete columns. Diffuse projections showed considerable diversity in the laminar patterns of axonal spread. In mice, columnar projections were much less conspicuous, underscoring the importance of the primate model. Altogether, these fine-grained analyses reveal important principles of local and long-distance PFC circuits in marmosets and provide insights into the functional organization of the primate brain.
Vaccine-breakthrough infection by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant elicits broadly cross-reactive immune responses
Authors: Zhou Runhong , To Kelvin Kai-Wang , Peng Qiaoli , Chan Jacky Man-Chun , Huang Haode , Yang Dawei , Lam Bosco Hoi-Shiu , Chuang Vivien Wai-Man , Cai Jian-Piao , Liu Na , Au Ka-Kit , Tsang Owen Tak-Yin , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Chen Zhiwei
Published: December 2021

Highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has posted a new crisis for COVID-19 pandemic control. Within a month, Omicron is dominating over Delta variant in several countries probably due to immune evasion. It remains unclear whether vaccine-induced memory responses can be recalled by Omicron infection. Here, we investigated host immune responses in the first vaccine-breakthrough case of Omicron infection in Hong Kong. We found that the breakthrough infection rapidly recruited potent cross-reactive broad neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against current VOCs, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron, from unmeasurable IC50 values to mean 1:2929 at around 9-12 days, which were higher than the mean peak IC50 values of BioNTech-vaccinees. Cross-reactive spike- and nucleocapsid-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses were detected. Similar results were also obtained in the second vaccine-breakthrough case of Omicron infection. Our preliminary findings may have timely implications to booster vaccine optimization and preventive strategies of pandemic control.
Recent selection is a major force driving cancer evolution
Authors: Gu Langyu , Yang Guofen
Published: December 2021

Cancer is one of the most threatening diseases to humans. Understanding the evolution of cancer genes is helpful for therapy management. However, systematic investigation of the evolution of cancer driver genes is sparse. Using comparative genomic analysis, population genetics analysis and computational molecular evolutionary analysis, we detected the evolution of 568 cancer driver genes of 66 cancer types across the primate phylogeny (long timescale selection), and in modern human populations from the 1000 human genomics project (recent selection). We found that recent selection pressures, rather than long timescale selection, significantly affect the evolution of cancer driver genes in humans. Cancer driver genes related to morphological traits and local adaptation are under positive selection in different human populations. The African population showed the largest extent of divergence compared to other populations. It is worth noting that the corresponding cancer types of positively selected genes exhibited population-specific patterns, with the South Asian population possessing the least numbers of cancer types. This helps explain why the South Asian population usually has low cancer incidence rates. Population-specific patterns of cancer types whose driver genes are under positive selection also give clues to explain discrepancies of cancer incidence rates in different geographical populations, such as the high incidence rate of Wilms tumour in the African population and of Ewing’s sarcomas in the European population. Our findings are thus helpful for understanding cancer evolution and providing guidance for further precision medicine.
Eudesmol-A promising inhibitor for glucosyltransferase: Docking and Molecular dynamics study
Authors: N Shruthi , R Nithyashree , Elumalai Elakkiya , Gupta Krishna Kant
Published: December 2021

The loss of natural teeth can be avoided by invoking the molecular signal behind teeth regeneration. The destruction of the connective tissues is mainly due to bacterial origin which reacts to dental caries, a multifactorial disease. Glycosyl transferase is the enzyme which is involved in the glycosidic linkage. Glucosyltransferase inactivation reduces dental caries. This enzyme is a crucial virulence factor of Streptococcus mutans, a major pathogen that causes dental caries. In this present work, screening was done with library of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules against the crystal structure of the target protein. Based on the predicted binding affinities, small molecules were selected and evaluated for their activity. Further, attempts were done to evaluate the toxicity of the lead compounds and compounds with no toxicity and good binding affinity were subjected for simulation and compared with reference complex. The potential energy of Glycosyl transferase-Eudesmol (proposed compound) (−1500 kj/mol) indicates its higher stability as compared to Glycosyl tranferase-G43 (reference) complex (−1100kj/mol).The inactives and actives compound for Glycosyl transferase was predicted from DeepScreening server.
Importance of linear combination modeling for quantification of Glutathione and GABA levels using Hadamard-edited MRS
Authors: Song Yulu , Zöllner Helge J. , Hui Steve C.N. , Oeltzschner Georg , Prisciandaro James J. , Edden Richard A.E.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Two main approaches are used for spectral analysis of edited data: simple peak fitting and linear combination modeling (LCM) with a simulated basis set. Recent consensus recommended LCM as the method of choice for the spectral analysis of edited data. The aim of this study is to compare the performance of simple peak fitting and LCM in a test-retest dataset, hypothesizing that the more sophisticated LCM approach will improve quantification of HERMES data compared with simple peak fitting.

Methods

A test-retest dataset was re-analyzed using Gannet (simple peak fitting) and Osprey (LCM). These data were obtained from the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex of twelve healthy volunteers, with TE 80 ms for HERMES and TE 120 ms for MEGA-PRESS of glutathione (GSH). Within-subject coefficients of variance (CVs) were calculated to quantify between-scan reproducibility of each metabolite estimate.

Results

The reproducibility of HERMES GSH estimates was substantially improved using LCM compared to simple peak fitting, from a CV of 19.0% to 9.9%. For MEGA-PRESS data, the GSH reproducibility was similar using LCM and simple peak fitting, with CVs of 7.3% and 8.8% respectively.

Conclusion

Linear combination modeling with simulated basis functions substantially improves the reproducibility of GSH quantification for HERMES data.
Effects of carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) on water quality and growth performance of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) in the biofloc system with a salinity of 5‰
Authors: Huang Hai-Hong , Li Chao-Yun , Liang Tao , Lei Yan-Ju , Yang Pin-Hong
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to investigate the effects of carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) on the water quality and shrimp growth performance during the grow-out culture of Litopenaeus vannamei in the biofloc system under a low salinity condition. Three biofloc treatments with an C:N (contained in the inputted feed and carbon source with the assumption that 75% of the feed nitrogen is excreted) of 8:1 (CN8), 16:1 (CN16) and 24:1 (CN24), respectively, were designed to stocking shrimp juveniles (~ 0.8 g) at a density of 270 individuals m-3, for a 63-days culture experiment at a salinity of about 5‰. Results showed that in CN8 treatment, the levels of pH (6.9±0.1), carbonate alkalinity (104.0±2.8mg L-1 CaCO3), biofloc volume (4.8±0.9mL L-1) and TSS (327.4±24.4mg L-1) were significantly lower than those in the other two treatments (≥7.6±0.3, ≥157.6±21.6mg L-1 CaCO3, ≥24.1±3.7mL L-1 and ≥508.1±32.3mg L-1, P<0.05); whereas the levels of TAN (7.1±0.9mg L-1), nitrite (14.0±3.6mg L-1) and nitrate (77.0±5.0mg L-1) were significantly higher than those in the other treatments (≤2.0±0.6mg L-1, ≤4.9±3.1mg L-1 and ≤14.7±5.9mg L-1, P<0.05). The zootechnical parameters of shrimp were not significantly different between three treatments (P>0.05), except that the survival rates in CN16 treatment (96.8±2.0%) and CN24 treatment (93.7±4.2%) were significantly higher than that of CN8 treatment (81.5±6.4%, P<0.05). The results indicated that an inputted C:N higher than 16:1 was suitable for the biofloc system with a low salinity of 5‰, with an optimal inferred C:N range of 18.5-21.0:1 for water quality and growth performance.
Moving bar of light evokes vectorial spatial selectivity in the immobile rat hippocampus
Authors: Purandare Chinmay S. , Dhingra Shonali , Rios Rodrigo , Vuong Cliff , To Thuc , Hachisuka Ayaka , Choudhary Krishna , Mehta Mayank R.
Published: December 2021

Visual cortical neurons encode the position and motion direction of specific stimuli retrospectively, without any locomotion or task demand1. Hippocampus, a part of visual system, is hypothesized to require self-motion or cognitive task to generate allocentric spatial selectivity that is scalar, abstract2,3, and prospective4–7. To bridge these seeming disparities, we measured rodent hippocampal selectivity to a moving bar of light in a body-fixed rat. About 70% of dorsal CA1 neurons showed stable activity modulation as a function of the bar’s angular position, independent of behavior and rewards. A third of tuned cells also encoded the direction of revolution. In other experiments, neurons encoded the distance of bar, with preference for approaching motion. Collectively, these demonstrate visually evoked vectorial selectivity (VEVS). Unlike place cells, VEVS was retrospective. Changes in the visual stimulus or its trajectory did not cause remapping but only caused gradual changes. Most VEVS tuned neurons behaved like place cells during spatial exploration and the two selectivity were correlated. Thus, VEVS could form the basic building block of hippocampal activity. When combined with self-motion, reward, or multisensory stimuli8, it can generate the complexity of prospective representations including allocentric space9, time10,11, and episodes12.
Traumatic brain injury alters dendritic cell differentiation and distribution in lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs
Authors: Tsymbalyuk Orest , Gerzanich Volodymyr , Simard J Marc , Rathinam Chozha Vendan
Published: December 2021

Pathophysiological consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) mediated secondary injury remain incompletely understood. In particular, the impact of TBI on the differentiation and maintenance of dendritic cells (DCs), remains completely unknown. Here, we report that DC-differentiation, maintenance and functions are altered at both early and late phases of TBI. Our studies identify that; 1. frequencies and absolute numbers of DCs in the spleen and BM are altered at both acute and late phases of TBI; 2. surface expression of key molecules involved in antigen presentation of DCs were affected both at early and late phases of TBI; 3. distribution and functions of tissue-specific DC subsets of both circulatory and lymphatic systems were imbalanced following TBI; 4. early differentiation program of DCs, especially the commitment of hematopoietic stem cells to common DC progenitors, were deregulated after TBI; and 5. intracellular ROS levels were reduced in DC progenitors and differentiated DCs at both early and late phases of TBI. Our data demonstrate, for the first time, that TBI affects the distribution pattern of DCs and induces an imbalance among DC subsets in both lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs. In addition, the current study demonstrates that TBI results in reduced levels of ROS in DCs at both early and late phases of TBI, which may explain altered DC differentiation paradigm following TBI. A deeper understanding on the molecular mechanisms that contribute to DC defects following TBI would be essential and beneficial in treating infections in patients with acute central nervous system (CNS) injuries.
Farmers' perception and preference of Islamic Banking in Turkey
Authors: Bulut Mehmet , Celik Harun
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence farmers' preference for the use of Islamic banks in Turkey and to investigate their knowledge level and perception about Islamic finance.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data used in this study is obtained by drawing a sample of 1902 farmers who are members of the Agricultural Credit Cooperatives Union (ACCU) from 37 provinces of Turkey. Pearson's Chi-square test is used to analyze the association between the demographic features of farmers, conventional bank usage and Islamic bank usage. Binary logistic regression model is used to estimate the factors influencing the preference for Islamic banks. Explanatory variables include knowledge on Islamic banking and finance, perception of compliance to religion, saving ability and cost concern along with the control variables of Islamic bank branch number in the region and age of respondent. Robustness check is conducted via alternative models using ordinary least squares (OLS) and logistic regression.

Findings

Less than 10% of the participant farmers use Islamic banks and 59% declare they know nothing about Islamic banking. Age, education level, income level, nonagricultural income level, saving ability, duration of working in agriculture, land size and region are significantly related to farmers' preference of using Islamic banks. Knowledge level, perception of religious compliance, saving ability and cost concern are statistically significant factors that influence the probability of using Islamic banks.

Research limitations/implications

This study does not include the analysis of the relationship between being religious and using Islamic banks because questions related to the assessment of religious practice were excluded due to the ACCU's sensitivity to investigate personal beliefs. Therefore, future studies can expand the scope of this research by investigating religiousness. The sample is chosen from the ACCU members who are already benefiting from a formal source of credit; therefore, the results should not be attributed to all farmers.

Practical implications

Islamic banks and microfinance institutions' further engagement in the agricultural sector and ACCU's implementation of Islamic finance instruments.

Social implications

Islamic banks' further diversification in the agricultural sector and ACCU's implementation of Islamic finance instruments.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper is the first to investigate the farmers' perception and preference of Islamic banking in Turkey. The sample size of 1902 is much larger and geographically diversified compared to studies in agricultural finance. This study will be valuable for the agricultural finance empirical studies in Turkey as well as an important addition to the emerging literature on Islamic finance.
Some results on quadratic credibility premium using the balanced loss function
Authors: Metiri Farouk , Zeghdoudi Halim , Saadoun Ahmed
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper generalizes the quadratic framework introduced by Le Courtois (2016) and Sumpf (2018), to obtain new credibility premiums in the balanced case, i.e. under the balanced squared error loss function. More precisely, the authors construct a quadratic credibility framework under the net quadratic loss function where premiums are estimated based on the values of past observations and of past squared observations under the parametric and the non-parametric approaches, this framework is useful for the practitioner who wants to explicitly take into account higher order (cross) moments of past data.

Design/methodology/approach

In the actuarial field, credibility theory is an empirical model used to calculate the premium. One of the crucial tasks of the actuary in the insurance company is to design a tariff structure that will fairly distribute the burden of claims among insureds. In this work, the authors use the weighted balanced loss function (WBLF, henceforth) to obtain new credibility premiums, and WBLF is a generalized loss function introduced by Zellner (1994) (see Gupta and Berger (1994), pp. 371-390) which appears also in Dey et al. (1999) and Farsipour and Asgharzadhe (2004).

Findings

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest and the funding information is not applicable.

Research limitations/implications

This work is motivated by the following: quadratic credibility premium under the balanced loss function is useful for the practitioner who wants to explicitly take into account higher order (cross) moments and new effects such as the clustering effect to finding a premium more credible and more precise, which arranges both parts: the insurer and the insured. Also, it is easy to apply for parametric and non-parametric approaches. In addition, the formulas of the parametric (Poisson–gamma case) and the non-parametric approach are simple in form and may be used to find a more flexible premium in many special cases. On the other hand, this work neglects the semi-parametric approach because it is rarely used by practitioners.

Practical implications

There are several examples of actuarial science (credibility).

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors used the WBLF and a quadratic adjustment to obtain new credibility premiums. More precisely, the authors construct a quadratic credibility framework under the net quadratic loss function where premiums are estimated based on the values of past observations and of past squared observations under the parametric and the non-parametric approaches, this framework is useful for the practitioner who wants to explicitly take into account higher order (cross) moments of past data.
A systematic literature review of open innovation in small and medium enterprises in the past decade
Authors: Sikandar Huma , Abdul Kohar Umar Haiyat
Published: December 2021

Purpose

There is a growing trend of open innovation (OI) in small and middle enterprises (SMEs) these days, yet the implementation of OI in SMEs is a challenge because of their financial and resource constraints. This study aims to identify and analyze the past trends, barriers and outcomes and major factors influencing the implementation of OI in SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

This review is based on 40 published articles from the Scopus database. It selects highly cited papers published from 2010 to 2019. The PRISMA statement template is used to explain the overall process of selection and rejections of the relevant articles.

Findings

The study contributes in two ways. First, through a comprehensive literature review, the authors highlight the overall development of the concept of OI in the literature over the past 10 years and highlight the findings of the significant studies. Second, the authors provide detailed representations of the OI literature by calculating yearly publications and identifying the SMEs which mostly implement OI practices, journals that publish a relevant article, OI-related publications in different disciplines and geographical locations in which most of the OI studies have been conducted. The study also reveals the most cited articles, journals and authors.

Originality/value

The authors conclude this paper with the argument that although much research has been done in the OI field, still there is a need to establish tools, models and methods that could facilitate SMEs in OI, especially for developing economies.
Negative grey relational model and measurement of the reverse incentive effect of fields medal
Authors: Liu Sifeng
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct some negative grey relational analysis models to measure the relationship between reverse sequences.

Design/methodology/approach

The definition of reverse sequence has been given at first based on analysis of relative position and change trend of sequences. Then, several different negative grey relational analysis models, such as the negative grey similarity relational analysis model, the negative grey absolute relational analysis model, the negative grey relative relational analysis model, the negative grey comprehensive relational analysis model and the negative Deng’s grey relational analysis model have been put forward based on the corresponding common grey relational analysis models. The properties of the new models have been studied.

Findings

The negative grey relational analysis models proposed in this paper can solve the problem of relationship measurement of reverse sequences effectively. All the new negative grey relational degree satisfying the requirements of normalization and reversibility.

Practical implications

The proposed negative grey relational analysis models can be used to measure the relationship between reverse sequences. As a living example, the reverse incentive effect of winning Fields Medal on the research output of winners is measured based on the research output data of the medalists and the contenders using the proposed negative grey relational analysis model.

Originality/value

The definition of reverse sequence and the negative grey similarity relational analysis model, the negative grey absolute relational analysis model, the negative grey relative relational analysis model, the negative grey comprehensive relational analysis model and the negative Deng’s grey relational analysis model are first proposed in this paper.
Analysis of turbulent wall jet impingement onto a moving heated body
Authors: Coşanay Hakan , Öztop Hakan F. , Gür Muhammed , Bakır Eda
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to make a numerical analysis of a wall jet with a moving wall attached with a heated body. The hot body is cooled via impinging wall jet. Thus, a jet cooling problem is modeled. The Reynolds number is taken in three different values between 5 × 103 ≤ Re ≤ 15 × 103. The h/H ratio for each value of the Re number was taken as 0.02, 0.04 and 0.0, respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

Two-dimensional impinged wall jet problem onto a moving body on a conveyor is numerically studied. The heated body is inserted onto an adiabatic moving wall, and it moves in +x direction with the wall. Governing equations for turbulent flow are solved by using the finite element method via analysis and system Fluent R2020. A dynamic mesh was produced to simulate the moving hot body.

Findings

The obtained results showed that the heat transfer (HT) is decreased with distance between the jet outlet and the jet inlet. The best HT occurred for the parameters of h/H = 0.02 and Re = 15 × 103. Also, HT can be controlled by changing the h/H ratio as a passive method.

Originality/value

Originality of this work is to make an analysis of turbulent flow and heat transfer for wall jet impinging onto a moving heated body.
Employee onboarding and satisfaction in US manufacturing companies
Authors: Kirchner Michael , Stull Faith
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify primary issues related to employee onboarding and satisfaction in US-based manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 19 focus groups using semi-structured interviews with senior management, middle management, tenured employees and new employees were conducted with personnel from five manufacturing companies located in the Midwest USA. Onboarding procedures, training manuals, employee satisfaction surveys and performance evaluations were subsequently reviewed.

Findings

Insufficient onboarding, poor communication and a perceived lack of support were reported as satisfaction concerns by manufacturing employees. In addition, management had vastly differing perspectives regarding the work environment when responses were contrasted with those from new or tenured employees.

Originality/value

This paper reveals contributing factors that influence satisfaction early and throughout an employee’s tenure with small- to medium-sized US manufacturing companies.
An automated deep learning based pancreatic tumor diagnosis and classification model using computed tomography images
Authors: Lakkshmanan Ajanthaa , Ananth C. Anbu , S. Tiroumalmouroughane S. Tiroumalmouroughane
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The advancements of deep learning (DL) models demonstrate significant performance on accurate pancreatic tumor segmentation and classification.

Design/methodology/approach

The presented model involves different stages of operations, namely preprocessing, image segmentation, feature extraction and image classification. Primarily, bilateral filtering (BF) technique is applied for image preprocessing to eradicate the noise present in the CT pancreatic image. Besides, noninteractive GrabCut (NIGC) algorithm is applied for the image segmentation process. Subsequently, residual network 152 (ResNet152) model is utilized as a feature extractor to originate a valuable set of feature vectors. At last, the red deer optimization algorithm (RDA) tuned backpropagation neural network (BPNN), called RDA-BPNN model, is employed as a classification model to determine the existence of pancreatic tumor.

Findings

The experimental results are validated in terms of different performance measures and a detailed comparative results analysis ensured the betterment of the RDA-BPNN model with the sensitivity of 98.54%, specificity of 98.46%, accuracy of 98.51% and F-score of 98.23%.

Originality/value

The study also identifies several novel automated deep learning based approaches used by researchers to assess the performance of the RDA-BPNN model on benchmark dataset and analyze the results in terms of several measures.
Regulatory focus and construal level theory on low-income consumer indebtedness: Evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Campos Patrícia de Oliveira , Costa Marconi Freitas da
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to further analyse the decision-making process of low-income consumer from an emerging market by verifying the influence of regulatory focus and construal level theory on indebtedness.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental study was carried out with a design 2 (regulatory focus: promotion vs prevention) × 2 (psychological distance: high vs low) between subjects, with 140 low-income consumers.

Findings

Our study points out that the propensity towards indebtedness of low-income consumer is higher in a distal psychological distance. We found that promotion and prevention groups have the same propensity to indebtedness. Moreover, we highlight that low-income consumers are prone to propensity to indebtedness due to taking decisions focused on the present with an abstract mindset.

Social implications

Financial awareness advertisements should focus on providing more concrete strategies in order to reduce decision-making complexity and provide ways to reduce competing situations that could deplete self-regulation resources. Also, public policy should organize educational programs to increase the low-income consumer's ability to deal with personal finances and reduce this task complexity. Finally, educational financial programs should also incorporate psychology professionals to teach mindfulness techniques applied to financial planning.

Originality/value

This study is the first to consider regulatory focus and construal level to explain low-income indebtedness. This paper provides a deeper analysis of the low-income consumers' decision process. Also, it supports and guides future academic and decision-making efforts.
How do foreign customers' perceptions of product-harm crises affect their transfer of capability- and character-based stigma?
Authors: Xue Rui , Qian Gongming , Qian Zhengming , Li Lee
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Customers often trace a product-harm crisis to the deviant firm's capability- or character-relevant issues. This study examines how capability- and character-based stigma associated with product-harm crises influence foreign customers' product preferences (i.e. brand affect and purchase intention) for other firms from the same country of origin.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative survey data are used to test hypotheses with a structural equation model.

Findings

The authors find that negative capability judgment significantly affects foreign customers' product preferences for other firms from the same country of origin, whereas negative character judgment does not. However, customers' national animosity and product knowledge moderate the stigma spillover effects. Specifically, national animosity and product knowledge weaken the spillover effects of capability-based stigma but strengthen those of character-based stigma.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could examine strategies for uninvolved firms to avoid the stigma-by-association effect. Moreover, due to the lack of resources to collect data, this study does not investigate how customers' generalized favorability and familiarity with crisis-stricken firms and uninvolved firms moderate the stigma-by-association effect.

Originality/value

The findings of this study advance our knowledge on product-harm crises and the stigma-by-association effect.
Public librarians' perception of their professional role and the library's role in supporting the public sphere: a multi-country comparison
Authors: Johnston Jamie , Pálsdóttir Ágústa , Mierzecka Anna , Audunson Ragnar Andreas , Hobohm Hans-Christoph , Rydbeck Kerstin , Tóth Máté , Hvenegaard Rasmussen Casper , Jochumsen Henrik , Khosrowjerdi Mahmood , Evjen Sunniva
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The overarching aim of this article is to consider to what extent the perceptions of librarians in Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Poland and Sweden reflect a unified view of their professional role and the role of their institutions in supporting the formation of the public sphere and to what extent the variations reflect national contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The multi-country comparison is based on online questionnaires. The central research questions are how do librarians legitimize the use of public resources to uphold a public library service? How do librarians perceive the role of public libraries as public spaces? How do librarians perceive their professional role and the competencies needed for it? Consideration is given to how the digital and social turns are reflected in the responses.

Findings

The results show evidence of a unified professional culture with clear influences from national contexts. A key finding is that librarians see giving access as central for both legitimizing library services and for the library's role as a public sphere institution. Strong support is shown for the social turn in supporting the formation of the public sphere while the digital turn appears to be a future challenge; one of seemingly increased importance due to the pandemic.

Research limitations/implications

This study shows that libraries across the seven countries have expanded beyond simply providing public access to their book-based collections and now serve as social, learning and creative spaces: both in the physical library and digitally. Qualitative research is needed concerning librarians' notions of public libraries and librarianship, which will provide a more in-depth understanding of the changing professional responsibilities and how public libraries recruit the associated competencies.

Originality/value

The article provides a much needed insight into how librarians perceive the role of public libraries in supporting the formation of the public sphere and democratic processes, as well as their own role.
Quality management system in higher education institutions and its impact on students' employability with the mediating effect of industry–academia collaboration
Authors: Abbas Jawad , Kumari Kalpina , Al-Rahmi Waleed Mugahed
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Based on the principles of the human capital theory, this study investigates the role of the quality management system (QMS) in higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing successful employability attributes among graduates. Considering industry as a prominent stakeholder in academia, the authors took industry–academia collaboration as the mediating variable.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the European Foundation for Quality Management model, the author analyzed how QMS in public HEIs located in London, the United Kingdom (UK), impacts business management, computer science and engineering students' employability. Following the nonprobability convenience sampling technique, this study included data from 324 local and international students.

Findings

The structural analysis identified QMS as a significant factor in enhancing students' employability, and industry–academia collaboration is found to act as a partial mediator in this relationship.

Originality/value

The management of HEIs in developing countries can take valuable guidelines from this study and integrate QMS in their institutions in developing their students' employability, as it is being done by HEIs in the UK.
Linking the past and the present: service users’ perspectives of how adverse experiences relate to their admission to forensic mental health services
Authors: Cartwright Jessica , Lawrence Daniel , Hartwright Christopher
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to explore how forensic mental health service users make sense of their past adverse experiences. Secondly, it aimed to explore whether service users considered their adverse experiences to be related to their current stay in a forensic mental health setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyse interviews with eight service users in low and medium secure care. Six of the participants were male and two were female.

Findings

Four super-ordinate themes emerged from the data: “Living amongst adversity”; “Managing adverse experiences”; “Making sense of going into secure care”; and “Coping with the past in the present”. All participants referred to multiple adverse experiences throughout their lives and used harmful coping strategies to manage these. Individual differences in how they related their past experiences to their detention in secure care were evident.

Practical implications

Author guidelines state that this section is optional. Implications for clinical practice are discussed at length in the discussion section.

Originality/value

This study offers an insight into the way in which forensic mental health service users make sense of their past traumas in relation to their current admission to secure services. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no research has previously addressed this from the perspective of service users.
Factors influencing stakeholder’s judgment on internal audit function’s effectiveness and reliance
Authors: Ashfaq Khurram , Rehman Shafique Ur , Haq Moeez Ul , Usman Muhammad
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the effectiveness and reliability of the performance of internal auditor by the stakeholders for their decision making. The absence of rules and regulations generates the debate that the non-standard reporting of the assessment of the internal controls system’s assessment by internal auditor and reliance by the external auditor.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the mixed-method (triangulation) for the analysis quantitative data was used for regression with Smart PLS 3.2.8, and the qualitative data was used to prove and strengthen the results. The data is collected for five IVs (Objectivity of IAF, Work Performance, Competence, Internal Control System’s Assessment and Sourcing of IAF) and their impact on two DVs (Effectiveness and Reliance). This study used five areas as the target audience (Internal Auditor, External Auditor, Professional bodies, Shareholders, SECP and SBP). A total of 150 respondents were approached and received a valid response of 98 respondents.

Findings

The study explores the positive relationship between Objectivity of IAF, Work Performance, Competence, Sourcing of IAF on Effectiveness and Reliance. Internal Control System’s Assessment having significant relation with Effectiveness and non-significant with reliance because the absence of rules makes it unreliable for stakeholders.

Originality/value

The study found that the system for reporting the internal control needs rules and regulations advancement on the immediate basis for the betterment and safeguard of stakeholders to avoid the events like WorldCom and ENRON.
Should knowledge management in organizations be rebranded?
Authors: Nakash Maayan , Bouhnik Dan
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relevance of the term “knowledge management” (KM) in the organizational context, and deliberates whether there is a need for rebranding of this field. It also enriches the understanding regarding the appropriateness of the term “KM,” which was chosen to represent the discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a qualitative research methodology, and a case study approach was followed by conducting 19 semi-structured in-depth interviews with international KM experts working in a global consulting firm. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis method based on the grounded theory approach.

Findings

The findings provide empirical evidence that attempts are being made to move away from the label “KM” in certain knowledge-intensive organizations. This study sheds light on the challenges associated with this term, which leads some to believe that the name of the discipline needs to change.

Originality/value

The present pioneering research contributes to empirical knowledge through investigation of an unexplored scientific field. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, for the first time, its uniqueness can be established by the fact that the opinions of KM professionals are being heard regarding the “KM” label, as well as the need for a rebranding of this discipline in the organizational context. From a practical and strategic perspective, this study suggests that the research community and practitioners pay attention to attempts to shift away from the existing title identified in organizational practice.
A plea for responsible and inclusive knowledge management at the world level
Authors: Durst Susanne
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This essay aims to draw attention to the idea of a new research approach to knowledge management (KM) labelled responsible KM (rKM) as a possible answer to not only address the consequences of the pandemic but also other present and upcoming societal challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

This essay has been prepared by a KM researcher who shares their own personal views and opinion regarding past and current societal developments and based on that offers a potentially new KM direction.

Findings

Switching the focus to rKM may help address current and upcoming social challenges that can only be addressed jointly by the global community and which would also involve a new consideration of the “knowledge” resource.

Originality/value

The essay proposes a new alternative approach to KM called rKM that is based on ideas that to the author’s knowledge have not been discussed in this way in the contemporary literature on KM.
The effects of medium and sequence on personality trait assessments in face‐to‐face and videoconference selection interviews: Implications for HR analytics
Authors: Michelotti Marco , McColl Rod , Puncheva‐Michelotti Petya , Clarke Ronald , McNamara Tom
Published: December 2021

Adoption of new technology to support selection interviews may distort the validity of source data in HR analytics, with implications for Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms used to assess candidates' personality traits. Using a field experiment with real selection interviews, we compare two common selection interview modes—Face‐to‐Face and videoconference, to evaluate their impact on personality trait assessments. Our findings indicate that candidates scored more highly on agreeableness, openness, extroversion, and conscientiousness, but lower on neuroticism, during a Face‐to‐Face interview compared with videoconference. There was also greater variation in personality ratings when interview sequence commenced with videoconference followed by Face‐to‐Face, compared with the reverse order. Our results suggest that Face‐to‐Face followed by videoconference provide a less distorted assessment of personality traits than videoconference followed by Face‐to‐Face. This study also contributes to practical and academic debates centred on human and AI selection practices and the use of data analytics in HR processes.
Living Amid the Royal Ruins: Women and Property in Eighteenth‐Century Whitehall
Authors: Learmouth Juliet
Published: December 2021

Following a devastating fire in 1698, the site of Whitehall Palace was gradually transformed into an elite residential neighbourhood as courtiers, politicians and wealthy widows competed to acquire building leases on plots of land amid the royal ruins. Despite the insecurity inherent in the Crown lease system, these aristocrats often invested considerable sums in the construction and maintenance of town houses on the site. Scholars have tended to prioritise the experiences of men in relation to this area, but this article shows that a significant proportion of Whitehall's residents were wealthy women. By foregrounding the experiences of these women, it offers a new perspective on both the advantages and challenges associated with inhabiting this richly historic site.
‘Bequeathed unto My Daughter […] Slaves’: Women, Slavery and Property in the Eighteenth‐Century Atlantic
Authors: Barnett‐Woods Victoria
Published: December 2021

With supporting documentation provided by wills and probate records, this article examines three lives of mixed‐heritage women who have inherited land and enslaved peoples in the Caribbean. Two of the women, Ann Wright Maitland and Judith Philip, were of considerable wealth and had moved across the Atlantic to England. Less well known is Dorothy Bennett, who was not only granted slaves but importantly her freedom at the time of her father's death. Discussing the lives of Ann Wright, Judith Philip and Dorothy Bennett is demonstrative of the intersectionality of women, property and enslavement in the colonial Caribbean. This article hopes to challenge some of the assumptions made about female slave‐ownership in the Atlantic but also points to the circumstances that faced mixed‐heritage women when they became enslavers.
‘An Old Maid in a House Is the Devil’: Single Women and Landed Estate Management in Eighteenth‐Century England
Authors: Shields Sarah
Published: December 2021

This article examines the impact of singleness on elite women's experiences of landed estate management in eighteenth‐century England. Through extensive archival research, the article argues that singleness directly impacted women's relationships with landed estates and their ability to manage and shape their physical landscape. The article reveals that single women were overseeing the management of vast family estates: work that too often went unrewarded in their own lifetime and unrecognised in subsequent estate histories, due in large part to their unmarried status. It offers a fresh understanding of landed estates and will be of interest to historians and historical geographers alike.
The Coupled Effects of Dryness and Non‐condensable Gas Content of Geothermal Fluid on the Power Generation Potential of an Enhanced Geothermal System
Authors: LI Tailu , LI Xuelong , JIA Yanan , GAO Xiang
Published: December 2021

The Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) is a recognized geothermal exploitation system for hot dry rock (HDR), which is a rich resource in China. In this study, a numerical simulation method is used to study the effects of geothermal fluid dryness and non‐condensable gas content on the specific enthalpy of geothermal fluid. Combined with the organic Rankine cycle (ORC), a numerical model is established to ascertain the difference in power generation caused by geothermal fluid dryness and non‐condensable gas content. The results show that the specific enthalpy of geothermal fluid increases with the increase of geothermal fluid temperature and geothermal fluid dryness. If the dryness of geothermal fluid is ignored, the estimation error will be large for geothermal fluid enthalpy. Ignoring non condensable gas will increase the estimation of geothermal fluid enthalpy, so the existence of the non‐condensable gas tends to reduce the installed capacity of a geothermal power plant. Additionally, both mass flow of the working medium and net power output of the ORC power generation system are increased with increasing dryness of geothermal fluid, however there is some impact of geothermal fluid dryness on thermal efficiency.
Fracture Characteristics and Heat Accumulation of Jixianian Carbonate Reservoirs in the Rongcheng Geothermal Field, Xiong'an New Area
Authors: WANG Yingjin , MA Feng , XIE Heping , WANG Guiling , WANG Zhihe
Published: December 2021

Geothermal energy plays an important role in urban construction of the Xiong'an New Area. Geothermal reservoir fracture distribution of the Mesoproterozoic Jixianian Wumishan Formation (Fm.) carbonate reservoir in the Rongcheng geothermal field are evaluated based on FMI log from Wells D19 and D21. The results show carbonate reservoir fracture density of Well D19 is 15.2/100 m, greater than that of Well D21 with a value of 9.2/100 m. Reservoir porosity and permeability of Well D19 are better than that of Well D21, and the water saturation is bimodally distributed. The movable fluid volume ratio (BVM) of Well D19 is 2% to 8% with some zones exceeding 20%, while the value of Well D21 is less than 4%. Therefore, reservoir fractures in Well D19 are more conducive to fluid flow. Reservoir fractures have a similar occurrence to normal faults, indicating that the tensile stress field controlled the formation of such fractures. Developed reservoir fractures provide a good channel for groundwater convection. The circulation of regional groundwater and the heat exchange between water and rock and the multiple heat accumulation patterns form a stable and high potential heat reservoir in the Rongcheng geothermal field.