bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Missed opportunities of flu vaccination in Italian target categories: insights from the online EPICOVID 19 survey
Authors: Giacomelli Andrea , Galli Massimo , Maggi Stefania , Pagani Gabriele , Incalzi Raffaele Antonelli , Pedone Claudio , di Bari Mauro , Noale Marianna , Trevisan Caterina , Bianchi Fabrizio , Tavio Marcello , Andreoni Massimo , Mastroianni Claudio , Sojic Aleksandra , Prinelli Federica , Adorni Fulvio
Published: October 2020

We aimed to assess the reported rate of flu vaccination in the season 2019/2020 in respondents to the Italian nationwide online EPICOVID 19 survey. A national convenience sample of volunteers aged 18 or older was assessed between 13th April and 2nd June 2020. Flu vaccine rates were calculated for all classes of age. The association between the independent variables and the flu vaccine was assessed by applying a multivariable binary logistic regression model. Of the 198,822 respondents 41,818 (21.0%) reported to have received a flu vaccination shot during the last influenza season. In particular, 15,009 (53.4%) subjects aged 65 years or older received a flu vaccination shot. Being 65 years aged or older (aOR 3.06, 95%CI 2.92-3.20) and having a high education level (aOR 1.34. 95%CI 1.28-1.41) were independently associated to flu vaccination. Heart and lung diseases were the morbidities associated with the higher odds of being vaccinated [aOR 1.97 (95%CI 1.86-2.09) and aOR 1.92 (95%CI 1.84-2.01), respectively]. Nursing home residents aged ≥ 65 years showed a lower odds of being vaccinated [aOR 0.39 (95%CI 0.28-0.54)]. Our data claims for an urgent public heath effort to fill the gap of missed vaccination opportunities reported in the past flu seasons.
In vivo amygdala nuclei volumes in schizophrenia and bipolar disorders
Authors: Barth Claudia , Nerland Stener , de Lange Ann-Marie G. , Wortinger Laura A. , Hilland Eva , Andreassen Ole A. , Jørgensen Kjetil N. , Agartz Ingrid
Published: October 2020

Background

Abnormalities in amygdala volume are well-established in schizophrenia and commonly reported in bipolar disorders. However, the specificity of volumetric differences in individual amygdala nuclei is largely unknown.

Methods

Patients with schizophrenia disorders (SCZ, n=452, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective and other psychotic disorders, mean age 30.7±9.2 (SD), females 44.4%), bipolar disorders (BP, n=316, including bipolar I and II, 33.7±11.4, 58.5%) and healthy controls (n=753, 34.1±9.1, 40.9%) underwent T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Total amygdala and nuclei volumes as well as intracranial volume (ICV) were estimated with Freesurfer (v6.0.0). Analysis of covariance and multiple linear regression models, adjusting for age, age2, ICV and sex, were fitted to examine diagnostic group and subgroup differences in volume, respectively.

Results

Bilateral total amygdala and all nuclei volumes, except the medial and central nuclei, were significantly smaller in patients relative to controls. The largest effect sizes were found for the basal nucleus, accessory basal nucleus and cortico-amygdaloid transition area (partial η2 > 0.02). The diagnostic subgroup analysis showed that reductions in amygdala nuclei volume were most widespread in schizophrenia, with the lateral, cortical, paralaminar and central nuclei being solely reduced in this disorder. The right accessory basal nucleus was marginally smaller in SCZ relative to BP (t = 2.32, p = 0.05).

Conclusions

Our study is the first to demonstrate distinct patterns of amygdala nuclei volume reductions in a well-powered sample of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Volume differences in the basolateral complex (lateral, basal, accessory basal nuclei) may be putative neuroimaging markers for differentiating schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.
Potential Spreading Dynamics of COVID-19 with Temporary Immunity – A Mathematical Modeling Study
Authors: Shayak B , Sharma Mohit M
Published: October 2020

COVID-19 is caused by a hitherto nonexistent pathogen, hence the immune response to the disease is currently unknown. Studies conducted over the past few weeks have found that the antibody titre levels in the blood plasma of infected patients decrease over time, as is common for acute viral infections. Fully documented reinfection cases from Hong Kong, India, Belgium and USA, as well as credible to anecdotal evidence of second-time cases from other countries, bring into sharp focus the question of what profile the epidemic trajectories may take if immunity were really to be temporary in a significant fraction of the population. Here we use mathematical modeling to answer this question, constructing a novel delay differential equation model which is tailored to accommodate different kinds of immune response. We consider two immune responses here : (a) where a recovered case becomes completely susceptible after a given time interval following infection and (b) where a first-time recovered case becomes susceptible to a lower virulence infection after a given time interval following recovery, and becomes permanently immunized by a second infection. We find possible solutions exhibiting large number of waves of disease in the first situation and two to three waves in the second situation. Interestingly however, these multiple wave solutions are manifest only for some intermediate values of the reproduction number R, which is governed by public health intervention measures. For sufficiently low as well as sufficiently high R, we find conventional single-wave solutions despite the short-lived immunity. Our results cast insight into the potential spreading dynamics of the disease and might also be useful for analysing the spread after a vaccine is invented, and mass vaccination programs initiated.
Pangenome sequence evolution within human gut microbiomes is explained by gene-specific rather than host-specific selective pressures
Authors: N’Guessan Arnaud , Brito Ilana Lauren , Serohijos Adrian W.R. , Shapiro B. Jesse
Published: October 2020

Pangenomes – the cumulative set of genes encoded by a species – arise from evolutionary forces including horizontal gene transfer (HGT), drift, and selection. The relative importance of drift and selection in shaping pangenome structure has been recently debated, and the role of sequence evolution (point mutations) within mobile genes has been largely ignored, with studies focusing mainly on patterns of gene presence or absence. The effects of drift, selection, and HGT on pangenome evolution likely depends on the time scale being studied, ranging from ancient (e.g., between distantly related species) to recent (e.g., within a single animal host), and the unit of selection being considered (e.g., the gene, whole genome, microbial species, or human host). To shed light on pangenome evolution within microbiomes on relatively recent time scales, we investigate the selective pressures acting on mobile genes using a dataset that previously identified such genes in the gut metagenomes of 176 Fiji islanders. We mapped the metagenomic reads to mobile genes to call single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and calculate population genetic metrics that allowed us to infer deviations from a neutral evolutionary model. We found that mobile gene sequence evolution varied more by gene family than by human social attributes, such as household or village membership, suggesting that selection at the level of gene function is most relevant on these short time scales. Patterns of mobile gene sequence evolution could be qualitatively recapitulated with a simple evolutionary simulation, without the need to invoke an adaptive advantage of mobile genes to their bacterial host genome. This suggests that, at least on short time scales, a majority of the pangenome need not be adaptive. On the other hand, a subset of gene functions including defense mechanisms and secondary metabolism showed an aberrant pattern of molecular evolution, consistent with species-specific selective pressures or negative frequency-dependent selection not seen in prophages, transposons, or other gene categories. That mobile genes of different functions behave so differently suggests stronger selection at the gene level, rather than at the genome level. While pangenomes may be largely adaptive to their bacterial hosts on longer evolution time scales, here we show that, on shorter “human” time scales, drift and gene-specific selection predominate.
MAP kinase Slt2p attenuates cell wall mRNA decay by downregulating the RNA-binding protein Rbp1p in response to stress
Authors: Chang Lin-Chun , Wu Yu-Chieh , Chang Yu-Yun , Lee Fang-Jen
Published: October 2020

The yeast cell wall integrity (CWI) MAPK pathway is a signaling cascade function in maintaining cell wall integrity under stressful environmental conditions. Recently, the activity and signaling of Slt2p (Mpk1p) MAP kinase has been shown to control assembly of the processing body (P-body) upon cell wall stresses, implicating its posttranscriptional role in decay of cell wall mRNAs. However, how Slt2p MAP kinase directly regulates the stability of cell wall transcripts during cell wall stress remains unclear. Here, we reported that the RNA-binding protein Rbp1p (Ngr1p) is a downstream effector and target of Slt2p MAP kinase during activation of the cell wall stress signaling cascade. In addition to the well-defined target mitochondrial porin mRNA, we found that Rbp1p also negatively regulates the stability of a subset of Slt2p-regulated cell wall transcripts. Deletion ofRBP1increases the level of cell wall transcripts and partially suppresses the hypersensitivity of theslt2Δdeletion strain to cell wall damage. Slt2p is necessary for cell wall stress-induced stabilization of cell wall transcripts. Deletion ofRBP1compromises the destabilization of cell wall transcripts inslt2Δmutants under cell wall stress. Notably, C-terminal deleted Slt2p impairs its function in promoting turnover of the Rbp1p protein and fails to stabilize cell wall transcripts, although it can complement the growth defect of theslt2Δstrain upon cell wall stress. Altogether, our results demonstrate that MAP kinase Slt2p attenuates CWI mRNA decay in response to cell wall damage by downregulating the activity of the RNA-binding protein Rbp1p.
A pseudomolecule assembly of the Rocky Mountain elk genome reveals putative immune system gene loss near chromosomal fissions
Authors: Masonbrink Rick E , Alt David , Bayles Darrel O. , Boggiatto Paola , Edwards William , Tatum Fred , Williams Jeffrey , Wilson-Welder Jenny , Zimin Aleksey , Severin Andrew , Olsen Steven
Published: October 2020

Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis) is a major reservoir forBrucella abortusin the Greater Yellowstone area, which has significant economic implications to the cattle industry. Vaccination attempts against intracellular bacterial diseases in elk populations have not been successful due to a negligible adaptive cellular immune response. A lack of genomic resources has impeded attempts to better understand why vaccination does not induce protective immunity. To overcome this limitation, PacBio, Illumina, and HiC sequencing with a total of 686-fold coverage was used to assemble the elk genome into 35 pseudomolecules. A robust gene annotation was generated resulting in 18,013 gene models and 33,422 mRNAs. The accuracy of the assembly was assessed using synteny to the red deer and cattle genomes identifying several chromosomal rearrangements, fusions and fissions. Because this genome assembly and annotation provide a foundation for genome-enabled exploration of Cervus species, we demonstrate its utility by exploring the conservation of immune system-related genes. We conclude by comparing cattle immune system-related genes to the elk genome, revealing nine putative gene losses in elk.

Author Summary

Brucellosis, also known as contagious abortion, is a bacterial disease that commonly affects livestock and remains prevalent in Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis). Since the 1920’s the USDA has led a program to eradicate Brucellosis from cattle, yet wild Rocky Mountain elk continue to be a source of transmission. Attempts to vaccinate wild elk herds have been unsuccessful, due to a poor and short-lived immune response. To investigate the genetic basis for this inherent difference, we created the first genome and annotation for the Rocky Mountain elk. This genome assembly is of the highest quality and contains single linear sequences for all 35 chromosomes. In order to generate gene models, an array of RNA-Seq data and proteins from many different organ tissues and cells were used in gene prediction software. Specifically, we compare cattle immune system genes with the Rocky Mountain elk, revealing the putative loss of nine immune-system related genes in elk.
Host range projection of SARS-CoV-2: South Asia perspective
Authors: Ahmed Rasel , Hasan Rajnee , Siddiki A.M.A.M Zonaed , Islam Md. Shahidul
Published: October 2020

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causing agent of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), is likely to be originated from bat and transmitted through intermediate hosts. However, the immediate source species of SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been confirmed. Here, we used diversity analysis of the angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) that serves as cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), which has been proved to be utilized by SARS-CoV-2 for spike protein priming. We also simulated the structure of receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SARS-CoV-2 S RBD) with the ACE2s to investigate their binding affinity to determine the potential intermediate animal hosts that could spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus to humans in South Asia. We identified cow, buffalo, goat and sheep, which are predominant species in the household farming system in South Asia that can potentially be infected by SARS-CoV-2. All the bird species studied along with rat and mouse were considered less potential to interact with SARS-CoV-2. The interaction interfaces of SARS-CoV-2 S RBD and ACE2 protein complex suggests pangolin as a potential intermediate host in SARS-CoV-2. Our results provide a valuable resource for the identification of potential hosts for SARS-CoV-2 in South Asia and henceforth reduce the opportunity for a future outbreak of COVID-19.
Soil microbial diversity impacts plant microbiota more than herbivory
Authors: Malacrinò Antonino , Karley Alison J. , Schena Leonardo , Bennett Alison E.
Published: October 2020

Interactions between plants and microbiomes play a key role in ecosystem functioning and are of broad interest due to their influence on nutrient cycling and plant protection. However, we do not yet have a complete understanding of how plant microbiomes are assembled. Here, we tested and quantified the effect of different factors driving the diversity and composition of plant-associated microbial communities. We manipulated soil microbial diversity (high or low diversity), plant species (Solanum tuberosumorSolanum vernei), and herbivory (presence or absence of a phloem-feeding insectMacrosiphum euphorbiae), and found that soil microbial diversity influenced the herbivore-associated microbiome composition, but also plant species and herbivory influenced the soil microbiome composition. We quantified the relative strength of these effects and demonstrated that the initial soil microbiome diversity explained the most variation in plant- and herbivore-associated microbial communities. Our findings strongly suggest that soil microbial community diversity is a driver of the composition of multiple associated microbiomes (plant and insect), and this has implications for the importance of management of soil microbiomes in multiple systems.
Momilactone B inhibits Arabidopsis growth and development via disruption of ABA and auxin signaling
Authors: Wu Jianxin , Long Jun , Lin Xianhui , Chang Zhenyi , Baerson Scott R. , Ding Chaohui , Wu Xiaoyan , Pan Zhiqiang , Song Yuanyuan , Zeng Rensen
Published: October 2020

In competition for limited resources, many plants release allelochemicals to inhibit the growth of neighboring plants. Momilactone B (MB) is a major allelochemical produced by rice (Oryza sativa), however its mode of action is currently unknown. We used Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) as a model system to evaluate potential mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of MB on seed germination, seedling establishment and root growth through the use of confocal microscopy and the examination of transcriptional responses in MB-treated seedlings. In response to MB treatment, transcript levels for genes encoding several key ABA biosynthetic enzymes and signaling components, including the transcription factor ABA-INSENSITIVE 4 (ABI4), were dramatically increased. Additionally,ABA insensitive 4(abi4) mutant seedlings exhibited reduced susceptibility to exogenously-provided MB. Although the transcript levels ofDELLAgenes, which negatively regulate GA signaling, were significantly increased upon MB exposure, exogenous GA application did not reverse the inhibitory effects of MB on Arabidopsis germination and seedling development. Moreover, a reduction in seedling root meristematic activity, associated with reduced expression of auxin biosynthetic genes and efflux transporters, and apparent lowered auxin content, was observed in MB-treated root tips. Exogenous auxin applications partially rescued the inhibitory effects of MB observed in root growth. Our results indicate that MB suppresses Arabidopsis seed germination and root growth primarily via disruption of ABA and auxin signaling. These findings underscore the crucial roles played by phytohormones in mediating responses to allelochemical exposure.

One-sentence summary

Momilactone B, the key allelochemical of rice, inhibits Arabidopsis growth and development via disruption of ABA and auxin signaling, suggesting the crucial roles of phytohormones in plant allelopathy
Screening bacterial isolates for phosphate Solubilizing capability in a ferruginous ultisol in Benin City, Edo State Nigeria
Authors: Musa S.I. , Ikhajiagbe Beckley
Published: October 2020

Phosphorus is a major growth-limiting nutrient which plays important biochemical role in photosynthesis, respiration and several other processes in the living plant. It is widely distributed in minerals as phosphates. It reacts easily with Fe3+in ferruginous ultisols and therefore not bioavailable for plant usage. Many bacteria have the ability to solubilize phosphate minerals and make it bioavailable to plants. Thus this research investigates the culturable bacterial composition of ferruginous ultisol, comparative to control soils as well as the phosphate solubilizing capabilities of the isolates for future use in soil improvements. Six soil samples of different ferruginous levels and a control were assayed for physicochemical parameters prior to the experiment. Culturable bacteria as well as the phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were assayed in Pikovskaya’s medium at 27°C with 7.5 pH for 7days. Six distinct isolates were observed which proved to beProteus spp.,Pseudomonas spp.,Klebsiella spp.,Salmonella spp.,Bacillus spp. and Serratia spp. based on biochemical and morphological characteristics. Of these six isolates, three isolates (EMBF2-Klebsiellaspp, BCAF1-Proteusspp and BCAC2-Bacillusspp) were identify to solubilize phosphate by releasing a considerable amount of phosphate (12.01-21.23 ppm) and lowering the pH of the media. The three isolates showed tolerance to acidic and alkaline media and also showed plant growth promoting capabilities by releasing IAA and siderophores. The result revealed that the three isolates had potential to chelate the ion bond in Fe3+in ferruginous ultisol by releasing low molecular weight organic acid, making phosphate to be bioavailable for plant usage. This will serve as biofertilizer in improving yield of crops in ferruginous ultisol and improve soil fertility.
Fluorescence-free quantification of protein/nucleic-acid binding through single-molecule kinetic locking
Authors: Rieu Martin , Valle-Orero Jessica , Ducos Bertrand , Allemand Jean-François , Croquette Vincent
Published: October 2020

Fluorescence-free micro-manipulation of nucleic acids (NA) allows the functional characterization of DNA/RNA processing proteins, without the interference of labels, but currently fails to detect and quantify their binding. To overcome this limitation, we developed a new method based on single-molecule force spectroscopy, called kinetic locking, that allows a direct in vitro visualization of protein binding while avoiding any kind of chemical disturbance of the protein’s natural function. We validate kinetic locking by measuring accurately the hybridization energy of ultrashort nucleotides (5,6,7 bases) and use it to measure the dynamical interactions of E. coli RecQ helicase with its DNA substrate.
Evolutionary history of cotranscriptional editing in the paramyxoviral phosphoprotein gene
Authors: Douglas Jordan , Drummond Alexei J. , Kingston Richard L.
Published: October 2020

The phosphoprotein gene of the paramyxoviruses encodes multiple protein products. The P, V, and W proteins are generated by transcriptional slippage. This process results in the insertion of non-templated guanosine nucleosides into the mRNA at a conserved edit site. The P protein is an essential component of the viral RNA polymerase, and is encoded by a direct copy of the gene in the majority of paramyxoviruses. However, in some cases the non-essential V protein is encoded by default and guanosines must be inserted into the mRNA in order to encode P. The number of guanosines inserted can be described by a probability distribution which varies between viruses. In this article we review the nature of these distributions, which can be inferred from mRNA sequencing data, and reconstruct the evolutionary history of cotranscriptional editing in the paramyxovirus family. Our model suggests that, throughout known history of the family, the system has switched from a P default to a V default mode four times; complete loss of the editing system has occurred twice, the canonical zinc finger domain of the V protein has been deleted or heavily mutated a further two times, and the W protein has independently evolved a novel function three times. Finally, we review the physical mechanisms of cotranscriptional editing via slippage of the viral RNA polymerase.
Multiscale integration organizes hierarchical computation in human auditory cortex
Authors: Norman-Haignere Sam V , Long Laura K. , Devinsky Orrin , Doyle Werner , Irobunda Ifeoma , Merricks Edward M. , Feldstein Neil A. , McKhann Guy M. , Schevon Catherine A. , Flinker Adeen , Mesgarani Nima
Published: October 2020

To derive meaning from sound, the brain must integrate information across tens (e.g. phonemes) to hundreds (e.g. words) of milliseconds, but the neural computations that enable multiscale integration remain unclear. Prior evidence suggests that human auditory cortex analyzes sound using both generic acoustic features (e.g. spectrotemporal modulation) and category-specific computations, but how these putatively distinct computations integrate temporal information is unknown. To answer this question, we developed a novel method to estimate neural integration periods and applied the method to intracranial recordings from human epilepsy patients. We show that integration periods increase three-fold as one ascends the auditory cortical hierarchy. Moreover, we find that electrodes with short integration periods (~50-150 ms) respond selectively to spectrotemporal modulations, while electrodes with long integration periods (~200-300 ms) show prominent selectivity for sound categories such as speech and music. These findings reveal how multiscale temporal analysis organizes hierarchical computation in human auditory cortex.
Striatal indirect pathway mediates action switching via modulation of collicular dynamics
Authors: Lee Jaeeon , Sabatini Bernardo L.
Published: October 2020

Type 2 dopamine receptor-expressing, or indirect pathway striatal projection (iSPNs), neurons comprise one of two major pathways through the basal ganglia1, and are a major drug target for treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders2–4. The function of iSPNs is unclear with proposed roles in suppression of unwanted actions and in refining selection actions or their kinematics5–12. Here, we show that iSPNs can simultaneously suppress and facilitate conflicting motor actions in a lateralized licking task. Activation of iSPNs suppresses contraversive while promoting ipsiversive licking, allowing mice to rapidly switch between alternative motor programs. iSPN activity is prokinetic even when mice are not cued to perform an action. Activity in lateral superior colliculus (lSC), a basal ganglia target, is necessary for performing the task and predicts action. Furthermore, iSPN activation suppresses ipsilateral lSC, but surprisingly, excites contralateral lSC. iSPN activity has neuron-specific effects that, at the population level, steers the neural trajectory towards that associated with ipsiversive licking. Thus, our results reveal a previously unknown specificity of iSPNs effects on downstream brain regions, including the ability to excite contralateral regions and trigger motor programs. These results suggest a general circuit mechanism for flexible action switching during competitive selection of lateralized actions.
Generation of Somatic Mitochondrial DNA-Replaced Cells for Mitochondrial Dysfunction Treatment
Authors: Maeda Hideki , Kami Daisuke , Maeda Ryotaro , Shikuma Akira , Gojo Satoshi
Published: October 2020

Mitochondrial diseases currently have no cure regardless of whether the cause is a nuclear or mitochondrial genome mutation. Mitochondrial dysfunction notably affects a wide range of disorders in aged individuals, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and even senescence. Here, we present a procedure to generate mitochondrial DNA-replaced somatic cells with a combination of a temporal reduction in endogenous mitochondrial DNA and coincubation with exogeneous isolated mitochondria. Heteroplasmy in mitochondrial disease patient-derived fibroblasts in which the mutant genotype was dominant over the wild-type genotype was reversed over the long term, even inducing the production of pluripotent stem cells from the mitochondrial DNA-replaced cells to maintain the genotype without a reversion to the original. Both mitochondrial disease patient-derived and aged fibroblasts could regain respiratory function and showed lifespan extension. Mitochondrial membranous components were utilized as a vehicle to deliver the genetic materials into endogenous mitochondria-like horizontal genetic transfer in prokaryotes. The mitochondrial DNA-replaced cells could be a resource for transplantation to treat not only mitochondrial diseases, but also senescence-related diseases.
rac-{[2-(Diphenylthiophosphoryl)ferrocenyl]methyl}dimethylammonium diphenyldithiophosphinate. Corrigendum
Authors: Mouas Toma Nardjes , Merazig Hocine , Daran Jean-Claude , Manoury Eric
Published: September 2020

In the paper by Mouas et al. [Acta Cryst. (2012), E68, m381–m382], there was an error in the name of the first author.
Strategy of using ICT in ODL to disseminate higher education in tribal communities: a case of MP, India
Authors: Nayak Subash Ranjan , Kant Nikhil , Anjali Kumari
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make an assessment of the challenges in disseminating higher education to the learners in tribal communities, and problems solving capacity of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) by strategically making use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) taking a case of Madhya Pradesh (MP), which is the most tribal dominated state of India. The paper offers valuable insight in to the usage of ICT as a strategy for the ODL system presenting an account of how it can be utilized effectively to disseminate higher education in tribal communities.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory and descriptive techniques were utilized in this paper adopting the research strategy of case study in terms of the strategic potentialities of ICT in disseminating higher education in tribal communities by ODL using it as a strategy for their empowerment and development.

Findings

The findings of the paper reveal that dissemination of higher education in tribal areas is a challenging task especially due to their socioeconomic conditions and ethno cultural settings in addition to numerous infrastructural and access related issues. In view of the need of integrating education with the Indigenous perspectives, ICT can be used as an effective strategy by ODL for disseminating higher education amongst learners in those communities by reaching out to them.

Practical implications

This paper concludes that ICT can help ODL immensely in developing countries such as India strategically in reaching the tribal learners surpassing financial and geographical constraints with a learner centric approach increasing the capacity, quality and cost effectiveness of education system bringing the concept of strategy to center stage, at a time when ICT has fundamentally changed the strategies of different sectors including education with the unprecedented growth in its use.

Originality/value

This paper concludes that ICT has fundamentally changed the strategies of different sectors including higher education with the unprecedented growth in its use. It also concludes that Indian higher educational sector faced with multitude of challenges is not insulated from the effect of ICT, and its emancipatory and transformative potentials in higher education can play a major substantive role by extending support to meet the increasing higher educational needs of the tribal communities by sufficiently embedding it so that their greater contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be ensured.
A qualitative study to understand the factors affecting the adoption of glass fiber-reinforced gypsum (GFRG) as a sustainable building technology: insights from Indian construction industry
Authors: Garg Ruchi , Chhikara Ritu , Singh Ramendra , Agrawal Gautam , Talwar Vishal , Mehra Vedant
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the factors favoring the adoption of the challenges faced and support mechanism, which will lead to the proliferation of glass fiber-reinforced gypsum (GFRG) technology in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews with 35 experts, including construction developers, architects, contractors, government officials and design consultants, were conducted. This qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis and matrix analysis.

Findings

GFRG-based buildings produce much less carbon footprints as compared to traditional ones and can be safely recommended as a promising, environmentally sensitive technology of the future. The major drivers in its adoption are its efficient construction capability, energy and soil conservation and significant waste reduction. Some of the challenges in implementation are long planning time, lack of skilled labor, lack of awareness about green building technologies and myopic perception of high cost incurred in green building adoption in people’s minds.

Practical implications

This study establishes that the construction industry has the potential to contribute toward creating a sustainable and green planet. It does so by evaluating and then positively positioning GFRG as an environmentally friendly building system.

Originality/value

The harmful effects of continuous environmental manipulation by humans leading to its degradation is a critical discussion agenda for most nations of the world. The issue has been taken up seriously by developing countries, and now, developing countries are also becoming sensitised to it. Several policies toward the attainment of this goal have been formulated and are being implemented by government and private bodies. Although some authors have studied the issues and challenges related to the adoption of green buildings, their attempts mostly focused on developed countries. Moreover, research that investigated the evaluation of the GFRG building system as a successful green technology of the future is inadequate.
Opportunity, job pressure and deviant workplace behaviour: does neutralisation mediate the relationship? A study of faculty members in public universities in Nigeria
Authors: Adeoti Michael Olalekan , Shamsudin Faridahwati Mohd , Mohammad AlHamwan Mousa
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the present study was twofold: (1) to examine the direct effect of the dimensions of opportunity (i.e. ethical climate and institutional policy) and dimensions of job pressure (i.e. workload and work pressure) on workplace deviance (i.e. organisational and interpersonal deviance) and (2) to assess the mediation of neutralisation in the relationship between the dimensions of opportunity, job pressure and workplace deviance.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study drew from the fraud triangle theory (FTT; Cressey, 1950) and the theory of neutralisation (Sykes and Matza, 1957) to achieve the research objectives. Survey data from 356 full-time faculty members in Nigerian public universities were collected. Partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyse the data.

Findings

The results indicated that opportunity and job pressure significantly affected workplace deviance. As expected, neutralisation was found to mediate the negative relationship between ethical climate and interpersonal deviance and the positive relationship between workload, work pressure and interpersonal deviance. Contrary to expectation, neutralisation did not mediate the relationship between opportunity, pressure and organisational deviance.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was drawn from academics in public universities and the cross-sectional nature of this study means that the findings have limited generalisations.

Practical implications

This study offers insights into the management of Nigerian public universities on the need to curb workplace deviance amongst faculty members. This study recommends that the management improve the work environment by enhancing the ethical climate and institutional policies and reviewing the existing workload that may constitute pressure to the faculty members.

Originality/value

The present study provides empirical support for the fraud triangle theory and theory of neutralisation to explain workplace deviance.
The role of organizational structure and deviant status in employees’ reactions to and acceptance of workplace deviance
Authors: Moon Chanki , Morais Catarina , Randsley de Moura Georgina , Uskul Ayse K.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of deviant status (lower vs higher rank) and organizational structure (vertical vs horizontal) on individuals’ responses to workplace deviance.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies (N= 472) were designed to examine the role of deviant status and organizational structure in responses to workplace deviance. Study 1 (N= 272) manipulated deviant status and organizational structure. Study 2 (N= 200) also manipulated deviant status but focused on participants’ subjective evaluations of the organizational structure of their workplace.

Findings

Study 1 found that participants reported lower job satisfaction and organizational commitment, and higher turnover intentions when they imagined being confronted with deviant behaviors displayed by a manager (vs by a subordinate), regardless of the type of organizational structure. Study 2 extended this finding by showing that the indirect effect of organizational structure (vertical vs horizontal) on turnover intention via job satisfaction and organizational commitment was moderated by deviant status: when the deviant’s status was higher, working in a vertical (vs horizontal) organization was associated with decreased job satisfaction and commitment, which, in turn, was associated with a higher level of turnover intentions.

Originality/value

The findings broaden our understanding of how individuals respond to deviance at the workplace, by simultaneously considering the effects of organizational structure (vertical vs horizontal) and deviant status (upward vs downward directions of deviance).
Evaluation of higher education services: social media learning
Authors: Dagli Gokmen , Altinay Fahriye , Altinay Zehra , Altinay Mehmet
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This research study aims to examine the quality of life and services of higher education through social media in fostering students' learning and environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research methods were used in this study. In the study, as a data collection tool, a semistructured interview form was prepared and questions were asked. A study group was formed with a total of 80 participants in order to analyze the opinions of students studying in the University of Kyrenia.

Findings

According to the findings obtained in the study, it is understood that higher education students generally use Facebook or Instagram especially for following the trainings conducted abroad. It can be said that university students of higher education can follow many educational developments by being members of various educational institutions. In addition to this, university students can be thought to use this tool continuously and intensively in all project or assignment submissions thanks to social media. It is understood that especially university students can communicate with faculty members and access big data when necessary. Again, in this context, thanks to social media, it is understood from the opinions and thoughts received from the participants that they can easily prepare their lessons by making group interviews with each other or with the groups they have formed collectively. It is understood from the findings that the quality can be increased because various trainings can be provided in groups established through social media; thus, the fact that there is an opening to the world and the reason for the exchange of healthy ideas, information and science increases the quality.

Research limitations/implications

Research is limited to numbers of research participants from the University of Kyrenia, Faculty of Education in northern part of Cyprus. Social media is used as a medium of learning and development in the research.

Practical implications

It is a study that ensures that if social media services are used correctly in practice, this research will contribute to the continuous development of students.

Social implications

The research conducted contributes to how social media services can be organized through technology in higher education and measurement of learning can be enriched through social media.

Originality/value

With this research, it has a unique value due to the fact that the problems encountered in the use of social media services in universities reveal the problems and solutions. In this context, it shows the contribution of social media on the value added to the learning and learning environments and the benefit of services in higher education.
Do big data-driven HR practices improve HR service quality and innovation competency of SMEs
Authors: Verma Surabhi , Singh Vibhav , Bhattacharyya Som Sekhar
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Today, big data (BD) is considered as a crucial investment for firms to stay competitive. However, the human resource (HR) function within small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has been slow to adopt this innovation. Drawing on the organizational learning theory (OLT), this study aims to propose that BD can improve HR functions, especially of SMEs, thereby yielding them a competitive edge.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzed unstructured data from 41 journal papers, based on which, a conceptual framework was developed. Further, this framework was validated with responses collected from 148 SMEs in India.

Findings

Bibliometric analysis and results of partial least squares techniques revealed that better BD quality is needed to improve HR practices, human resource service quality (HRSQ) and innovation competency of SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to the extant literature by considering strategic management theories such as resource-based view and OLT to evaluate BDA’s effect on organizational functional practices such as HR and HRSQ.

Practical implications

In Indian SMEs, BD quality has a substantial effect on BD HR practices and HRSQ. However, these factors influence can constructively impact SMEs, if SMEs are open to organizational change, whereby they need to develop technical skills and competencies of the HR professionals.

Originality/value

Though BD research works have shown exponential growth in recent times, scholarly empirical research investigating BD’s impact upon human resource management (HRM) is scarce. The present study appraises extant literature on BD in HRM.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on conventional work settings
Authors: Diab-Bahman Randa , Al-Enzi Abrar
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To give insight into human resource (HR) policy makers of the impact of the abrupt change in working conditions as reported from their primary stakeholders – the employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Reported from a first-person point of view, 192 employees from Kuwait who are currently working from home were surveyed as to how the lockdown circumstances have impacted their conventional work expectations. The study compares the old working conditions (OWC) to the current working conditions (CWC) to give insight into the overall sentiments of the abrupt changes to the workplace.

Findings

It was found that most employees agreed that OWC need to be reviewed, and that the general sentiment was almost equally split on the efficiency of CWC in comparison to OWC, yet the majority was enjoying the flexible conditions. Moreover, the majority of respondents found that overall conventional work elements either remained the same or had been impacted positively rather than negatively. Also, if given an option of a hybrid model inclusive of partly working remotely and partly working on-site, a considerable majority reported that they are able to efficiently conduct atleast 80% of their work expectation. Finally, it was found that employee expectation is changing as they consider post COVID-19 conditions.

Research limitations/implications

This research was conducted using virtual crowd-sourcing methods to administer the survey and may have been enhanced should other methods have been integrated for data gathering. Also, a more comprehensive phenomenological approach could have been incorporated to add a qualitative method to the investigation. This could have freed the results of answer limitation and experience bias. Moreover, it is good practice to involve both quantitative and qualitative elements to any research when possible. Finally, future research can benefit from a bigger pool of participants so as to gain a clearer picture.

Originality/value

This research will give policy makers a look at what needs to be reviewed/changed for a successful roll-out of remote work in accordance with their original strategies.
Organizational ambidexterity, brand management capability and brand performance
Authors: Iyer Pramod , Davari Arezoo , Zolfagharian Mohammadali , Paswan Audhesh
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which an organization’s pursuit of radical and disruptive innovations and refinement of existing processes and incremental innovations influence the brand management capability, and subsequently, the brand performance in business-to-business firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The key informant approach is used for data collection. Panel data are obtained using the services of a reputable research firm. Existing scales are used to measure all the focal constructs. Partial least squares based structural equation modeling is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results of this study indicate positive associations of both exploitative and exploratory innovation types with brand management processes. These findings signify the need for organizations to balance both these innovation types to maximize their performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study prescribes an insight into the complex relationship that exists between organizational ambidexterity, brand management processes and brand performance, providing a framework that reconciles the seemingly conflicting goals of relevance and consistency in the development of brand management capability.

Practical implications

Given that very few firms can achieve ambidexterity, this study provides a means to maximize the potential of this organizational process.

Originality/value

This study borrows from the existing research on brand management to argue that organizations are required to balance both exploitative and exploratory innovation types to maximize their performance.
Returnee entrepreneurship: how home-country institutions, estrangement and support influence entrepreneurial intentions
Authors: Gruenhagen Jan Henrik
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Policymakers, academics and practitioners have recognised the potential of returnee entrepreneurs for the transfer of advanced knowledge to emerging and developing countries. Yet what factors determine the decisions to start a business – and what type of business – upon returning to the home country is relatively unclear. This paper aims to reveal to what extent different contextual factors influence the intention to return home to start a venture. In addition to overall intentions to start a returnee business, this study covers intentions towards starting businesses with different orientations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study builds upon a sample of 273 individuals originating from emerging economies who are on track to complete their overseas tertiary education in an advanced economy. Using primary survey data obtained from the participants, a structural equation model (SEM) based on our theoretical model was defined for hypothesis testing.

Findings

Findings suggest that the perception of a stable institutional environment stimulates returnee entrepreneurship, and that the perception of estrangement negatively affects the intention to start a new venture in the home country. The results further show that the availability of support may reduce perceived estrangement, thereby exerting an indirect, positive effect on returnee entrepreneurship. Importantly, the findings confirm that these effects vary across intentions to start ventures with different orientations.

Originality/value

This study extends previous literature on the phenomenon of returnee entrepreneurs which has primarily investigated returnee-owned ventures that are already in operation. In particular, the authors provide theoretical links between institutions and other contextual factors affecting returnee entrepreneurial intentions, and this study highlights that it is meaningful to consider not only the strength but also different types of intentions. Thereby, this paper provides refined perspectives on the assumed beneficial impact of returnee entrepreneurs on the economic and societal development of emerging economies.